The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 6 The Banquet

When we stepped off the dais into the backstage, Keeper Enna reappeared with a smile brightening her features and hugged each of us.

"This is weird right?"
Jasper whispered to me.

"We just sliced our hands open over a bowl of rocks and got matching tattoos...this is what you think is weird?"
I replied back with an eyebrow raised.

"Hello, I'm Shira, welcome to the Order."
A Keeper bowed before us, holding a bag stuffed full of first aid supplies.

"If you will allow me, I should like to bandage your hands."

She met no protest from us, though I nearly swore at her when she sprayed some horrible form of antiseptic on the wound that stung like a thousand paper cuts.

"Now, if you'll follow me, we shall make our way to the armory where you may collect the weapons of your choice."
Enna instructed us.

She led us through a winding stone passageway, brightly lit with fluorescent light fixtures and the occasional window. Outside, the sun had risen above the peaks of the mountains and was shining full and warm up in the cloudless sky.

"Do Keepers spend much time outside? In the mountains I mean?"
I couldn't help but ask, a strange longing growing in my heart to walk amongst the trees and breathe the cool, fresh, mountain air.

"Certainly, we often have training practice out in the forest."
Enna answered.

That wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but at least we wouldn't be trapped in the fortress all the time.

We reached a heavy wooden door and stepped out into an open courtyard that was filled with every kind of weapon imaginable. There were many I had seen before, a few I had even used, but plenty of others I hadn't the foggiest idea what they were.

A short Keeper with a round face, scraggly looking beard and balding head appeared, his face was solemn and he greeted us grimly.

"Please select for yourself the weapons that would best suit you."

The four of us split up, wandering around the courtyard and eyeing various deadly objects with care. I, of course, made a beeline towards the swords. They were unadorned, dark-colored steel that seemed more ominous than anything I had ever fought with before. They came in all shapes and sizes: short swords, greatswords, leather-wrapped handles, single and double-edged blades, straight ones and curved ones, there were far too many options to pick from in my opinion.

I lifted a few at random, vetoing them for their weight, or the handle not fitting comfortably in my grip. This piece of steel was to be an extension of myself, like another limb, it had to be perfect. The greatswords were too large, I didn't want to have to use two hands for one weapon. Unfortunately, I didn't care for many of the short swords either. They were all made with fine craftsmanship, but they just weren't right for me. I hadn't had the chance to be picky in the arena and I was making up for it now.

Jasper seemed to have located a boomerang he was fond of and Kairos was trying out an enormous black bow. Vienna seemed to be window shopping, taking everything in before she made any decisions.

Finally, one sword caught my attention, it was plainer than the rest and straight as could be, about three feet in length, with a lethal-looking point. I lifted it up, testing the weight. It was decently heavy, but not as awkward as some of the others. It had a good reach and appeared to be able to make powerful cuts.