by Ulysses Troy
“Yet it did not help me win against you.”
“But you could. I have won by nothing but chance.” Conrad said. “It was good to fight alongside you, Ser Evrard.” What Gavise always says: “give the devil his due.”
“You know, it should be me, not you, who goes after the Rider.” Evrard paused for a moment, thought about something, and then continued to speak again. “Jacquard . . . he was my uncle. It is my duty to deal with him, but I made a promise to . . .” He looked at a direction behind them. Chanel.
“I understand, Ser.” Conrad said to the man. “You have someone to protect, someone you dearly love. Sometimes, it just happens, and you cannot prevent it from happening, no matter what you do.” He looked right through the knight’s eyes. “And I am not here to judge you, but sometimes there are more important things than love, or simply feelings, Ser. Things like honor and virtue. Duty and obligation. Truth and justice.” Conrad took a deep breath and continued to talk. “Lady Chanel looks like an angel, but she is using you.” What would Robert think if he saw me talking to the Black Knight like this, I wonder.
“You know nothing.” Evrard’s voice was made of ice, although it concealed deep emotion underneath. A broken side of him that he wanted to hide.
“I know what love is, Ser. I know how much it weighs and I know how it holds you. Yet, I also know it is not worth taking a single life.”
Affected by Conrad’s words, Evrard paused again, creating a moment of silence, only to speak again with a quiet, regretful voice. “Me, Gannát, and even you, we are all fools not to fight our own battles, being pawns to be used by others in theirs.”
“Talk for yourself, Ser. I am pretty sure that this is my battle.”
And again, for one more time, the words of the old wraith echoed in Conrad’s head with its unforgettable voice. “A battle against evil is a battle without an end. But one must still claim his destiny to rise.” He looked into the Black Knight’s eyes again, for the last time. “I hope one day you’ll find yours too.”
Then, from the left, a guardsman wearing the colors of LaPellás approached them, and spoke to Conrad before he could leave. “Ser.” He said. “Lady Chanel wants to see you.”
Conrad nodded to the guardsman, turned his back to The Black Knight and walked away without waiting for his answer, leaving the Knight to his haunting regrets.
***
“Ser Conrad.” The Lady’s eyes, as blue as the sky itself, glared with the reflections of yellow candlelight as her brows swiftly lifted. Chanel seemed to be happy to see him, or she was just pretending to be. When it came to her, it was impossible to understand, anyway. I think I have just ruined your plans, your ladyship, by keeping Edmond alive and well, as you have tried very hard to make Evrard hate him, to give him a reason to kill the young Baron in the duel, jealousy. I bet you would rather see him getting slain by the sword of the Black Knight at this little contest of yours, under the eyes of hundreds, for a much more effective impact. I wonder, in which wicked way this result would profit you?
“My lady.” Conrad bowed his head a little to show his respect to her noble origin, just because he had no other option. But Chanel quickly made a gesture to let him rise, as she approached him with slow and delicate steps. “I hope you are doing well, after all that has happened.” Conrad said as he stood before her. I hate lying.
“The whole thing was a great disturbance.” Her voice and moves were restless. Unlike what Terebaum has said, she did not know it. “It cost my house a lot. Too much to be punished with.”
“How many people have died, exactly?” Conrad asked the lady while examining the flames dancing on one of the candles nearby. Watching the flames always made him calm down.
“Too many.” She looked into Conrad’s eyes. “Unfortunately, thirty noblemen and noblewomen, six knights and twenty men-at-arms. And even more are wounded and some of their injuries are serious.”
“What about the casualties of the smallfolk?” Conrad asked the lady.
“We didn’t count them.” She looked surprised to receive such a question.
“I should have guessed.”
Chanel’s eyes were cold as blocks of ice. She pretended not to hear Conrad’s comment, or perhaps she just did not care about it at all. “My servants said they saw you preparing your horse. Are you considering leaving?” She changed the topic.
“Yes, my lady. I am going after the Brotherhood as I promised to.”
She approached him even more looking right into his eyes. Her eyes were still glittering, more than the candles in the room, and maybe the sun above itself. And their blue . . . it could not be compared to the seas, as they were more amazing than any sea Conrad had ever seen with his mortal eyes. “I have intended to ask you to stay here, as we need protection now more than ever.” She said, twirling her golden hair with her delicate hands.
“I am sorry, but I cannot take the risk of missing the Rider. Not after what has he done.” Conrad said while trying to take his eyes off her. “And also, as you witnessed in the first place, I gave a word to the nobility. I must ride after the Rider, so I will.”
“Will you?” She asked her lips red. “Perhaps you should join the service of my house, Ser Conrad. The North, it is a nasty place with nothing but cold and hardship. Full of snow, wolves and outlaws. But here, in the plains, our lands are fertile, and the spring is beautiful. Would you not to stay there, with that beauty?” She gave him a flirtatious smile.
I would, yet your beauty is just a delusion. It is not real but it is rotten inside. Rotten by your darkness.” I am sorry, my lady, but I won’t break my promise.”
Chanel did not give up easily. She was not a woman who liked to get rejected at all, and Conrad doubted if she had even experienced rejection for a single time in her entire life. “As a loyal servant of our house, I can reward you generously, Ser Conrad.”
Conrad replied quickly, with no sign or intention of hesitation. “No, my lady. I have said what I said. I am not a sword to hire.”
Chanel was a smart woman, and she was not late to understand that she could not persuade Conrad, at least not with coins or words. She gave him a sad glance, looked down for a while, and then continued to speak.
“Ser Conrad, I understand you are dedicating yourself to noble causes, but how can you hope to win a victory against the Brotherhood alone?” She clasped her hands. “Please, at least wait for a few days so I can call more reinforcements from the castle. Ser Robard could lead them to the north, to hunt the Brotherhood with you.” Enough days for you to convince me permanently.
“There is no need for that, my lady. Only very few men of the Brotherhood managed to escape from the fight that took place in the arena. They shouldn’t require a unit to be dealt with. Also, I won’t be alone at all. Gavise is coming with me.”
“I understand.” She said. “It’s your choice, after all. Yet if you have time, I would like to talk about the attack.”
Conrad nodded at her with his head. Let’s see your next move.
“We have lost much, too much.” She said. “Ser Robard . . . he had been a loyal servant to our house for very long years. He had been here, in our service, since I was born. I remember him playing with me while I was just a mere child of six or seven. A naïve girl who did not know the darkness pervaded our world.” She smiled, sadly. “He would make me toys from wood and escort me through the streets of the town. He did not snitch on me even once to my father after escaping from the castle for the town fair.” She was on the verge of tears, and her beautiful face was full of sadness. So beautiful a face should not never, ever look like this. It must be a crime.
“When my father first passed away, he was the one who tried to comfort me, to remind me that things would be fine someway.” Chanel continued to speak. “And when my dear brother died in an unfortunate event, he looked after me, protecting me from any danger as if I were still a little girl. And now, I don’t know what to do without him. With this Brotherhood under our nose,
I feel more defenseless than I have never felt.” Her wet eyes looked into his, shining with beauty. “If only someone were there to fill his place. Someone to protect me from harm.”
There can be. Conrad of Battum, that fierce warrior with his unbreakable will, wavered before Chanel’s beautiful sorrow for a moment. Even though he was a man of duty and vigilance, he was still a man and would always be vulnerable to the likes of Chanel.
He was just about to accept her request when the words of the wraith echoed in his head one more time. He had to be different from the others, better than them. Once, he had made a promise to be so. She, she almost manipulated me. I can’t believe how easily I fell for that. “I hope you will find someone suitable, my lady.” I could also give you some personal recommendation as I heard The Black Knight is keen to fill this specific position.
She wiped away her tears with a handkerchief that she was holding in her hand. “I think you would be a good fit.”
“I am no Knight, just a lowborn wanderer, my Lady. I thought you knew it.”
“Things can change, and a Lady can knight anyone she wants, even a lowborn wanderer.”
Oh, you won’t give up easily, will you? After rejecting your charming friendship and coins, I should have guessed this would be the last card in your hand to play. A title of knighthood, the opportunity to join the nobility and climb the ranks, these were the common dreams of nearly every ambitious lowborn in Baltaire, yet Conrad was not receiving these offers for the first time in his life, so he was not rejecting them for the first time either.
“Sorry, but I am still persistent in my ineligibility. I think you can find many more appropriate men among the guests, as I am not good at obeying dishonorable orders and serving those without dignity.” Just like Evrard did for you at Unac’h Dorn, and I heard The Black Knight would gladly do in this season of the year.
“Is this an insinuation?” She asked.
“You would get it if it was. You are far better with them than I am, anyway.”
Despite all the words Conrad had said, Chanel was still fighting against his will. So, she tried, for one more time. “Some people are wondering where you were during the attack, Ser Conrad.” She gave him one of her most attractive smiles, although her blue eyes were still wet. “They say an adventurer like you had to be there, to defend the contest against the bandits, but I know where you were.”
Conrad wasn’t sure if he should be surprised or not about this news. Even just a few eggs to Merlon could be enough to reveal his little scheme. The Black Knight knew. Why be surprised that Chanel also knows. “Do you?”
“Yes. Right before our eyes, in Baron Gannát’s armor, carrying his sword, shield, and sigil, you beat the Black Knight in a fair duel, a victory most of the men of Baltaire cannot even dare to dream of. And then, I saw how valiantly you fought against the treacherous men of The Brotherhood. You killed at least a dozen of them with your sword. And if you hadn’t been there to make a difference, they may have reached their dark goal. You clearly made a difference. A difference none other could have made. However hard you try to deny it, you are a hero. And this world, Ser Conrad, needs more heroes like you in it.” She slowly approached him, closing her eyes. Conrad knew what she was trying to do and prevented her from doing it.
“If the world had more good and brave men, it wouldn’t need heroes like me at all.” He said, biting back. Chanel was in shock; her disappointment could easily be seen from her eyes and expression. It was the first time she had ever gotten rejected.
“I thought you were an honorable man who would not insult a lady like this.” Her eyes were ice cold, even more so this time.
“I am just trying not to insult myself, my lady. I am not a tool for you to use. And I am not The Black Knight.” He left the Lady alone in her quarters, hoping he would not have to see her ever again.
***
After talking with the lady, Conrad had decided to visit Edmond’s tent, to see his condition, and say a goodbye to the Baron. After all the things they had been through, Conrad owed him that much.
Edmond could barely stand on his feet, yet he looked much better than the last time Conrad had seen him. The Hag’s method has worked. “I know it, Ser.” The Baron of Gannadár said after they talked a bit.
“You know?” And Conrad asked. Merlon must have been pretty busy, as everyone in the Plains already knows.
“People are all talking about how I have fought with courage in the arena and have defeated the Black Knight in a fair duel. ‘the Knight of Honor’, that’s what they call me now.” Edmond said with a smile on his face, as if he could not believe it. “Merlon said that I was injured during the duel, by the sword of the bandits, and fell into a sleep, and that’s why I don’t remember any of it.” He paused for a moment. “But I am not a fool, Ser. Yes, someone has fought against the Black Knight and the Brotherhood. With the coat of red and white, yet it was not me, Ser.” He looked into Conrad’s eyes. “It was you to defend my name, under my armor. Wearing my colors and holding the sword of Gannát . . .”
“I am sorry to deceive you, but . . .”
“ . . . and I know some may find it dishonest, but I truly believe your intentions were indeed pure.” Edmond said, relaxing Conrad. “You should not sorry. You have preserved the honor of my name, Ser Conrad, and my house. Even though it was my responsibility. I owe you so much.”
“No. Friends owe nothing to each other.” Conrad smiled at the young Baron. “I just did what I had to, for a friend.”
The Baron’s eyes were shining with happiness. “You know, Ser Conrad, I would have liked to accompany you through your adventures if it weren’t for my duties over my house. What you have done and will be doing is precious.”
“It would be an honor, my Baron.” Conrad said.
“Maybe you would have that honor one day, Ser Conrad.” The young Baron spoke again. “When I first learned about you, I thought your not being a knight was a big shame.” He reached his hand to Conrad to shake his. “But now, I see there is no need for it at all, as you are nobler than any knight I have ever met. You have taught me it is not blood that makes a man a hero, but his heart.”‘
Conrad shook the young Baron’s hand. “Thank you, my Baron, for everything.” And you, Edmond, even though I have met a lot of them, are the noblest knight I have ever seen. The Knight of Honor.
“No, I’m the one who should thank you.” Edmond said. “One day, I hope we’ll meet again. And when we do, I swear, Ser Conrad, that I’ll be a good man like you. A man of honor.”
***
After all the boring work was finally done, Conrad mounted his horse to join Gavise, to venture forth through the north. Yet a voice from behind made him stop before he could start his horse.
“Ser Conrad, Ser Conrad! Wait!” The voice was coming from right behind him, and it was a very familiar one. Merlon. “I need to talk to you!” He was breathless, as he had to run awhile to catch up with Conrad.
“Of course, Merlon.” Conrad said to the man, while the servant of Gannát was still trying to regain his breath.
“I want to thank you, Ser Conrad.”
“For what?” Conrad asked with a surprised expression on his face.
“For everything!” Merlon said with excitement. “At least I will be able to keep my fucking head on my shoulders! I am grateful for your help, I am certain that if my bloody Baron wasn’t sweetly sleeping under the effect of opium, he would definitely have found a fucking way to get himself killed in that mayhem!” He paused for a moment and looked at the horizon. “And apart from that, I personally want to thank you for bringing the young man to reason. He seemed to be impressed with you and was very eager to follow your lead.” Merlon’s voice got softer, in a way that could not be expected from him. “I know, his Baronship may be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but I have known him since his childhood, and all he wants is to be an honest and honorable man, just like a knight in those tales.” Merlon looked at Conrad, bowing his
head a little. “Thank you for being an example to him, while everyone else tried to prove him otherwise.”
“Edmond is already a good and honest man. And I am sure he will be a knight someday, just like the ones in the tales.” Conrad said smiling. “A Knight of Honor.”
“A Knight of Honor.” Merlon smiled too, and Conrad could see that it was a real smile.
“He is also really lucky to have a servant like you, Merlon.” Conrad finally found the opportunity to thank him for what he had done. “Back there, at Unac’h Dorn, even though I thought you would fail us, you saved our lives. I am the one who should thank you.”
“I did my duty, Ser Conrad.”
“No, you did more.”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Merlon said, reaching to his pocket. “I want to give you this.” He took an egg out of his pocket and showed it to Conrad. “I was finally able to find one from a merchant in the inn. The fucker turned out to be very stubborn, but I managed to get a fair price at the end of the day.”
“I am not surprised.” Conrad said, still smiling. “Thank you Merlon, but I can’t take it. I think you would be much happier to eat it.” Refusing eggs from Merlon is like refusing coins from Gavise, something that you could do only once in a lifetime.
“Who said I didn’t?” Merlon smiled even more. “I bought more than only one, my friend! And spared this one for you.” He offered the egg in his hand to Conrad. “Just take it before I change my mind!”
Conrad took the egg from the man’s hand and placed it in his horse’s saddlebag. “Thanks, Merlon.” He said. “For the egg, and for your company. It was good to meet you.”
“You too, Ser Conrad. And be careful on the road. They say . . .”
“I know. Thanks for the warning.” He smiled at Merlon for the last time and rode his horse through the plains.
***
“This whole attack was a big, bloody mess, and if I had not been there to defend their poor lives, many innocents could have died at the hands of the vile Brotherhood. But give the devil his due. Apart from me, you did some good too, Conrad. I was able to watch your heroic defense with the Black Knight a bit while saving the ladies from like ten bandits at the same time. I am sure some will be grateful to you for that.” Gavise said complacently. He was riding a white Huttamian Mare, a new horse that he had won from a Knight at dice, surprisingly. Or perhaps not, as the knight was the same one that had lost Gavise his room in the tavern. He must be terrible at dice, as he had lost twice to Gavise. The last one to lose to him twice was a ten-year-old kid, yet he had won the third match.