King of Knights

by Bebe Lightsmith

  “Ryker, I really think you were meant to die in that storage building over a year ago,” I said in a quiet but severe voice. It was something I had been grappling with since I realized Ivy wasn’t meant to exist in this world. If it hadn’t been for Ivy being able to get there so quickly, they would have killed Ryker long before I was able to show up. Not to mention, we had no escape route without her. We probably all would have died, which meant that both of us, Ryker and myself, were not meant to be here. Ryker became King of Knights when there was not supposed to be one.

  “Morgana has entrusted us with this secret. I think you understand how imperative it is that this information never gets out.” I then said.

  “Well duh, we’d have a damn riot on our hands,” Ryker grumbled. “You could argue that we would have not been in Abilene without Ivy.” He then pointed out.

  “No, we were always meant to be there. I felt it.” I argued. “It was after that alarmed me because now, I don’t feel like I’m supposed to be anywhere.” Ryker punched my arm, and I glared over at him.

  “With us, that’s where you’re supposed to be.” He then said. That was probably the closest Ryker had ever been to expressing his deep love for me. I couldn’t help but laugh and call him a derogatory name. He told me to shut up, and that was the end of the conversation.

  We decided to stop at our childhood homes in Alrington since our leave was approved for a week. We weren’t going to stay the whole week, but I think we just needed some time away from everyone to wrap our minds around all that had happened. My father called the next day, and we had probably the most honest and emotional discussion we had ever had. Things still weren’t great between us, but it was a step towards healing. He apologized profusely and told me that he loved my mother deeply and only wanted to protect us. It was difficult to come to terms with, but I knew with time things would work out.

  Chapter Eight:

  Ryker:

  I really hated funerals. They weren’t for the dead but for the living. Was it so wrong that I didn’t need that? I had my chance to say goodbye to Constance while she was still alive, so I didn’t need to look at her body in an overpriced box while people walked through and shook my hand. I didn’t need their hugs or their tears or even their condolences. I just wanted to get back to work. I stood at the receiving line with Owen on one side of me and my father on the other. Ivy sat with her parents; they had flown in to support us. I really liked Harold and Helena. They were trusting, giving people that did not tinge their words with judgment.

  We were in a swanky ballroom for the reception. Caterers milled around serving drinks and snacks. Solemn music played in the background as people lumped up into groups to talk about business. Like the death of any legacy, pretty much every prominent member of Mythos society had flown into Virginia to offer his or her respects. As the knights went passed me, they bowed slightly. I noticed how some of the old men snickered as they did it, but I was beyond caring.

  I just wanted to get out of there.

  The line was almost finished as the room filled up with people when I noticed Brandon and Bethany Charlemagne enter the room. What were they doing here? I didn’t go to Colonel Charlemagne’s funeral because, well, I thought I wouldn’t be received. Beth and her brother offered Sterling and Owen their condolences. Brandon stood in front of me first. His blue eyes were hard with anger as he gave me a slight bow and then shook my hand. He didn’t say a word as he went on to my father. Beth stood in front of me then. She shook my hand, her face masked with hatred. I wanted to say something, but what words could possibly fix this? I’m sorry I killed your dad, but he was a real dick.

  That would never work.

  When there were no more people to receive, I hurried away, wanting to find Ivy. She had been a real comfort to both Owen and me, and right then I just needed her around. Searching the room, I spotted a hot blonde in a form-fitting black dress, her moon-shaded hair braided back away from her face, but left loose in the back. Setting my hand on her hip, she leaned against me, giving me a small smile of encouragement.

  “How are you holding up?” Helena asked, looking up at me with wide, sad emerald eyes.

  “I’m alright. I’d be better if this were all over.” I grumbled. She reached out and rubbed her hand against my arm.

  “It’s okay to feel that way.” She encouraged. I just held back the laugh. I had never met more accepting people in my life. It was a good thing that there were only Mythos people in attendance, including the caterers and staff because every once in a while blue magic would stream across the room as both Owen and Sterling were having a difficult time keeping it in.

  “Do you mind if I talk to Ivy for a moment?” I asked her parents. They both smiled and nodded their heads, wondering off to greet other people. From their experiences at social events at MBIA, they had made acquaintances with several members of the Mythos community.

  Ivy turned and wrapped her arms around my waist. I felt my body calm.

  “You want to get out of here?” I asked.

  “We can’t leave Owen,” Ivy replied, looking over at our devastated best friend. I knew she was right, but every molecule in my body just wanted to flee. “Do you want me to open the mirror for you? I’ll get you when we’re back at the dorms.” She offered. Having alone time in dream world sounded amazing, but I knew I couldn’t leave. Not just for Owen, but because this was the first time that all the major legacy knights were in the same room after I became king. I needed to show face.

  “Thanks, but you’re right, we need to stay,” I told her, letting out a deep breath. She gave me a smile of encouragement.

  “I saw Bethany and her brother come in.” She then said, giving me a cautious look.

  “Yeah,” was all I could think to say. She gave me one last squeeze and then stepped away, taking my hand.

  We milled around the room. People vied for our attention, and soon a group had formed around us. It wasn’t just me, but everyone was fascinated with Ivy as well. She was her usual charming self, and I had never seen high-ranking military officers melt so fast. She did most of the talking, as I wasn’t much in the mood. I’m not sure what all was said, but they looked happy.

  Sterling got the room’s attention, and he thanked everyone for coming. It wasn’t a long speech, but he talked about Constance and how he was happy that so many of her friends had turned out. I tried not to scoff. Everyone had deserted her after she checked into the mental hospital. When Sterling was finished, Brandon jumped on stage and grabbed the microphone.

  “Ryker Pendragon, King of Knights, I challenge you to a duel.” He pointed directly at me. The room gasped and turned to look at us.

  “Hang on a second.” My father stepped on the stage, grabbing the microphone from him. “Under what circumstances?” He demanded. For a duel to be valid, there had to be a good reason for it.

  “For the death of my father,” Brandon announced. I wasn’t going to fight Brandon. I wasn’t sure if I’d win or lose, but I still wasn’t going to fight him. I had taken enough from the Charlemagne family.

  “Your father was a criminal and a traitor!” Someone yelled from the back. I felt a headache coming on. Others started to shout, either defending the late Colonel or insulting him. Giving Ivy’s hand a squeeze, I moved toward the stage. I had to do something. For some reason, I was one of the major leaders of these people.

  Jumping onto the stage, I took the microphone from my father, giving him a sure nod. He handed it over after giving me a long look. I held the mic down at my side and looked at Brandon. I had known him since we were kids. He was a few years older than me, but I had always respected and liked him.

  “Are you sure you want this?” I asked him in a low voice so only he could hear me. Brandon let out a deep breath, the pain and anger masking his face.

  “I’m sure I want justice for my father.” Brandon snarled at me. I couldn’t think of how to get out of this. I had to show strength in front of the other knights if I wanted
to keep my precarious hold on my title, but I also didn’t feel right fighting Brandon.

  Lifting the microphone to my mouth I made a decision.

  “I respectfully surrender the duel,” I said. The room gasped as whispers filled the air. “I did kill his father, and whether it was justified or not doesn’t matter. I took a father from his son. I am taking full responsibility.” I then turned to Brandon. “I want to apologize to you and your sister for my actions.” I held out my hand. Brandon looked like he was about to explode with rage. His face was red with fury, and the veins in his neck started to pop out. My father and a few other of the older knights started to intervene.

  Stepping off the stage, I walked towards Ivy. It would have been dishonorable to fight him. Besides that, I wanted to be a just and honest king. With all the deception and corruption in the Order right now, I wanted to be different. I wanted to show them that there was another way.

  The air changed.

  I felt it long before I heard the gasps of the people around me. Ivy’s eyes widened, green sparks flashing from them. She opened her mouth to scream my name, but it was unnecessary. At the last second, I raised my hand. Excalibur burst through the window, landing in my palm. In that instant I turned, countering Brandon’s attack and sending him flying back, across the room and over the stage, to hit the wall. I wasn’t sure where he pulled the sword from, probably from one of the older knights that were trying to calm him down. It didn’t matter.

  Excalibur glowed so brightly that she made the rest of the room look dim. The crowd around me had quickly dispersed, creating a wide circle around where I stood. My father looked at me with wide but proud eyes. Brandon lay where he landed, the wall crushed from where he hit it as drywall and other debris fell around him.

  Admiral Gilgamesh stepped forward in front of me. His legacy was much older than mine, and therefore technically more powerful. His family held more clout than even the Pendragons. Without a word, he removed his ceremonial sword. Slowly, he descended to one knee and held his sword out to me. The others in the room started to whisper and gasp as one-by-one all the knights in the room showed their fealty to me. Agent Rogers told me that my quest to claim my title over the knights wouldn’t be easy, but at that moment I knew that I had made a stride. Even my father knelt from his position on the stage, his sword outstretched in his hands. Excalibur must have loved the attention because she glowed brighter, the energy around her blade flickering like flames.

  Then, slowly, one-by-one, the others followed. The wizards, trolls, fairies, and other creatures of Mythos did not fall under the jurisdiction of my title. I was King of Knights, not of Mythos, but for them to acknowledge me in such a way was a major feat. As the room knelt in front of me, my eyes locked with a person standing at the door. It was the old man with the long white hair and beard. He wore a black tunic this time. His blue eyes glimmered, and he gave me a nod of respect before he turned and left the room.

  After the initial shock and the room started to move about again, Admiral Gilgamesh and his son, a Captain, approached me. I had met the Admiral a long time ago, but I was sure he remembered me. When they were within a few feet of me, they stopped and bowed their heads slightly, as a sign of respect.

  “She is beautiful.” The Admiral admired. He was a large man, even at his relatively old age. His hair was completely white, and the skin around his eyes and mouth sagged. His son was about my father’s age, and I knew his daughter was middle-aged as well. I held Excalibur out in front of me, giving them a better look. The other knights started to crowd around behind them, vying for a better glimpse of my legendary sword.

  “I’m not going to lie,” The old Admiral started, his voice deep and raspy, “I thought you refused the Charlemagne boy’s call for a duel because you were afraid to fight him. Now I know that you were afraid of hurting him. Am I right?” I gave the Admiral a long look.

  “Respectfully, no.” I shook my head. He looked at me with curiosity. “I refused his challenge because it would have been dishonorable to engage in such a duel as I was guilty of what he accused me of, killing his father. I did do that. Therefore, there was no need for a duel.” The Admiral gave me a long look. I could see the thoughts churning behind his bronze colored eyes.

  “I heard you killed him because he was trying to kill the Le Fay Legacy.” Captain Gilgamesh asserted. I nodded.

  “You heard right.” Excalibur thankfully started to dim, as she was so bright, my eyes had started to water.

  “My Lady.” The Admiral bowed his head as Ivy stepped forward to stand beside me. He then stepped closer to us, moving his head so he could whisper in both of our ears.

  “The cult you are looking for is called the Cult of Uasal.” He then stepped back giving us a long look. From there, he distracted the rest of the room, toasting to Constance and the new King of Knights.

  The reception started to disperse shortly after that. Owen came up to me then. He actually had a smile on his face, the first one since his mother died. The relief I felt at seeing it was surprising. I hadn’t realized I had been so worried about him. He jerked his head to the right, motioning us to follow. The three of us met in a large supply closet.

  “Holy shit dude, way to assert your dominance.” Owen laughed. Usually, I would have argued with him, but he was so happy at that moment I didn’t want to ruin it for him.

  “Brandon attacked me.” I reminded him.

  “Yeah, but you could have dodged or something.” Owen laughed again. “Dude, I was about to reign down the powers of the Earth when I saw him coming for you, but then I felt it, her.”

  “I didn’t even summon her,” I replied, looking down at Excalibur still in my hand.

  “I was about to send him to a hell plain, and I wouldn’t have been sorry,” Ivy added.

  “I mean, you would have released him, right?” I asked. Ivy gave me an innocent, wide-eyed look and then shrugged.

  “If you asked, I guess.” She replied. Though I knew I could trust her with, well, everything, sometimes she scared me.

  “What did Admiral Gilgamesh tell you?” Owen then asked.

  “He gave us the name of the cult,” Ivy answered.

  “The Cult of Uasal,” I added.

  “Uasal?” Owen muttered, giving us a thoughtful look. “That’s Celtic.” I knew nothing about languages. Owen, on the other hand, to wield his ancient druid magic, had to learn the ancient and dead languages of Merlin’s time. “It means master.”

  “The Cult of the Master?” Ivy muttered.

  “We should report this,” I said. Agent Rogers will want to know all of this.

  “Unless they already know.” Owen gave me a long look. It would be stupid to think that the powers-that-be did not already know about such a dangerous organization. The Cult was corrupting knights, which would surely get some attention. Agent Rogers probably already knew. So why did Admiral Gilgamesh feel the need to tell us when no one else had?

  An hour later we had made it back to campus. The funeral seemed to be cathartic for Owen as he was back to his old self, which relieved me. We were cracking jokes as we walked across campus back to our dorms. Natalie came bouncing up to us, a bright smile on her pretty face.

  “I heard Ryker showed his huge sword to everyone and they were so impressed.” She laughed. That had been her joke, ever since Bethany had commented on the size of Excalibur. We all laughed.

  “Seems knights like to gossip like old women,” Owen commented.

  “It’s all around, everywhere,” Natalie replied. She then turned to me and gave me a small bow. “King of Knights.”

  We started to talk about other things. Finals were quickly approaching and then, of course, graduation. It was an odd sort of feeling, realizing that everyone was about to move on. The three of us had decided to apply to MBIU, but other knights were taking the training they had received from MBIA and were joining the military. Some of the other creatures were moving on to specialty universities to hone their powers an
d use them for the betterment of society.

  Ivy was laughing when all of a sudden she stopped. A severe look overtook her pretty face. Owen halted too, and they shared a knowing glance.

  “What is it?” I asked. Natalie was confused as well.

  “Grams is back.” She smiled. Ditching her heels, she ran across the lawn, back towards the main castle. Owen followed her. I gave Natalie a shrug and bent to pick up Ivy’s discarded shoes.

  “Never a dull moment for Team Camelot.” She laughed.

  “Never,” I replied.

  We said our goodbyes, and then I jogged to catch up with the others. I met them in Morgana’s tower office. Ivy had her arms around her grandmother.

  “I’m only here for a moment, sweetling.” Morgana was saying to her.

  “Why can’t you stay?” Ivy demanded, pulling away from her. Morgana smoothed Ivy’s hair back over her shoulders.

  I set Ivy’s shoes down next to her, and she stepped back into them, giving me a smile in thanks. I gave her a wink and then turned back to Morgana. She pulled me into a hug and then stepped away.

  “King of Knights.” She said, bowing her head slightly. “The two of you are progressing nicely.” She then turned to Owen. “Now if you will excuse us, I need to speak to my Emrys.” Ivy started to argue, but I grabbed her arm and led her away. Owen needed this, needed her. He had been struggling with his magic, and I hoped that Morgana could help him.

  “Say goodbye to me before you go again,” Ivy called as I tugged her out of the room.

  “Don’t worry, sweetling, I will,” Morgana promised and then the door shut behind us.

  “I suppose I should get changed and catch up with my parents.” Ivy sighed as we descended the winding stairs from the top of the tower. “You know, they were real impressed with you.” She smiled, nudging me with her shoulder. I supposed I hadn’t thought about how Ivy’s parents would perceive me. They were humans and therefore had probably never seen anything like what just happened. I was thankful once again for their acceptance.