[h2][center]Suffer no Fear[/center][/h2]

At the Steel Fist camp, nightfall:

Evennis had been assigned by Patrick to take care of the traitor who had allowed Andrew to escape. In some way Evennis was grateful; had Andrew been captured then it would have been the end of the war and Evennis hadn’t been in a proper fight in years, it would be a shame for it all to end after his first battle. Either way the man’s actions had been foolish and now he had to pay the price. Night had fallen over the Steels fist’s camp and the majority of the fist’s soldiers were already drunk. Evennis made his way over to the tent that held the Paladin within, or at least he thought he was; the directions the drunk mercenary had given him had been vague to say the least. When he entered he immediately noticed the man who sat before him; it was the same paladin whom he had met on the morn of battle.

“Didn’t expect to see you again” Evennis said with a laugh.

The blonde knight was being held inside tent guarded by two watchmen outside. Evennis found him still dressed in the armor he had fought in, now dented and tarnished from the battle. He appeared to be resting, albeit uncomfortably, but appeared no worse for wear as far as any serious injury. His wrists were bound behind him and his sword lay out of reach, unrecognized for what it was. A light came to his face upon the sound of a familiar voice, and Eclipse lifted his head. "As I praise the gods." He said with a ring of surprise. "If it isn't the brother who fought righteously by my side. It is a relief to see you alive and well my friend Evennis. I regret I cannot rise from my place to properly greet you." Eclipse wasn’t certain how much the man had heard, but his laughter put the paladin at ease for the moment, giving him the courage to make light of the situation. Surely there were many who would rather see Eclipse beaten or killed in repayment for his crime, and without Claus’ protection that very easily could be his end. He was well aware of that fact. 

“I just wish we could meet on better circumstances” Evennis replied with a grimace on his face “from what I gather you allowed the enemy king to escape,An act my liege has not taken too kindly. I’m afraid I am not here today is your friend but as your executioner”

“Executioner? Ah. So the mercenary Rotstein has already found a buyer for my life. That was… quick.” The knights handsome face frowned in disappointment. “I suppose I must forgive him for his part in this. The plans of the divine are often not immediately apparent, and even I for one cannot claim such clarity except through faith. And faith is different in all of us isn’t it?” Eclipse leaned his head back acquiescently, the emblem of the radiant circle easily visible on his breastplate. 

“If I am to die, then let it be so. The Eight above have the right to take my life, and I have no doubts that they would do so only if it best suited their purposes. I have done what they have asked of me. So now, I am given to you Evannis, and I forgive you for dutifully carrying out the order of whatever lord has paid to see it done yet lacked the honor to carry it out himself. Such pre-emptive judgement.” Eclipse’s brow furrowed disapprovingly, for he was trained in law and a Justicar in his native lands. He knew he was being deprived of a proper trial and consideration by appropriate moral authority. He sighed, reflecting on his life’s meaning and searching for the spark of hope in the darkness as he always did. “Perhaps in time, Rotstein will be moved into changing his ignoble ways, and maybe this war will end with a truly peaceful resolution rather than ending in an eternal schism of hate between the people of Formaroth. That is what the gods truly will to happen, Evannis. Let that peace be my epitaph.” 

“I fear you hope for too much” Evennis said with a sign as he lifted Eclipse to his feet “This way” He gestured to outside the tent, he allowed Eclipse to move freely of his own will. He doubted he would try and run away. Despite what Eclipse did, Evennis couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man. He was a warrior through and through and had fought well in the battle, and now he was to be killed like a rabid dog.

It's true it wasn't fair, but this was the kind of thing that happened every day. How much sway did the gods really have in the world when things were so far from perfect? Eclipse rose and walked ahead of Evennis with no resistance. Although his hands were tied, he still might have been able to shrug off a few men and make a run for the trees under the cover of night. Certainly others in his position would have tried it, but the paladin made no such attempt. He had a unique agreement with fate, and it required the utmost in self control, to trust that which could not be seen. To deviate from that path, to doubt even for a moment, would break that contract and not only forfeit his life, but worse, it would render him useless to his divine lords. Eclipse maintained his dignity in silence as his fellow led him across the encampment. 

Evennis led Eclipse out of the camp into the dead of the night, the mercenaries were all too drunk to even notice. As Evennis continued to walk with Eclipse his doubt increased. Did Eclipse deserve to die? As far as Evennis could tell the steel fist had dishonored themselves, afterall there was no fun in attacking a fleeing enemy. Even from a strategic point of view Eclipse was worth more alive than dead. He was a capable leader and a strong warrior who could serve the Concord well. Eventually Evennis brought Eclipse to a halt, they were now secluded away from anyone else. Evennis drew his sword and pointed it at Eclipses neck, he hesitated as he continued to debate what to do. Eventually he made his decision, he moved the sword away from Eclipses neck and instead slashed at the binds at his hands.

Eclipse had to blink a few times before he realized what was happening. This man, this warrior and brother, was setting him free. At first, he said nothing, silenced by the sudden rush of contemplation as the future unexpectedly opened wide again before him. Carefully, he rubbed his wrists, turning his blue eyes, now dark grey in the dim light, on his warden. “Son of the gods, child of Leplo…” He kept his voice down in his exclamations. “Evennis, I swear to you that your choice will not have been made in vain. The gods smile down upon us both this day.” Rather it was night, but terms of expression. 

The man then held out a sword to him, knowing the paladin would need it. Of course, it was Eclipse’s own sword, which Evennis must have gathered upon their exit from the Iron Fists camp. The words, [i]Spem in Tenebris[/i], ran in stylized script down its length.  Eclipse took it graciously, and a knowing smile graced his dusty features. “Thank you my friend. It always finds a way to return to me, you know, this sword… but that is another story for another time.”

“Blessed Nidanke pave the way, we have work to do!” Newfound energy surged through the holy knight. He put his hand on Evennis’ shoulder in a brotherly fashion. “May the gods show you their favor and lead you always. I am going back to the capitol, back to Nyhem, to reconvene with my order. I shall keep the details of my little ‘escape’ to myself, should anyone ever hear of it or know what knight it was who had spared the enemy. Suffer no fear for doing the work of the divine, dear brother. Fear is the sword with which the dark ones battle the light. I bid you fairwell.” With that, the lion-maned knight turned and vanished into the night.