The Rose and the Skull

6

Lady Jessica Destianstone's stomach writhed as she watched Gunthar stride across the courtyard to meet the leader of the Knights of Takhisis dismounting from his dragon. Not because she had just devoured enough meat from Gunthar's banquet table to satisfy three ravenous dwarves, or because the tense scene between the other Knights and Lord Gunthar had just been interrupted by the arrival of the Knights of Solamnia's most hated foe; she simply never imagined she'd be this close to a blue dragon, much less twelve of them. Their aura of magical fear had started cold icy sweat rolling down her cheeks, and her stomach felt as if she'd swallowed a cold stone the size of a dragon orb. Nervously she slapped the pommel of her sword as the leader of the Knights of Takhisis stopped beside his dragon's head and muttered something from the corner of his mouth. Jessica tensed, expecting some treachery.

But nothing violent occurred, as yet. The leader of the Knights of Takhisis strode forward, meeting Lord Gunthar in the center of the courtyard. The two great Knights clasped hands, but it was hard to tell whether the handshake was one of friendship or rather more like that of two men wrestling. The muscles of the Dark Knight's arm bulged as he squeezed Gunthar's hand, and Gunthar fought back gamely. They turned, and Gunthar shouted something. The Knights of Takhisis responded with a roar and began to dismount from their dragons. For a moment, Lady Jessica thought they were attacking.

"Sheath that sword, Lady Knight," muttered the older warrior standing at her shoulder.

Looking up, she noted for the first time that Sir Liam Ehrling had moved in beside her. She quailed at the thought that he'd been at her side the entire time and hoped she hadn't been thinking out loud, a habit brought about by her almost constant solitude. Jessica spent most of her time in lonely watch upon the northern frontier of the Knights' lands, in a drafty old tumbledown castle, with only an ancient dwarven squire to attend her horse and arms. She'd come at the summons of Lord Gunthar, though she hardly knew why she'd been summoned. Never once since becoming a Knight of the Crown had she attended a banquet at Castle uth Wistan, and now here she stood, at what was apparently a momentous event in the Knighthood's history. Why she'd been commanded to attend was completely beyond her, and she wished she were back in her comfortable old chilly castle, curled up with a book and a candle by the fire.

Relieved that the Knights of Takhisis were not attacking after all, Jessica allowed her sword to drop back into its sheath. The Dark Knights were gathering around their leader and Lord Gunthar. Gunthar shook hands with a handsome female Knight of Takhisis who'd ridden on the same dragon as their leader. She was head and shoulders shorter than the leader of the Dark Knights, but they bore similar features, from raven curls damp with sweat from wearing the massive dragonhelms, to their thin, somewhat arrogant aquiline noses; the two might have been brother and sister. Next, a man cowled and robed all in gray stepped forward, nodding to the Solamnic Grand Master before retreating to the rear of the gathering crowd of Dark Knights. Finally, a Knight of some importance strode up from the back and was introduced to Gunthar. As he bowed, he removed his dragonhelm, allowing long white locks to spill down upon his shoulders. As he turned his head to say something to another Knight, Jessica noticed his delicately pointed ears, and her breath caught in her throat.

"A dark elf," she whispered.

"That won't be the last unusual thing you'll see this night," Liam muttered, and Jessica realized she'd given voice to her thoughts. Dark elves were those elves who'd been "cast from the light" by their own people. Lonely, hunted, they most often found acceptance in evil alliances, whether it was with the black-robed mages or the clerics of Takhisis. Jessica hadn't heard of the Knights of Takhisis accepting dark elves into their order, but such a move was not unexpected. Evil has no prejudices, her old master had told her. It accepts all equally. When the old magical arts began to fail, and when all the gods left Krynn, the dark elves were sure to find some other path. The Knights of Takhisis seemed the perfect place for them. Though she'd never met a dark elf, the mere thought of such a creature filled her with loathing. The elves in general were a noble people, dedicated to the beauty and glorification of all that is good, so when an elf fell into the clutches of evil his fall was all the more tragic and horrible.

With the introductions completed, Gunthar led the way across the courtyard, all the Knights of Takhisis in his train. Behind them, the dragons fanned their wings impatiently, eager to be off. As he walked, the old Grand Master talked animatedly to the leader of the Dark Knights.

As they neared, the Knights of Takhisis spread out and stopped to face their counterparts across a few yards of cobblestone. Because she stood beside Sir Liam, Jessica found herself in the center of things.

Gunthar and the leader of the Knights of Takhisis walked to the end of the line of Solamnic Knights, where Gunthar began to introduce everyone. He stopped at each Knight and drew him or her forward to shake hands with the leader of the Dark Knights and his two apparent lieutenants, the petite but strikingly handsome woman and the dark elf. The gray-robed Knight, obviously a mage of some sort, had slipped to the end of the line, where he stood aloofly, greeting no one and avoided by all. Slowly Gunthar made his way toward Liam and Jessica, and Lady Jessica noticed that Liam seemed as if he wished he were somewhere else. Constantly muttering under his breath, occasionally a curse or oath escaped his lips loudly enough to be heard by those nearest him. Some nodded in agreement, though no one said anything out loud.

Meanwhile, Gunthar had already introduced most of the Knights of the Sword and was nearing the first of the Knights of the Rose, those who'd shared his table at the banquet. Jessica leaned out from her line to watch and listen.

"Sir Ellinghad Beauseant, Knight of the Sword," Gunthar said, introducing the young Knight who'd supported him in the matter of the gully dwarf. Ellinghad stepped forward and eagerly shook the hand presented to him. "Lord Tohr Malen, Knight of the Skull," Gunthar said.

"Milord, it is an honor," Ellinghad responded.

"Lady Alya Starblade, Knight of the Lily."

Ellinghad bowed from the hips and took her hand.

"Sir Valian Escu of Silvanost, Knight of the Lily."

"Quenta solari nen heth y mori," Ellinghad said to the dark elf. "May the stars shine upon thy road." Gunthar's face beamed at the show of honor displayed by the young Knight, greeting the elf in his own language.

"And upon thine," the dark elf answered in some surprise, glancing at his leader. Lord Tohr nodded in approval.

The line moved. "Lady Meredith Turningdale, Lord High Clerist…"

"Sir Quintayne Fogorner, Lord High Warrior," Gunthar said, much nearer now to Jessica. She closed her eyes and tried to quiet her breathing. Nervously, she fingered the hilt of her sword, caressing the tiny golden crowns decorating its pommel.

"They are only people," Liam whispered, as though to assure her.

"Sir Liam Ehrling, Knight of the Rose and Lord High Justice," Gunthar said.

"Sir Liam, I have so looked forward to our finally meeting," Tohr said, extending his hand.

"While I have not," Liam answered shortly. Gunthar cleared his throat and shot a pleading glance at his Knight. Tohr shifted uncomfortably, his hand still raised in friendship.

"For Lord Gunthar did not give us the luxury of anticipating your arrival. Please forgive us. You were a bit of a surprise," Liam finished with a small smile. He accepted Lord Tohr's hand and shook it heartily. Gunthar sighed in relief and introduced the others.

"I hope, Lord Ehrling," Alya said after she'd been introduced, "that we might soon come to earn your trust. It is not easy for us to forget our old prejudices."

"Neither should they be forgotten," Liam said diplomatically, "but I am sure, in time we can come to understand one another." Alya smiled and removed her hand.

"Lady Jessica Vestianstone of Isherwood, Knight of the Crown," Lord Gunthar said at last. Automatically, she extended her hand. Lord Tohr took it and shook it strongly. Jessica felt her tiny hand swallowed up in the huge grip of the leader of the Dark Knights.

"Lady Jessica occupies Castle Isherwood, on our northern frontier," Gunthar said.

"Is that so?" Tohr asked with some interest. "Have you seen the dragon Pyrothraxus during your watches upon the border?"

"No, milord," Jessica answered, "though once I believe I heard him."

"Isherwood is one of the castles to be granted to your Knights," Gunthar said. Jessica started at these words, and looked around confusedly.

"I believe this is news to Lady Jessica," Alya said as she stepped forward and took her by the hand.

"Yes, milady," Jessica said.

"I'm sorry, but I've promised those lands to Lord Tohr. You'll be reassigned, of course," Gunthar explained.

"But milord…" she stuttered.

"You are fond of this castle?" Alya asked.

"Yes, milady. I… love the old place. It is like home to me.

"Then perhaps Lord Gunthar can be convinced to allow you to stay with us there, as a show of solidarity between our two orders," Alya said.

"I agree," said Lord Tohr. "It won't do much good to merge our Knighthoods, yet keep the Knights separate. They should begin to work together, to share quarters and meals and duties, so as to get to know one another more quickly. I believe that once we come to realize that we are all Knights of honor, our prejudices will begin to slip away."

"Perhaps," was all Gunthar said. "We'll discuss it later, Lady Jessica."

"Thank you, milord," Jessica sighed.

The leaders of the Knights of Takhisis moved on. The dark elf stood quite near, waiting to shake hands with one of the Knights of the Crown. Jessica studied him, trying to guess at his nature by his physical features, the way the writers of old books often did. He bore the fine, delicate features of his elven heritage, from his thin nose and sharp cheekbones to his high forehead and slightly slanted, almond-shaped eyes. His shoulder-length hair, which Jessica had first thought was solid white, proved to have a few strands of auburn around his pointed ears. He carried himself with nobility and looked people in the eye as he spoke to them, apparently unashamed of his elven features.

The armor he wore was dull and black, unpolished so as to not reflect light. Its most prominent ornamentation was of black lilies. Lilies were repeated on the breastplate, greaves, bracers, helm, and gauntlets, as well as his sword and its scabbard. Twined with the symbols of the lily were leering skulls and knotted thorny vines. Lily, skull, and thorn were the three symbols of the Knights of Takhisis, just as the crown, sword, and rose were the symbols of the Solamnics. After examining his spurs, which were also black and apparently made of iron, Jessica's eyes returned to his face, and she found him staring at her. She started with surprise and looked away. Realizing how guilty she must look, she forced herself to return his gaze.

But he had already turned away and was involved with more of the formal introductions. Jessica's faced burned as she silently cursed herself. Angrily, she slapped the hilt of her sword.

At last, Gunthar's introductions were complete, and he led his guests toward the main entrance into the castle. There he stopped and turned to face the Knights of Takhisis. Gunthar said in a loud voice, "Honored guests, future brothers and sisters in arms, the banquet to celebrate this momentous event has already begun. However, to further celebrate the union of our two great Knighthoods, seven days hence a great hunt will be held. Let Knight join Knight in pursuit of a common foe-the great boar Mannjaeger."

A great cheer went up, both from the Knights of Takhisis and the Solamnics. Mannjaeger was a semi-mythical creature rumored to haunt the great forest covering the southern half of the Isle of Sancrist. A bane to farmer and traveler alike, he'd often been hunted but more often was the hunter himself. Few had bloodied him; more were bloodied by him. Many folk had been killed over the years. Some bards claimed Mannjaeger was immortal, for certainly tales of a great and dangerous boar of the forest of Sancrist had been around since the days of Vinus Solamnus. Most of the gathered Knights were thrilled to have the chance to test their lances against such a foe.

They cheered for many minutes, many already discussing hunts of the past and tactics for the future. Finally, they grew quiet again, and Gunthar continued,"Now, join us within."

At his bidding, the line of Solamnic Knights parted to allow the Dark Knights to pass within, but Tohr stopped just within the entrance and turned. He made a quick sharp gesture at the dragons, and Jessica felt Sir Liam tense beside her.

First one dragon, then another, then two more crouched and leaped into the air, unfolding their wings at the same time and pounding the air with huge, powerful strokes. Slowly they rose, fighting to clear the castle walls. The wind from their wings swirled round the courtyard in madly spinning vortices, sucking up sparks and ash and dust into whirling columns. Jessica coughed and blinked and covered her face. When the winds died down and the smoke and dust finally cleared, the courtyard was once again empty, as though no dragon had ever been there. Only a lone defiant angry roar sounded from the sky above.

"I thought your dragons were to remain with you," Gunthar said to Lord Tohr.

"Lady Mirielle felt it wisest that they return to Neraka," Tohr answered smoothly, "until such a time as this arrangement shows evidence of some permanence."

"I see," Gunthar said, leading the way into the castle. Lord Tohr fell in beside him, and the other Knights of Takhisis followed.

"You understand, Lord Gunthar, that it is difficult for us to overcome decades of mistrust. For dragons, the mistrust goes back centuries and ages. Having silver dragons and blues in such close proximity only invites disaster, until we can prove our efforts at peace and unity are sincere," Tohr explained. "It would be a shame to allow our efforts to be destroyed by a couple of hot-headed young dragons."

"That is true," Gunthar said, though his voice didn't sound very enthusiastic. However, his face immediately brightened. "In any case, you will find the banquet in your honor has already begun. Some of us have already eaten our fill… ." At these words, several nearby Knights groaned in satisfaction, but a few made comments to the effect that they could be persuaded to dine a second time, for the sake of their guests, of course. Gunthar continued, "But we'd be honored to share a table with you and your noble Knights. You must be hungry after your long dragonback ride."

"Famished!" Lady Alya laughed. "And frostbitten. Though I'm sure you have something to take the edge off, Lord Gunthar, if half the tales of your cellar are true."

"As a matter of fact, I was just relating a story about a particular barrel of ale and two unexpected visitors…" Gunthar smiled.

As the last of the Knights of Takhisis filed into the castle, the Knights of the Rose stepped in behind them, followed by the Knights of the Crown. Jessica found herself just behind Sir Liam. Gunthar's and Tohr's voices echoed in the hall ahead, but the footsteps of so many heavily booted Knights, the jangle and creak of armor, and the murmuring of dozens of conversations, made it impossible to understand what the two leaders were discussing.

As they made their way back to the banquet hall, Jessica noticed Sir Quintayne drifting back until he reached the side of Sir Liam. The two then continued side-by-side, their heads close in whispered conversation. As the body of Knights slowed to turn the corner and ascend the stairs, Jessica heard Quintayne hiss, "Thirty-six Knights! Without the dragons, I fail to see the point of their coming at all."

"I'm rather glad the blues have gone. At least now, if they try something, they won't have their dragons to assist them," Liam answered.

"But the entire reason for all this is that we join our forces to face the threat of Pyrothraxus. What good are thirty-six Knights? We need ten times as many," Quintayne whispered.

"Not many more Knights of Solamnia held the High Clerist's Tower against an army of thousands," Liam said as they shuffled onto the staircase.

"Yes, but we don't have a dragon orb," Quintayne argued.

"Thirty-six Knights of Takhisis could turn the tide of a close battle," Liam countered. As Jessica mounted the stairs, she leaned forward to better hear them.

Liam continued in a low voice, almost to himself, "Or turn us against each other."