Interlude of Shadows
A rider sat upon his horse on a hill overlooking Asery. He wondered what brought him here. There were less populated places that he could hide in. There were more populated places that he could lose himself in. So what brought him to Asery? He gazed at walls of the fortified town and grimaced. There may be many places he could escape to, but only Asery held the Citadel of Kunir and that was his destination. Two ten-days after being pelted by rain and hail, he was no longer a prisoner, yet still not free. His dreams had returned in full force. The draconic eyes of his former Mistress still haunted him. The copper-haired girl still chased her away and stood over him. The only place he had rested comfortably and without dreams had been the Santuary of Kunir in Biqam. He could not, however, stay there. It was too close to Ardosrian’s lands and he couldn’t bring himself to stay so close to the disaster. The horror of that place was unbearable.
—-
The rider pulled up at the gates of Asery in the gray dawn light. A guard stepped up to the rider. “Yes?”
The rider looked down at the guard. “How do I get to the Citadel?” he asked
The guard pointed down the main road. “You will find the Citadel stables on the other side of the central square, sir. They will be able to direct you further.”
The rider nodded. “Thank you, sir.” he said, slowly walking his mount through the gates.
—-
A stableboy appeared as the rider approached. When the rider stopped, the stableboy took the reins and looked at the rider. “Sir?” he asked. The rider fished out a silver penny and tossed it to the stableboy. “I will most likely not need my horse today.” said the rider. The stableboy caught the coin and nodded. “Thank you, sir” he said before leading the horse into the stables. The rider walked through an archway that led deeper into the Citadel. There was another guard at one of the doors off the courtyard. The rider approached the guard cautiously. The guard looked at him. ”How my I help you sir?” asked the guard.
“I’m not sure, honestly. I felt drawn here after spending time recovering in the Sanctuary in Biqam.” said the rider, sheepishly.
The guard nodded. “If you take this doorway and follow the corridor to the main hall, someone will meet you there.” The rider nodded. “Thank you,” he said as the guard opened the door to admit him to the Citadel.
—-
The rider stood in the main hall of the Citadel, unsure of what to do. No one was there and though there were several roaring fireplaces, there were no benches to sit on. He paced up and down the hall, talking to himself. If someone could hear him, they would hear him berating himself and questioning himself for even being there.
A man dressed in armor entered the hall and the rider froze. The man’s face broke into a smile as he approached. “Sir, it is good you have come to the Citadel of Kunir. We have been wondering when you would appear to us in more than visions,” he said. “I am the Lord Commander of Kunir and we have waited a long time for you to come to us.” The Lord Commander extended his hand. The rider stood silently in shock. He cautiously extended his hand and took the Lord Commander’s hand. “You…you were waiting…for me?” he asked, amazed.
The Lord Commander nodded. “Indeed. Your presence has been foretold by the Lady Oracle. She would be overjoyed to know you are real, for she has just seen you in visions with no context. It is truly a blessed day.” He gestured towards the end of the hall that he had come from. “Come, good sir, we will find you suitable quarters and let you rest. The Lady Oracle should be returning within a ten-day and she will explain more when she arrives. While you wait, you are welcome within the Citadel and may make use of the grounds. However, I must ask that you remain within the Citadel until the Lady Oracle has explained things.” The man looked confused, yet relieved as they walked across the hall.
“Lord Commander, I am unsure what to say. This is very overwhelming” said the rider. “Is there someone I may talk with? I have many questions.”
The Lord Commander nodded. “Certainly. The sacristy is always available and I would be honored to try and answer your questions.”
“You, Lord Commander? Surely you have more important things to do than answer the confused and ignorant questions of one like myself?” said the rider.
“The answering of questions is one of the more important tasks that the followers of Kunir may take on. Take your time to rest and gather your questions. Then seek me out in the sacristy,” said the Lord Commander as they walked the halls towards the wing of the Citadel containing the residents’ quarters. After several minutes, they arrived at a door. The Lord Commander opened it to reveal a small, but well furnished room. There was a narrow bed against one wall, a wardrobe against the other, and set into the far wall was a large window that faced the south. Sunlight streamed in through the window to illuminate a small cushion in the center of the floor.
The rider looked up at the Lord Commander. “Lord Commander? I don’t know what to say.” The Lord Commander smiled. “Say nothing for now. But I do have one question for you,” he said. “What shall we call you?”
The rider looked at the illuminated floor for a moment. “My name is Palenon, Lord Commander.”
“Very well, Palenon. Be at peace within these walls. Rest assured that while there are no locks on these doors, no one will enter without your permission,” said the Lord Commander. He inclined his head towards Palenon who bowed in return. “Thank you, Lord Commander.”
The Lord Commander walked away, leaving Palenon to enter his room alone and close the door. He sat on the edge of the bed and started to cry.
