The Dark Knight's Heart

Chapter4

Chapter 4

A knight walked forward, his hands on his sword as he looked around. His brown eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to survey his surroundings.

“Is this really necessary?”. Elara asked, irritation visible on her face. They've been standing here for minutes now.

Getting up from the grass, dusting her gown as she adjusted the shawl covering her face. “Kaelith!”. She called out walking to the knight.

“My lady…I have to make sure you aren't in any danger”. He said swiftly as he turned his head swiftly from side to side.

Rolling her eyes at how Kaelith behaved, she looked around, smiling as she took the view in. Finally, she's out of the palace, free to roam about…well, until nightfall that is.

“Alright my lady, where do you want to visit first?”. Kaelith asked. Looking at him, she couldn't help but marvel at how polite he is.

Kaelith is one of the seven best knights in Thelline. Although not as popular as the rest because of his discreet personality.

He has long blonde hair, reaching his shoulders. Brown eyes, sharp jawline and a very kind but masculine face. Overall, he looked very approachable.

“My lady?”. Drawing her attention back to his question, Elara noticed a blush on his face as he avoided her eyes.

“Yes…to the market”. She said, smiling as she walked ahead of him. “My lady, wait…we have horses!!!”. Kaelith yelled as he hurried to catch up to her.

_ _ _ _

“There it is…Thelline. Didn't think I'd see this walls again”. Samuel said as he looked up at the huge wall before them.

“So…to headquarters?”. He asked as they trotted through over the drawbridge. Arthur nodded his head as they approached some guards.

“Halt…state your business here!”. A young guard Walked up to them, blocking their path.

“And take off yer hood…wanna take a good look at your face”. He said pointing his sheathed sword at Arthur. His eyes fell on the unsually big sword, strapped tightly by the horse.

He felt his spine shiver as he stared at the man on the horse, wondering how possible it is for a knight to enjoy a sword as big as that.

“Hang on a bloody minute now…I haven't seen you around. You new?”. Sam asked, scrutinizing the guard.

“What did you say”. The guard asked, now walking towards Samuel.

“Stop!!!!”. Someone yelled, stoping the guard in his tracks. “What do yer think you're doing boy?”. A rather fat guard asked, grabbing him by the arm.

“My apologies sers…you may enter”. He said, bowing slightly as They trotted through the gates.

“Don't you know who that is?...do you want to get killed boy?!!”. He asked the already frightened guard.

“No ser…I just wanted to scare them folks”. The younger guard said nervously. “That right there, is The Black Reaper”. The fat one said, nodding his head slowly.

“That's him?!”. “Shhh…don't make a fuss now lad…you've just survived your first battle”. He said, patting him on his back.

As they walked through the busy streets, people couldn't help but stare at them with awe. Children pointing and running behind their horses.

They soon arrive at a wooden tavern. Mercenaries and a few knights could be seen outside.

Some grooming their horses while the rest took huge gulps of ale from their wooden mug.

“Well well well…look who it is”. A short but sturdy man walked up to them. “If it isn't The Black Reaper and his little shite”. He yelled as he spat on the floor.

“What do you want, Borus?”. Sam asked, rolling his eyes as they dismounted. “Aye…I ain't talking to you boy”. Borus said, pushing Sam aside as he made his way to Arthur.

“Oi mate…you mute or something?”. He asked, his face flushed from drinking.

Turning around, Arthur took a long look at him, before walking away with Sam in tow.

“What's wrong?...got a c**k in yer mouth?”. Borus yelled as he laughed hard.

Some men joined in the laughter as they watched them walk into the tavern.

Walking up the bar keeper, Sam cleared his throat trying to get the bar keeper's attention.

“Excuse me good lad”. He greeted, looking around the tavern. The place had gone awfully quiet as all eyes were on Arthur.

The men felt uneasy immediately as the duo walked into the tavern. With their hands on the hilt of their swords, they prepared themselves.

Arthur remained unbothered, his eyes distant not knowing the threat he posed just by walking in.

“Yes…how may I help ya?”. A female voice broke the deafening silence. Sam turned almost immediately, hearing the sweet melody.

His mouth hung open as he stared at the beauty before him. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a heart shaped lips. He felt himself drawn to her.

“Ser?”. She called out as he jerked out of his trance, taking an awkward stance.

“Yes…we…were…bounty hunter business?”. He stuttered as his eyes darted around the tavern, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Sorry…we have news concerning brindlemark”. He said, gaining his composure back. A short gasp filled the room as murmurs followed.

“Brindlemark?...I thought that town was destroyed?”. One asked the other as they looked at Sam with interest.

“Really?...That's interesting. We thought the village was run down already”. She said scratching her head as she took out a book from the counter.

“We received a whole lot of people into the capital days ago. All from Brindlemark”. She said as she flipped through the pages rapidly.

“We met some on our way there”. Sam said. “ So?...what was it?...Orcs?”. A rather huge man asked as everyone paid attention to what Sam was about to say next.

“Not Orcs my friend…Skarvs”. Sam answered as another gasp filled the room.

“Impossible!...you lie. Skarvs?...that far east?”. One yelled trying to make sense of what Sam was talking about.

Suddenly, with a thud, a bony arm fell out of a bag, to the floor.

Its boney limbs seemed to be woven together with dark, mystical energy. It's presence seemed to draw the light out of the air.

“Well I'll be…that is a Skarv’s limb alright”. The huge man acknowledged as he stared at it.

Now everyone was on their feet, their hands on the hilt of their weapons as they stared at Arthur and Sam.

The bar keeper suddenly bolted out of the tavern, mounting on a horse as she galloped away. “What the…”. Sam looked around surprised. He turned his attention to Arthur who threw the limb out.

Arthur stared back at the men, before turning around, leaving the room. Sam bundled up the bony limb, running out of the room as well.

The men looked at each other, fear visibly etched on their faces. No one has ever defeated a Skarv.

Those creatures are said to be able to pierce not just flesh, but the very soul itself, and those struck by them are said to be forever changed by the experience.

“The Skarv is a creature of dark legend, feared and avoided by all who know of its existence…and this man just happened to kill one?”. The huge man asked no one in particular.

They couldn't believ

e what they had just witnessed. It's impossible.

What'll they think then, finding out how many he killed?.