After I’m returned to my cell there’s a large ruckus outside, no doubt cause by my little speech to the guard

After I’m returned to my cell there’s a large ruckus outside, no doubt cause by my little speech to the guard. That’ll show that high and mighty prince.

A servant girl squeezes past a guard into my room. She carries a small platter of meat, cheese, bread, and small beer. She sets it down in the study and walks back to the door.

“Excuse me,” I say to her back.

“Yes,” she turns around to face me.

“Could you bring me a large basin?” I ask.

“Certainly,” she bows and walks out of the room.

I walk over to the platter and eat about half the food before downing the beer. My knight master should already be on his way here with the lord’s daughter in tow. Tomorrow I’ll put our plan into effect. But first things first, I strip off my weapons, boots, and shirt and crawl into the bed and fall into a deep sleep.

When the sun rises, I wake and rise from the bed. On the far side of the room the maid left the basin atop the dresser along with clean clothes. Well that was thoughtful; too bad the clothes are white.

Whence the basin is reset on the floor I again go into my meditation position. My hands rest over top the basin and I begin to hum. The air resonates and separates. Water droplets form on every surface in the room, including myself. The droplets leave their surfaces and collect in the basin.

“Elements hear my plea. Water; show me what I wish to see. Part the earth and the air. Grant me vision of my knight master,” I chant.

The water swirls in the basin and turns glassy smooth. As I peer into the water’s surface I see the desolate lands of the Hangar. A road divides my plane of view in half, and along the road my knight master rides with lord and daughter in tow. The Hangar guard rides out to meet them.

The view in the water changes once again to the green bottom of the basin, time to bring our plans into focus. I change into my crimson leggings and shirt. I shine my boot and put them on. With clothes adjusted I strap on my long sword and strap my dagger to my arm, under the shirt.

I hope the king is ready for the wedding today otherwise all this preparation is wasted. I watch from the window in my bedroom as my knight master arrives through the gate of the courtyard, perfect timing.

Someone knocks at the door, “your knight is here squire, you’re free to go and meet him.”

The unmistakable sound of the lock clicking back into the door precedes the doors yawning open. I’d just get lost in those damned corridors again. I open the window and take a leap into the courtyard. A barely audible gasp sounds behind me, stupid guards.

I thrust my arm out and catch a flag pole half way down the face of the keep. As the rod recoils I let go and land safely before my knight master. I bow to the lord and walk beside his escort back into the keep.

“You seem to have done well for yourself here squire. Maybe I should leave you here,” the knight says.

“I know my way home, Furon. And it’s not like they exactly trust me. I’m a squire of the Tagar first and for most. And as of now the Tagar and Hangar are enemies. But if you try any such thing I’ll strike off your head,” I retort.

“You won’t beat me twice in one life-time. You may have exceptional skill with a sword but my spear will find your heart one of these days, squire,” he says and stops in front of the king.

“Good to see you again sir knight. Midia, show the lady to her room so she can prepare for the ceremony,” the king commands.

“Yes my liege. Please, follow me,” a servant walks off down the corridors soon followed by the lord’s daughter.

“Come sir knight, the kingdom awaits,” the king offers and turns about before walking down the never ending corridors.

My knight master and I follow the lord down the never ending pathways that make up this castle.

As we walk through a wall opening onto a balcony the breeze picks up and the crowd’s cheer is heard. It looks as if the entire kingdom has assembled in the span of a few days. This puts a damper on our plans.

Below us a carpet extends to a small gazebo. The king’s son and a priest stand ready in their formal wear. Since we’re waiting for the lord’s child, might as well put on a show.

“Well Furon, I’ll see you at dinner,” I say and take a step up onto the railing.

I push off the railing as Furon makes a grab at me. I extend my arms out to the sides and bring my legs together. The wind rushes past as I fall head first towards the crowd. The people scatter and bring my legs back around to land safely on one knee.

I stand tall and pronounce, “Since we are to be allies what would one of your knights say to a bout of arms while we wait for the bride.”

A very tall and thick man strides from the crowd and a cheer rises among the people. Ah, some one of renown, a good fight indeed. I draw my sword and assume a low crouch. He draws his own berserker sword from his back and stands ready before me.

Swift like the wind a tiger strikes. I make a staggering dash at him. He merely takes a wide swing and I’m forced back so my head stays where it is. I begin the charge again heading straight for him. Again the berserker swings, but I slide below it. He brings is blade back and quick as a whip it’s poised above me. I kick up some dust and take off away from him.

The crowds around us cheers and the berserker actually leers at me. Wild as a flame a tiger kills. I stand up and stare at my opponent. The berserker lets out a might roar and charges straight for me. I wait for him to come with in ten paces before reacting. As soon as he step across that invisible barrier and jump to the side and make a wide arch to come upon him from the back. As I leap to drive my sword point into his neck, he spins about and catches me. He actually catches me.

I stare into his eyes and let out a low growl. He raises me over his head and throws me down to the earth. As I bounce and skid across the ground the crowd cheers again. Pain erupts all over me. This man is strong as a mountain, but still swift as a hawk. Come on Gradius, get a hold of yourself, he’s just a man; remember your training, fight through the pain.

I let out a roar and rise from the ground. The berserker’s face goes blank. I charge straight for him. My sword raised I strike at his legs. He’s taken aback and the blow finds its target. The berserker falls and I leap to drive my blade into his throat.

A gust of wind knocks me out of the air, “enough Gradius.”