“Nineteen boys were killed, including Torgan. It was a grave night and Finarth will suffer for it for many years to come. Most of those boys were the elite of very powerful families, and all were young men, who no doubt would have become an integral part of the strength of Finarth. They all were a great loss,” stated the king solemnly.
Jonas turned his face away, trying hard to hold back the powerful emotions assaulting him as he thought about the loss of so many of his friends. He closed his eyes, fighting back the tears. Eventually anger and determination pushed aside his despair. After a few moments he opened his eyes, searching out Graggis who was standing in the back.
“Graggis, sir, thank you for coming to my aid. I would be dead now if you had not,” Jonas said.
“It is my duty. I am only sorry that I did not get there in time to save more of those boys,” Graggis replied.
“Sir,” Jonas directed his gaze to Manlin. “Do you really think that the Banthra that attacked my town was after me?”
“I don’t know, but remember, it is not your fault. We cannot control what evil things happen. We can only do our best to stop them. In fact there is irony in the good deeds done by others. When one does the bidding of righteousness, it attracts the eyes of darkness, which may bring more evil into the light. That, in turn, requires more warriors to fight it. It is a dangerous balance where light and dark are constantly struggling to push the other below the surface. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jonas quietly.
Prince Baylin moved toward Jonas sitting on the edge of his bed. The prince wore a forest green tunic and black breeches. His muscled arms stretched the seams of his tunic. “Son, there is a problem,” the prince said softly.
“What is it?” asked Jonas sitting up higher.
“Although it is not true, many people here, including some of the apprentices and the families of the slain boys, think you are to blame, that you brought this evil upon us,” replied Baylin softly. “Everyone is talking about how you brought forth the God Light. They don’t understand it, and rightly so. When people don’t understand something, they fear it.”
“I see. In some ways I guess they are right. If I had not been here the demon wouldn’t have attacked, and all those boys would be alive. I should leave,” Jonas stated bluntly.
“It is not that simple, but,” he paused looking away briefly, “you can no longer train as a knight apprentice,” the prince said, bringing his eyes back to Jonas.
“But,” interjected the king, “I have sworn to protect you as my vassal, as you have sworn to protect me, and I do not take those oaths lightly. It is no fault of yours that tragedy has befallen us. In fact it is our fault. Allindrian warned us that this may happen and yet we did not take proper precautions. I am sorry for that. For some reason, someone, or something of great evil wants you dead, and I assume it has something to do with Shyann and her interest in you. I cannot have you stay here, nor can I send you away alone.” The king got up, pacing in thought.
“What should I do, my King? Tell me and I will do it. Many people have died because of me and I will not let their deaths go unanswered, nor will I be the cause of further unnecessary death. I am determined to fight this darkness, my Lord. Whatever evil fate awaits me, I will face it head on, alone if need be,” Jonas said evenly.
The king stopped and looked at him. Jonas noticed that he looked even more tired than when he entered the room. His weary eyes were laced with red, surrounded by dark coloring from lack of sleep. But they still held the intensity that Jonas noticed when first they met. “Well said, and spoken with courage, which by all accounts you do not lack. You are now seventeen winters, right, son?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In one year you will be eligible to apply for training as a cavalier at Annure. That means we need to find a place for you for a year. I will not abandon you. In fact, I am asking a favor from a friend that I have not seen in a long while, someone that can protect