The Dark Knight, Chapter 3
After a long wait, several rewrites etc. ... Chapter 3 finally here. I changed and edited the chapter 2 on the comments I had been made particularly in relation to the three horses that are no longer a horse and a mule poor who find it hard to his leg.
I really appreciate your comments and helping me to improve and lead this narrative is constructed through the trouble and toil (as opposed to Chat it was a walk in the park because I did not need or complicate my life with the world or with the Psychology of the characters). I would probably not very present in the next days to respond to the comments for reasons explained in the post below, but I'd be delighted to receive them.
Thanks again.
Oh, how fate is well done, this is a common quest for the good of the kingdom brought our two heroes and what a beautiful pair they will immediately filled for each other to a tender friendship ...
Ciarán recovered the use of his muscles in a shock that was for him like a bucket of ice water thrown in his face. It was supposed to do? And with whom?
- Sir, you
... The hand of the king on his arm shook just a moment.
- This is my will.
The king's face was smiling but his eyes without appeal and the sorcerer bent spine.
- It will be done according to your wishes, sire.
Except that hunt the dragons was not really his strong ... He had never tried, but he could easily guess that pursue a creature larger than a castle and spitting fire was not really in his strings. What's he going to do? Be transformed into a snake bite? Big deal, the Dragons were naturally poisonous so poisoned against their remains where it was rotting.
- Starting tomorrow, Ciarán locate the lair of the beast and he will accompany you to help and heal you, Sir.
The knight smiled rigid.
- I do not question the credentials of your enchanting, King Adelar but its presence is more a nuisance than anything else, I will make a very poor service, leaving the magician to make your yard accidentally slain by the dragon.
- I am not afraid to Ciarán knight, and for love of me I ask you to accept your side.
The Knight shook his fists but he also lowered his head.
- be it according to thy will.
Meets King went to present his host to his guests while Lady Roswitha, servants and slaves waved to mount the banquet tables.
- You go, master? Aloys
spoke very slowly and when Ciarán turned he saw that his face was calm and impassive, filled with a mysterious peace which contrasted with the apprehension that he had heard in his voice.
- You have heard our king, Aloys. But fear not, I'll be back soon. In the meantime I leave you the master of the tower and responsible for everything in it. I trust your decision and I have you know quite well taught so that you can replace me during his absence.
- Master ... honored by your confidence.
Her voice trembled, but no emotion on her face painted transparut.
- Come, come disciple, it is time for us to go pay our respects to the queen.
Helmine Dame was still sitting on his throne, and his silver belt in his hands, she talked in whispers with the princess and her maid Lady Yvonne preferred.
- Your majesty.
Stones in his hair made of soft tinkling of bells when he bowed respectfully.
- Ciarán.
The queen smiled warmly. Already six months pregnant with her second child she was expecting, and seemed content with her fate. She had never been called Ciarán to complain of her husband or her condition, she had never had to ask him for the potion back into the marital bed or away from it. Smiling, working sewing, spinning, weaving, Queen Helmine seemed a happy woman.
- You leave. Come back soon Sorcerer. I do not know if I endure childbirth without your help or worse ...
The look of the queen's father passed on Traugott, who accumulated one of the benches beside the fire and went regularly under her dress raisins he placed surreptitiously in his mouth as if someone was going to rush to steal if he does not hide.
- Of course your majesty. But if I could turn back time, I trust you to deliver Aloys.
- This child? It will still much too young. I remember him tremble before the blows of his mother.
- I trust him.
He turned a perfect smile to Aloys and saw a desperate attempt to fight against the red rose on her cheeks.
He had changed his apprentice in four years. When that insufferable boy imbued itself had crossed the threshold of his studio he never imagined he would succeed in doing something much less a magician. Of course he hoped to be back before the birth of Lady Helmine. Aloys had never been alone during childbirth and his experiences, both successful, with livestock were unfortunately not sufficient when dealing with the life of the queen, especially when it was enough of a molehill for a Women did not fall within its layers.
- Thanks Master Sorcerer, managed to whisper the young nobleman without choking.
- Ciarán But even if m'accouchait, which prevents the father Traugott screaming like a pig all the way to force it to leave my apartment and praise throughout the room chanting, hampering the work of everyone?
- Lady Roswitha not let enter or expel his son from your bed birth.
The queen smiled.
- Ciarán As always you have all the answers. Besides ...
She motioned to the sorcerer to get close and continued in a voice much lower.
- You who see the future, can you tell us when Adelar finally give a date for the wedding of Dagmar? The poor girl is dying of impatience.
- Ma sister! exclaimed as gently as possible the princess, blushing from the tip of his chin white to the roots of her auburn hair.
- King expects that the dragon is assailed by celebrating a happy marriage and a banquet event.
There was of course another reason, but it might not discuss the Infanta before she would be at risk if they failed to overcome the dragon.
Princess Dagmar lowered her eyes but a smile playing on his lips and the queen took her hand and pressed it with all the force of the joy she felt for her sister who had always shown so kind to the stranger it was. The two princesses
soon joined by Dame Yvonne then began to talk about cloth and preparations for the banquet and the wedding. Ciarán continued to listen politely and nod of the head at appropriate times while leaving his mind wander. Or more precisely while leaving his mind to join one of his familiar and borrow her eyes.
Now that the hour was a great show last Ard had abandoned the stick of the magician to perch on top of the banner with the golden eagle. And since its promontory behind the throne while he dominated the great hall and his keen eyes saw to the mouse that ran in the straw lazily pursued by cats palate.
His eyes were so perfect to watch without being seen. Ciarán what was at that very moment, almost against his will. Because he had to admit that most problems with the terrible dragon, the inventory of potions and spells that could be useful, the difficulty of the task entrusted to it or whether it would succeed in Aloys go out without him, which occupied his thoughts at this time was none other than the Black Knight.
He never tired of looking for the look and feel of this species thrill of realizing it was him, he was definitely there a few paces from him, beaming reality. For ten years this man had some dreams haunted and some watches and suddenly he was there, real, almost palpable presence in the assembly and his body could not know how to react, alternating between paralysis and chills of desire.
Then he looked at him quietly hidden under the mask of his familiar, comparing the image which had so continued with the reality of flesh across the hall, counting the differences from his clothes on a to discover the deep dark tan accentuated her skin, noticing her blond hair cut now, looking almost invisible scars that roamed the few pieces of his body that were seen outside his armor shimmering onyx, watching the tension knotting his body in every gesture, gorging fire sharp blue eyes. He looked
follow the king, his haughty head carriage, her face closed. He watched the way that when he was still his right hand was immediately landed on his sword, but the supple wrist muscles ready to immediately seize the weapon. The spacing of his legs perfect for cash at any moment an attack, his body was still trying to crawl as close as possible to a wall, as far as any potential enemy. That does not give it to him to leave his armor, he could see his muscles and soft tissue move to the rhythm of his movements as he had felt his hands move under
... - And you, Master Wizard, which 'What do you think?
He left his familiar spirit.
- Lady Dörthe is healthy is all I care.
- As you are wicked Ciarán!
***
- And finally ... Ah, Traugott father here you are.
Schwarz was dissatisfied. Very dissatisfied. In point of hitting someone. Violently ... The parade of people that the King had presented was not sufficient to appease his anger, but the fire of anger was beginning to happen and as usual it was an almost home, he drove his rage and buried in depths of his being the king before following up the huge fireplace in the corner of which sat a small barrel of a man. A barrel of a man in a dress of thick brown wool which fell on a large silver cross and his hands trembled and white fat when he saw them arrive.
- Majesty.
The voice of religion was high and hissing, almost as if he had been castrated.
- Santa Traugott I present to you the one who came to face the dragon: Schwarz Black Knight.
The priest's eyes widened, her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Schwarz
smiled. Cruelly.
Mecklenburg had thought a tiny kingdom on the far northern borders of the new Holy Roman Empire had been spread far. It was enough to take a look at the good father to understand that he knew he had before him excommunicated the Knight of the Order. And he had no idea how to react torn between his duties to his lord and the Church.
- Well, would you lose your language?
The king waited. Patiently. Staring at the monk's eagle eye.
- I ...
Schwarz had nothing against being a means for Adelar to test the loyalty of his people or at least their most abject cowardice and he continued to smile while contemplating the scene. He saw the old barrel eventually make a decision, stand and watch it, trembling.
- Welcome to you, and God tossed thee knight in his safekeeping.
Schwarz almost burst out laughing. A true man of god would have already left the room to take refuge in consecrated ground and pray for the soul of her king! And this miserable sow shaky who saluted him and dared invoke the name of God as if he knew that he had rejected.
- Greetings priest, but I am afraid that your prayers are lost, your beloved God does not want me in his custody.
The priest turned to the king and put his hands on his fat arm.
- Majesty, you can not! This man was excommunicated by Holy Mother Church! If you do not mind waiting a few Even today, I warned the College and it's missing long before the White Knight arrives from the Court of St. Emperor
... He saw the king's body stiffen in anger but the priest did not pay no attention, too busy with his monologue.
- The Order is the arm of God and only he can slay the dragons of the first malignancy. You can entrust this task to a renegade who
... The king's eyes were cold and sharp as ice.
- You wrote to the College to ask them using a White Knight? The religious
suddenly withdrew his hand, including Finally, the wrath of his sovereign was directed entirely against him.
- My Majesty ... only a White Knight can
... The King shook hands on the coat of brown wool, preparing to raise the ground to send it crashing to the other end of the concourse.
- I'm a good Christian.
Adelar King's voice was low and very quiet despite the light bouncing of his calloused hands.
- I respect the Church and the clothes you wear, priest. Had this not been the case believe that your head would have found on a picnic like traitors.
With an effort that the knight could not help praising the king released him.
The priest stepped back, eyes bulging, all the pink flesh of her hands trembling with fear, missing from spilling on the black wooden bench.
- Witchcraft! Your majesty has been bewitched! he says, holding an accusing finger at his king.
The priest's voice was gaining strength and the heads of servants and guests turned in their direction to see what the commotion was.
- Vile devilry keeps you under its spell! First you deny that the Emperor's fiancee gives you, then you invite this apostate ... Everything is the fault This idol worshiper that you turned her head and brought his partner to serve the Devil ... The priest
bolder, regaining his posture, his lips into a grin discovery of rage, his face crimson pace of his diatribe.
- The lover and the son of the Harlot Island N ...
- Just!
The voice of the King had passed through the hall like a lightning in a summer sky. The religious
stopped with a cry, half strangled in his throat.
- You may withdraw Traugott father since you seem ill. Some men will accompany you until Sieghard from you so that you do not find trouble with no one to rescue you.
The words were spoken with an Olympian calm and even some sympathy, but the message left no room for any discussion.
- Do not worry, tomorrow's Mass in the chapel will be said by Father Bertram. Have a good night, my father.
The king turned away from him and climbed on the platform, heading toward his wife. Mechanically, the knight followed suit.
- My love.
The queen lifted a smiling face toward him and grabbed his hand.
- What can I do for you my lord?
- Will it please you that tomorrow Sieghard faces the dark knight in a friendly battle. Long ago that we had to joust and I wish my son, even in the womb if they see a good fight.
- I'd die to displease you, but my husband think your Wizard is a princess that I give you this summer.
The king felt the tension leave his body in front of the gentleness and kindness of his wife.
- more reason then, a princess who does not appreciate the spectacle of two men jousting nobles lead a sad life.
The queen chuckled and replied by following the Sorcerer's even left the shadow of a smile passed over her red lips.
- Sieghard.
From across the great hall, the giant heard his name and turned immediately to his superiors.
- Your majesty? Some powerful
not brought him down from the dais.
- Tomorrow you will face Schwarz. A friendly battle in the courtyard.
Sieghard contented himself with nodding. Schwarz felt impatience whipping his blood. He would face off? Why wait until tomorrow when they could do it now. Oh what a joy to compete against him, the clash of swords reverberating throughout his arm to his shoulder, the slight scent of blood in the air as they seek an opening, the bellows and painful cold flat of the sword against flesh ...
- That should give them something to talk about. The king turned
. The trestle had been arranged, the lobby was overflowing with activity as serfs and servants were busy preparing the banquet table.
- Thorsten!
The boy appeared at her side immediately. Impossible to know exactly where he came from, probably his grandmother had it sent more than his red hair and freckles.
- Take Schwarz remove his armor and the back- before the banquet begins.
- yer majesty.
The kid made a perfect hello again despite his peasant pronunciation.
- Follow me knight.
It took him a long hallway to one of the towers inside the fortress. They climbed the spiral staircase to first floor where a large fire was burning. The room was clean but high vacuum the stairs and went to another floor. An alcove with a bed was opposite the entrance and its business had been put on a chest beside a flat iron pan. There was enough room the center of the room to fight without giving shots in the walls and the stairs had of course been designed to help the defense.
The boy put the bowl on the floor not far from the chimney and climbed on the trunk in order to help him remove his shirt front. His movements were not very safe, but he learned quickly, which suited him in the absence of Ali. Soon he was released from the armor and the boy handed him a clean cloth and a basin now filled with hot water obviously. He undid his coat and handed the cloth soaked in water over his torso, neck and face. If hospitality
King had been Adelar include a bath he was fully satisfied. Alas awaited his return for the banquet and probably should wait until tomorrow to finally get rid of dirt from several days of travel.
He felt the boy watching her torso covered with scars, but when he looked up he was throwing water through the loophole which he then shut the door.
He spent his own tunic and threw back her short hair. He handed his sword to his belt and went back to the main hall her little squire at his heels. When he returned to the banquet the king was about to begin. Two reservations came to present ewer and basin. Most of them saucy handed him the basin of rose water, leaning her breasts tend to the fabric of his shirt and show through the neck. His eyes were fixed on him and he understood very well what she wanted.
But he could not give him. Not tonight. Tomorrow after the game but tonight ... Tonight the mere sight of her bare skin made her want to draw lines of blood, grab his arm and shake until he heard the creaking of the particular bone, her yell and cry ... No, not tonight.
He forced himself to relax and washed conscientiously his hands into the pool of money, not meeting the gaze of the serve.
He felt a commotion behind him and turned to see the queen rise from her throne.
- My lord, Lady Roswitha informs me that while the kitchen is ready for your enjoyment.
- Then begin to celebrate.
***
As anyone who stood in the great hall and a number of those in cooking, Ciarán could not escape the screaming of the father Traugott. Of course, having been raised in the utmost courtesy, he did his best not to hear the words, sometimes vulgar, that the priest pronounced. After all, it was bad manners to listen to what you said about a third. He continued to speak of childhood diseases with the queen.
The deep silence that followed the words of the king, did not pass him either, unnoticed. Traugott
Father had often railed against the presence of the Sorcerer. The mere fact that he inspires the same air as he was in his eyes greater sin than all possible parricide. More than once he had inveighed against the mass of the devilish and demonic other ointments that closed the gates of heaven to those who resorted to. He had several times made known to King's deep disapproval at the presence of a magician at the court while God was the only one whose majesty he needed at his side. He had tried every means to hunt Ciarán's room of the queen gave birth, prophesying that the sorcerer curse the little prince or exchange against a demon who would bring famine and war in the kingdom. But until now the king had never yet felt the need to do to take away his sight.
What had been the religious and to trigger the wrath of the king?
But he did not get the answer to his question, instead of it Adelar joined them on stage and gave his wife the spectacle of two men fighting against each other as if it was a nice piece of venison or a ripe orange from the south ...
He turned his attention, the time to look at him his apprentice.
- Aloys.
- Yes?
- Go and speak with Lady Roswitha.
He smiles at jokes but the king kept his eyes fixed on Aloys Ard treasure that was like a shadow across the great hall, interrupting her mother to ask him some questions.
Lady Juliana went down with the young prince Karsten and attention of the king and his wife focused on the immediate heir to the throne who explains in detail the day of his voice and his sweet baby talk. Each time he saw the child and mother, Ciarán could not help but feel his chest swell with a gentle sense of pride. It was presumptuous of him to think so but it was through him that the queen and prince were alive today. In any case it certainly was not thanks to the good father ... Traugott
Aloys had returned to him.
- He sent a request to the College and a White Knight is coming.
The words of his apprentice came to his ear, but went no further and no one in the audience could not know what was said between them.
- That complicates everything.
no doubt that the king expects them to leave the castle as quickly as possible to deal with the dragon before the White Knight does not set foot in the court of Gustrow. It would, therefore, that this night to meet his business, sort through its filters, its enchantments, potions and those that might be useful against the beast ... And that was without counting on the preparation of fate he launch tomorrow to find the lair of the dragon!
He felt the headache lapping around him and decided to remove him from the most pleasant. Since in any case he was stuck in the lobby until the end of the banquet as it passes the time pleasantly.
Especially the black knight had returned and had finally left his armor. Borrowing once again the eyes of his pet, he observed that the few droplets beaded on his neck where his hair ended up short. He gorged the play of muscles under the black cloth as he crossed the room to the platform. The black tunic made out his skin tanned and casting his breeches his calves perfect. He watched the black swan that extended his muscular torso and wondered what it might feel in the hand from above.
Serfs began to pass between the guests with water ewers, basins and towels. He looked
accept the rose water basin that extended his serve, he noticed how her body moved slowly to the verge of a knight, his gestures accented to look further and show the neck almost defeat his shirt. He noted the tension was still increased in the muscles of the knight, the way his fists were clenched and he was careful good to touch the slave. He admired his powerful hands he washed now in the silver bowl, he looked at the drops that shone on them while the pitcher had stopped paying its water and the other had not used yet tight clothes dry.
They were hot. Even ten years apart he remembered that they had burned his skin when they were resting on her hips. They were too strong, preventing it from moving, leaving marks which had a week to fade ... ... He wanted
- Then begin to celebrate.
The voice of the king went out of his thoughts and he reluctantly left the eyes of his pet to take place at the banquet.
***
Schwarz took the place of honor is seated at the right of the king, on the platform next to his sister the Princess Dörthe, he dominated the entire hall look. Never before had he been so well received by a lord of any kind. The princess had proposed to replace his squire to short the banquet but he politely declined and called the boy, Thorsten, to come and cut his meat, serve wine and submit the serviette. The boy seemed proud, in any case he took his job very seriously, judging by the speed with which he filled his glass and the big smile that showed his perfect white teeth.
The king asked him questions about his deeds and seemed to take pleasure in hearing him tell his adventure with Giant Boar Pforzheim. Sometimes his squire who was none other than Sir Sieghard also took part in the conversation. Schwarz then could not help noticing the extraordinary power of his muscular arms, the size of his calloused hands as they wielded the knife to give the king the most beautiful pieces. Impatience took him to the idea of being alone with those muscles scarred by the fighting and that look hard and determined.
The princess tried to talk to her cloth, to ask questions about the modes of the south, but he soon upset when his host turned a very poor judge of clothing and have no memory of the caps or other dresses worn by noble ladies of Augsburg ... Nevertheless it often turned on its side to cast loving looks at her fiance.
- When is the wedding?
The maiden blushed and looked down.
- When you kill the dragon ... Finally it is this that said Ciarán. The king has not yet announced ... He held
difficult to comment on the zeal with which Princess seemed to suck her wedding night and spoke to another topic.
- You've seen Sir Sieghard fight?
- Oh, yes, he was raised with us at the castle, I saw so many times to fight against Adelar that if I was given a room each time I'd be the richest woman in the Holy Roman Empire. He is very strong. Finally I guess I've never seen loose that Adelar cons, and even then infrequently.
He longed to ask more details but suspected that the sweet princess did not know whether a weapon favored over another and how was his posture at the time of the fight. So, since the king was busy with his wife, he turned to his other partner.
- And you, young squire, you saw the Lord Sieghard fight?
The boy smiled, handing him the finger bowls.
- Yes sir, it has a very large sword and a huge shield. He seemed very strong.
The princess giggled beside him. He turned to her.
- Thorsten's not really a benchmark for fighting knight. It is not squire or even a soldier. Ciarán is the apprentice.
- The Sorcerer?
He looked suddenly suspicious of the boy. He had left handling their food, had placed in his back ... A cold shudder crept along his spine. His hand slipped under the table on the hilt of his sword.
The princess noticed nothing and continued to talk.
- Himself. Besides, he should soon make a turn. It is a tradition, not a real treat as our Sorcerer is not one or two rounds. The last time he brought out a string of sausages Traugott father's nose. It was a funny, you should have seen his face!
He merely assent as she continued to tell other stories. During This time, he let his gaze focus on the Wizard, sitting alongside the Queen, while the rest of his attention was focused on the boy in his back. The Magician was talking with the queen, her face perfectly white expressionless while his other apprentice put fruit on his plate. There was no indication he had given orders to poison a knight on the other side of the room.
Maybe not poison, the king needed him and he doubted that the Sorcerer has wanted to lose his place. But what would prevent him from putting a potion in her drink so that he obey him? He struggled against the urge to vomit and tried to keep a cool head.
The boy did not know he was going to wait at table. He had seen no exchange between him and the Sorcerer. It was highly unlikely to be the target of the Sorcerer ... But in any case it was time Ali arrived, he was not sure you want to continue to trust the redhead he had yet found where the sympathetic 'met ...
Unless of course that everything has been caused, infection of Ruhe, the fact that he leaves behind Ali ...
Ridiculous, he had not yet received the letter when he was Ruhe left the stables of the Count Traümburg and his accident was not serious if it had not already had the sole weakened by poor litter that son of a sow let marinate in his stables. It was impossible that the Wizard has foreseen all this. Unless
read the future and saw it without squire and had placed the boy on his way in order to pay him a potion in his cup ...
A smile stretched his lips. It was totally absurd to worry about that. If the Sorcerer would adulterate the wine he had only to have it done in the kitchen, nothing more and if reading the future what could he do. The only solution was to stay on guard and fight with all his might against any feeling that it might feel weird.
He turned his attention to the Princess, who smiled at his side. Following his gaze, he discovered that the Wizard was in his thoughts planted between the three tables in front of guests. The show seemed about to begin. A noise behind him made him suddenly turn his head, his hand still on his sword. But the kid was just trying to feed a dog surreptitiously.
grinding, trying to surreptitiously feed Tod who seemed to have managed to make their way to the castle. Certainly this beast was more tenacious than a leech. He put his hand on his head and smiled when the dog rubbed against him with contentment.
Her neighbor uttered a little cry of surprise and clapped her hands. He then allowed himself to concentrate again on the show.
belt of money he had offered the queen was now coming out of the ear of a man in green robe, which seemed much fun the audience. When he finally went to the Sorcerer's Lady Helmine before saluting. When he straightened his gray eyes rested on him and felt Schwarz freeze, especially when advanced towards the Enchanter him, his face expressionless but his eyes still determined, maybe even laughing. He stopped on the other side of the table and held out his hand suddenly to her face. He did not even have time to draw his sword already white fingers touched his neck, sending a wave of chills in his body. But already the left hand had to appear before him, a black egg in its center.
He tried to regain his composure while the Magician was toying with the egg and black colored balls that sent him his apprentice. Then all disappeared and Schwarz found himself coughing. Thorsten childish hand applied to him a slap ringing in the back and he was spitting the black egg that landed right in the palm of the Sorcerer. The white face down in his, her red lips smiling and he blew on the egg. Once, twice, thrice.
And it was an egg he had in hand was a black bird that flew under the cries of surprise and assistance when he was at the center of the room it exploded in a small cloud of smoke and flower petals and a black sword fell, the guard in front just in the hands of the Sorcerer. The Enchanting
the whirled in his hands with a strange grace and skill before holding above his head to open his mouth red. And he began to lower the blade into his throat. Wide-eyed, Schwarz remarked how the neck was tightened and throat swelled up to the black blade sinking more every second. He felt his hands under the table and tensing his body tense within the scope of the excitement.
He looked a drop of sweat slide down the temple of the magician and his eyes were fixed on the empty, his whole body focused on working to return the blade deeper and deeper. His chest rose faster under stress and it seemed to perceive a slight blush that stained her cheeks. Red lips touched the black guard in a parody of a kiss and Schwarz swallowed. He struggled against his body while continuing to fix, hypnotized, the performance of the Wizard. His mind was assailed
desires, he would take care of the saber in his hand and recessed within the white throat, he wanted to replace the sword, he wanted to wrap his fingers around the neck and squeeze tight, he wanted look on his knees, he wanted ...
He stopped his thoughts but did not turn his head. It was useless to attempt to flee the show, but he does not let up for by his impulses. He planted his nails into his palms and forced himself to watch the Sorcerer slowly remove Black blade of his mouth and then into the ground before him prior to receiving the applause of his audience.
The man was dangerous. Not only was a sorcerer, and had just crossed it in one so that his life is suddenly in pieces, but in addition there was in him that spark, that something that lit his senses and gave him want to jump on him to shred and devour.
He would obey the king because he had no choice, but it would remain the farthest from the Sorcerer.
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