The Knight: A Tale from the High Kingdom Read Online Free PDF

into sobs before collapsing into the prince’s arms.

4
     
‘The Assembly of Ir’kans traditionally met in an ancient hall, where the Guardians attended either in person or in spirit.’
Chronicles (The Book of Secrets)
     
    The table was a stone ring at the centre of which floated an ethereal sphere. A column of pale light fell upon this sphere and enshrouded it with a pearly halo, which only provided faint illumination. Spaced at regular intervals about the table, the armchairs in which the Guardians were seated remained in shadow. Of the Guardians themselves, only their heads and shoulders could be discerned. They were all wearing concealing grey hoods.
    ‘What is his name?’ asked the Third Guardian.
    ‘Lorn Askarian,’ the Seventh Guardian replied.
    ‘Is that his real name? The one he bears before the Dragon of Destiny?’
    ‘No,’ said the Second Guardian. ‘He is the Knight with the Sword.’
    ‘Do we know for certain? Who among us can vouch for this?’
    ‘I do,’ said the Seventh Guardian.
    There was a moment of silence.
    ‘The star of the Knight with the Sword has reappeared in the firmament,’ said the Fourth Guardian. ‘And it stands in conjunction with that of the Prince.’
    ‘That proves nothing,’ protested the Third Guardian in a hostile tone.
    ‘Are you blind or have you gone mad?’ exclaimed the Seventh Guardian. ‘It is written that the Knight with the Sword would return from the Fortress of the Shadows.’
    ‘And that the Shadows would follow him.’
    ‘That’s true,’ confirmed the Ninth Guardian.
    ‘Then who is the blind one here?’ asked the Third Guardian. ‘Who has gone mad?’
    The Seventh Guardian was about to reply, but the Third did not allow it, commenting to the others:
    ‘We have gambled with the path chosen by the Dragon of Destiny. And if it is true that the Knight with the Sword’s star now shines once again, it is also true that it does so with a dull glow. Perhaps we have made a mistake.’
    The First Guardian now decided to intervene. He spoke in a firm, even tone. Beneath his hood there sparkled the stars of an immense nocturnal sky.
    ‘The Assembly has deliberated and made its choice. There can be no question of reversing that decision.’
    ‘Against my advice,’ the Third Guardian ventured to protest.
    ‘The judgement of the Assembly prevails!’
    It sounded like a call to order.
    The Third Guardian made no reply, but his silence was an ominous sign. He was powerful and proud. He had his followers. The First Guardian found it prudent to adopt a more conciliatory tone.
    ‘We must sometimes act to ensure that Destiny’s will is respected. It is both our right and our duty to do so, but only on very rare occasions, for we are all aware of the danger it entails. The extraordiary fate in store for the Knight with the Sword is certain, so we were obliged to permit his star to shine once again. But as the Third Guardian has said, it shines with a dull glow. That should worry us.’
    ‘This dull glow is perhaps due to the Fortress of the Shadows,’ stressed the Seventh Guardian. ‘If we allow him more time, his star may recover its full brilliance.’
    ‘No one can swear to that,’ objected the Third Guardian.
    ‘Nor to the contrary!’ the Seventh Guardian retorted. And turning to the First Guardian he added, ‘Are we going to give up? Turn our backs on the Knight with the Sword, now that we have recalled him? Think of all he is supposed to accomplish.’
    Silence fell again.
    Then the First Guardian said:
    ‘Let’s summon an emissary.’
    ‘Which one?’ asked the Fourth Guardian.
    ‘The one who served us so well with the High King. Let him meet this Lorn Askarian and determine how strong a hold the Dark has on him. If he is the Knight with the Sword, and if his star is forever tarnished, then we shall know what to do.’

5
     
‘It was an ever-raging sea, and even more so at night. It was born of the cataclysm that shook the world at the