Path of Destiny (Continuing The Rebirth)
By Hawke Darkblade

Reprinted with permission.
Added 07/19/2002.

The light snow of the Linvak Range fell softly to the ground, the crisp morning air making every breath an exhilarating one. The ringing of his shield broke the serene silence, as he fought bravely against the two mighty Lugian giants which assaulted him for invading their home. The power of their crushing blows were softened somewhat by his shield, but his boots digging into the deep snow of the Linvak Range offered no traction, and they were forcing him backwards with every blow, towards the edge of the cliff.

Blow after blow was deflected by his shield, but with each contact, he slid closer to the edge. He knew it was hopeless. He took the wrong route to Qalabar, and was about to suffer the ultimate defeat. Asheron would not save him now, and he had not yet begun the ritual of rebirth for Phoenix. His most coveted posession, the Moonstone Chalice, nestled deep within his backpack, would never be used to help him regain his honor. For the first time in his life, he was mortally afraid.

Suddenly, she came out of nowhere, a whirlwind of blades, dancing a dance of death. One giant did not notice her in time, and with a mighty swing, she cleaved its leg in twain. It fell towards him, and without thinking, he sidestepped the falling giant, as it plunged over the cliff, to its doom. The other giant spun around towards her, its powerful backfist seeking to strike her head. With the grace of an angel she dodged the blow, and too late, the giant noticed the spear protruding from its chest, and it slid to the ground, bathing the newly fallen snow in blood.

She sheathed her sword in one smooth motion, as he slid his spear from the lifeless body. They stood before each other, he wondering whether Phoneix brought her to his aid, or if this was a trick of the Evil One. He had been weary of tricks from the moment he set out on this path, and he had fought the dark powers every day of this journey.

As he knelt down to clean off his spear, not taking his eyes from the woman, she removed her helmet. His blinked in surprise. She was Sho, her black hair cropped almost as short as his own, with one long intricate braid hanging down past her shoulders. What was she doing way out here in the middle of this desolation? "Hail brave warrior," he said, his voice deep and regal once again, "I thank you for coming to my aid."

"It was my pleasure," she replied with a smile, her smile bright and cheerful enough to melt the newly fallen snow, "to aid a Lord in his time of need."

"You do me great honor m'lady, to witness your prowess in combat," he replied as he finished cleaning his spear, and stood up, wearily. "You have saved my life, and I will never be able to repay you."

"You already have," she grinned.

"I do not understand your words," he replied, his brow knitted in confusion. Only then did he realize that he had forgotten his manners, and not removed his helmet. He bent forward to remove it, driving his spear into the snow.

When he looked up, she was gone. He looked around, there was no trace of her passing. He cautiously peered over the cliff, and he only saw the crushed body of the giant, many hundreds of feet below him. He glanced at the fallen snow, and found no trace of her passing. Was she a ghost? Why had she aided him, and what did she mean?

Shaking his head from confusion, he snapped his helmet back into place, picked up his spear and pack, and continued his long trek towards Qalabar. He would find out who or what she was in due time, there were other matters to attend to now. The ceremony. He felt he was ready, but something kept tugging at his soul, mocking him into believing he was not.

***

The sun beamed down overhead upon a grassy dew covered meadow. The newly born flowers and pollen of spring filled the air. The harsh winter had left Dereth, and life was born anew. The grass made no sound as he took the final steps into the town of Qalabar. Many weeks had passed and many fights, since that battle high in the mountains, and as weary as one who had travelled far, both within and without, he walked into the tavern, to rest after his plight.

As he stepped into the tavern, he dropped his belongings on the floor in utter shock and surprise. He stood there in the doorway, jaw hanging open, and could do nothing but stare at the sight before him. There she sat, feet propped up on a table, drinking some form of spiced wine. She was looking to the ceiling, and he watched her face, seemingly luminescent under the light streaming through the window above her. Noticing nothing in the tavern but her, he strode towards her table, composing himself as best he could. There were few in the tavern at this time of day, and they did not seem to care that a warrior of his stature strode among them, they were too busy with their own lives.

She turned her head from the ceiling and looked upon his face, a large grin forming on her face. It seemed she knew that he would be here this day, and her being there was more than mere coincidence. "Sit down my lord, you have been expected," she said in that beautiful voice, the voice he had heard in his dreams these last weeks since he had seen her.

He sat down with a look of wonder on his face. What was this feeling that had overcome him since they last met. Perhaps wonder, perhaps curiosity, or perhaps something else altogether. "You have been following me, keeping me safe on my journey from the East, have you not m'lady?" he asked, tilting his head to one side, with a faint smile playing across his lips.

"Aye, you are correct, Sir. I have followed you for many weeks, and even before we met, I knew of your plight. I saw you leave the tavern of Cragstone in disgrace that night," she said, as she removed her feet from the table, put down her goblet, and sat looking him in the eyes.

He faltered, thinking back on that night, almost losing the calm which had been taught to him by Phoenix. The hatred, the betrayal, the destruction of his soul. Then he sat upright, all fear being drained from his thoughts as he looked into her eyes. It was then when he noticed her eyes. There was something behind those eyes, something he had seen in someone else's once before. This lithe woman before him knew much of his past, and yet she meant to keep him safe. He asked himself why, and then grinned wryly to her, and asked, "I would know the reason for your protection, brave warrior. Your skills are impressive, but why had you chosen to use them to keep me from harm?"

"Do you really not know my lord?" she returned the question with a feeling of wonder, how could a man not understand his own feelings. "It is my reason for being, that I protect you from harm, and bring you back to the world that needs you. Dereth needs you badly my lord, especially now when things seem the most serene. A darkness spreads its presence across the land. You must never falter again, and I will be by your side to make sure that never happens. You need me."

He looked into her eyes, and realized the truth. He did need her, more than anything in his life. The ritual of Rebirth was foremost in his mind, but perhaps he had already gone through it on his journey. It seemed the brotherhood that requested his aid in recovering the sacred chalice did so, knowing that he would find his way in the quest. Perhaps... He was a Paladin once again!

His eyes brightened, his skin tingled, and he sat there grinning madly to the woman. This Sho woman who had shown him the truth about himself, and had helped to bring him back to the light. He looked into her eyes, and she into his. They both did not see the sun begin to rise higher into the day as they talked, and lost themselves in each other. He was truly happy, as he had never know happiness before in his life. His entire being was raised high into the clouds, and he felt elated. Nothing could harm him now, at least not in his soul, and he felt whole once again. He was reborn.