Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 33

The Chapel of Alissicies was gorgeous. Midnight blue carpets were unfolded over the fine stone finish. The walls were a wooden structure, and drapes of cloth came from the walls, the crescent their signature. Agular had been drinking the red potion, a sip every four hours. Its affects were not permanent, and never would be. They could do nothing else for him, than offer the potion. Chapel pews were to the left and right, as if to expect an audience beside the zealots who lived inside the building. Revar was on his knees in the center of the square center, two halls to each side leading down different paths. His sword was gently placed against the stone as he rested his body against it.

Almorah was in awe every time she entered the chapel. Though two halls led to the right and left, which circled back containing the court yard outside, which she did often visit. The violets, white roses, and other unknown plants completely fascinated her, both in beauty and in simplicity. She wasn't the only one who loved the guarding in the court yard, Agular worked in there every day. He would find fruit, which the monastery typically knew nothing about. The women of the temple were always singing songs of hope and joy. This was the one place that war, seemed to never touch, somewhere peace always was.

In the middle of the monastery was a white flame. Agular looked towards Revar, nearly regretting that he did.

"Revar, what is the white flame? What is it significant?"

Almorah spoke up, as if natural, "It is a gift; it's one of the gates to Hell, if the flame dies then man is doomed."

"Ah, surprising! You are certainly bright! Few know the secrets of the flame, something we guard with our lives, but I suppose I gave it away with last night's discussion."

"Not much more than a hint I would say," Agular replied, turning to his sister, glad he had the excuse to do so.

"Well, even so, I think it remarkable; perhaps this is why you have been chosen. Or maybe the goddess has given you enlightenment?" Revar proclaimed.

"What?" Almorah questioned, "Chosen, by a not even existent goddess?"

"Ah, but same was said about the Sun God, and yet he has been watching." Revar smiled.

"What exactly have we to do, in such a peaceful state? Helm is lost, we have no safe passage to the remaining forts, if they are indeed remaining; and even if we tried it would be certain death. We cannot save Dechoneus this temple lacks the soldiers, the man power." Almorah shouted with impatience, "We are hopeless in this cause, my brother can't even fight."

Revar smiled his forced smile, as always, "My lady, look around you, we live to protect the flame. As do all of our faithful members, you should touch the flame. It will choose you, if needs be you be chosen. But from the looks of it, the God's have already made their mark."

"Place my hand into the fire? Will it not burn me? My mark, what is it you speak of?"

"Ah, your eyes, the golden eyes most commonly seen in Inger from their past fathers. Genetic of course, however the gods have chosen you, a rare occasion indeed; you have a great work to accomplish. And the flame is harmless."

"My eyes, how do you know this?" Almorah asked.

"Touch the flame, and it should be revealed, at least, what Alissicies will reveal."

Almorah walked skeptically towards the fire. She placed her hand over the flame, glancing back at Revar's forced, yet reassuring smile. The man constantly looked as if in pain. Almorah hesitated, her feet turning to rock, and her hand moving as a branch in the wind. She closed her eyes placing her hand into the fire.

Her eyes were open as the gods gathered around her, Claydrin smiled. Arrivail admired her, and the others looked with curiosity. Slowly the mood changed from gloom and mystery, to welcome and joy. She looked about, but there was no Sun God, though Revar claimed he had found them, nor the God of War and Smithy, Hevilian. Almorah looked about them, in wonder.