Confrontation of Betrayal

The baron shook his fist with reasonable doubt, his best soldiers defeated, next him? No doubt. A challenge was issued. A mark made that day. For whom? For anyone, this decree did say: There is a cloaked knight who travels about, on a deep dark steed, iron hooves, snarling mouth. Find but this knight, lay him to waste, tarry not a second, or your own blood will ye taste. Bring forth his head, his mystical sword, place them fore' the baron, reap your rich rewards.

Many a nobleman did saddle that day, his finely groomed steed, sally forth as they may. Hither the hunters, baying dogs of war, a howl in the wind none could ignore. Whence came the entourage, the warriors of strong? Six, seven, eight deep, my their numbers were long! A mighty ensemble had gathered this day, to lay rest this knight, and receive riches they prayed.

Deep in the woods, a bird rustled about, making a nest, for the coming winter no doubt. In the pit of an oak did a single knight lay, his sword by his side, resting as he may. Came forth a slight sound, a tinge in the wind, the knight clasp up his weapon, his killer of men. He stood without sound, smelling the din, he knew thence they came, again solely for him. He turned but his head and a galloping shadow came forth. A thick massive steed, his best friend of course.

The air dreamt of winter, the sun showing its share, a lit gleaming valley, a river branched here. The knight bade thee horse trod, forthwith he came near, to the lip of the ford, with a sudden halt he was here.

He moved not a muscle, that steed of iron clay, as death reigned upon them, taking the rider I did pray. Volley after volley was heard sailing in the air, with the thump of my crossbow, I let loose my fair share. Alas the knight stood like a fortress on the ford, coals in his eyes, awaiting our next course.

Our commander nudged his warhorse forth, in front of his men he doth shouted the ford: Damned knight, dead in this bed you shall lay! A shallow wet grave, I will bring you today! You are a bastard knight, in our kingdom right here! Our baron hath ordered forth, it is your head I must bear! To which the dark knight threw his cloak to the fore, revealing his armor, a slight show of candor. His arm raised high he then drew abreast, a wicked man mangler, as wide as my chest!

The leaves thrust forward, the grass kicked up, the knight let out a cry to which his mount reared up! We swept towards each other in furious haste, blood in ours eyes, our reward we could taste. Our commander spearheaded the furious fray, cut right in half our commander fell this day. Our spears drank deep of the dark horses skin, heads rolled clean of most of those men. We seized upon the slowed horseÕs motions, a ocean of metal arms swung about with dark notions. Just as we thought we might have succeeded the knight cursed all our mothers, with a leap he did leave us. He swept round our side right quick up our backs, four men fell silent, in the blood river bath.

Our mage let thunder a furious clap, a lightning bolt fled his gnarled staff like a bat. The knight screamed into the sky with an unbridled vengeance, decapitating a foe, then turning his attention. The mage had prepared yet another blast, but of fire this time, surely this knight could not last. The fire rode forth with a crackling roar, to which the knight sang deep of forgotten dark lore. He leveled his sword and with one swift motion, the mage and his fire disappeared in a molten ocean.

The knight sprang forth, his vigor renewed! He took us to task, we knew not what to do! The grass stained red, the knight plunged forth, he took half our number, seconds more, three fourths! Quaking we stood in the now river run red, all our companions and horses bled dead. A flick of his wrist and my two cohorts traveled, to join the others and the path they now unraveled.

I fell to my knees with blood on my face, let loose my sword and sealed my fate. I lowered my visage toward that red murky depth and beseeched the gods a quick painless death. Searing metal clamped tight round my skull, hefted me up, and held me bold. My eyes drank deep of this bloody red knight, held up off my feet, bathed in sunlight. He said not a word, yet I understood, my part in this tragedy was now to be heard.

Speak now! The baron clamored, hotly once more, as I collapsed sapped of all energy spread on the floor. I stammered, stuttered, coughing blood in my hand, regained composure and spoke faintly once again: Of all your men to this mark have you sent, I come back alone, the others are spent. Silence fell, doubt now reigned, about this dark knight and his message of pain. The baron crept forth, grasped up my scarred face, a look of terror held him in place. What now of the knight, faithful servant? He whispered...

A reign brought short by this damned knight again, the baronÕs strength all but neutered, by lack of armed men. A story was told, a message sent that day, to men of all kingdoms, this message did say: Alone in the glade but a single knight may pass, of him you may require no allegiance or task. Steady your army, withhold your iron hand, this knight is not worth, the lives of your men. Yet, in some distant kingdom be, a fool of a mortal, conquering all they see. When this lone knight, and his new horse passes, run quick away, run off ye asses!

He is The Red Knight, of war he is born, he hath lost all he loved and had his heart torn. Sell short not your life, your future so grim, lest you end up just like him. Ages may pass, as lifeblood prevails, explore your own loves, of this do not fail. And if ye may traverse, a dark forest pass, the howl of the wind, attempt not to pass. For in the evercircle of long forgotten sages, lays now The Red Knight, left to the ages.

The thunder of hooves! The clashing of might! A sword drains thee skull, come morning, come light! Fool of a mortal, you crossed The Red Knight!