The Knightpunk Code

by Kory Shen

  Something bumped into my leg. Kuri let out a cry. I shielded my face as the glow of a bright light made its way past my closed eyelids.

  "What the hell," I said, squinting. "Cut the light. I'm trying to sleep."

  Kuri stood outside the door with a flame blazing in the palm of her hand.

  "Oh, it's you," she said. The flame winked out. "What are you doing out here?"

  "What's it look like? Sleeping. Or trying to, if I'm not being kicked and blinded." I turned my back to her and nestled my head into the crook of my arm.

  "You're sleeping here?" Kuri asked.

  "Where else am I supposed to sleep?" I waved my hand at the room. "You're in there, and I'm out here. I already asked Sergio, and he's not giving me another room."

  Kuri didn't reply right away. I opened one eye to see what was happening. Kuri's shadowed form loomed above me.

  "But…" Kuri started, then stopped.

  "Sleeping on a smooth surface with a roof over my head? That's a luxury where I come from." I closed my eye. "Don't worry. I've only been stepped on once so far."

  Again, there was silence.

  "You took me to the Temple?" Kuri asked after a while.

  "Mm-hmm," I mumbled.

  "What about the fire?" she asked in an urgent tone.

  So much for sleeping. I sighed and sat up.

  "Well, we did burn down a big chunk of the forest," I said. "But we were able to contain it. I asked around. The fire petered out on its own after we left." I yawned. "Don't you need to rest? How about we talk in the morning?"

  "Wait." Kuri moved closer. "You can…sleep in the room," she said.

  "Huh?" I put a finger in one ear, cleaning it. "What was that?"

  Kuri took a deep breath. "This is unseemly. A Sentinel shouldn't sleep on the floor. You can sleep in the room."

  "Oh, is that so, princess?" I chuckled. "If I go in the room, I'll still be sleeping on the floor, though, wouldn't I? Unless…"

  Kuri made a sputtering noise, then spun around and went back into the room. The door was still ajar.

  Well, one minor victory at a time. I went inside, shut the door, then plopped myself on the floor. Kuri was in the bed with her back to me.

  I yawned loudly. "Good night."

  As I fell asleep, I heard Kuri's soft reply.

  "Good night, Jakson."

  * * *

  Kuri was already gone by the time I woke up the next morning.

  I stood and stretched, raising my hands to the ceiling. I was in the middle of twisting to crack my back when the door opened.

  Kuri had two meat pies in one hand and a jug of milk in the other.

  "Is that for me?" I asked. My stomach growled in anticipation.

  Kuri smiled and sat on the bed. "Here." She handed me one of the meat pies, then bit into the other one. "Not bad, for human food." She took another bite, then a swig of milk.

  I took a tentative bite. The flaky crust melted with a buttery aftertaste inside my mouth before giving way to the spiced flavor of the meat. The rest of the meatpie disappeared quickly.

  I was careful to catch all the crumbs, licking my fingertips clean for good measure.

  "Damn, that was good."

  When I looked up, Kuri was watching me with a smile. "They're supposed to be the best in the city," she said.

  "How'd you find them? Aren't you new here?"

  Kuri shrugged. "I spotted the bakery with the longest line."

  She must have gotten up a lot earlier than me. I smiled in return. She wouldn't say thanks to me outright, but this was better than that. "Are you feeling better today?" I asked.

  "Yes. I…overdid it yesterday."

  Kuri blushed, the pink cheeks looking out of place on the fierce mage. She raised the milk jug to her mouth for a long time, hiding behind it. When she lowered it, she peered inside.

  "Oh…I was going to leave you half." She blushed even harder.

  I forced myself not to laugh. "It's fine. Better not to go to the shit house on too full of a stomach." Kuri had also finished her own meatpie by now. "You ready?"

  I grabbed my armor, and we both left the room. We had just stepped outside the barracks when a loud bell clanged.

  Kuri looked around in alarm. "Is that for us?"

  The bell continued to ring. I was confused, too. They hadn't given the two of us proper instructions or training yet, like they expected us to leave soon. But damn it, I was a Knight Sentinel, and I'd figure out how to do my duty. Fuck the shit house.

  Men were running out of the barracks, heading towards a field a short distance away.

  "Must be an alarm of some kind." I pointed at the field. "Looks like Sentinels are assembling over there."

  Kuri nodded. "Let's go."

  * * *

  Sentinels, some in their armor, most wearing plain clothes, were milling about the field.

  Lexley stood at the head of the field in his full battle gear. He shouted.

  "Everyone, listen up! We've received word that a group of unmarked raiders attacked the town of Holden."

  Surprised gasps and angry cries rose from the crowd. Lexley raised his hand to quiet everyone.

  "Lady Dyann and I will lead our divisions to find and punish these villains. Assemble here with your horses and full armor in fifteen minutes." Lexley clapped his hands twice. "Go!"

  The men rushed away. Lexley conferred with Lady Dyann, who was also wearing her full Sentinel armor, her light gray, nearly white armor in sharp contrast to Lexley's dark form.

  This made no sense. Why would anyone attack this deep inside the Elderlands without provocation? We weren't at war. And you raided outlying villages far from the army, not towns right next to Sentinel headquarters. Something didn't add up.

  "Where's Holden?" Kuri asked, watching the men around us scramble about.

  "It's a small town a short ride to the south," I said. "Mostly farms around it. The milk you drank this morning probably came from there."

  Kuri looked at my armor, which I was still holding over my shoulder. "You're frowning. Do you have everything you need?"

  "Yes, but that's not why I'm worried."

  "I know. Horses. We don't have horses."

  Despite my misgivings, I had to chuckle. "True, but what's really bothering me is that the attack doesn't make sense."

  Kuri nodded. "Unmarked raiders right next to the capital? It is a rather unusual strategy."

  I glanced at Kuri. The strangeness of the situation hadn't escaped her, either.

  "What should we do?" Kuri asked.

  "We go with the others. Fight." I nodded. "This will by my first real fight. One where I may have to kill." I wouldn't hesitate when facing an enemy. But it was still a threshold I wasn't eager to cross.

  "I've slain men before," Kuri said with hard eyes. "Along with innocent women and children. Killing murderers won't bother me."

  "Kuri…" I had forgotten about her history for a moment. "Let's find some horses," I said, hoping to change the subject. I scanned the area. Some of the men were already returning with their gear and horses. The stables were near the barracks, precisely for situations like this.

  "How will we get horses?" Kuri asked.

  "The king provides horses for all Sentinels. Unfortunately, we don't have time to go through the quartermaster and clerks."

  "Clerks," Kuri said dryly.

  I grimaced. "We're in a rush, anyway. We'll just borrow two horses without asking."

  "You're a horse thief, too?" Kuri asked with a smirk.

  "I'm an everything thief, but it's not stealing. We're on the king's business. Follow me."

  I headed towards the stables with Kuri when a chorus of voices called my name from behind me.

  "Jaks, wait up!"

  "Hey, Jaks!"

  I waved without turning. I waited until the three boys scampered in front of me, Lars, Tavi, and Ollie.

  Lars gaped at Kuri. "It's her!" he whispered loudly.

  Tavi elbowed Lars. "Quiet, you
lunk."

  "How does he get all the pretty girls?" Ollie asked out loud. He realized what he had said and shut his mouth with an embarrassed look, finding something interesting about the dirt at his feet.

  Kuri glanced at me. "Old friends of yours?"

  "Well, not that old. Kids, really," I said.

  "I'm not a kid," Tavi said, scowling. "I have hair on my—"

  This time, Lars elbowed him hard in the ribs. Tavi winced and rubbed his side.

  "On his chin," I said, finishing Tavi's sentence for him. "See? I think there's a whisker or two."

  Kuri muttered something about boys.

  I laughed. "What brings the three of you here?" My eyes narrowed. "Did Vimm tell you to spy on me?"

  "No," Lars said immediately.

  "Yes," Ollie said at the same time.

  They looked at each other, then Tavi. Tavi glanced at the other boys and sighed.

  "Well, after the forest fire, Vimm told us to keep an eye on you," Tavi said.

  "In case you were in over your head," Ollie added. "That's what Vimm said."

  "I'm not in over my head…" I began. Well, that wasn't entirely true. It wasn't just Lexley. Even Lady Dyann had warned me.

  "We overheard Lexley," Tavi said.

  I gave Tavi my sternest look. "That's Prince Lexley, or His Highness."

  "More like His Anus," Lars snickered.

  "Mind the manners, boys. There's a lady present," I said. Lars clamped his mouth shut, also finding something interesting about the dirt at his feet.

  "The lady and I are both Sentinels now. And this place is swarming with them." My voice grew serious. "Times are changing. You have to be careful about that sort of thing."

  Tavi rolled his eyes. "You sound like Vimm."

  "Good," I said. "You should listen, then."

  "So are you going to fight the raiders?" Tavi asked. "Can we come?"

  Despite all the dangerous jobs we did for Vimm together, they were still boys, with no proper sense of fear. Maybe I was the same way, but I was old enough to know that I should be afraid about certain things. Like fighting blood-thirsty raiders.

  "Tavi, I can't bring you along to fight raiders. You know that."

  "Aww." Tavi rubbed his eyes. "It's…we haven't seen you in a while. We…I…miss you." A tear rolled down his cheek.

  "Cut it out, Tavi. What did I tell you about sniffling?"

  I turned to Kuri with an exasperated look. "Let's go—"

  I stopped, mid-word. Kuri's eyes had a tinge of pink.

  "It's hard, missing your friends, isn't it?" she asked in a gentle voice.

  "Kuri, he's not really crying," I said. "He couldn't give a rat's ass about missing me."

  Kuri frowned. "They're kids. You said so yourself."

  Tavi used that moment to wipe his eyes on his shirt sleeve.

  Lars put his arm around Tavi. "It's okay, Tavi. We all miss him."

  I glared at Tavi, but he ignored me. Ollie was stone-faced, clearly trying not to laugh.

  "Kuri, we don't have time. I'll deal with them later—"

  "Jakson," Kuri said. "I didn't think you were that heartless."

  My mouth fell open. I looked at Kuri, then the boys. "I can't believe this. Fine, you can help us steal a horse. Happy?" I shot daggers at the boys with my eyes.

  Tavi pumped his fist. "Yes!"

  "I love stealing horses!" Lars whooped.

  Ollie opened his mouth, but I cut him off.

  "Keep it down," I hissed. "We're surrounded by Sentinels. Stop acting like a bunch of amateurs."

  Tavi looked like he was about to cry. I pointed my finger at him.

  "You start that again, and I don't care what Kuri thinks. I'm going to whoop you."

  Tavi held up his hands. "I'm good, Jaks. I'm good."

  "Stay sharp," I said. "We're on a job. A fast job." I motioned for them to huddle around me.

  "What's the plan?" Ollie asked.

  "We have a girl," Lars said, glancing at Kuri. "We could do the Triple Titty."

  "Or the Bloody Rag Queen," Tavi added.

  "What?" I looked at Tavi. "How'd you know about…nevermind. We're not doing any of those. We're keeping this one basic."

  Kuri had a slightly scandalized look on her face.

  "This is your fault," I said to her.

  She raised an eyebrow. The others looked at me eagerly.

  "We'll walk into the stable, pick out two horses, then leave," I declared. "If anyone questions us, I'll say that it's an emergency. Which it is."

  The boys looked at me, waiting for more.

  "That's it," I said.

  "What?" Lars asked. "How's that a proper job?"

  "Can't we steal something?" Tavi whined. "Vimm's got nothing for us these days."

  That was news to me. I knew he had cooled things down after the massacre, but Vimm's operations were still on hold?

  "Fine," I said. "The three of you can steal me a pair of horse saddles. Go pester a stable boy and pretend you're picking them up for the prince."

  "One saddle is enough," Kuri said, interrupting.

  "You sure?" I asked.

  "My people have no need of saddles," Kuri replied.

  The boys stared at Kuri with something more than professional interest.

  "Ahem." I coughed, catching their attention again. "Be back here in five minutes. Now scram!"

  The boys ran off in a hurry, casting backward glances at Kuri. Kuri ignored them and followed me to the stables. The area was in chaos, with knights, page boys, and stable hands scrambling to get ready in time for Lexley's deadline.

  "I assume you know what you're doing?" Kuri asked.

  "Sure. It's easy. Watch."

  I set down my armor and stepped into it. Then, I grabbed a stable boy who was unlucky enough to be free for a moment.

  "You, boy! Bring me my horses. Both of them!" I boomed at him in my loudest voice.

  The boy cringed. "Your horses? What…? Where…?" He looked around at the rush of men, his eyes darting all over.

  I raised my hand as if to swat him. The boy cowered. "Bring them. Now!"

  "But I don't know…" the boy stammered.

  I stood straight with my hands on my hips. "You have fifty seconds. I'm counting. Fifty, forty-nine…."

  The boy dashed away.

  "Remember, both of them!" I shouted through cupped hands.

  Kuri gave me a skeptical work. "That's going to work?"

  "I'm sticking to the plan. Keep it simple and act like you belong. That's how most cons work."

  "I wouldn't know," she said with a frown.

  "Now, you do."

  I had counted down to the twenties when the stable boy returned, leading two fine stallions.

  "Great work, lad," I said, feeling pleased.

  Kuri shook her head.

  A minute later, my three boys returned with two saddles each. Six in total.

  "Six? I asked for one," I said.

  Tavi shrugged. "Ollie figured we could sell the extras. With the commotion, they won't notice the saddles are missing until it's too late."

  I flicked Tavi very lightly in the shoulder with my armored hand. "Put those back. Who's going to buy saddles with Sentinel markings?"

  "Ow." Tavi rubbed his arm. "We can paint over them."

  "Put them back," I said again. I raised my arm threateningly.

  "Fine," Tavi muttered.

  "He's gone proper," Lars whispered.

  I ignored Lars. "We'll catch up again, but Kuri and I have to get going. Put those saddles back, and stay out of trouble."

  The boys gave me sullen looks.

  This time they weren't faking it. If they weren't running jobs for Vimm, they'd end up finding trouble of their own. They needed the right kind of trouble to keep them in line.

  "Listen, I have a job for you. While I'm gone, I need you to find out everything you can about Sergio. Sir Sergio. He's a Knight Sentinel in Lexley's division. Get me the dirt on him. How often does he visit the
whorehouse? Is he married? That sort of thing. Can you do that?"

  The boys brightened up.

  "You going to blackmail him?" Tavi asked.

  That Tavi was too bright.

  "Nah," I said. "Nothing like that. It's an important job for the kingdom, got it?"

  The boys nodded.

  "Good. I'll see you when I get back."

  The boys started walking away. I coughed loudly.

  "Ahem, the saddles?" I pointed back to the stables.

  The boys shrugged, changing direction to go back inside.

  "They're quite a handful, aren't they?" Kuri asked, as we led our horses to the meeting field.

  "They're alright, though," I said with a smile. "A little rough around the edges, but they mean well."

  "But what's that about Sergio?" Kuri asked.

  "Oh, nothing. Just a little insurance to get us out of the shit house."

  A horn sounded from the fields. It was time to shed my first blood as a knight.

  CHAPTER 17

  The ride to Holden took only thirty minutes, which made the idea of raiders showing up so close to the capital even more absurd.

  I wasn't the best rider. I tended to trust my own two feet when running a job, but there had been a few times I had to work with horses for Vimm. I hated how riding would make my inner legs sore the next day, but I found maneuvering the horse while in my armor fairly comfortable.

  Kuri rode bareback, clearly at ease on her horse. She didn't bother using the reins. Every now and then she would lean forward and whisper into the horse's ears. I had heard stories about elves talking with beasts, but I couldn't ask her about it with all the people around us. Some of the other knights were staring at her and sharing looks.

  I should have made her use a saddle. Hiding her identity would be harder if she kept sticking out. Hopefully, they'd think it was a mage thing, not a pointy-eared thing.

  As we approached Holden, a grim silence took hold among the knights. We had already spotted smoke in the distance, but as we neared, the extent of the carnage became even more clear. The entire town was smoldering.

  We found the first bodies a half mile from the town's edge. A man and a woman were face down along the road, dark, blood-crusted slashes of a blade apparent on their body and clothes.

  Lexley was leading the main contingent. He roared loudly. "Hurry! We'll punish the bastards who did this!"