by A E Stanfill
“Turn your horses around slowly, if you try anything funny, you shall regret it.” It was clear these men were not mere soldiers. The armor they wore was shiny silver, with the crest of a lion carved on the breastplates. It was a way of showing they belonged to the Elite Guard.
Gawain could plainly see that the one in the center was the captain of the guard, because he was wearing a red and green cape and his helmet bore a different resemblance than the others. When Ellyn turned to face the men, the captain jumped from his horse and ran up to her. “Lady Ellyn, is that truly you?”
“It is,” Ellyn smiled warmly.
The captain knelt down before her and removed his helmet, revealing that he was instead a she. “Lady Ellyn, it is a relief to see you safe. We thought for sure you had perished at the hands of the slave traders. Princess Mina will be relieved to know of this news.”
“Rise from your knees, you know how much I hate that, Captain Shena,” Ellyn muttered.
“I can't believe that the captain of the Elite Guard is a woman,” Leon whispered to Ulrich.
“Be quiet,” Ulrich whispered back.
Shena got to her feet, glaring at the company that Ellyn kept, no doubt thinking they were the enemies. “Who are these people?” she snarled.
“Show some respect, Captain Shena,” Ellyn demanded. “These people saved my life. Which is more than I can say about the guard right now.”
Captain Shena lowered her head in shame, “Forgive me, Lady Ellyn.” She looked back up at the others. “I apologize for my harsh words, and thank you for keeping Lady Ellyn safe.”
Gawain humbly nodded, “No thanks are necessary. It has been a pleasure having Miss Ellyn travel with us.”
“Still, you have my thanks,” Captain Shena responded with a faint smile.
“Now that you know I'm alright, you can be on your way,” Ellyn snubbed her.
Captain Shena wagged her finger in Ellyn's face, “That will not do,” she said. “You must come back to the city of Ormkirk with us.”
“I refuse,” Ellyn snobbishly replied.
“You owe it to your sister and to your parents to come back with us,” Captain Shena scolded her. “Not only that, it is your duty, and you know that I'm right.”
“You don't know a thing about what my parents would want,” Ellyn barked.
Shena took a deep breath, “Lady Ellyn, I have served your parents for ages. They would not wish for Mina to handle the burden of the kingdom alone, would they?”
“She's not alone, she has Rin there to help out.”
“Lady Ellyn, your brother left over four months ago,” Shena sighed. “We have not heard a word from him since then.”
“What?” Ellyn gasped. “I can't believe Rin would just up and leave Mina to handle everything on her own. That doesn't sound like something he would do. Unless he went out in search of me.” She looked back at Ulrich with a look of sadness and broke a faint smile. ‘I want to go with Ulrich, but my place is by my sister's side. And maybe I can even find out where Rin has run off to in the meantime.’ “I'm sorry guys, but I must go with them. My sister needs me.”
“Then we shall go with you,” Ulrich said.
“We cannot go with her,” Gawain interrupted. “Our journey is over, it's time to return home.”
“Then I will go with her.”
“Not this time,” Ellyn frowned.
Ulrich gave a look of shock, “Why would you say that?”
Ellyn couldn't look Ulrich in the eyes when she answered him, “As much as I would like for you to go with me, you can't. This journey has meant a lot to you. Deep down you know that you want to return home, that way you can prove yourself.”
She took a necklace from her neck, maneuvering her horse close to his. “Take this.” She took his hand, placing the necklace in it. “Keep this safe for me until next we meet. Remember, you have a personal mission to accomplish as well, that should come first.” Ellyn turned her horse around and spurred it over to where the two soldiers awaited.
Captain Shena placed her helmet back over her head and bowed before mounting her horse. “It is time we head back to Ormkirk,” she shouted, spurring her horse on. Followed by the two soldiers and Ellyn, right before they were out of sight, she stopped and waved one last time, then disappeared over the rolling hills. It was hard watching Ellyn ride away without him, and Ulrich fought back the urge to cry out and give chase. The feeling of sadness was soon replaced with what he had come to know best; hatred.
Ulrich pulled the reins of his horse, turning in the opposite direction, “Let's get out of here, there's nothing more for us here.” He kicked the sides of his horse and off he went. Ulrich never looked back.
19
The Chamberlain Strikes A Deal With Evil
The now King Alistair took the pieces of the Reaper Blade down into the dungeons where he came to a torch that was placed on the wall. At first glance it seemed to be a dead end. Alistair checked the surrounding area to make sure he wasn't being followed. If anyone found out what he had been up to, it could lead to disastrous consequences.
He reached out and pulled the torch, which made the wall move revealing a hidden room. Alistair took a step inside and the trap door closed behind him. He mumbled a few words under his breath, and within seconds the torches in the room lit up. The only things in the room were a large table, along with a single chair sitting in the center. On that table was an old book; it was the same one that Gawain had given to him after he had taken Leon from within the house floorboards.
It was that book that changed Alistair's destiny forever, giving him the knowledge of the power he could take for his own. He put the pieces of the blade upon the table beside the old book and began fitting them together exactly. He stared at the almost finished blade, thinking ‘one more piece, and the Reaper Blade shall be complete. And all the power it holds shall be mine. Then I shall start shaping this world into what it was meant to be, a crooked smile curved his lips.’ A shadow inside the room moved which caught his attention, so Alistair unsheathed the King’s Defender and held it up, “Show yourself, or my blade shall find its target. That much I promise you.”
“Steady your blade, King Alistair.” Chamberlain Ballard stepped out of the shadows with his arms raised. “I'm not here to make an attempt on your life. So if you don't mind please, please, put that thing away.”
Alistair angrily glared at the man, “Even if you tried to kill me it would do you no good, you would be dead before you took another step,” he smirked. “Hmm, I still might kill you yet, depending on how you answer my questions.”
“You tried that once before, remember,” Ballard laughed. “However this time I am unarmed, I come in peace.”
“I have killed unarmed men before,” Alistair smirked. “Tell me, how did you find this room?”
Ballard slowly paced back and forth, making sure not to eye the book that lay atop the table. “Remember Alistair-”
“King Alistair to you.”
Ballard smiled and kept pacing, “My apologies, King Alistair. As I was saying, I was King Edward’s Chamberlain well before you became his First Knight.” He ran the tips of his fingers across the flat of the table. “This castle has been my home for many a year, I know all of the secrets it holds.”
Alistair watched Chamberlain Ballard's hand inching ever closer to the book, “So you have been spying on me.” he said, reaching over and picking up the book. “What else do you know?”
Ballard waved his hand over the broken sword, “I know of this,” he said. “This is none other than the Reaper Blade. Is it not?”
“So what if it is?”
“And you're close to completing it, are you not?”
Alistair raised his brow, “What if I am? What's it to you?” he asked. “Clearly it means nothing if it's in pieces.”
“Do you take me for a fool?” Ballard snarled. “I know all about that book in your hand, I also know that the King’s Defender is key in restoring the Reaper
Blade to its former glory.” He took a deep breath, trying to hide his gleefulness. “Not only that, King Alistair. I know exactly what you, and now First Knight Caine, have done to the former King Edward.”
Alistair raised his blade to the throat of the Chamberlain, “Dead men tell no tales,” he smiled devilishly.
Chamberlain Ballard put the tip of his finger on the end of the blade, “I'm not here to cause you grief. This humble man only wishes to serve his new king to the best of his abilities,” he grinned from ear to ear.
“I seriously doubt that,” Alistair said. “What do you really want?”
Ballard pushed the tip of the blade away from his throat, “As I said, I'm here to serve. And give you some well-needed advice.” Alistair was curious and sheathed his sword back to his side. “That's better, maybe we can work together. However, before we go any further here I have but one request; please call me by my name. Being called Chamberlain all the time is unnerving.”
“As you wish, Ballard,” Alistair replied. “What sort of advice does one wish to share?”
“Let's say it’s more information than advice.”
“Say what you will, but for your sake, you better pray the information is worth my while.”
Ballard smiled sheepishly, “People are talking, Your Majesty. Not the townsfolk though, they do not have the brains to piece things together, filthy peasants.” Ballard turned his back to King Alistair, “It's the people of the Academy that have been talking. Even trying to cause distrust within your loyal subjects.”
Alistair rubbed his chin nervously, “This is troubling.”
Ballard turned back around to face Alistair, “But I have an idea,” he evilly smiled. “There is a way to place the blame on others, and deal with the Academy at the same time, but it will cost you.”
“Name your price, if you want wealth then I will make sure you have it. If you want power, then you shall have that as well.”
“I do not want money, nor do I wish for power.” Ballard pointed at the book that Alistair had a death grip on. “When you are done with giving the Reaper Blade back its power, all I want in return is the book that you have in your hands. That is all I wish for.”
Alistair held the book tight in his hands, as he wasn't sure if he was willing to part with it just yet. The book itself had secrets of power that he had yet to learn. But taking the Reaper Blade’s power for himself was what he wanted more than anything else. ‘I do not know if I can part with this relic of power, it has taught me worldly secrets that not a soul knows of.
What would Ballard learn if he had the book to himself, would it be wise to allow such a thing to happen? Would it interfere with my plans? He knows of a way to deal with the Academy without me having a direct hand in the matter.’ Alistair was hesitant but had finally come to a decision, “You have yourself a deal, Ballard. Once I have what I want, and you have dealt with the situation at hand, the book shall be yours.”
“Let us make a blood pact, to ensure promises are kept,” Ballard said, pulling a knife from his belt. He held the knife straight up, placing his left hand over the blade and squeezing tightly. Ballard pulled the knife, and the sharp blade made a small gash in the palm of his hand. Alistair did the same. The two men shook hands and the blood pact between them was complete.
20
The Reaper Blade is Restored and the Academy is no More
The kingdom of Drasal was now in sight; it had been a long, harsh journey, full of excitement, wonder, and loss. But Gawain, Leon, and Ulrich had finally made it home after a very long two and a half years. With them was the last piece of the Reaper Blade. Most of the time Caine would send for someone to watch them and retrieve each piece, but not this time. As they rode through town, they expected a hero's welcome, or at least that's what Ulrich had expected. But they didn't get anything of the sort, and not even one welcome back was heard.
“I thought for sure we would receive some kind of honors for our trouble,” Ulrich grumbled.
“King Edward is sickly, and I doubt that he even knows of our endeavors,” Gawain said.
“We are home, that's all that matters,” Leon smiled brightly. “First thing I'm going to do is take a nice warm bath, then eat a hot meal. I can honestly say that I'm tired of eating rabbit meat.”
“Sorry Leon, but that will have to wait,” Gawain informed him. “We must find Headmaster Caine.” Speaking of Caine as a headmaster made his stomach crawl. “And give him the last piece of the blade as proof to him that we have completed our mission.”
“Do I have to tag along?” Leon muttered.
“Like it or not, all three of us have to make an appearance.”
“Stop whining,” Ulrich interrupted. “We may not have had a hero's welcome, but we shall still be heroes in the eyes of Lord Alistair and Headmaster Caine. Don't you see? They will give us anything that our hearts desire.” He could barely contain his excitement.
“Who would want things from two evil men like that?” Gawain snapped. “I would never sell my soul to the likes of them.”
“You know nothing old man.”
A young boy ran up requesting he take the horses from them, he was the stable master's helper and was quite good at his job. Gawain smiled, dismounting from his horse, “Take good care of this horse, boy,” Gawain smiled, fast to remove the saddle bag.
“I will Mister,” the boy gave a toothless grin.
Gawain reached into his money pouch and removed a gold coin, dropping it in the young boy's hand. “There's more where that came from if you keep your end of the deal,” he winked. The young boy smiled happily and pulled the horses towards the stables.
“Why do you insist on giving those filthy peasants money just to do what they are told?” Ulrich snarled.
“These are troubling times, Ulrich. Not every child is lucky enough to join the Academy. They do what they must to survive, same as their parents.”
“I don't need a lecture, old man,” Ulrich growled, then walked on ahead.
“Don't let him get to you, Master Gawain,” Leon smiled, before running after Ulrich.
Gawain was tired from the long journey and was also getting tired of dealing with Ulrich's snide remarks. He looked as though his anger was reaching a boiling point. Just when he was getting about ready to chase Ulrich down and teach him a lesson that he would never forget, a voice whispered to him from the shadows, “He's not worth it.” He recognized who it was right away.
“What makes you think I was going to do anything?”
“I've come to recognize the faces you make when you are angry, and thinking about doing something foolish.”
“You've got me there, Shadow,” Gawain chuckled, letting his anger go.
Shadow stepped out from the alleyway, wearing another outfit as she had always done. This time she bore a worn out brown tunic and tattered jeans, and like always she had a hood that covered her face, and a worn-out cloak that concealed the double blades she wore on her back. “Forget about the boy, for now we have bigger problems to deal with.”
“What can be a bigger problem than giving Headmaster Caine the last piece of the Reaper Blade, and smacking Ulrich around?”
“It's Caine, he is no longer Headmaster.”
“That's good to hear.” Gawain let out a sigh of relief.
“No, it's bad, really bad.”
“How can that be a bad thing?”
“Cain has become the new First Knight to the King,” Shadow explained.
“Is King Edward that naive?” Gawain choked.
“That is the more disturbing news I have to tell you,” Shadow sighed. “Your precious King Edward has disappeared and Alistair has been appointed the new King of Drasal.”
“This cannot be!” Gawain slammed his fist into the first hut door nearest him.
“This is not the time for anger, but action.”
Gawain took a few deep breaths, clenching his fists tight, “You are right, Shadow, I must calm myself and figure out the best cou
rse of action.”
“Do you still have the last piece of the Reaper Blade?”
“Of course,” Gawain answered.
“Check to make sure, Alistair must never get his hands on it.”
“Do not worry, I have it right here in my saddlebag.” Gawain reached into the bag and fumbled around until he pulled a torn piece of cloth out. “It's right here.” He unwrapped the object and let out a gasp of disbelief.
“That's a piece of wood,” Shadow said. “Where is the relic?”
“It was right here, wrapped up in this cloth.” Gawain still had the look of disbelief written all over his face. “He wouldn't dare,” his eyes then filled with anger.
“Who has it, if not you?”
“Ulrich,” Gawain growled. “He must have known that I was having second thoughts about giving it to, Caine.”
“You must go after him, and be quick,” Shadow said with urgency. “He must not be allowed to hand it over to Caine, nor Alistair.”
Gawain turned and chased after Leon and Ulrich. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, sweat was forming on his brow, and he was breathing heavily. As he drew near, fear started to build inside of him, for he had seen Leon and Ulrich heading into the castle. “Wait!” He shouted. “Don't give them the last piece of the blade, Ulrich! Ulrich!” Ulrich turned smiling at Gawain; it was a way of defying his teacher of old, one last time.
“Did you hear someone shouting?” Leon asked.
“It's no one,” Ulrich said. “Let us hurry.”
“What about Master Gawain?”
“Don't worry about the old man, he will catch up to us.” When the soldier standing guard opened the castle doors, Ulrich ushered Leon on inside.
“Why are you pushing me?”
“We don't want to keep Lord Alistair or Headmaster Caine waiting.” The door closed behind them, followed by a loud thud, then a clicking of a lock. Ulrich turned from Leon's view and smiled faintly. ‘It's to’ late old man, you can't stop us now.’