Eternal Knight

by Matt Heppe

  Nearby, two knights lifted Boradin between them. The king seemed barely able to raise his head to look up at the balcony. “I know your magic, Boradin,” Gredoc shouted. “I’ll kill her before you get close enough. You cannot save her. And even if you manage it, your son is inside. He will die.”

  Boradin said something to Nidon. “The king asks that you let the hostages go. There will be no retribution. You may leave the Great Keep with your lives.”

  “And if we don’t leave?” Gredoc laughed again. “We don’t fear you. We fear only what will happen to the world if Akinos fails in his mission.”

  “Don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt my son.” Boradin’s voice was barely audible. Hadde heard fear in it.

  “Lay down Forsvar and all go free,” the eternal said. “Simply lay down your shield and this all ends.”

  Boradin looked at his shield and then toward the balcony. “I cannot. You ask the one thing I cannot surrender.” He paused and glanced at the Knights of the House flanking him. “We’ll withdraw. I’ll call off my attack. A truce will give us time to negotiate.”

  “Not good enough. I’ll give you leave to withdraw, but you must disarm the Knights of the House.”

  Boradin nodded. “It will be done. I’ll have their arms sent in by noon.”

  “No. They will disarm now.”

  A rumble rose from the gathered knights.

  “Now.” The eternal pressed his blade against Ilana’s neck.

  “Disarm,” Boradin shouted, waving his arms. “Plate coats, hauberks, and shields.”

  “And swords.”

  “And swords.” Boradin’s shoulders sagged. “Do it,” he ordered. Slowly, the knights complied.

  The eternal laughed. “Present yourself before me each morning, King. If you do not, they both shall die. Now take your soldiers and be gone. I fear you not!” At the Eternal Knight’s signal, his followers showered bolts, rocks, and spears upon the king’s men.

  “Fall back! Fall back from the keep!” Nidon shouted. He and another knight picked up Boradin and ran with him from the bailey. Six knights fell, struck down by missiles before they cleared the gate.

  But one knight didn’t follow the others. Heedless of his own safety, Melas ran to where Jenae lay on her back on the gravel. Rocks rained around him as he lifted Jenae’s body from the ground.

  He turned for the gate when a stone fell from above and struck him in the head. He toppled and landed motionless beside his fiancée.

  ***

  Hadde rocked back and forth on her bed. They were all doomed. First to Akinos’s conquering army and then to the Wasting. There was no good in the world left to fight it.

  She realized now that Boradin had returned to save his family when he had received word that the Returnists had taken the Great Keep. But he had doomed the world to death in doing so. Akinos would get to King’s Crossing and join his allies there. Morin’s warnings would go unheeded. All would die.

  But could she blame Boradin? Would she sacrifice her family to save others? To save hundreds? Thousands? The numbers didn’t matter. Who wouldn’t do everything possible to save their loved ones? Melas had even lost his life rescuing someone already dead.

  Hadde pressed her palms against her eyes to stop the tears. She couldn’t cry any more. She had cried too much already. But what else was there to do? She picked up her empty water jug and flung it against the wall, flinching as it shattered. Shards bounced across the moonlit floor.

  Something bumped outside her cell. Hadde spun toward it as someone lifted the bar. She picked up her club and padded to the door, pressing herself against the wall as the door creaked open.

  A shadowy, insubstantial figure slipped into the room. Hadde blinked her eyes, hoping to clear her vision. What trick of the light was it that she couldn’t see clearly? The figure blurred and shifted in the darkness. It stopped in the center of the room, looking toward the bed.

  Hadde hefted her club in both hands as the intruder turned toward her.

  “Hadde, are you in here?”

  “Maret?

  The maiden squealed in fright and dropped the sack she carried. The shadow lifted from Hadde’s vision and she saw the girl clearly. “Maret, how did you do that?” Hadde asked as she took the girl in her arms.

  “Do what? I was so worried that I wouldn’t find you.”

  “You were nearly invisible as you walked in.”

  “Well, it’s dark.”

  “I know, but I see well in the dark. It was different.” Hadde paused. “Like Orlos.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Twice Orlos surprised me. Once in the library and once in his chamber. The spiridus could make themselves invisible.” Hadde stepped back, holding the maiden’s shoulders. “I think… well, he did something to you. Maybe it really is his child in you.”

  “I just thought the Returists were ignoring me. One of the eternals said that I wasn’t to be touched. He mentioned my father.”

  “I was afraid they would kill you like the others.”

  Maret shook her head. “The Messenger said that I was one of the select. When I asked what that meant, he said that my father was saved and that I would join him. He wouldn’t say any more. Do you know what it means?”

  Hadde opened her mouth and then paused. How much should she say? “Your father… he has gone over to Akinos.”

  “To Akinos? My father wouldn’t follow him.”

  “He has, Maret. I spoke with him. He believes Akinos can stop the Wasting.”

  “You knew all this before, but you didn’t tell me?” Anger flashed in Maret's eyes.

  “I couldn’t. Please, Maret, you suffered enough already.” Hadde paused and considered telling Maret the rest of the story. What would she think if she knew that her father was eternal? That he was part of the Wasting?

  “Why? Why would my father turn on the king?”

  “Your father follows Akinos because he bears the Orb of Creation. And because Akinos isn’t the monster he has been made out to be.”

  “But his followers killed Jenae. My father would never join people like them.”

  “I know, Maret, but they’re not all that way. One of the eternals tried to stop Jenae’s killer.”

  “Well, this Gredoc is evil. As are his followers. You have to help the maidens, Hadde. They’ll all be killed. King Boradin will never give up Forsvar.”

  “I couldn't even free myself, Maret. What do you think I can do?"

  “You can do it.” Maret clutched Hadde’s arm. “I saw you at the archery contest. And Prince Morin taught you how to use a sword.” Maret opened her sack and pulled out a bow. “I brought this from your room. There were two there, one like Hawkeye, and this one. I hope I brought the right one. The other was so big, and curved the wrong way."

  "You did well, Maret." Hadde said as she took the bow. "The other was Belor's, and is too heavy for me. This was my spare. Did you bring arrows?"

  "Yes, there was a quiver." She pulled Belor's bowcase from the sack. "I also brought some clothes, and this." She grasped a sheathed sword.

  Hadde smiled as she took the bow. “How did you get these things?”

  “The Returnists are all either guarding the walls or the maidens. Once I left her chambers it was easy to move around.”

  “Where were you held?”

  “In Queen Ilana’s chambers. If we escape the keep, we can get the king. He and his knights will save them.”

  “The king ran as soon as the queen was threatened. He will never do anything that risks her and Prince Handrin. Gredoc knows that he’s safe as long as he holds the prince and keeps the king’s magic at a distance. I don’t even know if the king can make the rescue. He fell ill in the courtyard."

  Hadde strung the bow as she thought aloud. “Boradin is trapped. If he departs Sal-Oras to fight Akinos, his family will die. But any rescue attempt will have the same result. The king won’t attempt it, but we can.” Hadde went to the window and stared at the barricade the Retur
nists had placed across the keep’s entrance. Even if she failed and the hostages died, the king would be free to depart Sal-Oras and launch his attack on Akinos.

  She paused a moment at the thought. Her shoulders sagged and she put her hand to her brow. What was she thinking? What had she become? Would she sacrifice Ilana, Handrin, and the maidens to see her task accomplished? An image of Morin flashed in her mind. He would do it. She felt a flash of guilt at the thought.

  “Is there anyone who can help us?” Hadde asked.

  “Most of the knights and soldiers who remained in the keep after the king departed were killed. Those who lived have gone over to the Returnists. Maybe some of them would help us.”

  “I don’t think we can trust them. Is there anyone else?”

  “Squire Melas, but he’s wounded.”

  “Melas survived?”

  “Yes, I helped tend him. They would have killed him, but I pleaded for his life. He’s in the dungeon now.”

  “Badly wounded?”

  “He’s well enough to help.”

  “How many guards?”

  “I don’t know.” Maret reached out and took Hadde's hand. "It doesn't matter, Hadde. I know you can do it. You can kill them and free Melas."

  Hadde ignored the comment. She bowed her head and put her hand over her eyes as she thought. “You’ve been in the queen’s chambers? What are they like?”

  “There are two chambers. A bedroom and a parlor. You can only enter the bedroom from the parlor.”

  Hadde pulled her own clothes out of the sack and put them on. She couldn’t wear the Rigarian dress for what she intended. “Is there a privy?”

  “A privy? Yes. Why?”

  Hadde picked up her sword. “Because I can’t go in through the front door.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  “Down here?” Hadde asked.

  “Yes, that’s the dungeon.” Maret wrinkled her nose as she nodded in the direction of an open door. “King Boradin held many prisoners there, but the Returnists emptied it.”

  Hadde pulled the maiden back into the alcove. “I need you to go to the stable and fetch fifty strides of rope. Do you think you can do it? Will anyone stop you?”

  Maret shook her head. “I told you, they think I'm one of them because of my father. But why? What’s the rope for?”

  “We’ll need it to save the Maidens. If anyone questions you, say that the Messenger sent for it. Once you have it, go to the bottom of the stairs near the Weapons Gymnasium. And bring a lantern back. It will be dark where we’re going.”

  “I don’t think I need one. I see fine now.”

  “Orlos has given you his sight, but Melas will need light. The maidens too.”

  As Maret set off, Hadde crept toward the dungeon door. There were no guards. Nocking an arrow, she eased down the stairs. She paused as she turned a corner. She expected a long corridor, as in the basement where Waltas pursued her. Instead she saw a large chamber with cells lining the walls. Most were open. Four large pillars obstructed her view of the debris-strewn room.

  She continued down the stairs. A lantern lit the far corner of the chamber. She pulled some tension into her bow as she reached the floor. The bow was far weaker than Hawkeye, but it would do—especially against an unarmored enemy.

  A Returnist guard leaned against the wall near a closed cell. He slumped as if asleep, his hood pulled up over his head. Only one guard. Hadde’s heart raced.

  She had a clear line to him. She raised her bow and then stopped. He was defenseless. Asleep. She remembered the young raider in the woods near her home. She had shot him in the back—he had had no chance. She closed her eyes for a moment. She could do it again. This man was a follower of the eternal who slit Jenae’s throat. She hardened herself to the task. There was no room for mercy.

  She drew her bow and let fly. The arrow struck the guard dead center in his chest. She pulled another arrow and nocked it, never taking her eyes from her target. He hadn’t moved. He was already dead.

  Something heavy clattered to the floor as strong arms seized her. Hadde kicked and tried to twist out of his grasp, but he held her tight. “Stop struggling! I'm Melas.” He let her go and she turned to face him. Dried blood matted his hair and lay caked on the side of his face. A ragged bandage wound loosely around his head. His cold, hate-filled eyes met hers.

  “How'd you escape?” Hadde asked.

  “They left a half-wit to guard me,” he said, his voice hard. “So I broke his neck. I was going to break yours next. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to rescue you. I need your help.”

  “Help? Help with what?” He bent to the floor and picked up the cudgel he had dropped.

  “We have to save the maidens.”

  “I couldn’t save Jenae.” For a moment his face softened and he looked like the young man she had once known.

  “I know. I saw. But the others are still alive. We can help them.”

  He shook his head. “I don't care about them. I want revenge.”

  “After we save them—that’s the time for revenge.”

  He took a deep breath and stared at her for a time. His eyes were moist with tears, but his jaw was set. “I want them to pay. They have to pay.”

  “They will. I promise. After.”

  ***

  “Hadde?” Maret whispered down the stairs. “Are you there?”

  “You can come down,” Hadde said. “It’s safe,” Hadde said.

  Melas unshuttered the lantern they had taken from the Returnist guard. A shaft of light exposed the base of the stairwell. Maret appeared, a long coil of rope over her shoulder and a shuttered lantern in hand. Hadde went to her and relieved her of her burden. “Did you have any trouble?”

  “No. They barely looked at me.” She turned to Melas. “I’m glad Hadde saved you from the dungeon.”

  “I hardly saved him,” Hadde said. “He was on his way out.”

  Melas turned to Maret. “I should have thanked you for helping me before, but I was in no condition to do so.”

  “I had to help you. I couldn’t let both you and Jenae…”

  “I’ll join her soon enough,” Melas said.

  “No, you won’t,” Maret said. “We’ll all escape here. And we’ll save the other maidens as well. Right, Hadde?”

  “We’ll try our best. Let’s not wait any longer.” She motioned for them to follow her down the corridor.

  “Aren’t we going back upstairs?” Maret asked.

  “We’d have to fight our way through too many guards. Melas and I will climb up through the privy shaft. We’ll—”

  “Privy? I’m not climbing up any privy.” Melas glared at Hadde. “I said I would help you rescue them. But there’s a limit to what a man will do. If I am going to die, I'm going to die with my honor intact—not in some surprise attack.”

  “Melas, please. We’ll sneak into the queen’s chambers and lower the maidens to safety. You want revenge, don’t you? This will hurt the Returnists more than any suicidal assault. They need the hostages in order to hold the king here.”

  “How will we find our way?”

  “I’ve been in the sewers before. I know—”

  “You’ve what?”

  “I didn't want to be there. Waltas chased me into them. We don’t have time for the entire story. But I know enough for us to get around.”

  “Dromost take it! It won’t be an honorable death, getting brained in a privy.”

  “I know you want revenge. I know you want to die. But this is about more than you. Think of the maidens. They have long lives ahead of them. If we cannot free King Boradin from this siege, we all die. You might want to die, Melas, but think of all those who don’t. Think of all those the Wasting will take.”

  “We don’t need to go through the privy,” Melas said. “They won’t expect an attack from within the keep. We’ll surprise them just as much if we attack from the corridor outside the queen’s chambers. And we won’t be caught helpless in a priv
y shaft.”

  “But while we’re fighting our way through, they will be killing hostages.”

  “I don’t like it. I’m a Squire of the House. I don’t crawl up filthy shafts to attack my enemy from behind.”

  “Melas, if we do it this way, all of the maidens will live. Your way, many are sure to die. Please, come with me. We must do this before dawn.”

  The squire glared at her.

  “Please, Melas,” Maret begged. “The Maidens need you.”

  “I despise this.”

  “But you’ll come?” Hadde asked. He gave a grudging nod in reply.

  She led them down the corridor where Waltas had pursued her. She ignored the fear that came with the memory. Or was it fear for what they were about to attempt? But there was nothing gained in thinking about it. The time for choices was past.

  Hadde strode into the old privy chamber and pulled aside a few timbers to make the entrance larger. She heard the others follow her. All three stared down the shaft.

  “It won’t make a very heroic tale,” Melas said.

  Hadde squeezed his arm. “We’ll make this work. The Maidens will come out alive and we’ll come out alive.”

  Maret gagged and nearly retched. “This is awful,” she said, turning from the pit.

  “Stay by the door,” Hadde said. “Help the maidens up into the room when we return.” Maret only nodded in response, her hand held over her mouth.

  Hadde handed her bow to Melas, climbed over the privy’s edge, and lowered herself into the sewer. He passed her bow and a lantern to her. As she stepped off the piled rubble and onto the sewer path she heard talking from above.

  “Come on, Melas,” Hadde called. But instead of Melas, Maret was the next down the shaft. Hadde helped her onto the path. The maiden glanced at the stream flowing past and gagged. “It’s wretched down here,” she said.

  “You don't have to come,” Hadde said.

  “I do. I have to help.”

  Melas reached down and handed Maret the second lantern before scrambling through the hole after them. He looked around. “You’re certain the sewers lead out of the Great Keep?”