The Princess and The Squire

Chapter 1 First Leaf of Autumn



"Yield Sam, don't make me hurt you," a voice pleads from within an ornate lion shaped helmet.
"Yield, to you big brother? Ha, not bloody likely!" replied a booming voice from beneath a large bear shaped helmet.
The lion knight Jim Phoenixmane held a long sword firmly with both hands facing his opponent. His little brother, Samuel stood opposite him wielding a huge war hammer. Despite being younger by 3 years, Samuel was much larger and more masculine than Jim.
Sam ran forward and swung his mighty hammer. Jim stepped quickly backwards as the wind from the narrowly dodged bludgeon blew through his visor and into his helmet. Jim then took the offense and attempted to capitalize on the moment. He leaned forward and thrust with his blade. A clashing of metal rang out across the field where the two stood.
Jim's sword glanced off of Sam's armor, merely scratching the surface. "Ha! Strong attempt brother but your old rusted blade is no match for my hard steel armor," Sam quipped before taking another swing with his war hammer. This time Jim wasn't quick enough. The hammer pummeled into his own armor. Thankfully his suit of metal was sturdy as well. Sturdy enough to keep his ribs from being crushed but not sturdy enough however to keep him from being knocked to the ground with a considerable force. Jim rolled across the dusty ground. He let out a moan before pulling himself up.
He knew there was no way to defeat his little brother fighting blow for blow. Sam was just too powerful. Jim thought as he calculated what move to make next.
"Just gonna stand there Jimmy? Come on, it'll be time to go home soon," Samuel pleaded impatiently. Jim noticed the sky turning a dull orange as the sun was starting to set. Alright, he thought, time to end this quick.
"Alright let's have it little brother, it is time you learned the one weapon that trumps strength every time," Jim said, smirking and easing into a defensive stance. Sam removed his helmet and tossed it to the ground. He smiled as he wiped the sweat from his smooth head. He lifted his hammer and sprinted at Jim.
When he got closer he swung with all his might. Jim dropped to the ground and rolled under the massive melee weapon. As he exited the roll Jim spun around and swung his sword at Sam's legs. Caught in the momentum of his attack still, Samuel was caught off balance and fell hard into the dirt. "Strategy, Sammy! A knight's greatest tool against power," Jimmy said standing over his downed opponent.
A loud wail pierced the evening sky. Gone was the mighty Bear Knight and in his place was a young dusty haired, freckle faced boy about 5 years old. Jim glanced down to his own body. Gone was the glowing lion armor and long sword. In their place was a long tree branch and a dusty red tunic. Jim tossed the branch aside and walked to his sobbing little brother. Jim helped Sam up and dusted him off. "Come now little brother dry your tears. Time to head home," Jim said softly.
As the two walked the forest path between the field and their home Sam looked up at his sibling.
"Jimmy, that was a pretty good move. I almost had you though, right brother?" Sam said grinning and wiping his face.
"Of course! You sent me rolling Sammy. All you need is practice, we both do. Someday we will be knights just like grandfather and bards will sing our tales in the taverns," Jim beamed as he gazed into the sky daydreaming.
"And the girls will bring us as much food as our bellies can hold," Sam said laughing and joining in the imagined future.
"What do you know about girls, Sam? We're just kids," Jim said laughing and looking at his brother walking beside him.
"I don't know, something I heard Uncle Lionel say once," Sam said now with a puzzled look on his face. Jim smiled and peered down the path.
"Samuel, Jimmy, boys, it is time to come home, dinner is ready!" a warm voice called from the lit cottage door ahead.
"Come on Jimmy I'll race you," Sam said before he took off towards their home and waiting mother.
A few days passed and went much the same. Jim and his brother Sam would get up and do a few chores around the house. After lunch, they'd head down the road to the field where the two would pretend to be brave knights battling and adventuring. The forest and field that lay beyond became their own world. Seasons started to change and the leaves began to change from green to shades of orange and brown. The wind began to have a chill to it when it blew.
"Honey do be careful on the road. News of bandits have been spoken a lot recently, " Jim and Sam's mother Josephine said worriedly.
"Sweetheart I'll be fine once I deliver this wagon of supplies to the kingdom and get a few things for the coming winter I will return to you with haste. You have two strong knights here to protect you. Isn't that right boys?" the children's father Leemus stated proudly.
"That's right poppa," Sam said running and jumping into his father's arms. Jim smiled and nodded his head. Leemus hugged both children and kissed his wife.
"Oh and my father is coming by as well to visit sometime before I get back," Leemus said as he climbed onto his merchant wagon. "GRANDFATHER!" both boys yelled excitedly. The two jumped up and down in joy.
Their grandpa, Sir Oliver, was a former knight who was well-known and respected in the Kingdom of Pyrost. Sir Oliver now lived and worked as a blacksmith at the castle. The Phoenixmanes' lived a few days' travel away from the castle in a small farm cottage. Leemus worked as a merchant who delivered crops and goods across the lands. He was usually gone for a few days a week. The boys were always excited when their Grandpa Oliver came to visit. He always had stories of the kingdom and knighthood. Stories they would then reenact and play fight.
"So long everyone, I love you all," Leemus called back as the mules pulled the wagon full of goods down the road towards Pyrost Castle. A few days later after doing chores and eating lunch Jim and Samuel headed out to play. The two made an adventure of trying to find any remaining green leaves. It was of importance that the last green leaf be found as it was the token to save the kingdom. As luck would have it, they found three green leaves.
"Come on Sam let's head back early today. I want to be there when grandpa Oliver arrives," Jimmy said rushing his little brother. Sam who was trying to find a place to hide the leaves glanced up and groaned.
"What am I to do with our treasure?" Sam said flustered.
"Nevermind them Sam we will find them tomorrow. Come on now little brother," Jim said impatiently.
"Alright, " Sam said defeated before placing the leaves on the ground and running to the path.

The two were almost home when a scream came from ahead. The two turned to one another and then ran to the cottage. When they got near they could perceive the cottage door had been bashed. "Stay behind me Sammy," Jim said, gripping the branch he'd used for today's adventure. The two slowly stepped into the house. They saw two tall bandits standing over Josephine. She was on the ground kicking at the attackers. Her long raven hair shook about as she wrestled to free herself from one of the men's grasps. "Now listen sweetheart, we don't want any trouble just tell us where you store your silver, and we can be on our way," The bandit holding her by the wrist said. He had a sharp nasally voice. Josephine seen the two children standing in the doorway.
"Boys run! Jim get your brother out of here!" She cried in alarm. The other bandit turned and grinned a wicked toothless smile.
"Ey Freddy look what we got ere' a couple of brave knights,"
"Let her go," Jim said as his eyes began to moisten with tears. Sam held tight to his brother's tunic. Jim glanced behind him to as his hiding brother was starting to sob.
"Momma no," Sam whimpered.
"Way to go Cyrus now they know our names," Freddy said angrily.
"Oh well we'll just have to leave no witnesses," Cyrus cackled, pulling out a dagger.
"BOYS!!" Josephine screamed before Freddy stabbed her with a rusty dagger of his own.
Sam let out a sharp scream. Jim gazed in horror as his mother's body became lifeless. The whole scene was moving so fast. Jim stared up as the evil men approached holding their daggers high. His mind began racing and trying to will some sort of action into his body. Come on feet move...just move....