His shadow seemed to shrink beneath him, and he closed his eyes against the blazing sunlight.He’d heard the knight’s oath so many times, for so many that came before him, but this wasn’t it.This was… different.Powerful.Like the Sisters stood around Nesrin, each with a hand on her shoulder as she spoke.It was what he’d imagined feeling on the island, and it rooted him to the spot.
“May you never yearn for conquest, but for truth.May your heart never be blinded by the ambitions of other men.May your spirit be as unyielding as the tides.May you be a shield to the wounded and weak.”She paused.Bastion's pulse thundered in his ears, and he fought to keep his breathing calm.“And when at last the stars call you home, may you greet Death with a heart at peace, knowing that you have earned your rest.”
Nesrin lifted the sword point, arcing it over his head to rest on his other shoulder, and said the three words he’d yearned to hear for the last ten years.
“Arise, Sir Bastion.”
Chapter 14
Bastion circled the keep like a hungry scavenger, unable to find what would fill him.
His heart’s desire had been granted.No one could deny the legitimacy of his knighthood now, but he felt hollow.The title, meaningless.As if he’d been forced to walk barefoot across the shattered glass of his broken dreams.
Something was missing, but he didn’t know what.
He tucked it away to examine later, when there wasn’t an impending threat.To distract himself, he followed a piece of advice King Torvald had given him once, and spent the afternoon getting to know Moonwatch’s soldiers.He started with the men in the northern watchtower, asking how long they’d served Lord Kyrith, where they were from, what weapons they preferred, and what they thought about Moonwatch’s defenses.
Most of them were seasoned warriors, long in the employ of Lord Kyrith and confident in Moonwatch’s defenses.Their ease seemed to contradict the screech and whir of blades being sharpened by the blacksmith in the courtyard below.Only a few held fear in their eyes, like a harp string destined to break the next time it was plucked.
One by one, Bastion got his answers, welcoming them into the arms of camaraderie.
Most called the Illadian Coast their home, but some had come from Tynamara.A few had even trained with Hanniel in the Royal Guard.There was a squad of exceptionally skilled archers in residence, but most of the other men preferred a sword or spear.There was one man from Rhee who wielded a monstrous axe.
And those were just the men Lord Kyrith didn’t take with him.
Up the steps of the southern watchtower, Bastion heard similar stories.They assured him that Moonwatch's defenses would not fail.What weighed on them was the waiting.
Bastion felt it, too.
It was always worse than the fighting, worse than the death and chaos, because he knew some of these men wouldn’t survive.Hemight not survive.
Bastion returned to his restless prowling, the sun now the hazy, burnished gold of late afternoon.Despite the defenses he’d observed, his heart was burdened by the weapon they still knew nothing about.
Something caught his ear–a guard singing softly.The wind swept the words past Bastion as if it didn’t want him to hear.
Look now to the star- kissed horizon
Think of your loved ones and sleep
Take only the love that was given you
The road was long, but this last step is short
Bastion recognized it and wondered if the man knew he sang a Varo lullaby.The few shadow spinners he’d come across spoke of Death as a benevolent companion on the road of life who would greet them like a friend at the end.Bastion shook his head and hurried on, hoping he would not meet Death anytime soon.
As he continued his circuit, the expansive emptiness of the sea gave him no peace.The afternoon wore on while the winter sun beat down.A creeping sense of dread walked its way up his spine every time he turned his back to the ocean.
When the sun dipped towards the horizon, Hywell came to find him.
“Sir Bastion,” the captain said.Bastion managed not to flinch even though the title made him feel like an imposter.“I’ve come to relieve you.
For a moment, he and Bastion stood side by side, looking out over the bay.Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries filling the silence.Sometimes he missed the simplicity of guard duty.Being Endre’s bodyguard had its advantages, but solitude wasn’t one of them.
Finally, Bastion spoke.“How are the townsfolk?”
“As well as can be expected,” Hywell answered.“They’re armed, but inexperienced.I’m not worried, though.”
“Oh?”
