Caleb's Journey
Chapter 23

Riding towards a legend

Once again on horseback the group sets out to replace the prison of Graygrim Moutaincrusher, first and greatest of all of the giants and the only one capable of divining the location of Xerax, at least according to Valdona. An examination of the map showed that the giant’s prison lay about a week’s journey from Attalis. The course started with traversing through a dense forest not far beyond the fortress from which they had just departed.

Lord Lestrade held the map in his hand and studied it intensely, his neatly trimmed eyebrows furrowed as he gazed intently at the scroll. His look created the outward countenance of meanness, like an angry bull ready to charge headlong at someone, despite whatever his emotions might be. Some said it produced such a foul look like he could decapitate a person and then sit down to a meal unfazed by his action. On this particular morning he had awakened in a foul mood. Perhaps he felt saddened by the loss of good knights, the probing and the posturing nature of Sir Samsuran may have caused it. For whatever reason today his disposition was as sour as a lemon.

“

Malachael, I still have my doubts about the veracity of this map,” he snapped. “Maybe the witch gave us this item to save her skin. She knew she was outmatched by our collective strength. What of the outcome if we achieve success? Who among us can order a giant to comply with our wishes?”

Alari, who sat silent for most things chimed in with, “Lestrade, you seem to doubt everything. I’ve never known anyone to be as distrustful as you. Has anyone ever told you that you are a grumpy guy?”

His knights stifled their laughter, but Seth laughed openly. So did Candellah who added to her female counterpart’s words with some of her own, “Last night I had a dream,” her face beaming with pride and her flowing blue gown showing her to advantage. “I felt Uua’s touch on my shoulder, like a mother touches a child. She told me that we are on the right path. I’ll take my cues from Her divine nature and ride alone if necessary.”

“

Spirited lasses,” Malachael thought. “Good for them.”

Lord Lestrade sighed. He hated being chided by anyone and he considered it an affront to his nature to have anyone try and force his hand. Still, his chivalric code superseded his anger, especially when it came to women. “Besides,” he reasoned, “if she pushes us in this course of action and fails, I can expose her for a fraud or at the very least, lay the blame at her doorstep.” He bowed his head, “Milady,” he said, “please, let both you and the map to guide us where you will. Have a care to stay in the rear though, so that we can offer you protection from whatever lies ahead.”

“

Many thanks, good knight,” Candellah said with her sweet, friendly voice. “Follow the map in your hand. It is the very thing that Uua gave us, indirectly, through the female sorceress.” She gave him a warm smile. “I have no doubt we’ll be protected with men like you at the helm.”

“

You do me a kindness to heap such praise upon me,” said Lord Lestrade. All of the knights bowed their heads for a moment to acknowledge the words of the lady.

“

She just outfoxed you,” Malachael thought.

“

Let’s ride!” Caleb barked. “Time is precious.” He spurred his horse and began heading to the east, the direction in which they had been heading. He wanted to reach the destination and a chance at redemption as soon as possible.