A Tale of Three Chapter Three: Krysander and the Knight

Heavy panting filled the alleyway next to the De La Roost house as Carnwen unleashed a flurry of blows at his master. But Alistan blocked them and disarmed Carnwen with a simple blow
“Good, but you overcommit which loosens your grip after the final blow, opening you for a counter. A skilled swordsman should never overcommit. Always leave some strength for defense.”
“But your brother told you that a Master Swordsman knows when to put everything in one attack anyway to finish an opponent”
“Well, since you didn’t hit me and I disarmed you,” Alistan produced a little smirk “I’d say that right now: you’re neither”
He got ready for another round as he saw Petra approach.
“Master Ali, it’s mr. Thistlereach. He’s here to see…”
The gnome named Travyn Thistlereach shoved Petra aside as he passed her.
“Alistan, don’t tell me I can’t just come talk to you. Petra here was gonna make me wait”
Travyn was one of the first people he befriended in Keralon, a local smith who shared in Alistan’s fondness for swords and was probably the only person who could withstand and participate in his loving ramblings about them, besides Liliana of course.
“It’s all right Petra” Alistan said as he saw Petra’s eyes ablaze, clearly ready to give Travyn a piece of her mind, “As you know he’s a friend, they don’t need to stand on ceremony”
 
Petra’s eyes turned towards Alistan, for a second he was expecting some comment on how a noble should demand respect, even from his friends. And how waiting is a basic courtesy, but she seems to think the better of it
“Very well, at least have your conversation in the house. I was gonna put out some tea”
“Sure,” Alistan was happy with the compromise, “Let’s go Travyn, what do you wanna talk about?”
 
“So you’re worried about Galvan?” Alistan asked as Travyn took a sip of his tea
“It has been almost a week, he should be back by now. The sighting of the monster was only a day away”
“Though Galvan thought it wasn’t a monster” Alistan prodded, “He seemed to think it was a curse?”
Travyn shuffled a bit “Well yeah, he thought he heard of curses on people that turned them into a tree, subservient to the curse’s caster, their branches and roots striking out at unsuspecting travelers”
The thought of having to fight a tree brought a shiver down Alistan’s spine.
“Well, did he think there was a way to break the curse?”
“That’s the thing,” Travyn said, “He thought a silver axe that struck at the roots would disable the curse, like striking at the metaphysical, but very real in this case, root of the problem. So he asked me to make him one”
“A silver axe? Not even a sword? Still must’ve cost him a bit”
“Well, a handaxe takes less silver. And not everyone shares your obsession with swords”
“Whatever, you sure he just isn’t taking the scenic route in this? Galvan’s pretty capable, he might just be taking the extra time to be sure. The Heralds would have relaunched this pledge if they lost hope in Galvan solving it”
“Alistan, the Long Table does good work, but you know as well as I do that more people die on these quests than complete them. Please go and see if he’s alright.”
“Alright, “ Alistan said and he gulped down his cup of tea, “I better get going immediately then”
 
“Master Alistan”, Carnwen said while clearing the table, “I’m sure if you ask Galiene she’ll come along, it does sound dangerous”
A little jolt came through him at the thought of Galiene, her smile, her green eyes… no, he probably shouldn’t have her with him. After the affair with the cult they did talk but he just couldn’t push it further… Not until he dealt with Ulther, and if she would still want him after that.
“it’s fine Carnwen, I’m taking Thorin anyhow, it will be faster”
 
“Woah there Thorin,” Alistan beckoned his horse to stop. They were at the edge of the Lorewood and he noticed a horse tied to a tree, Galvan’s horse.
As he tied Thorin to the tree next to Galvan’s horse, Alistan took a glance around to see if there were any signs: the grass around the horse looked short, reckon he’s been here a few days. That didn’t bode well. Also Galvan’s pack had fallen leaves and spilled grass on it, not a sign he’s been here recently.
“I’m coming Galvan,” Alistan said as he marched into the forest.
 
Most would call it luck, Alistan would maintain to the end of his days that he saw it coming as his shield barely blocked the incoming sword as something jumped from behind the trees at him. The calmness of the forest had lulled Alistan into lowering his guard, and he almost paid for it.
 
“Galvan?” Alistan inquired with wide eyes
The shape moved a bit, it was indeed Galvan but he moved strangely and his eyes were empty, like a puppet held by strings. Though in this case the strings were tree branches and roots sticking out from behind him and coming through his skin at multiple locations. Alistan assumed the worst as suddenly a voice, fell and alien emerged from what was once Galvan
 
“Duel, now”
“What?” Alistan answered. clearly the thought of a duel was least on his mind.
“Knights fight duel, so duel!”
“I’m not a knight yet, and neither are you, we’re not allowed to…”
“DUEL!”
“Okay,” Alistan relinquished, “But since I accept the duel I get to decide where we fight and what weapons. It’s how knights duel”
 
“Declare, then”
“I, Alistan De la Roost, accept your duel. I wish to fight it in front of your true body and we shall fight with swords. And we shall duel for steel”
“For Blood”
“... Okay then” Alistan reluctantly agreed, at least he agreed to the other terms.
 
Suddenly the body of Galvan sprung back, though maybe it’s better to say it was like a rope being pulled up from the well and his body was the bucket that traveled along. Alistan followed, having to run to keep up. The thought of fighting Galvan did not fill him with joy, but one thing did give him hope: the silver handaxe was still gleaming at Galvan’s belt. If he can get his hands on it after the duel and strike down the tree this can be stopped. Galvan’s sacrifice will not have been in vain.
 
They arrived at a clearing and Alistan’s jaw dropped at what he saw, a whirl of roots and branches encircled a Darkfey Drus, at least that’s what Alistan thought he was. It was hard to tell. So he must be the origin of the curse, and the roots under him must be struck with the axe. He looked young too, and it made him think about the duel
 
“Either the boy wanted to be a knight and this duel is him acting this dream out, or the caster of this curse truly is cruel beyond my wildest imaginations” Alistan readied himself “Either way, we’ve got a duel to fight”
 
“Done talking, just fight” the voice said, but Alistan noticed the mouth of the body inside the tree move, that solved that, Alistan thought as they charged at each other.
 
The forest was dead quiet, except the clashing of steel. The two back off, leaving Alistan to nurse a fresh wound in his side, the price to pay to get the silver axe off of Galvan. He hated to admit it but he was running out of juice, ‘Galvan’ moved in unnatural ways, striking from many sides at once. And any wound given didn’t slow him down, except the few branches he managed to cut, and he always got a wound in return.
 
Alistan dropped on one knee, this would be the last chance he got. And he thought back to his sparring with Carnwen:
 
“A skilled swordsman should never overcommit. Always leave some strength for defense.”
“But your brother told you that a Master Swordsman knows when to put everything in one attack to finish an opponent”
 
Well, if there was any time to put everything into one attack, he thought as he dropped the sword and held the axe in both hands, it would be now. It happened quite fast, but the silence was broken by the breaking of branches and roots as Alistan had buried the axe deep into the base of the tree, and as the axe itself shattered the tree itself uncoiled and the Drus fell out and rustled from his sleep. Alistan dropped down against what was left of the tree
 
“Hey, are you alright. I’m Alistan, what’s your name?”
“Krys… Krysander. I was fighting someone named Alistan in my dream. Did you free me?”
“We freed you” Alistan pointed to Galvran’s body “He sadly fell but I finished what he started”
“Thank you but… Oh my god, is that a sword stuck in you?”
“Yeah, he got a last attack in as I charged for the tree. I’ll be fine, just need to get to my horse and back to Keralon” Alistan got up but almost immediately collapsed
 
Alistan stirred as he started to open his eyes.
“You’re finally awake” A familiar voice sounded,
 
Alistan rose up and saw Galiene sitting at the opposite side of the bed, sitting in a chair, her eyes peering from over a book.
 
“What are you reading?” Alistan managed to get out, his voice was weak
 
“Not really what should be on your mind" She closed the book and now focused her gaze on drilling straight into him "but I found this book from one of your esteemed predecessors, just wanted to see if every single one of the De la Roost are as stubborn and reckless as you.”
 
Alistan let out a smile, “And?”
 
“Jury’s still out, but you really are a piece of work. You’re lucky you made it back.”
“And that I have you.”
“... And that you have me.” Her gaze visibly softened as she said it.
 
There was a knock on the door and Krysander came in,
“I thought I heard voices, you’re awake.”
“And you’re still safe.” Alistan responded
 
“Just want to say thank you.” and Krys shuffled uncomfortably, “And I guess I should go?”
“What do you mean?” Alistan sounded surprised, “You can stay here as long as you need. I think I can even offer you some work here if you want?”
 
“Even for someone like me?”
“Especially for someone like you”