Knight Spirits

by David Kuminski

  If nothing else, the new locations gave them different views of the extensive rope and pulley network arranged above the courtyard. As well, they finally saw the brawny men who reacted to the commands from the applicants. Rows of men worked different ropes from different places along the battlements. Some wore short robes. Others wore waist sashes. All were soaked in perspiration that glistened on their bodies as they strained away with gloved hands to pull the correct ropes when ordered. Near the rows of working men rested more burly men on old woven scraps obviously meant for their comfort. All the while, a few boys and women carried food and drink about.

  "Is everyone refreshed and ready to resume our study?" the proctor asked. The men and woman of the group nodded, as the proctor glanced around for their response. "Follow me. If you watch carefully as we return to our area, you'll get a chance to see what you're studying to attain."

  The group paid more attention to what was at their level as they descended than to the new man whizzing about above them. True to his word, the proctor guided them to an open hallway at one side of the courtyard where he halted. There, before what was a large U-shaped alcove, stood an actual Knight of the Star guarding the suits meant for worthy applicants to someday wear. He even smiled at them as they paused for a moment to stare in awe at his black suit with its inlaid silver, gold, and white ornamentation and several small, visible god lights. Their eyes soon turned to gaze at the rows of empty suits within the shadows that mostly matched his. A few possessed different ornamentation. Some showed signs of damage. One man opened his mouth to speak, but the proctor gave a sign for silence before motioning the group to follow.

  Kaither hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer to the leather suit. The courtyard below seemed farther than he'd expected. The men and women he'd watched before hadn't appeared to be as high.

  "You don't have to take this test. No one will fault you for changing your mind," one proctor said in a soft voice.

  "I must. I can't let down my neighbors. They promised to do my work in the mines so I could try."

  The proctors nodded. They'd heard similar remarks from many of the applicants, regardless from which kingdom they had arrived. Many of the applicants were truly worthy in light of how their fellow villagers felt about them. Even so, very few ever attained knighthood.

  "Fine then. Are you ready now?"

  "Are we in a hurry?" Kaither asked.

  "Not really. We don't mind going slow. It gives the pullers more time to rest."

  Kaither stared down from the battlement for another moment. "I think I better get this over with. Otherwise, I'll worry too much about hitting a wall."

  Carefully, the proctors slipped the leather suit around Kaither. They pulled snug and tied each lace so that no slack existed through which he might fall toward certain injury or possible death. After all, they had no way of knowing if anyone they lost might have turned out to be a truly worthy individual. Consequently, they didn't rush through procedures as they went about their duties.

  Kaither tried his best to breathe naturally. At the same time, he attempted not to show his fear of being hoisted into the air to be pulled about like the wind doing its best to dislodge a seed from its pod on the end of a grass stalk. He noticed the ropes were well worn from heavy use.

  "You're suited up now. You can begin giving commands when you're ready. Then take instructions from your proctor in the courtyard as you were taught."

  "Have these ropes ever broken before?" Kaither asked.

  "These are new. If any break, it won't be held against you. You'll be permitted another chance to qualify."

  "If I survive, you mean?" Kaither asked.

  One of the proctors grinned weakly and nodded.

  "Is he ready?" the proctor shouted from the courtyard.

  "He's ready. Give him a chance to get his courage up," one proctor shouted back down.

  "Five up!" Kaither commanded, in the manner he'd been taught. His breath felt squeezed out of him as his body shot upward into the air. "Five forward!" he gasped.

  Over the edge of the battlement, Kaither flew. No longer was there anything close beneath him. If he fell now, the results would be serious. He glanced down and spotted his proctor. He hadn't expected his proctor to appear so small. Perspiration broke out on his forehead as Kaither watched for the hand signals he'd spent hours learning.

  "Forward...Forward...Forward...Hover!" Kaither shouted, as the wall approached much faster than he believed it possible for the men to move him.

  Even more important was the unexpected appearance of sharp spikes that pointed in his direction. No one told him where to expect those on the wall. His movement came to a halt just before one of the spikes entered his legs, as the spikes were located only where he might be injured and not killed. After all, the tests weren't designed to kill anyone. The deaths that did occur were the results of accidents and blundered magic commands. Kaither felt with outstretched toes for the oncoming battlement, as he gave one last command.

  "Land."

  After a few moments his toes felt the stony parapet once more beneath his feet as his test came to an end. The proctors moved around him and unlaced the leather suit he'd sweated inside of for what felt like an eternity. Actually, it was only enough time to wear out two sets of rope pullers. He staggered toward the edge as he regained his footing and balance. Before he could fall, a proctor grabbed him.

  "Steady there. We don't want to lose you now. Not many make it this far."

  Kaither didn't need that explained to him. He'd seen several men come unglued after very little time in the suit, and cry to be brought back in. They'd had enough and were willing to flunk themselves rather than risk injury. Some couldn't even make it past the first few commands. They would freeze up a few steps away from the parapet after giving the first forward command. Eventually, they'd be hauled back to the battlement and removed from the suit by proctors who tried to be compassionate in following the same creed used by the knights.

  Another proctor loosely looped a knotted cord around Kaither's hand.

  "What's this for?" Kaither asked.

  "It's your pass to the Sacred Hall. Present it to the knight on duty. He'll permit you entry. Once you are inside, sit and meditate upon the meaning of this responsibility you would carry upon your shoulders. When the sun drops, your proctor will arrive and teach you the last of the magic commands for your final test to determine your inner worthiness. Reflect not upon the wrongs you might have performed before. Those can be forgiven. Concentrate on what you feel you can do that will be good for our people. Whatever happens, good luck to you."

  Once more, the attending Knight of the Star smiled as Kaither approached. He stood aside to permit entry upon seeing Kaither's pass. Inside, there were only three other applicants waiting. Like them, he sat down upon the bare stone floor and gazed around at the suits amid hopes of qualifying once he learned the final magic commands. After a short while of moving his eyes in reverent awe from one suit to another, particularly the ones with tiny god lights showing, he remembered his instructions. He bowed his head and closed his eyes, as he tried to demonstrate a proper humility and goodness worthy of knighthood.

  ***

  "I see we have a larger group than usual, Lee."

  Kaither opened his eyes from his meditation to stare at another knight entering the hall along with many proctors. He was unaware that there were at last seven candidates waiting for a chance at knighthood within the hall, so quietly had they entered. As he glanced about, he noticed that only the woman, Cheetan, from his group had passed the flying test. The others were already on their way back home. If not, then he'd leave with them in the morning should he fail the last test. He wondered if she was right about it being her destiny to become a knight.

  "Listen carefully. Each suit has its own magic command for recognizing the knight it will serve. After you learn each command, you will be permitted to use it before the proper suit. If you are deemed worthy by possessing an inne
r goodness, the suit will open and welcome you to put it on. Should that happen, you may do so. After which, you'll be escorted by Sir Private Van Dyke to our most sacred ground to be sworn in as a Knight of the Star."

  The applicants turned their eyes toward the two knights, aware that one was the leader of the Knights of the Star. The proctors, who outnumbered the applicants, moved about so that two flanked each person. One proctor held a torch that reflected light off the shiny black suits. They lined up with the second proctor guiding the applicant by the elbow. Whispers buzzed about within the hall as the proctors instructed each applicant as he or she came to the first suit. Kaither found himself standing before an empty suit.

  "The magic spell for this suit is Private Williams. Combine it with the rest of the magic command thusly. Activate Private Williams suit. If you want to hear it again, I'll repeat it. Otherwise, go ahead and practice saying that. When you feel ready stand closer to the suit, and speak the command into the helmet pike. If it doesn't work, all is not lost. Many knights were not recognized by the first suit they tried. Some did not become knights until they reached the last suit. It might be a way for the suits to test your inner strength. We simply understand too little of the ways of god to know how these suits test our souls."

  "Activate Private Williams suit. Activate Private Williams suit. Activate Private Williams suit," Kaither repeated with excitement.

  "Slow down. The suits will not harm you if you fail a test. Nor will we."

  Kaither repeated the magic command slower a few more times before stepping closer to the suit and doing his level best to state the command distinctly. When he did, nothing happened.

  "Am I allowed to try more than once?"

  The proctor nodded. "It is allowed. Nervousness sometimes causes problems. There have been times when the suit opened on the second or third try. Go ahead, if you wish."

  Twice more Kaither tried, but the suit didn't respond. He stepped back with disappointment evident in the way he held his shoulders and turned to face his proctors.

  "We'll try the next suit. We believe each looks for different inner qualities within its wearer. Perhaps you will match with one of the others. This suit responds to the Private Yakamata command. Go ahead and practice saying it."

  Again and again Kaither practiced before stepping up to suits as he worked his way down the line. He reached the eighth suit.

  "This is the Private Stravinsky. Practice a few times and then step up to it. This is your last test."

  "I won't test for the other four suits?" Kaither asked.

  "They no longer have any magic. Again, we know not why. Perhaps they were dishonored. Perhaps each mourns the knight whose life was lost while in its care. Regardless, we still honor them by not discarding their suits to the dung heap. Those were honored suits once and remain entitled to our respect."

  Kaither nodded. It made sense to him. Even he could see that the four suits didn't have any tiny god lights showing. Some also possessed visible cracks. He practiced repeating the newest magic command several times trying to accustom himself once more to strange words that held no meaning to him. Finally, he stepped up before the suit and spoke with as clear a voice as possible while ignoring Cheetan's higher pitched voice a few steps away as she spoke to the Corporal Nigel suit.

  For the eighth time in a row nothing happened. Kaither stared with a sinking feeling in his chest as the suit failed to respond. He tried to mouth the magic command once more, but his voice cracked. Almost immediately, another proctor hurried over with water. Kaither accepted the drink and nodded silent thanks through misty eyes as he contemplated failing again. Deliberately, and as closely as possible to how the proctor pronounced the command, Kaither once more intoned the magic words.

  After several tries the proctor gently guided Kaither away from the suits to stand with three other men who had similarly failed to gain knighthood. As he moved aside, Cheetan stepped over to what would be her last try while two other men followed in her footsteps. So far, not a single applicant had succeeded.

  "This is not unusual," one proctor whispered. "Many try and fail. Usually, only one or two succeed in any given year. Just remember that failure doesn't mean you're bad. Though we can't say for certain, we suspect that some are pre-selected by god to become knights. Perhaps it is meant to straighten out their lives as happened to the first Knight of the Star, Sir Private Malidor. Getting this far might be god's way of inspiring you to work harder when you return home."

  Kaither nodded while trying to surreptitiously wipe his watering eyes. When he dropped his hand back to his side with the knotted cord clenched within his palm, Cheetan was being guided over to stand beside him after a similar failure. Shock appeared upon her face as if it was impossible for her to not become a knight.

  "I want to try again!" Cheetan said.

  The proctor beside her shook his head. "Quiet, please. Let the other applicants finish. They're entitled to the same consideration you received."

  Cheetan nodded twice to show she understood. She then stood quietly as each of the other two men similarly reached the eighth suit and failed.

  "We're sorry that none of you..."

  "I still want to try again," Cheetan said. "I know I'm meant to become a knight. Our village seer told me so."

  "We are all tired. It's been a long day. You each had a fair trial by the suits."

  "What about the other suits? You keep saying that you know so little, yet you seem positive that there's no longer any magic within them. Why won't you let me try those?"

  "Anyone can see there's no power left in them. Their god lights are extinguished, presumably forever. Will you be satisfied if we let you try the other suits?"

  "Are you asking if I'll accept the results if I fail again?"

  Beneath the glow of a nearby torch, the proctor nodded. Cheetan stared at him for a moment before nodding her response. At a signal from him, her two proctors escorted her to the first of the remaining suits.

  "This is the Sergeant Waleski suit. A valiant knight died wearing this suit during the time of the original Sir Private Malidor. Since then it has failed to respond. We believe it could be in mourning if its magic isn't gone completely with its wearer. Some within the Order still believe that the magic resides both within the suit and the wearer."

  Cheetan practiced whispering the magic words several times before stepping up to face the suit so that her mouth was nearly touching the small frontal pike that extended from one side of the attached helmet. "Activate Sergeant Waleski suit."

  Immediately, the suit's god lights began to glow. The proctors stepped back in astonishment, as a murmur of gasps came from them. Cheetan hesitated for a moment before she stepped forward and turned within the suit's opened embrace while slipping her arms into the appropriate gaps.

  "Sir Private Van Dyke, it appears that you'll have special duty tomorrow escorting soon-to-be Sir Sergeant Waleski to be sworn in and trained," Sir Private Lee said. He reached over to close the Sergeant Waleski suit around Cheetan.

  "Yes, it does appear so."

  One of the other male applicants exclaimed, "I want to try the remaining suits, too!"

  An aged proctor glanced at the men who stood at the hall exit. "It seems fair that we permit the other applicants to try these other suits. We were wrong about the Sergeant Waleski suit. Let us not chance being wrong with those. Bring your charges to the remaining suits."

  Kaither found himself fourth in line among the six applicants as he contemplated his chances for one of the remaining three suits. His proctors escorted him to the first, the second, and then the final suit.

  "This suit responds to the Lieutenant Gonzales command. Please practice saying the magic command. Then go ahead and try when you're ready."

  Kaither stuttered, as he practiced speaking the strange command. After several minutes, he stepped up to the pike and spoke.

  "Activate Lieutenant Gonzales suit."

  "Repeat please," a feminine voice sounded
from the suit.

  The hall became suddenly still. Every eye and ear focused on Kaither and the suit he faced.

  "God speaks through the suit to him? Is he another chosen?" Lee asked.

  "Try again. Speak more to it," Van Dyke said.

  "What should I say?" Kaither asked.

  "Give the magic command, again."

  "Activate Lieutenant Gonzales suit."

  Tiny lights flashed across the front of the suit. "Nano-tech repairs eighty-five percent complete, Lieutenant Gonzales."

  "The suit still holds magic! Speak to it, again!"

  "Repeat the magic spell."

  "Activate Lieutenant Gonzales suit."

  "Overriding nano-tech repairs as primary default instruction. Placing repairs on secondary status. Checking status of combat team." Lights flashed on the suit once more.

  "By the gods above. My god vision is behaving strangely," Sir Private Lee exclaimed.

  "As is mine!" said Sir Private Van Dyke.

  "Sir Private Moto is reporting the same over our god voice," Sir Private Lee said.

  "You don't have to tell me. I can hear him," Sir Private Van Dyke said.

  "Combat team is sixty-seven percent active. Relayed communication check indicates wide dispersal beyond normal communication range."

  "Activate Lieutenant Gonzales suit," Kaither cried, with excitement bursting from his voice.

  The suit sprung open. Kaither stared in astonishment at the sight of the suit welcoming him into its embrace. It wasn't until he felt one of his proctors gently shove him forward with a friendly hand on the back that he advanced and turned to feel with his hands in the dark for the gaps where his arms were meant to pass through. He barely got his arms in place when Sir Private Lee closed the suit. The helmet descended into place on his head just as had happened for the unit that Cheetan wore. Kaither barely had time to sweep his long hair back from his face before the helmet closed into position.