War of the Words/Chapter 33

The ship was boarded while Tralin tended to the fallen First Knight. Darin directed their movements with military efficiency and no one questioned an enemy agent barking commands. By noontime, Tralin still had not stemmed the slow flow of blood from the putrefying wound.

"Tralin!" Delnar exclaimed. "You must end my life... You cannot take me with you; I might die only to arise as undead on the ship. And..."

Tralin looked at the pained knight in silence, letting him catch his breath and continue.

"And I don't want to serve this evil. I would much rather face my next journey."

"I could keep you from the evil," Tralin said. "I am sure of it, it is my field; then you could return to Deren and maybe serve the temple or be put to rest."

"Tralin," Delnar said sadly, "I am... a knight... I serve the king, not the temple. It has always been that way."

"Very well," Tralin said.

Cerin watched them talk for some moments and then, no longer able to ignore the order to board the ship, did as commanded.