No Good Deed (34 page)

“Apparently not,” he said.

“Apparently not,” she got close to him, “I love you, no matter what. If this is something you feel you must do, I will support it, though I don’t like it. Don’t you understand that?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to burden you any more than I have already. We’ve been through so much together, I couldn’t bear to place one more burden on you especially this one.”

“If there were one more you should have placed, this is it. You’re about to take away something very precious to me. And what will this do to you?”

“Either nothing or kill me. I can’t see any other outcome.”

Relina looked at him and realized that this was the ultimate atonement. She snuggled up to him and they fell asleep on the sofa.

The next day there was a sad silence over the group. Terry tried to alter the mood, “Nice weather today, it’s going to be a beautiful day, clear weather all the way from here to Pinnacle. I don’t think the gods could have created a more perfect day.”

“Yes,” Obidaan said, “Seem a perfect day for the end of the world.” Terry stopped trying.

They rode in relative silence the entire way. Once there seeing what stood before them Alister couldn’t help but to burst out, “Honey! I’m home!”

There, leading the armies of Pinnacle, was Lucinda.

Hi honey,” she
replied, “good to see you. We have so much to catch up on.”

“Then, my love,” Alister added, “let us be away from this place and form some better memories.”

“Not now,” she said, “mama’s got some business to take care of first.” She turned her attention to Obidaan. “Please, stop what you’re doing. Disband your army and either go back or surrender.”

“You’re joking,” Obidaan said. “You, of all people are opposing me? Defending my former town? Why? If anything I figured you’d be on our side.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t like being a paladin, but I accepted the calling.” He then noticed that she had paladins on her side. He recognized the paladin of Shadows and of Wandering. Three paladins he had fought with he was now going to have to fight against. She had several others but he did not recognize them. “We have enough paladins on both sides to ensure mutual annihilation and the destruction of this kingdom and the surrounding area. If our armies clash, Obidaan, it could very well be the end of the world. Is that what you want?”

“No, but I will settle for it. I have a mission to do and I can’t let you stop me.”

“Well, you might want to consult with them first,” she pointed to an encampment off to the side. “Seems they’re here to help you. Oh, you’ll like their leader; he’s a real chip off the old block.”

They rode over to the encampment. There in it were a rag tag bunch of peasants, led by bright—eyed young man spinning a very fancy knife. “Tomas!” Obidaan said immediately and got off of his horse.

“Obidaan, Relina!” Tomas replied and rushed over. The rest of the Vanguard went too and hugs were exchanged all the way around.

Tomas asked to speak to Obidaan and Relina alone. They went off to the side, “I don’t understand what you’ve been doing, Obidaan, but I love and respect you. You have been like a father to me. Because of that, I have supported you here, even though it seems the town has turned against you. They’re afraid of you.”

“And they should be,” Obidaan said.

“Obidaan!” Tomas said, “You can’t mean that. This is the place you grew up, the place that loved you, that gave you a parade, that hailed you as a hero, that..”

“That betrayed me. That showed me the best of the worst. That proved when things were at their worst, so were they. The people I counted on most conspired against me, ripped my family apart and stole my life, all because of a gods damned prophecy. In the end, I was not important enough to them to trust. In the end, Tomas, son, I was nothing to them. All the good I did meant nothing. All the love I showed meant nothing. When it came right down to it, they showed their true feelings for me, and they were that of betrayal.”

“I heard the rumors but couldn’t believe them.” Tomas for the first time had heard the other side. “Mordechi said you were on sabbatical; performing a great quest in the name of the Seers.”

“I would suspect he would cover up our disappearance,” Obidaan said.

“You have to understand,” Relina interjected, “the night we were betrayed destroyed Obidaan inside. Everything he stood for, believed in, fought for, turned its back on him and took away his, our, most prized possession. Obidaan was ready to kill everyone that night and I was ready to help him. I almost killed Mordechi with my bare hands, only Obidaan’s love stopped me and vise versa. We actually came, hoping to avoid a fight. But tell me, dear, what’s been going on since we left?”

“A lot. Your departure left a void. People began to spread rumors like wildfire: Secret missions, kidnapping stories, putting Alister in a safe house to protect him from Gunther, even pure abandonment. Mordechi tried to squash the rumors but people didn’t believe it. Then people noticed how divine magic had gotten weaker. They knew the darkness had come and rumor was you were either fighting it or its harbinger. It seems the harbinger part is true. Only the royals and Mordechi knew the truth, and they weren’t saying. People got agitated and restless. They believed the lies, till some people brought in outside newspapers talking about how you were taking over other countries. Even bards were telling the stories. Everyone was in denial, until she came.”

“Lucinda,” Relina said.

“Yes, Lucinda. When she came in and Alister wasn’t here, we all believed the rumors. Why else would they bring in your biggest nemesis? Then other paladins started showing up and they began enlisting people in the army. Well, I couldn’t stand by and let this happen, so I recruited my own resistance. The fact that you made me an official member of the Vanguard was the only thing that gave me credibility. I was only able to raise about 20 people, but every little bit helps.”

“Thank you, Tomas, you’re faith in us renews our strength,” Obidaan said and hugged him.

Relina also hugged him, “Yes, Tomas, thank you,” she then looked at him and saw how much he had grown, “my but you have turned into a fine and hansom man. I suspect you must beat the ladies off with a stick.” He laughed, she continued, “Let’s join the others.”

As they went back to camp, as usual, Alister was the center of attention, exaggerating their recent exploits, with Terry and Don editing.

“… and then the barbarian horde charged. The other side was 50,000 men strong..” Alister was saying

“Closer to 500.” Terry corrected.

Alister seemed to take no notice but a raised eyebrow signaled he acknowledged her. “And it was but the five of us and another paladin and 10 barbarians.”

“100 barbarians,” Don said.

“And they got into a frenzy, a blood curdling rage, with a crazed look in their eye and no fear of death, or anything else.”

“That part is true,” the two said in unison.

“Then Obidaan and Gheriballi began their charge, just the 2 of them against 10,000…”

“That’s enough story time for now, Alister,” Obidaan said.

“But I’m getting to the best part,” Alister protested.

“In case you’ve forgotten, we have a battle to fight right here.”

“I haven’t, I’m just inspiring them with our recent exploits.”

“Save it for later,” Obidaan said. He looked at them, “I thank you all for being here. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“We’re here for you, man,” someone said, “What they did to you was bullshit and wrong.”

“Thank you,” Obidaan smiled a bit, “but now we face a battle which, quite frankly, I don’t know the outcome. Paladin has never clashed against paladin. This is a direct violation of the prime law. We are supposed to work together to solve the world’s problems, not against each other. Even this system has its flaws. Lucinda is right about one thing, such a battle will devastate this area. Let me be blunt. The only people I expect to survive this would be the paladins, and not even all of them. That includes me. If you can accept these odds, then I ask you to prepare to fight.”

Silence went throughout the ranks. Then slowly, they began to clap in unison till they could be heard by the other army. A great yell went forth.

“Very well, then.” Obidaan said, “Get in formation and let’s be ready.”

The barbarians worked themselves into a frenzy, the paladins got into a line, behind them the barbarians, and behind them Tomas and the rest of the army. The paladins were solemn. Paladins were about to clash and it was going to be a bloodbath. They looked to the other side, almost identical in formation, except for the archers on the wall.

“This is your last chance to surrender Obidaan. Please be reasonable.” Lucinda said.

“I can’t” Obidaan replied, “Get ready.”

Everyone bowed their heads and prayed. There was a moment of silence on the field. They raised their heads and looked at the opposing sides.

“Today is a good day to die,” Don said.

“Yeah,” Terry said, “but it’s going to be murder on my complexion.”

“By the gods, you’re killing me,” Alister added.

“Your jokes are going to be the death of me,” Relina said.

“Those bad puns are sucking the very life out of me,” Obidaan said.

“Yes,” Don said, “now I feel like death warmed over.”

Everyone chuckled for a moment and then got serious. The moment of truth had arrived.

The paladins began their charge. It didn’t take long to get to speed. Almost simultaneously, they released their waves. Two paladin waves coming at each other – unprecedented. Three..two..one the waves hit each other. There was no bang, no clang, no loud thunderclap, only dead silence. The two waves encountered each other as the paladins rode forth. Two irresistible forces were now locked into their own strange combat. This caused both sides to stop, and watch. They would have run but everyone knew there was nowhere to run. The waves continued to oscillate till they resonated. Then the waves started moving back in the directions they came. Both sides braced for impact. People put their arms up in vain attempts to block the oncoming waves. The paladins braced themselves on their horses. Screams went up on both sides.

The paladins were the first ones hit. Instead of crushing bone and breaking flesh, it was as though they were hit by a giant wind. The horses reared up. No one could hang on as the horses fell backwards and the paladins tumbled off their horses onto the ground. The waves continued. As they hit the normal armies, all involved were blown back, weapons pulled from hands. The one going back to Obidaan dissipated after a while, while the one going to Lucinda hit the wall, knocking archers on their butts and dissipated on the wall. There was no appreciable damage to the wall or the armies; however, about 80% of both armies were knocked unconscious.

“Everyone Ok?” Obidaan yelled.

“Yes, dear,” Relina said, “We just got the wind knocked out of us.”

“Yes, Don said, “Seem an ill wind has blown onto this battlefield.”

“Drat,” Alister said, “You took my lines. And I’m usually so full of bluster.”

“Seems we are all full of hot air this day,” Terry replied.

“Good.” Obidaan said, “Glad to see you still have some wind in your sails.”

Gheriballi got up slowly and was looking at them, “We’re in the heat of battle, for our very lives, and you all still find time be amusing and pun? Are you out of your minds?”

“Yes,” Obidaan said, “That’s why we’re on this battlefield, remember? We might as well get it out of our system; chances are we won’t live to see the next sunrise, or sunset for that matter.”

Gheriballi thought for a second, then laughed himself. “Considering the situation, there’s no reason for me to get all huffy about things.” Everyone laughed.

“It seems we’ve reached a stalemate,” Lucinda yelled. “That attack has removed the will to fight from my troops.”

Obidaan looked over the situation. Those who were not unconscious were in no condition to fight. Every barbarian was down, Tomas, though awake was incoherent, Seemed the only lucid people on the battlefield were the paladins and the Vanguard.

“Same here,” Obidaan said, “still, this must be settled. I propose that you and I, as leaders of these armies fight.”

“To the death,” Lucinda said.

“To the death,” Obidaan said. “If I survive, you’re army will yield and let me into the city, to do as I please.”

“And if you loose,” Lucinda said, “You’re army shall disband and go home, The Vanguard and paladins shall surrender and be put to death.”

“Done,” Obidaan said.

“Done,” Lucinda said. We will meet in the middle on foot, in 15 minutes. Bring whatever weapons you feel necessary.”

“Are you insane?” Alister asked, “Wait, why are we bothering to ask anymore. This is unheard of. In the history of our world, paladins have ever fought before.”

“History is about to change.”

“How do you know each side will keep its word?” Don asked.

“The paladins on each side heard the challenge and terms,” Gheriballi said, “We are honor bound to carry out the results.”

“Alister’s right,” Terry said, “no paladins have every clashed in the history of the world. What do you think is going to happen?”

“I don’t know.” Obidaan said as he was preparing.

Relina approached Obidaan, “Oh my love, I’m scared. Does it have come to this?”

“I’m sorry.” Obidaan said, “I have failed you.”

“You can never fail me.” She replied, and reached up and kissed him. They hugged each other for what seemed like forever but soon Obidaan broke the embrace and kissed her deeply.

“I have to finish preparing.” Was all he could say. He went off by himself and began casting a series of spells. Lucinda was doing the same.

Soon they were ready, both with sword and with shield. They met in the center of the battlefield. There they noticed a small scorched area, where the two waves had met.

They looked at each other, bowed to each other. Obidaan offered his hand. Lucinda took it. After a brief handshake, she pulled him close and kissed him. “Regardless of the outcome, that’s going to be the last chance I get to do that.” She said.

“Indeed.”

They brought their swords up, and touched them to each other. Both noticed sparks beginning to fly off the swords. A rumble was heard in the sky. They stared at each other for a long moment then said simultaneously, “lay on!”

The fight was on. Each attacked unmercifully. Most blows were blocked by shields. Both did reposts, parries, blocks, and dodges as the fight continued. Swords clashed, sparks flew and fates hung in the balance. The sky grew darker with each spark. Just before what seem to be total darkness, Obidaan drew first blood, a small knick on her shoulder. At the moment of complete darkness, she drew blood, a cut on the cheek. Both wounds were minor but significant. It was the first time a paladin ever drew blood against paladin.