Sun Lord

Chapter Two ~ Sun Lord

Alfrothul responded to the summons from his Lord by secreting himself in his chambers with orders that he was not to be disturbed until he emerged, even for the greatest of emergencies. Once alone, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to enter the meditative state where he would approach the sun. His mind slipped sideways, and he was walking the path to the sun, casually ignoring the wonders on either side that had so transfixed him the first time he had come this way. Now his attention was riveted upon the end of the path and the fiery arch that lay there. He was nearing the sun, no longer a faceless yellow ball but a field of fire that ran every imaginable colour.

He stepped off the fire path, feeling the tingle that meant that the Sun Lord had been alerted of his presence. Alfrothul simply made his way to a mound of fire where he sat, unaffected by the heat, waiting for the Lord. Slowly the minutes passed by, fading into hours without seeming to pass by in reality. He began to grow weary, his eyes drooping and his guard dropping.

He leapt to his feet at the sound of horses galloping, readying himself for the arrival of the Sun Lord. They rounded the bend, golden manes flying and golden coats shining, all four of them perfectly matched. They towed a carriage of matching colours, all gold. Gold drapes covered the windows, hiding the passenger.

The carriage slowed and halted in front of Alfrothul. The horses snorted and tossed their heads, although no bits were in evidence. Slowly the door swung open and the Sun Lord descended, moving with absolute grace as he stepped onto the fiery ground. He was dressed to match his carriage, in silks of golden brilliance embroidered with gold thread. A small golden pendant hanging in the centre of the Lord's forehead emitted a gentle glow, matching those of His eyes. The Lord's golden hair worked perfectly with his skin of nearly the same colour.

Alfrothul bowed deeply without hesitation, noting his clothes. He was ever dressed the same as the Lord, to what purpose he could not tell. It was perhaps that the Lord sought to make him fell as though he were an equal. If His goal was indeed this, He fell short, for Alfrothul would never feel equal to his perfection, regardless of what he wore.

"You are aware of why you have been called, Alfrothul." The Lord's words were incontestable; He spoke truth.

"I am indeed, My Lord Atid." The Lord insisted that Alfrothul use his name; in order to maintain the balance he found dear, Alfrothul had chosen one of the least common. "You have summoned me to complete a task, however simple or difficult it may be." These words were formalities, reassuring Alfrothul as he spoke them. The Lord nodded His head graciously in acceptance of his vassal's loyalty and, with a simple gesture of His hand, bade Alfrothul rise.

"My Lady and I have noticed the failure of one of our lands to pay us proper homage. It is there that I send you now, as my brave warrior. You must bring them back to the true worship, however you may wish to do so. Every step they take further from us they fall deeper into the shadow of heresy. Do what you can to save them, before they are lost to just cause forever. You will have an accomplice in this fight, the emissary of My Lady; a young woman who is as deeply in service as you are in mine and that of My Lady. Go now, back to your true body, and remember this when you awake. You must save this forsaken land and return it to righteousness, whatever the cost." Alfrothul bowed again, bending over as far as possible. The lord reached out one powerful hand and touched Alfrothul in the centre of the forehead, exactly where the pendant sat upon His own forehead. Warmth radiated from his touch, soothing Alfrothul as surely as any draught.

"May thou walk forever in The Light, and may all thy services in Its name be aided by both Lord and Lady above." As the Sun Lord gave the customary blessing, Alfrothul's awareness began to fade. "In the Name of the Lord and Lady of Light, I will act as They would have me," he had time to reply before he withdrew from the sun. He walked the path back down to his meditating body in silence, contemplating his first task from the Lord that he was not ready for. Turning an entire land back to the true worship of The Light was a monumental task, to say the least, and would require much skill and care. He only hoped that he and the Lady's emissary could rise to the occasion.

~~~~~~~~~~~ A/N: I know this chapter seems a lot like the last one, but there is a reason for that!!! It's supposed to show how similar Alfrothul and Isadora are, and you'll see why that's important later. Hope everyone is enjoying it.