laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Alex hurried to saddle their horses as Sir Stephen leaned over the bucket full of water that his squire had drawn from a nearby river, and splashed his face trying to wake up. He was glad that he was a bit taller as the horses backs were nearly his height and noticed that caring for a knight and his man-at-arms was more work than he ever did in a morning at school. Afton was right, they didn't prepare their students for everything. He kneed the horse in the ribs and pulled on the strap, then buckled it and hoped that none of their steads were waiting to repay him for this abuse.

"Alexander," the elder knight called as he sat on the small stool before his pavilion.

"Sir," he dutifully replied as he turned.

"My armor."

"Right away, sir." Alexander quickly moved into the tall tent and gathered the breastplate and other accessories for his lord's armor as Sir Kenneth readied himself to leave. Grinning, the veteran fighter watched the squire and Alex knew he was doing something wrong.

"Good morning, sir," Alex greeted.

Kenneth nodded. "Need help with all that?"

"I've got it,sir. Thank you," sweat pouring from his brow already. He turned and carried the large, awkward bundle outside and began helping the paladin gear up.

"Have you heard anything about Thetford, Alex," Stephen asked.

"No, sir." Alex buckled on the arm pieces, then lifted the breastplate.

"During the attacks that happened two years ago, it became the scene of various raids by a large unit of cavalry led by a human. He successfully kept confusion in the keeps of the barons of Thetford and Anderslough farther north while choking the highways between both. He kept them isolated and without any way to communicate to the duke in Kecel, nearly destroyed them himself before the main army ever arrived."

"Yes, sir. Did the duke's army catch him?"

"Eventually," the grey haired knight nodded. "He was joined to the main part of the army that attacked Annan north of Anderslough and was caught by two units who were better trained and coordinated. It wasn't his military organization that lost him his life, however. Do you know what it was?"

Alexander buckled the breastplate and then moved for the leggings as the paladin stood. "Being outflanked?" Alex guessed.

Smiling, Stephen looked down. "No, though that did happen. It was his arrogance from his past successes that ultimately killed him. Never allow your ego or personal feelings to cloud sound judgement. He thought that because he had beaten several militia units and small groups of huscarl on his road north that he could take on anyone."

Blue eyes looked up, "Yes, sir. I've read many stories of thieves who were well respected that met their end that way".

Nodding, the knight moved to help pull down the pavilion, it's maroon walls sported the crossed golden spears underneath the black shield whose top half was divided by vertical gold and black stripes, the symbol of Arhus. After packing everything onto the extra horse, they mounted up and rode into town, greeting everyone in the streets with nods and smiles as they eventually arrived at the modest chapel that sat across from the baron's keep. Dismounting, Alex quickly moved to take the reins of both horses as Stephen climbed down, his clean maroon surcoat proudly displaying his affiliation as he strode towards the church.

"Alex, keep an eye on our things. I'll only be a moment."

"Yes, sir." Blue eyes watched as Kenneth headed in the opposite direction and stopped near a vendor's booth selling cheese and no doubt gain some information as well. He had never been told what the letter from the chamberlain of Kecel said, he didn't expect to.
Suddenly he turned to his left as three boys chased one another towards him with long sticks in their hands. Being about his age, they soon stopped, ruddy and hair dishevelled from exertion of their pretend battle, to eye him.

"You a squire," one of them asked.

"Yes."

"To who?"

"Sir Stephen of Kecel," he motioned with his head into the church that he faced.

"Have you seen any fighting," another boy asked, his long brown hair nearly covered his brown eyes.

"No, not yet."

They eyed the sword hanging on his belt that nearly touched the ground. "Is that real?"

He grinned. "Why do you think I'm wearing it?"

"Can we see it?" They eagerly awaited his approval and he knew it was a bad idea.

"No. It's not a toy to be played with," he quoted Sir Stephen verbatim and began to feel a bit superior for the first time, knowing that not many got this opportunity unless they were of noble birth. There would have been no other way for him to be a knight of the church being the son of a barmaid.

"You probably don't even know how to use it," the smaller of the trio accused.

He smiled. "I saw you guys fighting earlier, I sure hope no orcs enter this town again, unless you all have a good hiding spot."

Their faces sobered and the eyes of two began to glisten. "If they come here again, we'll kill them all," the first stated, his light brown hair was pulled back underneath a grey woolen cap.

Alexander realized that they had probably lost family members in the last war and swallowed his pride quickly. He stepped forward, extending his hand. "Give me your...sword."

Handing it to him, they backed as Alexander stood facing the other two. "The key to surviving a fight with an orc is speed and not being afraid," he began as he showed them a few moves, then had them both attack him. Soon, he handed the stick back to the third and coached them on how to fight until finally noticing Sir Kenneth standing off to the side, eating a large piece of cheese as he quietly watched the lesson.

"Move with your feet," the veteran stated. "If you overextend, your opponent will catch you off balance and then you're dead."

Alexander quickly retreated and allowed the knight to teach them, having more practical knowledge. He watched and noticed the excited boys eagerly soak up the knowledge that they had stumbled upon until Sir Stephen emerged from the church's front door and descend the stairs to gain the attention of all present.

"We're to the northwest, Kenneth. Mount up."

"Sir," the fighter stated as they climbed into the saddles and Alex then quickly mounted up and followed through the marketplace, stealing a last glance at his temporary students as they watched him ride away.

"You did well," Kenneth stated as they passed two wagons full of brand new barrels. Alexander turned to him and nodded respectfully. He chuckled as he eyed their sponsor ahead. "My Lord, did you know that your squire is quickly becoming popular with Thetford's budding militia?"

"Really," Stephen glanced back. "Were those three boys your first initiates?"

"Sir, I was merely trying to correct a potential mistake and I hope you'll forgive me."

Stephen's mount slowed and Alex eased back the reins of his own mount also. "How so?"

"When they were asking me about my sword, I had forgotten your lesson this morning about pride."

He nodded slowly, then smiled. "But you didn't allow your station to make them feel lower than you, right?"

Alex shook his head. "I hope not."

"There are many things to learn in your service to Arhus. One thing that I have to constantly remind myself is that I'm a servant to His people as well as their guide and protector. The day you try to keep those you've sworn to protect under your heel, you've become no better than our enemy. Be mindful of that."

"Yes, sir."

Stephen smiled as they exited the northern gate. "Don't worry, when I was your age, I never was able to remember everything that I was supposed to. You're a lot farther ahead than most twelve year olds."

Alex smiled, honored that this veteran of Arhus had allowed a bit of himself to be known.

"Where are we to, milord," Kenneth finally asked.

"I've been informed that a farmer out this way has discovered something that needs our attention. I assured the priest that we would take care of it. Unfortunately, the farmer didn't give any great details other than some mysterious sounds coming from the neighboring forest. I prayed for guidance and was informed that a spirit has been loosed."

Kenneth nodded, his weatherbeaten face stared straight ahead and Alex felt his heart race at the thought of seeing a ghost for the first time.

Soon, Stephen directed them to the farm in question whose closely built barn appeared as an extension of the main house itself. As they rode up to the front door, an older man stepped out and bowed. Greying brown hair was matted to his balding head as brown eyes rose to greet the knight.

"Sir, it's a good day. Can I offer you anything?"

"I'm here on the request of Father Charles who mentioned that someone out this way had been hearing strange noises from the forest. Would that be you?"

He nodded as Alex noticed a young girl of about eight years old peek around their host's torso and stare at them. "Yes, sir. Demons have killed two pigs a fortnight ago and have been attacking chickens from my son's farm," he pointed beyond them to another cluster of homes on the opposite side of the snow covered field and bordered by thick forest.

"When did the sounds start?"

"A day or two before my pigs were killed." A protective arm went around the girl's shoulder. "I don't want nothing to happen to my granddaughter or my wife."

"Nothing's going to happen to them, you have my word on that. Arhus has sent us to free you of this danger, don't fear."

The farmer nodded and grinned as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders.

Stephen turned his mount and led them around the barn and towards the woods as he quietly concentrated and Alex swallowed hard as the darkened interior of the forest neared. Upon reaching the treeline, they stopped.

"Alexander, I want you to stay here with the horses."

"Yes, sir," he stated, then the trio dismounted as the two knights prepared for battle. He watched as Sir Stephen shouldered his shield and donned his helmet, then turned and moved towards the forest, Sir Kenneth in tow and they disappeared.

Alex waited quietly as the horses grazed in the tall grass that penetrated the snow as the muffled whistle of the wind was strained in the tall pines above. His curiousity wondered what situation they would be faced with and almost hated that he had to wait and find out afterwards. Excited adrenaline churned within and he could feel the charge rise from his legs to assault his stomach and spine. Suddenly, an ungodly shriek erupted from the forest that sent him reeling backwards as all three horses reared and cried out, then turned and sprinted across the field, leaving him alone. Eyes wide, he quickly rose and backed from the unseen demon, or whatever was in there, and drew his sword. Holding it out in front of him with both hands, he quietly mouthed a prayer.

"Great Father, whatever is in there, protect my lord and Sir Kenneth from this evil and help them send it back so I don't have to." He swallowed hard and felt the familiar wash spill over his body.

'Be of good courage, my friend,' the familiar female voice stated from somewhere above. 'You have the tools to defeat it and the knowledge. Prepare.'

His eyes went wide at the last part and suddenly noticed the darkened form rushing from the trees as if gliding on the wind. It's yellowish, glowing eyes turned and charged the frozen squire, sword extended.

'If you don't defeat it, it will kill the farmer and his family,' his guide pressed.

A flash in his mind revealed the girl's innocent face and he screamed as he charged, being met with the shrill cry of the wraith that attacked. He swung and dodged, then parried the sword that sent black shards flying in all directions. The heat from the spirit's hatred burned as it drew back to strike a mightly blow as Alex stabbed and kept cutting wildly, sending wisps of dark smoke in all directions until he was hit in the side. He felt himself flying and then suddenly hit the ground, then he rolled in the snow until resting face down, sword still gripped in his hand. Another shriek from the wraith sent chills across his body as he tried to regain his senses. He looked up and over to see Kenneth and Sir Stephen standing where he had been as their enemy's form dissipated into the cold ground. Relieved, his head plopped back into the snow as he closed his eyes.

Blue eyes awoke to the scent of a burning fire, boiling vegetable soup, a dog not far from him as well as the woolen blanket that covered him in the large room. He turned to notice Sir Stephen and Kenneth resting in two wooden chairs across from the farmer, his wife and their granddaughter. They were safe.