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To a Land Far Away
an illustrated tale
page 2

    "Demonclaw, Greylen, it is good to see you well!" Alyia said happily, walking toward the group.  King Ulmerad and Tundrock accompanied her.
    "Your Highness," Demonclaw bowed, turning away from this duel.  Greylen mirrored his partner.
    "Garalt has told me much about you, and we were worried you'd not survived the dragons attack at the Tower of Olyian."
    "It would take a lot more than that to get rid of us, Highness," Demonclaw said, rising from his bow.  Greylen remained silent, though with a sheepish grin on his face, and Garalt recognized the look.  Alyia seemed to have that effect on people.
    "Sire, Princess," Garalt bowed to his king and Alyia.  Ulmerad began to walk over to the young knight, as the rest of the people gathered began to collect in small groups.

    "Sir Garalt, I would have a word with you," Ulmerad spoke slowly, his tone was very serious.  Garalt felt a huge lump shoot up from his chest and lodge in his throat.
    "M.. Majesty?" Garalt stammered.
    "About what just took place the royal chamber..." Ulmerad looked the knight over slowly.
    "Yes, Milord?" Garalt attempted a smile, but got no reaction from his king.
    "You disobeyed my command young knight.  I told you to stop your actions and you continued anyway.  What's more is that you demoralized the leader of half of my army, in front of his highest ranking officers!  Do you realize what this could do to our morale?  Daravon could have very well lost control of his battalions of soldiers."
    "But Sire..." Garalt pleaded.
    "No buts Sir Garalt.  Kullvox would NEVER have approved of such actions from a knight.  He would obeyed my orders without hesitation.  And to think you trained under him for all those years.  What do you have to say for yourself?"
    Garalt couldn't understand why his king would be treating him this way.  Was he not a trusted knight?  Didn't Daravon challenge him?
    "Sire, with all due respect, I demoralized Daravon as he would have demoralized me!  What of my upcoming mission?  Who would follow my orders had he defeated me in such a way?  Did I not earn the respect and loyalty of my comrades and subordinates by defeating him?  Milord, he told me that he would not go easy on me, why is it I would have to go easy on him?  Daravon challenged my honor, and the honor of your daughter, Sire.  In all that is right I fought for, and successfully defended her honor as well as my own!"
    Garalt stopped and stared at his king.  Ulmerad was standing before him, smiling.  Garalt was raising his voice to his king and he was smiling!
    "That will do young knight, you're preaching to the choir," Ulmerad chuckled, lightly slapping Garalt's shoulder.  "I must say that was the funniest thing I've seen in many, many years.  I've never seen Daravon so afraid of any one person, nor have I seen him so angry.  Had you stayed you would have seen him almost give off steam as he broke down the doors of my throne room!  However I do fear for the safety of his aids, he's killed before for lesser offenses to his character.  But then again, his aids are all veterans of his wrath, and I'm sure they'll stay away on their own.  Regardless, I ought to send some soldiers..." Ulmerad trailed off.
    "Sire?"
    "Oh, in any case," Ulmerad cleared his throat, speaking in his most important voice, "Garalt, I do not approve of you disobeying my commands.  And no soldier is immune from our laws, so I shall deal with your punishment when our country is once again safe," Ulmerad winked at the young knight.  Garalt smiled uneasily.  "As for my daughter accompanying you on your mission, I have reservations.  However my dear wife has convinced me to let her see the world, provided you will take good care of her."
    "Of course your majesty!"
    "Have you thought of whom else will go with you on your mission?  You may choose anyone from our ranks.  You may choose any of these mercenaries as well, Sir Haleron hired them all, we've just not given them specific tasks just yet."
    "Well, since Demonclaw and Greylen are here..."
    "Of course, take them with you, after all you three should already be good friends by now."
    "Aye, Milord."

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