The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher

by VanMeter, Jeffery

  “Are you insane?” Kenner almost screamed.

  “What really happened at the ‘Merchant’s Gate’, Captain?”

  “We were attacked by five thousand Wolfen and only the three of us survived.”

  “Really? Why are there no other witnesses other than three convicted criminals?”

  “Because the rest were wiped out…”

  “Wiped out by five thousand creatures that the world knows to be extinct. Five thousand creatures of which there is no proof of their existence other than your testimony! Is that what you’re about to tell us?”

  “You were bullied as a child, weren’t you?” Kenner said.

  “Answer the question, Captain! Where is your proof? What possible evidence could you have to prove these ridiculous claims of yours?”

  “You really think I’m making this up?”

  “I call on you to produce some piece of evidence; anything to prove your claims!”

  Kenner then leaned back.

  “If you insist.”

  He then drew the sword from its sheath. It made a loud and long ringing sound; everyone in the courtroom gasped audibly and the prosecutor almost fell over himself. The King leapt to his feet.

  “Recess!” He shouted above the noise of the courtroom. “I call an immediate recess!”

  Kenner looked to “Shadow” who smiled and nodded proudly.

  Chapter Forty One

  The King demanded that Kenner, Captain Krall, General Pol and Kirallis all follow him into the throne room. He walked so fast, it was hard for even Kenner to keep up with him. Upon entering the throne room, he spun around and all could see the rage in his eyes.

  “On your knees! All of you!” He shouted. “Especially you!” He yelled, pointing at Kenner.

  They all dropped to their knees and stared hard at the floor.

  “Where did you get that sword?” He shouted at Kenner.

  For a moment Kenner didn’t know what to say.

  “Answer me!” The King shouted again.

  “I found it in a tomb in the mountains.” Kenner said respectfully.

  “A tomb?” The King gasped. “I suppose you’re going to tell me it was Farraday’s tomb, is that it?”

  Kenner was about to answer when the King interrupted him.

  “How many of you knew about this?” He yelled at the rest. No one answered. The King panted hard in anger and no one dared look at his face.

  “Get out!” Philas commanded. “All except you, poacher!” He yelled at Kenner.

  Kenner could hear, but not see the others almost run out of the throne room. He stayed on his knees and staring at the floor; not sure of what to say or do. He could see the King’s feet pacing back and forth in front of him for several moments, then stop in front of him.

  “Stand up.” The King commanded. He was calmer, but his voice was still full of anger. Kenner rose but still kept his head bowed.

  “Look at me.” The King almost yelled.

  Kenner looked at the King and there was a fear in his face he previously didn’t think the King capable of.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you had the Black Sword?” The King asked him.

  Kenner thought carefully before answering.

  “The time didn’t seem right.” He finally answered.

  The King breathed heavier and his eyes narrowed on Kenner.

  “The time didn’t seem right?” The King asked as if searching.

  Kenner was about to speak when the King interrupted him.

  “And when would the time be right? When you decided to take my throne?”

  Kenner then returned his gaze.

  “I have no intention of taking your throne.” He said seriously.

  “Not today, perhaps, but when you decide…”

  “I have no intention of taking your throne!” Kenner yelled at the King. There was a power and strength in his voice that surprised even Kenner. The King backed away, and then sat on the marble steps leading up to his throne.

  Suddenly, the King looked small and helpless and for a moment, Kenner felt sorry for him.

  “What is your intent?” The King asked. There was a pleading in his eyes; almost like a child not wanting to be punished.

  Kenner backed away. Was it really possible that this King was afraid of him, he asked himself? He studied the King for a moment looking for any semblance of the man his father had warned him of. The pride wasn’t there. The arrogance wasn’t there. This couldn’t be the man his father hated, he thought.

  “I don’t know.” Kenner finally told him. “The only thing I do know right now is that this ridiculous trial is a waste of time. There are five thousand…”

  “Yes, I know!” The King shouted almost as a defense. Then he stood up.

  “I know,” he said with some of the strength having returned in his voice. He then stepped closer to Kenner and reached his hand towards the sword. Kenner stopped him before he touched it.

  “It doesn’t seem to like anyone but me.” He told the King.

  The King then shook his head and smiled.

  “I can’t believe it.” He said in a sad laugh. “The Black Sword. The weapon that conquered the known world and made one man King.”

  At that moment, Kenner understood the King’s reaction to seeing the sword.

  “You really thought I was here to take what is yours?” He asked the King gently.

  The King looked away from him, appearing to be embarrassed.

  “Of course, I did.” He told Kenner. “Every King of this land for the last five hundred years has been waiting for the day that sword returns to this world. All of them knowing that it would mean the end of their reign.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Kenner replied. “But I have no interest in your crown or anybody else’s.”

  “Then what do you want?” The King asked, the desperation in his voice having returned.

  Kenner thought for a moment.

  “I want to fight the battle that’s coming, win it, serve out the rest of my five years and then go home.”

  Then the King stared at Kenner in amazement.

  “You’re serious aren’t you?” He asked.

  “That’s all I want.”

  The King turned around and looked up at the throne at the top of the marble steps.

  “Destiny may have something else for you in mind.” He told Kenner.

  Suddenly, Kenner was reminded of the conversation he had with “Shadow” the night before.

  “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

  When the King and Kenner came out of the throne room, all who had followed them from the courtroom dropped to their knees.

  “Get up, you fools. I’ll take no heads today.” The King said as he passed them. He then marched up to the soldier from the courtroom.

  “Summon the court.” He said. “I’ve made my decision.”

  “All hail the King!” The herald called out as King Philas returned to the courtroom. Everyone rose to their feet and bowed.

  The King returned to the throne in the courtroom and when he sat, all around him did the same.

  “Captain Krall!” He called.

  Krall rose to his feet.

  “You stand accused of falsifying a military emergency; looting the city of Calderon and of perjury against this court and the crown. Having heard all relevant testimony, I have made my decision. Are you prepared to hear judgment?”

  “I am, Your Majesty.” He answered.

  The King took a deep breath and looked about the courtroom.

  “I’m not entirely sure,” he began; “but this may have been the most ludicrous and absurd waste of my time I have ever experienced in all my years as King of this land. The evidence against you is preposterous and the claims made against you by the Lord Mayor of Calderon laughable. If there were a law against wasting the King’s time, I would immediately have the Lord Mayor arrested and thrown into the lowest dungeon in this city. Fortunately, for him there is not. That said, I
find you, Captain Krall innocent of the crimes you are accused, order your immediate release and return to duty.”

  He then looked at the panel of judges.

  “Does the panel disagree with the decision of the crown?” He asked, almost as an afterthought.

  One of the panel, a Congress member named Erlot rose to his feet.

  “The panel does not agree with the judgment of the King.”

  There was another audible gasp throughout the courtroom and the King’s eyes bulged with rage.

  “I beg your pardon?” He said, gritting his teeth.

  Erlot then looked to the Lord Mayor and nodded at him.

  “We believe,” He said, “that the prosecution has raised serious questions as to the credibility of the defendant and his supporting witnesses.”

  “What questions are those?” The King demanded.

  “They are all convicted criminals, Your Majesty.” He said, obviously holding back a smile. “As such, their testimony is questionable at best.”

  The King glared at Erlot for a moment, his eyes appearing to almost be on fire. Everyone in the courtroom was shocked. No court had ever overruled King Philas before and the idea that any such event would ever happen would have seemed impossible before that moment. The King’s eyes narrowed on Erlot, who smugly eyed him in return. Suddenly a smile crossed the King’s face and then Erlot looked worried.

  “Am I right in assuming,” The King said slowly, “that the central issue in this trial is the credibility of the witnesses and their claims?”

  Erlot clearly thought about the question for a moment before answering.

  “That is essentially correct, Your Majesty.”

  “Among the claims you question is that an army of five thousand Wolfen is currently approaching the city of Mobrey. Is that correct?”

  “That is correct, Your Majesty.”

  “Would you say,” the King said even slower, “that it would be essential to this trial to verify these claims?”

  Erlot was clearly taken back by this question.

  “I’m not sure I understand, Your Majesty.” He stammered.

  “It’s quite simple, Your Honor. If you believe that the defendant and his witnesses are lying about this Wolfen army, then surely verifying the existence of this army would be a means of determining the validity of their claims.”

  Erlot then turned and consulted with the rest of the panel. They spoke in hushed, but apparently panicked voices.

  “That might be one way of determining his guilt or innocence,” Erlot tried to say.

  “I couldn’t have put it better myself, Your Honor.”

  “However,” Erlot stuttered. “It would require a commission be sent and…”

  “You’re absolutely right!” The King interrupted. “In fact, as King I command that a commission be sent to determine the validity of the claim that there is an army of five thousand Wolfen soldiers approaching the city of Mobrey.”

  “I really don’t think…”

  “It’s clearly the only way to be able to verify the truth, don’t you agree?”

  Erlot couldn’t respond. He merely stood with his mouth open, staring at the King.

  “And since it is this panel that has chosen to overrule my decision,” The King added. “Clearly it is this panel that should be sent.”

  “Your Majesty, I really don’t think that is wise…”

  “No! It is the only way. This panel will be sent north of the city of Mobrey to see if there really is an army of five thousand half man, half beast soldiers marching towards the city bent on its capture and the death of all its citizens.”

  Erlot then slowly sat back in his seat.

  “Oh don’t worry, Your Honor. I will see to the safety and security of this commission. In fact, as the safety of this commission is among my highest priorities, and as supreme commander of all the armies of Walechia, I will personally escort this commission along with all two thousand troops currently garrisoned here in The White City.”

  “Your Majesty, I’m not sure…”

  “Oh no, Your Honor. I will hear no dissent in this matter. I want you to see for yourselves whether or not Captain Krall and his soldiers have lied to this court. And in seeing this, I want you to be able to determine for yourselves whether or not there is a real and present danger within our borders. You will see with your own eyes the truth or otherwise of this danger and after you do, I will very much be looking forward to hearing your opinion as to how we should deal with this supposed threat…if it, indeed exists.”

  The King then stepped down from his throne and stepped up to the stone wall in front of the panel.

  “Prepare yourselves.” He said, his eyes still full of fire. “We leave at dawn.”

  After that, the King gathered several officers, including Kenner, Terri and Krall around him.

  “Have the garrison prepare to leave at first light.” He ordered General Pol. “I want all available horses, mules, carts and other vehicles appropriated for this expedition.”

  “Yes, Your majesty.” Pol answered and then dashed away.

  “You.” He said to Captain Krall. “I’ll have your armor brought to you in the morning. As soon as we sight this army, you’ll take command of an infantry company that I’ll have especially prepared for you. And you two,” he said to Kenner and Terri. “Don’t spend too much time in the tavern tonight. I want you both sober and sharp for the journey in the morning. Do you both understand?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty!” They both almost shouted.

  Chapter Forty Two

  Watching from his window in his room at the inn, Kenner saw; what looked like the entire city mobilizing for war. Soldiers and officers darted about the streets shouting orders, marching in formation, running from place to place and carts and animals raced all about the busy streets.

  As he watched this, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in!” He announced and General Pol entered his room. Kenner started to stand, but the General motioned him to stay seated.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you.” He said to Kenner.

  “Not at all, sir. I was just watching everything going on outside.”

  The General went to the window and looked with Kenner for a second. It was then that Kenner noticed a somber expression on his weathered face.

  “As an officer,” He told Kenner, “you could have gotten a similar room to this at the barracks for free.” His voice sounded as if it were trying to sound cheerful, but there was some sadness inside of it.

  “I’ve already paid for this room,” Kenner answered. “I might as well get the most out of it.”

  “If you paid with one of those coins of yours, you’re probably paid up for the rest of the year.”

  Pol sounded as if he tried to laugh, but it didn’t quite come out.

  “What is it?” Kenner asked Pol.

  Pol looked down at him with tired and serious eyes.

  “I just found out that your father’s name was Banner.” He said.

  Feeling a little uncomfortable himself at this point, Kenner nodded.

  “Yes, it was.” He answered.

  The General found a chair on the opposite end of the room from Kenner’s bed and window, sat down and lit his pipe from the candle on the table. He sat quietly smoking for several minutes until Kenner finally broke the silence.

  “Is something wrong?” Kenner asked him.

  The General took a long draw from the pipe and then aimed a plume of smoke towards the ceiling.

  “What did your father look like?” He asked Kenner.

  Kenner thought for a moment, trying to form a picture of his father from his memory.

  “He was about my height, I suppose, “Kenner began describing. “I guess he looked a little like me, except he didn’t wear a beard like I do.”

  “Same brown hair?” Pol asked.

  “Yes, only shorter. Much shorter. He hated men with long hair. He said they looked like girls.”

  Pol laugh
ed a little at this. It sounded familiar.

  “Square jaw?” Pol asked.

  “Yeah, like it was carved out of stone.” Kenner answered, laughing a little.

  “Brown eyes?” Pol asked further.

  Kenner thought for a moment.

  “No.” He said firmly. “They were green.”

  Pol leaned back in his chair and took another deep draw from his pipe.

  “Yes.” He finally said. “That’s him.”

  Kenner noticed the sad expression return to General Pol and the way he sat in the chair made him look even older.

  “You knew my father?” He asked Pol.

  Pol nodded.

  “Yes I did.” He said sadly. He then stood and looked down at Kenner.

  “The King must never know that you’re his son.” He told Kenner.

  Why not?”

  The General looked as if searching for an answer.

  “It would not be wise.” He said and he and Kenner stared at one another for a moment.

  “Get as much rest as possible.” He said to Kenner and then left the room.

  Now confused and irritated, Kenner couldn’t sleep. He continued to watch the activity outside when there was another knock on his door.

  “Yes?” He called out.

  Terri then walked in with a jug of ale, two cups and a cigar in her mouth.

  “I thought you might still be up.” She said smiling.

  She poured a cup and handed it to Kenner.

  “Is ale your answer to everything?” He asked her.

  “No.” She grunted and then looked up at him with a grin. “Only important things.”

  Kenner and Terri talked and laughed for a few moments about the trial, the King and the looks of horror on the faces of the panel after the King ordered them to see for themselves the Wolfen army. But then Kenner got serious.

  “Everybody gets weird when they talk about my father.” He said after a swallow of ale.