Chapter 4

Onward Koji and Sylvia galloped, buildings and bridges rushing past in a dark blur. Though it was still night, Sylvia’s sense of direction was sure and steadfast, and they traveled steadily upwards.

After about twenty minutes of riding, Koji ventured, “How much further is it?”

“Not much farther,” Sylvia said without turning around. “The Order makes its home at the highest point of Behalan, so that it may keep watch over the entire city.”

Koji nodded and kept holding on. Soon they arrived at a long, spiralling slope that ended at a large plateau, and upon this flat surface were numerous buildings. It was hard to tell in the half-light shed by the lamps, but they seemed to be constructed from large blocks of grey stone, with darker columns holding them up. Here and there, crimson banners that bore the sigil of the Order of the Unbroken Path were hung up and displayed proudly.

Sylvia slowed Berrytwist to a slow trot, saluting to various other Order members who were standing guard. Koji couldn’t help but notice that compared to her comrades, Sylvia looked quite young.

Finally, they stopped in front of a stout, towering building connected to various other spires via narrow bridges. Archers could be seen patrolling the parapets and battlements, their sharp eyes on the lookout for anything that could be deemed a threat. A small collection of other unicorns was hitched outside, absently chewing on mouthfuls of hay.

“Here we are,” Sylvia said, easily sliding off her steed’s back and landing lightly on the ground. She helped Koji down from Berrytwist’s back and said sternly, “Now, when we head inside to meet the High Lords of the Order, make sure you give them the proper respect. You are about to meet the three most important people in Behalan.”

Koji was still trying to get some feeling back into his legs after such a long ride. “I thought they wanted to meet me?” He said uncertainly.

“Yes, but there are protocols to be followed. Just don’t say anything unless you’re asked to, and let me do the introductions.”

“Sure. Fine.” Koji decided to let Sylvia take the lead on this; he was still curious about his new powers, and maybe these High Lords would be able to help him master them.

Sylvia nodded with approval and marched towards the doors, Koji following close behind. There were more Order members here standing guard; these men were more heavily armored and carried poleaxes, along with longswords belted at their sides. They wore full plate with helmets that concealed their faces, but all of them had the same magic neutralizing gem fitted into their right gauntlets.

Despite their fearsome appearance however, none of the sentries made a move to stop Koji as he and Sylvia went inside.

The interior of the building was also richly decorated in the heraldry of the Order. From what Koji had been told of the Order, they seemed very much fixated on keeping magic out, as there were, placed at regular intervals, more of those pearlescent anti-magic gems along the walls.

Stopping just outside of a grand pair of metal-plated doors, Sylvia fixed her hair and straightened her armor, her expression stern.

Then she pushed open the doors and they entered.

The first thing that registered to Koji was the smell. The whole interior of this new room was full of the scent of some kind of flower that he could not put his finger on. The next thing that he noticed was that compared to the rest of the building, this inner hall was astoundingly well lit. Lanterns and braziers hung from the ceiling and the walls, and there were even lamps placed in the hands of marble statues that lined the walls. These statues were of mighty looking men and women, all of them staring straight ahead. Small metal plaques were affixed to the bases of these statues, presumably to tell people who these statues were of, but they were too small for Koji to read at present.

Koji was so preoccupied with these statues that he did not notice that Sylvia had stopped, bumping into her from behind. He quickly returned his attention to the matter at hand.

Sylvia stood at attention and saluted. In front of her were three tall, richly decorated chairs, almost thrones.

Seated in the left throne was a lean but muscular man with a bushy brown moustache. Koji could not see the hair on his head as this man was wearing a golden helm with armor to match. His expression was that of contemplation as he looked over to Koji and Sylvia.

In the center throne was another man, this one much broader at the shoulders than the man on the left. He, too, wore a helm but his was full face, and showed nothing of his features but a pair of cold green eyes peering out at the world. His armor was thicker and had the Order’s emblem emblazoned on his chestpiece and pauldrons.

Finally, seated on the right, was a woman who looked middle-aged. She had salt and pepper hair which was so straight that it could have been pressed with an iron. Like her fellows, she too wore armor but it was sparser, looking more like ornate robes than battle gear. She saw the two people before her and her face showed a faint smile.

“High Lords of the Order of the Unbroken Path,” Sylvia announced loudly. “I have brought you the one we have been searching for.”

The three High Lords did not at first respond.

Then the woman on the left said in a scratchy but dignified voice, “Well done, Sylvia. You are dismissed; please wait outside until we send for you again.”

Sylvia saluted and spun around. Then she marched out of the chamber leaving Koji alone with the three High Lords.

“So, this is the one,” The man on the left with the beard said, the statement directed more at his fellows than at Koji. “He looks younger than I envisioned.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” The woman replied. Then she turned her head back to Koji.
”The Order of the Unbroken Path bids you welcome, young man. My name is Eliana, one of the High Lords of the Order.”

“I am called Tristan,” the bearded man offered. “Welcome to Behalan.”

“And I am called Sampson,” The man in the center rumbled, his voice like a landslide. “Together we lead the Order of the Unbroken Path and serve as its commanders.”

“Um, my name is Koji. Koji Hagane,” Koji felt quite self-conscious, being in the presence of such clearly important people. “You’ve been looking for me?”

“Indeed we have,” High Lord Eliana nodded. “You made quite a spectacle of things out by the southern gate.” Seeing the uncertain look on his face, High Lord Eliana smiled at him. “Don’t look so afraid, child. We are not reprimanding you. Rather, we should be thanking you for saving our soldiers from the hated interloper forces.”

“Our sentries on the walls of the city saw the whole thing,” High Lord Tristan told Koji, his expression unreadable. “Half of the Order knows about it by now. You put on quite a show of power and strength. You could be the very thing to tip the scales in our favor.”

“Uh, thank you?” Koji tried to remain as neutral sounding as possible, but inside he could feel a sense of satisfaction. These High Lords needed him, and that made him feel important.

“I do not know how much of our Order Sylvia has told you about, but in case you did not know, the Order of the Unbroken Path is currently at war with the magic-using syndicate, the Magecroft Organization. They were the ones who attacked you out on the road. Your ability to do battle with them could prove useful to humanity,” High Lord Eliana explained.

“Many in the Order who saw you fight now call you a hero,” High Lord Sampson praised. “But forgive me if I am not so easily swayed by second hand accounts. We High Lords would like to ask for a demonstration of your power.”

“What kind of-” Koji began, but was cut off by High Lord Tristan.

“What kind of demonstration indeed?” The bearded High Lord finished. “Well, if you could perhaps show us some proof of your abilities, we could proceed from there.” He leaned back on his throne and surveyed Koji with his deep set eyes. “Just a small one would suffice, if only to make sure our Magicide crystals do not hinder you.”

After saying this, all three High Lords fell silent, gazes fixed on Koji.

“Okay, I can do that,” Koji murmured, extending his hands out and feeling the power filling him up from the inside. On instinct, he pressed his hands together and a pulse of golden light radiated around him, jostling the lamps and braziers.

“So it is true…” High Lord Eliana said in a hushed voice once everything had gone still again. “Power without magic. The ability to do that… in none of the Order’s records have I ever seen such a thing. I think the Order would be glad to have you on our side, lad.”

Koji wasn’t sure he liked where this conversation was heading. “Look, I don’t know that much about your Order. I mean, it sounds great, don’t get me wrong, but I just got here and I don’t even have a place to stay-”

“That can be righted easily,” High Lord Tristan said, his voice as smooth as silk. “The Order will provide you with a house and supplies, if you would aid us in our noble endeavor.”

“Endeavor?” Koji repeated. He liked the sound of where this was going.

“Our quest to rid Behalan and its surrounding lands of the dark stain of magic, of course,” High Lord Tristan clarified. “For thirteen years we have been at a standstill, while pockets of magic users continue to infest the city’s streets. The Order lacks the power to clear them out for good. But you, with your mighty power, could help us finish this fight for good. Bring peace to Behalan for good. What could be more noble than helping your fellow man?”

“You would even receive a salary to spend on whatever you wish,” High Lord Eliana added. “We don’t require an answer right away. Such a request all of a sudden must be quite startling. But we feel that you will come to the right choice after you’ve given it some thought.”

“Indeed,” High Lord Sampson said. “Do you have any questions for us, young man? If not, we will call Sylvia back and she will return you to… wherever it is you were before.”

“If I join the Order,” Koji said cautiously. “What would I be doing to help you?”

“You would mostly be aiding our forces in raids within the city limits,” High Lord Tristan told him. “Strongholds whose defenses we cannot pierce with conventional means. The Magecroft Organization maintains a black market of magic items inside Behalan, and we would be most interested in stopping the distribution of such contraband. Such things have no place in humanity’s destined path.”

“That sounds… dangerous,” Koji thought back to the dark knights and the reaper back on the road. They had made short work of the Order guards until he had stepped in. “I mean, I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. I don’t want to die for your cause, even if it is noble.”

“Death is always close by,” High Lord Sampson pounded his gauntleted fist on the armrest of his throne. “All life is fleeting. What matters is what we choose to do given the time that is given us.”

“That’s not very reassuring…” Koji said under his breath. “But fine. I’ll give it some thought.”

”That is all we ask,” High Lord Eliana said soothingly. Koji was reminded of a teacher from back at high school who was trying to get a student to do something they didn’t want to. “Now, I believe Sylvia knows where to bring you back to. We will contact you again in a day or two to learn your decision.”

“It’s a big city,” Koji pointed out. “Am I going to have to ride back and forth every time you want to speak to me?”

“We have our ways,” High Lord Tristan said. “Now, I believe we have used up enough of your time. You may go, and tell Sylvia to give you a ride back to your lodgings. For destiny’s true path.”

The three High Lords sat back, making it clear that the conversation was over. Still feeling very apprehensive, Koji turned and left the chamber. By the time he arrived back at Rena’s inn, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon.

Koji watched the sun rise while he bade farewell to Sylvia, then he went inside, his head full of thoughts of battle and heroism. This Order might just suit him, if he played his cards right.