Ascent of the Holy Blade

Chapter 9

     The morning sun rose above the eastern peaks of the snow-capped Blackstone Mountains, bathing the land west of large mountain range in its warm embrace. The birds sang and the forest animals danced and played, rejoicing in the energy that seems to accompany a late winter morning.

     Galen watched in amusement as two squirrels chattered at a blue jay that was playfully diving at the frantic squirrels before dodging away at the last second.

      "Life used to seem so carefree and simple. All I had to worry about was making sure I had my chores done," Galen sighed as he tightened Mercury's saddle. "Now I have so many responsibilities, worrying about Mellay and Ox because of their oath, training, whether or not I'm going to die in a battle...It's all so overwhelming."

     Sir Olan was walking up to help Galen with his gear,  wanting to make sure the young man's shoulder was healing when he overheard Galen doubting himself.

     "You did very well yesterday, Galen, and I believe you will continue to excel, and eventually with time and experience, you will. I see the same promise in you that your father and my old teachers saw in us. You reacted well under pressure, you understand the basics of martial tactics and how to apply them, and you have a natural affinity for weapons, especially the sword. If it wasn't against your father's wishes I would take you back to the monastery when this is all over. I haven't seen a pupil half as suited for the knighthood in the last twenty years as you are. You just need to believe in yourself." Sir Olan squeezed his nephew's shoulder in assurance.

     "What do you mean 'against my father's wishes'? Why didn't he send me to the monastery like you and him to train to be a knight. Did he not think that I might want to be like him?" Galen asked perplexed.

     "It is not that he didn't want you to follow in his footsteps- on the contrary nothing would have made him prouder. But on the night you were born Orin had a dream in which a child's back is turned to the monastery. In the knighthood we are taught to interpret our dreams. Sometimes they're just every day dreams but occasionally the Savior communicates with his followers through their dreams. This dream has continued to plague Olan every year on your birthday and, even though he tried to convince himself it wasn't so, even your stubborn father had to admit that the dream was from the Savior and that your future as a Knight of Everwatch was not meant to be," Orin finished sadly as he removed his arm from the pondering young man's shoulder.

      "He believes that there must be something great in store for you and so do I," stated Olan then saying nothing else walked away to ready Blade.

     "A dream," thought Galen shaking his head in disbelief. "I was kept from the Knights of Everwatch because of a dream. I wonder if my dream of that sword has any significance," he said and then dismissed the thought with a shrug of his shoulders. Thinking upon the things his uncle said to him, Galen felt his confidence begin to solidify within him. Smiling, he mounted Mercury and rode out of the shelter of the snow covered pines and onto the caravan road.

     Galen surveyed the hilly countryside, enjoying the energizing early morning air as he watched a blue-tailed hawk rocket from the limbs of a lush dark green pine and then dive at some unseen varmint. The hawk returned to its airy perch, its trophy clutched protectively in its brawny talons. Spying the young man watching him, the territorial bird of prey screeched a challenge at the watching human.

     "I'm just watching, oh great winged hunter," chuckled Galen, "besides, I have no taste for field mouse."

     The hawk, as if in understanding, squawked one last time then turned its gray feathered back away from Galen and eagerly began to devour its breakfast.