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[Eclyse Christian]

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HALT!
HALT!!

The Wolf King's voice washed over Eclyse, bringing her back to her senses. She raised her head and looked around the battlefield, trying to remember where she was, and how she had fallen.

"Langois," she said softly, remembering. A blinding pain flashed through her jaw, and her hand went up instinctively to touch, to quell the pain, to feel for injury. Or anything, just to make the pain stop. She stood dizzily amidst the shouting.

HALT! HALT! HALT!!

Steel flashed as Sir Kaylor and William Castle relentlessly pursued their target, oblivious to all else, until their target had fallen.

As the two returned, the Wolf King reprimanded them sternly. She could barely hear his voice above the ringing in her ears as she tried to regain her bearings, but she could hear enough to understand his disdain at being ignored.

Kaylor returned to her side and watched her absently as she re-adjusted her armour and slung her axe on a strap over her back. He was clearly lost in thought, taking no interest in anything else. Then, silently, the two entered the shimmering blue moongate that whisked them back to the snow and ice of Stonegate.

Within seconds of their arrival, Sir Kaylor turned to Eclyse and spoke softly. "I must speak to the Wolf King. You are welcome to join me."

[Eclyse Christian]

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Kaylor pushed open the heavy door to the Wolf King’s chambers and held it until Eclyse was inside. Without hesitation, he crossed purposefully to Myrddin and knelt upon one knee, bowing his head.

“Majesty, I would like to apologize for missing your command tonight. When I am in battle, my focus lies upon my life, and that of my enemy. I never heard your command, and for that I am sorry.”

Myrddin nodded once, sagely, and looked down upon Kaylor’s lowered head. Eclyse watched the two interact, as she had when she was sworn to silence in the name of Sacrifice. The king set about explaining his reprimand to Kaylor, assuring him that while he understood that the command was missed, one must open his eyes and ears in battle in order to broaden his scope to encompass the whole of the battle. To do less is to risk the lives of one’s brothers in arms. It was becoming clear to Eclyse that the Wolf King understood well the fog of war, and sought to make an example of these two, that the others might learn, and lives might be spared in the future.

Respect for both her Knight and the Wolf King increased exponentially as they spoke of battle reverently. Eclyse began to realize for the first time since her arrival in Stonegate that this was why she was here. To learn the ways of battle. To put a cause to her blade. To open her eyes and ears to all aspects of the battle, both on and off the battlefield.

Then, Sir Kaylor said something that snapped her again to attention. “Sire, I would like to pay for my mistake.” He placed his hand over his heart as he looked up to Myrddin’s face. “Please.”

Myrddin seemed almost taken aback at the request, but spoke in a level manner. “Very well, you may take patrol of the valley. Then write a report. Should you share a table and eat or drink with your brothers in arms, tell them what you are doing, and why.”

Kaylor bowed his head again. “You are most fair, Majesty. Thank you, I will do as you’ve asked.”

Sir Kaylor rose, uttering a few respectful parting words, then crossed again to the chamber door, flashing only a glance over Eclyse as he passed. The King bade her farewell, and Eclyse nodded, responding softly in kind.

Once outside, Kaylor paused and turned to Eclyse. She was nearly speechless. Nearly.

“I’ve ne’er seen anything like th’ respect ye ‘ave for him in all my days, Sir Kaylor.”

Kaylor’s midnight eyes shone in the moonlight as his gaze met hers. “Fealty and honour, Squire.”

Eclyse nodded and looked back up to the chamber doors. Her Knight had not only been made an example. He had made an example of himself. She returned her gaze to him, beaming she watched him mount his charger and take up his axe.

“Stay warm tonight, Eclyse. I will return after daybreak. Tonight, my home is yours as well.”

Eclyse smiled, thankful for the notion of a warm place to sleep. “Yer most gracious, Sir. I’ll have breakfast waitin’ when ye return.”

[Kaylor]

---

The piercing chill of this night's winds visits itself upon the valley yet I notice it little, wrapped as I am in a cloak of self-deprecation. So intent was my focus last eve during training that I closed myself off from all but the target and thus my king's order to stand down never penetrated my awareness. To all appearances it seemed I was ignoring the order altogether, continuing to pursue my intent as though I were seeking some rancid personal glory. Concentrating my center within such a small radius was a most grievous mistake. Had it been a true combat situation my actions may well have ended in disaster for us all.

What was I thinking . . . or more, NOT thinking? Have I closed myself off to such great extent that I am now become a fortress unto myself? Have I built walls so towering that I cannot see what lies beyond? Or, mayhaps, can it be that I simply refuse to look? Eclyse said she learned from what took place this night. As well, so have I. May this lesson remain ever present at the forefront of my thoughts hereafter.

Tonight I take the midnight patrol, write a report of it for my king on the morrow -

. . . after breakfast!
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*Even if you be otherwise perfect, you fail without humility. ~ The Talmud*