from bright silver steel and etched upon it were beautiful, intricate patterns. The great curved horns gave him a menacing look and when he flipped down his visor, all you could see was the dark slits for his eyes and two massive horns curving outward. It was said that it had cost him a season’s wages to have it crafted and when Fil looked upon it he could believe it. It was truly an amazing piece of armor, more fit for royalty than a common soldier.
Fil shuddered every time he saw Tanus’s helm. The horns created a flood of memories that he would just as soon forget. But Tanus was an honorable man, and a great warrior, and Fil was happy to be serving under him.
***
Jonas awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. He stood up, and looked around the camp. Kiln was still wrapped in blankets and unconscious. Jonas inspected his own wounds quickly and was surprised to feel only slight scarring on his face and arms where the demon had clawed him. The painful wounds were almost totally healed. The only reminders left of the horrible battle were the lines of pink tissue where the wounds had been closed. He lifted up his tunic and saw a similar mark on his hip. There was a round spot above his pelvic bone that was pink and tender to the touch, but other than that he felt fine.
Jonas looked around for his armor and weapons. He found them lying on the ground near the smoldering fire. Lifting up the chest plate he inspected the damage. He frowned with curiosity at what he saw. The silver chest plate was glistening as if it had been recently oiled. The silver embossed symbol of Shyann sparkled in the morning sun, and there was not a mark on it. Jonas then picked up his helm to see what damage the demon’s tail had done to it. It was perfect, no dents or scratches, and it shone with brilliance.
“How can this be?” Jonas whispered to himself.
“And you say you’re not a cavalier,” came a soft voice behind him. Jonas turned around to see Taleen ride up on a magnificent horse. He hadn’t even heard the animal as it trotted through the tall grass. The large animal’s chestnut coat glistened in the sun, accentuating its powerful muscular body.
It reminded Jonas of Airos’s steed. The horse wore plated steel on its chest and sparkling chain mail draped its massive sides. A black leather saddle shone as if it were just crafted and brought from the tanners shop.
Taleen was just as beautiful. She wore fitted black breeches and laced up riding boots. Her shins and thighs were covered with bands of silver steel, each of which was carved with intricate runes. A thick sword belt of black leather circled her thin waist and a silver cuirass covered her chest. The center of her cuirass had a carved symbol of Helikon, a double bladed battle axe. Intricate runes and symbols wrapped around her molded chest plate, forming perfectly to her feminine but strong body. Her muscular arms were bare except for black and silver wrist guards. A sturdy long bow was tucked in its sheath that hung from the side of the horse. Everything about the pair was perfect. They both glistened and sparkled as if they had recently been groomed by some invisible servant.
“I don’t understand,” Jonas said, taken back by their magnificent appearance, trying not to stare at Taleen’s beauty.
“A cavalier’s armor, steed, and gear are always clean and polished. No matter how much damage my equipment takes, I wake up in the morning to find it perfect and clean. Look at yourself, Jonas.”
Jonas looked down at himself, his eyes growing wide as he noticed his own clothing and armor in the same pristine condition. His breeches and tunic were perfectly clean, with no blood or rips anywhere. His chain mail shirt sparkled and his boots were free of any dirt from their hard travels.
“But this has never happened before,” he said in amazement.
“It’s not my place to know why, but it seems you are gradually being given the powers of a cavalier. That much is clear,” Taleen stated.
“I have come to understand that. The problem is I’ve never had the opportunity to talk to another cavalier, so I don’t know what powers I may have, or may gain.”
“Now you do,” she smiled. “But first, let us see to your friend.”