[Mkguild] Warmth in Darkness Part 5

[Stealth]

Next part!


After some time in the peaceful forest, the coalition found a suitable
clearing to make camp. The area was large enough for their horses, a camp
fire and lastly for them to rest comfortably.



            As he looked about the ground Stealth wondered at the origin of
the clearing, "Is this place a natural clearing or another testament to the
wood's past?" Stealth asked. "Perhaps it used to be a stable or an inn or
even a home... it could even hold the secret to what happened."



            Edmund was silent for a moment. "I doubt it but the forest
itself was more or less a product of the old empire. The clearing might have
played host to some manmade building in the past."



            "Well I prefer the earth and grass over some hard stone
pavement," Stealth commented. "It's a lot softer!"



            "Don't worry; I see no sign of pavement, as least none that
still covers the ground. Such a surface would be most unpleasant to rest on
indeed." Edmund offered, "Now let's make camp with what daylight we have
left."



            As the daylight waned they spent the time setting up camp,
Edmund would tell Stealth the proper way to go about certain things but they
eventually left each other to their own devices. Stealth just finished
tending to the horses when he began preparing the field rations for supper.
He absently remembered something and turned to approach the Knight.



            "Hey Ed, I...?!" He looked up to Edmund as he spoke and saw the
Paladin to be kneeling reverently on the ground with his eyes closed and
prayer beads in hand, engaged in said prayer. The cheetah knew it as a
Follower ritual. Stealth was momentarily spooked; it looked as though he'd
just disturbed a deep meditation or something profound.



            After a short moment Edmund acknowledged him. The cheetah looked
up from his prayers, "What?"



            "Uh, don't worry about it." Stealth answered, feeling
embarrassed.



            "No, you can talk, what's wrong?" Edmund persisted.



            "Never mind." The cheetah answered, mildly irritated at the
awkwardness.



            "All right. I'll be finished in a moment." Edmund said and
closed his eyes once more.



            True to his word, the Paladin soon finished his last prayer,
"I'm finished now, so tell me." The Knight ordered.



            "Ugh, I can't remember now!" Stealth said in frustration.

* *

            Edmund nods. "Still speechless after your first visit to a
brothel?"



            "...Me?" Stealth asked indignant. "Who stuttered at the sight of
a dirty message?" **



            The paladin nods and points to Stealth. "I mean you. After all I
am a paladin. I am not allowed to use such a place. What were YOU doing
there?" He jokes.



            Stealth shook his head and reached over to ruffle Edmund's head
fur.



            Edmund laughs. "Now what did you want to ask me?"



            The knight's pun did its job as it helped lift the momentary
awkwardness. "I can't remember. It will come back to me later. But I'm sorry
I interrupted you."



            "No need to apologize. Forget it. Now - how about we get dinner
ready?" Edmund offered as he put the beads away and stood up.



            "Sounds good." Stealth sighed. He would remember in time, but by
then it won't matter anymore...



            "Interesting parallel." Edmund started as they covered the short
distance to the fire, "You felt awkward just now, and I felt awkward at
the... site." He noted obscurely, "...and poked fun at each other's
discomfort." He joked.



            "That's another thing we have in common." Stealth mentioned
idly.



            He looked at his friend. Already Stealth was better. Gone was
the fear and the frightened look in his eyes. He still had a way to go but
already his friend was returning to his old self. The trip to the woods,
besides getting the cheetah busy, showed Stealth that at least he had his
life and good health.



            He had only known Stealth for a short time. Less then a year and
yet for two people so different in outlook they had grown to be close
friends. That friendship had changed them both and for the better.



---------------------------



                The camp fire crackled softly as it fed on some larger
chunks of wood. It illuminated their camp in a gentle though erratic glow.
Edmund's chest rose and fell with a soft rumbling purr as the knight had a
light rest. The follower feline slept peacefully on an open sleeping bag,
his tail wrapped around his side motionless. Though he slept, the cheetah's
sword sat at his side ready for trouble.



            Stealth proved a capable sentry; his senses were on full alert,
notably the cheetah's ears which constantly flicked about for
inconsistencies in the subtle din of the haunted forest. Though the fire
blocked out any other light source =96 if there was any =96 the cat's eyes
remained wide and dilated as they scanned the tree line.



            The cheetah felt ill at ease here. He had been recently attacked
by thieves and began to feel very suspicious of leaving the keep. Stealth
was not necessarily restricted to his apartment; he still felt safe in large
areas with people about but the idea of heading out into the field alone and
cut off gave the cat pause. Obviously his friends became concerned about the
growing paranoia. Edmund in particular frowned upon the younger cat's
emerging agoraphobia and intend on putting a stop to it. Even if it meant
dragging the other cheetah out of the keep.



                His new fear however clashed with his instinctive ones in
that he still felt more comfortable out in the open where he had been
attacked, as he would be able to see a threat approach. Here he could see
nothing; a 'thing' could jump out from the tree line and kill him at any
time. The cheetah morph just wouldn't feel safe till he returned to the
keep, he realised with a sigh.



            The dagger they found rested in his paw while he reflected,
waited and watched. He turned it over and over. The gold and black marble
would glisten in the fire light but his eyes remained cast to the woods.
Edmund said the dagger had been meant for him, that's either very good or
very bad, Stealth thought. He didn't need that sort of weight on top of his
problems... Bah! It's just a little dagger that he found in a cellar.



            Grudgingly compelled, his eyes drew back to the weapon. He
fancied the hilt to look like his fur but it didn't. Who owned this thing in
the past? Were they a solder who fought for honour and justice like Edmund
or did it belong to a ruthless, depraved tyrant? Stealth turned back to the
woods and shrugged off the notions.



            As for thoughts of destiny, he made a living as a courier and
that should be enough... No, he might not be doing that much longer. Not
with the way he feels. As Stealth contemplated the thought of returning to
the boring life of being a scribe and remaining in a small room in the keep
somewhere, he jumped slightly as Edmund suddenly stirred.



            "It's my shift." He yawned. "Get some rest."



            Stealth relaxed. He placed the dagger back on his belt and shook
his head. "I can't sleep."



            "The spirits keeping you up?" The paladin asked as he sat up.



            "I don't drink... oh." Stealth blinked. "No! I just can't sleep
during a camp out."



            Edmund took a drink from his canteen by holding it over his open
muzzle and managed not to spill any liquid. "Well it sounds like you need
it." He licked his lips of some stray drops.



            Once more Stealth shook his head. "I can't..." He sighed.



            "Well, I won't force you to rest, but I don't like the idea of
you being dead in the saddle tomorrow." The cheetah warned.



            "Don't worry... I'll probably be dead at the END of the day." He
smiled.



            "Well, have a drink and just try to rest up a bit." The knight
got up to find some more wood for the fire.



            Stealth closed his eyes though his ears twitched to the world
around as muffled thumps sounded from the paladin tossing the wood onto
their bonfire.



            "What did you think of the ruins we visited today?" Edmund asked
as he sat back down.



            Stealth thought for a moment. "I was careful not to touch
anything like you said." He answered.



            Edmund nods. "Thank you. But what did you think and feel when we
were in the ruins? Those were once homes and buildings like at Metamor."



            "It was sad seeing the remnants of people's lives scattered in
ruins." He intoned. "It should be cleaned up and handled with respect. Not
just left out to the elements."



            "No choice in that my friend. Until the ghosts are laid to rest
there is nothing we can do but pray for guidance and keep looking for the
truth." Edmund said soberly.



            "As difficult as that is under the circumstances, I can begin to
see why you've needed to make so many trips." Stealth cringed. "Perhaps we
should ask for the Dukes assistance."



            Edmund shook his head. "No. Duke Thomas has too many other
things to do. The dukes of Metamor have tried for centuries to understand it
with no luck. And I must do this myself. I know that even if I do not
understand exactly why."



            Stealth tried to make sense of the paladin's words though he had
no luck. "You do realise, once the spirits of this place are free, it will
no longer be a barrier to the lutins."



            Edmund nodded. "Of course. But also people will be able to come
back here too and this city will be a place of the living again."



            "It will take a lot to rebuild the place. And I don't know what
it would take." The cat couldn't even begin to imagine the scale of the
task.

* *

            Edmund considered that, "Aye, the valley cannot handle the
number of people it did then. No insult to the duke but his government has
not the organization or skills of the old empire." The cheetah sat up.
"However, Misha told me of a mission to these ruins when the Duke had an
interest in rebuilding the old outpost" He paused, "That was before the
assault..."



            "Can they rebuild it?" Stealth asked sounding slightly more
hopeful.



            Edmund shrugged, "They rebuilt the outpost after Three Gates;
surely things were more dire then."



            "That's true, though the northern outpost will be nothing
compared to this." Stealth sat back. "It will be like cleaning my room."



            Edmund chuckled, "You have a true bachelor's apartment."



            "I've noticed today these ruins appear tidier than my room."
Stealth agreed, "Or maybe the cheetah is stronger in me than I thought so I
just prefer to live in the wild."



            "Well Stealth you do work in the wild. Maybe you just like
bringing some of it home with you." The knight said, sounding ever
philosophical. Old Sedgewick would indeed be proud.



            "Perhaps I really am turning into an animal." He intoned
solemnly.



            "Perhaps you are just messy by nature." Edmund jokes.



            Stealth stuck out his tongue at Edmund.



            Edmund waved his hand, "The difference between us and the
animals is that we have a culture. We create art and literature from our
minds."



            "...Thanks, Ed." The feline said feeling slightly comforted.
"Sometimes I forget what this valley used to stand for."



            Edmund nods. "This was once the centre of civilization and
society for all the people in the valley. Now it is just ruins overshadowed
by ghosts. Metamor is a place of great culture and art but the curse
overshadows it now. Oddly similar fates aren't they?"



            Stealth sat up in his spot. "Yes, it shouldn't be so for any of
us; I can see you of all people as cultured."



            Edmund fumbles with something in his pouch for a moment. He
takes Stealth's hand and places something in it. "This is for you. A gift
for being my friend."



            Stealth looks at his hand and finds a small tree resting there.
He was silent.



                Stealth stared at the small object in his palm, "Is this to
help me find the great ones wisdom?" The cheetah asked sombrely, looking up
as he did so.



* *"I am a man of the faith," Edmund answered. "The Great ones words and
deeds are never far from my mind. But I am not trying to force his ideas
onto you. Never would I do that. I am a patient person."



            "Patient?" Stealth narrowed his eyes. "Patient for what?"



* *"Patient for you to learn what really matters in life. You are young
Stealth and you need to learn to relax and not take everything as an
insult." Edmund intoned though in a patronising manner.

* *

                Stealth bared his fangs. "That was not the implication you
made, no, you just can't comprehend one like me, that was clear when we
met." The cheetah sighed. "Though there are far worse things a Paladin could
do."



"What exactly does that mean?" Edmund asked with a sharp edge to his voice.
"You think I would ever hurt a friend? Who is the one with problems of hate?
Me or you?"



            "You know exactly what that means." Stealth shot back. "And I
don't know what to think of you. You think I have problems of hatred? If I
do then why do you suppose that is? But I'm not trying to change you, I
never implied you to be in darkness or ignorant." **



*            *Edmund shakes his head. "I already told you, I'm not trying to
change you." He insisted. "Only YOU can decide what you believe and
currently you believe nothing. That feels wrong to me. You have to believe
in something."



            Stealth hissed at the knight. "I believe in things that are
real, rather than your imaginary friend." He snapped.



            Edmund showed no outward sign to the harsh retort, instead he
spoke calmly, "You said you do not believe in religion. Then what do you
believe in? All people need to believe in something greater then
themselves."



            "I told you, I believe in answers! Logic, science, real
reasons." He answered in a tempered tone.



            "Can your reason explain how the world itself was created? Can
it explain how prayers are answered?" He asked almost derisively.



            Stealth glowered at the Follower, "And that's just it isn't it,
you don't know why things happen, hence, your Eli automatically created
everything."



            The two almost appeared to be standing on opposite sides of the
fire pit. **



            The paladin was quiet for a moment. "I guess it all comes down
to faith. Either you believe in the Great one or you don't."



            Stealth sighed. "Then why give me this?" He held up the Tree in
his paw.



            Edmund shakes his head. "Because you are my friend and I like to
give gifts to my friends."



            The cheetah staggered for a moment as the anger melted. "But why
...this?" He asked softly.



            "Why? Because this world is too full of ugly and harsh things
and too often we miss the small wonders and things of beauty." The paladin
intoned thoughtfully.



            "And it just happens to be this?" Stealth cast his gaze to the
religious object once more. "You're not trying to pester me to worship as so
many others have...?" He asked sadly.



            "I am a paladin. A warrior of god. I cannot and will not change
that but this," He says and points to the tree. "Is just a gift. Do not
think too deeply on it. I have no hidden meaning behind it other then as a
gift."



            Stealth stood with an open muzzle for a moment, his eyes began
to look sorrowful.



            Both the cheetahs stood silent for a few moments while the
forest sang its soft melody and the fire crackled away. Soon, in unison,
they settled back down beside the fire.



   The night grew cold and dark in spite of the fire but the silence between
them was the worst. Edmund added the last of the wood onto the fire. "I
never really intended to become a paladin. I just sort of fell into it," he
commented.



   "Being born into a high noble family meant that my life was foreordained.
I had two choices for my life. I could enter the priesthood or become a
knight errant. Neither of which really appealed to me. Spending my whole
life as a priest like my brother Lothair looked," He paused for a moment.
"Well, boring.



   "But being a knight did not seem much better. All the family lands and
titles would go to my Brother Cecil. As the first born that was his right
but it left me with nothing. I would have to travel about and try and earn
enough of a reputation so that some landed noble will give me a title and
land." Edmund shook his head slightly, "I know men who struggled their whole
life and had little to show for it besides a worn out horse and some beat up
armor."



            His friend nodded in understanding, "Being a knight isn't all
glory; saving maidens from the clutches of dragons and so forth."



   "In all my years as a knight and a paladin I've never fought a dragon or
rescued a princess." Edmund stated idly, "I have fought a lot of evil
creatures."



            Stealth rolled his eyes, "That's my point; I meant that as a
figure of speech, not literally."

* *

     "I understand that silly. I was just commenting." The cheetah relaxed
settling his back against a rock. "I wanted to do more with my life then
just jousting and fighting in nameless battles. I'd seen a lot of evil and
injustice and I wanted to change things. My years as a squire were hard and
my first years as a knight were no kinder. I did try and live by the rules
and lessons that I had learned in church as a child. My piety and devotion
to the Ecclesia did come to the notice of some people..." His voice mellowed
and he seemed to sit up straighter. "I was very proud when I was given the
offer to join the order as a paladin squire. It just felt so right and
proper! What impressed me the most about the order was they refused to allow
me to answer immediately. They made me think and pray for a week before
accepting my answer. I liked that. It showed me that they weren't as rash as
all too many knights are."



                Stealth had been trying to take in everything, though he did
find something to say, "Well that is a big decision."



   He nodded his head. "It was a great honour to be asked but also a great
responsibility. Being a paladin is not easy. The rules of the order are
strict. I changed my mind no less then 4 times before finally deciding to
accept the offer. I have never regretted the decision. It has taken me all
over the world and to exciting and exotic places. And I have done the Great
ones work! And finally it has led me to Metamor Keep."



   "Where were you before you came to Metamor?" Stealth asked.



   "My duties have taken me all over the Midlands from Pyralian Kingdoms in
the south to the Great Eastern range. I've fought pirates on the Sea of
Pyralis and guarded caravans crossing the Flatlands. I've stood under the
ancient and majestic trees of the Forest of Aelfwood and fought vile things
in Elderwood." He gave a short chirp of laugher. "I have even been to
Marigund but don't tell Misha because I think we were on opposite sides in a
few battles."

* *

*            *"Marigund?" The cheetah asked.



            Edmund nodded. "Marigund in the Outer Midlands, Misha's home; a
region dominated by the Rebuilder faith. I travelled there on a crusade."

* *

            Stealth frowned at Edmund.

* *

   The paladin was quiet for a moment before speaking. "It seemed to make
sense to fight the Rebuilders then but it was a stupid and evil thing. I
realized that after a few months of campaigning and went to where I was
really needed to fight evil."



                The younger cheetah considered him for a moment. "So you
weren't always... tolerant." The courier stated. "Or perhaps just naive,
still, I can hazard a guess as to how you would have dealt with my kind in
those days."



   Edmund just looked at Stealth for a moment. "Do you?" he asked in a soft
tone. "Both sides did a lot of bad things in that campaign. I am a warrior
of God and I am sworn to show mercy to ALL people. The problem was few were
showing God's mercy then."



            "I understand; people are capable of bad things." Stealth
conceded. "But, it was a 'holy' war, wasn't it? Isn't that why you were
there?" He tilted his head to the knight.



*            *"Not all who fight in wars do so for evil reasons." The
paladin answered. "I have fought in holy wars against the followers of the
daedra. Would you call fighting that wrong? I had gone there because
Rebuilders were raiding Follower towns. That was true. But what I found was
that the reason the Rebuilders were raiding the Followers was because the
Followers had been raiding them! The two sides had been raiding each other
for years. Fanatics among my fellow Followers had used it as an excuse for
starting a war."

* *

            Stealth threw some small twigs into the camp fire. "It's easy to
find an excuse for war, some pale excuses at that."



   Edmund shook his head sadly. "A fanatic always finds a reason to loot,
rape and kill."



            Stealth too shook his head. "I didn't say a holy war is wrong. I
just don't believe in the concept of one because you see, there is a
difference, one which becomes easily skewed by the term." He struggled.
"Take the daedra, they are creatures of evil; you don't need to call a fight
with them holy." Stealth explained. "Whereas more often than not the term is
used as an excuse for fanatics as you said. It depends on your enemy." The
cheetah smiled. "But you're a smart guy Ed; you already figured that."



*  *Edmund tucked in his tail and his ears laid back in a feline blush. "Now
you're just flattering me."



            Stealth couldn't help but bark a laugh. "Now you know what its
like."



 "I am not supposed to let such flattery effect me but a little praise feels
good." Edmund explained as he regained his composure.



            The cheetah huffed. "I was only commenting." He shrugged, "It
makes you human and approachable, though if that's bad for a paladin then
I'll keep it a secret." Stealth offered with a wink.



*            *Edmund gave a small chirp of laughter. "A little laughter is
fine. We are a strict order but not THAT strict."



            Stealth smiled but that soon became a frown, "Edmund, I'm sorry
for that thing I said about your god."



            He nods. "I understand. You must have been bombarded by many
zealots of all kinds. That tends to wear on a person. I know. I have had too
many meetings with such fanatics."
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