A Remembering/Awakening

Decardo was greeted at the borders of the Elven forests by his old mentor Lady Katherine of the Knights Templar. Her smile welcomed him as he approached the tree line upon his etheral steed. Dismounting he returned his spirit steed back into the small figurine he carried in his belt pouch and followed his mentor into the trees. Nothing was spoken for nothing had needed to be said. Both knew why he had come for she could read his soul, that was her gift.

Time, days months seem as nothing within the elven forests for within them he knew their world spun differently to that on the outside. Not something he fully understood but there was no need to understand.

Katherine took him to a knoll within the forests at the base of which was a crystal lake and gently explained this would be where the elves have permitted him to rest. She showed him the small cabin they had preparred for him, for the Elven Seer Turgol had told her Decardo would be coming. Holding out her hands she nodded to Decardo's twin swords explaining there would be no need for such here, only the white blade would be required. Decardo removed them from his waist sash and handed them to her. With that she walked off into the trees.

Decardo walked to the edge of the lake and looked down upon its surface seeing his reflection stare back at him, how he had changed upon coming to Sosaria from his home plane of Elysium. He stripped off his clothes and dived into the cold waters. . . . .

Many days had passed in truth he was unaware of the number of times the sun had crossed the sky since he had come to the Elven woods. Katherine had not stayed long, just long enough to remind him of the Paladin Initiations she used to teach those who came to be taught at Beaufort. Before she left she handed to him a locked casket. Telling him not to open it till he had stilled his spirit and once more opened to the Virtues.

The elven Seer Turgol had then spent time with Decardo showing him the wonders of the Elven people. As they walked through one of the elven villages one of the children tore themsleves away from her friends and ran towards Decardo and the Seer, she ran up and took Decardo's hand. At first he shyed away but then her smile seemed to win over him, and the three of them continued. The child began to speak fo seeing the warrior and his dark haired lady at their joining. Seems she had watched from the trees. Her attention then turned to the objects hanging from Decardo's belt to which he told her they were called J-tai. He then told her of the children in his homeland and how from avery early age they were accepted into the adult world as soon as they could wield the training swords.

They wandered through the winding trees, the Seer staying to the rear watching some kind of empathy materialising between the two. Seems somehow this child has touched something deep inside Decardos spirit. It seems in his homeland children are considered the most valuable members of their community. This Katherine ahd not explained when she told him of her old apprentices people and ways. The Renshai she called them.

The path took them up to a knoll where the warrior and child sat down and he unrolled the sash that held the j-tai. The Seer watched as he he laid the j-tai out and explained that each held a story for to him they were honours given to him from others. Some had intrinsic value having jewels in them and others seemed just of personal value. The child then picked up a silver bangle and Decardo began to relate the story of how it was given to him . . . . .

Smiling to himself the Seer quietly left the two of them to it, he knew they would be some time. Looking into the sky and the new risen sun he murmerred to himself and to some unseen person that the healing process had begun. Taking out a small reed flute he headed back to his village playing a tune as he went.

Within the trees the Golden haired,white clad figure smiled to herself, Turgol never could play that flute very well, but then thats not where his talents lay.


Decardo was reading the scrolls Katherine had left him when Turgol appeared and handed him a sealed letter bearing the seal of the Lady Cherry. His heart leaped as his finger touched that which she had held. He missed her so dearly , and the link they shared seemed somehow very distant in this enchanted woodland.

Opening the letter he read the contents ,
Quote:
Beloved DecardoTo receive word from you filled my heart with such joy. I am missing you each day and crave your touch and warm presence by my side. So much has happened….so much I would cherish your opinion on. You always say you are just a warrior but I know there is much more beneath the face you show to the world. I am happy to hear that you have found peace amongst the elven forests and once more treading the path of your choice. Come home to me swiftly when you are done beloved.I released a Spirit from the Elemental stone that was causing me such distress you recall………I know you noticed it my love. Through severe injuries inflicted upon me, the Spirit was able to take me into the ethereal planes and taught me of what lies there….the threads of the tapestry and what I might do with that knowledge. I am once more at peace beside the Pool…..but I can wield much now. I must be cautious. But I am not quite corporeal….something went amiss when the Spirit returned me to this plane. Do not be alarmed! I do not think it is permanent. The Pool gives me vitality and I grow stronger each day.Be safe beloved. My heart is with yours.


His heart was racing with joy and he read and re read the contents. Smiling he stood up and headed to the fresh morning stream to wash.

. . . . . . . . . . . . Decardo awoke as he always did just before the rising of the morning sun. This was always his favourite part of the day, he headed outside his Renshai eyes adjusting the brightness of the sun as it passed above the horizon. Returning to his cabin after having bathed in the stream he sensed someone was inside. As he approached Turgol came into view and told Decardo that he was to bring his white blade the one known as the Sword of the Rightousness. Someone wished to speak with him.

They walked to the mound where he had spent many hours previous talking to the fair haired child about the j-tai he carried at his waist sash. As they walked unto the top of the mound they both saw a small fey like creature dressed in browns and dark green. Turgol bowed and offered greetings in Elven to which the small fellow replied naming himself as Flindar.

The small fellow offered them seats upon the grass and began to share his breakfast with them consisting of bread and berries.

After they had eaten Flindar asked Decardo to remove the white blade and place it into the ground at the centre of the mound. They explained that the mound was an ancient place of power laying upon one of the power lines of mother earth. Turgol then began to speak of his dreams since Decardo had come to the forests, at first he did not understand all the images for they seemed very confusing. But now he could reveal to Decardo what he had gleaned from them.

He began speaking looking directly into Decardo's eyes and as he spoke Decardo could once more sense the gentle power of great magnitude that lay within this aged Elf.

'Decardo your time to awaken is here , the Blade you carry the white one known to you as simply the sword of the rightousness has another name, a name that will when spoken will open a doorway that will answer the many questions that at this time remain unanswered.'
He glance flicked from the sword in the earth and back to Decardo.
'Your here upon Sosaria because you were chosen so by the powers but somehow in the passage between this world and your home world some things were lost to you, memories of the past. Your name Imier means 'Warrior of Light', it was given to you by your HighPrietess as an honour for saving her life when you served as Prime BloodGuard to the Temple of the Earth Mother back on Elysium.'

Decardo seemed much confused at his words some things he vaguely could put some meaning to for the elf knew of the Temple on his homeworld. But much of it was unknown to him. Turgol then looked to Flindar and the small fellow stood up and walked to where Decardo was sitting. Placing his hands upon the head and heart of Decardo he spoke some elven words. As he spoke them Decardo was hit with images flashing through his mind over and over again that had no meaning, he screamed out as they ripped through his mind. He had no time to try to resist the pain, he rose seeking that he knew would always defend him, that which he knew, the hilt of the sword standing in the earth. Grasping the hilt his fingered closed around the grip in a familiar comforting way almost like they have known one another for time distant. Pulling the blade from the earth he took several steps before falling to the ground as the light left his eyes.

Images ,scenes flashed back and forth through his mind. Then he felt a soothing presense wrap itself around his mind, something so gentle so comforting. It was like ice cold fresh water upon a fresh burn. He heard a voice, the voice he would always know, the voice of his beloved Cherry.

'I am here my love - always. Rest i shall shield you as you have shielded me in the past.'

Feeling the gentlest kiss upon his mind he slipped into a restless sleep upon crest of the mound where the two fey ones watched his form, Turgol wearing a worried look upon his face.

'Maybe we have done too much' he spoke to Flindar.

They did not know the spirit of his beloved was with him. it always was now and forever for they were bound beyond this life and the next.

Images, forgotten pasts, friends, landscapes flashed through Decardo's mind. Nothing made any sense but all ended with an image of an Ankh and a white blade ......... a name burning down the length of the blade. His eyes cannot see the name , he tries but they begin to burn, he feels on fire. Then comes the soothing touch of the one who loves him and his mind drifts back to the darkness.

'Rest my beloved'

Darkness . . . . . .
________________

. . . . . Images . . . . of a boy dressed in the white garb of a Cheela ( warrior apprentice ) being taken to the Temple upon the plains of Kutath. A man with a seta-al scar upon his face, a smilin face . . . my father Kel-Merai. He speaks my name Decardo Merai-son come pay your respects to the Priestess Mal-Renya Immaryn.


. . . . . image changes . . . .


A boy come of age being granted the black garb of the Kel ( warrior caste ) and ritually being given my first seta-al upon my cheek, the single blue scar of the Kel. Elder Sai-Saul speaks in jest, soon i think twill be this young one teaching us. I feel pride flow through me, my first j-tai is given, a silver bracelet containing the 9 stones representing the 9 tasks of the Cheela.


. . . . . image changes . . . .


A sword, a sword being forged , worked and polished under a mountain, the blade is white. A name is spoken i cannot hear . . oh so i try to hear but its just a whisper to me. A woman all in white not known to me wraps it in a dark blue satin cloth .


. . . . . Flashes of images, too many . . . pain my head . . . the gentlest touch upon my brow . . . beloved . . .

. . . . . darkness comes . . . .


. . . . images of men in shining plate armour riding warhorses into battle led by a man in robes, an old man but a man who held power not of the word or the sword but a man who commanded through respect . . .

. . . . images, words becoming the teachings, the Initiations of the Paladin way, i see the man the greatest teacher passing on the wisdom of the ancients to those who would open their hearts and listen. This man has a name Prince Orlando . . .

. . . . ancient initiations of reasoning, intuition, compassion the words, their meaning coming back to me like a beacon in the night . . .Then dark times a great leader lost an Order straying away from the Holy Light in the darkness . . .

. . . . i am lost, the light has gone, i know nothing . . .

* a cold touch of steel *

. . . . no wait i am Renshai i know steel, in steel a man can trust, steel will never falter in the hands of one who knows its secret . . .

. . . . time and bitter i become, friends and companions are lost, i see their faces before me mocking me. Was i that blind to the ways of the land, of its people . . .


Decardo awoke sweating upon his reed bed, he made his way to the stream nearby. As always when he walked out half naked in the morning the elves were always watching but what thoughts crossed their mind he knew not. Washing away the sleep from his eyes and the sweat from his skin he tried to put the strange dreams that he had been having as he slept into some kind of order. He also noted to himself never had he slept this much, normally Renshai did not require more than a couple of hours of actual sleep. If fact it was well known back on his home-plane that Renshai made excellent bodyguards because of their loyalty and the fact they could go without sleep for many days. It was said by some that the sword devils as they were often called did not sleep at all. He knew that something was changing within him, much like the scales of a pawnbroker shifting one way.







Returning to his cabin he checked the white blade and oiled its surface placing it back in its scabbard. Just then the light was taken from the room, looking round he saw the lithe form of Katherine standing in the doorway. She beckoned him to follow her and turned and left, they walked through the trees away from the elven settlement. She spoke of the Teachings of the Virtues, what a follower of the virtues could achieve through dedication and patience. It was time to grasp what the Templars had once taught him and use that knowledge to serve the land. You are and will always be Renshai she explained, for that is what you were born into. But the Templars teachings taught you to wield a power greater than the sword. Now was the time to combine all that he had learned, now was the time to take up the white sword and wield it as it was intended, as a beacon against the darkness. You are a Paladin Decardo if only you would admit this to yourself and embrace it rarther than cling to the stubborn Renshai warrior spirit that resides within you. You need to look deeper beyond that which is the Renshai and you will see a light in the darkness that is your true spirit. Find that light Decardo and you will find your thread on the Great Tapestry.






They travelled for many hours indeed it was close to sunset when they finally came to a ring of stones within a clearing of trees. But the clearing was not open to the sky for the trees here were ancient and their boughs long and well spread with leaves providing a canopy over the stone circle except at the very centre. They made a small camp inside the treeline and after some dry rations settled down for the evening. Decardo listened enthralled to times of past when Katherine served among the Knights Templar and the Regent of Britain. To tales of when the Paladin Knights were plenty across the length and breadth of the land.

Katherine watched as Decardo walked towards the center of the standing stones.

As Decardo stood within the elven circle of standing stones he could feel the power of the virtues. What the Knights of Tel'mar knew that most others did not was that the Shrines lay upon nexus of ley lines which harnessed the power of the earth in its raw pure form. Druidic Orders had also built standing stones through time upon where two or more such lines crossed. Thus it was possible to reach out across these lines to other standing circles of power and the nexus's at the shrine.

Decardo let his senses reach out in search of the one who was soul joined to him . . . . .

Out his senses ran like a racing beacon across the ley towards the shrine of Justice . . .there he sensed the presence he was seeking. She was safe but somehow different, he did not understand perhaps it was to do with the changes she had been experiencing before he left the lands of men.
Feeling a sudden tiredness overcome him he released his grip on the power he had tapped from the ley.

Taking control of his senses he opened his eyes to see Katherine eyeing him watchfully. He tentativly walked from the stone circle taking comfort in the feel of the earth below his boots. Smiling Katherine extended her hand and offered the words

'My dear Decardo now you see what lies at the heart of the Virtues, this is what Orlando spoke of at the final initiation.
She addressed him using the words of his people that he taught her long ago when he was her squire.
Now begins your path to understand the power of the Virtues, i shall teach you what i and Crystal of the Virturi Order knew of the Virtues. Then you will have to travel to Luna to the Monastic Order there to learn your final lessons of combining the powers of light with that of the sword.'

With that she handed him a token, what his people call a j-tai, a small golden ankh on a fine chain of silver.


. . . . . . . . Over the next few weeks he studied the power that he could feel and reach into that dwelt within the Stone Circle. He discovered that carrying the White Blade the power flowed more easily through him especially if he had physical contact with it. Each day he would begin by slowly reaching for the essence of light that lay within the spirit of his physical form nurturing and learning of its form. Slowly he began to understand not only his connection to the Leys feeding the Virtues but also a better understanding of himself. As he studied this new prowess awakened within him he found it was beginning to adapt to him as he channelled the energies through his body. But most importantly of all he gained a new understanding of the value of life and its place among the Great Tapestry.



One evening he was studying the runes on the White Blade down in his cabin when he heard a voice, a whisper in his mind. He saw images of the white walled city, the City of Luna and the name Master Du’Rant. Night drawed in and Decardo slept an uneasy sleep his first in many weeks, unbeknowest to him the golden vambrace he had worn since he gave his Oath to the ‘Voice’ began to faintly glow . . . . .







With the coming of the morning sun Decardo headed to the Elven village to speak with the Seer Turgol. Lady Katherine there was no sign he asked about but none has seen her. After breakfasting with the Seer they exchanged leave takings and Decardo headed out of the Enchanted Forest back into the land of man.
As he walked his steed ‘Magnu’ through the trees he remembered fondly his time with the elves a time he would never forget.




Breaking the tree line the heat of the sun touched his skin, a sense he welcomed. Adjusting is Dai Katana to his back and the White Blade to his left hip he mounted the saddle upon Magnu’s back. Collecting up his steed, he spun about to take in his surroundings and to gain his bearing. He could feel Magnu chomping at the bit wanting free rein to let his spirit sore. Decardo knew he left his steeds essence too long on the spiritplane , it was the disadvantage of the Etheral Mount. Taking in the measure of the land he took one long last look at the Elven forest as soon the illusion that covered it fell back into place. He drew forth the White Blade and brought it point upwards in a salute to those who he had no doubt were watching him, those who had given him back that most precious that of the joy of living. Kissing the Blade he spun Magnu round and returned the sword to its scabbard and gave Magnu free rein and galloped off towards the Moon Gate that would lead him to the White Walled City.






As Magnu’s stride set out across the plain so his thoughts turned more to Tel’mar and the life most precious he had left behind there, that of his beloved Cherry . . . . . .
__________________

Decardo stepped out onto the plains of Malas outside the City of Luna, how he never got used to the cold of travelling between the MoonGates. Shaking of the uncomfortable feeling he gathered his senses and felt the warmth of the sun upon his skin. His eyes took in the Great Wall of the City of Paladins. Here was the next step of his journey his mentor had said, he he would find and place the final key. Collecting up Magnu his steed he cantered into the City, nodding to the Gate Guards as he rode through.

The City was a busy as one would expect with traders coming and going. From his higher vantage point upon the back of Magnu his eyes scanned the crowds of people till he saw a patrol of men at arms on foot. Guiding Magnu steadily through the people he approached the men and bid them greeting. After a brief exchange they explained where the Captain of the watch was stationed, with that he headed through the Inner Walled Gatehouse and tethered his horse at the other side. Adjusting the daisho set at his waist he climbed the steps into the buildings where the cool fresh air greeted his senses.


tbc
Decardo was escorted to see the GrandMaster of the Holy Order after he had received food and refreshment. He was shown into a high vaulted chamber whose walls were covered in elaborate tapestries that had obviously be woven many generations ago by. As he strode into the room he was sure the images on them shifted, perhaps it was just tricks of the light streaming through the coloured glass of the windows he mussed to himself. Seated at the end of the table was an elderly man but a man well formed in muscle, his face was home to piercing grey eyes watchful as he approached. As Decardo drew near man stood smiling and nodded his head slightly.
'Welcome Decardo Imier of the Knights of Virtue be welcome in our Halls. I am Master Du'Rant Keeper of Luna City. Your mentor the Lady Katherine sent word you would be coming, we are honoured to have you stay within our walls.'

Taking the seat offered by Master Du'Rant the talk slipped to why Decardo had come and what he was seeking from the Paladins of Luna. Whilst they were talking Master Du'Rant showed Decardo the tapestries on the walls and the stories they depicted. One brought him up immediatly as his eyes fell upon it, it showed a man holding a white blade fighting within the City of Umbra. Both their eyes fell to the cloth wrapped bundle upon the back of Decardo.

'Ah now we know why you are here' Master Du'rant spoke. He nodded to himself a small smile creasing his lips.'Come Decardo let me show you our Shrine' and with that they left the room, but Decardos gaze remained on the tapestry till the door closed behind him


Decardo soon settled into the routine of serving with the High Paladins, the only thing he wasnt used to was the heavy armour they wore on mounted patrols around the nearby villages. In the evenings he would attend the lectures by the Elder Teachers learning all they would teach him and before he slept each night he would return to the room of the tapestry of the Knight wielding the white blade.




By the end of his first month there he was often granted the honour of being second in command of patrols he was on. He began to wander off into the lower city and the surrounding villages in his time off to learn the ways of the people. He went as the man and not the Knight so as not to stand out so much.




The other Knights soon learnt that Decardo was a man to have at your side in battle for his skill was unmatched by any Knight who tested him in the training ground. He spent time passing on some of his experience to the more younger men at arms, those who could stand his rigourous training. But always he remembered his heritage that the Renshai battle dance could only be passed from Sensei to Cheela.


Finally for Decardo things were beginning to come together he was slowly piecing together the images from his dreams over these many months. There was a link between Decardo, Cherry and the Shrines, he was so close to fathoming this riddle at long last.
Cherry was linked to the earth spirit through the Pool of Vitality ( Nuiduin ) in Tel'mar. Perhaps this is why the ley or wild magics. He could feel her presence stronger now he was back among the land of men but somehow her spirit was different but he sensed not injured or in danger.
Decardo was linked to the Shrines and the Ley through the white blade he carries and the Templar teachings of the Ancient Texts. The Healing Pool Nuiduin was the lock that needed solving, and the white blade was the key . . . . now all he needed was the name of the sword. He thought the Tapestry would be the clue for it showed the blade in battle but no where could he see its name. Master Du'Rant just referred to it as the Sword of Virtue saying it had appeared once in the history of the Order but all trace of it had long since vanished. But of one thing he was certain, Decardo's white blade and the one mentioned in their history tomes are one and the same. For as soon as it was brought before the Shrine in Luna it began to faintly radiate a soft white light.


During this time Maste Du'Rant was keeping a discreat eye upon Decardo & unbeknowest to him he was happy with what he was seeing emerge within this man from a foreign land. That evening he wrote a letter to the Lady Katherine detailing his thoughts and his hopes.


Late into the night Decardo was standing in the gardens of Luna listening to the sounds of the night when he was approached quietly by one of the clerics serving within the Temple.

'Good morning Lord Imier' he spoke in greeting, Decardo inclined his head slightly back ' Morning sir' he replied.
'What brings you up here so early and so silently Decardo?'
' A thought' Decardo explained 'i was thinking upon what i had learned these past many months.'

Pulling a blossom off one of the trees he span it in his fingers.

'Life is in everything. . . . life should be lived and embraced each day to the fullest and seek to prefect everything we do for we may not see tomorrow. This is Bushido and also the way of my people.'

He studied the look on the priests face and continued.

'Now since my raging spirit has been calmed i can sense this life within everthing, i can sense it flowing out of the earth from the ley, i can sense it in me and you like it has its own voice, its own song and it is beautiful.'

Looking deeply into the Priests eyes

'But i have also been reminded i am but a man, not a demon, nor unnatural vampire or any other creature of power, but just a man. I am Renshai yes so can call upon my racial traits like the ability to see at night as day and the enduring stamina of my people to resist disease and damage sustained in battle. But i have no unearthy powers, no bloodmagic to call upon.
How can just a man stand against such powers that will not fall ? '

Nodding the Priest looked back at Decardo

' With Faith and conviction Decardo thats how. It is not much but its all we have and it is enough for many times the darkness has been held back by the light it is written in the ancient scrolls.'

The Priest looked past Decardo's left shoulder

'And there are the tools we have been given to aid us in our Quest like the White Blade you carry that is a powerful one and the other i know you keep from your Templar days, the Cup of Compassion. But strongest of all is our faith for it is that which keeps our feet firmly on the ground and shields us from evil. For as long as we have belief we shall not fall.'

Looking back to Decardo's face

' When you are done here serving in Luna go seek out your brother Sir Medric De Morte and listen to him for once'

Smiling now showing the whites of his teeth Decardo laughed

'Yes i shall listen to my brother of the sword for once, and i shall gather a new cloak for the old Knight Gil'

They turned together and began to slowly walk through the gardens. Suddenly Decardo wrapped his arms about his midrift and his legs buckled beneath him. The Priest reached out a steadying hand hauling Decardo upright.
Decardo cried out 'Thors hammer, i feel so weak'. He held onto the Priests arm for support feeling like a newborn child. His eyes adjusted and he could see his very aura pale, something was drawing upon his strength but what or who he did not know.Quickening his pace the Priest guided Decardo to one of the stone benches and bid him remain there whilst he went and fetched something to drink.

Decardo remained on that seat until the sun rose above the horizon, he welcomed the warmth it brought to his skin. He body felt as though he had been fighting all through the night, he needed his bed and restand he needed to learn what had transpirred. The Priest had remained with him and helped him head to his bed in the soldiers barracks.

__________________
Within a few days Decardo had regained most of his strength, by the dreams he had been having he had begun to realise that somehow Cherry had been tapping his very life source to fuel her channeling somehow. Why or how he did not know as this had never happened before. Was it because of himself or was it connected with Cherry he did not know. He knew before he left Tel'mar for the Elven lands that Cherry had been changing for he had seen the wild ley magic begin to manifest itself around her. The more time she spent near the Pool Nuiduin the more noticeable were the changes.


The question remained 'How and why did she tap into Decardo's very essence of being, was it planned or was it by accident or more worryingly was it in desperation'. No no he knew it was not through desperation for he had not sensed she was in physical danger.


It seems over time they were somehow becoming attuned to each other and at the centre of it all lay the Pool Nuiduin and the Ley or wild fire.


His time with the Knights had been enjoyable and he had learned much about combining the powers of virtue with those of the Renshai. But he still knew next to nothing about the white sword he carried. One thing he had gleaned and that was that the blade was attuned to the Ley. Tel'mar he knew sat upon a nexus of ley lines, everything was directing him back to Tel'mar, back to the Pool Nuiduin but more importantly his heart was in Tel'mar and he missed her more than the sun.


The fight had been hard, the patrol had encountered some Orcs from a hillfort in the mountains to the south who had been terrorising one of the local villages. All had been well at first till some Orc scouts had opened up from a hidden position, their arrows cleaving into the ranks of the mounted Knights. Never before had the Orcs used such tactics and the Knights had not expected such tactics. At first Decardo had managed to arrow cut many of the incoming arrows as he strove to protect the retreating Knights but then they increased in number. . . . .

He felt his legs buckle from under him as his strength failed crying out to Sif his Goddess he will himself to stand once more but as another thuded into his breastplate. He realised too late he was still weak from the essence Cherry had taken from him, slowly the world began to pale his legs began to buckle, he staggered falling into the river and the lights of the world went out.

His mind wandered, he somehow felt himself floating down the river . . . his mind cried out 'Cherry i have failed thee' . . . but my love will live on for eternity.
__________________
. . . the softest touch of her lips were upon his like a fresh breeze with the taste of morning dew. Her astral form searched out the wounds of his body. As she kissed his lips so her power spread out through his body . . .


'Awaken my love, i give back to you some of what i took. Awaken my love for it is not your time'.


A gentleness encompassed Decardo as his body lay upon the banks of the river. Her power surrounded him in a feint almost invisible aura. She reached into his very spirit touching very gently that which she held most precious, the very life essence of Decardo. Then she waited and watched over him cradling his spirit in her own as slowly his wounds began bind themselves through the night.


. . . . The sun rose over the treeline and Decardo's eyes fluttered open, oh how his body ached he mussed to himself. Kneeling he took in his surroudings noting the river and the woodlands orientation, he had been swept a fair way downstream it seemed. Checking his body he found the wounds had almost healed, what magic was this he thought to himself. It was then he recalled a dream. Of Cherry kneeling at his side tapping the power of the Ley, the wild fire, to heal his wounds. But surely that was a dream he thought to himself.


Walking to the river he discarded his leather tunic and leggings and washed the dirt and blood from his body. Ensuring the white blade was secured across his back he began the long walk back to Luna City.

__________________
. . . . It was only a couple of days till Decardo found a road that led him to a small village. At first they were wary of an armed stranger coming into town but once they saw he meant no harm offered him some food and water.


During the next few days he helped out around the town where he could as he had no coin to pay for the kindness they had offered him. Each morn' and night he prayed and practised the svelgese his only possession being the clothes upon his back and the white blade in its scabbard.


Once he had regained his full strength he bid his farewells to the villagers and left for Luna City, he managed to gain passage on a merchants cart who was glad of the warriors protection in these troubled times.


He made a quiet entry into the City and headed to his quarters where he began to pack his few belongings. That evening he took a farewell meal with the Grandmaster and thanked him for the kindness and teachings him and his Order had offered. Decardo spent his last evening within the Virtue Hall in comtemplation of what he had discovered of himself these past many months.


Come morning he bathed and dressed in his light leather armour fastening the scabbarded white blade across his back and headed out the City offering farewells to the men at arms on the main gate. Once clear of the walls he drew forth the white blade and planted its tip firmly to the ground. Uttering the power words 'Vas Rel Por' he summoned forth the power of the Ley as a blue portal appeared in front of him. Sheathing the sword he headed through the portal to Trammel and the one he loved more than life itself.