The Four Amulets

Chapter 3

When Aeron woke up early, he quickly changed into his chainmail shirt. He didn't change into his surcoat but rather, hid it under a dark cloak. His family sword, Steelbite, remained in its sheath. Hastily, after grabbing everything he required, he walked to the stables where the Warlock Sero said he would meet him.

Quickly, he bridled and saddled his horse. The warlock stood outside. Wearing a dark blue cloak and satchel, but replaced his walking stick with a thicker, piece of wood that was knobbed at the end and had a spiked crystal on top.

"We must meet our contact towards the west. He will meet us in the Woods of Davenport." The gates of the castle opened. A troop of men created a convoy. Villagers, already up and awake watched them, silent. A solemn procession.

Before they passed from the gate, a soldier draped a hand on him. Aeron knew that it was Will Freeshield behind the close-faced helm. Even though he could not see him.

"Is there any chance that I can come along?" Aeron didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the Warlock.

"Emperor Rolan would want a personal guard on his daughter. I believe Imperial General Sonja recommended you." Without another word, Warlock Sero trotted a few meters ahead. Aeron couldn't see it, but he knew Will Freeshield was smiling behind the helm.

"Good luck out there." Will held out his hand.

"Same to you." And Aeron shook it.

The Elven Forests were a good distance between the borders. By midday, they came across a small pond.

"We rest here." Aeron, being in the saddle all day groaned. He sat down on a log. Immediately, vines wrapped around his legs and arms. He struggled but it seemed to make the vines grow faster. He unsheathed his dagger, preparing to strike at the vines when Sero spoke out.

"They would not like that. Now stay still." He said in a commanding voice. Not knowing anything better, Aeron sheathed his dagger.

"Who wouldn't like it?" He asked curiously. The vines had entangled his arms and legs.

"The elves. They talk to the trees. Asking them favors. They want to test you."

"Test me?"

"Do you think those vines just tangle you? They do more than that. The elves see through the forest itself. They are peering into your memories, judging you without speaking." Then a tremendous pain exploded in his mind. He watched as memories, long forgotten were restored like paintings, so clear and vivid in his mind. The time he was knighted. The time he and Will nearly drowned in the river. The time a wild boar nearly killed him. He could feel a presence in his mind. Another presence in his mind, making his skin prickle and shivers going up and down his spine. Then it all stopped at once.

The vines disentangled itself from him. The pain all together stopped. Disoriented from having his mind wrenched left and right, he fell on the log and darkness took him.

By the time he woke up, he was lying on a strange cot in a strange room. His armor was sitting newly cleaned in a stand. He was in a linen shirt and leggings that seemed to fit him perfectly. His boots freshly shined. Around his waist, a strange green belt hung with his dagger and sheath, freshly oiled and honed. The room itself seemed to be alive. Creaks and groans occasionaly made him alert but after awhile, didn't mean anything. There was no torches, but a strange orb of light lit the whole room.

He stood up, walked it and touched it. It reappeared several moments later, a few feet away from him.

"That's magelight." Said a strange, feminine voice from behind him. Startled, he spun around and fell. Luckily a pair of hands caught him. Only then, did he realize that he was feeble and weak. The woman laughed. "Don't worry, magic does have its affects on people. Especially those who've never experienced being hit by a spell. Food and sleep should do the trick."