The Knight

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle watched Rose ride away, tears streaming down her cheeks. She waved, and blew Rose a kiss, exaggerating her movements in the hopes that her Lady Knight would see the gesture.

"Fear not," a deep baritone voice behind her said, "Your suitors will return. In the meantime, dear, depend that I and my Black Knights shall see to your safety."

It was the Knight Lord Malcolm, her suitor and commander of the Black Knights. Isabelle did not turn around, did not take her eyes off of Rose.

"Yes, she will return."

"She?" He chuckles. "Fair Rose? How very interesting. Yes, She will return then."

Isabelle felt his mailled hand on the small of her back, but still she watched her knight ride off. She sighed, sobbed, and waived at her rapidly retreiting form.

It was many minutes before she could turn her eyes from Rose. She was a distant speck on the horizon before she left the rampart, and Malcolm had long since left her to herself.

--------------------------------------------

Isabelle read each one of her father's letters quietly, then aloud to her mother. It was the hardest time of her life, for between each letter she feared always the worst. She was unable to study, and even the books of magic in the wizard's old chambers seemed dry and lifeless to her.

Several times she had heard rumors that men had died passing through the mountains on their northern borders, and each time she feared that the "man" that died was her own Lady Knight, but each time it was prooved to be the same handfull of soldiers, whose deaths were reported each time by different messengers. Whenever a messenger was going back out, she would write a letter, even if just a quick note, to her dear Rose, wishing her well and safety.

Each day, she lit a candle in the castle's church, and prayed to all the gods that would listen, for Rose's safe journey, but also for success and glory to the expedition. She wanted to hear of Heroic Exploits by her Lady Knight Rose, how many men she slew, how many wounds she withstood. Yet ... at the same time, she wished her home without wounds, without the necessity of killing anyone. It was a rough time, a confusing time, and one that sorely tested her faith and resolve.

 

[Sky Jade]

It took a few days for them to reach the desert castle, taveling under the coolness of the night while sleeping in tents during the day. Things went much more smoothly than either Kings had expected and there was not need for a battle to even take place.

It seemed that Nouve was outnumbered by the two countries by 5 to 1, and the Duke, not King as there didn't seem to be such a high rank of royalty within the coutry, surrendered without a fight. Rose was thankful that they didn't have to fight since she didn't want to lose any of her men. The Duke pledged his soverienty to King Roland, who let him retain control of the country.

The King sent word back of the good news and that they would be arriving back home at the start of winter. They left the mountains as a cold snap began, but they were able to keep the men left after the trek in the desert.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

The most eventful thing to happen at the castle was the sudden arrival of Isabelle's two suitors born to the merchant class. They arrived on the same day, coincidentally, and their wagon trains of gifts almost became entangled.

Isabelle had to laugh as the obviously jealous Malcolm kept placing obstacles in their paths, so neither one was able to take any great advantage of the situation.

In fact, Malcolm had found, by one means or another, to be with Isabelle nearly every day for several hours. He had apparently convinced the Queen that Isabelle needed special protection.

As the days dragged on, Isabelle came more and more to appreciate Malcolm. He was strong, handsome, and not poor. Yes, she thought, he would be my choice, but for Rose.

Her choice. Did she have one? She knew what her father expected of her. She needed to marry a man who would give her a son. Yes, she was going to be the next ruler, and would have all the powers of a king. But, she needed to have a son to pass the crown to. The people demanded that much. What would she do? Could she have a lover and a husband? Just as she began to despair of ever seeing Rose again, she received news ...

Isabelle was sitting at her books when Lord Malcolm entered her study.

"Princess Isabelle. There is news."

She looked up to him, and he handed her a letter.

Daughter,

We have taken Nouve without a fight, and added its Duke to our Lists as a loyal vassal.

Your Lady Knight Rose was ever in the forefront of the March, scouting and willing ever to risk her life that her men need not. I was aware also that had there been a fight, she would have been in the forefront of the fight, and yet protected from harm.

I could feel your Power, your Love surrounding her every day. It was as though a magical shield about her person.

This letter is for you, and need-not be read to my wife.

Suffice to say, we are returning even now, and will be home by the start of the next season.

Love,

Your Father,

King Roland.

Isabelle smiled happily, and hugged Malcolm tightly.

"She's coming home to me!"

She ran off, happily, to tell her mother.

Malcolm's face contorted.

"Damn her."

He slammed his fist onto the table, and walked off angrily.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose took in a deep breath for a moment, feeling the crisp air in her lungs. She looked over at the King for a moment with a smile as her horse shifted beneath her. King Roland gave her a smile back before he gave a letter to a page, sending him ahead to the castle. It would still be two days before they reached home and he was very sure the Queen would do something grand for their return.

"You look as if you have something on your mind M'lady. What is it?"

"M'lord? Oh, no it's nothing."

The King chuckled softly for a moment.

"I should know better Rose. I've known you since you first came to serve under me several years ago and that look says plenty. Looking forwar to seeing my daughter once again?"

Rose blinked for a moment and blushed deeply. She nodded softly.

"Yes m'lord. Though I am not sure that it would be possible for us to wed..."

"Nonese. The Queen and I know all about you Rose, and what happened to you. The Queen and I both believe you would be more than capable of ruling with the princess. The only problem would be of having our allies accept it."

Rose blinked and tilted her head.

"M'lord? Are you saying what I beilieve you are?"

Rose and King Roland were far ahead, so their conversation wasn't in danger of being over heard.

"Let us talk of it more at Home Rose."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle showed the letter to her mother, and hugged her tightly. She was bouncey and happy the rest of the day. She went to the ramparts, straining her eyes to see if she could see the army approach. Of course, she could not, but still she looked.

Knight Malcolm watched her happiness. A bitter anger grew and festered in him. He had not anticipated this. The princess falling for the one girl knight in the King's service? How could it be! He had to do something ....

===========

Several hours after Isabelle had received the letter from her father, she received another cryptic note.

"Meet me before front gate at dusk to nite."

There was no signature, only a rough sketch of a rose.

Isabelle wrinkled her nose. Somehow ... something seemed wrong. But ... Rose may have just been rushed. But ... but she was still several days' ride off according to the letter the Queen received.

Still ... she didn't want to risk angering her Love. She snuck out of the gate before it was closed and locked, and hid.

Dusk fell. No Rose. Her heart began to sink, and she began to feel like a fool. She looked at the note again. How stupid?

Without warning, the world exploded in red as she was hit from behind.

She fell hard to the ground, instantly unconscious.

Two men grabbed her body, and rapidly carried her off to a wagon, which hastily departed.

 

[Sky Jade]

The princess was reported missing to the Queen the next day, but she did her best to try and keep things calm. Everything was prepared as normal for the return of the army, a grand celebration prepared.

Everything seemed normal when the city gates were thrown open to let the trumpiht army in, the townspeople in full celebration. Rose looked for Isabelle to be waving from the ramparts, frowning a bit when she wasn't to be seen. Not wishing to spoil the mood, the Queen kept quiet about their daughter's disappearnce.

Rose awoke with a hangover the next morning, only to be greeted by a servent with urge orders to meet with the King and Queen. Holding her head as she walked, she soon arrived at the private chambers. She knelt beside the bed, glancing up to see two very upset parents.

"The princess is gone M'daer Rose. I fear she maybe have been kidnapped."

This made Rose straighten up more, forgeting about her headache as she focused on the Queen.

"Please find our daughter for us. I'm sure something horrible has happened to her."

"Your highness, don't worry. I shall do what I can. If my Liege allows it, I will have my Knights assist me."

The King nodded softly.

"Use what you need Rose. Do it for your happiness."

Rose blushed softly at that before she left the chanbers. She scrowled as she walked down the hallway, furious someone who do such a thing.

"Is there a problem captain? That look doesn't fit your pretty face."

Rose blinked for a moent before she saw Lt. Fergin.

"Gather the men up and get them to the barracks. I want three sentries posted, one of them at the door. Understood?"

"Yes, M'lady."

She was meet by in the barracks by ten solemn looking Knights in the barracks, waiting for their captain. They stood up strighten before she motioned them to sit.

"I called you here on an important matter. What I have to say must not got beyond us. Lt., you will tell the others after we are finished. Princess Isabelle has been kidnapped and we have been charged with finding her."

There was a murmur of disapproval before one of them spoke up.

"Why don't we ask one of the other Knights for help?"

"Because....it's just a feeling I have. Anyways, de discreet as you try and find information out. Don't act too suspicous and report anything you find to me. Got it?"

There was a cheer for her for a moment, the Knights smiling.

"Good. Dismissed."

Rose sighed as she soon was left alone, leaning against the door. She reached up and laid a hand over the top of her breastplate, closing her eyes softly.

"Princess..."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Isabelle found herself waking up slowly. She was in intense pain, and was bound in a position that she found highly uncomfortable.

She was on her belly, hog-tied with her arms and legs trussed up behind her back. She was gagged, but not blind-folded. Her dress was muddy and dirty but intact. She was in a cavern, on a pad that provided little comfort. A little way apart from her, she saw two men sleeping in bedrolls. Two. So, she reasoned, there were at least three people. Surely, someone would remain on guard? She was a princess! Her suitors, and certainly Rose, would be searching for her.

She tried struggling. She was bound to tightly, and too well. She closed her eyes, and started praying.

 

[Sky Jade]

The first place Rose looked was in the princess's bedroom. She had found the strange letter that had been given to the princess, looking at the handwriting closely. She didn't recognize it, but the crude rose bothered her very much. She touched the rose on her breastplate for a moment before she left the room.

She had gotten information that a strange wagon had been seen a couple of nights before they had returned to the castle. The next logical step it seemed was to trail after the wagon. It would probably be difficult, but she had faith. Lt. Fergin was the best tracker in the army, so she took him and three other knights with her, setting out to try and find the missing wagon.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

The wagon trail was easy to follow, for several miles. Then, interestingly, the trail went cold. It was evident that great effort had been made to conceal the track of the wagon from this point on.

====================

Another knight had set out, trailing Rose and her entourage. He knew where they were going, so he didn't make much effort to follow them too closely. Everything was happening the way he wanted it to....

====================

Isabelle found herself waking up again when one of the men sat down beside her and pulled down her gag.

"Who are you? I demand ...."

One of the men pulled out a wicked looking dagger, and placed it on her cheek, making her gasp and instantly become quiet.

"Better. You don't demand. We will demand. Gold for your life."

The other thug chuckled.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose frowned when the trail went cold. She looked at the other Knights for a moment.

"Be alert. No matter what, we're all coming out of this alive."

"Of course Captain."

Lt. Fergin grinned for a moment before he slipped off the horse, taking his time to examine the ground. As he did, Rose trotted around the other Knights slowly, looking around them. She pulled Silver up for a moment when she thought she saw a glint of something metal behind them. She shook her head for a moment and continued to let Silver walk, though she made a mental note of it.

The Lt. picked the trail up as faint as it was further down the road. The path seemed to head off into the woods, heading towards a small outcropping. Rose halted them a distance from the rocks, Silver moving uneasily. She slipped from the saddle, one hand on her sword hilt. One of the other knights pulled out a bow and arrow as all of them dismounted.

"Be sharp."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

The thugs had fed Isabelle some bread and poured broth down her throat. It was unpleasant, but at least it took the edge off her hunger ... if not her fear.

Strangely, through her fear there shone the strange hope and comfort of rescue. She was not really being treated too badly, and she was expecting Rose to arrive soon to find her.

Another thug entered the cave.

"Gag that. We have work to do lads. Chop chop!"

Isabelle's mouth was gagged again, and the three left the cave.

Isabelle was uncertain what she should feel. She looked around the room, but saw nothing but the soft glow of a dying fire.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose motioned Fergin over for a moment.

"Watch the rear. I thought I saw something earlier behind us, but I don't want to take any chances."

The Lt. nodded for a moment before the five of them made a star formation with Rose and another knight making the bottom of it. The five of them moved forward towards the outcropping, two of the knights with notched arrows. Rose's eyes darted back and forth for any signs of danger.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

As Rose and her knights reached the outcropping of rock, a cry went up, and they endured a sudden hail of arrows.

Every knight was hit two or three times, Rose was hit four times: and yet each arrow bounced off the knight's armor. The arrows appeared to be tipped with light target heads, rather than the broad, armor-piercing arrows that the archers amongst Rose's knights had.

======================

Isabelle struggled, hearing the distant shout.

Rose! she shouted... or would have if she were not gagged. She focused on Rose, praying and hoping fervently that her knight survived!

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose ducked her head as the arrows flew at them She blinked a couple of times, expecting to be pierced. She picked up one of the target arrows with her free hand before looking up at the outcropping.

"Show yourselves."

She lifted her hand and gave a motion, the two knights pulling the bows up to release their arrows in return, waiting for her signal.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Fall back!"

The arrow storm slowed, as men started scurrying away from the outcropping and the woods. Every so often one would stop and fire another arrow, then take off running again.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose scrowled for a moment and her finger went down. She did not enjoy being toyed with, especially not like this. At the signal, the knights released their arrows in a high arc. As they drew another from their quivers, there was a cry of pain as one arrow hit it's target. The knights had fired six more arrows before Rose stopped them.

"Fools. We are going to rescue the princess."

They scrambled closer to the outcropping, getting out from the rain of arrows. Rose lead them along the outcropping till she foundt a hidden path up, leading them towards the top.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

As the knights started up the narrow, thin path toward the cave, they dropped their bows and drew a motly assortment of swords, spears, and clubs, and charged at Rose and her party.

Isabelle could hear the sounds of fighting begin, quite close. She began to struggle harder, anxious to see Rose, but fearful also of what might happen to her in the battle.

 

[Sky Jade]

The two knights didn't throw their bows away, but fired several more arrows as they went up the pack int the motley crew. Several cries of pain went up, a few dying, others fatalily wounded. Rose yelled as she met the first few head-on.

She beat them back to give the rest of her crew room on the cliff-side. She deflected a few hits, cutting a couple of spears that were used to block. The other knights fought back equally as hard, well-trained by Rose. Blood flew and bloodcurdling screams filled the air as she slew a couple at a time, her armor and face becoming covered with blood.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Back they were forced, to the cavern where Isabelle was held. Some more thugs came from nowhere, threatening to flank the knights.

Also, another Figure was working his way forward, under cover. It was almost time ....

Isabelle watched wide-eyed as the thugs started spilling into the cave. It was being used as a rallying-point. Then ... oh dear gods no! Isabelle tried to shout, to scream to Rose to look out but she couldn't ...

The man with the crossbow calmly aimed with deadly precision at one of Rose's knights. He fired, with none of the studied amateurish antics of the other thugs, who seemed to excel at dying more than fighting. A twang! and the deadly bolt was fired ....

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose was able to hold herown until they had gotten into the cave, but the group became split up. She lost sight of the others due to blood dripping into her eyes. She was saved from the deadly bolt, but only through a strange twist. Three of the bandits tackled her front the front, knocking her on her back. A fourth was about to impale her with he was caught in the throat by it.

Fergin was the cloest to the rear, so he spotted the assasin right after the shot was fired. He grinned for a moment, tapping the man on the shoulder. As the man turned, he was kissed quite nicely with a metal gauntlet to the face. The chances of surviving that were pretty slim.

Rose lost her sword in the schuffle on the ground, so she used the next best thing. She hit helmet against forehead with one of the bandits holding her down causing him to grab his forehead as blood gushed.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Rose! Here! Over here!

"MMghfh!"

Isabelle flailed. She was bloodied, hurt, but her Knight was here to save her!

Then ... her eyes went wide again! NO!!! Rose, turn, look!!!

For behind Rose (how did he get into the cave before her??) was a Knight in black armor, grinning widely with an ebon-shaded longsword in his hands.

Isabelle saw a hidden door close, and she knew in a moment that he had been part of this plot. Sickening! How could he ... what sense did it make?

The Knight, Lord Malcolm, brought his sword back. One quick thrust into Rose's belly, and she would be finished. Ah, poor Lady Knight, gallantly cut down by the Thugs rescuing her poor love. And he, Heroic Black Knight Malcolm, would be her rescuer. He would rescue Isabelle, and Avenge poor Rose. He would be patient, as Isabelle mourned Rose's passing. Soon, so soon, Isabelle would forget how she died, and would turn to Him, her Rightful Husband, and she would Love him and make Him her Consort, father of Kings ... and true power behind the throne!

 

[Sky Jade]

There was a strange whistle from the front of the cave and the sound of arrows whizzing through the air was heard. Most of the bandits that were left were killed as it seemed other knights of Rose's had gotten worried and followed after them.

"Behind you M'lady!"

Fergin yelled at the glint from their silver armor brighten the cave enough for him to spot the other Knight in Black Armor. Rose spun around, her body was sideways as the longsword came downward in an arc.

"You! What is the meaning of this Sir Malcom?"

She took a step backwards, her heel hitting her own shortsword. She dropped down in a crouch as Malcom tried for a another swing at her head. She grabbed her sword and brought it up in time to guard against another strike.

The rest of the Knights had the bandits at sword point, most of them cowering now.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"You ask me this question? You, interloper. You, un-natural ... How could you think to try to displace me? Dear, dear Rose. Your death at the hands of these thugs will be tragic. And you will have Isabelle to mourn you properly. No fears, she will be safe, and my bride. And you ... well, I shall simply give a good report of you fighting back all the Thugs, fighting and fighting. Hopeless until I arrived ... just a little too late to save you."

He squinted, watching Rose, circling to get an advantage.

A swing -- a feint. An apparent swing to her head, that somehow changed into a thrust toward her side.

He was a good swordsman, a fact poor Isabelle knew only too well as she watched the two fight. She prayed again (what else could she do) for her Rose's victory.

 

[Sky Jade]

Rose sneered for a moment as Malcom talked and then giggled. There had been a reason why the King had choosen her to lead the army before. The Black knight may be a good fighter, but she had been choosen because of her better skills.

"These thugs? It looks like they are cowering at the moment. All the fight has left them, so I think that part of your story no longer applies."

She deflected the change in his attack, before twirling the sword in her hand for a moment. She continued to circle with the other captain, reaching up and placing a hand on her helmet. She suddenly jerked her helmet off and threw it at him. His block gave her an opening and she struck his arm a glance block, knocking him back a little.

"That is why the King choose you to stay behind. He favored my skills in combat and tactics more than yours. Is that why you are so sore? Or is it because I listen to my heart?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

He staggered back, snarled, and quickly put his guard up again.

Malcolm smirked.

"Heart? We shall indeed see what manner of heart you have as it graces the end of my sword."

He growled, gripping his longsword with both hands, and made a fierce swing at Rose's unprotected head.

"Fool! Now you die!"


Isabelle wanted to close her eyes ... but was not able to. She in fact was locked onto the combat. She couldn't not look.