54 Shadows Reach (2/2)
”What kind of favor are we asking?” William asked quizzically. ”Considering the circumstances, I'd say you have a plan?” he looked at his old friend, obviously amused.
Jonathan nodded his head. ”It's not going to be easy,” he said quietly. ”If we were at all to attack the one that is orchestrating this ruse, the knights will defend him.” Michael said as he cast a glance down to the first floor, Nathan was pacing impatiently. ”I need the full authority over the men downstairs if this is going to work.”
”Are you going to tell me the plan?” the king raised an eyebrow. He never was one for being kept out of the loop.
”No,” Jonathan shook his head. ”It's too risky to speak aloud.”
William looked at Jonathan questioningly. ”You're being rather cryptic Jonathan.” he said with a hint of annoyance. ”But I suppose you have your reasons.”
”Shall we head back down and put an end to this?” Jonathan said seriously as he looked at the impatient Nathan who stood in front of the knights.
William raised a hand to the stairs with a half smile. ”After you, old friend.”
The two made their way back to the first floor. All eyes were on the king as he stood in front of them and Nathan.
”I hereby relinquish all authority of the Crimson Knights to Jonathan Carter, the Earth Sage.” With the decree finished, William stepped aside for Jonathan to take his place in front of the formation.
Jonathan looked from Anthony to Nathan and then on to the rest of the knights. ”The men I trained fourteen years ago,” He gestured his hand in front of him. ”Please step forward.”
Thirty men stepped forward in ten man ranks. Jonathan gestured to William with a hand. ”My lord, would you join me?” The king took his place to the right of the sage. Jonathan saw Nathan walk towards the thirty men to join them. ”Nathan, please stay with the main group for this demonstration.”
Nathan took his place back with the other seventy men, yet his face did not show signs of obedience as much as it did disdain.
”Men, look at me.” The thirty men looked at Jonathan with a peculiar expression. ”Though you can see me, without moving your eyes,” He met each of their eyes to ensure they followed his instructions. ”Tell me what your king looks like.”
Most of the men stood like statues looking at Jonathan, but Christopher was the first to answer. ”Sir, the king mostly looks as if he needs a good long bath and some relaxation as well as a change of clothes.” He then cleared his throat and resumed his motionless stance.
Jonathan kept his eyes on Christopher, but scanned the room with his peripheral vision. The thirty men in front of him were easily identified as his own, but when he scanned the back formation, one knight seemed to be blotched from view.
”I think I know how you did this Aremesis.” he said as he let his eyes focus on Nathan. ”You used darkness to corrupt the minds of those you led, an I right?”
A deep chuckle could be heard from the rear of the formation. Along with the sound, the torches seemed to dim. A shadow seemed to ooze upward out of Nathan As the rumbling continued. ”It has been too long since I've been faced with an adversary of higher intelligence.” What started as Nathan speaking changed to the entire room echoing a sinister voice. ”I've been stuck with a grieving king and a castle of pawns for too long.” the shadow had put out all light with the castle as it stretched to every corner.
”My king,” Jonathan looked at king Ragnos while pointing at the ceiling. ”Allow me to introduce you to advisor Aremesis, the being who has been ruling your kingdom in your absence.”
The king glared at the shadow as it increased within the entrance to his castle. Tendrils of darkness slithered silently along the floor while oblivious knights scrambled away from Nathan as his body fell to the ground.
”It's unfortunate poor Nathan had to be dead for me to inhabit his body.” the darkness whispered from every corner of the room. ”Even without me, he still questioned the state of things within the kingdom.” a chuckle rang out in every direction.
The king's eyes cast downwards as he summoned his aura. Pure golden light sprang forth in a massive dome around himself and all the men in the room. ”I may have been gone for some time,” he said as he raised his eyes once more. ”But my bloodline will always be here to protect this land from you.” The gold dome of light stretched further out as he grunted softly.
The further the dome crept, the thicker the darkness became beyond. ”Maybe when you were at your prime you might have been able to drive me away,” Aremesis chuckled, ”but now a mere husk of your former self has appeared within my domain.” The dark tendrils wrapped themselves around the dome of light and squeezed. Small cracks formed along the surface while the king grimaced with the effort.
”Cainus!” William senior called out into the darkness. ”I can hold him now, but we both know this is no longer my fight.” sweat began forming on his forehead as the darkness gained more of a hold. ”Call my heir to me!”
It's been too long since I've heard your voice King Ragnos. A voice rang from William's mind. Your son will be here soon, until then, hold on my old friend.
King Ragnos suppressed a sigh of relief. He knew he couldn't afford even a moment of relaxation. Hurry home son. He thought as he focussed on repairing the cracks. I'll hold him off until then. From the inside, the ground was illuminated with gold yet, on the outside the darkness held strong to the last light of Ebonhart.