amassed enough money to buy a horse and sword. Over the next three years, Timlon was able to retain the services of rouge knights. They would rob at will, hiding their identities under black masks.
During Timlon’s travels, he met the fair Lynda. He was amazed that such a beautiful woman could love him. He knew he was not handsome by any stretch of the imagination. Though only twenty, his dark brown hair was already starting to recede. He would look in the mirror at a mildly pocked face. His dark brown, almost black, eyes, shown hatred. ‘But she still loves me’, he would think. His heart softened. She became the center of his universe. They wed the following year and before long, she was with child. Richard’s chest swelled at the thought of providing more than he had as a boy.
Then, the unthinkable happened, Lynda died giving birth to a son, Robert. Richard was never the same. He hated having to care for the son who killed the love of his life. Richard’s eyes would again show hate.
Robert also had that hate within him. Some would compassionately say it was because his mother had died giving him birth. Others, closer to Robert, knew his meanness came from the constant beatings by Richard, a father whose grief over the loss of his wife, ate at him every day like a cancer.
Bernard Chapman also grew up poor, but seemed happy. His brown eyes and bright smile, could help him charm a hand out from the coldest heart. Then the fever came to his village. Though he survived, the fever ravaged his face. It also affected his eyes, causing him to squint constantly. No woman would look at him. The loneliness was unbearable and he struck out at everybody in his path. He became a brawler, who was not above kicking old women as he robbed them. Love would never be a word in his vocabulary.
Timlon and Chapman first met in a battle outside of Linden, far to the east of Welshire. There would be no honor in their friendship, just a common bond born out of necessity. As warriors, they fought as equals, with one exception, Timlon always seemed to get the bigger share of the plunder. Though this never set well with Chapman, he had come to realize that Timlon was a better strategist, who would chose the most lucrative campaigns.
Timlon and Chapman had one hundred and thirty knights at their disposal and had initially aligned with the rebels fighting against Kingsland. But when the war closed in on south Kingsland, Timlon could see a whole new world opening. His ambition changed, he no longer wanted plunder, he wanted land.
“We have fought together for three years now Bernard, it is time to take our reward!” Richard exclaimed. “What are you saying? Yes, we have the men, but we still have no backing to take any land,” Bernard asserted. Richard tired of the way Bernard always seemed to dodge major decisions. “I fail to understand what it is you want! A guarantee?! I tell you that the time is now!” Richard demanded. “Do you really believe the High Lord will permit us any land? For these last years we have aligned against Thomas,” Bernard said, knowing that Richard must have a scheme churning in his mind. “I have already sent a courier to Thomas’ man at arms, Sir Geoffrey. I have offered our assistance at Welshire. If all goes well, we will be in position to take Harrison,” Richard said confidently. “But what if Landon comes to their aid?” Bernard asked. “He will refuse to help them. That, I will guarantee!” Richard sneered.
With Katryn’s reward to Devon, the forest would now be safe from future wars. Not even the worst madman would attack the property of a church. Devon’s mind was still reeling when he left the manor. As he walked through the main gate, Loanna playfully grabbed him from behind a bush.
“Boo!” She hollered with glee, giggling. “Stop that Loanna! Do you want the people to think I am without propriety?” Devon lamented, trying to sound firm. “Oh come now! We have known each other a year now, Father! What really concerns you? Perhaps that you have found that we need each other, or could it be you are embarrassed by me?” Loanna asked, immediately sorry she could not take it back. Devon looked at her, the hurt evident in his eyes. “This last year has been the happiest of my life. I have found that there is more to life than teaching the scriptures, than trying to save lost souls,” Devon said, as he tried to hide the pain she had just inflicted, “I do not think I need to justify anything I do. And no Loanna, I could never be ashamed of you,” Devon finished and turned away. He walked to the Echo Forest alone.
Devon walked into the clearing and could see Igus meditating atop the Great Rock. Devon could see that Igus appeared exhausted and went to the base of the rock. Igus opened his eyes ever so slowly, as if it took all of his strength.
“Igus! What is wrong!?” Devon exclaimed. “Do not worry my friend, it is sometimes the price we children pay for helping,” Igus replied slowly. “What are you saying? Will you be all right?” Devon asked more calmly. “Oh yes, I will eventually be fine. I have already begun to regain some of my strength. I will be fine in a few hours. You see, it takes little effort to contact people over distances. For example, what normally happens when I contact you?” Igus asked. “It is as though I am in a trance and cannot move. Then after we have spoken, my eyes flutter and I am normal again.” Devon replied. “Exactly. But when I am needed to help as I did today, obviously, you could not be immobilized for even a moment. I need to exert more energy to accomplish those tasks.” Igus explained. “Yes, I see.” Devon replied and looked at the ground. Igus had known Devon long enough to know that something was bothering him.
“What has you troubled Devon?” Igus asked. “Troubled? Perhaps I feel I have betrayed a trust,” Devon said, putting his head in his hands. “A trust, Devon?” “Yes, a trust Igus. I have accepted all that you have taught me, and I thank you, but what happened today was a lie!” Devon finished, confused. “How so Devon? Perhaps matters of the heart are what you are really talking of. Is that it Devon?” Igus said, as he watched Devon’s face. “Matters of the heart Igus? I am a Priest,” Devon said, still trying to clear his head of his meeting with Loanna, “Igus, I have done everything, everything you have asked. Katryn has given Echo Forest, and enough land that will serve to protect it…” “Hold now Devon,” Igus interrupted, “I have asked nothing more of you than your friendship. I have told you of what I know, and that you could be part of it. All the decisions still had to be… yours,” As Igus spoke, Devon’s mind slipped back to his first visit to the Echo Forest.
Igus led him through the woods and underbrush until they came to a clearing where the Great Rock rested. It was there that Devon first became aware of Igus’ powers. Igus actually floated to the top of the eight-foot high rock! He then looked at Devon with those eyes and waited for a reaction. “I think I should sit for a moment,” Devon said, then concluded this must be a dream.
“No Devon, not a dream, you are not going to awaken at your campfire near the Serenity,” Igus said, a wry smile crossing his lips. “You can read my mind too!” Devon gasped, momentarily amazed. Igus laughed mightily, “If only I could! No Devon, not exactly, but I am aware of human nature. I only surmised that is what you were thinking,” Devon laughed along with Igus. “Now, are you not glad I caught you?”
Devon turned toward Loanna's voice as she walked into the clearing, Devon then rose to his feet, “I prefer to remember that you were cushioning my fall,” Devon said, happy to see her again. Igus interrupted them, “Loanna, perhaps you could show Devon about the forest.”
As Loanna led Devon into the forest, she began pointing out different trees and foliage, explaining the idea of balancing nature.
“It is not that hard to understand. You simply replace what is used,” Loanna said. “I do find that all very interesting, but what of the people who live in this part of Kingsland?” Devon asked, his head bursting with questions. “You mean, what of Igus? It is Igus who is the forest,” Loanna began, “He is totally connected to it. I believe that if he left here for any great length of time, he would die,” As she finished, Devon noticed sadness in Loanna’s eyes, “What do you mean, Igus is the forest?” “Everything here responds to him. It is as if he communicates with it. As you come to know him, you will bett
er understand what I mean. You do plan to stay, do you not Devon?” “I have not thought that far ahead. For now I need to clear my mind, try to digest these last two days,” Devon replied, but something in Devon knew he was going to stay. He wanted to learn of destiny.
Devon’s mind drifted back to the present and realized Igus was watching him. “I am sorry Igus, I seem to have been day dreaming,” “Yes, of course. You have done that a lot of that over the past year. Keeping your attention has been one of the things that keeps us from progressing,” Igus finished, raising his great brows. Devon was embarrassed. He knew the importance of learning as much as he could. He also now knew that Igus’ insight was more than mere intuition.
“Igus, let us be frank. I came here to escape. The war had done many things to everybody. Decisions made will follow all of us for a lifetime. For me, the decision was that of…cowardice,” Devon said, finally admitting what was in his heart. Igus sat and measured Devon’s words for a moment.
“Devon, I never realized that is how you felt. I could sense that you had something gnawing at you but what makes you think you are a coward?”