The Legends of Valoria Book Two Rise of the Divine Knight

Alec tossed and turned violently as his vision of the call returned to him.

“You have been,” were the final words Alec heard before he jumped upright, wide awake. Sweat poured from his brow as he surveyed his surroundings. He was still in the first floor guest bedroom at Kaldur manor. He rose from the bed of the dimly lit room and began lacing his boots. He stumbled over to the wash basin, splashed his face with water, and then stood upright as he dried his face with the linen cloth. As he pulled the cloth away, he jumped seeing Marec’s lifeless face in the mirror. Alec quickly turned and saw that he was alone. Looking back at the mirror, he found only himself and breathed deeply.

Alec, deciding that he needed to get out, quietly exited the room. The house was almost completely devoid of light inside. The only available light was the low steady flames from the fireplace and a few candles. Alec quietly crept across the house towards the door when a woman spoke to him from out of the shadows.

“And where is it that you might be headed at such an early hour?” Alec turned slowly and saw Astraea standing in the back of the room.

“I am sorry Miss Astraea, did I wake you?”

“No Sir Alec. Such a day as this, things the way they are. Traitors in the highest ranks of Valascaana. I could not sleep. Why, however, are you awake, Sir Alec?”

“Please Miss Astraea. I am a paladin not a lord, you need not be so formal.”

“Well then Alec, why the early hour?” Alec did not want to tell her about his vision, he did not know as though anyone save Zerendil could understand but Zerendil had disappeared shortly after Talic’s funeral.

“By the sounds of things, I have slept plenty.” Alec smiled. Astraea eyed him as if she did not believe him.

“That may be true. If you require fresh clothes, I can fetch them for you.”

“No, that will not be necessary. Thank you Miss Astraea.”

“If you happen to change your mind, I’ll be here, otherwise all of your things are at your house in the market district as you left them.”

“Again, thank you, Miss Astraea.”

“Just Astraea will do.” Alec smiled and bowed his head. Astraea curtsied as Alec turned away and walked to the door. As he opened the door, Oz poked his head inside.

“Bree?” He turned his head sideways as he stared at Alec. Alec reached out and petted him on the beak so that Oz began to purr.

“I missed you, too. I need to check on a few things. Would you care to go with me?” Oz chirped merrily as Alec closed the door behind him and began to walk to the market sector of town.

The damage to the city was quite extensive, a poor resemblance of the city Alec knew from months before. As he neared the gate out of the nobles’ sector, he happened upon the massive statue of himself.

“By the goddess, what is this monstrosity?” Alec looked up at the giant statue then made his way down to the plaque below. As he read it, he clenched his fist angrily. “Valascaana’s favorite son!?” Alec stared angrily for a moment as he considered everything. “I’m not even Valascaan. I am Highmoorian.” He turned his attention towards the gates again and, once through, turned and walked towards the orphanage. As he walked the rundown streets of the Highmoorian sector, he saw that more homeless than before filled the streets. Many of the buildings had been destroyed and several others were in disrepair to being with. Alec continued to walk as those that recognized him, bowed their heads.

“It is good to see you well, my lord.” One spoke.

“Please, I am no lord. Just call me Alec.” He told them. After several minutes, he reached the orphanage and saw that it had been burnt to the ground. Alec turned to a nearby onlooker.

“Did the children make it out!?” He raised his voice causing the old man to startle.

“Aye, yes sir. They are with Miss Mariah at her estate.” Alec thanked the goddess that they made it out. He had never spent much one on one time with Mariah or her aunt and uncle but he knew they were good people.

“Thank you.” Alec spoke to the men as he thought to himself. “When are repairs to be made?” The old man shrugged his shoulders.

“Most of our young and strong died defending the gates and many more lie wounded in the tavern. We have no money to hire a carpenter.” Alec thought again for a moment.

“Well then, gather who you can. We start after dawn.” Alec walked away, taking the time to re-examine the ruined district. Oz followed alongside him the entire time, looking at everything he looked at.

“Well my friend...do you fancy yourself some hard labor?” Oz squealed with delight as he and Alec walked into town to await the shopkeepers.

Talia

As the daylight crept through her window, Talia rose from her bed. Immediately, she moved to freshen up, being sure to grab a change of clothes. After quickly cleaning up in the cool water, she began fixing up her hair before changing into her emerald green dress.

“And where are we off to?” Talia turned around to see Kristiana staring at her, bandage still around her neck. Talia began to blush as she smiled at her.

“I thought that I might gather some things and take Alec on a picnic. I have much I wish to discuss with him.” Kristiana smiled as she continued to stare.

“Things to discuss, hmm…Please be sure to be back later tonight. We still need to tend to my husband’s final wishes. By all means enjoy a late night excursion afterwards.” Talia blushed as Kristiana giggled painfully. “Before you head out Talia, go ahead and take a basket and grab a few things first. We do not have everything at the moment, but you are welcome to what you desire.” Talia curtsied, said thank you and farewell, and left the house with her partially filled basket in hand.

As Talia strolled toward the market, she noticed a large bustle of people about. They were traveling to and fro carrying stacks of lumber and various other supplies. As she walked, she noticed Zelus standing out of the way, talking to Kareena who was taking care to keep her hood over her head.

“And have your people returned to the North Mountains?”

“Yes, Sir Zelus. We feel that it is still much too early for us to formally come forth. I will be leaving to rejoin them today.”

“Again, thank you for your help. We could have lost the city without the aid of your riders.” Kareena nodded her head as she looked around. Talia approached as Kareena turned away from Zelus and walked towards the town gates. As Talia continued towards Zelus, he, seemingly not noticing her, turned and walked away in the direction of the castle.

Talia confused, turned away, walking back towards the shopkeeper as she again noticed the mass number of laborers heading towards the Highmoorian sector. Talia eyed the flow of traffic curiously, as she purchased her groceries. She smiled at the thought of her ignorance in the past when Alec helped her in Roak. As she gathered up the last few things on her mental list, she turned and asked the shopkeeper.

“Please excuse me, sir, but do you know where I might find Sir Alec Dante of Highmooria?”

“Just go where the workers are coming from. I have to give that boy credit. He has been at it since before dawn.” Talia followed the line of people carrying stacks of wood back and traced them passed the city gates.

“Thank you, sir,” she curtsied as she began to trot off. The man still having not noticed who Talia was, waved. As Talia continued her walk passed the gate, she began looking at the scenery. The stacks of lumber were coming from the lumber mill, which, surprisingly, had been hardly touched in the destruction and was apparently in working order. Looking elsewhere, she could not believe, in just the passing of a few days, how much had changed. She noticed the abandoned siege weapons and towers that were being dismantled and then some ways further down she saw Oz with a pile of wood strapped to his back, bouncing around.

Talia moved in that direction and, after passing several workers and Oz, headed for the lumber mill. She witnessed a tree tip and collapse. She continued south until Oz, on his way back, came up beside her and began nudging her with his head.

“Good morning, my friend,” she spoke as she scratched his mane. Oz trotted off ahead of her as she came into sight of Tear and Alec, talking to a middle aged couple. Tear looked to be tilling the ground as Alec and the couple had begun cleaning the tree. As Talia came into sight of everyone, they stopped what they were doing and stood up. Talia’s eyes locked onto Alec, whose shirt was drenched with sweat so that she could see the outline of his musculature.

“Good morning,” again, Talia curtsied, both the words and the courage that she had worked up abandoned her entirely. Everyone returned her greeting and she became even more flustered as Alec looked at her with that perfect smile and those emerald eyes.

“What can we do for you, My Lady?” The older man bowed down. Talia swallowed hard as she tried to formulate words. She saw now that Oz was digging small holes for Tear, in which she placed seeds and began to infuse them with her power, quickly growing them into saplings.

“I was wondering if I might borrow Sir Alec. I am sorry. If I had known that there were so many of you I would have brought more.” Everyone eyed the basket and gathered its meaning.

“My Lady, please, we wouldn’t dream of intruding. The young master has been working tirelessly. We would be glad to see him rest for a moment.” Talia thanked the man and looked to Alec, placing the basket behind her and swayed back and forth, showing off her dress. Alec stared at her but no words escaped his lips. Finally, the middle aged Highmoorian woman helping them spoke.

“Well, don’t just stand there My Lord, with your mouth half open. Say something to the lady.” Alec snapped out of the daydream and looked into Talia’s eyes.

“You are quite beautiful, My Lady. I would be honored to join you.” The couple shook their heads as Alec and Talia walked away leaving Oz and Tear behind to continue planting trees. As they walked, Alec leaned in to carry Talia’s basket. Again, Talia grabbed the basket with both hands and hid it behind her back as she walked backwards, smiling at Alec.

“I do not think so, Sir Alec. It is I who will be treating you today.” She bit her lip at him continuing to tease him as he reached for the basket multiple times. Alec stopped going for it after a while and Talia scrunching up her face looked at him and spoke in a slightly deep voice.

“Do you submit, Sir Alec?” Immediately, Alec chased after the basket again, which caused Talia to giggle merrily as she ran toward the river. She stopped by the water so Alec could wash himself. Alec, with no hesitation, peeled his shirt off to which Talia held no objections. She felt slightly naughty staring, but could not pull her eyes away. Alec began splashing himself with the water, scrubbing his hands, arms and face before turning back to Talia.

“Well then My Lady Talia,” Alec bowed, “if you would be so kind as to lead on.” Talia’s smile widened as she continued moving west toward the river crossing. Talia crossed the bridge and Alec followed as her secret spot came into sight.

“Just ahead, Sir Alec.” Talia said as she looked back at Alec. A couple of twists and turns later, Alec’s vision filled with aria flies.

“Oh wow, is this what you wanted to show me?” Talia kicked off her shoes as she sat down in the meadow. Alec sat down beside her as she opened up her basket and handed Alec a wrapped parcel.

“Thank you,” he said as he accepted and unwrapped the package and took a bite out of the roasted ham. Talia stretched herself out in the sun as she picked at her food. They sat together for several moments, enjoying one another’s company as they listened to the aria flies. Talia laid on the ground and looked up at the sky. After another minute of just the fairies, she turned her head to Alec.

“What was your experience? When you were not with us.”

“It was as if I were trapped in a never ending dream, unable to fulfill my heart’s desires.”

She rolled onto her side and stared closer.

“That sounds horrible.”

“I learned a lot.” Alec placed his hands behind his head and laid down as well.

Talia moved in closer and rested her head on his chest.

“I guess you being gone was hard on everyone.”

Alec whose thoughts were still trapped on recent events looked to see that the sun was already well passed its zenith.

“We need to head back.” He whispered, clearly not enjoying the thought of letting the moment pass.

“I suppose we should. Do we need to head back toward the logging site?”

“No, we were finishing up when you came by.” Talia rose and slid her shoes back on.

“Well then, Sir Alec, might you be willing to escort me home?” Talia held out her arm, Alec smiled.

“Most certainly, my lady.”

Alec allowed her to cup his arm and they made their way back to Kaldur Manor. As Alec and Talia entered the house, they saw that Eliza, Rayne and Kristiana were already there waiting. They each smiled weakly as Alec and Talia came in and sat down.

“Talia dear, do you mind fetching the trunk my husband spoke of?”

“Yes ma’am.” Talia rose and quickly went into the study and came back moments later carrying the trunk. She gently placed it in front of Alec as Kristiana handed him the key.

“Would you prefer for us to leave you alone?” Alec shook his head as he took the key and unlocked the box. Slowly he opened the box and looked inside. There was a letter and several personal belongings of Marec’s; a ring bearing the Kaldur crest with the shield of Highmooria stamped on either side of the gem casing, a couple of small books, a map of Highmooria and Highmoore. The first thing Alec had seen, the letter, he now grasped in his hand.

The letter bore his name on it in Marec’s neat handwriting. Alec turned the letter over and broke the wax seal upon it. Alec sat in complete and total silence as he read the letter. Each and every occupant in the room held their breath with anticipation. After a few moments, Alec’s posture changed and he began to grip his fist angrily. His eyes grew wide and his neck began to tense as he clenched his teeth. At the end of the letter, he slammed his fist on the arm of the chair and rose.

“What is the matter?” Talia asked, Alec turned, anger in his face as he gently handed over the letter to her.

“I have preparations to make!” He growled angrily as he snatched up the maps and stormed out of the house. Immediately everyone turned to Talia who had begun to read the letter. After a moment, they could see tears dripping from Talia’s eyes and she quickly covered her mouth as she gasped.

“What is it Talia? What does it say?” Talia’s eyes were dripping at this point but she steadied herself as she told them.

“I know now how Sir Marec lost his heart to Daemon.” She stated as she dabbed her eyes some more. “That day up in the spire, Belias taunted Alec about consuming Rayne’s soul and how my death by his hand would plunge Alec into the depths of despair. Sir Marec, you see lost his heart to rage and hatred that day because…” Talia stopped and closed her eyes shaking her head as it all became too painful.

“Because of what, Talia?” Rayne asked. Talia quickly blurted out the next sentences, unsure if she possessed the strength otherwise.

“Because Sir Alec and Miss Rayne were both born into the Kaldur family! Sir Marec is their father!”