Knight Rising

by Jason Hamilton

  For a moment, George wondered if he really was dead, because he couldn’t imagine a heaven that was better than this.

  40

  When they broke the kiss, Una’s eyes stung, and she wiped at one tear that threatened to give way. It was a visceral reaction she had almost never experienced before, not since she’d left the castle three years ago.

  “What is it?” George looked at her, concerned. He grabbed her shoulders. “Was it the kiss? I’m sorry, we can take it slower.”

  “It’s not that,” she said, shaking her head as she wiped the moisture from her eyes. “I have to tell you something.”

  And then she began telling him everything that had happened while he was fighting the dragon. She even told him about her magic, everything she hadn’t mentioned before, and now so desperately needed to share with another person. It felt different now after she’d used it against the breach. There was something more raw there, like the darkness was more a part of her now, a constant companion rather than a minor nuisance she could just tuck away in the back of her mind.

  She then led him around the tower to see the broken body of her father, smashed in places where he had landed after the magic orb of energy exploded.

  “Oh Una,” he said, pulling her closer against the dented armor of his chest. “I’m so sorry. You came all this way to find your parents, and now they’re both dead.”

  “He was not my father,” she said, letting him hold her.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “He told me he wasn’t my father, that my father was something...older.”

  “You mean, like an older man?”

  “No, like part of an ancient line or something. Old blood. I didn’t understand most of it. He said I would meet my father soon, but that was before I foiled his plans. I don’t know what might happen now.”

  “That potential crisis is thankfully avoided for now,” said a voice over their shoulders.

  Both Una and George turned to see none other than the Faerie Queen, her dark red hair flowing around her shoulders, and her green dress sparkling in the sunlight, as though made of dew-covered vines.

  “You,” Una said, her voice deadly. “Figures you would show up now that everyone is dead.”

  “Una,” said George, as though he couldn’t believe she would speak that way to such a beautiful creature. He was staring at the Faerie Queen with reverence, being the first time that the two of them had actually met, outside his dreams at least.

  A sparrow alighted on Gloriana’s shoulder, and Una recognized Tom Thumb riding astride it. “Hello all, and congratulations!” he said, enthusiastically. “You successfully defeated the dragon.”

  “We hadn’t noticed,” said Una, dryly.

  “I understand why you are upset,” said Gloriana.

  “Enlighten me.”

  “Information,” she said, matter-of-factly. “I had some, and I didn’t give it to you. Now you’ve learned much of what should have been forbidden, and you think I am the culprit.”

  “It would have been good to know all this about old blood and who my actual parents were.”

  Gloriana met her stare with steady eyes. “I am sorry that you had to find out the way you did, but I did believe too much knowledge would have overwhelmed you. I will say this. Your mother cared for you. Truly cared. When she helped sneak you out of the castle three years ago she called to me. You may not have known it, but I helped guide you through the forest.”

  Una hesitated. She’d known her mother loved her, even after encountering her father at the top of the keep. Her mother had cared for her in a way that no one but a loving mother could. But she hadn’t known about the Faerie Queen’s involvement.

  “Do you know who my father is? My real father?” she asked in a slightly calmer voice.

  “Unfortunately, I do not. But I know he was not of this world.”

  “Where, then?”

  “It’s possible he is of the Annwyn, though not all members of the old blood were trapped there. Only those who dabbled in black magic, and were sentenced to the Otherworld by others of their line. There are still others of the old magic living today.”

  “Who?” Una leaned forward slightly. Could any of those people be her father?

  “Merlin for one,” said Gloriana. “Though I know for a fact he has never sired a child. Even so, it might be worth your while to seek him out.”

  Una nodded, as much to herself as to Gloriana. Arthur had mentioned Merlin before. Yes, she would like to have a number of conversations with the man.

  “And what of my magic?” she asked. “It is...destructive sometimes. It seeks for blood.”

  Gloriana sighed. “That is yet another thing I wish I could forbid you to use, or somehow keep from surfacing. But I have a feeling that if I tried, it would only make things worse. For now, I recommend avoiding its use except in dire need. But I will not say don’t use it. Simply be wary. It will tempt you towards darkness if it can.”

  Una nodded, understanding. She looked over at George who smiled at her. She smiled back. She could probably get through whatever trials her magic gave her. All she needed was George at her side, and she could do anything, especially now that they were out of danger.

  “George,” said the Faerie Queen. “Are you ready?”

  George whipped his head to stare at Gloriana. “Already?”

  Una stared between the two. What was going on?

  “You have completed your quest, and you did it masterfully. I could not ask for a better addition to the Order of Maidenglory.”

  “George?” Una asked, a small bubble of panic rising in her. “What is she talking about?”

  George turned to face her, and the look in his eyes erased what hope she had left. “In my vision, I was told that should I succeed, I would gain the honor of serving in the Order of Maidenglory for six years.”

  Six years! Una merely stared at George, who grimaced as tears came to his eyes. “I’m sorry, I did make a promise. At the time I thought it a great honor, the best way to redeem myself in the eyes of the people. Though I had almost forgotten it until today.”

  Una rounded on Gloriana. “I just lost the only father I’ve known. My mother is gone. George is the only person I have left.”

  “I am sorry,” said Gloriana simply.

  Una stared at her open mouthed. She was sorry? Was that supposed to make her feel better? She had been expecting an offer to come with them to the Faerie Queen’s stronghold in the Forest of Arden, or perhaps some time to delay the appointment, but to say she was just sorry…

  “No,” she said, waving her finger like her mother used to when she was angry. “I will not let you take him away from me, not after what we’ve been through. Either he stays with me or I go with him, but we are staying together.”

  “I’m afraid I cannot allow that.”

  “Did I give you a choice?” Una spat.

  Without thinking, she advanced on Gloriana, bringing her fists to bear as she held no other weapon apart from her magic, but even while angry, she would not dip into that well again.

  A force took hold of her, pushing her backwards and splaying her arms on both sides. Her head tilted back as something pressed against her forehead.

  “You are not the one who makes the decisions around here,” said Gloriana. “The Red Cross knight and I had a deal, and you cannot imagine all the reasons why I need him and others like him. He will be mine for six years, as promised.”

  “You would take him against his will?” Una croaked out.

  “None of this was ever against his will.”

  The force vanished from Una’s body and she fell to the ground. Whipping her head up, she glared at the Faerie Queen and pushed herself to her feet, ready to attack again despite the futility of the effort.

  “Una,” said George. The sound of his voice stopped her from moving so well, he might as well have been using magic too. “It’s alright.”

  She stared at him, new tears beginning to flow. “But w
hat we just had…”

  “We will have again in six years,” he said calmly. “I did make a promise, and though I would rather stay here with you, I cannot break that promise. It would not be honorable.”

  Una collapsed to the ground. It was all too much. She had lived alone, and in isolation for so long, but she had always had the hope that she might see her parents again. Even though both of them were dead, she had still gained another close companionship with George, or at least the promise of a close companionship. And now Gloriana was taking him away. What did she have left?

  “I may…” began the Faerie Queen, speaking slowly and carefully. Una looked up at the woman, daring to hope. “...have a compromise. I will allow you two to visit each other regularly, in exchange for your help, Una.”

  Una wanted to spit at her feet, to tell her she wouldn’t be used like a dog begging for scraps. She wouldn’t do anything the Faerie Queen asked her to do, for such work would be nauseating. But as she glanced back at George, she found herself saying, “What do you need?”

  “There are other knights out there,” said Gloriana. “And there will be other breaches, like this one here. I cannot be everywhere at once, and I will need help to gather the knights, to see them through trials that will test their metal, and I will need all the allies I can get to keep the forces of evil from breaking through.”

  “There are other breaches?”

  Gloriana nodded. “I myself have closed many of them, but they are increasing in frequency. Rituals like the one your father created here, and like the one that brought the dragon three years ago, they not only create a tear between our two realities, but they weaken the barrier entirely. Even if such rituals are not produced, breaches can appear unprovoked where the magic is weakest, and where strong foes on the other side try to get through.”

  Una took one breath, then another. “I thought you didn’t want me to use my magic. I would have to use it a lot if I’m constantly putting myself in danger, or accompanying knights as they do so.”

  Gloriana nodded. “It will be dangerous, but it will be a learning experience, I think. For all of us. And you must learn to grow your talents, not hide them away.”

  “But what if something happens?” Una prodded further. “I feel like this magic could overtake me.”

  Gloriana nodded. “It could, but you are strong. You must train it to know who is the master.”

  “You seem to know so much about it, why don’t you teach me, instead of leaving me to my own devices trying to decipher your cryptic warnings?” Una folded her arms and eyed the Faerie Queen.

  For once, Gloriana seemed at a loss for words. Her countenance fell and there was sorrow in her eyes. “Believe me Una. Believe me, I want nothing more than to do just that.”

  That had not been the answer Una expected. She cocked her head at the Faerie Queen. “Then why not?”

  “Now and then,” Gloriana looked like she was trying to boil down something incredibly complex into words. “I get glimpses of the future, scraps from friends that live beyond time and space. I may not know everything, but I know you must learn on your own, or you will never be strong enough.”

  “Strong enough for what?”

  Gloriana shook her head. “I don’t know. But our battles have only just begun. This was but the first victory, and there must be more.”

  “I will do what I can,” said George, glancing at Una with upturned eyebrows. He was still sad about what had to happen.

  Should she accept the Faerie Queen’s offer? It would allow her to see George more often, rather than waiting six years. Perhaps they could even solve all the issues plaguing the Faerie Queen and her lands before those six years were up, then George could be released from his service.

  “I...also accept,” said Una. “On one condition.”

  “And what is that?”

  “If you ever learn the nature of my true father, you will tell me.”

  Gloriana raised her head slightly, considering, but then nodded. “I ensure anything I learn, I will pass on to you.”

  “I still don’t trust you,” Una said, warily. “But I’ve been through hell these last three years, thanks to the horrors my parents brought in from the Otherworld. I am willing to do what I can to ensure no one else suffers the same fate.”

  “There will be many battles to be fought,” said Gloriana. “Both external and internal.”

  “I understand.”

  “Then I leave you with my blessing. If you are willing to start immediately, I’ll need you to travel west. There is another of my chosen located near the Roman baths. He has already heard and accepted my call, but I fear he may have trials of his own ahead. Follow the Avon river.”

  Una nodded. She hadn’t expected to travel so far, but she was ready to put as much distance between herself and this forest. For now at least.

  “Wait,” said George. All eyes turned to him. “What about this place?” He waved a hand at the ruined keep and the rest of the castle.

  “The spell on this place is broken,” confirmed the Faerie Queen. “It will remain in its place now that the dragon is dead.”

  “But that means it belongs to Una,” said George. “She’s the only living heir to the castle and its lands.”

  Una’s eyes widened. It was true. She was the true heir to the place. She was no longer a princess, but technically the queen of these lands.

  The Faerie Queen shot her a glance. “What do you have to say about that? Do you wish to take back these lands for your own?”

  Immediately, Una knew her answer, and she shook her head. “I have too many dark memories of this place now. I do not wish to dwell on them. Especially if I’ll be alone.” She shot George a longing glance. He bowed his head.

  “These lands will likely be overrun with Saxons once word of the dragon’s demise reaches them.” Gloriana pointed out.

  “Will that affect Caelia and her family?” Una asked, genuinely concerned. Those people had been so good to them, she’d hate to see them pillaged by Saxons and left to their own pleasures.

  Gloriana smiled and shook her head. “No. Caelia and her husband are, in a sense, servants of mine. I will ensure their protection.”

  So there was yet one other way in which Gloriana had used others for her own gain. Una didn’t like it, but she couldn't argue with the Faerie Queen’s ultimate goals. But when this was all over, the breaches were closed, and the threats evaded, she would do what she could to cut off all ties with the mysterious woman.

  “Then I will leave this place be,” said Una. “The Saxons can have it if they can stand being so close to the forest.”

  Gloriana smiled, coolly. “Yes, perhaps I can discourage them when they arrive.”

  “I can fully support that,” said Una.

  “Then I suggest we get moving,” said Gloriana. “I will allow George to accompany you as far as the Severn river. Then he must return to me for reassignment.”

  For once, Una’s heart leapt for joy. She would have a chance to travel with George after all, to get to know each other better. It would take several weeks to get to the Severn river.

  George looked just as excited and he uttered a small, “Thank you,” to the Faerie Queen.

  Gloriana graced them both with a smile. “I am not without compassion,” she said. “Don’t forget that. Just remember that my mercy has limits. If it comes to making a decision that sacrifices your safety or your friendship in order to save England, I will do it.”

  George nodded, but Una only eyed the Faerie Queen. She would have to step carefully around her. There was no telling what someone like her would do when her loyalties were so fixed on the greater good. But for now, she would just remain grateful that she could spend a little more time with George.

  “Come on,” she said to George. “Let’s go fix your armor before we set out.”

  Together they retreated back the way they had come, hand in hand.

  Epilogue

  Duessa watched as the cursed F
aerie Queen left the small group, and Una and that knight began walking back towards the little half-abandoned village.

  So the old man in the castle had been trying to open another breach to Annwyn. Had she known that, she might have stopped Una and the knight from attacking. But it mattered little. There would be many opportunities to break down the barriers between their two worlds.

  What bothered her now was that Gloriana was so close. Duessa had almost attacked outright, seizing her sister and throttling her until she cried out for mercy. She imagined the sweet sensation of choking the life out of Gloriana, how good it would be to seize that power for her own. Then she could make this world right, end this destructive power grab between Romans, Saxons, and Britons. Make the place into a paradise for all, not just humans.

  But she needed patience. Killing Gloriana right now would not solve everything. And as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn’t even sure she could kill the Faerie Queen at her current strength. Duessa needed time, and she needed allies. Perhaps she would form her own Order of Maidenglory, one to counter that of her sister.

  Yes, she could be patient. She had survived for thousands of years trapped in the realms beyond. She could bide her time.

  Already she held some advantages. Reports had come in of other knights with questionable ethics, prime candidates for her to shape to her will. For the Faerie Queen to find as many allies would be difficult, slow. But there were enough men dissatisfied with this war on all sides. It would not take Duessa long to sway enough of them to her side that, combined with those from Annwyn, she would have a formidable army.

  She could bring Him back into this realm.

  There were those who could oppose her, of course. That young boy, Arthur. He was powerful. He could sway others against her if he chose. But thankfully for her, the boy had abandoned his destiny and need not concern her for now.