All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 1

Jano found ruling as the king's regent to be a task that did not suit him well. Had others been asked, they would have disagreed with his self-assessment, and Draynor himself would be first to point out that discomfort with the position was a sure sign of leadership. Unfortunately for Jano, Draynor was far from Deren, embroiled in the war, and though he trusted Draynor's advisors, he did not feel the connection with them that Draynor obviously did. Consequently, the task of leadership remained uncomfortable.

Jano had hoped to that Tralin would return shortly and remove the responsibility of leadership from his head. This had proven a vain desire, for when Tralin did return, it was only to assure Jano of the urgency with which he needed to locate Draynor.

"If the king has placed you in control, you are clearly capable of the role. While I sympathize with your duress, my own obligations as the prince of Deren and as T'Palo require I carry my information to Draynor immediately," Tralin had said in that unemotional way he had, which to Jano would suggest not only a lack of sympathy but complete detachment had he not known the Drakel for a time and seen his interaction with the likes of Darin.

"T'Palo?" Jano had asked, unfamiliar with the word but recognizing it as Drakel.

"There is no direct translation. Roughly, it means 'he who is officially discharged with the bearing of messages and correspondence'."

"Courier?" Jano suggested, thinking that the translation rather simply suggested exactly what Tralin said.

"No. A courier relays missives or messages individually. A T'Palo is quite different...."

"How so?" Jano asked, but Tralin was already engaged in another conversation, preparing for his travels.

For three days Tralin remained in the city, but in all that time Jano could not determine what he had learned that needed to be shared with the king, nor what made a T'Palo somehow different from a courier.

"Ambassador would be closer," Tralin had said after the conversation was raised again the evening before his departure. "But that too relates and idea and a concept quite different then that of T'Palo."

"Why can you not tell me what it is you have learned? I am Draynor's regent. It seems I ought to know what’s going on."

"Ordinarily I might agree; unfortunately, however, I cannot share what I have learned with you, as it would violate both protocol and my word. Even should Draynor be dead, I could not share the information with you without first going through in-depth procedures."

"So you have vital information that may be time-essential, yet you cannot and will not share it based on some social custom. I never considered you beholden to Drakel etiquette; after all, you are already well outside Drakel culture from all inspection."

"My relationship with the Drakel is complex," Tralin had said, repeating something he had mentioned before. "You would neither understand nor is it your place to know. It is true that I exist mostly outside cultural norms for the Drakel people, but in this I must uphold tradition. It is a matter of grave seriousness that I do."

Jano had attempted to ascertain more, but Tralin remained stubbornly detached, and in the end Jano was forced to concede because Tralin left the city as he intended. Jano was forced back to present by the presence of Cerin, Delnar's replacement as First Knight of Deren.

"Yes, Cerin?"

"I must speak to you urgently, my lord, on a matter most grave. The information I relay may cost me my position, but it is serious enough that my oath and duty commands I act. Can we speak in private confidence?"

"Yes, of course. Only, what’s this about? Cost you your position? I do not understand."

Jano withdrew with Cerin into the private meeting chambers and shut the bolt.

"You will, for it is with the fact that I speak with authority on this issue that will cause the trouble. My lord, I am a communicant of the Water Lord."

"You are what?" Jano said with confusion, thinking of Darin at the same time. Were all of his friends undercover priests?

"It is true, my lord. I have been his servant for a very long time, but that is not all. It was I that disabled you outside of the School of Thought."

"You what?" Jano said, very confused and somewhat angered. This made little sense; Cerin had been in Neld at the time.

"Just so. I apported to Deren and followed you for sometime under instruction. When I heard you plan to go to Tralin, I acted as instructed."

"You tried to kill me?"

"No, lord, the powers forfend. The spell cast on you was designed precisely so that you would not die or suffer greatly."

"I see. Well, I am not sure what difference this makes. Darin is a communicant as well and he acted directly against the throne, yet he serves as Draynor's commander."

"The difference, my lord, is that I am Knight of Deren; I am the First Knight of Deren."

Then Jano understood: knights were sworn to serve their king above all else, they could therefore never be priests because that suggested their loyalty was to their god above their king.

"Ah. Never mind that for now. Tell me what you know that is so imperative."

"My lord, an army of light is coming to Deren as we speak."

"What? Why, that’s wonderful; they can aid in fighting off the undead."

"You do not follow, my lord. The army is marching ON Deren; they seek to take it. The Water Lord was most emphatic. This army sides with the undead."

"An army of light marches in service to the Dark Lord?" Jano said, flustered and completely confused.

"Not so," Cerin said.

"I don't understand."

"Simply this. The marching undead are not in service to the Lord of Dark either."

"What? But..."

"It is difficult to comprehend, my lord, but I assure you it is so. Though these undead are creatures of the Lord of Dark, they are no more his servants than you are yourself. This army serves not the Dark Lord and the army of light marches with them. An army of angelic beings that is as evil as it is light: the Brilhado or the Fallen."

"Well, then, we have no recourse. Call together the forces of the military that remain in Deren and the Knights. We prepare for the invasion. As to you, you will not get out of your responsibilities as First Knight so easily. Draynor appointed you, if HE decides you need to be removed, then it is for him to remove you. For my own part, I need experienced men here. I am a spy, not a general."

"My lord," Cerin said, nodding, and set out to fulfill his orders.

"For my part, I am sure Draynor would agree; besides, I owe you for the 'cold shoulder' you so kindly gave me."

"My lord," Cerin repeated, and left to follow orders.

'Somehow, that was less fulfilling than it seemed to be between the king and Darin,' Jano reflected. 'It is much harder to get a rise out of a knight, I suppose."'