The Pendant

The Pendant

         In a land far away, a castle stood high in the hills for all to see. It was a small kingdom but everyone was prosperous and happy with their benevolent king. An army of soldiers, no more than one hundred, rode up to the gates of the walls that surrounded the town that surrounded the castle.
         The guards on the wall looked down and called to the soldiers. "Who goes there? Be you friend or foe?"
         The man in front lowered his hood with a smile. "I would hope friend, for we wish to eat and be merry of our victory!" The man had black hair and stubble on his chin, under his cloak he wore armor that bore the crest of the kingdom.
         The guards, recognizing the voice, almost fell over the edge leaning over to see the knight. "Mintho?! We did not expect you and your men home for another week!"
         The man called Mintho laughed. "All the more reason to celebrate. Now do you plan to let us in or shall we stand here for another week?" The guards quickly scrambled to open the gate and the men rode down the main street. When the people saw them they cheered for joy. They flocked to the street and called out praise and thanked them for their efforts.
         Another knight rode up next to him. This was Mintho's right hand man. "They sure seem happy to see you. I wish they would greet me with the same gusto." He said with a sarcastic laugh.
         "Tassilo, my dear friend, they greet us all as one. As knights of the kingdom. Just because I lead doesn't mean I am the face of these men." Mintho was a smart man, he knew he would be nothing without his strong and loyal men. They fought hard for him and his cause and in return he always steered them towards victory. By the time they reached the castle the front gate was open and they rode into the courtyard to be greeted by the king and his daughter. "King Sinon, Princess Mederi, as always it is nice to see you."
         The king couldn't help but laugh and walked over as Mintho dismounted his horse. "Once again you exceed my expectations! You bring great pride to this kingdom, and the people thank you for all you have done!"
         Mintho bowed to the king. "It is my pleasure to serve the crown to prolong this lands peace."
         Sinon patted him on the back and smiled. "We shall throw a feast in your honor of you and your men. I insist."
         Mintho smiled. "Just make sure there is plenty of food. My men are more than ready to eat their fill! Isn't that right men?" They all cheered before they went about putting their horses in their stalls and removing their armor. Some even left with their waiting families or went straight to the taverns to drink. Mintho went into the castle where he had a private room. There he started to remove his armor and hung it on the stand he had there.
         He heard the door open and he turned to see the princess. "I hope I am not disturbing you..."
         He smiled and put down his helmet. "You never disturb me. But I am curious of your visit."
         Mederi smiled and walked over. "Can I not see my beloved when he returns from battle?"
         "I would prefer to have washed up first." He said to her.
         "Do you still have it?" She asked, worry in her eyes.
         He reached into his shirt and pulled out a necklace with a green gem in it. "I go nowhere without it." He put it into her cupped hands. "Your pendant has brought me luck on the battlefield. Sometimes I swear I would not survive without it."
         She pressed herself into his chest. "Do not talk like that. I do not know what I would do without you."
         He held her tightly to soothe her. "Hush now. You know I would never leave you." They continued their embrace and shared some passionate kisses. They were unaware of the person watching through the crack in the door. It was Tassilo. He had followed the princess, in hopes of asking to accompany her to the feast. Only to find her in the arms of her commander.
         He walked away, with clenched fists as he sighed. "Should have guessed. All the fame, the king's praise, the princess...Mintho has them all." He punched the wall then sighed as he felt the blood between his fingers. He still remembered that day. They were both still low on the chain of command when the messenger came. Bearing a message to Mintho from the king. Right in the middle of training he came and Tassilo watched Mintho walk away, only to return granted the rank of commander. They were best friends, both eyeing the same prize that watched from her window above the courtyard. But in the end he was always second best. Mintho named Tassilo his second in command out of respect and trust but no matter how hard he tried he could never leave his friends shadow.
         He sighed as he looked back one more time. "Perhaps it is for the best. Time for me to give up my foolish ambitions."

         Later that night, those who were not already drunk from celebrating gathered in the great hall to enjoy the royal feast prepared by the king's chefs. Everyone was singing and dancing. Mintho even asked the princess to dance in front of her father. HE didn't seem to object to their intimate embrace. With a bit of ale in his system even Tassilo was enjoying himself. He was telling the serving maids about the battle, how Mintho and himself had fought three to one odds and came out on top.
         Out of nowhere the doors flew open as a messenger runs through the crowd. He had to fight his way through all the dancing and half-drunk people to get where the king was. "Your highness, I have urgent news for you."
         Sinon was watching his daughter dancing with Mintho and he barely seemed to notice the messenger. "How urgent? As you can see we are celebrating."
         The messenger seemed hesitant, but he quietly handed the message to the king. "This just came in from our scout's messenger bird. Once I read it I ran straight here from the guard post."
         The king read the note and jumped from his seat. "An army of one thousand men are coming from the south!" His voice boomed through the hall. He couldn't believe what he had read. Everyone had fallen dead silent as they turned to the king who was now slumped in his seat.
         Mintho dismissed himself from Mederi to go to the king's said. "An army, from whom?"
         The king sighed and sat up. "The army hails the flag of Gero...He leads his men towards us as we speak."
         Mintho turned towards the castle guards and called to them. "When is the main force due to return?"
          None of them wanted to answer, but one stepped forward. "We just got word of their victory a week ago, so assuming their trip back was uneventful they should return...in a few days..."
         The king turned his head towards the sky. "Seem we have no choice. They will be upon us long before reinforcements arrive." Everyone seemed really quiet. Some even started murmuring amongst themselves. Fear was in the air, except for Mintho, who seemed deep in thought.
         Tassilo recognized his look and approached him. A bit tipsy but still very sober. "What are you thinking of friend, a plan perhaps."
         Mintho nodded and turned to the king. "Your majesty, how far out is the enemy?"
         The king looked at the note and they turned to him. "If this information is accurate, given how long it would take to get to us...I would say they are a good two days ride from here. Why do you ask?"
         Mintho sighed and gave him a stern look. "It is possible that we can still save the kingdom."
         "But how? We do not have nearly enough men here to fight an enemy of that size." The king said.
         Mintho nodded and turned to his men, all looking to him for encouragement. "No we cannot defeat them, but with the numbers we have we can delay them."
         The king stood up from his chair. "What are you saying Mintho?!"
         Mintho turned back to the king. "If we left in the morning we would be able to confront the army while they were still a day's ride from the castle. From there we could hold them off until the army returns. We could then fall back to them to finish off this threat."
         Tassilo spit out his ale mid drink. "What you speak is madness!"
         The king's look said a similar opinion. "I have to agree with him on this. There is no way you could hold out against them."
         "It is the only chance we have. We have to take it. Even if we fail they should be shaken enough to buy the kingdom more time to organize itself." Mintho explained.
         Tassilo stood in front of Mintho with concern. "If it merely a delay tactic we need then why not hold out here? In the safety of our walls?"
         Mintho sighed and put his hands on his friend's shoulder. "That would simply put the people in peril. We need our men fully focused on fighting the enemy, not protecting their loved ones from invaders." He turned to the king. "Besides, the main force will surely need to resupply broken weapons and return the wounded to the safety of the walls. If they were cut off from the city then I fear their usefulness will not be at its best."
         The king lowered his head in sorrow. "Everything you say is true, but..." He said looking up to Mintho. "I cannot ask you or your men to do this. It is sentencing you to almost certain death."
         Mintho turned to his men. "Sure it seems impossible to come out alive, but we must all remember what this will mean. We will die ensuring the safety of these walls, to the protection of our loved ones, our wives, our sons, our daughters...our way of life!" The men started getting up one by one and raising their fists to the sky. "For the kingdom!" Mintho cried.
         "For the kingdom!" The rest of them cried.
         Mintho turned to the king. "You have heard them your majesty. We plan to go with our without your blessing, to protect this place."
         The king looked ready to lose his composure. "Then go, brave knights. I will pray for your safety and I hope when I send word of the armies return that you will be ready to come back to us. Please spend these last moments preparing yourself however you must." The men all left the hall, Mintho even retired to his room. Everyone was preparing for the day, except two people.
         Tassilo stared at the wall, he didn't want to lose his life. But he could never show his face to the kingdom if he abandoned his duty. He stood there weeping, unsure of what to do.
         The princess went to Mintho's room to find him staring out the window, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "You can't go, I won't let you!" She was in tears as she held him tight.
         He turned around and held her. "I do this for you. I would do anything, even give my life to protect you. The others would do the same for their families."
         She looked up at him and sniffled. "I could care less about the kingdom, let it burn to the ground for all I care. I don't want you to die!"
         He stroked her cheek. "You do not mean that...I know you are sad but I promise I will return to you. All I ask is that you allow me to borrow your pendant one last time. And once I return I will retire from this life to be with you. I am sure Tassilo would enjoy taking command in my stead."
         She wiped the tears from her eyes and took the pendant from her neck and put it around his. "You better return this, it was a gift from mother before she passed."
         He laughed as he kissed her cheek. "Not even death could keep me from returning your precious pendant." They spent the night together and when the sun rose Mintho was leading the men from the gate. The princess watched with sad eyes as the gates to the castle closed cutting off sight from the knights.
         
         The trip was quiet. All the men were on edge about the upcoming battle but none of them wanted to say anything that might make them regret their decision. At the end of the long trek they finally reached the ridge that looked over the road below. As per the plan the knights started to unpack and set up while Mintho watched the horizon. The sun had already set and very little was said among the men. They even took turns sleeping. But as the dawn neared the lifeless horizon started to worry the knights.
         One came up to the unmoving Mintho and spoke to him. "They should have arrived by now. We should at least seen them...do you think they turned back."
         Mintho was puzzled as well. He had spent the bulk of his time trying to find a reason. "I don't know...nothing stands between here and the fields beyond...even if they stopped for some reason this is still too long to wait. Perhaps Tassilo and I should scout ahead to see if maybe something is going on."
         The two looked around and Tassilo was nowhere to be found. In fact Mintho couldn't remember seeing him the entire trip. "Perhaps he had second thoughts about coming...I don't blame him but..." He held his tongue, thinking twice about talking down about his captain's best friend.
         Mintho looked to the horizon and saw the army crossing over. But something was amiss. He watched as the entire army came into view. He even waited to be sure but the enemy numbers couldn't have been more than eight hundred. Mintho quickly went to his men. "I fear something is wrong. Lets fall back immediately!" The men started to scramble and Mintho moved to get his things when an arrow pierced his chest. Everyone turned and yelled out in panic. As Mintho fell to the ground he saw enemy knights coming from the trees and attacking. He fought to stay awake but eventually the loss of blood made him pass out.

         He didn't know how long he had been out but he woke up to feel the drops of rain on his face. He sat up and cringed in pain still feeling the arrow. He quickly grabbed it and pulled it out. It had just missed his heart. He took off his armor to put pressure on the wound. He looked around and saw the corpses of both his men and the enemy. His men being the more numerous. He sat there quietly, wallowing in his failure, when he heard something.
         He looked up to see a cloaked man, carrying a long staff with a lantern hanging from the curved top, a blue flame lit up the area around him. Mintho watched as he walked over the men. Waving his hand he could see small blue fires rising from their chests. The cloaked man would examine them for a minute then lightly toss them into the sky where they would float away. He came to the corpse of one of the enemies and when the fire came out it was black. The man looked at it then waved his lantern near it and the fire was absorbed by the lantern, the lantern flickered a bit brighter before the man went about continuing what he was doing.
         "What are you doing to my men!?" Mintho yelled to him. He didn't seem to hear him as we went back to what he was doing. "I am talking to you! What are you doing to my men!?" The cloaked figure seemed to notice him this time and turned to look at him. He had a surprised look on his face. He walked over slowly and turned his lantern towards him so it lit up his face.
         From the light Mintho could see the man's face, it was old...almost like it was about to decay. "You must be very close to death in order to see me..." He looked him over once more before huffing. "But provided you don't do something foolish you should live to see tomorrow." With that he turned to leave.
         Mintho felt very cold. He held himself tighter as he yelled out. "Who are you...what are you doing here?"
         The old man turned to him and sighed. "Well since I don't explain this often I will tell you. Long ago I was condemned to pay a service for my crimes...now I punish the souls of those who have darkness in their hearts."
         "I don't understand..."
         "Ugh...I am death...or at least a bridge to death..." He showed Mintho the lantern. "This lantern holds my spirit...when I was sentenced to this task my soul was ripped from me and put in this lantern, as long as it burns my judgment is prolonged...I can put off that judgment more by allowing the souls of the wicked to burn in my lantern. Sadly the souls of the damned do not burn long and I fear I do not have long before I pass on...so a new sinner can take my place and my soul is left to burn." After that he fell silent.
         Mintho was a bit shocked by this. He was literally speaking to death. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl. "Do you know what happened here?"
         "You and your men were killed by an ambush. Now those they follow march north."
         "I must stop them!" Mintho tried to stand, but quickly felt light headed and fell back down.
         "That would be unwise. You are close enough to death as it is."
         Mintho tried to think of some way to save his people. He looked to the old man and spoke softly. "You say you need souls of the damned to sustain your life...what if you had a whole army of the damned..."
         The old man turned to him and laughed. "I know what you are implying, but even if wanted to take the time to fight your battles for you that kind of feat is beyond me now..."
         "What if your lantern burned brighter than it ever has?" The old man turned to him, his interest perked. "You say the souls of the damn don't burn very bright...what about the soul of the pure...Not only does my soul burn pure, but my desire to save my people makes it burn that brighter. My body may be frail but my soul is strong. It is yours...if you do one thing for me..." He said reaching into his shirt and pulling out the pendant.

         Back at the castle a horse rode up. After getting the guards to open the gate the man on the horse went straight to the castle where the king and the princess were having dinner. The door opened and Tassilo staggered in. "Your highness! I have terrible news!"
         The king stood to his feet. "Tassilo? What happened?" He said in surprise seeing Tassilo in front of him instead of with Mintho.
         Tassilo lowered his head. "The plan went terribly...they quickly overwhelmed us. Mintho sent me here to warn you...I didn't want to leave him behind but...he wanted to make sure you were ready for what was to come. I rode nonstop the entire way here to make sure you got this message."
         Sinon sat down and Mederi looked ready to cry. Everyone fell silent as another man walked into the room. "Your highness, we have word from the army. They are just outside the wall now. They enter the city as we speak."
         The king raised his head, a stern look on his face. "Have all able men resupplied and send them out. Mintho has given us this chance and we must not let it slip from our fingers." The man bowed and then ran off to tell the news. The king just sighed as he slumped in his chair. He went to drink his wine but the cup was empty.
         Tassilo walked over to the standing closet and grabbed another bottle. "Please your highness allow me to refill that for you." He said filling the king's cup.
         Mederi was silent but the king smiled. "Thank you Tassilo...it must have been hard leaving your friend behind."
         Tassilo frowned. "It was...I hope for his safety, but I won't delude myself."
         The king was about to drink his wine when the door flew open. A wind filled the room, extinguishing all the light in the room. A blue flame drifted into the room, then the cloaked man appeared, the lantern forming around the flame. In his one hand he held his staff and in the other he held a sword. The guards tried to get in his way but the lanterns flame sprung up and circled the two guards leaving the space open for the man to pass.
         "Who are you to enter this place, be you friend or foe?!" The king yelled.
         The cloaked man lifted his head, his face was now young, no older than twenty. "I am neither, merely a messenger." He lifted the sword and threw it towards the king. The blade slid across the table and stopped before the king. "You need not fear Gero's army anymore." The blade in fact bore the crest of king Gero. The cloaked man turned and started walking towards the princess. More guards got in his way but with a flick of his hand they were sent flying. He reached into his cloak and pulled the pendant from it. "Mintho sends his regards...and his apologies." He lowered it into her cupped hands. She stared at the man, speechless.
         He turned to leave and the king yelled out. "Who are you to force your way in here! You attack my guards, than tell me I need not fear my enemies?!" The man ignored him as he walked towards the door.
         Mederi stood up and called out. "What happened to Mintho!?"
         The cloaked man stopped. He turned to the princess with a frown. "The man known as Mintho gave up his life in order to save the kingdom. In exchange for his soul I made a deal to extinguish the enemies of the kingdom and return that pendant to you...nothing more." Mederi started to cry as he finished his explanation.
         Sinon stood up and looked at the sword, ensuring it was real. "I guess we will know the truth once the army returns with news from the south."
         The cloaked man stopped again and turned to the king. "The south? If your army looks there they will find nothing but the bodies of your fallen soldiers. The bodies of your enemy lie to the east from here."
         "Why would they be there?" Sinon asked.
         The cloaked man paused for a moment. "Perhaps they were waiting for something. Maybe the person who betrayed your soldiers also promised them a way into the castle." Everyone froze as he spoke.
         Sinon raised a brow. "What do you mean ambush, my knight tells me they were overwhelmed." He said waving to Tassilo.
         The cloaked man looked at Tassilo and huffed. "Then he tells you lies. Your men were killed before they even know what hit them. Then the army marched east where they laid in wait in the forest."
         Tassilo felt his skin go cold with the man's eyes on him. "He...he lies! He is probably a spy! He is planning to make us drop our guard so he can signal an attack!" Everyone turned to the man who had now vanished.
         He appeared before Tassilo and stared him in the eyes. "If I wanted your kingdom dead I could do it with my own hand. But you, you seem to be hiding something. What secrets does your memory hold?" He reached out his hand and touched Tassilo's head before he could back away and his memories flowed into the man's mind.
         
         Tassilo walked into the enemy camp. They immediately grabbed him and brought them before Gero, who was leading the army. "Ah a spy, I love spy's, they are the most fun to break!" The mad king said sharpening his knife.
         Tassilo was shaking, but found his voice quickly. "I am no spy, I come with information!"
         Gero raised a brow and smirked. "And what information do you have for me."
         "My men wait to impede you, if you promise me my life I will tell you where they are."
         Gero laughed as he stood. "Your little band doesn't scare me. I will kill you then deal with your "impediment""
         Tassilo quickly called out. "It is not them you need to worry about!" Gero hesitated and Tassilo continued. "They are only meant to stall you...until the rest of the army returns to the kingdom to defend it. But if you accept my request I will help you conquer them."
         Gero sat back down and pondered it. "And what is this information worth then?"
         Tassilo sighed in relief before speaking again. "Grant me the throne...to rule under your name, and the hand of the princess. Allow me these things and I will tell you all I know."
         Gero leaned back and thought it over, and then he smiled. "A steep price, but I will grant you them if you do exactly what I say." The guards let go of Tassilo as Gero reached behind him and pulled out a vial. "You will tell me where your rats are hiding, then you will return home saying you were defeated and ran back to warn them. Then when the king drinks his troubles away you will poison the old fool."
         Tassilo was a bit shocked at this. "But why kill the king."
         Gero smirked as he tossed the vial to Tassilo. "Because, the best way to kill is to go for the head, then watched the body squirm. Now tell me what you know and leave...before I change my mind."

         The cloaked man narrowed his eyes and stepped back. "This man has betrayed you." Everyone gasped and the king was beside himself. "He sold out your men, and then agreed to dispatch of the king in exchange for the throne."
         Tassilo quickly backed up and screamed. "You tell lies, I would never betray my kingdom!"
         The cloaked man turns to the king and points to the chalice. "Who poured that for you?"
         "Tassilo..." The king answered hesitantly.
         In a brief second the cloaked man vanished and then reappeared before Tassilo, the chalice in his hand. "If you truly believe you are right then drink this. Prove I tell nothing but lies." Tassilo looked at the cup and started sweating. Everyone now staring at him. He smacked the cup away and ran for the exit. The guards quickly captured him and held him as he screamed out. The cloaked man watched as he was dragged away. "My business is done here." Then turned to leave.
         "Thank you..."
         The cloaked man stopped and turn to see the princess looking at him. "Do not thank me, I was just fulfilling an agreement."
         "Your agreement was to slay an army and deliver a message. You didn't have to save my father and reveal the traitor." She said.
         He paused for a moment then looked at her. "Farewell princess. I hope you and your lover meet again in the next life." With that he vanished.
         In the hills he reappeared. He stared down on the kingdom. "She is right you know." He looked up and the voice came from his lantern.
         "You became one with the flame yet you do not burn...I wonder if you knew of this or if it was just a gamble." He responded.
         Mintho spirit called from the flame. "Neither, I was willing to burn for my people. It just so happens the souls of the pure are immune to your power." He was silent for a moment. "Perhaps having done a good deed your judgment will be fairer when you finally pass."
         He smiled a bit as he turned to walk away. "Maybe...but until then I will enjoy the company I have been given..."