The Dark Knight's Heart

Chapter7

Chapter 7

“Open, in the name of the realm!”. The knight yelled again as he knocked even harder.

Looking out the window, Sam scratched his head, peeping at the knights down below.

“There sure are a lot of them”. Sam said, his eyes reflecting the torches from below.

“What did we do this time?”. He said, turning around to Arthur putting on the last piece of his armour, his mask.

Stretching out his arm, his huge sword which is almost as tall as Sam, appeared to levitate, floating effortlessly into his grasp.

Samuel nodded in understanding as he grabbed his sword and lute. Putting on his lirripipe hood over his head, he walked towards the door.

Looking back at Arthur, he flung the door open with ease. At the other side, the hallway was crowded with knights with spears in their arms.

“Gentlemen…nice evening we're having eh”. Sam teased, shining his pearly whites at them.

They looked at Samuel for a while and then at each other, seeming confused. “Err…you sure about this one lads?”. One asked the other as they scratched their heads.

“Well we have orders don't we?”. The knights shrugged as they maintained their stance.

“in the name of the crown, we are tasked with escorting you to the palace, where his majesty The King Xandros, the Celestial Emperor, awaits your arrival”. Said a knight who wore a different helmet.

“Escorting me?”. Sam asked raising a brow. “Well the two of ya”. A female voice interrupted as the innkeeper poked her head through the wall of knights.

Samuel's eyes widened in surprise as he looked the lady in front of him. “You?...”. “I'm sorry fellas…I had to”. She said pouting her heart shaped lips.

“Two of em?. The commander asked, looking at her. Stepping into the hallway as the door opened widely as Arthur walked forward.

Suddenly, the knights felt a pressure unlike anything they've ever encountered as they gritted their teeths.

“What is this?”. One said, his spear shaking violently. “Who is this?”. Another said, slowly taking small steps back.

The commander held fast in front of the door, his countenance unyielding lest he show fraility unto his men.

He could feel his sweat slowly slide down his spine as he looked at the man in front of him.

His armour as dark as night, his piercing blue eyes which saw right through his soul. He took a huge gulp as he held his spear tightly.

“In…in the name of the…in the…name…”. “We heard ya the first time ser”. Sam said rolling his eyes.

Arthur stepped into the hallway, the knights now split into two lines, their backs directly on the cobblestone walls.

The innkeeper looked awed by what just unfolded before her eyes. She could see that the knights were genuinely terrified of this man.

Walking out of the inn, they could see a bunch of knights, with torches and spears in their hands.

They cleared the way for them to pass as they marched to the palace, with Arthur and Samuel in tow.

_ _ _ _

Thelline’s palace.

“Do you know the consequences of your actions?!!!”. A voice roared, seeming agitated.

In the throne room, a knight could be seen kneeling in front of the king and his court. Elara, sitting elegantly beside her father.

She looked at Kaelith worriedly as the grip on her dress tightened. “Father…it wasn't his fault, I was the one who wandered off”. She tried defending him.

“You recklessly endangered the life of the princess “. King Xandros said, his voice calm. “He should be punished!!”. Marlowe spat, looking at the kneeling knight with disgust.

Murmurs followed, as the nobles nodded in agreement. “Marlowe”. King Xandros called his name with warning, a stern look in his face.

“My apologies to your majesty”. Marlowe said, bowing his head low.

“Your majesty, I know I didn't do my duty as a knight. I put the princess in danger...I deserve to die”. Kaelith said, he voice firm as he admitted his mistake.

Immediately, four guards approached Kaelith, ready to take him away.

“No!!”. Elara yelled, getting up from her throne as gasps filled the room. She walked to her father, kneeling in front of him.

The king's eyes widened in surprise as he watched his daughter kneel in front of him. “what is she doing?”. A noble asked as they talked amongst themselves.

“Father please…show mercy, please?”. She begged as a tear ran down her cheeks. Seeing this, the king got up from his throne, walking towards his daughter.

“Elara”. He called her name softly, crouching to her level. “You could've been killed…what would I do then?”. He asked, his eyes filled with worry.

“Father please, I've known Kaelith since we were children. He's family”. She said, looking at Kaelith.

For some reason, that statement seemed to hurt Kaelith, as if an arrow pierced his heart. “Family huh?”. He thought to himself.

Looking at his daughter, and then at Kaelith, the King stood up, helping his daughter as well. Looking at his noble men, he held his daughter's hands.

A noble admission of guilt! Here's a possible response from the king:

"Thou hast brought shame upon thyself and our order”. He started. His voice echoing throughout the throne room.

“Thy failure to safeguard the princess is a grave offense. I shall not take thy life...yet. But thou shalt face a trial by combat, to prove thy worth as a knight”. Gasps filled the room as the nobles were suprised by the king’s words.

“If thou emergest victorious, thy life shall be spared. But if thou failest...thy fate shall be sealed”. He concluded, looking at Elara.

“Is that fair enough my dear?”. He asked with a smile on his face. She returned his smile, kissing the back of his hand.

“Thank you your majesty”. Kaelith said. Bowing down. Marlowe sighed, irritation visible on his face.

“Your opponent shall be arranged shortly”. The king said as he returned to his throne.

Suddenly, a guard rushed up to him as he whispered something to the king. His eyes widened again, even more this time as he looked at the huge doors.

“Let them in”. He said as he adjusted his garment. Elara looked confused as she stared at the doors. “Father?”. She called out, still looking at the door.

The doors opened slowly as knights rushed into the throne room, barricading the nobles from the aisle.

By now, everyone's attention was on the

doors as the air felt grim.

The throne room suddenly went quiet as they saw two figures at the door.