Bloodless Knights (31 page)

Sitting
on a shelf was my mother’s betrothal band. Tears welled up in my eyes. I
quickly scooped it up, tucking it away inside my coin purse. I swallowed a lump
in my throat and nodded at Trave.

Vivian
remained as Lugina; apparently our danger wasn’t concluded. I pressed my lips
together and defiantly yelled, “Onward!”

We
rushed toward the door, trampling bodies as we made way to the stairs.

Lugina
lead us from the room. Before I descended the stairwell, I took my sword and
used it to scrape the paint off the wall that depicted my father’s face. I was
satisfied knowing that his painted figure couldn’t proudly ogle over my
mother’s image.

Trave
observed me with a sly grin on his face. Lugina stood guard on the stairs,
baring blood-stained fangs. When I finished desecrating my father’s idiotic
portrait, Lugina grunted in approval and our little group bolted down the
stairs with an unbeatable fury.

As
we ran through the halls, I inquired to Trave, “Tell me, is it thy ‘secret
weapon’ that ye used to kill those innocent soldiers?”

“Soldiers
are never innocent, Tristen. They do the bidding of their leaders, and it’s
usually not good. But yes, we did use it on them. It’s absolutely undetectable
and potently effective. There is no escape once it’s active.” We turned the
corner to see a myriad of palace soldiers running at us with bows and arrows in
hand. I knew the palace soldiers weren’t sufficiently trained on bow usage.
Lugina couldn’t have known that, but soared forward to the crowd. Arrows rained
down on us. We ducked and moved about to avoid them. As far as I could tell,
none of us had been hit.

The
tiger tore through necks, her claws ripping at faces. Men screamed. Many turned
to run. Trave and I sliced at any man who approached us. Suddenly we were alone
in the hall again standing in a pile of dead red suits.

Lugina
licked her paws and slicked down the fur on her face. The tiger was covered in
blood, and appeared more dead than alive. Her whiskers seemed to be dyed red.
Her fur was matted with drying blood; she needed to jump in the river.

 Trave
moaned in pain. I turned to see an arrow had found its way between where his
armor connected, into his shoulder. The arrow tip had pierced through his
chainmail as well.

“Trave,
we have to remove that, before it goes deeper.” I approached him with my hand
out.

He
shook his head, “Not now, we must move forward or we will all be dead before we
get out of here. Let’s keep on!” With his words, Lugina turned and pounced
through the hall again. I didn’t feel good about leaving Trave with a
vulnerable stick protruding from his chest but I followed as he chased Lugina.

It
may have been Trave’s wound, or the way Lugina was carelessly flailing herself
in harm’s way, but I worried for our safety; especially my lady’s. I pushed my
legs harder to escape the castle as fast as I could.

We
came to the hall of my mother’s bedroom. I knew we had to take the back hall to
escape going through the front door.

I
yelled at Lugina to continue straight, instead of taking the stairs to the
castle entrance. She did as I commanded. Trave turned to look at me.

“Where
are we going?” The man was out-of-breath, and his cloak was bloody.

I
kept moving and pushed him forward, “Secret exit. ‘Back door’, if ye will. We
can’t expect to charge through the gate without a vicious fight. Thou art in no
shape to meet a deeper wound, and Lugina seems to be tiring.”

“True.”
Trave whispered as we moved past my mum’s door. Curiosity wanted to take me
into the room, but self-preserve kept me going to the side stairs.

My
father had taken liberties to fill the hall with bright and colorful roses,
daisies, tulips and lilies. It seemed I could pull a flower right from the wall
and hand it to anyone. Thorn bushes entwined around the flowers, making me feel
that leaning against the wall would be painful.

When
Lugina reached the end of the stairs, she stopped, curiously looking around. I
pushed a stone that released the entrance to the escape. A hidden door opened,
and we moved through an echoing tunnel at lightening pace. 

As
we tore through the end of the tunnel to daylight, a large rock flew through
the air and pelted Lugina on the side of the head; she fell. Terror squeezed my
heart, pushing a gasp from my lungs. I flew from the tunnel, like an arrow from
a cross-bow. I prayed Lugina was only out cold and not mortally injured.

Trave
swore under his breath. Two soldiers stood on each side of Blad, who was
perched upon a black stallion. The men held a slack sling-shot. I wanted to
wrap it around both of their necks and pull it tight until they choked.

Blad
clapped his hands together, “Nice shot men! Tristen, thou art so predictable -
using the same escape route ye employed to evade me the first time. Stupid
move! Check-mate! Thou art finally mine.”

My
heart pounded in my chest as I repressed the urge to rip his smiling head off.
Trave glanced at me as if he had a secret. I hoped he had a plan, but thought through
one of my own.

“That
is ‘
Your Majesty’
to thee! I am the master of this house. My father is
dead. Thou art excused from our services.” I hoped the cunning bloke was stupid
enough to believe me.

Blad
took in a deep breath of cold air. “Even if thy king is dead, Tristen, I
promised him that no matter what happened, thou will not survive. That’s a
promise I intend to keep.”

As
soon as Blad closed his mouth, Trave swiftly raised his sword shouting: “Remove
their heads!” I held up both of my swords and ran to the soldier on the left,
while Trave charged the man on the right.

I
brought both of my swords together at the man’s neck, instantly decapitating
him. His eyes bulged, as his head fell to the ground. I kicked his body down
with my foot as blood spurted from it in violent red bursts.

I
made my way around to the back of Blad’s horse, just in time to see Trave pull
his sword from the other soldier’s throat. The black stallion circled. Blad
charged at me; the tip of his blade soaring swiftly toward my head. When I was
sure I had met my certain death, Trave’s face appeared directly before me. His
eyes bulged, as a sword tore through the back of his neck.

My
jaw dropped as one word furiously escaped from my lips, “Trave!” Blood gushed
over me as I caught the falling man and carefully guided him to the cold
ground. Dark blood stained the white snow, in a display of color that would
probably impress my artistically deranged father.

Just
as the blade ripped Trave down; a deafening roar exploded. Blad flew from the
top of his horse with a roaring tiger on his tail.

I
heard gurgling behind me. I looked back at Trave. He coughed and his lips
moved. I went closer to him and leaned near the dying man. “Take care of my
sister, Sir Tristen. I’m sorry. Thou art honorable.” He whispered. Blood flowed
violently from his lips and his eyes went vacant. I pressed his eyes shut as I
stared at him in disbelief.

I
sadly turned my attention to Lugina. The cat stood on the back of a flattened,
screaming, Blad. Before I knew what was happening, Lugina’s large teeth
brutally raked against the man’s neck. She bit hard and held tight, viciously
shaking him.

My
eyes stayed locked on the scene. Blad hadn’t moved from the moment Lugina bit
him, but she continually shook him. After a while, the huge cat hurled him from
her mouth and slowly walked around his body. She sniffed at him, and then did
something I couldn’t watch; she tore the flesh from Blad’s neck and silently
chewed it. I stared at Trave, glad his sister could avenge him.

After
Vivian feasted on her prey, she appeared as herself and threw her arms around
me. I had only caught a glimpse of her eyes but tears were flowing. She held me
for a mere moment then ran to her brother and collapsed over his lifeless body.

My
heart broke as Viv threw her small body onto the body of the man who had
offered his life to spare mine. I wondered why he had done it and vowed to
protect his sister at all costs. Vivian’s cloak encased her and Trave. Her body
trembled as she sobbed over her dead brother.

I
searched Blad’s body for any valuable items and took ten gold pieces from him.
I rolled the man’s body over with my foot and cut my family’s crest from his
uniform. Even with the hatred I felt for my father, I would do anything to
protect the name of my family.

I
left Vivian alone with Trave. I retrieved Blad’s stallion that was peacefully
eating frozen flower buds from a nearby tree. The horse was already suited in
armor for a battle and seemed to be in fine condition. I lead him toward Vivian
and stood silently while she grieved. I knew that no matter what solace I
offered her, it would not alleviate the loss.

I
choked back my own tears, quietly pondering my personal losses. The loss of
Trave cut me deeply but he saved my life. I would stand strong for the woman
who had lost her entire family because of me. I gritted my teeth tightly
together as Vivian raised her lovely face. The lady’s cheeks were soiled by
tears mixed with the blood of her kin. I ached for her.

“Why
did this happen, Tristen? Why? Trave didn’t deserve to die this way.” She laid
her head on his chest and silently wept.

I
walked toward her, placing my hand on her mussed hair. “Vivian, Trave saved my
life; there is no more valiant death than that.”

Vivian’s
head swept up quickly; her eyes questioning, “He saved thy life? Why would he
do that?”

I
shook my head, “I knoweth not, Vivian, but he did.”

Vivian
looked at Trave’s face and kissed his forehead. “Good-bye my dear brother. Thou
art a hero!” She loosened his knapsack from his waist and tied it around her
own.

My
lady held her hand toward me. I pulled her up and used my cloak to wipe her
face.  I held her in my arms.

“What
now, Tristen? I’m too upset to decide what to do.” Vivian sighed.

“Get
on the horse. We’re going to Bendixon to get a boat; there has to be one
finished. If there is not, we’ll make Tendril let us use his ship. There’s a
cottage where Jadorion and some friends are staying. We shall go there and make
a plan. Trave said thou hast a secret weapon, I must knoweth what it is.” I
pushed Vivian onto the horse, and then pulled myself up.

Vivian
sighed again, “Well, it is a serious weapon, Tristen. Trave and I had an idea
to take-down the dragon but I’ll tell thee about it anon. We will need a large
animal though, such as a cow, or a horse would work too.”

I
kicked the black horse and it charged forward, “I believe we’ve got ourselves a
horse!”

Twigs
snapped under the horse’s feet as we slipped out of the kingdom. The courtyard
was nearly vacant and those who were loafing didn’t pay us any mind.

“She
was my whole world, Tristen.” Vivian whispered in my ear. She continued, “My
daughter was everything. When her life went out, so did mine. The only thing
keeping me together was Trave and now he’s gone too.”

I
quietly pondered the feelings my lady must be sorting. I took a deep breath,
started to speak, and then clamped my lips shut with a sigh. There was nothing
suitable to say.

We
rode further into the cold day, when a hard truth hit me. “Vivian, I am always
here for thee. I am thy knight. Through cold, dark, fire, or hell…I am thine.”

Vivian
wrapped her arms tightly around me. The beating of her heart thumped at my
back; she felt very alive. I wanted her badly.

Once
we were off my father’s land, I pushed the horse as fast as he could go; which
was a bit more than any horse I had ridden before. Apparently Blad had only
gone for the finest pony. I was grateful for his astute arrogance.

My
body was weary, and ached from the cold and fighting we had done. I wanted to
rest, but it seemed smartest to press on until we simply had to give up.

I
turned my head toward Vivian, “If thou want to stop for anything at all, tell
me.”

Vivian
simply answered, “Aye”, then went silent again. The concern I felt for her
weighed heavily upon me; nothing I did could bring back her family – nor mine.

The
sun was setting when we reached Bendixon. After discussing whether or not we
should stay at the inn, Vivian said she wanted a bed and food. I hastily made
way to Stern Inn.

We
rode the horse to the stable. I realized we had no belongings; only the items
we carried. I felt free, yet unprepared. We walked past the tavern to reach the
inn. It was as saturated with music and laughter as I had remembered it being
when I was in Bendixon a few days before. It seemed a lifetime ago.

When
we entered the inn, Darwin and Jean sat at the desk together, seemingly
uninterested in us, until they recognized my face.

“Aw,
Vivicus!” Jean jumped from her stool and came around the desk. She offered her
hand, which I kissed. Jean doted over Vivian, as my lady smiled the best she
could.

Darwin
reached his hand over the counter to shake mine, “Well, now…that’s a face I’m
happy to be seein’ again. Heard rumors ye may not be back.”

“Is
that so?” I asked as I shook his hand vigorously. I decided not to clarify my
real name with them, but guessed Darwin and Jean had figured it out.

Darwin
nodded and Jean walked Vivian to the warm fire that heated the cozy lobby.

“Well,
naught would keep me from Bendixon sir. But tonight I need two private rooms
with food served to us. We shall not be bothered, and nobody shall be told we
are here.” With my words, I slid all the coins I took from Blad, across the
desk.

Darwin
eyed the coins with pure lust. A giant grin exploded across his face as his
pushed his hair from his eyes.

“Yes,
sir! Here are keys to the two rooms at the end of the hallway on the right.
I’ll have Jean mix up her divine specialties for ye. We shan’t bother ye, other
than for delivery.” Darwin placed two metal keys in my hand, his smile still
glowing.

I
nodded at him, walking to Vivian and grabbed her hand. “My dear, let’s go rest
our weary heads.”

Jean
beamed. When Darwin asked her to take food to us, she put her hands together,
joyously exclaiming, “I’ll bring ye the best!”

Vivian
and I both thanked her then headed up the creaky stairs to our rooms. I opened
the first room for Vivian. She walked in the room and immediately went for the
bed. I smiled at her when she lay upon it. She sheepishly grinned back then
shut her eyes. I took that to mean she didn’t want further interruption. I
gently closed the door.

I
let myself in the next room. The air was dry and musty. A fire burned bright in
the fireplace. As I prepared to lay my own head on the bed, a knock came at the
door. I noted that the room service was impeccable, before I opened the door to
see a fresh, always stunning, Vivian standing before me.

“May
I come in, Tristen?” Her green eyes begged. Vivian had removed her cloak. She
seemed thinner than I had remembered her.

I
held the door open, moving to one side, “Of course thou may, my darling.”

Vivian
slowly swayed into the room. When I closed the door, she turned toward me;
sadness etched her eyes.

“I
don’t want to be alone.” She reached her thin arms toward me. Tattered sleeves
revealed pale and lovely upper arms. Her green dress was soiled and ripped but
she looked lovely as ever with her scarf still loose at her throat.

I
held my arms out. She melted against me. I smoothed her hair with my hand, as
she rested her head on my shoulder. We stood that way for a while, when the
door knocked again.

I
reluctantly released my lady and opened the door. Jean stood with a tray of
fish and cheese, and a quiche. She also brought a jug of wine. “Here ye go.”

I
took the food. Vivian retrieved the wine and goblets. Wafts of hot trout
tickled my nose and my mouth watered; breakfast had been a long time ago.

We
took the food to a small round table in the corner of the room and gobbled it
quickly, without so-much as a word to each other.

After
we ate, Vivian wiped her mouth and placed her ivory napkin on the table, “What
will we do tomorrow?”

I
emptied my goblet, studying her delicate nose and full lips I desperately
wanted to kiss. “We’re going to see Tendril and get a boat out of here to the
cottage. We will meet up with the party members I left behind; if they’re still
there. We will figure out how to use thy secret weapon – can’t wait to hear
what it is – and we will finally rid the land of that flying reptile.”

“What
about thy father, Tristen? We need to find him and rid the land of
that
beast.” Vivian clasped her vein-laced hands together.

I
sighed, “I’ll deal with him anon, Viv. We really must get some sleep; tomorrow
will be a tough journey.” I stood from the table and placed large bed rocks on
the fire.

Vivian
didn’t move. I looked back at her. The lady stared at the floor.

“What
is it?” I asked, walking to her.

She
stood, reaching out her little hand to grab mine, “Tristen I don’t want to be
without thee. I knowest this is improper, but may I sleep in thine room? I’ll
sleep on the chaise, but I simply can’t have thee out of my sight.”

I
felt my face light up, “Yes, thou may stay here, but thou wilt take the bed. I
will sleep on the chaise.”

I
picked up the little lady, swinging her around to the bed. She sunk down into
the feather mattress and smiled at me, “This is a big bed Tristen. Perchance ye
shall be more comfy sleeping next to me?”

I
grinned at her, turning to pull the heated rocks from the fire. I dropped them
into lined sacks and tucked them at the bottom of the bed.

“Miss
Vivian, as much as I would love to curl around thee, it just doesn’t seem wise
at this time. I will sleep on the chaise. I’m sure it’s much more comfortable
than many places I have slept. As tired as I am, a bed of thorns wouldn’t
bother me tonight.” I kissed the woman’s forehead. She grabbed my cheeks and
pulled my lips to hers. The touch was delightful. I lingered until I knew I
shouldn’t, and gently pushed her away.

I
gently swept her hair from her forehead and smiled at her, “Good night my
beautiful, fierce lady.”

Vivian’s
pointed teeth gleamed as she smiled back at me. I pulled a quilt from the end
of the bed and situated myself on the chaise. The moment I rested my head, the
world disappeared.

#
# #

Darkness
still enveloped the room, when a knock at the door woke me from a heavy sleep.
Vivian stirred in the bed. Grabbing my sword, I dragged myself off the chaise
to slowly open the door.

Jean’s
red hair, and sincere smile, greeted me, “Sorry to wake ye so early, but Miss
Vivian asked for a dress and some clothes for thee. I also brought ye a basket
of food for yourn ride. I knocked at the other room, but nobody answered. I
hope I’m not interrupting.”

I
opened the door further, to allow Jean into the room. A large, braided basket
adorned one arm of the lady. Its rich aroma hinted of pastries and other baked
goodies. Her other arm held a bundle of men’s clothing and a blue and white
corset dress with laces on the front. The clothing was not exactly battle
attire, but it would get us out of the city.

Vivian
joined me at the door, inviting Jean in. The redhead entered the room, filling
Vivian’s arms with clothes, while sitting the basket on a pine chair near the
table.

“This
isn’t what thou may thinketh,” Vivian embarrassedly pointed at herself, then
me.

Jean
shook her head before Vivian continued, “Aw, now, ‘tis not my biz, dear lady.”
Jean winked at a blushing Vivian. 

Vivian
put the men’s clothing in my arms and kept the dress. She shook it out and
studied it for a moment. “Grammarcy, Jean! These clothes will work nicely.”

Jean
nodded, backing out of the room, “If ye be needin’ anything else don’t hesitate
to holla.” She went into the hallway, shutting the door behind her.

“Let’s
change our clothes and get out of here.” Vivian unbuttoned the small buttons
that lined the front of her tattered dress. As interested as I was to watch her
undress, manners turned my attention to the basket of food.

The
morsels inside the basket made me drool. Pastries, nuts, dried fruit and fish
filled the whicker container. I reached in, filling my hands with nuts that
went directly into my mouth. As I chewed, nut oil coated my tongue. I could eat
nuts all day.

“Tristen,
wilst thou draw these laces tight for me?” Vivian asked. I turned to stare at
her and inhaled quickly. The woman’s tiny figure was outlined in the most
exquisite blue dress with tight sleeves and a bodice that hugged her in
each-and-every perfect spot. The long skirt flowed around her petite legs.
White laces zigzagged up the front of her chest, revealing the top half of her
bosom. Great longing filled my entire body as I carefully walked toward her,
wiping my greasy hands on my trousers.

Vivian
giggled at me. “Ye fancy me, dost thou not, Tristen?”

I
dumbly nodded, pulling the cords on the dress until it seemed Vivian would pop.

“Can
thou breathe?” I whispered; not able to find my voice.

Vivian’s
sultry eyes met mine. Smiling, she nodded. After pausing to grin at me for a
moment, she reached for her boots near the dining table. She pulled them on and
laced them. I stared, fascinated.

I
realized I was staring and turned quickly from her, reaching for my clothing.
“Did you see me in the church at Brendan’s dubbing?”

 “Unless
you were the man making an ass of himself before the congregation, hum, no I
didn’t.” She didn’t laugh, but I did.

“Oh,
that dufus? I think he was trying to get the attention of a fair maiden.” I
decided to leave the conversation for later and continued dressing.

Vivian
grazed through the basket, while I changed my clothes.  I pulled on some wool
trousers, and a long, billowed-sleeved shirt, and then pulled on my boots. The
clothing seemed for a gentleman - not a knight going out for slaughter - but I
decided I needed to appear a match for the beauty by my side. There was a
jacket with the bunch. I planned to leave it, but Vivian demanded I put it on.
When I did, she bit her lip and made a slight growling sound.

“We
must be on our way!” I ignored Vivian’s flirtatious advance, knowing if I
acknowledged it, we would never leave the inn. I buckled my swords around my
waist then attached my coin purse. After putting on my armor and straightening
the cloak around my neck, I hoisted up the substantial basket of food and
opened the door.

“I
must get my cloak and Trave’s things from next door.” Vivian reminded me. I
nodded, as her face fell at the mention of his name.

I
wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close for a comforting hug. When
I did, she leaned toward me with her lips puckered. I brought my lips to her
and passionately kissed the lovely woman.

After
a brief time, I released her. She hurried to her room. I followed in a daze.
Before I knew it, she had her cloak in hand and quickly fastened it around her
tattered scarf. She took my hand and led me from the room.

“Pardon
my bold intrusion, but may I bid why thou wears that lovely scarf?” I lightly
tugged at it.

Vivian
put her hand to the scarf, meeting my hand. “It was a gift from someone very
special to me.”

“Thy
husband?” I removed my hand from hers.

She
shook her head violently. “Absolutely not!”