Bytor

Bytor

As Carum started making his way back to Windspear, he heard the thumping of the horses hoofs.

“Oh great, father has sent a search party for me”.  He muttered to himself.

As they came closer, he could make out his best friend and fellow Paladin.  Bytor was riding on Traya.  Along side of him he could make out his own beloved horse, Rainen.

Bytor un-mounted Traya and met Carum with his usual bright smile yet it had concern behind it.

“The King is beside himself with worry, Carum.  Where have you been?”  Bytor asked.

All Carum could do was smile.  The ceremony burned behind his eyes.

“I met a woman today”.  Carum stated.

Bytor lost his smile completely.

“A woman?”  He asked, not even bothering to hide his bewilderment.

Carum, still smiling at Bytor told him of the events that transpired all evening.  He started with how he saved Kindle’s life.  Then he told Bytor how he met the tribe and the ceremonial test of Wind that Kindle had passed.  He then lost his smile which Bytor quickly picked up on.

“What is it Carum?”  Bytor asked him with concern.

Carum thought out his words carefully before answering.

“She is a Priestess with the Myriad.  She is of the bloodline of Alia” He finally revealed.

Bytor whistled under his breath.

“That’s not all.  She has the Eye of Alia” Carum whispered to Bytor.

At this, Bytor almost lost his footing.  Carum had to steady him.

In disbelief, Bytor asked “Are you positive?”

Carum nodded his head.  “I don’t believe she even knows what she has.  She is so innocent in so many ways yet I am positive that she is the one.  She is of the bloodline of Alia, I am sure of this.  She may have many powers, stronger than most yet she needs our ultimate protection”.

Bytor had learned early on that Carum was someone to be listened to and obeyed.  Yet, he had to ask.  “And what of the King?”

Carum winced at this question.  His father was a tyrant and more times than not a very difficult man to reason with.  “I haven’t figured that one out yet” he finally admitted.  “I have to see her again though.”

Bytor nodded.  He understood.  Carum was his best friend and shared all of his secrets with him.

“What do we do now, Sir?” he asked a forlorn Carum who was very deep in thought.

Carum mounted Rainen and Bytor mounted Traya and the two rode slowly back to Windspear in silence.

                Once at Windspear, the two dismounted.  Carum finally spoke “Not a word of this to anyone, understand?”   Bytor nodded in agreement as he took the reins of both horses and put them into their stables for the night.

                He didn’t mind.  Carum was his best friend and brother Paladin.  If this Kindle really possessed the Eye of Alia then her life and everyone whom she had ever loved would be in danger.

                He then went into his son’s bedchamber.  He stood over his son who was fast asleep.  One day, this will be his destiny.  I am so proud of him now.  I will be even more proud of him then.  He kissed his son’s forehead, then headed to his bedchamber to sleep.

                Even though he tried to sleep, he could hear the argument between King Ezrec and Carum.

                “You are NEVER to see this woman ever again, Carum.  Do you understand me?”  The King yelled angrily.

                Carum said something that Bytor could not make out.

                Then there was a slam of a door followed by an eerie silence.

                He did not know when but he finally drifted off to sleep.

                As he slept, he had a vision of Alia.  She never spoke but her words were clear.  Kindle was to be protected at all costs from Carum.  Alia showed him Carum’s role in Kindle’s downfall along with the tragedies that would befall Windspear.  She then showed him a Siren by the name of Ryanne who would stop at nothing to possess the stone and destroy the Myriad.

                Then she spoke “take your child from this place as soon as possible.  He will be safe at the barracks with the rest of the Paladin’s.  This is a fight that you were trained for.  Rally the rest of the Paladin’s and be ready to fight to save Kindle because without Kindle, I can never be.”  Then she was gone.

                Bytor awakened the next morning when his son of three annuals bounded onto his bed.

                “May I see mommy this morning, daddy?”  Caden asked.

                Bytor smiled a sad smile and produced a crystal which carried Caden’s visions of his mother in it.

                As he watched his son staring into the crystal, a deep pain went through his heart.  Caden’s mother had been a Priestess herself with many powers except one:  to cheat death.  Caden’s mother, Yliana died giving birth to Caden.

                With this scene, he was reminded of the visions Alia and the messages she brought forth to him last night.  Protect Kindle from Carum and this Ryanne.  But how?  Carum is his best friend and he knew nothing of this Ryanne.

                As if on cew, Carum strode into Bytor’s bedchamber

                “Let’s go” was all he said, then left the room.

                Bytor hugged his son, then put the crystal back into its box.  He then got ready to meet Carum at the stables.

                When he got there, Carum was already saddled up and waiting on Bytor who took his time to saddle up.  “What’s on the agenda, Sir?”  he asked Carum who just smiled and said nothing.

                They strode along at a slow trot until they reached Kindle’s village all in silence until Carum dismounted.

                “Come, I want to introduce you to someone” he told Bytor.

                As Bytor dismounted slowly,  the vision of Alia’s warning burned behind his eyes.

                They entered the east gate and Carum led Bytor to the little cottage Kindle lived in.

                Before Carum could knock on the door he heard her now familiar voice behind him.

                “Looking for someone, Sir Carum?” Kindle asked.

                All Bytor could do was stare.  He had never seen a woman so beautiful, yet so obviously innocent in his whole life.

                Kindle stood before them wearing a flowing light green dress.  She had long curly fiery red hair and Emerald green eyes.  Bytor almost fell to his knees before her since she resembled the High Priestess Alia.

                “Forgive my friend, Kindle.  I believe he has forgotten his manners”.  Carum said in a teasing way which Bytor took a little offense to.

                Bytor finally found his voice “it’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who has seemed to cast a spell over my friend”.  He could not resist the jab back at Carum who bristled at this.  “My name is Bytor.” He managed with a smile.

                “Another Paladin.  Nice to meet you Sir Bytor.”  Kindle smiled and bowed her head to him.  Which Carum found odd.  She knew Carum was a Prince, yet she never bowed her head to him.  He found himself suddenly jealous of his friend.

                Suddenly Elan walked up behind his sister with his usual warm smile, he seemed to break the tension of the moment.  “Company again?” he asked as he greeted Carum with a handshake.  He then turned his eyes Bytor, his warm smile faded for a moment as he bowed his head toward him.  He returned to his smiling as he took Bytor’s hand in a warm welcoming handshake.

                “Hello, I am Elan.  Kindle’s brother.”  He finally said to Bytor.

                Before Bytor could introduce himself, Carum made a request.

                “Could we borrow your sister for the day?”  He asked Elan who then totally lost his smile.

                Speechless, he looked at Kindle who informed him without speech it is OK.  They are here about the stone.  I can handle this.

                A dumbfounded, yet trusting Elan answered Carum with a reluctant “if she wishes to, then I have no objection.”

                Carum smiled widely saying “then it is settled.  We shall have a picnic by the Elourna.”  He then took Kindle by the hand and led her to Rainen who was patiently waiting for her master to return.

                Before Bytor could follow them, Elan caught him by the arm.  His first instinct was to give Elan a good one right across his jaw bone but realized Elan was not being menacing.  Instead, Elan took Bytor’s right hand in both of his and kneeled before him.

                “Finally, the prophecy is to become.”  Was all Elan said, then let Bytor’s hand go.  Bytor watched Elan walk inside the small cottage, bewildered at the events that just took place.

                When he finally caught up to Carum and a giggling Kindle both mounted upon Rainen he heard Carum asking Kindle “What is she saying now?” obviously talking about Rainen.

                Kindle laughed and told him “she says she is ready.  She is hot, hungry and thirsty.  And, oh we are both way too heavy for her.”

                Carum laughed and instructed Kindle to tell Rainen that as soon as Bytor mounts Traya then they will go.  And oh, she could get some water and food as soon as we get there.

                Bytor rolled his eyes as he mounted Traya, “So she can also talk to animals?  What else can she do, fly?”  He asked not bothering to hide his irritation at his friends giddiness.

                Kindle spoke to Bytor without a word just like she did her brother earlier.

                I know who you are Bytor.  Alia speaks to you as she does to me.  You and Carum are here for the stone, yet neither of you will find it, at least not today.  You are the future to this land.

                Bytor stared at Kindle as if she were Alia in the flesh.  He thought to himself I bet she can even hear my thoughts.

                Kindle smiled at Bytor in response to his thought.

                Carum caught this seemingly minor exchange and decided to break Rainen into a fast trot, trying to leave Bytor behind.  But Bytor quickly caught up to them.

                “Watch it Carum, Rainen is already hot, tired, hungry and thirsty.  Don’t want to kill the old girl, do you?”  Bytor asked.

                Carum slowed Rainen in response to this.  I am just being silly and cannot be jealous of my brother Paladin.  He thought to himself knowing that Kindle could read his every thought.

                Kindle smiled to herself.  Yes, she could hear his every thought.

                They finally made it to the edge of the Elourna and all three dismounted.

                Letting the horses roam to feed and drink, Kindle, Carum and Bytor sat on the river’s edge soaking in the sun.  No one spoke until Bytor rose up and announced that he was taking a walk.

                Carum took this moment to get closer to Kindle.  He smiled at her as he grabbed a lock of her hair that flew across her face.

                Kindle laughed and fell on her back knowing Carum would take this moment to kiss her.  And as he did, she felt this stirring inside of her.  It was like moving without motion.  Carum stopped kissing her and stared down at her.  She was smiling.  “You are even more beautiful than last night” he told her as he caressed her cheek.  Kindle’s response was to kiss him again.

                In the distance, Bytor watched the two of them with a pang of jealousy and worry.  He was beginning to doubt the visions Alia gave him last night.

                He would never hurt her, he thought to himself.  He’s just fallen for her and who wouldn’t?  With her hair and eyes, no man could resist her.  He started to turn away until he heard a rustling nearby.

                Footsteps.  Some one was running toward them.  Bytor drew his sword, ready to defend.  He ran as fast as he could toward Kindle and Carum.  With his sword drawn and ready, the intruder finally revealed himself.

                It was Elan and he was very angry.  With one quick motion, he pulled Carum away from Kindle.

                “You have a lot to explain.  Time to go, now” he demanded of Kindle who already knew her secret was revealed.

                Bytor and Carum could do nothing but watch in astonishment as Kindle obeyed her brother and left with him.