Wilbur

Wilbur Glidron entered the dimly lit room for the second time in his life. Twenty four candles still stood around the room and the two torches.

Wilbur was in full battle armour, dirt marks clearly visible on the otherwise white armour. He had come straight after training, to meet the priest. The Priest was clad in white robes now lined with a dark shade of blue.

"What does the Priest of Andlenore require of me?"

"Surely you must have heard the rumours about Rhugh and his hundred."

"Rhugh and his hundred who wiped the whole Gilhan tribe. They say he is headed towards Andlenore, what of it?"

"It is possibly because of a mistake I made."

Wilbur started staring at a candle again as he sat.

"The day The White God came. I sent a letter to the King. I told him everything that had happened. I explained the administrative vacuum. I thought the letter would make the King send a smaller committee like he used to before to organize and things would get back to normal like they were before. So hung up was I, on returning the state of the town as it was before, and so ecstatic was I, that my foresight failed me. I held the optimistic view in my state that the King would come to his senses on hearing about it and get the message of justice. I now see how gravely I have erred."

"It matters not Priest of Andlenore, for it was inevitable."

The Priest was visibly taken aback at Wilbur's statement.

On seeing the expression change, Wilbur assumed it would be best to elaborate, "The news that The White God made his appearance and that The Giant had died would sooner or later reach the King. Rhugh would still be on his way even if you had sent no letter."

The Priest's face brightened up as understanding dawned.

How fickle the mind of man!

Wilbur realised that it was not that the Priest didn't see logic. It was the guilt of sending the letter that had heavily clouded his mind. He could now see the guilt lifting.

"That brings us back to the topic that Rhugh and his hundred are on his way here. I know not the reason," continued Wilbur.

"If they chose to take administration of this town in their hand, what shall we do?"

"The White Capes do not interfere in the workings of the Empire. I would respect his freedom to provide administration to those who demand it."

"But no one in Andlenore wants to be under the King's rule anymore. They want to follow the illuminated path."

"I said before if anyone does demand it. If Rhugh does not respect the freedom of the people who chose the path illuminated by The White God, only then shall we raise our sword."

"Rhugh knows alchemy. He is a master at wielding weapons. I am afraid he stands more skilled than anyone in The White Capes, even you. It was no coincidence that they wiped out a tribe consisting of five hundred Gilhan warriors. It has already been four weeks since I sent the letter. That means they will be upon us in less than a month. Moreover, they outnumbers you almost four to one. Four skilled warriors to one amateur."

The elusive silence made its presence known. Wilbur Glidron noticed the candle he was staring at today had no particular feature of interest that set it apart from the other candles. Though it burnt very bright.

"May The White God illuminate our path!"

****

Wilbur Glidron prayed.

It was ten minutes before he opened his eyes. The statue of The White God materialised before his eyes. The flowing white robes engraved into stone. His white hair that floated. The face almost the same as the one he has seen. The eyes seemed to be looking at everything at once. Wilbur internally praised the sculptors every time he saw the statue. The twelve foot tall statue seemed to embody a part of The White God he believed in.

Wilbur got up and walked out of the temple. His squire handed him his sword. The Gladinstone blade looked like a usual sword now. Four of The White Capes were standing guard at the temple. He met the Priest there.

"Give us your blessing, O Priest of Andlenore!"

The Priest raised a hand, "May the White God illuminate your path!"

Wilbur bowed his head.

"Do tell me priest, are the townsfolk in the town centre now?"

"Those that wished to be are."

"I have personally confirmed the information given by Dolin. They will be here soon. You must head to the Town Centre to Priest."

Saying so Wilbur started walking down the street. Only opposite to the side the Town Centre lay. The cape buckled, fluttered as a little gust of wind blew. The four guards followed him. And a fifth one joined them soon. Dolin had send one of his men to an adjacent village to warn them about the arrival of Rhugh and his hundred. The estimated date of their arrival was today. One of Wilbur's scouts had confirmed that as well.

They are here.

A thought crossed Wilbur's mind. This was the exact same street that The White God had once walked upon. The thought gave him strength.

Wilbur stopped just before the gate. It was lashed shut. He could hear clattering armour.

This is it.

A flag came into view. The flag could be seen above the walls of Andlenore. Banner men. The one carrying the flag eventually stopped on the other side of the gate. And the rest of the army followed. Wilbur and his five watched as the hundred men shuffled and tried to fell into whatever formation possible between the gate and the forest behind them. There were no riders. All infantry.

A few moments passed as Rhugh came forward. He was clad in red and gold armour. His chest plate had the King's seal.

"You must be Wilbur of the White Capes. Heard about you."

"What makes Rhugh and his hundred pay a visit to this town of Andlenore?"

Rhugh started searching through his armour. Wilbur and his five didn't move an inch. He produced a scroll.

"This is the document that declares, the Priest of Andlenore be executed and we manage administration of this town under the King's name. It has the King's seal as proof. That should clear any doubts about letting us pass."

"I do not wish to see it. It holds no meaning to me. I only serve the White God. But if you would chose to hamper that freedom the meaning will arise. Same goes for the Priest."

"Let us pass."

"You can pass. Only, you cannot harm the Priest or resume administration over people that don't will it."

A silence followed. No one moved. The silence was only broken by the howling wind. Their capes fluttered in response. But their eyes did not. Wilbur could almost see irritation in Rhugh's eyes.

Pride in enemies is a favourable thing, for it is easy to exploit!

Rhugh walked towards the gate.

Not yet!

He placed his hand on the gate lock. The gate lock made a light vibrating sound. Spikes emerged out of the lock as it snapped from within and fell. An old alchemist trick.

Not yet!

Rhugh opened the gates. Wilbur and his five stood as still as stone.

Not yet!

Rhugh walked inside Andlenore just ten paces away from him. He said," On the charge of murder... Your Priest had been charged with murder of The Giant. Let me pass."

Wilbur's face was expressionless. He looked straight at Rhugh. A frown started forming along Rhugh's face. He unsheathed his sword.

Now!

Wilbur saw arrows emerge from the deep forest surrounding the army. Ten arrows swooped up the sky noiselessly and hit the men. Nine of the arrows met their target. It was only when the men screamed that Rhugh came to have any knowledge of the arrows.

Ninety one men looked confused as another volley of arrows hit them. Then they had shields up but no arrows came to greet them a third time. Rhugh looked behind and ordered twenty men to search the woods. Wood was one of the only resources gifted to Andlenore. If he had any hopes of administering the town burning the forest down, wouldn't be an option as the case usually is.

His personal guard came up behind him. It consisted to ten men. Twenty were sent to the Town Centre. He said something and the rest of his men scattered around. The near perfect coordination did not astonish Wilbur. That's what Rhugh was known for after all.

Through all this Wilbur stood still and so did the five White Capes standing behind him.

Rhugh turned to look at Wilbur, "I will deal with you myself."

His sword touched the cobblestone street and spikes started shooting from the ground with one target, Wilbur.

Author's Note: I hope you liked the chapter. This still requires editing. Feel free to point out errors. Do vote/comment/review.

Next chapter: The Skirmish of Andlenore.

  Thank you for reading!!