Black Knight

Fated Encounter Part 2

*Flashback from the Perspective of Black Knight*

I knew pain. My father dished it out in disgusting heaps when it came to me. He may have been a  noble Dark Fae in the Fairy Kingdom, but there was nothing noble about what he did behind closed doors.

I saw my father approaching me, his tall robust figure a shadow in the dimly lit basement where I lived.

He raised his hand and I could do nothing about the shout that escaped my lips.

“Stop!” I screamed. Once again, I knew it would do nothing, but my screams were involuntary. He beat me again, and again. Only stopping when my sobs gave way to silence. Once again, I was left on the floor of the basement, alone, in tears. How could he do this to a 15 year old girl?

I knew he blamed me for the death of my mother, who died when I was born. I know most people in the Fae kingdom do not know of my existence. For I am a mere Human born to two Dark Fae. I was an embarrassment.

I vowed that one day, I wouldn’t be helpless. I would help others like me. It was on this day many millennia ago that I sealed my heart to the world.

From the Perspective of Fae King Kalen Orin

I was dumbfounded by this girl. She handled Giselda beautifully, and was extremely tactful without being violent. I was half expecting her to smite the girl, with all the rumors about her character. Black Knight did no such thing, in fact after she handled Giselda with class, she turned to her father and said Giselda should be enrolled in warrior classes. I shook my head again with the memory.

A hand on my shoulder distracted me from my thoughts. I turned to see Solomon, smiling at me, and behind him, one of my childhood friends I hadn’t seen in a few days, Jasper. He was hard headed and brash, and definitely one of my best friends. His red mop of hair looks like it hasn’t seen a brush in days, even with the event happening tonight. I pull him in for a hug, which he reciprocates with a huge smile on his face.

 “Jasper! I wasn’t completely sure we’d see you tonight. With your nomadic tendencies and wander lust.” I said to him, and he gave me the biggest smirk I think I’d ever see him portray.

“I heard that you had managed to convince the elusive Black Knight to come, and I have never seen her in person. I was curious. I did arrive in time to see her put Giselda in her place, which was a pleasant surprise. I also got to see you flounder like an i***t too which was also a nice surprise!” Jasper said and I lightly punched him in the arm, my annoyance certainly real. He laughed as he shook off his arm.

“She is nothing like I thought she would be.” I told them both honestly. I looked around to see we were still mostly alone, near the rear of the flowered forest clearing that the Ball was held in. “She pulled down her hood, and I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.” I said, unsure of what their reaction would be. Jasper to my surprise laughed.

“I agree brother.” Using an informal way of addressing me like he always has, “I was expecting something way different than what I saw that’s for sure. She’s devastatingly gorgeous.” Solomon agreed.

“I have seen her on the battle field once, and even though I have met her before, for some reason I don’t remember her being so tiny. I guess on the battlefield she seems larger than she actually is.” Solomon said and I nodded.

I looked up, to see the moon just over the tree line. It wasn’t red yet, but would be within a few minutes, and the ceremony would begin…. I turn to my advisors and longtime friends. “It’s show time.”

***

From the Perspective of Black Knight

I had wandered to a different corner after my encounter with the King. This wasn’t the corner I preferred, with only a small shadow to hide in. My second and my witch had wandered off to who knows where, I knew they both had friends here. I also peered out to see a few of my knights in attendance who were Fae. I had knights of all backgrounds, vampires, werewolves, witches, Fae, and more. Even a few humans graced my ranks, if they impressed me enough. Tonight was sacred for the Fae. I had given special disposal for all my Fae to come and attend this ball. I counted 4 of them in my line of sight. Having my knights here also gave me a sense of security, since they would be a buffer for me if needed between me and the other party guests.

As if on cue the four knights in my line of sight, and two more I hadn’t seen yet locked eyes with each other, and started over in my direction.

All six of my knights that were here found me in my corner, and then bowed their heads in respect. Aspen, one of my senior knight’s stepped forward, being a voice for them all.

“Black Knight are you alright? We all sensed your stress.” Aspen said to me, and I smiled softly to her. She had been with me for so long, and can read my energy waves almost as well as Eva and Elden.

“I am alright. I hate these kinds of gatherings, as you all are well aware. Trust me, if anything is amiss, I will contact you all swiftly.” I said reassuring my Knights. They seemed convinced. They bowed once again to me, and started to file away back to their previous conversations. All except Aspen. She had shoulder length blonde hair, and gentle blue eyes. She was one of my spies, and one of my greatest assassins, but you would never know it by looking at her.

“Something else is off with you, I just can’t put my finger on it.” Aspen said. “If something does happen, call Eva, Elden or myself right away. You know you are in no condition to fight right now.” She said softly and I hissed under my breath. When I didn’t answer her right away, she lowered her eyes on me even more severely, to say that she wasn’t leaving without a response from me.

“Aspen, I swear to you, I won’t fight today. If I need assistance, I will reach out. I have enough knights with me that I shouldn’t have to do anything.” This seemed to convince her and she touched my arm briefly before walking away. I had no idea how she knew about my injury. I had managed to hide it from Eva and Elden thus far. I had been ambushed yesterday by rouge werewolves, and one of them had managed to s***h my left side pretty deep. I was healing, just slower than I would have liked.

Eva and Elden retuned a short while later, a glass of Fae Cider in each of their hands, and an extra one in Elden’s. They reached me, huge smiles on each of their faces, Elden handing me the extra glass he carried. “To the Red Moon rising.” He said and we raised our glasses to the Red Moon that was just beginning to rise. The ceremony was beginning.