Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 20

Cladius opened his eyes to find himself bound. He smelt the forest air. How long had he been out?

"Waky, waky, boy!" The man said slamming his boot against the stump in front of Cladius.

The man was handless and had a bald scalp, with an ungroomed beard. It was the same man who threatened to sell him, Almorah, and Agular as slaves. Cladius still didn't know his name.

"You know where we are?" The man said with a booming voice, arms stretched out.

"Does it matter?" Cladius replied, "It's only going to be your grave."

"Big mean words coming from a soft, lowly knight." The man yelled back.

"Excuse me, Cli, but the celebration was hosted for this knight. I suggest we get on with this and quickly." A familiar voice said.

Cladius turned his head back, at the voice; it was the imposter who had played the role as General Had. He had worried eyes as he looked at Cli, the handless bandit.

"He's tied, how will he get out?" Cli replied, "I want to relish this moment."

The man shook his head as he hovered over Cladius with in an axe in his left hand. Cladius could see him much easier now that he stood beside him. Cli smiled as he looked into Cladius's nearly black eyes.

"Your eyes are as black as death." Cli hesitated with almost in awe, "It seems fitting that you meet the axe."

"Woman, what do you do here?" One of the men yelled out into the woods.

"Calm yourself, tie her hands, and bring her to the chop block as well!" Cri smirked.

The imposter of General Had walked towards the woman with a rope in one hand, and axe in the other.

"Don't make this difficult, toss your hands out!" The man yelled.

As he came within three steps of the woman, he was instantly tossed back. It took the woman only a second to raise her arm, for this to happen. She had long dark black hair, her eyes were a sky blue color, and her skin was nearly white, as it sparkled in the sunlight. By far, she was the most beautiful thing a man could lay eyes on. She stepped forward as she called for Cladius by name in a soft voice.

"Cladius, come, I have been sent forth to help you on your quest."

The men stood there in shock as the small framed woman kept walking forward. It was as if they were in a hypnotic gaze. She wore a white robe, distinct from all other colors of white. She knelt beside Cladius as she simply waited there. Cladius looked to his left and right as each man slowly changed their expression of shock to anger and hatred.

"Kill her now!" Cli yelled.

The swords, knives and axes came at the woman, as she simply, glided back, elegantly dodging the blows. It seemed that this woman was more powerful than any other mortal that Cladius had ever known. Cladius spotted the woman's tale, coming from beneath her long dress; it was as if he was the only one who could see this woman in a different light.

He struggled with his bonds as the woman simply taunted the men with her fleeting steps of grace. Cladius could feel his muscles bulging from his shoulders, and arm as he struggled with bond. He knew a mortal like himself couldn't break these.

"Cladius, I perceive your thoughts, the Lady of the Road, knows them as well, you are not simply a mortal." The woman said as she touched one of the men in the forehead.