The Supreme Master

The Mission

In the great kingdom of Athos, there lived a slave named Kian Ashborne. He was the lowest of the lowest and he had no one to rely upon. His parents died as debtors, so the lender took him as recompense when he had seen but eleven winters. He tried to run away, but he was caught every time, and the punishments grew worse each turn. Eventually, he resigned himself to his lot.

They made him toil day and night with little rest, freedom, or food, but in spite of his persistent ill-luck, he knew there was more to him. With his wit and will, he climbed upwards painstakingly, and when he became a warden in his Lord's manor, a guard turned friend offered to teach him the way of the sword.

This was a golden opportunity which he seized, for the world was ruled by swordmasters. In truth, only swordmasters could be rulers. They were seen as gods and protectors of the realm. He thought that if he was to make something of his life, he should start with sword training, so he began his lessons when he was sixteen winters old. He trained mornings, evenings, days, moon cycles, summers, and winters until he grew truly proficient.

One day, when he was twenty-one years old, his Lord, Master Zito, chanced upon a mock duel he had with one of the guards, and just like that, he was conscripted to be one of the manor's private guards. He had risen in rank once more. He continued to train and protect his Lord's manor. About two months later, one fateful evening, he was summoned to the chambers of Master Zito.

He knocked twice upon the heavy oak doors.

“Come in,” Master Zito called out from within. Kian took a deep breath and entered. He found Master Zito seated behind his large and sturdy wooden table, with a single oil lamp lit. It cast his face in eerie shadows and accentuated his wrinkles.

“Sit. And do not look so tense. You have done naught wrong. On the contrary, you have served me excellently well. On that note, I have a special quest for you,” Master Zito said smoothly.

Kian wiped his sweaty palms on his worn casual trousers and sat down on the single chair in front of the old man.

“Go on, Master, I am listening,” Kian managed to say. He had always feared the man, for he looked strong and dangerous despite the fact that he must be pushing seventy.

“Good. What I am about to tell you should not leave this room. Is that understood?” Master Zito grumbled out quietly.

Kian nodded sharply once. “Yes, Master.”

Master Zito looked into his eyes for some seconds and nodded to himself like he was satisfied with what he saw, before reaching out to somewhere behind him and pulling out a rolled-up piece of parchment. He stretched it out on the gleaming table and secured the edges with candle stands.

Kian's eyes ran through the paper quickly, and he realized it to be a map with a particular location circled in red ink. He saw different markings and symbols. In that moment, he cursed his inability to read. He never learned, for he felt it was too late for him to begin. Actually, not many people in Athos could read. It was a skill only the nobles and swordmasters possessed.

Master Zito pointed at that marked location. “I need you to go to this place. It is a cave on an unclaimed land. The land is said to be cursed because of how cold it always is. It borders both Athos and Elradron, and it is about fourteen days’ ride from here.”

Kian just blinked at his Lord because he was lost. Why would he want him to go there?

Master Zito continued like he didn't notice his confusion. “There is a legend that says an ancient sword lies somewhere deep inside that cave. It is said that only the Supreme Master can unsheath and wield it. I want you to go there and bring this sword to me.”

Kian was still blinking his eyes owlishly when he finally found his voice. “Ma... Master, why... why do you want something like that, which might not even exist? It is only a legend, as you said. What is this Supreme Master, even?”

Master Zito just shook his head and said sharply, “That is not for you to trouble yourself with. Just go there and get the sword. The road there would be treacherous; I'll ask Ruma to go with you.”

Kian was happy that at least, he would not have to go on this absurd journey alone, but there was one more thing he needed to know.

“Master, if I may ask, why me?” He questioned in a small voice. He really hoped the Master would answer; maybe it would make this quest make more sense.

“I just believe you are the best person for this mission. You are honest, innocent, and not greedy. Also, I wish to use it to do you a favour. If you successfully accomplish this mission, I shall declare you a free man. You will no longer be required to serve me, although you can decide to remain in the manor if you please.”

Deal! Kian thought. That was all he ever wanted: the freedom to live his life as he pleased, to be able to go out into the world and sightsee the three kingdoms: Athos, Elradron, and Valemir. He desperately wanted to be a free bird.

He stood up immediately and bowed deeply, with his hands clasped in front of him. “Master, your wish is my command. I shall set out at once and return with the ancient sword.”

Master Zito stroked his long white beard and smiled in satisfaction. “Good lad. I shall await your return. Go now, so you may prepare and rest up. You leave tomorrow at first light. I have already informed Ruma that he is to go somewhere with you, so he will also prepare.”

He rolled up the map and gave it to Kian, who stood straight and received it. Kian gave another small bow before turning briskly and leaving Master Zito's quarters. When the door closed behind him, he leaned on it and ran his mind through what just happened. Unbelievable, he thought.

When he arrived back at the guards' quarters, he went to find Ruma immediately. He spotted him eating supper at the dining area and made a beeline for him. It was his guard friend who taught him sword skills. He was seven winters older than him.

“Ruma, my friend,” he boomed as he clasped the broad-chested, dark-haired man on the shoulder. “I did not see you all day. Were you with Umri?” He continued, while wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

Ruma just gave him his usual blank stare, then resumed eating his meal.

“Anyways, since you have refused to talk, I shall do the talking for us both.” He proceeded to tell him all about his day, even the utterly boring parts.

“...so I was able to get water from the river, although it wasn't enough to...”

Finally, Ruma bellowed, “For f**k's sake, can I just get peace and quiet?”

Kian jumped, startled. “Alright, alright. I know you love to hear me talk, though. You are going to be stuck with me for a long time, especially since we are going on a quest tomorrow, so you should be ready for me.” He finished with a cheeky grin.

“Yes, I know. Now away with you!” Ruma exclaimed. Kian decided to have mercy on him and left him to his peace and quiet.

He went to the sleeping area and laid his bed, which was adjacent to Ruma's. He lay down and slept off, with thoughts of his coming expedition. He dreamt of swords and castles and warriors.