Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 41

Cladius glanced about his party. Nerus stood strong and so did Cladius's circle of knights. They followed him, each one, like loyal pups. Each was honored to serve their king. An army stood at the ready, an army of a thousand men, estimated by the count of Cladius. The king stepped forward. His hair cut and respectable, his facial hair still that of a rogues. Cladius look towards Nerus.

"Nerus, position these men here, do not cross the border, unless I give the word, or they begin attacking you. Rest here, and take up camp. I have a three day travel to undertake. If all goes well, not a single man will have to take the blood of Inger men."

"Yes, my lord." Nerus replied.

Cladius nodded, moving forward. He was more than just their king; he was a leader, their general. His noble nature and personality made him a great role model. He was Helm's hero, their future. He began his journey through the ankle high snow. Of course, winter was here, and Inger got some snow fall. He knew he the snow would only get deeper the further he traveled through the state.

He began through villages, people giving him weird looks. It was not every day that a knight of helm journeyed through the land of Inger. It was even a dangerous task, if not taken with care. Inger's people were prideful and prone to violence. Men stood tall, their wood axes in hand, with strong stares.

Cladius ignored them, continue forward, soldiers, glanced at him, but none dared to ask his business. After a long journey there he stood, at the gates of Inger, Guards ran from their positions to the wall, one stood their yelling down.

"What business has a Helmish man hold in Inger?"

"My business is that which is king speech." Cladius yelled back.

"Then find your king!" the man mocked.

"Here he stands." Cladius said firmly.

The man took a swallow of air, gulping down his spit in surprise, "you desire an audience with my king, our emperor?"

"Indeed, open these gates or I will walk in." Cladius replied.

"You are but one man, what can you do?" the man laughed.

"Do you want to find out?" Cladius replied with anger evident in his voice.

Another guard walked by, whispering something in the man's ear, as Cladius stood patiently there. Both looked back to the king of helm.

"Welcome, oh great king." The man replied.

Cladius nodded as he stepped through the gates. The guards ran up to him weapons at the ready as they watched him. Cladius looked about, sizing them up.

"Your weapons sir?" A man asked, as if to have them relinquished.

"Take them, and return them on my departure." Cladius replied.

Four guards followed him, to the castle; bounding his hands along the way. They stood by the fine wooden gate, leading to the throne room. Cladius looked about as a man entered the room.

"How long will this be taking? I have only a few minutes." Cladius replied.

"Patients you rat!" on called back.

"Respect, soldier, that is not just any man; the man that stands before you is the Knight of Helm. The things he's accomplished, is that of legend."

Cladius looked about, eight guards around him. He was losing his patients. The men squabbled among each other, as Cladius stepped forward, bonds around his wrist. Each man looked at him stepping forward as Cladius looked back.

"You are not to enter, unless permitted by the emperor!" A soldier yelled.

"Watch me." Cladius replied, ripping through his bonds.

The men came at him with spears and swords. The first to attempt an attack thrust his spear at the god. Cladius caught it by the shaft, yanking it forward, grabbing the man by the throat, and slamming him into the ground. The stone was cracked by the Cladius's blow. The rest came at him. He blocked their sword blades with his armguards, and beat them with his fist. He dodged their blows, and slammed his helmed head into another man, sending him flying back. The other six, didn't fare any better. Cladius caught one man's attack by the blade, breaking it between his two hands, and slamming his palm into his chest. His plate mail was ruined with one smash, an indent where a round curve should be. He fell back-down against the ground, too sore to get up. Cladius turned around to see the remaining men. He grabbed two slamming their heads together, and the last three were taken out with simple means. Slamming his foot into once face, causing him to fly into the sky, and slam into the ground. The last two, tried to run, but it was too late. Cladius grabbed one in each arm, charging through the door with them.

The door fell off its hinges, splinters falling to the ground, shattered. The door was no more, men laid strewn across the palace grounds; the emperor's men all attack Cladius to protect their ruler. The current audience was a noble, shocked and in surprise, as he watched an unarmed man, fell the guard of Inger, one by one. The emperor sat in his chair, his guards trying to usher him out. Cladius glanced at the noble as he ran out, tail between his legs.

"It's an honor emperor." Cladius replied, not even out of breath.

"You just took on over twenty of my men in under a minute, and you bow and give me respect?" The emperor questioned.

The guards had their weapons ready, wearing plate mail; they were the high knights of Inger. Cladius looked up from his bow, as he moved forward, taking his helmet from off his head.

"I apologies it took me so long. I was trying to be gentle."

"Gentle! Ha, you had me fooled! With your bare hands you smashed in their steel plate armor. No man can do that with a mace, and here you have done it with none other than your palm of your hand. I stand amazed, Knight of Helm."

"You should try Lord, my dear emperor, for I am their king." Cladius replied.

"King, really?" The emperor laughed, "Your predecessor couldn't take time to meet me face to face, and so, no aid has been given to you. Now, you strive to make such things right, but to no avail I will say."

"Then I will take your land by myself. Alone, I can take your armies, and with an army, I can take the entire land. Will you join me, or fall victim to a revolution you cannot control."

"It seems you threaten to dethrone me, how petty." The emperor replied.

"You've already been dethroned, you can simply choose by whom, Volohs of the Void, or Cladius of Helm."

"Who is this Volohs of the Void you speak of?"

"The King of the West, who, conquered Helm, and Dechoneus, your lands is all that is left, before his will is iron, and nonnegotiable. Think wisely, you may continue to rule this land, if you only work with me to be-rid Lumesc of Voloh's threat."

"What threat? Inger has seen nothing!"

"The devils of Hell are on their way; my men by now fight them by your border. You haven't felt the pain of their attacks. Let me help you, and Inger will not fall. I simply ask for an alliance."

"You speak with much power. Unlike a beggar, you offer aid to one who is better off than you. I will accept your help, Cladius, of Helm. Under one condition, this throne stays mine!"

"You can keep it, dear emperor, I only desire Helm." Cladius replied.

"Then let my men prepare for battle!"