The White Knight

Chapter Nine--Defeat, Desolation and Hope

The gray clouds prepared the world for rain.  A person who had come into Utofamia that day would have never believed that the day before was a hot and sunny one, with not a cloud in the sky.
         Maria had traveled all the previous day, stopping only to eat and sleep.  She believed that she was around halfway to the Plains of Musglove.
         "Die Knight!" a voice sounded behind her.
         Maria turned to where the voice had come from.  Standing behind her was a knight in black armor.
         Michael had been traveling fast.  Something told him that this was the knight who attacked Joseph.  He knew easily he could have thrust his sword through this knight's back.  Yet, that was the coward's way of fighting.  He was no coward.
         "Are you the wretched knight who attacked Joseph?  If you are not, you can come back with me as prisoner.  I will not harm you.  However, if you are, we shall fight until one is defeated."
         "I am the knight.  You shall have to fight me.  Even if I was not the knight, I still would have fought you.  I would not be your prisoner."
         "Well then, meet your unfortunate death.  I am Michael the slayer of knights.  I am the best!"
         "Well Michael, you have not fought against me yet.  I am a gift from Rem, sent to destroy people like you."
         "Gift from Rem, indeed!  If you succeed in defeating me, which I extremely doubt, then why don't you go and destroy Melisande?"
         "That I shall," Maria replied with contempt.
         "How shall we fight, Gift of Rem?" Michael asked with sarcasm.
         "On horses,” she replied with contemp.  Maria did not know why she talked to the knight in this way.  True, he was an enemy and she wanted to fight him.  But her attitude was wrong.  Listening to herself speak, she sounded cocky and reminded herself of a character in a movie who believed that he was the best.  This type of attitude could get her killed.  With his threatening her, he forgot that-with the Red Knights in Utofamia-she and this knight should be allies.
The two knights walked in opposite directions.  Maria got her spear ready, while Michael got his.  At one hundred meters, they turned their horses around so that they were facing each other.  The two knights stared at each other before charging, aiming their spears, hoping to fell the opponent...
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         "Joseph! The Red Knights have been seen coming in this direction. Ten of our knights have been slain and many more wounded. We must retreat before any more of us get killed. They will be here any minute."
         "Do not be a fool, Nils. We have to protect the King's home from the enemy. Even if we do retreat, the Red Knights could track us. Do not act like the leader and tell me what must be done. We are going to prepare for the assault from the Red Knights."
         A Kingsbane came limping forward. He collapsed in front of Joseph and Nils, with blood running out of a gash in his leg.
         "Bartlette," Nils exclaimed. "I thought you were killed!"
         "No. The arrow did not pierce me. I got here as fast as I could. The Red Knights are here; one just got me with his sword.  There are too many of them."
         "Get him out of here and fix his leg up," Joseph instructed Nils. "When you are done with that, I want both of you fighting." To the other knights he shouted, "Prepare for battle, for the Red Knights are here!"
         Just then the Red Knights came rushing upon them. There was a panic because the attack was sudden. The battle was essentially over in a matter of minutes.
         Realizing that it was useless to fight the Red Knights and seeing how many were slain. They retreated, one by one, knowing it was foolish to fight such a large group of knight.
         "Wait!" yelled Joseph, who was still fighting. "I am your leader! You must listen to me! You must not retreat! I will get you for insubordination!"
         "You keep on fighting," said Nils, while he helped Bartlette onto a horse and he got on another. "You go ahead and die if you want. The knights, who want to, will retreat and survive, while the others will fight and die."
         At this Nils and Bartlette rode off on their horses. .
         Joseph returned to the fighting, yelling out commands. Unfortunately, with too many Red Knights, many of the Black Knights were slain. Finding that he had too many knights against him, Joseph knew that it was too late to retreat and regretted not having done so before. He felt an intensive pain in his chest. A long lack spear was thrust through his chest, covered with his own blood. Giving a cry of dismay, Joseph fell from his horse, the last thing he seeing was King Christophe’s castle in flames.
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         Maria and Michael, after crashing against each other, had almost fallen from their horses.
         "You are pretty good with that spear, but not good enough to defeat me," Michael said after receiving a shocking blow from Maria's spear.
         "Do not speak until you have won the battle, for you may lose."
         The two knights separated again and walked their horses in opposite directions.  Again they turned their horses and charged at each other.
         Again they crashed into each other, this time each dislodging the other from their horses.
         Maria, not used to such falls, had the wind knocked out of her, while Michael was unaffected.  She slowly got to her feet.
         "You must be a new knight," Michael said.  "We must fight of foot now.  The horses have run off.  Get your sword."
         Maria got her sword.  She was slowly recovering from the fall, but her head was spinning.
         She faced Michael.  With her vision blurring, she did not catch Michael's sword as he swung.  She barely blocked it.  She struck back, but there was no strength in the blow.
         "Ha, you think you can defeat me now?  You need more training.  Alas, you are in your last battle."
         Michael swung his sword again.  Maria backed away, trying to reserve her strength.  Unfortunately, Maria stumbled on an unseen stone and lost her balance.  Even though this stumble was slight, her sword was not on target.  As a result, Michael managed to thrust his spear into Maria's armor, piercing her left side.  The force of the blow sent her falling to the ground.
         Maria got back on her feet quickly.  Blood was running from her wound.  She got her sword and rushed at Michael.  The two knights swung more blows at each other.
         Maria fell to the ground, exhausted, her wound having become worse.  Michael looked at the knight as she tried to get on to her feet.
         "Alas," said Maria.  "You have defeated me.  Now I must die.  I have failed in my mission."
         "Mission?"
         "I wanted to help Utofamia.  I fear it is too late now."
         "Were you serious about killing Melisande?"
         "It can be done.  I failed, but maybe you can help.  You have to get your knights to join King Alexander's.  You have to fight against the Red Knights.  They are the true enemy," Maria finished weakly.  Because of the loss of blood, Maria passed out.
         "I should kill this knight.  However, something tells me I would regret it if I did.  I feel like I would be killing a friend.  Well, I will see what this fool knight looks like."  Michael waited a moment before pulling the helmet off.
         However, instead of seeing a man, he saw that the knight was a young girl.  Tears filled Michael's eyes, for he was a person who would never think of doing a damsel any harm.
         "I have killed a young girl," thought Michael sadly.  "I shall never forgive myself for what I have done."
         It started to rain.  Michael heard something that sounded like thunder.  However, he realized that this sound had not died away and, to his terror, recognized the sound of horses’ hooves beating on the ground.  Quickly he pulled Maria away from the forest road into high grass.  It was not a moment too soon, for just then knights clad in red armor galloped by.
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         The desolation was great. What had once been a field with knights fighting with full fury had no life within a couple of miles from where the battle had taken place, save for one lone Black Knight. He was weeping for the death of his comrades.
         "Dead, they are all dead! What am I to do? I will not be able to survive alone."
         The knight shook his fist towards the part of the forest where the retreating Black Knights had gone.
         "Those damn traitors! They left us to die! Damn Jim! Damn Nils! Damn all of those traitors! Because of those cowards, all the brave noble knights are dead; all that is except for me.
         "I shall have to be cautious with every step I take. One wrong move and I will find myself at the mercy of the Red Knights. Lo to the cowardly Black Knights. They will be at my mercy."
         The knight quickly looked around him to see if anyone was watching him. Then, like a slinking fox, he slipped into the forest.
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         The rain was pouring now, wetting everything in sight.  Michael led his horse, with Maria across its back.  He walked until he found what he was looking for, a place to keep both him and the young knight warm.  It was a small cave in the side of a hill.  He went in it and saw that his horse could easily follow along.  He gently removed Maria from the horse's back and laid her down.
         A whinny of a horse was heard.  Michael looked and saw the girl's horse, searching for her.  Michael went to get the horse into the cave.  Chilowna, seeing Michael, started rearing, wanting to strike him with his hooves.
         "No, do not go, horse.  I did not mean to harm your master.  If I had known your master was a girl, I would not have fought her.  She is in the cave, alive but not conscious.  She will be fine.  Come into the cave, so you can dry off a bit."  As if understanding Michael, Chilowna calmed down and followed him into the cave.
         On entering the cave, Michael saw that Maria was beginning to regain consciousness.  He quickly put his wet cloak around her head and waited with hope to see what would happen.
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         The knights ran through the forest. They were being followed by the Red Knights. Luckily, the Knights of King Christoph knew the forest much better than the Red Knights. The enemy, after losing sign of them, rode back to finish the battle.
         When they knew that the chase was over for the time being, the remaining Black Knights gathered in a small group.
         One knight said with a sneer, "Some ruler Joseph turned out to be. If he was a good leader, he would have called a retreat long before the Red Knights showed up. Michael had said that Joseph 'will help win many battles.' That is the biggest bull story that I have ever heard. If Joseph was here right now, I would kill him."
         "It is too late to kill him, Paul."
         "What do you mean Jim?"
         "Joseph was killed in the battle. I was one of the last ones to leave. I saw him fall."
         "That deserves him right. I wish Michael was here. He left to find that White Knights. He had no idea the Red Knights were back. If Michael met an unfortunate end who is going to take his place?"
         Another knight spoke up, "Nils is good enough to be our leader. He cares a great deal for our well-being."
         "That is true, Sam. However, I have no idea of where he is at. As far as I know, he could be one of those unfortunate ones killed in the battle."
         "No Paul. Nils did escape. He was helping the wounded Kingsbane, Bartlette."
         "Did he make it?"
         "I do not know."
         "What do we do now? Many of the Black Knights have been slain."
         "There is no way we can defeat the Red Knights by ourselves. We need the help of the Knights of King Alexander. Word is if there is ever a need for both our knights to combine forces, we must meet at a neutral place. This place is the Plains of Musglove. We must ride there.
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         Maria opened her eyes, sat up and looked around.  She was wondering where she was, last remembering the fight with the Black Knight.  She seemed to be in some sort of a cave.  A handsome man was sitting not too far from her.  Was this the knight she had fought?"  Maria tried to stand up, but failed at the attempt.
         Michael rushed over to her.
         "Do not tire yourself.  You have lost a lot of blood.  Is there a lot of pain?"
         "Yes.  However, I think I will be fine.
         "Soon your pain will be gone.  I have an herb that will heal you.  It is called Conchiva.  It is a rare plant in the world.  It can easily be identified by its orange color and spicy aroma.  If the sap is rubbed on a wound or if someone eats the plant, the wound shall be healed.  The Conchiva takes a while before it is effective, depending on the size of the wound.  Eat some of this herb and rest.  Then you can tell me why you are a knight."
         Maria took the Conchiva and chewed it, finding that the herb had a pleasant taste to it.  Almost immediately, she felt a tingling sensation down her spine.  Soon the feeling was gone, but so was the pain.
         "How do you feel now?" Michael asked, looking at her with concern.
         "The pain has gone.  I do believe that the Conchiva has worked."
         "That is good to hear.  At first I thought I had killed you.  If I did, I never would have forgiven myself.  Why, may I ask, are you a knight?  It is a very dangerous business for a girl like you."
         "Why is it such a shock to see a female warrior?"
         "I sometimes forgot that King Alexander allows females to join the groups of Knights and Kingsbane.  When I became the overall leader of my knights, I forbade females to be in the fighting army.  The next leader may or may not do the same thing, but my law is followed for now."
         "Why do you forbid them to fight?"
         "I am not saying that females are weaker fighters than males; in fact they are faster and cleverer.  I use them in my army to act as spies, gather information and to get food and supplies.  They reasons why I will not allow them to fight are personal."
         "I understand."
         For the next hour Maia told her story.  She told everything that had happened to her, except for being from a different world.  She told him about the fight with Joseph.
         "Joseph," stated Michael "is such a damn fool.  I was only told part of the story-that Joseph was attacked for no reason.  However, I believe you.  I am surprised though that a small damsel, so fragile, could defeat a knight like him.  He is one of the best knights I have.  I believe that if you had a bit more experience, you may have defeated me as well."  He was silent for a second, his eyes starting to tear up.  "Thankfully, I did not hurt you more than I did.  I honestly do not think I could have lived with myself."
         Maria reached out and held his hand.  "If I had defeated you, I would have regretted it.  I never would have been given the chance to know how nice and caring a person you are.  I think this mishap may have made us become friends."  She smiled at him.
         He smiled and wiped his eyes.  "It is too bad that we belong to two groups of knights that are sworn enemies to each other.  When I have to fight my own brother, it tears my heart apart.”
         “Your brother?” she asked.
         “Sir Peter is my brother.” 
         Realization dawned on Maria’s face.  “I saw you at the market where Tom sells the armor!  You talked to me!”  She remembered thinking that Michael looked very familiar.  Now that she got a closer look at him, she could see Sir Peter’s features in the Black Knight’s face.
         It does not matter where we are born.  When we decide to become knights, we are sent to one side or the other.  Peter and I were very close when we were growing up.  We both wanted to be fighters and dreamed that we would be fighting side by side with each other.  I never dreamed that we would be fighting against each other.
         "I believe with the Red Knights back in Utofamia, the White and Black Knights should be reunited once again.  The Red Knights are very dangerous.  The Knights of King Alexander are meeting at the Plains of Musglove.  We are gathering there to prepare for a battle if there is an attack.  We need as many men as possible.  Will you join us?  That way you can be with your brother.”
         "Yes.  I will go with you.  We need not travel by the road.  I know the forest well and will be able to cut the distance in half."
         "Do you want to leave now?"
         "No.  Let's wait the storm out."  Michael pointed to Maria's book.  "I see you are interested in Utofamia's History." 
         "Yes I am.  I like reading about what this world was like them."
         "I like hearing the stories.  Would you mind reading one?"
         No, not at all," Maria said opening the book.  "Here is one.  It is a short story-only a few pages long."  Maria started to laugh.
         "What is so funny?"
         "Would you believe that this is about the discovery of Conchiva?"
         "This is a coincidence," Michael agreed laughing.  "Please read it."
         Maria began:

Chapter 4
Of the Discovery of Conchiva

         It came to pass shortly after he was made King, Valerius was riding his horse through the forest.  He was still a young lad and did not realize how foolish he was by riding alone.  He had no idea that his enemies were watching him day be day.
         King Valerius came to a field and saw some peasants in the distance.  He rode towards them to see how they were doing and to wish them a good day.  Little did he know that they were the Knights of King LeRoy in disguise.  These knights had been watching the new king since the death of his father.  King LeRoy told these knights that they would be highly rewarded if they could dispose of Valerius.  However, if they were unsuccessful the penalty would be death.  King LeRoy felt that if Valerius was dead, there would be no one to rule his knights since he had no children yet.
         King Valerius approached these "peasants.  When he was close enough, they turned on him and threw poisoned darts.  The foolish king was not wearing any armor, so his skin was pierced.  He fell from his horse.  He lay still on the ground and barely breathed.  The "peasants" left, satisfied that the mission was accomplished.
         King Valerius was close to death.  Through his half-closed eyes he saw a shadow of some creature.
         Bellerophon stood over the body of the King.  “Alas, such useless killing,” he said to himself.  “Yet Valerius still breathes.  Something may yet be done.”
         Bellerophon lifted his head to the sky.  He said, “May there be an herb for healing wounds.”
         A leaf fell from the sky and landed at his feet.  He picked it up and looked at it.  It was orange in color and had a spicy smell.
         "Bellerophon bent down and removed the darts from Valerius's body.  Then he rubbed the leaves over the wounds.  He felt the healing power as the poison disappeared.  The King went into a deep sleep.
         "Bellerophon said, “Let this herb be called Conchiva.  Let it be able to heal all wounds, as long as the person still breathes.”
         Then Bellerophon waited until King Valerius was awake and on his way back to the castle.  Then he went to visit King LeRoy.
         Word had been returned to King LeRoy that Valerius was alive.  He summoned the three knights assigned to assassinate him.  He informed them of their guilt and sentenced them to die.
         A chopping block was placed in front of the.  The first knight was kneeling down waiting for the blow from King LeRoy's upraised sword.  However, it never came.  The knights looked up at the King.  LeRoy stood frozen in place.  Bellerophon appeared. “He shall be punished for what he has done to Valerius.”
         The three knights saw him and recognized him.  They lowered their heads and refused to look him in his eyes.  They did not want to disrespect him.
         “Are we not to be punished also, sir?”
            “No.  You are forgiven.  You only did what King LeRoy told you to do out of fear.  He has done enough damage; he will be taken from you.'
         “Who will be the new King?"  He son is just an infant.”
         Bellerophon thought for a moment.  Then he asked, 'What are your names?”
         “My name is Mirko,” replied one man.
         “I am Kyle,” replied the second.
         “I am Nicolas,” replied the last man.
         “The three of you will accept responsibility as King until his son is old enough to rule.  Appoint one knight to be in charge.  If the King is absent from the castle or is killed, the other knight will assume the responsibility.”
         The knights departed.
         Bellerophon waved his arm at King LeRoy.  He recovered.
         “What happened?”
         “You are to be punished for what you have done.  I have healed King Valerius with an herb called Conchiva.  You are to assist me in growing it.”
         “I refuse,” said King LeRoy angrily.
         “Then you shall be made into a statue for eternity.  There will be no chance for you to enter my realm.”
         “Wait!  Forgive me!  I will do anything you wish!”
         “I told you what I want to do.  When I feel you have worked hard enough, you shall be allowed in my realm.  However, if at any time you refuse to obey me, you will only come into my kingdom as a decoration for my doorstep.”
“I will obey you,” the King replied humbly.
         The two men departed.  Soon the healing plant grew.
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         "That is a good story, Michael said.  "The plant has saved many lives.'
         "Why is Conchiva so hard to find now?"
         "Maybe Bellerophon decided King LeRoy had served his punishment.  Usually, it is harder to find during times of peace.  Maybe we can read another story later on.  We must get going now the rain has stopped.  Let's prepare the horses."
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         Two knights-wet with rain, perspiration and blood-broke through the forest trees into a small meadow. The two knights were Nils and Bartlette. For the last hour they had been chased through the forest by a few Red Knights. During the chase, Bartlette's horse had been slain and Nils throw from his onto a bit of ragged surface. Bartlette had trouble running because of his leg. When he got thrown from his horse, Nils had been cut on the face by a piece of sharp rock. He did not have long to think about the pain throbbing in his right cheek, a large gash with blood running out-just shy of his eye-for the Red Knights were after him again. However, Nils and Bartlette had managed to escape. Right now there were no signs of the Red Knights, fortunately for them, for they were so exhausted that they were ready to drop.
         "Nils!" Bartlette gasped. "Go on without me. I am only hindering you. I will hold back the Red Knights if they should come by us."
         "No! I will not desert you!" Rest a bit. Then we will move on."
         An hour later, the two warriors were moving again. This time they moved at a relaxed pace. The Red Knights must have given up the chase. Soon the two knights came across a forest road. Nils held up his hand.
         "Careful now, someone rides down the road."
         They remained hidden within the trees and watched.
         "Several of King Alexander's Knights," Bartlette said. "Shall I kill them?"
         "No! We must warn them about the Red Knights." Nils jumped into the road. The knights saw him and drew their swords.
         "Do not kill me. We are warning you about the Red Knights."
         "They have been around here?"
         "Yes. Many of our men have been killed." Nils quickly told the White Knights what had happened.
         The knight turned to the Kingsbane. "Geoffrey, take these two to the Plains of Musglove. We will search for any remaining knights."
         "Yes, Sir Peter."
         Sir Peter turned to Nils and Bartlette. "You will be taken to safety and get treated for you injuries. We need to be well prepared for battle if we are attacked by the Red Knights. We will need all the knights we can get. The White and Black Knights are allies now. We will ensure your safety."
         With luck, two riderless horses were quickly found. With a little trouble, Bartlette mounted onto one. Then they along with Geoffrey began riding towards the Plains of Musglove.
         As they were riding, no one noticed a far-off look in Geoffrey's eyes. He kept thinking to himself over and over again: "I hope she is all right. Of course she is. Shariene told me. Well, I just wish I knew how close she is to the Plains of Musglove."