The Prince then again stood over Kenner and his cousins.
“So we have eyewitnesses to this crime. I suppose all of them will testify to what they saw?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Not much to it then, is there?” The Prince said happily.
“Very well. In the name of the crown and the people of Walechia, I find them guilty. There, wasn’t that easy?” He asked. Several of the Princes guards laughed. He then said to his guards, “Bring them to my exercise room.”
Chapter Four
Kenner and his cousins were hurried down a labyrinth of dimly lit corridors. They were rushed through so fast, he could barely make out any shapes or forms and the only sound he seemed to hear were the sounds of the metal boots on the floors. Eventually, they were led to another door opened by another large man. Once through the door, they were led, almost falling down a spiral, stone staircase to a large room lit by torches.
The floor of the room was soft, almost rubbery and had a soft brown color to it. There were, however some red stains in some sections; which Kenner guessed may have been blood. Surrounding the floor on all sides were weapons, such as pikes, spears and swords; along with suits of armor in various forms; such as chain mail, splint mail and even a fine suit of shining plate mail; all bearing the emblem of the Great Tower. The room, though mostly clean had the dense and unmistakable stench of decay. Kenner tried hard not to think too much on it, lest he lose his composure; but there had been much death in this room. Kenner feared he and his cousins would be next.
The prisoners were brought to the middle of the floor and forced again to kneel. The Prince put a hardened leather breastplate over his fine linens and also a pair of leather gauntlets.
“Strip them down!” He ordered.
Using their daggers and short swords, the guards cut the clothes off of Kenner and his cousins, laughing the whole time and leaving them naked. Kenner tried to fight when they tried to take the boots his father had made for him, but he was kicked to the ground.
“Irmgar!” The Prince called out. “Hand me that sword on the wall next to you.”
The guard pulled a sword off of the wall and then presented it to the Prince. Still laughing, one of the guards cut the bindings off of the three prisoners. Then the Prince tossed the sword to the floor in front of Malton.
“Your Highness,” Captain Krall called out, “I’m not sure…”
“Don’t be a mother hen,” The Prince answered. “That swords as dull as your sense of humor.” He then spoke to Malton.
“Pick it up.” He ordered.
“Your Highness…” Malton tried to say.
“I said pick it up.” The Prince interrupted.
Young Malton shakily picked up the sword.
“Stand.” The Prince ordered.
Malton slowly and uneasily stood to his feet.
“Here’s how this works.” The Prince started to say. “You are convicted criminals and I have the power of life and death over you. This is my exercise room and you three are going to assist me in my exercises for the day. It’s as simple as that. If you impress me, I will set you free. If not, then I’ll just have to come up with some other punishment for you.”
The Prince then pulled his own sword from his scabbard.
“Hold the sword up.” He commanded Malton. Malton, now thinking that this would merely be an exercise and there was no real danger lifted the blade of the sword in a defensive posture.
“Not a bad guard you’ve taken,” The Prince said.
The Prince swung slowly at Malton and he parried the soft blows.
“Not bad.” The Prince said, sounding encouraging. Then with one blow, he knocked the sword out of Malton’s hands, spun around and plunged his own sword into Malton’s belly.
“No!!” Kenner screamed. He was again kicked to the floor. He looked over at his fallen cousin and watched his last breath leave his mouth.
“You son of a…” Kenner tried to yell, but a guard kicked him across the mouth. The Prince then picked up the blunt sword and tossed it at Belfor.
“You’re next.” He said smiling.
Belfor stayed on his knees.
“Please Your Highness,” he begged. “I’m so sorry. I beg for mercy.”
“This is mercy,” The Prince laughed. “I could have had you executed in front of the fountain. At least this way, you have a fighting chance.”
“I’m no warrior…”Belfor pleaded.
“For the Lady’s sake leave him alone!” Kenner screamed.
“Pick up the sword.” The Prince ordered again.
“Please, Your Highness…”
“Pick it up!” The Prince yelled.
Belfor took the sword in his hands.
“No!” Kenner hollered again.
“Your Highness….” Captain Krall tried to interject, “I must object.”
“Objection noted.” The Prince laughed. As he had turned to face Captain Krall, Belfor leapt to his feet and tried to charge the Prince. The Prince turned suddenly taking up a guard position. When Belfor saw this he froze and then dropped the sword.
“I’m sorry Your Highness. I’m so sorry…”
The Prince then, with one motion sliced Belfor’s head off of his shoulders.
Kenner tried to shut his eyes to what he’d just seen, but it was too late. He had just watched his two young cousins; who had grown up with him almost as brothers slain by a brutal Prince. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he choked them down along with his fury.
The Prince tossed the sword to the floor in front of Kenner. Kenner took several deep breaths. He could almost hear the voice of his father.
“Never fight angry,” his father taught him. Despite his rage, he forced himself to breathe deeply. He gnashed his teeth together and he felt as if his eyes were on fire. He picked up the sword then stood to his feet.
“Do you see that, gentlemen?” The Prince said teasingly. “I do believe our friend here is a little angry.”
Several guards laughed. Captain Krall swallowed his own emotions. He was horrified and angry; but also felt helpless.
“Don’t worry,” The Prince said grinning. “You’ll be joining your friends soon enough.”
The Prince swung his sword at Kenner’s neck and Kenner stopped it cold using only one hand.
“Well,” said the Prince. “Isn’t this something?”
He swung again and Kenner parried again easily, all the while staring intently at the murderer. “Stay cold.” Kenner told himself. “Never fight angry.”
The Prince tried several combinations of blows. None of them seemed to bother his opponent. For a moment, he thought it was fun. Here was some good exercise. But the more blows were countered, the more he began to get frustrated. He swung, he jabbed. He went for the legs, the shoulders and the groin. All his attacks were repelled. He swung faster and faster and in great swirls and loops. Still, the peasant stood.
As the fight went on longer and longer, Kenner could sense the Prince beginning to lose his composure. His smooth, controlled blows were beginning to become more desperate and erratic. He could see his breathing becoming heavier. In his eyes, he began to see more frustration and anger. The Prince tried his best moves; one’s taught to him by masters. Still he could not penetrate the peasant’s defenses. Finally, Kenner saw the moment was right. He slammed the broad edge of the sword into the Princes gut. Had it been a sharp sword, the Prince would have been disemboweled. He doubled over in pain, and then Kenner smashed the pummel of the sword onto the middle of his back. The Prince fell to the floor in a heap.
All at once, the spears and swords of the soldiers began to descend on Kenner, standing over the wounded Prince. Just before they all reached him, a loud, commanding voice shouted, “Stop!” All eyes looked to the top of the stairs. Kenner only caught a brief glimpse of the barrel chested man with the red beard before he was grabbed and forced his knees. Captain Krall called out, “All hail the King!”
Chapter Five
The King walked slowly down the stairs with a look of intense anger on his face. Kenner looked up at him, surprised to see how ordinary he appeared. He was a little taller than himself, barrel chested, with short red hair and a thinly cut red beard. He did not wear fine linens or adornments like his son.
“What the hell is going on here?” He growled.
No one spoke.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs he pointed at Captain Krall.
“You!” He said. “Captain of Walechia. What happened here?”
Captain Krall slowly rose to his feet and bowed.
“Prince Melkur has found these men guilty and has taken it upon himself to meet out what he says is justice.” Krall said sternly. The Kings eyes hardened and narrowed on Captain Krall.
“Justice,” he hissed. “And you did nothing to stop him?”
“He is the Crown Prince, your majesty.” Krall answered.
“You are a Captain of Walechia!” The King shouted. “I expect my Captains to uphold the law and be brave enough to stand up against injustice, no matter who is responsible!”
Prince Melkur, panting heavily and coughing rose to his feet.
“Father,” he said gasping for breath. “Did you see what he did to me?”
“Yes, I did,” The King answered angrily. “And I seem to remember trying to teach you that if you pick a fight, sometimes you lose.”
King Philas looked with disgust at the two bodies on the floor. They were two young men whose lives had barely even begun slaughtered like animals. He looked with equal reversion upon the soldiers now kneeling before him and hiding their faces. They all knew, he thought that what had transpired was wrong; and yet, not only had they done nothing to stop it, some had probably eagerly participated.
“And what was their crime?” He asked turning back to Captain Krall.
“Poaching, Your Majesty.” He answered flatly.
“Poaching?” The King asked. The anger seemed to grow in his voice. “Poaching what?”
“Deer.”
“How many deer?”
The King’s voice sounded almost like horses hooves over gravel. Captain Krall looked the King directly in the eyes.
“My company and I caught them with one stag.”
The King took a few furious breaths to try and calm himself, then turned and looked at the bodies on the floor.
“The lives of two young boys for one stag?” He said gritting his teeth. He then stepped to within inches of Captain Krall.
“I’d say that debt has been paid.” He hissed.
The King then turned and stepped in front of Kenner who was still being held down by the Prince’s guards.
“Stand up.” The King ordered.
Kenner stood. He was still hurting inside and the sight of his cousins dying was still burning in his eyes. Now, here was before the King, he thought. The blunt sword was still in his hand. He thought for a second of striking the King with it. The right blow might break his neck, killing him, he thought. It would be so easy. But he did not. It was not fear of death that stopped him. If he struck down the King, his own death would be even faster. However, the King was defenseless; helpless. As angry as he was, he couldn’t bring himself to murder.
“What’s your name?” The King asked him.
Kenner swallowed his fury and forced himself to answer calmly.
“My name is Kenner,” He answered. “And I must apologize if I’m a little underdressed.”
King Philas studied the young man in front of him. He understood the wrath in the young man’s eyes. But there was something else in this young man he saw; something familiar.
“Do I know you?” He asked curiously.
“I doubt it.” Kenner answered. He could, he thought tell the King of his father who had once served him; but something inside of him told him it was not the time.
The King then stepped over to two soldiers who were still on their knees.
“You and you,” he said to them. “Stand.”
The two stood quickly.
“Take off your black armor. You are no longer my son’s guards for watching this abomination.”
The two soldiers slowly and sadly did as their King commanded.
Once more, Kenner thought of killing the King. Now his back was turned and it would have even been easier. However, now he was even more helpless. When the soldiers had taken off their armor, the King commanded them to give Kenner their clothes. Kenner dressed himself and then recovered his boots.
“All of you who watched this and did nothing to stop it,” The King shouted into the room, “are no longer worthy of wearing the Great Tower on your chest. Take off your armor now! All except you, Captain. I have need of you.”
By the King’s command, Kenner was again led through the narrow corridors leading to the throne room. His anger was beginning to give way to sorrow for his two cousins; but he fought hard against this. He wanted to stay angry. He wanted to hold on to his rage. It is better; he thought to scream in fury than to weep like a child his father once taught him. When his sorrow had nearly taken hold, his legs felt heavy to the point where he felt they would be unable to hold him up. With anger, he found energy and strength. With anger, he could face this King as a man, not a boy.
However, there was something about this King, Kenner thought that seemed to soften his opinion of him. The King had seemed genuinely angry at the murder of his cousins. He seemed willing to punish those responsible. But, Kenner reminded himself; he would not punish their murderer. Despite the apparently strong words of honor and justice the King had spoken, there would be no real accountability. They were just words, his anger reminded him.
When Kenner was led through the large doors and back into the throne room, he saw the King conversing with Captain Krall. He was led to stand directly before the King with two of the King’s guards in white armor flanking him. The King gazed at him and Kenner, still defiant stared back.
“I’m the King of this land,” He said. “You will, at least bow.”
The guards squeezed his arms tighter, but then he wrestled away in a single motion. He then gave a slight bow to the King but still stared at him directly in the eyes. The King then began to walk around Kenner.
“You fought well.” He said. “He may not be the wisest of princes, but he has the reputation of being one of the finest swordsmen in my kingdom.”
“If you say so,” Kenner interjected.
“Speak only when spoken to,” one of the guards said, poking Kenner in the back.
“Where are you from?” The King asked him. Kenner did not answer immediately. The King sighed.
“You have every right to be angry, young man. But you are still a convicted criminal standing before the King of Walechia. Unless you wish to join your friends within the next twenty seconds, you will answer when spoken to.”
“They were more than friends!” Kenner said, barely containing his emotions. “They were family.”
The King nodded.
“Brothers?”
“Cousins.”
The King then gave an angry glare at Captain Krall who lowered his eyes.
“I am sorry for your cousins.” The King said much softer than before. “They will be buried with honor outside the city walls.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Kenner started. “But if it’s all the same, I would prefer to take them home.”
The King then turned from Captain Krall to face Kenner.
“And where is home?”
“In the hills,” Kenner answered.
“Ah, the hills,” The King followed. “Must be one of those secret villages full of people banished from this land for one reason or another.”
“Something like that.”
“And now, here you are standing before a King who may have sat in judgment over one of both of your parents.” The King said with a slight smile. “No wonder you’re so defiant in my presence.”
The King then turned and climbed the steps
to sit in his throne.
“Under normal circumstances,” he said grandly. “I would be more than happy to grant your request. Unfortunately for you, you have demonstrated skills that I currently need.”
“What do you mean?”
“These are troubled times. I need men; brave men with the skills of soldiers. Your swordsmanship is superb and as a poacher, I’m guessing you’re fine archer as well. Is he Captain Krall?”
“I’ve rarely seen better,” Krall answered.
“Excellent. Then you’re exactly what I need?”
Kenner almost found himself laughing. This couldn’t be really happening, he thought.
“Are you asking me to serve you as a soldier?” He said in disbelief.
“I’m not asking you anything.” The King relied. “You’re still a convicted criminal and here are your choices. If you serve in my army; although you may not always have a bed to sleep on, you will be fed every day and you will be paid every month. Serve for five years and you will be given the choice of reenlisting, probably as a sergeant. If you don’t gamble or drink your pay away, you may even save enough to buy yourself a commission like Captain Krall did. Serve long enough and you will have the opportunity to retire and live in comfort for the rest of your life. Believe me, this is a far better opportunity than awaits you should you refuse.”
“That would be death, wouldn’t it?” Kenner asked, still almost laughing at the irony of the situation before him.
“Yes, it would.”
Kenner allowed himself a slight chuckle at the thought.
“You want me to serve you?”
“No.” The King said flatly. “I do not ask you to serve me or my crown; which you obviously have some disdain for. But there are thirty million people in my kingdom, in the cities, in the fields and because your hills fall inside my borders, my armies protect them too. It is them that I ask you to serve. For some reason that I’m not sure of, I have no argument for your hatred for me and I certainly understand your hatred for my son. But my people, yes even those in the secret villages I will call mine deserve to be defended by strong, brave and skilled men as yourself.”
The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher Page 3