Alain, Knight Ex Libris

Another installment in my medieval-inspired children's book series. See also:

Lost Medieval Tales:The Forgotten Bridge  (E) Just wanting to be noticed, Hector the squire searches for the forgotten bridge. #1620198 by Morgan Adam Internet Problems!

One Easter, King Arthur and his knights were sitting in the great hall. As usual, Arthur refused to let the feast begin until some great adventure befell the court.

Suddenly, the candles flickered and a gust of wind whistled through the air. The doors flew open, and a beautiful white horse with a magnificent saddle walked regally into the hall. He stopped in front of Arthur and slowly bowed, revealing a rolled parchment tied to the pommel of his saddle.
         
Gawain rose and released the letter, reading it aloud. To any knight who would give his life for a book, take this horse as a gift and ride where he leads. The knights, though surprised, began to laugh. Who among them would take this challenge when there were so many other more worthy adventures?

Only the recently knighted Alain, the brother of Hector, the knight who had released the spell on the Forgotten Bridge, remained quiet in the corner. As Arthur prepared to have the horse led out, Alain stepped forward. To the wonder of everyone, he silently walked to the still-bowing steed and, putting his foot in the stirrup, swung himself into the saddle. Immediately, the animal raced out of the hall, leaving Arthur and his knights in amazement. They shook their heads sadly, for they feared they would never see Alain again, and they regretted the loss of so young a knight to such a foolish quest.

Alain rode through the night, allowing the white horse to choose their path. On they traveled – day after day. Finally, one evening, as he was sleeping in the saddle, his mount slowed in front of a castle with a lowered drawbridge. Now wide awake, Alain looked around the courtyard, finding only a lone squire.

Helping him off his horse, the boy escorted Alain into a brightly-lit hall with a long table around which were fifty seats. The lord of the castle sat in the hall, alone and sad. The squire approached him and whispered something in his ear, and he raised his head and looked intently at Alain.

Gruffly, he asked, “Are you a knight?”

“Yes,” said Alain.

“How long since you earned your spurs?”

“Only a fortnight.”

The old lord paused briefly. “What is your name?” he asked.

“Alain of Logres, son of Ogrin.”

“Well, Alain of Logres, I am Rembrick, king of this land. My squire tells me you arrived with Godelet, my favorite charger. You have chosen a dangerous adventure. Are you ready for it?”

Without hesitation, Alain knelt before the king and swore he was ready. Rembrick stood and, limping painfully, beckoned Alain to follow him. They walked through a series of four doors. When they reached the fifth, the king unlocked it with a key hanging on his belt.

Once inside the room, Alain gasped – there were hundreds of books and scrolls everywhere!

The king explained, “I and my forty-nine companions are the Knights Ex Libris. We are charged with protecting this library, which is filled with the most precious books in the world. Five years ago, a knight dressed in red came to our gates, and, challenging my knights, he declared that, when he had defeated all of us, he would burn the castle and library to the ground. One by one, the Knights Ex Libris fought the Red Knight. And, one by one, he captured them. Now, I am alone, and I am too injured to fight. The Red Knight vowed that, unless I sent a champion on my behalf by a certain day, he would fulfill his threat. That day is tomorrow.”

Solemnly, Alain vowed, “I will not fail you.”

At that, the king called his squire and had Alain taken to a bedchamber, where he found all of the armor and weapons he would need on the morrow.

In the morning, Alain prepared himself and, mounting Godelet, rode across the castle bridge. Awaiting him was the knight in red, a single lightning bolt glistening on his shield. Without a word, he lowered his visor and prepared his lance. Alain did the same.

With a quick kick of their spurs, the knights galloped toward each other. On the first pass, both of their lances broke! They unsheathed their swords, and the clang of blades continued for hours.

Finally, the Red Knight began to tire, and Alain gained the upper hand. Suddenly – CRASH! The Red Knight fell to the ground. Dismounting, Alain leaned over his fallen enemy. As he did so, the Red Knight took off his helmet and held up his sword in surrender.

Alain had won!

He ordered the Red Knight to beg forgiveness of King Rembrick and to return his prisoners, which the defeated warrior did. That night, the king held a huge feast, and Alain was made a Knight Ex Libris and heir to Rembrick’s kingdom.

The next week, Alain and his companions traveled to Arthur’s court. The tale of Alain’s adventure was told throughout the land.

Forever after, Alain served as a Knight Ex Libris, vanquishing any foes who sought to destroy even one book in his care. He went on many quests to rescue books in faraway lands, but those stories are for another day...