The Black Sword Trilogy: The Poacher
Page 29
Terri was about to say something dry and funny, but the King continued.
“Your skill and courage as a soldier and the sacred weapon you bear make your value as a soldier incalculable. And your friendship with the Lady of the Woods makes you even more so.”
Melkur then presented her with a gold and ruby ring.
“I therefore charge you to serve this land and our great neighbor as my representative to the Lady of the Woods. Arise, Captain Terri, soldier and ambassador to the Blackwoods.”
She climbed down the steps and then stood next to Kenner again.
“Not bad for a degenerate, eh?” She whispered to Kenner.
“Finally!” The King said grinning. “We come to a man whom it seems destiny has chosen to rise high above the station to which he was born. I call forth the man who, perhaps more than any at this moment is the reason my kingdom remains intact. Captain Kenner, come forth!”
Kenner took a deep breath as he prepared himself to swallow his pride and perform a simple task that he hoped he’d never have to repeat. He walked a few steps towards the throne, but then the King stopped him.
“I will spare you the indignity of kneeling before me, Captain as I believe it may be distasteful to you.” The King said. There was something in the King’s voice and his eyes that made Kenner somewhat suspicious. He looked and sounded devious, like a gambler with a trick.
“The crown and the people of Walechia thank you for your service and your strength.” The King continued. “Truly, you have earned our deepest gratitude and respect.”
Several guards then approached carrying large wooden chests. They laid the chests beside Kenner and opened them revealing them full of silver coins.
“There are three ways in which the crown wishes to thank this most courageous of heroes. First, by offering you this reward of twenty thousand in silver. If you are wise and careful in spending them, they may give you many years of comfortable living. Second, we recognize that you have served this nation as a foreigner and reward you by releasing you from our service. No longer will we ask you to risk your life or your health by fighting for our cause.”
The spectators and guests all started murmuring. This was unexpected and Kenner found himself confused. What was the king doing?
“Finally,” The King said with more purpose. “It is time you received justice in a matter nearly overlooked.”
The King then glared at Kenner, his eyes like arrows loosed at an enemy.
“Some time ago, you physically assaulted the royal person of the King, causing me injury I still feel to this day. This is a crime for which you were not brought to account and I will now rectify that mistake.”
Kenner then noticed that at least twenty armed soldiers had entered the throne room and were standing at attention with their spears.
“Ordinarily,” The King continued. “This offense carries the penalty of death; but as you have so loyally and bravely served this nation in a time of crisis, I have decided to show you mercy. I hereby declare you, Kenner of the hills banished from this land forever. Because I am merciful, I will give you two days to leave this nation and return to your village in the hills. But from that point and forever more, should your face ever be seen in this nation again, you will be put to death and your head will adorn the Iron Gates of this city.”
The soldiers began to step forward towards Kenner, but the King shouted, “No! As I am merciful and just, I will give this man the opportunity to leave my sight peacefully.”
Kenner was surprised, but thought to himself that he shouldn’t be. This was the same man who had murdered his cousins showing his true form. This was a King more similar to the one his father had described and this was the kind of justice he had learned from his father to expect from Walechia. In a way, he preferred it this way.
“Will you be the man of peace and leave of your own accord?” The King hissed. “Or will there be bloodshed in my sacred chamber?”
Kenner nodded and then turned to leave.
“That’s what I thought, poacher!” The King spat at him.
After he turned, Kenner looked at Krall, whose face looked as if apologizing to him. He looked at Terri who looked stunned and hurt. “Don’t go,” her eyes looked as if saying. He also looked at everyone in the chamber examining their faces. Some were shocked and amazed, still others looked as though amused. Then a thought occurred to him and a smile grew on his face.
He turned and faced the King with his hand on the grip of his sword.
“Have you decided to fight, my dear poacher?” The King asked.
“Oh, I will leave, Your Majesty and I promise you will never see me again. But before I go, I wanted to remind you of something.”
He stretched out his empty hand and then the Silver Axe flew into the air landing perfectly in Kenner’s outstretched fingers. The spectators and guests of the coronation gasped. Kenner looked to his friends, both of whom were smiling. He brought the blade of the axe to his lips and whispered something to it. He then plunged the Silver Axe into the marble floor of the throne room, turned, nodded at two soldiers to bring his chests of coins and, grinning and laughing left the White City, determined never to return.
The Silver Axe
After Kenner had plunged the axe into the marble floor of King Melkur’s throne room, the King tried, with all his might to pull the sword from the floor, but could not. He called on several soldiers to pull the sword for him, but they could not. He called on the giant guards of the throne room doors, but both failed as well. No one was able to pry the mighty weapon from its resting place.
The King sent word throughout the land for men and women to come to the White City and try to rest the sword from the floor. The prize was gold and jewelry enough for a man or woman to live as rich for many lifetimes. And as word spread past the borders of Walechia, thousands came from around the world to try to pull the axe from the floor. None could lift it.