The Wintervale Knight: Episode 52

Paul paced up and down in the meeting hall, his hands firmly clasped behind his back. Jonah, Sophia, Charlie and Brother Ian waited as Paul struggled to calm himself before speaking.

Finally, Paul stopped and brought his hand up to his face, his fingers closed in a tight fist over his mouth.

He stared at the floor as he slowed his breathing.

Tired of the prolonged silence and tension, Ian said,

“You called this meeting, Paul. What is troubling you?”

Paul stared with a burning intensity that could have set the floorboards on fire.

“My job, as I understand it,” he said, “is to ensure the safety of Lichenhurst.”

He looked up at Ian and asked,

“Is that correct?”

“That is correct,” Ian confirmed.

“Then how may I ask am I supposed to maintain the security of this place and the safety of its people when . . .”

Paul pointed at the door as he shouted,

“He keeps bringing home strays?”

“Strays?” Sophia asked.

“First Scarlet Reay. I was forced to let her stay, and because of her, my boys Stephen and Cole are running around Mt. Rennick establishing a paper trail should anyone try to track her.”

Paul exhaled and took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

“I accepted that Sir Thomas cares for her, and the last thing I want to do is cross him. But now after almost getting yourself killed. . .”

Paul turned to Jonah,

“You bring home not one but two more strays?”

When Sophia reached out for Jonah’s shoulder and began to speak, Jonah stopped her.

“You’re right, Paul. What I did was stupid. I was worried about my family and my very pregnant wife. But in my defense, the butler Fredrick is the only one I brought. The other guy is a drifter Sir Thomas called Sir Eldridge.”

“Another knight?” Sophia asked.

“I didn’t get much information from him. He helped stop Clairbourne, and he claims he was searching for some sword,” Jonah said.

Jonah turned back to Paul and continued.

“I don’t know much about this Eldridge guy, but Fredrick was a prisoner of Clairbourne. That maniac removed Fredrick’s tongue. He helped save my life. He doesn’t have to stay here, but I certainly couldn’t just leave him in that house.”

“Fredrick is being checked out at the hospital. Once Dr. Shrivastav releases him, we can send him somewhere safe. What concerns me is this other knight Eldridge,” Ian said. “You said you don’t know much about him.”

“No. Not a whole lot,” Jonah said. “His name is Simon Eldridge, and he said the sword he got from Clairbourne has a name. I can’t remember it, but Eldridge called it the soul sword.”

“Any idea why he would risk tangling with Clairbourne for a sword?” Ian asked.

“This isn’t just any sword,” Simon Eldridge said, suddenly appearing at the back of the room.

He stepped up and gently lay the sword on the table. The sword seemed to glow and give off a faint hum.

When Ian recognized Simon as the drifter he had seen earlier in town, he moved away from the sword.

“I know you,” Ian said unnerved.

“I apologize for my presence,” Simon said. “I am on a mission. I woke up long ago in a field with no memory, but somehow I knew my mission was to retrieve the seven swords.”

“Seven swords?” Sophia asked.

“Yes. Long ago, seven brothers swore an oath. They swore to serve no man, woman or king. They vowed to protect the land and the people from any who would do them harm. The elder gods showed favor to these seven brothers and gave each of them a sword. Each sword was imbued with one of the seven elements of creation. Over time, the swords were lost, along with the knights’ oath. It is my mission to find all seven swords and give them to those who will take up the knights’ oath,” Simon explained.

“You have the sword,” Paul said. “So why are you still here?”

Simon looked at Paul and said,

“Because I believe you are going to need my help.”

* * *

The small band played Celtic music as Scarlett watched the people of Lichenhurst celebrate around a large bonfire whose flames seemed to reach the sky. Even though she was comfortable here, she still didn’t feel like one of them. After Clairbourne’s death, Jonah had brought everyone back to Lichenhurst while Sir Thomas went to speak with the Lady Wintervale.

Emerging from the dancing crowd came a waddling Jasmine, her baby growing larger every day.

When Scarlett started to get up to help her, Jasmine waved her off.

“I’ve done this before. I can do it again,” Jasmine assured her.

Once she reached the steps, she stood staring at them.

“You sure you’re okay?” Scarlett asked.

“Why couldn’t these steps be smaller?” Jasmine asked.

“Dang, sis. You need to lay off the poached eggs,” someone said.

Scarlett looked up to see two smiling young men behind Jasmine.

“Leave her alone,” one told the other. “Clearly she just ate, and now she must wait two weeks to digest whatever animal she devoured.”

Jasmine turned to both men and shouted with glee.

“Hug me!” she ordered. “I can’t move.”

She threw her arms around both men and said with great affection,

“I missed you two.”

“Sorry, sis,” the older apologized. “Dad had us running around Mt. Rennick. He told us to leave a paper trial in case anyone went looking for your friend here.”

Jasmine turned to Scarlett and said,

“Speaking of which, Scarlett Reay, these are my brothers,”

Jasmine pointed to the younger of the two.

“This is Stephen,” she said.

“Ma’am,” Stephen answered, rubbing his hand over his buzz cut.

Pointing to the older brother, Jasmine said,

And this is Cole.”

“Ma’am,” Cole said, stroking his long beard.

“I’m so glad you’re back. I really missed you two,” Jasmine repeated.

“Well no one could miss you!” Stephen teased, combing his beard.

“Seriously. Is the baby standing on your spine?” Cole asked.

“I’m due any day now,” Jasmine said.

“How’s Jonah?” Stephen asked.

“Freaking out. He almost got himself killed. He’s not thinking straight,” Jasmine said.

“Well don’t worry. Now we’re back, we’ll help keep him on his toes,” Cole replied, brushing his long hair out of his face.

“Get this,” Jasmine said. “We found another knight.”

Stephen and Cole looked surprised.

“Another knight?” Stephen asked.

Jasmine nodded.

“I know. Two knights,” she said. “Looks like I settled down too soon.”

“Don’t let Jonah hear you say that,” Cole said.

Oh it’s obvious she loves Jonah!” Scarlett laughed.

“I may not if I have to carry this baby much longer,” Jasmine moaned.

Suddenly she went quiet as her eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?” Stephen asked.

“The baby is coming!” Jasmine said.

“You sure?” Cole asked.

“This is not my first rodeo! Go get Jonah! Now!” Jasmine ordered.

The Wintervale Knight: Episode 51

So much has happened since I stepped off the bus in Blackrock. I remember when I was a little girl, my mother always dropped me off at my grandmother’s house on her way to work. One day I remember I was so excited to see my grandmother and show her my new sweater. It was pink with tiny white flowers all across the front. My grandmother told me my sweater was pretty, and just like she always did, she told me I was a beautiful princess. I was so happy with my new sweater that I refused to take it off, even when I climbed the oak tree in my Grandma’s front yard. Halfway up the tree, I snagged the sweater. My heart was broken as I ran into the house, tears streaming down my cheeks. Grandma picked me up and hugged me, promising that she would make it better. She slipped off my sweater and gave me a couple of cookies. When I asked if she was going to cut the pulled thread loose, she said that might cause the sweater to unravel and be ruined. Instead, she took a needle out of her sewing basket and pushed the snagged thread through the front of the sweater to the underside. She fixed it, just like she always fixed everything that went wrong.

I wish she were here with me. If she was, maybe I would’ve just boarded the bus and left Blackrock like Jonah said. When I was being hunted by Dominick Nightbridge, I was frightened. But at least he was normal. Montgomery Clairbourne was a different story. He formed ice out of thin air and threw icicles at us like something out of a comic book. Not only did I put myself in danger but I also put others in harm’s way. Jonah had almost died trying to fix what I started. Although I can’t imagine being without Sir Thomas, I considered leaving Blackrock, thinking things might get better if I left. It’s too late for that now, but at least I’m not alone.

Chapter VI

The Emerald Hotel

The fourth floor conference room at the Grand Haven Hotel and Spa was considered neutral territory. Overhead, neon lights hummed as they washed their hospital white light across the round polished oak table. Seated in three of the chairs surrounding the table were Anastasia Whitlock and her two sisters Izzabella and Valentina.

“Clairbourne is dead,” Izzabella said. “The wolf won’t be pleased when he hears about this.”

“Let’s just be rid of him,” Valentina suggested. “I tire of sending my best product to him.”

The three sisters were dressed in matching elegant turquoise lace dresses.

“If the knight were to venture any farther out of the woods,” Izzabella began.

“Let me deal with him,” Valentina interrupted.

“A direct approach is not wise, sister,” Izzabella said. “I cannot see beyond the borders of the forest. Something clouds my vision.”

“Sisters,” Anastasia said. “I have a perfect plan, but a few hiccups are to be expected. We cannot move unseen if people do not have something greater to fear. For now, the wolf lives, but when he has outlived his usefulness, we will put him down.”

Just then the door of the conference room opened and the Sommerses entered. Christian Sommers held the door for his sister Christie then followed her to the table. Christie chose a chair opposite Anastasia and sat down with her brother beside her.

“Christian and Christie,” Anastasia greeted. “How is the school?”

“Coming along wonderfully,” Christie said. “The students are responding well to the new program. Numbers are up, and I expect a more profitable harvest soon.”

“That is encouraging news,” Anastasia said. “Bishop will be pleased. Once they are prepared, we will put them to work.”

The door opened again and Robert Hogan entered. He let the door close behind him, as his eyes sweep the room, and then walked to a chair to the left of the sisters.

Slipping off his leather jacket, he adjusted his white muscle shirt and stuffed his keys in the pocket of his ratty blue jeans.

“I’ve never felt more at home and more in danger than I do right now,” Hogan said.

“Welcome, Robert,” Anastasia said.

Hogan leaned back in his chair and asked,

“Why am I here?”

“I felt it was time we discuss a problem,” Anastasia said.

“What problem?” Hogan asked.

“Dominick and Clairbourne are dead,” Christie said.

“Dominick was a child, and good riddance to Clairbourne,” Hogan said. “What’s the problem?”

“The problem,” Anastasia said before a pause, “is not the loss of men. Their work can be redistributed. The problem is—”

“The knight,” Hogan interrupted.

“Sir Thomas,” Anastasia corrected.

“Can’t you just use your third eye and find out where he sleeps?” Hogan asked Izzabella.

“No,” she said. “Something blocks my vision. I can’t see into the forest.”

“That’s easy,” Hogan laughed. “Just burn down the forest.”

“Bishop will not allow anything to be done to Grymthorne Forest,” Anastasia informed.

“All right then. Burn the city. A few victims crying out in pain should draw him out. Then I can cook him from the inside,” Hogan proposed.

“That will draw too much attention,” Anastasia said.

“Then what’s the point?” Hogan snapped as he slapped his hand on the table.

Smoke rose from the spot where his hand rested.

“Calm down, Robert,” Anastasia said.

“We need to do something,” Hogan said, “and since you won’t let me do anything, I assume you have a plan.”

“I do,” Anastasia said. “First we need to isolate Lichenhurst. Once we have its location, we will send in armed security and gas the place.”

Anastasia looked at Hogan for a moment before adding,

“Then you can cook Sir Thomas.”

Hogan slowly smiled.

“I must interject,” Christie said.

“Yes?” Anastasia asked.

“How are we going to isolate Lichenhurst if Izzabella cannot see past the tree line?” Christie asked.

“For that, I will need two things,” Anastasia said. “For one, I will need your army.”

Christie sat expressionless for a moment then said,

“You mean my personal team of mercenaries. The Shadow Bears.”

“What a ridiculous name,” Hogan criticized.

“The leader Todd Moore was a student of mine. Didn’t even need training. Calls himself Papa Bear,” Christie said.

“I will need them,” Anastasia said.

“A bunch of mercs with guns aren’t going to stop the knight,” Hogan sneered.

“That is why they are only part of my plan,” Anastasia said.

“Cut the show and tell and just give us the rest of the plan,” Hogan asked, growing frustrated.

Suddenly the door opened and a woman dressed in a stern suit stepped into the room. She waited for the door to close before removing an FBI badge.

“Meet Abigail Thompson, Bishop’s personal hunter. After Clairbourne was killed, she came to me with an idea. A way of smoking out the people of Lichenhurst,” Anastasia said.

“Not just that,” Thompson said. “If my plan works, Sir Thomas will kill most of his own people for us.”

“Once he’s broken,” Anastasia said, “he’s yours.”

Hogan smiled at the thought.

“How do you propose we do this?” Christie asked.

“The Emerald Hotel,” Thompson said.