Knight Spirits

by David Kuminski

  "Or there might not even be a spy," Smith said.

  "Then why were the prisoners killed?" Van Dyke asked.

  "Did anyone else hear the name that Gonzales claims is the name of the spy?" Smith asked.

  "Whether Gonzales heard a name or not doesn't change the fact that all the prisoners were murdered. They were killed to keep them from talking," Van Dyke said.

  "Or to keep them from revealing that there was nothing to be revealed," Smith said.

  "If that was the case, then only Gonzales would have a motive," Lee said. "He has no motive. We've already proven that."

  "That's what we're supposed to believe," Smith said. "However, it still leaves the Duke with a perfect excuse in order to embarrass both Gonzales and the Order. With those men dead, we can't prove whether Gonzales actually heard them say the name of a spy."

  "In any event, the Duke needs to be watched," Lee muttered.

  "As do some other people. These deaths could be manipulated by others to advance themselves," Smith said.

  "The Duke said that himself," Lee exclaimed. "He mentioned that Queen Neesha could gain the leadership of the Allied Kingdoms because of this."

  "Seriously, I can't believe that Queen Neesha would permit her political desires to override the security of our lands to whom we're sworn to defend," Smith said.

  "But I heard him. You were there with me. You can't say that you didn't hear him," Lee said.

  "You're correct that I can't deny hearing that. However, I don't think…"

  "See? Proctor Smith admits that I heard the Duke correctly," Lee exclaimed.

  "Enough!" Van Dyke exclaimed. "We're reaching the point of bickering. Our Order learned long ago that we do not bicker among us. What you have brought to our attention is that we must consider everything we do in light of all possible motives. Our small Order cannot follow everyone just to uncover the one we believe has perpetrated these murders. In the meantime, we're accomplishing nothing sitting here. Before long, we'll find ourselves pointing fingers at those we know god selected."

  "Some already have," Lee said.

  "Only motives have been suggested and disproved. No one was accused," Van Dyke said. "This meeting is ended. Rest up, and return to your assignments. If any of you discovers any evidence, notify me through the god voice."

  ***

  Smith entered the archive room without any noise. Even so, Van Dyke heard and turned to him.

  "I thought I'd do some research into the names we recorded of all the knights, in case another had the same name as myself," Van Dyke said.

  "I wondered why you hadn't left yet. Any luck?" Smith asked.

  "Besides myself, there's Sir Private Johnson."

  "Then he must be the spy."

  "No, I think not. He's not been back to High Crag since Washington was buried. Before that, he'd been here only twice before. Besides, he had no way of knowing the name that Gonzales said was the spy. On top of that, he's been sick the last few days. Waleski has to carry his food and drink to his tower each day."

  "You don't think that could be a clever subterfuge on his part?" Smith asked.

  "Were he located closer to High Crag, it might be possible for him to slip away. However, he's not close enough to reach here without his absence being noticed. It's not a clever subterfuge on his part, as you put it."

  "You trust Waleski? She supports Gonzales for leading the Order, you know."

  "So you've mentioned before. Or should I say as Coffin has reported you told her. According to you, I should worry about Gonzales taking over the Order because he has Waleski, Klaus, Gwinn, Deliah, and Jones on his side, not to mention the power that three of them wield, while I appear to have only Sir Corporal Smith with that same power."

  "You didn't notice how Lee supported Gonzales at the meeting? He's already eroding your authority."

  "I might be led into believing that had I not already checked more of the records. I also decided to check the names of all the proctors at High Crag."

  "Only at High Crag?" Smith asked.

  "This is the crux of the crisis, I believe. Whoever acted on this matter had to be near enough to react. I've already eliminated Sir Private Johnson as a suspect. I can safely eliminate myself as well, especially since I'm already in charge and have nothing to gain."

  "Unless it's as some have observed that you might want the prisoners dead to implicate Gonzales. However, I don't believe that's at all possible. You're too dedicated, especially in light of the nobility you surrendered to become a knight."

  "It's good of you to agree that I'm not a suspect. However, I can't say the same for you. You're the only proctor whose name was originally Basoc. I would have known otherwise, immediately, had you gained your knighthood after me."

  "You checked the women, as well?"

  "Basoc isn't a woman's name, but I checked. You're the only other person in this castle with that name. However, that isn't what made me suspicious of you."

  "Oh? You're suspicious of me? Why?"

  "The coastal village you're listed as coming from is no longer in existence. It was wiped out by raiders. Because of that, there's no one we can ask about your past. That, combined with your passage into knighthood, confirmed you even more as selected by god in everyone's eyes."

  "You're doubting now that I was selected by god? That I somehow fooled god? If so, then I must be very great and powerful, indeed."

  "Or god let you pass in order to test us, which I believe is the case before me. Ten years serving as a knight and ten more as a proctor must have been truly bizarre for you since you're really a raider."

  "You accuse me of being a raider?" Smith asked.

  "If you act on their behalf, then you're one of them regardless of where you came from. Besides, as I recall, many of the worst raids occurred in the sectors bordering yours. You'd call for help from other knights. Whole villages were sometimes wiped out before their knights could return to direct the troops."

  "Every sector lost a village sooner or later."

  "Yours never did while you were active," Van Dyke said.

  "You're just jealous of how well I fought to protect the people I swore to defend. I was determined not to let them share the same fate as my own village."

  "You're trying to evade the facts. Those are what matter. I realize now that you've been trying to drive a wedge between the newer knights and the rest of us who accepted them. I won't let that happen."

  "You accuse me of trying to destroy the Order?"

  "I've come to realize that Gonzales and the other new knights were sent by god to help uncover you before worse could happen. Had it not been for Gonzales and Waleski, the major invasions we turned back two months ago might have seriously damaged our forces. I'm not just accusing you of attempting to destroy the Order. I'm accusing you of attempting to destroy the Allied Kingdoms, as well."

  "It's strange that you should accuse me of that when I fought with every ounce of my strength against the raiders, until I could no longer fight well because of my accumulated wounds. On the other hand, you suddenly became quite pious when Waleski refused to kill. I'm surprised that you haven't accused her of being a spy or an agent of the raiders."

  "She didn't refuse to fight against the raiders. Her only objection was to killing helpless men. I could, and do, respect that. She showed how we were veering away from our avowed goals. As well, I've had the opportunity to see for myself that there was no need to kill the raiders. The prisoners we held briefly were truly afraid of Gonzales, even though he hadn't harmed them. They would have swam home, despite the distance to their land, had we permitted them any choice in the matter."

  "Even so, your accusation means nothing."

  "You think that I haven't any proof?" Van Dyke asked.

  "So far, all I've heard is an empty accusation based upon what my name once was, even though you once had the same name. Bring out your proof that I poisoned those prisoners. Bring out your proof that I destroyed any villages. Bring out you
r proof that I've tried to break up the Order. You've become paranoid and delusional." Smith abruptly turned and strode away. "I fully intend to speak with Proctor Raash about this. Maybe Gonzales should lead the Order after all. Maybe god did send him to take over the leadership."

  Chapter 17

  Duke Sabbo approached Gonzales at the entrance to the Sacred Hall. For once, the smile that Gonzales normally displayed disappeared.

  "I'm not here to demand a suit. Proctor Raash has been found murdered. Proctor Smith claims that Sir Private Van Dyke murdered him. I need assistance from you and the other knights in arresting Sir Private Van Dyke so he can be tried. Please call your comrades and request they report here."

  "All knights who can hear my voice, report to the Sacred Hall. This is an official request from Duke Sabbo."

  "Despite our differences, thank you. I never imagined that a knight could do evil. You're selected by god. I just know this has to be a mistake of some sort," Sabbo said.

  "Did Proctor Smith witness the murder?" Gonzales asked.

  Sabbo shook his head.

  "Murder? Who was murdered?" Gwinn asked. "Land."

  "Proctor Raash was found murdered, according to Duke Sabbo," Gonzales said, as Deliah landed a few paces away.

  Jones landed beside the hall and stepped forward. "Do you suspect anyone, or was it the same spy who murdered the prisoners?"

  "Proctor Smith stated that he and Sir Private Van Dyke argued yesterday after his meeting. Evidently, Sir Private Van Dyke accused Proctor Smith of something. Proctor Smith then stated he would formally complain about the false accusation to Proctor Raash. When Proctor Smith got around to that this morning he learned that Proctor Raash was dead, his throat slashed. He, of course, brought all this to my attention. I am bringing this to your attention, because I can't fly after Sir Private Van Dyke to apprehend him. That requires your cooperation and willingness to follow my orders."

  "As I stated before, I will follow your orders when those are not in conflict. I will seek out Sir Private Van Dyke as you have ordered," Gonzales said.

  "Not so fast. Someone has to remain here to guard the suits," Jones said.

  "You're still recuperating. I can take Gwinn and Deliah with me to apprehend Van Dyke, though I seriously believe he'll return voluntarily," Gonzales said. "Klaus will remain with you to guard the hollow suits."

  "Why not try calling the nearer stations first? Van Dyke might return without anyone chasing after him," Jones said.

  "I've no objection to what you try first, providing you're willing to chase him should he refuse," Sabbo said.

  "Thank you, Duke Sabbo. I am willing, but Jones is right. We should give Van Dyke a chance to turn himself in. I'll fly up and call the nearest stations," Gonzales said.

  ***

  Sir Private Van Dyke landed just as the last rays of the day left the sky. He turned and faced the Duke.

  "Please remove your suit. Queen Neesha has ordered that you not wear the suit as it might unduly influence the court," Duke Sabbo said.

  "Deactivate Private Van Dyke suit."

  Sabbo stepped forward to accept the suit. Gonzales stepped in with one hand outstretched.

  "Sir Lieutenant Gonzales, I will trust you with the suit god permitted me to use," Van Dyke said, as he handed the suit to Gonzales.

  Sabbo nodded and stepped back. "I'm sorry, but you also have to reside in a cell for now. I will guarantee that the men who guard you will see to it that you're not poisoned."

  "I believe you, Duke Sabbo. Would you please see to it that Proctor Smith not be permitted to visit me for any reason?"

  "You don't want him visiting you?" Sabbo asked.

  "I'm guessing that he's my accuser. If he is, then that ought to be more than enough reason to keep us separated," Van Dyke replied.

  ***

  Gonzales entered Proctor Smith's quarters. "You asked to see me?"

  "I wanted to warn you that Van Dyke was becoming mentally unfit. He had Proctor Coffin and myself keeping an eye on you. You can ask her if you'd like verification."

  "I was suspected of something?"

  "He was becoming unbalanced. Consequently, I threatened to report him to Proctor Raash. Only he could remove Van Dyke from his position."

  "Yes, my training covered that."

  "Excellent. I wasn't certain whether you remembered that or not. Except for Jones, the rest of you here at High Crag are all new."

  "So you think Van Dyke killed Proctor Raash to prevent that?"

  "I don't know. I only reported what facts I knew first hand to Duke Sabbo. He formulated the accusation based upon the evidence he gathered together. I fear that he found enough to substantiate Van Dyke as the murderer. If so, then Van Dyke will be removed from membership within the Order of the Star."

  "We'll have to elect a new leader."

  "That's true. Also, Van Dyke won't be permitted to recommend anyone. Part of what I wanted to warn you about was that his instability is not constant. One moment, he'll act like your friend. The next might find him attempting to knife you in the back. Sadly enough, he even called me a raider to my face. I'm certain that you noticed he believed me to be his accuser. After all, he said so in our presence."

  "Is this all that you wanted to warn me about?" Gonzales asked.

  "Sadly, no. I've learned that besides Van Dyke, Sir Private Johnson once bore the name of Basoc. I felt you should be warned about that. You may have to oppose him."

  "That must be why Van Dyke was inquiring over the god voice to Waleski concerning his recent movements. Do you think he's our spy?"

  "It's possible that Van Dyke managed to uncover that in one of his more lucid moments. It might even be the one thing that pushed him over the edge. To tell the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if he exonerates Johnson as completely innocent. Regardless of what happens, you might have to oppose Johnson for the good of the Order."

  "If it comes to it, I will."

  "Please don't hold it against Van Dyke. After all, insanity occurs frequently among the nobles."

  "It is sad that so many of them succumb to that. No, I'll not hold it against him. He has tried to uphold the principles of the Order."

  "Yes, yes, remember the good he once performed. Let us hope that perhaps the Duke has the wrong person in custody. Thank you for seeing me. Should you decide that you want consideration as leader of the Order, I'm willing to speak on your behalf with others. Just send them to see me. I'll make time for them."

  "Then you believe that Van Dyke will be found guilty?" Gonzales asked.

  "It's not very often that an accused is found otherwise by the court."

  Chapter 18

  Gonzales was amazed at the number of knights brought to High Crag for the election. Fully ten were retired, but still entitled to vote. Several of those were picked up by other knights, who then flew them to High Crag so they could avoid weeks of road travel. It was the only way possible to get everyone assembled for a meeting that would last but a single day. At the end, they would have a new leader. That leader would continue to lead after Van Dyke's trial unless Van Dyke was found innocent. In the meantime, a power vacuum would be filled. Someone had to give out assignments and maintain discipline within the Order. As well, most did not know all the facts of the case facing Van Dyke. Because it might bear upon the election, what was known was openly discussed for the first hour. Then they briefly retired to contemplate what their consciences as men and women of god might dictate.

  "It feels strange not wearing our suits," Deliah said.

  "Perhaps, but it makes sense," Gwinn said. "Besides, I don't want everyone listening to every word I say. With this many of us around, it's almost impossible to keep your own thoughts straight, let alone talk without wondering what you just heard or who said it."

  "I just hope we're not attacked," Deliah said.

  "Our suits are near enough if we need them. Anyway, the hollow suits are safely in a tower out of reach," Jones said.

  "By the
way, I've heard your name mentioned," Gwinn said.

  "I'm being considered for the leadership?" Jones asked.

  "I'm sorry, I meant Deliah. I've heard her name suggested," Gwinn said.

  "She and Gonzales are both high on the list," Waleski said. "I felt so alone when I learned that Cardin was killed just after I became a knight and I was the only active woman. I'm glad to finally meet both of you. Have you met Proctor Coffin yet?"

  Deliah and Gwinn both nodded.

  "I thought you might also be in contention for this honor. After all, you have the same sonic power that Gonzales possesses," Deliah said. "You've been mentioned frequently as responsible for righting our course when it comes to showing mercy."

  "I didn't do anything more than pay attention to our oath and follow it. That was as much the results of what the other knights taught me as what god might have willed through me. Anyway, I don't want the leadership. I still don't understand strategy or tactics. Added to that, I'm terrible with a sword and bow. I'm just fortunate that god gave me the sonic power. For that reason, it's best for me to remain an ordinary knight who can be sent to where she's needed," Waleski said.

  "I don't know those, either. I'm still learning to use a sword. Proctor Meson has just about given up trying to teach me archery," Gwinn said.

  "Proctor Meson thinks I'm in need of more muscle first," Deliah said, as she held up her arms. "I think he's right. In practice, I lose my sword on almost every other swing I block. It would be just as well that I'm not elected, since I still don't understand strategy yet. Proctor Smith is very patient. He keeps showing me, but I just don't understand it at all."

  "But your name was accepted by god. You have to accept the leadership if you're elected," Gwinn exclaimed. "Surely, that has to be a sign of greatness."

  Jones walked away. He could see that his viewpoint wasn't desired, as the women were ignoring him. He stopped beside Gonzales for a moment as Gonzales explained what he knew about his sonic power to one of the visiting proctors.