Knight & Squire: Preface

     “Your wounds are healing up nicely,” Lisha remarked as she began unrolling the bandages on Rowan’s lower torso. The Yellow-gold Aisha mumbled something under her breath.

     Rowan jumped back as he saw Lisha’s hands glow purple, “What the—?!”

     Lisha smiled, “Relax, this won’t hurt. It’s like a magical thermometer. More specifically, it will tell me how much of the wasting curse is left in your body.”

     Rowan eyed her warily before reluctantly sitting back down in the chair he’d been occupying. Lisha hovered her hands over his stomach and arms. “So, will I live, Four Eyes?” he asked.

     Yes, you’ll live; it’s completely gone.” she answered. She continued, “A curse of this magnitude would normally wreak much more havoc on the victim. This kind of spell specializes in slowly draining life force. Once it takes root, there’s a small window of treatability. Once that window closes, it’s 100% fatal. Thanks to your high magical resistance, it was harder for the curse to magically establish a foothold.”

     Rowan glowered at her, “Thanks for the gold nuggets, Four Eyes. Glad to know I won’t waste away anytime soon.”

     Lisha coughed, nonplussed. “Oops, sorry. I can get carried away sometimes, and that was definitely too much information.”

     Rowan rolled his eyes, “You think?”

     “Let’s change the subject,” Lisha requested. “Though I don’t think this next one will be much cheerier.” The Yellow-gold Aisha walked behind Rowan and began wrapping his torso with fresh bandages.

     Rowan frowned, “Great, just great.” He grumbled under his breath, “I probably messed up Fizzy with my sob story. Oof!” Rowan grimaced as he felt the bandages suddenly tighten.

     “Sorry about that,” Lisha apologized. “That as an ‘accident.’” She huffed, “And please don’t denigrate your story. You of all people should understand how tragic war is. And guess what? So, does Kayla.” Lisha walked in front of Rowan, glaring at him with hands on hips.

     Rowan nodded and scratched behind his ears, “I’m sorry, Lisha. I forget you guys fought in the war, too.”

     Lisha’s countenance softened. “I get it, Rowan. This is how you deal with the pain, but please don’t hurt yourself more as you do.” When she saw the Green Ogrin remain silent, she continued, “Anyway, there are still things you don’t know.”

     “What’s that supposed to mean?”

     “You’ll see. Right now, I need to change the bandages on your arms.”

     About 30 minutes later

     Jeran, Lisha, Rowan, and Danner stood in a verdant forest clearing. A lake filled with light blue, crystal-clear water stood in front of them. The wind rippled its surface. Nearby, clusters of yellow and pink flowers dotted the grass. The faint music of birdsong laced the gentle breeze.

     Rowan stared; this wasn’t the training grounds. “Where are we?”

     “The Royal Forest,” Jeran answered. “Specifically, you’re at Lake Serenity. Meridellian knights have access to it whenever they aren’t training. Lisha and I like to come here to relax.”

     “I thought this setting would help things,” Danner added.

     Rowan studied the Blue Wocky, “Who are you?”

     Danner gave him a small smile. “You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Danner O’ Sullivan. You literally ran into me after you attacked Jeran in the marketplace.”

     Rowan’s amber eyes brightened in recognition, “I thought you looked familiar. You’re that stupid Wocky.”

     Danner brushed aside the insult; he’d been called worse before. He waved his hand when he saw the siblings’ displeased expressions from his peripheries. “I’m fine,” he reassured. He cleared his throat, “Yeah, that’s me.” His face fell as he donned a sombre expression, “There’s something you need to know—.”

     “Wait,” Rowan interrupted. “This sounds kinda important, so where’s Fizzy?”

     “Kayla won’t be coming,” Lisha answered. “She couldn’t get someone to cover for her at her potion shop. However, I’ll write all this down when I get the chance. Then, I’ll share the notes with her.”

     Rowan’s mouth crinkled towards the right side of his face, “Okay, then.” He turned to Danner, “Get on with it.”

     Danner nodded and audibly inhaled, “I wish I could sugarcoat this, Rowan, but I can’t: I saw your father’s final moments.

     The Green Ogrin’s whole body began to shake. His knees knocked against each other as his hands quivered, “No…,” he rasped. “You’re joking. This is a lame joke.” Rowan’s vision began to blur as tears welled to the surface.

     Danner sighed and shook his head, “I wouldn’t joke about this, Rowan. That would be cruel.” He paused to collect himself, “Jeran told me how strong you are, but I have to ask anyway: Do you want to hear? It’s unpleasant, to say the least.”

     Rowan nodded shakily, tears running down his face, “Yeah.” The Green Ogrin whipped his head around when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Jeran gazed at his squire, lemon-yellow eyes thick with sympathy. Rowan honoured his superior with a grateful expression before turning his attention back to Danner.

     Danner steeled himself. “Let me back up a bit,” he began.

     The wind whipped the Meridellian flag atop the castle roof as Danner sprinted towards the parapets. The dusky oranges of the sunset looked straight out of a painting, but he didn’t have time to appreciate the scenery.

     The Court Dancer’s dastardly spell had been broken thanks to Lisha’s shrewd intervention, but they couldn’t afford to lose a moment more. War waited for no one.

     In the Blue Wocky’s right hand was Valorous, the kingdom’s war horn. The instrument was a light, cream-coloured brown with silver highlights on the mouthpiece and bell. A wispy, silver-coloured strand snaked around it near the mouthpiece, culminating in delicate wings that flanked either side. Valorous was neither sword nor spear, but it was still an instrument of terrible beauty.

     Danner inhaled, put Valorous to his lips, and blew with all his might. The clarion call sounded across Meridell’s rolling green hills. The echoes of war rang in her citizens’ ears. There was no turning back.

     Several hours later

     Meridell had lost precious time. Fortunately, her chief strategist, a Yellow Eyrie named Kestrel, had formulated a plan with all haste.

     Danner stared at the dark green chalkboard. On it, was a drawing of Darigan Citadel. Maybe, if he looked hard enough, they could just teleport there. No. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any easy way to do this.

     “Let’s summarize the plan,” Jeran began. “Kass is going to expect a large ground invasion now that the spell is broken. So, that’s what we’re going to give him.” The Champion crossed his arms, “Thanks to Kayla, we now have war machines of our own, and most of our knights will go with them.” He uncrossed his arms and his left index finger met the chalkboard with an audible thump “Except us,” he emphasized. The azure-furred Lupe stared at his five cohorts, attempting to engrave their faces in his mind, before continuing. “His Majesty has selected you for your exemplary talent,” he stated. “While the ground forces occupy the majority of Kass’ army, we’ll be executing an aerial assault on the Citadel’s right side.” Jeran gazed at the drawing of the Citadel before reverting his attention back to his companions. “Once we land, we must subdue any remaining forces. However, our main priority will be Kass himself. If we take him down, we can end this war sooner rather than later.”

     “Does His Majesty want Kass alive?” a Green Chia clad in emerald-coloured armour asked.

     Jeran’s jaw clenched, and his lemon-yellow eyes seemed to glow, “His Majesty told Kestrel that it didn’t matter whether Kass was alive or not. As long as he’s out of our way.”

     The Green Chia nodded, “That makes sense, but I say we give him no quarter. It’s not like he’d give us any.”

     The rest of the knights, including Danner, murmured in agreement.

     Sir Hugo shook his head. “It matters little what happens to Kass if we don’t arrive at all,” he spoke up. “Captain Jeran, what is the state of the Citadel’s defences?”

     Jeran frowned, “Unfortunately, we don’t know. We were unable to gather proper intelligence due to the Court Dancer’s interference.” He sighed, “She was very effective in that regard, and we can only hope Kass threw everything he has at us. It certainly seems that way.” He scanned his comrades once more, “Any more questions?”

     The azure-furred Lupe was met with silence. The determined expressions of the five knights told him everything he needed to know.

     An hour later, back on the castle roof

     To Danner, it seemed fitting. Meridell’s war had begun on this roof. Hopefully, they would end it from that same roof. The Blue Wocky mounted a powder-blue Uni and donned his full-face helm. It was time to go. He held his breath as he felt the rush of the wind as they took off.

     Danner glanced back to see Jeran arguing with two smaller figures on the roof. It looked like Morris and Boris, two of Lisha’s friends. What did those two troublemakers want? This was not playtime, not in the slightest. Danner mentally pushed aside the question. Jeran would catch up later.

     The Blue Wocky stared at the purple and blacks of the night sky as they flew. The colours seemed to bleed into each other. Fitting. And yet, it also seemed like it was declaring allegiance to Darigan’s false lord. He shook his head. Such thoughts wouldn’t win the battle; it would do the opposite.

     As if on cue, it began to rain. Nor was it your average drizzle. It lashed down, drumming a steady rhythm on Danner’s helmet. The Blue Wocky peeked at his captain. Jeran was soaked, droplets running down his face and onto his bronze armour. Yet, the azure-furred Lupe’s entire countenance shone with purpose and fortitude. From the furrow in his brow to the hardened sheen in his eyes, it was almost inspiring. But what was really inspiring about going into battle? Danner shook his head to rid himself of yet another troublesome thought, but his grim meditations wouldn’t stop. They were as steady as the rain pouring around him.

          Why did it seem like everything was against them? Danner squinted his eyes in the darkness. It was an accurate reflection of his mood. He sighed. Well, at the very least it would give them some cover.

     That’s when he saw a gleam in the distance. It seemed to be coming from near the Citadel. What living creature would dare fly in such conditions and in such a treacherous place? Suddenly, the gleam slashed through the baleful miasma. Was that an Air Faerie? He couldn’t tell. What he did notice was the small area of sunlight they were flying through. A small ray of hope ignited in Danner’s heart. Maybe, just maybe…

     “A sword for King Skarl and a sword for Meridell!” a voice bellowed. Danner looked back to see who it belonged to. It was Sir Hugo, fire burning in his eyes. His sword was drawn and thrust upright.

     “A sword for King Skarl and a sword for Meridell!” Jeran repeated as he also drew his sword from his scabbard.

     The other knights, including Danner, drew their swords and echoed the battle cry. Perhaps they stood a fighting chance.

     Danner’s mount ducked and weaved as artillery strikes from the Citadel peppered the six knights. Kass had prepared all too well for a possible counterattack. Suddenly, an artillery round struck an emerald-colored Uni and the Green Chia mounted on it. The duo fell from the sky.

     The Blue Wocky grit his teeth. They were almost there! Just a bit closer… Time seemed to slow as his mount continued dodging.

     Then, Danner’s feet hit the Citadel’s rough ground. The Blue Wocky wasn’t quite sure how he’d gotten there, but that hardly mattered now. They needed to get inside.

     Unfortunately for them, the artillery strikes continued. Jeran, Danner, and Sir Hugo barely dodged the first two.

     BOOM!

     A third strike landed at Sir Hugo’s feet, knocking him off balance and off the Citadel entirely. The scarlet knight was silent as he fell, his gleaming silver sword following its wielder. Danner barely saw it before a huge Darigan Skeith tackled him.

     Danner sighed as he tried to maintain eye contact with Rowan. He cleared his throat, “I’m afraid that’s it. You already know the rest of it, right? How Meridell was saved?”

     Rowan stared at Danner with a stony expression, “Yeah, news travelled fast,” he replied in a monotone voice. “Mr. Perfect fell from the Citadel but an Air Faerie caught him. Lord Darigan arrived and broke Kass’ amulet. Then, Kass died.”

     Danner nodded. “That’s right. Our teachers and bards talk about noble sacrifices, but that doesn’t change the fact it leaves behind grieving loved ones. There is nothing noble in war.”

     Rowan crossed his arms, “That’s what I think, too.” The Green Ogrin uncrossed his arms and sighed, “Still, the way Father died was kind of pathetic.”

     “Any words of comfort would seem trite. In fact, words don’t do justice to the horrors of war.” Danner replied.

     “Yeah,” Rowan agreed. He stared at Danner, his face softening, “Thank you, Danner. I’m glad I know now.”

     Danner nodded, “It’s the least I could do. You deserved to know.”

     “Why aren’t you mad at me?” Jeran blurted.

     “Jeran, what are you trying to say?” Lisha questioned.

     “Yeah, what kind of question is that, Mr. Perfect?” Rowan asked. He shrugged off Jeran’s hand to face him.

     “It’s just…,” Jeran struggled. “I feel guilty and not for the first time,” he admitted. “I was saved from my fall, but Sir Hugo was not.”

     Rowan scoffed, “That’s just stupid of you, Mr. Perfect. It wasn’t your fault you lived, and Father died. It was Kass’ fault.”

     Lisha quirked her left eyebrow. That was a surprisingly astute point.

     Jeran stared at his squire in disbelief before finding his words again, “I… Thank you, Rowan.”

     “Can we go back now?” Rowan asked, ignoring the azure-furred Lupe. “I could go for a slice of chocolate cake.”

     Lisha smiled and patted his shoulder, “Yes, let’s go back. I’ll ask someone to bring you a slice.”

     “Thanks Lisha.”

     Meanwhile…

     Tristan coughed harshly as his shoulders heaved. The fits were getting worse and more frequent. The Red Blumaroo bared his teeth. The time he had left didn’t matter. He closed his eyes, summoning blue flames that wrapped around his hands. Everything would burn.

     The End.