Chapter 9: King's Play: Part XII and Part XIII

XII

The samurai walked down the path. Olgierd looked at him. That man was strange. His hair was strangely placed on the top of his head. He carried two swords, the long one was on his back while the normal one was around his waist. Both of the swords were made in the same pattern. The long was twice the size of the normal one. Olgierd betted that the samurai's second sword was lighter than his. The shape and the curve meant that the sword-man was extremely fast. He heard stories about them, unlike most people, Olgierd believed in stories.

Three hooligans went on the opposite side of the road. They saw the samurai and immediately stated attacking him. The samurai pulled out his sword, he made a fast vertical attack. The closest hooligan fell on his knees. Blood soaked his red tunic that could only mean, that the cut was deep. He tried to get up. Blood gushed in streams. His lifeless body fell to the ground. The samurai lunged at them the remaining two hooligans. The second one attacked with a sword. The samurai avoided the blow and went in a series of counter-attacks. The hooligan stood there. He needs a few moments to realize that his throat was cut. With his hands, he tried to stop the life fluid.

The third went the samurai's side, trying to find a weak spot. He changed his strategy and attacked in a straight line. The samurai cut. The hooligan lifted his arm; he was shocked, when he found a stump instead of the hand.

Even this didn't stop him, the hooligan lunged forward. The samurai knelt. Olgierd tried to see the cut. It was so fast. The hooligan moved a step forward and fell like a sack.

The samurai looked at Olgierd. He continued down the path. Olgierd's eyes changed. He saw all he needs to know. When there is one, there is more. Maybe, he could find work in their land. It was a worthy gamble. The odds were in his favor.

Astiras was running down the path. He looked in every direction. Olgierd gave him the signal. The young man rushed to his side.

“Everything is prepared.” he said.

“Good.” Olgierd replied with a smile.

“Where to?”

“We go east.”

“I'll inform the captain,”

For Olgierd a new opportunity was born. The only question that was bothering him was, will he succeed there or will he fail like the men that went there before him?

The answer to that question, he hoped, will soon be reviled.

XIII

A lonely figure is standing on hill-top, his gaze went across the fields and meadows. He looked at the house on the opposite hill; he saw the children playing. That returned him to the time that he was still a child. His thoughts are travelling long distances. He's thinking about his family, home, his beloved and his friends he left in the country. Two years have passed since he became a hedge wizard. In that short amount of time, his name spread across every part of the kingdom. He wanted to continue that way.

“Father, I wish you were here to see this.” Ulnirneas said with a sadness to his voice.

“I am here.” a voice said from nowhere.

Ulnirneas turned, searched for the origins of the voice. Not far above him a blue portal opened. In the portal, he saw his father.

“How? I don't understand? What kind of magic is this?”

“I was just testing the new palanthir your sister made.”

“How is she doing?”

“Great, her studies are going well. You?”

“It could be better.”

“News travel fast, my son. We know about your heroic deeds.”

“It's only the beginning.”

Inn at the Crossing was full of people this night. Stories were told how Ulnirneas defeated the giant Ignatus. The inn was known to be always full, merchants, travelers, monks came there to rest. There were at least five or six more inns before the Crossing Inn, but none of them were that full. A man entered the inn, finds a place to stand and ordered a drink. There were no tables free. In the farthest corner, a wolf and a boar were sitting. He looked at them for a moment and continued to drink. A merchant entered the inn; he was searching for help. The wolf and the boar agreed to help him. The man's gaze followed them as they left the inn. The atmosphere in the inn changed.

“Have you heard the King is going to knight Ulnirneas for his heroic feat?” said one of the men that were gathered on the first table near the door.

“You don't say. Well, this round is on me!” said the second man.

“Everyone, may I have your attention this round is on me!” said the third man.

“Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!” the crowd reacted.

 “Long live the King!” one of the man said.

 “Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!” the crowd reacted even more.

“Long live Ulnirneas!” another man said with his mug held high.

“Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!” everyone in the inn reacted.

In her court gardens, the young baroness Laberia is madly in love with Ulnirneas. She heard tales of his beauty, of his strength. For the first time in years, she has this strange feeling. This was strange for her. It was almost terrifying. She needs him. Deep inside, she knows that she couldn't live without him. A plan, she needs. A good one.

“He must be handsome, I just know it.” she said, breaking the monotony of first lady-in-waiting's knitting.

“Some say, he's a normal looking young man.” the first lady said.

“Some say, he has giants blood in him.” the second said, trying to hide her giggle.

The baroness jumped like a ferocious cat, ready for a fight.

“How can you say such thing? she yelled, her eyebrows were raised.

“You`re in love with him! Just you wait till Otto hears about this…” the first lady mocked her. She made a silly face.

“You wouldn't dare…” the baroness started to blush. She looked at them with such ferocity.

“You're in love! You're in love! You're in love!” both of the ladies said.

“I'm not…well, maybe just a little.” the baroness laughed.

That day, the advisor went to see the king. The king, as usual, was in his room, thinking about his next move. The advisor waited in front of the door. With courage, he entered the room. The words stopped in his mouth.

The king looked at him with a puzzled look. Did he read his intentions? Or the king is only bored? He hoped it was the second option.

“My King, is it wise to knight a stranger?” he said, playing with the mace that was tucked in his decorated belt.

The king turned. His mace was bigger. He tossed the mace and caught it in midair.

“How many of my knights can do that.” the king said, returning the mace on the board.

The advisor's eyes were on the mace. It was master crafted.

“I trust your wisdom, sire.” the advisor left.

Near the mace the illustrated book stood.

“He truly did it. The painter wasn't lying when he said, that he can do it. I just need to find a romance writer.” the king said as he left the room.

Ulnirneas was staying in the inn near the Crossroad. He orders the inn's specialty, roasted topside beef. The innkeeper went in the back to get a plate. A few moments later, he returned with the meal. The hot gravy was evenly spread on every piece of beef. The beef was decorated with vegetables, bay leaves, and rosemary. He ate slowly. Enjoying every bite. One of the king's soldiers entered the inn. He looked at the tables. He was searching for someone. He saw Ulnirneas. With a graciousness to his walk, the soldier came to him.  

“Are you Ulnirneas?” he asked under his great-helm.

“Yes… what seem to be the problem?” Ulnirneas answered with a restrain.

“Nothing, the King asked for you.” the soldier said.

Ulnirneas started rising, the soldier stopped him.

“No need to hurry. Finish your meal. There is time.”

The king stood, silent as a statue. Ulnirneas knelt. The king waited for his knighting sword. He waited. Finally, the man came. The king took out the sword.

“Time for the oaths.” the king said.

Ulnirneas started:

“I will always defend a lady. I will be loyal to my lord. I will speak only the truth. I will be devoted to the church. I will be charitable, and I will defend the poor and the helpless. I will be brave. When on a quest, I will remove my armor and arms only while I sleep. I will never avoid dangerous paths out of fear. I will be on time for any engagement of arms, battle or tournament.”

“Four more to go.” the king said.

“Upon returning home or lord's court from an adventure, I will always tell of my escapades. If I'm taken prisoner, I will give up my arms and horse to my opponent and I will not fight him again without his consent.”

“One more to go.” the king said. “Only one.”

“I will fight only one-on-one against an opponent.”

The king touched his shoulder with the Knightmaker.

“I doubt thou Sir Ulnirneas. Arise, Sir knight.”

The crowd cheered with excitement.

“Hurray! Long may ye live! Hurray!” the crowd burst with excitement.

Laberia was standing somewhere in the upper part of the crowd. All of her plans, she had thought about before, were too simple. No one would fall for a damsel in distress. She muttered something under her breath.

“”He will be mine or no ones.” only the last part could be understood.

Near her stood Count Otto. He turned towards her.

“What did you say? I can't hear you, because of the crowd!” he said, trying to be louder than the crowd.

“Oh… nothing, just something I have to do, later.” she said.

“Do you need some help?”

“No, thank you for the offer. I can do it on my own.”

Barrels of mead and ale have flown that night, the right moment for Laberia to strike. Most the men would be asleep. No one saw her leave the hall.

She walked down the corridor searching Ulnirneas. Two servants appeared down the corridor. She hid behind a curtain. The way is cleared, she continued. One of the rooms was opened. She slowly went to the door, looked inside and saw Ulnirneas sleeping. She entered. Ulnirneas turned to his side. She stopped. He woke. She froze. He looked at her with eyes that were still clouded. This was her opportunity. She took out her dagger and pointed at her throat.

“I can't live without you.” she said.

“You don't need to kill yourself. Everything will be okay.” he said.

“No, it won't! I can't live without you.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“To, marry me.”

“That's all?”

“Yes. Do you agree?”

“I have no choice. Then, yes.”

The bells were ringing. Ulnirneas, the newly made knight, wed the baroness Laberia, only twenty-four hours since they met. The arc-priest stood in front of the altar. Ulnirneas was already waiting for his bride. He turned and saw her, everything he thought about her, it meant nothing now. She was beautiful. He couldn't turn his head. The arc-priest waited a few moments for him to turn towards him.

“Praise be the god Volun.” he said.

“Praise be the god Volun!” the crowd responded.

“Praise be the goddess Veretena, the goddess of love and marriage.” the arc-priest said.

“Praise be the goddess Veretena, the goddess of love and marriage.” the crowd responded.

“We are here to unite these two souls. If any has something to say?”

The crowd was silent. The arc-priest moved from figure to figure. No one replied.

“I pronounce, you husband and wife.”

Ulnirneas and Laberia went with a smile on both of their faces. The only one, that wasn't smiling was the king.

Anger could be seen on the king's face. With large steps the king went up the stairs to his room. He slammed the door behind him.

Even, my newly made knight has found himself a woman. This must end soon. It's time that I make my move.

He went to the board. Moved a figure in the third row. He looked at his figure. He waited. He took the figure, carefully, in his arm and moved it near the queen that resembled Lady Joanna.