The Forest's Chosen

Chapter 10: The First

Eli had the same dream the entire trip to Lorod. A man with a long white beard, holding Vine and a hammer, and silver eyes that scared him. On the third night of the trip he woke up in a panic, sweat running down is face. Leah quickly went to his side and calmed him down.No matter what she did however he would always panic. When he finally regained his senses the sun was already setting.

"Eli?" Leah quietly said to him, "Are you ok?" Eli put his hand on his head, he was burning up. He grabbed the water skin near him and poured it on his face.

"Yeah. . .Yeah I'm fine." He replied. "Where are we?"

"We're at Lorod." That was weird he thought. When he fell asleep they were nowhere near Lorod. When he cooled down Eli looked out. The city walls were taller than he thought. They were covered with banners of the Stalwarts, a crest of a white rose surrounded by green and purple stripes. It reminded him of the noble son with the same crest. Did he defeat the prince himself?

When they finally passed the walls it was everything Eli imagined and more. Tons of houses and merchants. Kids playing outside pretending to be knights and the guards watching while they drink laughing about stories they made up. And in the middle of everything was Castle Stalwart. It was beautiful with the sunset shining it's last light on the castle. He could not wait any longer and wanted to explore this amazing city. Unfortunately as soon as he jumped out of the cart Callum immediately grabbed him.

"And where are you going?" Callum said coldly.

"I want to look around. I've never seen Lorod before."

"Well you can't just yet. We have to see the king first." Eli was shocked by what he was hearing. Not only is he in the most beautiful city in Kridel, no all of Ifune, but he was also going to see the king himself. He couldn't contain his excitement.

When they finally reached the castle Eli couldn't help but act like a child. He jumped around looking at every nook and cranny inside. They finally reached two giant doors decorated in maroon. A man in very proper clothing walked in front of Callum and Eli as two guards open the door. The man walks into the room and speaks in a loud voice.

"My king may I present General Callum Gordon and. . ." The hesitation was in his voice, "The bearer of Vine." The man then turned to Callum and Eli and walked into the throne room. To Callum everything was the same since the last time he was in here. To Eli everything was beautiful, especially the stained glass windows. They both found the king sitting on his throne and his son standing beside him. The king's looked shocked. He send Callum on a wild goose chase, and now he brought a peasant with Vine itself.

"That's him father!" Yelled the prince, "That's the peasant that beat me! Do something about it!" The king sighed and stood. he looking at Eli firmly and spoke calmly.

"You were the boy who bested my son?" Eli nodded and the king smiled. "You have talent boy, did one of the city guards teach you?"

"No, Your Grace, I was taught by my guardian."

Callum interrupted, "So he and his sister can steal from my castle-"

"Silence you fool!" The king yelled back then looked to Eli, "Sometimes we have to do things to survive. What's your name boy?"

"Eli, Your Grace."

"And where are you from?"

"Rempool, Your Grace."

The king smiled again, "And how is it that a blacksmith was able to wield a weapon with extraordinary power without this buffoon taking it from you?"

"It wouldn't let him take it. General Callum said that it spoke. That only a boy with grey eyes and the soul of Nefrum could wield it."

"I see, then I don't have any other choice. Luke, bring me my sword." The prince nods and runs off. After a minute he finally returns with a great sword. It was decorated in gold and gemstones, with a giant emerald in the middle. Etched in the gold were of roses. "Kneel Eli."

Eli knelt in front of the king, and the king walked up to him. He put the sword gently on Eli's left shoulder, then the right. "I, King Robard Stalwart III, knight you as Sir Eli of Rempool, the first blacksmith knight. Rise" Eli rose shocked. All his life he never thought this would happen, and here is a knight of Kridel.

"Your Grace this is absurd!" Shouted Callum, "Why would you knight a blacksmith!"

Robard sighs and looks at him, "Callum you have been loyal to me ever since you became a general, and I thank you. However you lack in almost completely everything, especially sword fighting. Sir Eli can and will replace you. Guard escort Callum out of the castle please." Two guards come up behind Callum and drag him out while he shouts and screams. As soon as they leave The man who introduced them closes the door.

"Now you must have had a long journey Sir Eli." Robard quietly said to him, "One of the servants will show you around the castle and your room. After you rest you will meet the other knights and introduce yourself."

Eli was stunned of everything that just happened. After all that happened he could only say three words.

"Yes, Your Grace."