Alexi and Viconia, as they normally did were waiting for me in the Priory courtyard, standing in their armour on the freshly scraped cobblestones that appeared older than the surrounding building itself. They stood in the centre to ensure that they were out of the way of the numerous people moving through the gatehouse to their duties. Some people were attending to the chapel, building, repairing and restoring it to something of its original glories while the other side of the courtyard was home to several smiths going about their business on the refurbished smithy and smelters. They especially were hard at work and despite the relative early hour of the morning and the cooler temperatures I could feel the heat within seconds of stepping outside.

  “Judging by your face, that went as well as we were expecting.” Alexi said as I moved over to them, and while Viconia appeared as cold and aloof as she normally did I could tell that she was burning with curiousity.

  “You were right on all accounts.”

  Although he pretended to swoon, Alexi beamed, showing his teeth in an enormous grin. “When you’re right, you’re right.” The smile however didn’t seem to fully reach his eyes. “He ordered Gaebel to be flogged?”

  “Yes. But they seemed satisfied that it had already been dealt with.”

  “Hmmm…” Viconia stepped alongside me and matched my stride as we moved towards the gatehouse. “It sounds all too easy.”

  “That’s because you don’t trust anyone.” Alexi too moved alongside me and together the three of us moved as one. “But you are right. They gave in too easy.”

  “You might be interested to know that I am now the Infantry commander of the Order.”

  “Ha! There it is.” His chuckle was infectious and I found myself smiling despite my crawling anxiety and unease. “He thinks that he’s just given you a disservice and while technically its a demotion it works in our favour. I also guess that he doesn’t believe in knights training?”

  “Were you listening in or something?”

  “No, but I could guess. Have you seen half of the knights that arrived? Most of them would struggle to walk around the campsite, let alone fight anything more dangerous that their breakfasts.”

  “A knight is responsible for his own training, equipment and…”

  “Sir Desin.”

  All three of us flinched as a giant in ebony plate stepped into our path, respectively giving us space while ensuring that it was impossible to move around him.

  “Gods Falid,” Spluttered Alexi as he tried his best not to look surprised. “How do you of all people sneak around like that?”

  The giant Redguard turned and briefly looked him in the eye before returning his gaze to me. He had appeared as though conjured and in my distracted state hadn’t made his presence known until we were almost on top of him. It also didn’t help any of us that he was dressed in his armour minus the helm which only seemed to increase his already considerable presence.

  “Practice.” He said, his voice a deep growl. “Sir Desin, I have news.”

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  “Good or bad?”

  Ignoring my question and the hints of sarcasm in my voice, there was the usual lack of emotion on his face and without even the slightest hint of a shrug he continued on unabated. “I have received word from my Order. The Grandmaster has decreed with the gathering of the Relics of the Eight that the Black Knights will assist in their safeguard and protection.”

  “So, some of your brothers will be joining us.”

  “Yes.”

  “How many?”

  “All of them.”

  I caught myself blinking at the weight that his words carried but I couldn’t help but feel a chill of apprehension crawl up my spine. “There’s a ‘but’ in there somewhere.”

  Still as cold as ever, Falid continued staring without even the slightest of twitches. “I am going to recommend to the Grandmaster that the Relics be placed under the care of our Order.”

  Silence fell between us, only broken by Alexi’s long, impressed whistle and the jingling of chainmail as he put his hands on his head. “Wonderful.”

  “The Duke isn’t going to be impressed.” Viconia muttered, her scowl deepening.

  “His happiness is not a consideration.” The Black Knight growled. “The Relics are priceless and immeasurable in power and it is obvious that the state of the Order of the Nine is untenable. Unless rectified, the Order of Talos will claim them.”

  “I don’t think that the Duke will let you and your Order come in and take the Relics.” I said softly, seeing the hardening light in Falid’s eyes as he made the suggestion of a nod.

  “Unless rectified,” he repeated, slower and more carefully than before. “the Order of Talos will claim them.”

  The meaning was clear and I couldn’t help but consider the ramifications of his words. We had been with him long enough to know that he rarely made jokes and this simple statement was more than enough to tell us everything. Besides ourselves, Falid was one of the most accomplished and dangerous warriors and everything that we knew and heard about the Black Knights left us knowing that if it came to it they would wade through an ocean of blood to secure the relics. Despite their lack of numbers against the Order of the Nine and the Duke’s men I knew that there was a damn good chance that they would prevail.

  “I think you have made your point.” Still, there was no change to his expression as he stood there, slowly looking between us all with all the inexorability of a mountain storm. “I don’t suppose you can offer us any form of assistance?”

  This time there was a distinct shake of his head despite the lack of emotion. “No. My oaths are binding and there is no power within this world or beyond that could make me break them. My sword is at your service Sir Desin, but the relics are paramount. I, and my Order especially will not stand idly by and see them misused and innocents harmed.”

  “On that we agree at least.” Viconia added, snarling and flicking her teeth with her tongue.

  “How long until they arrive?”

  “It’s a three-week journey from Rihad and they should be leaving in the coming days. If they haven’t already begun the journey.”

  “Great… Less than a month.”

  He saw my expression and it was impossible not to hear the bitterness in my tone but there was still no reaction from the giant Redguard. “The Relics will be protected Sir Desin. I would prefer it to be the Order of the Nine but that is not feasible at this time.”

  Without a further word and little more than a brief and formal gesture of farewell he turned and strode away, leaving the three of us standing almost in shock and with obvious concern.

  “Are you okay Kaius?”

  Not looking up from where I was pinching the bridge of my nose I struggled not to grind my teeth in annoyance. “Not really. Things can’t be simple just for once, can they?”

  “Life isn’t sporting like that.” Alexi replied, looking just as shaken as I was. “What are we going to do?”

  “I have no idea.” The truth in my words was a punch to the gut and I groaned. “Where’s Caleb?”

  “Laying low I hope. This time of the day he’d normally be training but I’ve told him to keep a low profile.”

  Viconia nodded in the direction of the half-finished stables on the other side of the priory. “You can usually find him around the horses.”

  “Good. I think I need to talk to him.”

  “Want us to come?”

  I could hear the concern in Viconia’s voice even though it was just as cold as it normally was and I shook my head. “No. I should be alright. I’ll… I’ll catch up with you both later but I think we need to get some more eyes and ears out and about.”

  Alexi caught my meaning immediately and while his accustomed smile was present it was hollow. “Understood.”