A Knight's Tale. ['Novel']

[Evershadow]

A Knight’s Tale.

*The following story is my own personal work and I should hope that one would not steal what my mind devises. Having sent copies through the mail and retaining the sealed envelopes. I hold copyright over what I have written here. Hyperlinks are simply to give your a better idea of what stuff looks like. I hope you enjoy the story.

Chapter I - 'Oakfield'

For one who would take comfort in large cities, there’d be little in ‘Oakfield’ to their liking. The people are hard-working, decent folk, and the primary source of coin for the humble villagers was fishing and the odd bit of trade from adventurers who did pass through. For travellers looking for a tankard or three of mead to chase away the chill of the road, the ‘Stag Horn Inn’ would be the right place to try first - the bar was run by a pretty young barmaid of fair skin and red hair, her eyes, beautiful, big and blue, comforting to those who would stare at them. Elizabeth was her name, a Human although many had come to question on her beauty alone whether she was Fae or a well disguised Elf. While the stock at the inn was not the best a well versed adventurer would have ever tasted, it would be the best one would find this far south where snow and ice had taken upon itself to cover the lush green fields and the fine oak trees to which Oakfield got its name.

It was in this Inn that our story began…

A Knight had been found left for dead amongst a heap of vermin corpses a few miles east of the village. A caravan had spotted him and upon discovering the man was alive and his nobility, they brought him, unconscious, to Oakfield. Paying Elizabeth for a room and supplies; despite the fact the village was scarce of all; the leader of the caravan, a dark-skinned fellow of average weight and height sat by the Knight’s bed. Tending to him every so often, mainly using natural, herbal remedies he had learnt off his own people.

The half-naked male stirred in his unconscious state, his eyes slowly bringing themselves to open. He tried to sit up but his body had been made weak by the week of inactivity and so he slumped back, limp and next to lifeless. The first thing to rush through the Knight’s head was to why he could not move.

“Ah, so you are awake…” The dark-skinned male talked, his voice thick and accented as one would expect. The man lying on the bed stared blankly at his saviour. Dazed and confused, he could not muster words to ask the caravan trader a question. “Do you remember your name?” He asked, shaking his head slowly as his widened eyes stared upon the Knight.

“Balian.” He murmured, his voice meek, trembling, he was still not fully recovered although he finally found the strength to bring himself into a sitting position. He examined his half-naked state and quickly turned his head to face the caravan trader, “W-where is my armour? My clothes?” He began but then Balian realized there was a much more important question at hand, “Where am I…? That is the real question.” He mumbled, falling back once more, as if all strength had been drained from him, wide eyes stared at the rather plain and low ceiling of the room he was in.

“You, are in Oakfield, a small village in the South of Tyrian. Your belongings are all safely stowed away thanks to the barmaid.” The dark-skinned male paused and tilted his head slightly to the right, “I’m sorry, how rude… You have given me your name yet I am to offer you mine.”

“What is your name?” Balian asked, his head turning to face the dark-skinned man, the side of his face resting in the comfort of the chicken feather pillow.

“I, am Shan.”

“Shan?”

“Yes.”

“Right, of course.” Balian muttered in disbelief, “Typical, strange name.” He muttered, to which Shan chuckled.

“Strange to you maybe. Where as I find Balian to be a rather funny name, do you not?” Balian’s expression changed as he arched an eyebrow while looking at Shan.

“No, not really.” The Knight spoke firmly, “What happened to me?”

“I don’t really know, I found you as good as dead atop a hill of dead vermin. But, I doubt very much such a well armoured Knight was taken down by any number of vermin. To be honest, I was hoping you could tell me.” Shan began to explain to Balian all that he knew while the Knight once more sat upm this time finding it within him to keep himself upright as he listened closely.

“No, I have no idea.” Balian finished, sliding his legs off the bed. The feel of the wooden plank floor under his feet was a strange one after having not stood for a week. A tingling sensation shot throughout his entire body but he shrugged it off as he brought himself to his feet. Shan, instantly jumping to help support Balian; who leant into him for a moment before pushing him away, “Leave it. I’m fine.” The Knight assured the trader, taking a couple of steps forward and finding his balance. “Bring me to the barmaid, I must retrieve my belongings, find a fast steed and return to the capital, ‘Whitehelm’ where I must find out exactly what I had been sent out to do and as to why I was not successful.” Balian demanded of the trader.

Shan shook his head, slowly, he looked up from the ground and into Balian’s eyes, “You are a strong one, yes. Indeed.” The trader looked around the room as if he was seeking another option before he nodded reluctantly, “Very well. Come on.” The odd pair left the room, Shan occasionally having to support the Knight as he looked like he was about to stumble. However, it appeared that Balian managed to walk off the majority of his ailment.

“Ah Elizabeth, how wonderful it is to see your radiant figure!” Shan exclaimed as they approached, Balian had since adorned a cloth shirt which looked more like a rag that the trader had urged him to put on before heading down the stairs.

“’Ello Shan.” She spoke, her voice like that of an angel, Balian found himself mesmerised for a moment before the barmaid began to speak to him directly. “And isn’t a surprise to see you up and about. We all thought you was a goner.” Elizabeth placed down the most recent tankard she had been cleaning with an old cloth which she slapped over her elegant shoulder. “Why, I dare. Sorry, I should address you properly with you being a Knight and all. Sir…?”

“Balian.” He uttered, his lips barely parting as he found himself gazing at the beauty that was but the simple barmaid. He closed his eyes momentarily and swallowed hard before opening them once more. “I must retrieve my belongings and pay for what has been used at my expense. Then I require a steed and directions back to the Capital.”

“Very well milord. However, Shan here has paid for everything and I can’t help you with a horse but Gustov, the local stable boy can.” Elizabeth picked up another empty but soiled tankard and began to clean it, thoroughly. “Your stuff is in the back, mind out for the rats… Oh! Sorry milord.” Balian shook his head and rounded through the back of the bar and into the storage room. It did not take the Knight long to open the chest and adorn his own clothes and armour. A simple steel broadsword sheathed at his side while a ceremonial shield made of cast iron was strapped across his back like it was when not in use with the helmet dangling on top of shield. Balian did not see a point in wearing his helmet or carrying his shield all the time.

Exiting the storage room, Balian already felt much himself, back in his armour. Elizabeth wagged her eyebrows at the Knight in a flirtatious fashion, "Oh my, very dashing." She teased, however the Knight was already heading for the exit of the Inn. Shan followed closely behind him.

"Balian..." He called, keeping up pace with the Knight although it appeared he would not stop any time soon. "Do not spend but more coin on a steed when you can ride with my caravan. You're a sure bet safer with us than on our own and we head for Whitehelm anyway."

Balian stopped, dead in his tracks and turned on his heels to face Shan, poking the dark-skinned trader in the chest with the steel finger of his gauntlet. "I am much in your debt for saving my life and paying my upkeep in the Inn. However, I am no fool. How do I know you shall not attack me when we are far enough from the village and not pilfer my body for worldly possessions that may fetch you some coin off your fellow savages." After this little outburst the trader looked greatly insulted. However, he held back any rage and took a hold of the wrist of the Knight's gauntlet.

"I saved your life did I not? Why would we not just have looted your body then and left you to die if that is what we wanted."

"I do not know!"

"Then come with us."

The Knight stretched his neck back as he sighed to the heavens, partly knowing this would not end well although another part of him told him that it would be wise to take up journey with the man who had saved his life and was at the head of an armed caravan. "Very well." He muttered and began to follow the trader out of the village. Balian had already spent enough time here or at least, so he felt.

About half a mile outside of Oakfield was the caravan. The armed guards looked more like bandits to the Knight, this was something that unsettled him a little. However, Balian thought of what could go wrong. Shan was right, he had saved the Knight's life. Perhaps there was only good to come from this. The Knight climbed onto the back of the caravan, his armour barely encumbering him, he took a seat between another dark-skinned male and a lightly armoured Orc. Across from him sat yet another dark-skinned male and yet another, female (at least as far as the Knight could tell) Orc.

"For Whitehelm!" Shan called out as the caravan began to move. Balian laid back into the thick cloth wall of the caravan and closed his eyes. The sound of rolling wheels and trampling hooves was almost comforting to him.

[Evershadow]

Chapter II - 'The Longest Journey'

Chapter II of the tale will begin within the next few days. Keep your eyes open.