The Black Knight Box Set

by Christian J Gilliland

  “Yeah, they’re… good people. Good leaders, your parents are too.”

  “The best kind,” Sarasin sighed. Kavin took the truck off road and started driving toward the mountains.

  “The trip’s gonna be a bit bumpy. I’d apologize but it ain’t my fault. Best get used to the ride…”

  Kavin drove over the green grassy ground that made up the landscape of the Calduur mountains in North Canrom. Sarasin could tell that at one point there had been a road there, perhaps in the Ancient times, but it was nothing but a crumbled mess at that point. The truck jerked and bumped as Kavin drove and she had trouble not falling over. Gerard scooted over and allowed her to use his body for support. She smiled up at him and nodded her head, “Thank you.” She whispered warmly.

  “I am all that is left,” Gerard finally spoke. He looked down at the person he was sworn to protect with a saddened expression. The Gaian was, of course, mourning the loss of Eryc, a soldier whom he had spent most of his life fighting alongside. The two had been as close as brothers, and the fact that he would never see him again weighed heavily on his mind, “Sarasin, I will always be at your side. Until they kill me that is.”

  “I will make sure they do not,” Sarasin gently laid her head on Gerard’s massive bicep, “You are all I have left my friend. I will protect you just as you will protect me.” Gerard went silent again and looked out his window. In spite of the bumpy ride, Sarasin was very tired. She decided to let her eyes close, thought that perhaps it would be best to sleep for she did not know what the day would bring. It did not take long before she found herself asleep.

  ***

  “Is this a dream?” Sarasin sat at a table in a wall-less, floorless room. Across from her sat Korros, Little Sarasin and Eliss. Korros had his hands folded on the table and smiled as Sarasin appeared.

  “It is, child,” He purred with his confident tone, “But that does not make it any less real.”

  “Why the fuck are you here?” Sarasin groaned, “Why can you not just stay dead and away from me?”

  “My dear I know the resentment you harbor toward me,” Korros shifted in his chair and pursed his lips together, “But God has sent me to guide you.”

  I do not want your damn guidance,” Sarasin growled, “I want you to stay fucking dead and out of my head.”

  “Me too,” Little Sarasin hissed as she looked over at Korros.

  “My sins against you are great; they are nothing that I can atone for,” Korros confessed with a lowered head, “I can apologize, but my words would hold no weight for you are… too broken to forgive. That is partly my doing, and I accept it. All I can do now is what is requested of me.”

  “Why does God even talk to you?” Sarasin snapped, “You were evil; you are Humaan, not even native to this planet.”

  “Oh but I am,” Korros corrected and looked up, “While my ancestors are from another world, I was created from the same materials you were. The elements of this planet are what crafted my body. Thus I am a child of the God of this world.” Sarasin groaned and leaned back in her chair.

  “Out with it then,” She ordered, “What does God wish for me to know?”

  “That he exists,” Korros answered, “But only you, he is not trying to create another religion. He only needs you.”

  “For what?”

  “He simply wants to meet you,” Korros smiled, and his eye seemed to twinkle, “He wants you to come to his island so that he can show you the ways of those that came before the Ancients. He wants to give you his power so you can make the world just a little bit better.”

  “So I can fight the Empire...” Sarasin surmised, “What makes him think I would want to do something like that?”

  “Do not be so hasty in assuming fighting is the only way to make the world better, child. I know the Empire has taken everything from you, I know that inside you harbor a deep resentment for me and just as you wanted me dead, you undoubtedly want to see Govia Cidro’s Empire burned to the ground.” Korros paused and briefly glanced at Little Sarasin, “God wants you to find your own way. If that means the Empire is destroyed then so be it.”

  “Why can’t God just, send fire down from Heaven or something?” Sarasin asked, “Can’t he destroy it all somehow by himself? Why does he need me?”

  “Oh, that is not how God works, child.” Korros said, “God only recently gained sentience. Well, within the last millennium, shortly after the NaNe was created. He was, in a sense, sleeping; having never once opened his eyes… but God’s power, his works are not exacted by his hands. They are executed by those who wish to serve him.”

  “Well maybe God should just go back to sleep,” Sarasin growled as she looked away from Korros, “And you should too.” She stood up from the table and sneered at the man, “Do not talk to me again, move on to whatever bullshit afterlife awaits you.” Her eyes wandered back to Korros, and she leaned closer to him, “I fucking killed you so that I would never have to worry about you again. I do not want you in my sight. Not ever. Do you understand?”

  “I do,” Korros smiled thinly and looked down at Eliss as he furrowed his brow and pursed his lips together. He gave the boy a warm smile and shook his head as he looked up. He nodded at Sarasin and closed his eyes, “For what it is worth, Sarasin, I am sorry.”

  He looked at Eliss once again, and a grimace spread across his face, “Seek out God,” He urged, “Find answers. You are strong; use that strength.” Eliss looked up at him, and Korros smiled. He leaned into the boy and ran his hand over his red hair.

  “Take care of your mother, son,” Korros’ eyes welled up, and he choked, “I am, eternally sorry to you as well, my boy.” At that, Korros’ eyes closed and he faded away.

  Sarasin looked down at Eliss, and he wore a distraught look on his face. He looked up at his mother and a tear formed in his eye.

  “I wish I could have lived,” He whimpered, “I wish my daddy had been a good man.” Initially, Sarasin was repulsed by the boy’s tears, but quickly her heart broke, and the voice of a mother poured out.

  “Hey,” She tenderly comforted the child as she stepped over to him, “There, there. I am here.”

  “You do not want me,” Eliss shook his head, “My dad killed me. You do not even think I am real!” He stood up from his chair and tried to run away, but Sarasin quickly grabbed him and picked him up.

  “I do,” Her voice cracked and tears began to fall from her eyes. Sarasin took hold of his head and turned it, so they looked at each other, “Eliss, love, I do want you. I want you more than anything in the world my sweet child.”

  “Then stop running!” He pleaded as he gazed upon his mother with tearful, reddened eyes, “Stop running from me. Please mommy, please don’t turn away from me anymore!” Sarasin grabbed hold of her son with one arm and held him tight as she used the other to cradle his head. He whimpered softly in her embrace, but soon enough he was soothed.

  As she held the boy in her arms, she felt him begin to shrink. She squeezed tighter out of fear of losing him but eventually, the shrinking stopped, and Sarasin looked down to see the baby boy that had only had a few moments breath before his death. His cheeks were rosy and healthy and his thin red hair curled on top of his head. Sarasin smiled at the child and pulled him close.

  “Open your eyes,” She heard a comforting voice softly whisper. It felt as if a warm wind had surrounded and cradled her just as she did so her own baby, “Open your eyes and come find me.”

  ***

  Sarasin opened her eyes to find herself once again in the back seat of the green truck. The Black Knights were in the front seat and Gerard was next to her, and she saw that the truck had stopped. She leaned forward, and as she looked out the windshield, she realized that they were parked in front of a large metal gate that looked like it was inside of a cave. She realized that they had arrived at Base 21.

  “What the fuck!” Gerard suddenly shouted. He jerked away from her and as Sarasin looked over at him and saw that he was staring at her st
omach.

  “What is wrong?” She asked, confused at his odd behavior.

  “You…” He whispered fearfully as he pointed down at her belly, “That!” Sarasin looked down and saw that her stomach was no longer flat and toned but instead swollen to a point where it hung beyond her breasts.

  “What,” She groaned in a confused tone, “What the fuck is that!”

  “What is going on?” Pancho turned around to look, and his eyes grew wide, “Oh shit, when did that happen!” He looked over at Gerard, who shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Was she always pregnant?” Pancho shouted with a confused tone, “Where did that belly come from?”

  “Do not fucking ask me!” Sarasin panicked as she wriggled to free her wrists from their bindings. “Cut me loose; it hurts!” She groaned as she felt her cervix begin to open. Her entire body stiffened, it felt like every muscle she had was bearing down.

  “Oh no,” She whined and grit her teeth together. She remembered it; she knew exactly what was going on. A painful shock jolted through her body, and she leaned her head back and gasped.

  “Get a fucking doctor!” She growled as her back arched, “This can’t be real! This isn’t right!”

  “A doctor?” Pancho repeated as he looked to Kavin.

  “Well go, kid!” Kavin shouted as he threw his door open. He hopped out and ran around the truck to Sarasin’s door, promptly opening it. As he reached his hand inside to offer Sarasin help, she jerked away from him.

  “Oh, do not touch me!” She hissed, kicking at him, “Just wait!” Gerard looked down at her, and she laid the back of her head down on his lap. She looked up at him, and a look of pure pain spread over her face.

  “I don’t know what is going on.” She whined, “What is this?”

  “Hush,” Gerard stroked her hair calmly, though he wore a fearful expression, “All will be well.”

  The gates opened and three females suddenly rushed out and hurried to the truck. “Move it Kavin!” Sarasin heard her mother’s voice shout. Kavin quickly stepped aside, and Ladia Jamiso looked into the truck.

  “What the shit is going on?!” She demanded in surprise as she saw her daughter writhing in pain, “How is this...”

  “Get her out of the truck!” Another voice ordered, “Amaria come on; I will get her out, you help me get her inside. Be gentle!”

  “No!” Sarasin screamed, “Do not touch me!”

  “Sweet girl,” Ladia sternly tried to comfort her daughter, “Somehow you are…” She paused and took a second to look at the swollen belly, barely believing what she was saying or seeing, “You are having a baby.”

  Sarasin wept as a blonde haired Vampre whom she did not know emerged in the door at her feet.

  “Hey,” Amaria smiled, “Do not worry, I am Rubaan’s wife.”

  “Oh, fucking great to meet you!” Sarasin growled.

  “You too. Hey, you are going to have to work with me. I have been in your shoes before, and I know how it feels,” Amaria continued, “Let me help.”

  Sarasin did not fight as her aunt Emerald appeared and ushered Gerard out of the truck. She leaned in and took hold of Sarasin’s shoulders, bent down, and kissed her niece on the forehead.

  “Hello, my sweet child,” Emerald, whom Sarasin had not seen since before she left to join the Empire, stood above her and looked straight into her eyes, “Come, let us get through this together and worry about explaining it later.” Emerald smiled warmly, and Sarasin nodded her head.

  “I am overjoyed that you have returned home,” A tear fell from her eye and splashed onto Sarasin’s face. Emerald was the emotional type and a bit eccentric. She was a beautiful blue haired Elf who had gone through stasis decades prior. She pulled out a knife and quickly cut the rope around Sarasin’s wrists.

  “Okay, here we go!” She grabbed Sarasin’s arm and helped her sit up. “Easy now, darling!” The near whisper of the voice of her wise aunt was comforting. Sarasin found it easy to obey.

  Amaria rushed to Sarasin’s free arm and took hold, Ladia shouted at everyone within a ten-foot radius to get out of the way.

  “Come on sweet girl!” Ladia encouraged as she turned toward her daughter, “Inside!”

  “I can’t!” Sarasin cried as another contraction locked up her body. She wriggled her arms free and bent over to try to fight the pain.

  “Cut me free,” Gerard held his bound arms out, “I will carry her.” Emerald nodded and cut the Govian soldier’s bindings. Once he was able, he hurried over to Sarasin and scooped her up.

  “I have you, my Lady.” He spoke in a comforting tone. She looked up at him and did her best to smile.

  “Thank you, Gerard.”

  “Get her inside!” Ladia ordered Gerard, “Follow me!” Ladia ran forward through the gates and Gerard, though injured from the battles in Canrom City, kept up behind her.

  Beyond the gates was a large chamber, about fifty feet wide and at least twenty feet tall. The ground went from being the red dirt that made up the floor of the cave to a grey stone road-like surface. The road seemed to have been made of thick cut and sanded pieces of granite as there were seams where the pieces fit together every ten feet or so. It was cracked in places and had a thin layer of dust over it, but it seemed to do its job.

  On either side of the road were stone buildings that stood as tall as the ceiling of the chamber. The buildings were square at the base, about fifteen by fifteen feet each and had three stories with glass-less windows every story. There were five buildings on each side of the road, and then there was a crossing. Another road ran perpendicular to the main one that had five more buildings on each side going left and right. If you went straight, you would pass ten more buildings. In total, there were forty buildings at the entrance of Black Knight Base 21.

  Ladia led Gerard and the others halfway down the road and then stopped at the third building on the left.

  “Inside,” She ushered, “Get her on a bed.” Gerard gently set Sarasin down and tried to help her forward, but Sarasin wriggled free and keeled over, groaning as she did so.

  "No!" She moaned with agony. The feelings were, of course, no stranger to her as she had given birth long before... however, the fact that they were all happening so suddenly and unexpectedly seemed to compound the pain of her cervix stretching.

  "Do not touch me!" She panted. Sweat dripped from her brow, and she trembled as she stood and held her swollen belly. None of it made any sense, none of it was possible. Everyone stood around her and of course, they felt the same way, but they all knew they had to get the baby out of her.

  "Sweet girl, listen," Ladia urged her daughter, moving so that her face was directly in front of Sarasin's, "None of us have any clue what is going on right now or how any of this so suddenly happened. At this point though, it is happening, and you have to let us help you!"

  "No!" Sarasin wailed. She bawled bitterly and fell down to a knee, "I'm sorry mommy, I'm sorry!" Ladia looked over at her sister Emerald and pursed her lips together. It was not a look of frustration, but more so an expression of not having any idea what to do.

  "Baby..." Ladia pulled Sarasin's head into her chest. Sarasin wrapped her arms around her mother's neck and wept bitterly against her breasts. She wailed and screamed, and Ladia stroked the back of her hair, trying to comfort her daughter, "Baby come on. It is time."

  At that, Emerald hooked her arms under Sarasin's chest and lifted her to her feet. Ladia helped guide her to a bed, and the sisters laid her down. Sarasin clenched her fists and tried not only to fight the pain but everyone around her that was making it worse. Finally, as her nails broke the skin of her palms, she felt a warm trickle run down her leg. She looked up at her mother with horror in her eyes, and Ladia knew precisely what that meant.

  “It is time!” Ladia announced as she shooed Gerard from the room. Pancho and Kavin took hold of him and escorted him out of the building, and Amaria and Emerald stayed behind.

  “Take her pants off,” Lad
ia ordered Amaria, pointing to Sarasin’s leggings, “Sayraa, hold still and work with us.” Sarasin whimpered as Amaria quickly worked to remove her boots and then her pants. Emerald sat at Sarasin’s head, gently petting her hair and whispering comforting things into her ear.

  Sarasin was terrified. It felt like a dream, one which she could not wake up from. She did not have time to process it all, no time to think clearly for every time she did…

  “It hurts!” She screamed as she kicked her bare legs. Emerald hushed her niece, and Amaria took hold of her ankles. Ladia stood over Sarasin and looked into her eyes. She smiled at her daughter, and Sarasin rested her head on the pillow behind her. She felt a sense of calm overcome her as she realized she was surrounded by people who loved her. Her eyes watered as the thought hit her and Emerald whispered into her ear.

  “Breathe, child. It is time.”

  Sarasin’s lower back felt like it was twisting into knots and she felt an immense amount of pressure. She knew it was happening; she remembered it from the first time so many years ago. She felt like everything inside her was cramping, and she moaned in pain as her back arched.

  “Push my love,” Emerald encouraged her. Sarasin reached up, and Emerald grabbed her hand and held tight, “Breathe in and then push as you exhale.”

  Sarasin took a breath and held it. Sweat began to drip down her brow, and Emerald squeezed her hand, “Breathe, my love. Breathe and push.” Sarasin exhaled and bore down, howling as she did so.

  “Good job baby, you are doing great,” Ladia encouraged, “Do it again, the baby is coming; it’s almost here.”

  Sarasin took in a breath and pushed once again, screaming as she did so. When she could push no more, Ladia shook her head and looked up at her.

  “Do not stop!” She shouted, “I can see its head, do it again baby!”

  Sarasin screamed and forced everything she had into the next push. She felt like she was about to split in two, but when she looked down, she could have screamed with joy.