Chapter 25

The High Paladin

- He sits among them, observing their weakness -

Snapping out from the memory of the white woman, Thonavar noticed that the fifth member of the council, the same handsome young man, who was lounging in his seat, was suddenly staring intently at him. He seemed to be listening to what Lord Damon was saying.

"I must say", Lord Damon continued, "that most would have reacted in a manner that would otherwise be described as an emotional response. A moral response. You decided that it was not right to do such a thing. You were not going to push the white woman off the bridge. And thus, it seemed that you would fail. However, you did not turn back but found a way to press on. Unforeseeable to the mind of the projection, you somehow managed to carry the woman across to the other side of the bridge despite her struggle."

"I remember now", said Thonavar quietly. "The white woman. Her face was sad. She wanted me to push her off. To kill her. But I could not do so."

"Yes. It was clear in your mind that you were not going to leave her to die or be responsible in any way for her death. And so you carried her across, staying true to your principles."

Thonavar’s mind raced away as he recalled the memory of the white woman. He had carried her across only for her to walk back across and throw herself into the deep chasm of purple and pink flames. Thonavar had watched her body spiral downwards like a ragged doll.

"But she fell off and died anyway", whispered Thonavar and Lord Damon nodded.

"Unfortunately", continued Lord Damon, "the challenge required the woman’s death. Nevertheless, young Ironhand, in carrying her across, not only did you demonstrate resolve but you employed a unique method of your own never employed before."

"Emotional vacuum", said Lord Ramonth suddenly.

"Why, yes", said Lord Damon, turning his head to acknowledge Lord Ramonth. "Exactly the point. Which is why your performance at this point was impressive."

"I do not understand", said Thonavar. "I know of the memory vacuum. What is the emotional vacuum?"

Seeing Thonavar’s expression of puzzlement, Lord Damon paused to explain.

"You already know of the memory vacuum. In some cases, a memory vacuum creates another experience also known as an emotional vacuum. For emotions are tied to experiences. Fear. Anger. Sadness. Loss. In the dreamscape, the lack of memory also means a lack of emotional memory."

"Ah, I see now. Looking back, I did not experience fear when I should have."

"Indeed. You did not. For the lack of emotional memory caused you to think in absolute terms, cancelling out emotive factors. Decisions are therefore coldly decisive, being made without the interference of emotion."

"So, if I follow, I went against the grain by refusing to throw the woman off when instead logic dictates that I should have killed her."

"Yes. Logic reigns supreme in the dreamscape. Thus, it was an impressive innovation on your part that you arrived at a decision that was in line with an innate moral inclination to preserve the woman’s life, and, a strong desire to survive and overcome. Very few would have considered resolving the problem before them the way you did. Most would have either pushed the white woman to her death."

I am being praised for doing the right thing. Such are the times.

"Furthermore, if I might add, you demonstrated a quick and clear thought processes in dealing with the exploding game board. You discovered that it was the tile that depicted the dragon symbol that was the safe tile and your journey across the game board was surprisingly swift."

Lord Damon’s positive words lifted Thonavar’s spirits. His heart was racing now. He was sure Lord Damon was going to give him his vote.

"Do not be so quick to praise the boy, Lord Damon", interrupted Lady Raphina icily. "There are many who have cleared this obstacle with infinitely more genius and finesse than what Ironhand demonstrated. In the projection before his, sensing something amiss, the boy called Joram Stalham had thrown rocks out onto the surface of the board. The stones that landed on the explosive tiles caused those very tiles to explode. But as the damage was contained within the blast, the result was a clear trail of undamaged tiles marked out for him. He soon deduced that the safe tile was the dragon tile and completed the obstacle with much more ease. This, in comparison, seems a much more analytical thought-process and young Stalham had demonstrated this to us most naturally."

"Yet, Lady Raphina, if the blasts were not contained within the exploded tile, what would have been the outcome? Young Joram Stalham’s method, though ingenious, would not have worked. Young Ironhand, on the other hand, was able to, by his own quick-thinking ability, deduce, even before attempting to cross, that the safe tile was the dragon tile."

A sound caused the whole room to fall silent.

It was Lord Ramonth. He was chuckling.

"You know", he began, still chuckling softly. "I do, in fact recall Damon, that you too faced this very obstacle in your projection when I and the previous council first examined you."

For the first time, all eyes in the room were focusing on the old man. All appeared somewhat intrigued to hear what Lord Ramonth had to say. Even Felix looked up from his hood.

"Apparently, upon seeing the very same game board in front, you proceeded to run across. Remarkably, you made it to the other side just as the last tile you had stepped on exploded", mused Lord Ramonth. “No one in all the projections I have seen so far was able to clear such an obstacle in the way that you did."

Upon hearing this, Thonavar’s mind reeled. The tiles exploded upon the slightest pressure, seemingly instantaneously. Thonavar recalled that he had barely time to step back when he was lifted into the air by the force of the blast and slammed down hard onto the ground. No one was that fast. And not at twelve years of age.

Thonavar looked around. The powerfully built man was staring at Lord Damon, nostrils flaring, as if studying him, like the way one would size another up before a fight. Lady Raphina was frowning and appeared deep in thought. Even the young man seated at the end of the crescent line of plush chairs appeared to be interested, with one hand holding his chin up, both elbows resting on the armrests of the chair. Felix’s head, however, disappeared back into the depths of his hood. But Thonavar did make out the glint of an almost hidden smile.

"Now that", said Lord Damon gravely, "was a long time ago Lord Ramonth. I can barely lift a blade these days."

Thonavar thought he heard a chuckle from within Felix’s hood.

"You grow weak then Lord Damon", said Lady Raphina, drily. "A cause our enemies might wish to celebrate."

"Ah, we are getting carried away now. Let us return to the matter at hand. As Lord Ramonth pointed out in his judgment, young Ironhand also demonstrated his prowess in the candlelight chambers of the templarave. The layout of the projection was taken directly from one of its interiors. A most gloomy place", added Lord Damon.

Upon hearing this remark, Lady Raphina stared acidly at Lord Damon. However, he appeared unaffected, keeping a straight face.

But before Lord Damon could continue, a most startling sound erupted. It was the sound of high-pitched laughter.

"Yes, I wholeheartedly agree Damon", said the young man, still laughing loudly. He had not participated in the conversation from the start and maintained an uninterested, almost nonchalant expression toward the whole proceedings. His sudden participation was therefore, intrusive and almost rude. Yet, oblivious to the seriousness of the situation and not appearing to care much for observing traditional decorum, he continued, unperturbed by the sharp looks of shock and distaste by Lady Raphina and anger radiating from Lord Beefheart. Lord Ramonth, however, remained expressionless. Lord Damon appeared slightly amused.

"A most gloomy place indeed, young Ironhand. It is, if I may add, also terribly boring and distressingly empty of the flavours and colours of life. One would rather die than live in such a place. The candlelit chambers of the templarave are a wonderful place of training for those fierce and immensely talented women of the order but, pardon me, Lady Raphina, surely a touch of colour would not hurt. For it is most, insufferably, gloomy."

As he said all this, his eyes scanned the room, coming at last to rest upon Thonavar. He smiled at him and then turned to look once more through the dark windowpanes that surrounded the chamber at the world outside, languishing in his chair.

Lady Raphina, however, was furious. Her jaw was taut and her face was white. But the jovial young man that lounged in his red velvet chair seemed oblivious to this. He leaned languidly in his chair and maintained, once more, his usual air of disinterest, choosing to watch the world outside the chamber.

"I thank you for sharing your agreement with us Starlassor", said Lord Damon. "In the room of a thousand candles, all obstacles on the ground floor were save for the table and the candelabra. Not to take away from Lord Ramonth’s judgment, I too, was impressed by young Ironhand’s approach."

Thonavar’s mind raced back and the words of the mosaic tapestry stretched onto the stone walls of the temple jumped at him from the depths of memory.

‘And coming up the temple steps and into the chamber lit by a thousand candles, he looked up and saw a peculiar sight. There were five red flames burning amidst the gold. But he was unable to find them, so that he could place them into the five-figured candelabrum, before the bell resounded and the flames went out and the darkness awoke.’

"After identifying the location of the red-flamed candles, you were not affected by the tiring process of making five separate trips. Somehow, you were able to summon something from within yourself. An energy from within ", said Lord Damon and he paused to study Thonavar closely before quickly moving on. "You handled the pressure exceedingly well. And for all things I have mentioned, I commend you."

"I think it would be unwise to praise the boy any further Damon", said Lady Raphina icily.

"Yes, see how his head swells", said Lord Beefheart. "Arrogant pup."

"He could have brought the candelabra with him up those wooden ramparts after lifting it and placing it on the ground as he did. For the candelabra weighed nothing as the projection had designed it to be carried", continued Lady Raphina. "If he were paying attention, Ironhand would have made this assessment and could have done this", she observed. “Most unfortunately, he did not think of this, for it would have saved him a few unnecessary trips and he would have completed the task faster, giving him more time to escape the nighttime darkness."

"A most valid point", agreed Lord Damon, stroking his chin in thought. "I see you are now giving thought to his performance in the projection."

"No, I am merely wishing to sway your vote on the boy Damon."

Thonavar’s heart sank. He hated the way this woman played games. This was an opportunity of a lifetime and this woman was ruining it for him. He still hoped for Lord Damon’s vote.

"Yet, we should not discount his valiant effort, resilience and speed in making five separate trips in order to fulfill the task set before him", said Lord Damon. "Further, he is no mere brute, incapable of logic and reason. We have seen how he dealt with the last projection scenario. He was the fastest of all the candidates today in producing the answer to the riddle. That was admirable, for I prize logic and reason above many other qualities. One may find, in certain circumstances, logic and reason proving to be better than any weapon or tool that might save."

"Again, with respect Lord Damon, I am sure not all of us agree with your opinion. We are all entitled to our own opinion on which qualities should be upheld above others", said Lady Raphina placidly. "I still do not think he is a suitable candidate."

"That may be so", said Lord Damon, "but my vote is for the boy."

Thonavar breathed a sigh of relief. Two votes to one.

Silence reigned in the chamber. Then the man with the thick neck stood up. He was immense in size.

"I need no introduction. I am Sigmourne Beefheart, Lord of Thunder. You shall not have my vote boy. Even now, news has come to me of what you did to the boy Alexis. Sir Alberoth must have been disappointed with the verdict of the courts which should have seen you condemned."

Upon hearing these accusatory words, Thonavar could not help but respond.

"I was vindicated by the courts", said Thonavar, his anger rising. "What do you know of the matter?"

"Why, you disrespectful brat of a -", began Lord Beefheart, his face bcome red again. Thonavar was reminded of one of those inflatable rubber balls that the children played with at college.

"Might I remind you, Lord Beefheart, that this is an assessment. There is no reason to bring a matter of the past into this room. Comments should be directed to the candidate only in relation to his performance in the projection", said Lord Damon.

"Then, I wish to make no such commendable assessment. This whelp of a boy", he spat, "deserves the static cell. For that is where juveniles like him belong."

As he said this, Lord Beefheart’s eyes bulged and the veins on his thick neck protruded most disturbingly. He sat down, his large form settling into the plush red chair.

"Very well", said Lord Damon calmly. "Young Ironhand", he said, looking directly at him. "As it stands, the vote is two for you and two against. There remains one more member of the council eligible to vote. His vote will decide if you join the order or go back to the life you once led. And might I also add that there is no shame in returning to embrace the life you once led Ironhand. The way of the order will be a most difficult one indeed."

As Lord Damon said this, Thonavar scanned the room. There was only one individual who had not yet passed his judgment and that was the young man staring nonchalantly out the window. Appearing to be oblivious to what was going on, he seemed to be absorbed in something occurring outside the window. However, no matter how he squinted and strained his eyes, Thonavar could not make out what it was the young man was gazing at so intently. Thonavar looked at the other members of the council but they remained silent.

Lady Raphina, annoyed at the delay, looked to the young man and made as if to speak, and Thonavar prepared himself for another verbal onslaught. But before she could open her mouth to speak, the young man spoke first, still staring out of the window and Lady Raphina was forced to press her lips closed.

"Good evening young Ironhand", said the young man, tearing his gaze from the window. His voice was brimming with energy. He leapt to his feet in a flourish and walked to stand directly in front of Thonavar while Lord Damon returned to stand beside his chair.

"Evening", said Thonavar, wondering what the young man was going to say about him.

"Allow me to spare Damon the inconvenience of introducing myself! I can imagine his plight; having to constantly introduce and present persons with titles all lower than his, in the hierarchy of things of course, with the exception of myself and the old man. How strange!" He laughed again to himself.

Lord Damon and Lord Ramonth did not show any expression but Thonavar saw that the rest of the room were in a silent uproar, staring angrily at the young man. Nevertheless, ignoring their glittering stares, the young man continued.

"How strange indeed. I am Sailem Starlassor. To the others and indeed the rest of the damned world, I am known as the High Paladin. The High Paladin! Can you believe it?"

He laughed loudly much to the annoyance of Lady Raphina whose lips were pressed firmly together.

"Such a grand name is in reality nothing more than a redundant ceremonial term - a name that is like a chain, imprisoning my existence, binding me in service to this council. But as you know", he added with an air of mock humility that Thonavar found strangely familiar. "I stay only because duty binds me to serve."

"Your vote Starlassor”, enquired Lady Raphina, her face now visibly angry. Lord Beefheart’s fist clenched and unclenched as he stared at Sailem Starlassor with a murderous look upon his face. Sailem Starlassor pursed his lips, and much to the annoyance of both Lord Beefheart and Lady Raphina, he turned once more to look out the huge black glass windowpane. Lady Raphina made as if to stand and speak once more. But then Sailem Starlassor spoke again, ahead of her.

"Did you enjoy the last challenge? The riddle at the end of the projection was most amusing, was it not?” said Sailem Starlassor, with a wide gleaming smile. Then standing up he proclaimed dramatically:

"The will of man, on his behalf, fights the chains of fate

Never-yielding to death’s despair, nor its sweet escape!"

Pausing for a moment, Sailem Starlassor chuckled loudly to himself before continuing.

"You found the answer to the riddle! Sitting here observing your thought-process and watching your expression change when the answer dawned upon you was most entertaining! Yes, I, for one, was most entertained! Were you not entertained?"

A strange feeling gripped Thonavar. The manner in which Sailem Starlassor spoke and behaved seemed vaguely familiar.

"Will you give your vote Sailem?" said Lady Raphina impatiently, glaring at Sailem Starlassor.

Thonavar felt nervous. His insides were churning.

"Yes, my vote! I completely forgot about it! Well, you are an interesting one young Ironhand."

He turned once more and looked directly at Thonavar, eyes bright. He appeared to be studying him closely.

"A most interesting one indeed…".

Thonavar’s heart was racing again. One more vote. And he was through.

For but a single moment, Thonavar thought he saw the Sailem Starlassor’s eyes flare a brilliant ruby-red. But the moment passed and Thonavar was sure it was a trick of light.

"Well, to heck with it! You shall have my vote!"