The White Knight

Chapter Fourteen--Prisoners of War

Idres was watching his men train when Grimson and Melisande walked up to him.
         "Idres, I have to talk to you.  Are you wondering why I asked the knights to leave the battle?"
         "Yes.  I think we could have put those knights out of extinction."
         "Do not count on that.  Somebody had killed my horse.  There is only one person I know who could be that brave, or foolish."
         "Who is that?"
         "First, I need to explain something.  There are other universes besides for this one.  Many of them have worlds that also have life on them.”
         "Do you remember when I said I could tell what the other knights were thinking?"
         "Yes.  I remember."
         "Bellerophon was able to use his powers to prevent me from seeing.  However, his power slipped during today's battle.  That allowed me to find out about the stranger.
         "She is not a danger to me, but to you and your knights.  Since she has come from another world, she can get other people from there to Utofamia and have them fight against you.  Do you see what I mean?"
         "Yes, I do.  We must kill her at once."
         "No.  It does not work.  I killed her once before, but Bellerophon brought her back to life again.  We must capture her and keep her under lock and key until we are able to destroy the Knights of King Alexander and King Christoph."
         "Melisande, is what you say about the girl is true?  Or are you afraid of her?"
         "Yes.  What I say is true-about the danger to the Red Knights.  However, I am not afraid for myself."
         "How is she going to be captured?"
         "Bellerophon is gone for know.  He thinks that bringing the dead knights to his Realm will prevent me from bringing them back to life.  While that is true, I only had the power to bring to life one hundred knights.”
         “Why can’t you bring more back to life?”
         “I had the spell, but I lost it.  It originally came from another world and I carried it until I used it.  For me to find the spell again, I have to go back to the world and look for it.  The only problem is I have traveled so many worlds, I can not remember which world I found the spell at.
         “With Bellerophon gone from the Plains of Musglove, I can capture her.  I need you to come with me and Grimson.  Appoint somebody to be in charge.  Once she is our captive, we will take her to the Dark Castle."
         "Your castle?  Nobody has lived in it since you last left Utofamia."
         "She will never be able to escape from there."
         As they left, Melisande thought to herself, “That girl is the biggest threat to me."

         Shariene looked up as Maria approached.  "How do you feel after that tangle with Melisande?"
         "No bad.  You were very brave Shariene when you tried to save me from the lake.  Melisande will certainly want to kill me when she finds out that I am still alive."
         "What will happen now?"
         "It will be a struggle between Melisande and me.  She will certainly win if there is no way to kill her.  I have been thinking the last few days.  I am not sure if I am the chosen one to destroy Melisande.  However, I am going to try.  I must leave and search for Melisande's destruction.  Shariene, please do not tell any of the knights this, but I plan to leave in secret.  If they know what my plans are, they will prevent me from leaving."
         Shariene was silent for a second.  "I will not tell anyone,” he said with a sigh.  "When do you plan to leave?"
         “If there is not any action during the next few days then I will leave."
         The miniature lion yawned.  "Excuse me.  I must get some sleep.  I feel so tired."
         For some strange reason, Maria felt tired too.  She walked back to the rest of the knights.  She was so tired that she did not notice that the other knights were asleep also.
         Maria lay down, perplexed by the strange tiredness coming towards her.  Through a thick fog she saw three people coming towards her.  One seemed to be singing a beautiful song.  Then she remembered nothing more.
         Melisande stopped singing and walked up to Maria.  She beckoned to the two knights that were with her.
         "Look at her, sleeping peacefully as if there was nothing in this land to worry about.  Let's get her away from here quickly.  Make sure you do not harm her you fools," Melisande addressed the two knights.
         "What use is she to us?  Why don't you just kill her now?  Why not kill the knights as they sleep."
         "She is going to be very useful."
         "How long are the knights going to sleep?"
         "They will sleep for an hour.  However, we better leave quickly in case there are some knights unaffected by my spell.  Idres, throw the girl knight onto your horse.  When she awakens, then she will have to walk the rest of the way."
         Maria was undisturbed from her sleep, even though she was roughly pulled up from the ground and thrown across the horse's back.  Silently, Melisande and the two knights left the sleeping knights far behind.

         Blackadar looked up.  He heard the sounds of hooves on the dusty road.  His sharp ears told him that there were only two or three horses coming toward him.  His instinct told him that something was not right.
         Soon the horses came into view.  Through the dim light of the dawn, he saw three riders on two horses.  Blackadar knew who the woman was on one horse, but he did not recognize the other two.  On the other horse, he saw a White Knight thrown across its back.  He could not tell who it was.  He decided to follow them until he was given a chance to rescue the person.

         "Such a bumpy ride this is,” Maria said to herself in her sleep.  "I wonder who we are going to battle with today.  Hey wait...!"
         Maria jerked up from her dreams.  To her horror she found that she was once again a captive of Melisande.
         Melisande looked at her and grinned.
         "Ha!  So you are finally awake.  Didn't think I knew you were alive, did you?  Well I knew.  I knew it when my horse was killed.  Now I will make you wish you were dead."
         "So, what are you going to do?  Throw me in another lake?  How about burning me at the stake?"
         "No so fast my dear child,” Melisande said sarcastically.  "I know what will happen.  You will be brought back to life again.  I do not want that.  I will just keep you as a captive until the time in which you will never regain life.  Now do not try anything foolish, for your weapons are gone.  You are going to have to walk the rest of this journey.  If you do not cause any trouble, we will give you peace."
         Maria, knowing there was nothing to do but obey, silently walked between the horses of Melisande and the knights.
         "How soon will I find what my destiny is," she asked herself.
         Idres rode next to Melisande.  "What did you mean by saying that you will find a way to prevent this girl from coming back to life?"
         By using the Spell of Transformation."
         "What is that?"
         "I will explain later.  It may be possible that we will not have to use any type of spell if the girl is willing to cooperate."

         Blackadar looked at the White Knight getting off the horse and beginning to walk.  He just got a glimpse, because the knight was blocked from view by the horse.  However, he saw who it was.
         "That's Maria!  I must help her.  I will distract the knights and give her a chance to escape.  No, I may get killed.  I have to get the other knights.  No!  It will be too late.  Who knows what Melisande may do to her?  I must act now.  Besides, maybe those two knights still think that I am Bellerophon."
         Blackadar rushed from the trees.
         The group of travelers looked up startled.  All they saw was an enraged beast, with sweat foaming from his body.
         Maria recognized Blackadar.
         The two knights shrunk away from him, terrified.
         "Fools!" shouted Melisande.  "Kill him.  He is a mortal like you!"
         The two knights drew their swords and advanced towards Blackadar.  Melisande joined them.
         Blackadar backed away, rearing upon his hind legs, slowly retreating.
         Melisande rushed at the centaur and sunk a spear deep into his chest.  Blackadar stumbled and fell.  He tried getting up.  Turning his head, he looked at Maria with sad eyes.
         "Maria, run!" he said.  His head rolled to one side and he lay still.
         Maria, who watched the scene with horror, felt the tears come to her eyes.  However, she could not think about it now; she had to get away.  She ran and was not noticed for a few moments that she was gone.
         "That little wench is gone!" Melisande yelled.  "Cone on!"
         "Surely she could not have gone far," said Idres.  "She must be near."
         "No problem.  We will find her."

         Blackadar raised his head.  He slowly struggled to his feet.  Blood was rushing from the wound produced by Melisande.
         "I must get help.  Maria is in big trouble.  I cannot let anything happen to her."
         Blackadar attempted to take a step, but was down on his knees.  He heard the sound of horses nearby, coming closer.
         "Might be some help.  Might be the knights.  They think I am an enemy and will kill me.
         Blackadar stood up again.  A group of knights were riding towards him. 
         "Behold!" shouted Nils.  "It is that creature.  Let's kill him."
         The knights drew their swords and in an instant had him surrounded.
         Michael walked up to the centaur.
         "Well.  I see someone managed to harm you.  You deserve it for all the evil you have done.  We will slay you one the spot if you do not tell us what you have done to Maria."
         "Melisande has her."
         "Where?"
         "I do not know,” he answered weakly.  "She--"
         "You lying devil!" a knight yelled.  He ran at Blackadar and struck him on the head with the sword.
         Blackadar crashed to the ground.
         "Can't you see?" said the knight.  "He will not tell us.  He is letting Melisande get away with Maria.  Let's get going."
         The knights remounted their horses and rushed down the forest road.  A few minutes after they road off, Geoffrey went racing up the forest road.  He saw the centaur lying, mortally wounded.  He got off his horse and approached the creature.  He was surprised to see that the centaur was weeping.
         Blackadar looked up at Geoffrey.  "I tried to help her, but they were too strong.  Maria escaped, but they went after her.  I am no enemy.  People just think I am."
         "Why is that?"
         "Melisande, she persuaded and they believed."
         "Curse her.  I believe what you are saying.  At the lake I saw you attempting to help Maria."  Geoffrey took his water flask and offered it to Blackadar.
         "No.  Do not waste your time.  I am not going to be in this world much longer."  Blackadar lifted his head.  "Beware of Melisande."  His head fell back to the ground, and the noble beast lay still.
         "Bellerophon will take care of you," Geoffrey said.
         He looked towards the forest.  "Maria, where are you?" he asked himself.  "I pray in the name of Rem that you are safe."

         Maria dodged through the trees.  She looked behind her but knew that she would be spotted soon.  She had to find a place to hide and, when the storm had passed, continue on her way, alone.
         Maria came across a shallow stream.  She paused a few seconds to throw this cool water onto her hot face.  Then she continued on her way once again.
         If Maria got out of this mess successfully, she did not know what direction she was going to travel in.  She had an idea on where she wanted to go.  It might be the only place where Melisande's secret was known.
         A figure stepped out in front of Maria.  She almost did not see her because he appeared very quietly.  Maria gave a start of surprise.  Then she noticed the black armor.
         Glad to be back among friends, she walked towards him, about to give him a salutation.  The knight drew his sword.
         "Ha, ha, so a knight of King Alexander happens to cross my path.  Yon enemy, you shall die by the bite of my sword."
         Maria, looking at the knight in bewilderment, could not understand the reason for his behavior.  Then she realized that the knight had no knowledge of the treaty between the knights.
         "Have you not heard that we are now allies with the Knights of King Christoph?  We have combined our strength to defeat the Red knights?"
         "You mean Nils is with you?"
         "Yes.  So is Michael and others."
         "Then I have more reason to slay you.  Those knights are traitors and cowards.  The Noble knights are dead.  I am the only one left alive.  I am going to have my revenge and kill those damn traitors.  You are going to die also."  The knight raised his sword.
         "Not so fast."
         He spun around quickly.  Behind him were Melisande and two knights.  Fear flooded his face and he began to back away desperately looking for a place to flee.
         "Do not run or you shall be slain."
         "Please.  Do not kill me," pleaded the knight.  "I am alone.  I will not be able to fight you.  I am afraid to die."
         "I will deal with you in a few minutes.  Idres!  Watch her!"
         Maria had tried to slip away.  However, Idres was too quick and caught her and had her in a strong hold.
         "Make sure she does not try that again."
         Melisande looked at the Black Knight.
         "What is your name?"
         "Jacob," said the knight sullenly.
         "Well, I decided that you can go."
         The knight looked at her, perplexed.
         "From what I heard you say to the girl knight, it appears that you have separated from the Knights of King Christoph.  Is that so?"
         He nodded.
         "I will let you live, but you must promise me that you will rejoin your knights."
         "I cannot do that.  I despise those cowards."
         "I want you to do it so you can act as my consultant.  Whenever you get a chance, tell me what is happening with the knights."
         "You mean act as a spy?"
         "Exactly."
         "I love it!"  But what happens if we get attacked?"
         "Do not wear your helmet and we will recognize you.  Now get going."  Melisande told Jacob where he could find the knights.
         After he had gone, Melisande turned back to Maria.  "Thanks to Jacob, he has helped us capture you.  We promised that if you came along quietly and caused no trouble, we would leave you in peace.  You are not a person of reason.  Ha!  I promise I will not slay you, but I will make it so that you will wish you were dead."  Melisande drew up close to Maria and slapped her across the face, a force strong enough to send her falling out of Idres's arms.
         Melisande laughed with a mad look in her eyes.  "Grimson, it is your turn."
         Grimson walked over to Maria, clenched his hand into a fist, and drew back his arm.
         Maria braced herself for the blow, knowing that Grimson was stronger than Melisande.  She waited for the blow, which never came.  She watched as the knight relaxed his arm and turned away.  Maria watched Grimson with bewilderment.
         "What the world do you think you are doing?" Melisande fumed.  "I gave you an order!"
         Grimson glared at her.  “If you want to hit her, go ahead.  It is not going to be me."
         Melisande raged not believing Grimson's foolishness.
         Idres meanwhile had walked over to Maria.  "I will do what Grimson was instructed to do."  He hit her and, liking the sound, hit her again and again.  Melisande stopped her raging and watched the scene in pleasure.  Maria fell to the ground, too exhausted and hurt to fight back.
         An arrow shot out from the trees, missing Idres by inches.
         "Find out who shot that!" Melisande screamed.  "I will watch the girl to see that she does not get away."
         Grimson rushed off.  Minutes passed before he returned as a prisoner.  Geoffrey had succeeded in capturing him.
         "Release that girl or I shall slay your knight."
         "You can kill him and Idres as well, but you can never kill me."
         "Alas she is right." he thought to himself.
         "Throw your sword down or else the girl will die."
         Knowing he had no choice, Geoffrey gave up his sword.  "The girl has done no harm.  Let her go.  I shall die in her place instead."
         Melisande laughed.  "Oh, isn't that sweet!  I know when a young man is in love.  She is not going to die.  But she is going to learn a lesson for meddling.  Now get over by her and be quiet.  The other knights are going to return this way.  If you make any noise, I will kill you both."
         Geoffrey walked over to Maria, who had recovered from her blows.
         "I am sorry it turned out this way.  I wanted to rescue you.  Now it seems that I am a prisoner also."
         "You should have prepared yourself and not come.  It was too dangerous.  Any chance I get, I am going to escape.  I nearly escaped once before, but I was captured by a knight."
         "Silence!" Melisande whispered harshly.
         Melisande turned towards Grimson.  "You better watch yourself or you will be made a prisoner also.  You do not follow orders and you get yourself caught.  I do not understand you."
         "It was my fault that I got caught.  However, when you instructed me to strike the girl, I would not do it.  The reason is that I do not want to carry her all the way to your castle."
         "You have a point there.  We will not abuse her any more on the way there."
         "What about the other knight?"
         "We will bring him with us.  He may be of some use.  Once his job is done, he will be dealt with.  Be quiet now!"
         Melisande quickly picked up the sounds of the knights returning from their unsuccessful search for Maria.  Maria was too exhausted to cry out.  Geoffrey watched as Idres drew his sword and threatened the girl with it; he did not cry out either.  The knight rode past the section of the forest, having no idea they were so close.
         Melisande broke the silence.  "We will wait a while, and then we will move on."

         The heat was unbearable.  The group had been traveling for many days.  Geoffrey and Maria had to walk the entire way between the horses of their captors.  The road was hard on their feet and the sun hard on their heads.
         Exhausted, Maria stumbled and nearly fell.  Geoffrey helped her along.
         "Too much for you?" Melisande laughed.  "Not much longer to go."
         After the first few days of riding, they left the forests far behind them.  Soon they were traveling through treacherous marshlands, where the trees appeared to grab at the group and creatures wanted to pull them into the still and murky waters.  Grimson and Idres wanted to turn back and find a different way.
         "You fools!" Melisande shouted at them.  "That would waste too many days.  Do you think these pitiful creatures will harm you when I am here?"
         The group moved on.  Days later the group got out of the marshlands without any mishaps, which is surprising because many people who dared to venture there, never returned.
         Then the group ascended the Mountains.  They traveled constantly except when they ate and slept.  They used the less traveled passes.  The Mountains were almost as dangerous as the marshlands.
         During the day it was not too bad.  It was the night that had to be feared. Goblins and werewolves ran about.  Skeletons lurked about, waiting for victims to come by.  Even spirits were known to run throughout the mountain passes.
         Finally, on the last day of travel, they came near the Dark Castle.  A familiar odor reached Maria's nostrils.
         "Salt?" she thought to herself as they plowed onwards.
         They came over the top of the next-to-last mountain.  Maria almost gasped aloud in surprise at what she saw.  High up on the next mountain was an enormous castle, as black as tar.  At first it did not look as big as it really was; sections of the castle were blocked from view by the mountain.
         Maria was correct about the smell of salt.  Beyond the mountain there was an ocean with its waves pounding against the rocks.
         "Not another mountain," Maria complained to herself.  "I will never make it up to the castle."
         Melisande led the group to the base of the mountain.  She stopped and searched the wall of it.  Finding a flat, almost perfectly smooth side to the mountain, Melisande knocked three times with a rock.  A few moments passed, then that section of rock slid to one side, revealing a passage into the mountain.  On going pass the secret door, the mountain closed up again.
         It took a few minutes for Maria to get accustomed to the dark.  When she was able to see clearly, she noticed the dungeon-like appearance.  There was a set of stairs that seemed to go eternally upwards.  The groups ascended the stairs.  They were climbing up inside the mountain.  Melisande knew the way, or else they would have been lost forever in the maze of the inner mountain passes.  Finally, they appeared to come to a dead end.  However, Melisande revealed another sliding rock door and they stepped once more into brilliant sunshine.
         The castle was only a hundred yards above them.  The climbing was easy so they reached the castle in no time at all.
         Upon reaching the door, Melisande knocked on it.  No answer came.
         "Open up the door you lazy knights!"  Melisande fumed.  "Don't you know my knock yet?"
         The door opened and the group entered the castle.
         There was a congregation of Red Knights and Death Bearers feasting of food and drinking wine.  Maria's mouth watered when she saw the food laid out on the table.  There were fruits of all sorts, roasts, chickens and ducks.  Even a pig was roasting on the spit.  Maria did not have much food since she was captured and was close to fainting from hunger.  However, she was not going to beg Melisande for anything to eat or drink.
         "Those are not my knights," Idres said, looking closely at the ones in red armor.
         "My dear Idres," Melisande said, "I have not been idle.  When I was separated from the Red Knights, I started rebuilding the army.  The Red Knights number in the thousands.  Once I get these guests settled in their rooms, we will return to your knights and bring them here.  We will be going to war with the Black and White Knights.  This time, they will be slaughtered completely."
         She looked at Maria and Geoffrey.  "Andre would you kindly show our guests to their rooms?  Be sure to give them some food and drink.  However, make sure it is nothing fancy."
         Andre laughed.  "Sure thing Melisande."  He tilted his head back and finished off the rest of the wine from his goblet.  He took his sword and led Geoffrey and Maria out of the room.
         "This way," the Death Bearer said and led them up a set of stairs.  They climbed upwards until they reached almost to the top of a tower.
         Not able to take the hunger anymore, Maria fell fainting.  She would have tumbled down the stairs had not Andre caught her in his arms.
         "Whoa.  Almost lost her."  Andre was able to carry Maria in his arms up the remaining steps.  He then opened the door to one room and laid her inside.  Then he closed the door behind his and locked it.
         "I am staying with her!" Geoffrey yelled.
         "You will come with me if you want her not to die."
         Having no choice, he followed Andre.  He led Geoffrey for a while until he came to another room; far enough so there would be no communication between the prisoners.  He was made to enter the room.
         "I will be back soon.  I have to get your food and water.  Then I will check on the girl."

         Maria stood looking out her window.  She was locked up high in a tower.  However, escape was impossible, because the window overlooked the cliff and the ocean.  Far below her, sea gulls were flying about, searching for food.  She had woken up earlier that day recovering from her faint.  Andre gave her some food and water.  Then he returned a short time later, sneaking some food in-mostly fruit and meat.  Maria wondered why Andre was being civil.  As for Geoffrey, she had not seen him since they were separated from each other.          
         The door opened.  Melisande entered the room.  "Enjoying the view, are you now?  Hope you like it here; you will be here for quite some time.  If you try to escape, the other knight will be killed and you will watch him die very painfully and slowly.  You will do what ever anyone orders you to do.  I have brought you these beautiful dresses," Melisande threw several ragged dresses at Maria.  "You may appreciate these.  Put them on and then I will bring you downstairs so you can work to pay us for our kindness."
         Melisande left the room.  Maria, cursing the sorceress, changed into one of the dresses.  Then she left the room.  Melisande led her all the way down the steps and through the halls until they came to the place where the feast had taken place.
         Maria was given a bucket of soapy water and a sponge.  A Red Knight was standing nearby with a heavy rope.
         "Scrub this floor until told when to take a break.  If you show any slack in your work, Markus will help you along."
         Markus grinned.
         "And, Markus, if I catch you dozing off, you know what the penalty is?"
         Markus stopped grinning.  "Yes, I do."  A look of fear crossed his face.
         Not liking the look of the rope, Maria decided to get to work on the floor.  Melisande left and Markus sat down in a chair and watched.  Soon, the wine overtook him and he fell asleep.
         A few hours passed and Maria still scrubbed the floor.  She was getting it clean, but the water was black.  For being on the rough surface of the floor, her knees were getting scratched up.
         She heard someone coming.  "Must be Melisande," she thought to herself.  She looked over at Markus and grinned when she saw him sleeping.  She wondered what Melisande's reaction would be.  Then she felt sorry for the knight.  Maria ran over to him and shook him until she woke up.
         "What do you think you are doing?"
         "Somebody is coming.  You were asleep."
         Melisande entered the room.  "Did I tell you to stop working?"
         "I did not stop working.  As you can see, the floor is dirty.  I was just asking Markus for fresh water."
         Melisande looked at the floor.  "Well, I will be darned.  This floor has not has not been this clean in ages.  Markus, bring her back to her room."
         Markus brought Maria back to her room.  "I appreciate your helping me like that.  If Melisande caught me asleep, she would have killed me."
         "It was no problem."
         "I still owe you something."

         Geoffrey stared out of the window.  He felt angry and guilty-angry at the way Maria had been hurt and guilty because there was nothing he could do to help her.  The sound of the door opening jarred him from his thoughts.  He spun around and faced Andre, the Death Bearer.  He looked around for any objects that he could use as weapons.
         "What have you done with the girl?"
         "She is safe."
         "How do I know you are telling me the truth?"
         "Take this bird," Andre had a sparrow perched on his hand.  "Write the girl a message and tell the bird to deliver it to Cliff Tower.  It will be done."
         Geoffrey accepted the sparrow silently.
         "Do not try to escape.  If you attempt to do so, the girl's life will be endangered.  Obey and, even though she will not be treated like a princess, she will be taken care of.  Both Markus-a Red Knight-and I have requested the duty of taking watch of her.  Neither of us will harm her."
         Andre turned and left the room.  Geoffrey took a piece of paper that Andre had left behind and began to write a message on it.