11 The Trial of Trust

Momentarily Eques Lux and Eques Noctis had their guard up. Although it was quite peculiar for the forest to cause a person to vanish much less an Eques who was known to stay in the Valley of Death, there must be a reason.

"The Trail.", Eques Lux stated.

Eques Noctis raised his eyebrows and turned to face Eques Lux. "The Trial?", he asked confused

"Yes. As far as I can tell I have faced the Trial of Patience, while you have faced the Trial of Vigilance. The Princess has no Trial to face and if she did Eques Tempus would be the focal point of the Trial, Since we have seen no sign of Eques Tempus and the Princess and we have faced our Trial, the focal point of Eques Relicus' disappearance may be related to his own Trial. A Trial which was brought to light through you, Eques Noctis. After all he has no trust in you and says you do not exist but I can clearly feel the energy and harmony of a frater Eques from you. Which leads us to one conclusion alone, that Eques Relicus is currently undergoing - "

"The Trial of Trust.", Eques Noctis completed Eques Lux' statement as realisation dawned on him. He knew he was a means to an end but had never discerned that his role would be to test the Eques around the Princess as well.

"Whatever may be the case we need to find Eques Relicus and sort through our issues without it affecting the Princess' journey.", Eques Noctis stated

"I understand frater. Where shall we begin?", Eques Lux asked.

Eques Noctis looked around and analyzed his surroundings. After a deep breath he stated, "Let us stick together. Watch each other's backs and make sure nothing comes in between. If we get separated, find and fight a way back to each other. If worse comes to worse find a neutral spot and make sure to keep each other in eye contact. If you find a way towards the princess, leave hints and move forward. As for our lost frater we need to move that way." he concluded nodding towards the slight shine in the woods. It had a peculiar feeling of home which pulled Eques Noctis.

Keeping in mind what his frater said, Eques Lux and Eques Noctis took careful and calculated steps towards the small star like light. As they came closer to the bush overlaying the light Eques Lux stretched his arm out to prevent Eques Noctis from stepping forward for they had come upon a cliff. The occurrence of the cliff in the middle of the Valley did not make sense to them. Eques Lux and Eques Noctis shared a look and checked their surroundings once more. When the silence which shrouded them did not break Eques Lux said,

"This might just be the Valley playing a trick on us. Eques Relicus is a part of the Princess' journey. Would the Valley cause such a stir up and cause him to be missing?"

Eques Noctis did not reply because his eyes were out of focus. He was looking towards the far side of the cliff lost in thought.

"Frater?", Eques Lux asked

Eques Noctis immediately looked at Eques Lux as his expression turned from confusion to shock. He was initially lost in thought to analyse the situation but at his point he did not require to analyse it. He had found Eques Relicus. His older frater was hanging by a tree vine at the edge of the far end of the cliff behind Eques Lux. The only problem was that Eques Relicus was unconscious while the tree vine was steadily unwinding.