Cladius slowly looked about him, the cool Inger Mountains chilling his bones as the snow fell down over his naked body. He walked staggering from side to side. A Hell Hound's skull hung from his waste side, tied to his belt. He tugged on the dear pelt over his shoulders as he stumbled along. He was tired, and hungry. Civilization was near; he could see the village in the distance. His makeshift arrow heads rested by his right leg, and crudely crafted bow over his torso. His facial hair had grown into an untamed beard. His hair fell below his shoulders as the wind blew by once more, freezing his skin.

He placed his left hand against a pine tree as he pushed off against it. He watched as soldiers rushed forward towards him, swords at the ready. One man dropped to his knees as he supported Cladius. The knight simply raised his hand, as he staggered.

"Who are you?" The knight questioned, "And what is of your scarred body."

Cladius looked at the man, standing up strait as he spoke, "That is a long story."

His ribs had been bruised he had been in a fight recently. The Inger soldier nodded his head as he signaled his men to usher him into the town. Each man gave the knight a supportive figure to lean against as he walked on. They brought him to a small cabin as the other town guards looked about. Each citizen seemed to want to know who the strange figure was, as the guards whispered back and forth with the, the three soldiers simple ignored the bunch and brought him into the comforts of a warm fire.

The crackling of wood could be heard as the man was seated down two of the men stood strong, ready to use their swords. The one in charge seemed reasonable as most come, and Cladius cracked his neck as he nodded in thanks.

"Now your story traveler, please elaborate. Ah, but first introductions are indeed in order. I am Noav, and you?"

"I am Cladius Aidrail, of Helm. My story is a long one." Cladius spoke sternly, as one of the soldiers fetched a loaf of bread for him to eat.

"Ah, Sir Aidrail-" Noav began as Cladius interrupted.

"Forgive, me, Sir Cladius. One of the Ninety of the Kings Captains, though the king is now dead."

"What do you mean dead? The King of Helm, how could that be?" Noav replied in shock.

"I have journeyed for over a year now, and five of those months were spent in the wilderness. Recently I have received news that I am heir to the throne, through the messengers of the gods, themselves. I am here to speak with Dagda, the bard of Inger. As for my tail I will go into little detail."

Noav was dumbfounded his jaw wide as he heard the knight speak with authority, "Cladius, of Helm, you wouldn't be the same as The Knight of Helm? The one who single handedly saved Dechoneus from the King of the West? They say that it was through the power of the gods you won the battle. Is such true?"

"You ask many questions Noav. Where shall I begin? With my step father's death, or Dechoneus, perhaps with neither but my departure from Helm?"

"I am intrigued by your tail, Knight of Helm; tell us, your story from the beginning."

Cladius smirked, "If I do so, may I speak to Dagda?"

"Of course, and drink of our wine, and eat of our bread." Noav smiled.

"Very well." Cladius said closing his eyes as he thought of past events.

"My memory is not as strong as I would hope for, so bear with my tale, as the events come closer to today, so will the details be more, vivid."

Cladius stopped, seeing he had completely engrossed these men; they were as if children around a fire, listening to the latest Black Shuck story. He took a bite of bread and a sip of water before beginning once more.

"I left Helm in my quest to find the Lord of the Sun, the God of Life and Death, as to this day I still search; only Dagda knows, and so the gods have directed me to him, but I digress. I left with two of my most trusted friends. During the time of my departure, Helm had been invaded and over thrown by Volohs the son of the King of Helm, a king that now lies dead. It was from here that I traveled to Dechoneus. I could not go immediately north, I lacked the supplies, and the dress for cold weather, also Dechoneus was closer. The priest at the Temple of Claydrin had given me certain instructions to follow, to find this Lord of the Sun. I first had to collect a dragon's scale, a Hell Hound's skull, a rock feather from the mighty Griffin, and the blood of a god. In my search for these items I found all but one, the blood of a god. It was after I had acquired a dragon's scale that I became poisoned and captured by bandits..."

"Some say that they heard the dragon's cry over Skull Peak." One of the soldiers interrupted.

Cladius took another sip of water and a bit of bread, as he smiled, "It is important to note that during my battle with the fiery serpent that I was indeed aided by to warriors."

Noav nodded his head as Cladius continued.

"The dragon had left me poisoned and one of my men, with broken ribs, leaving only Almor - excuse me - one of my men to fend off the bandits I had mentioned earlier."

"Almor?" Noav questioned, "The name of one of your men?"

"Almorah," Cladius replied, "A woman knight, a damsel."

Each man laughed aloud as Cladius stayed calm to their rude gestures. The soldiers of Inger couldn't believe it.

"You traveled with a woman? And she was a knight? She would be the first woman knight of Helm, of all four kingdoms!" Noav roared.

"Indeed, she is. And she is none other than my pupil. I would hope that you show some respect." Cladius replied, a stone cold look in his eyes.

Noav nodded his head, "My apologies."

"Now, then, once we escaped this band of bandits, I had learned the man in charge, though to be honest I have long since forgotten his name, was a slave trader. I had developed a plan, and in so doing so carried him thirty feet from the gate of his small village, and cut off his thieving hands."

"You cut off his hands?" the other soldier questioned.

"Indeed. I should have killed him there, but I saw no need, as long as I could prevent him from doing harm. Little did I know that he would return with vengeance," Cladius took a small break, finishing his cup and bread.

A soldier got up refilling his glace as he continued, "My company found that after this we were low on supplies, and in order to make it to the eastern forest we needed proper provisions. As we traveled back to Dechoneus City, we spotted Volohs and his men. Luckily we evaded them, and reported our findings to the king, who has sadly passed away, leaving King Henry to the throne."

"All the death and our emperor still will not will us to help Helm, even after the six month agreement."

"Six month agreement," Cladius questioned.

"Do not hear me wrong, I have no love for Helm; respect yes, humanity as well. But I will be blunt; I am more interested in saving lives the places. We are standing by waiting for Volohs to attack while we watch everything else burn to the ground, it is wrong. Indeed we were supposed to aid Helm if they could survive six months under Volohs siege. They hold only the boarder of Blood Mountain as we speak. It was none other than General Nerus who had secured the deal, the treaty."

"I wish only that my path lead to his, General Nerus was my teacher." Cladius replied.

"You are perhaps the greatest knight spoken of; it would make sense that Nerus would be your master."

"Nerus is the greatest knight Helm will ever know." Cladius replied.

"Not any more, you are." Noav replied, "Please, continue with your tale, under protocol we can't let you go until you tell us."

"Very well, and sense it would be best for all of us that I find Dagda, I will continue." Cladius replied, taking the cup of water from the returning soldier.

"To prevent gossip I will be brief about this next part of my story. Henry held a ball, during so, I was kidnapped by the same man I had behand. He took me and dragged me into the woods ready to decapitate me. Luckily, one of Arrivail's loyal subjects Ulda a hulder saved me from my doom. She single handedly subdued the enemy, long enough for me to free myself. She had then guided me to the Hag. Who I slayed in her dark dreary cave," Cladius paused as he took a sip of his water.

"You killed the Hag? The woman who eats children and hunts men," Noav asked.

"Indeed, it was quit the fight, I faced her blind." Cladius replied.

"Some may question if you are not already a god!" Noav said with disbelief.

"Some or many it matters not, for I am not."

"Sorry, I just have to know, how did you do it?"

"I chopped off the Hags head," Cladius replied turning back to his story, "once decapitated, night slowly fell upon the forest. Ulda then left me saying that her duty was done. I soon found myself following an elf, little to my knowledge, and he had misguided me deeper into the forest. Once the sun had set, I heard the horn of Herne the Hunter."

"I heard it was Herne the Huntress." An Inger soldier replied.

"He was a man. Horns and eyes that I will never forget," Cladius replied.

"Please continue." Noav said glancing back at his soldier.

"I had been chased by him throughout the night, until the rising of the sun. He had sent two of his Hell hounds after me; I had killed both, and retrieve one of their skulls. When the sun was just shy of shining, Herne spoke to me, congratulating me on my survival, shortly before leaving. It was from here where my story gets interesting, if this was to be written, the readers would probably already have heard of these things."

"Quit impressive, indeed, you are perhaps the greatest warrior this side of the world has ever known." Noav replied, "For no one has survived a night against the mighty Herne to live and tell about it."

"I thank you once more. To continue with my tale, I must begin with a harsh truth. I was in the woods, shirtless, with a claymore, and little else. No food, no water, and lost. I began by making my way north, by using the method of the North Star. I had made this bow, and these arrows you now see with me, during my duration in this forest. I had also found a dear pelt, before my exit. After many months of scavenging and struggling to survive, and had become quit handy at it. It was later that I ran into some of Voloh's men, just a week before my arrival here, they were scouting out the area. It was three against one. It was I against three Ommart, I had hit one in the head with my make shift arrow, the arrow had gone straight through his skull. They were unarmored and made for easy distant targets."

"Quit impressive," Noav replied, "rivaling that of your night with Herne."

"Again, gentlemen, thank you. Now with that I must conclude. An Assassin had killed my father, the king of Helm. It was a message given to me by none other than Claydrin."

"Claydrin, I doubt that he gave you such a message personally!" Scoffed Noav, "Indeed Claydrin the King of Gods, talked to you?"

"Indeed he did. He is a tall man, dark black hair, deep brown eyes, much like myself really; only he has a longer beard, and it has greyed just below his lip. He smiles and is well pleased in my course of actions. I have but one great stride left to complete my mission, and that is to speak to Dagda."

"You know nothing else of the Assassination?" Noav questioned.

"I am the twin brother of Volohs, that is why General Nerus trained us both." Cladius replied, "Though I was to be raised by the general, to hide my identity, for protection."

"Hm," Noav thought to himself, "but the assassin, the assailant, what of him?"

"I know nothing of him; Claydrin did not say anything about him, only that I was to find Dagda." Cladius replied.

"Very well." Noav replied, "I can get you some clothes, but I'm sorry to say, that I can't let you leave the cell until I have the okay, by my commander."

"Very well I will wait." Cladius replied.

Noav smiled back, glad to see that this knight of helm had reason.

Cladius simply closed his eyes trying to absorb the news he had received of the king's death, had he failed as a sworn protector of the king? Was he even supposed to have become a knight? He had so many questions, but his mind could only flee back to the precise moment when Claydrin spoke to him.

He remembered it like it was yesterday, though the passage of time was closer to three days and nights. He was walking through the heavy snow, the breeze chilling his very bone, as his beard began to ice over. He looked towards the sky, as he found a man standing above the hill top he struggled to climb. The man stretched forth his hand; he was slightly familiar to Cladius. Just as he had described early, a tall, well-toned man smiled, a grey patch below his lip was almost a target on his beard. His brown almost black eyes were almost as cold as the snow. The god's arm locked onto the mortal's arm as he pulled him up.

As Cladius embraced the god, he felt an indescribably warmth, like one does, next to the fireplace at home. The best feeling to describe him in that state was comfort, he felt as if he was at home, despite the conditions. The god placed his hand on Cladius's shoulder as he spoke.

"Why, it's been a while." The stern figure smiled joyfully.

"Indeed, yet not so long." Cladius replied, "I would think being the God of Time, that a few months would seem short."

"Well..." Claydrin started, "It is very short, but it's much different when you're away from someone as important as you."

"I have many questions my lord." Cladius replied, "Manly of my importance, if you will so permit."

"I will indeed permit such words, but not as a mortal speaks to a god, but as equals." Claydrin replied.

"First, who am I truly? I was but little of an orphan, yet you choose me to be the Hero of Helm."

"Ah, and a hero you are. You are not as most mortals; you had a very old spirit, one born of the gods. You are a child of a king; your mortal parents only gave birth to you through my authority. You were unlike most mortals, and needed to be tested." Claydrin paused for a second.

"But why," Cladius asked, "and I have heard that my parents were rulers, but of what land, what were their names?"

"Cladius Aidrail, your last name is a word that only the Gods use, it being in our tongue. The word means king, or ruler, but not in the simple terms, I am Claydrin, or Aidrail of the gods. Their Lord, their master, so are you among men. You will rule them all." Claydrin said calmly, bending over, showing Cladius the sky, as he waved his hand in a fluid motion.

"You give me great honors, and respect beyond that of which I deserve, yet I know not why, that is what I truly ask. All due respect, but Claydrin, Father of Time, I am tired of the constant seeking, and constant deflection of my questions. Simply answer me, in a lame man's terms."

"You speak boldly, yet I offer this to you. I speak to you as an equal. Very well, you are the heir of Helm. You were given to none other the Oriha, queen of Helm, from that day, you of royal blood, yeah before that day you had been chosen by the Gods. You were then hidden by the King and Queen, to protect your life, and assure an heir to Helm's Throne." Claydrin replied.

"And this makes me the ruler of all given life on Lumesc?" Cladius questioned.

"Partially the other reason you will learn once you speak to the one who calls himself Dagda, of Inger. He will travel with you, to your final resting point. We will speak shortly Cladius, until then I depart with you, my yoke, to make your burdens light."

Cladius smiled, thinking back to the words. He was still sitting as Noav entered the room once more. He watched the guard take a seat, as he seemed to have news. Cladius hoped for the best. If not, he had a plan B. He was going to storm forward, regardless. When he had begun he knew very little, he did it only to save Helm, however the longer he had journeyed, the more personally invested it seemed to become. This was more than just about saving Helm, it was about answers now. Who was Cladius Aidrail? Even he didn't truly know, and to think that Volohs was his brother, a twin no less.

Indeed Cladius could feel the want for food and water leaving his body as he digested what had entered his body; he had survived more than a week without water, something he had deliberately left out form his story. He knew this supernatural occurrence was indeed Claydrin's aid. He had also noticed that Claydrin had looked younger; sense their first visit, Almost as if he was a different man.

"Hello? You still with me," Noav inquired. He had been asking the knight simply questions, as to the quality of their services, but the legendary Knight of Helm, seemed distracted in thought.

"Excuse me Noav, but am I free to leave?" Cladius replied.

"No." Noav replied, "I am to take you to the capitol prison."

Cladius looked at him, as Noav looked back. The two seemed to be sizing themselves up, along with their enemy. Cladius felt confident he could take him, but Noav knew he was out matched in every way. He could feel magical energy surging from the man. Was he truly even mortal?

"However," Noav said breaking the silence, "It would be horrible if you escaped."

Cladius smiled as Noav opened the front door for him.

"Thank you Noav, and where can I find Dagda?" Cladius replied.

"He should be in the bar, playing his harp." Naov replied, "Be careful, he's rarely ever sober these days."