Sword Fight

by Nathan Van Coops

  “I’ve been thinking,” she continued, “that if you still want to go live at Villa Rosa, I can make the arrangements. The buyers backed out of the sale, and I thought that if you want it, then I could—”

  “It’s okay,” Valerie said. “That was Henry’s dream house. Not mine.”

  “Well, I know. But if there is something else that you wanted, I could try to make it up to you. I think it’s time that you had something. You’re an adult now, and if there’s—”

  “There is actually something I want,” Valerie said, staring out the window at the horizon. “In Briarwood Village.”

  “The vineyard worker community?” Charlotte asked. “What could you possibly want there?”

  Valerie shifted into gear and pulled out of the parking space. “You’ll see.”

  A week later, Rico emerged from behind the new curtains of the Briarwood Theater stage and tapped his microphone. “Can anyone hear me? Is this thing on?” He fiddled with the cord. “Why must I always have these problems?”

  “The new microphone is coming tomorrow. I’m already on it,” Janet said from behind the bar. Cases of new wine and liquor bottles were stacked on the bar and around the floor.

  “This voice is a finely tuned instrument,” Rico said, stroking his neck. “I need to keep it warmed up.”

  “We can hear you fine,” Ann said from the end of the bar. “Valerie and I can be your first audience.”

  “The first of many,” Valerie said, filling her wine glass. “Later. Come have a drink with us.”

  Rico put his hand on his hip. “I know you are our new benefactor and all, but you need to know that this kind of talent can’t just be bought with your fancy wine and your—” he waved his hand around, “—space with potential.”

  Valerie tried to keep her face serious, but the corners of her mouth kept creeping up.

  “Oh, who am I kidding?” Rico said. “Yes, it can.” He jumped off the stage and strode over to join them at the bar. Janet began pouring him a glass.

  “What should we toast to?” Ann asked.

  “To your new contract with the Royal Armory,” Valerie said.

  “I’ll certainly drink to the advance they sent for the work,” Ann replied.

  “To our new space to share with friends,” Janet added.

  “And to the friend who made it all happen,” Rico said, lifting his glass and holding it out to Valerie.

  She smiled as they all tapped their glasses and took a drink.

  “What about drinking to new opportunities?” a voice said.

  Valerie turned and located the man in the floppy hat who had slipped in near the front door. She nearly spit out her wine.

  “Oh my God. King Logan!”

  She slipped off her bar stool and sank to a knee. The others fumbled to find ways to do the same.

  “No. Please,” King Logan said, raising his hands. “I’m incognito again today. No need for formality. I just wanted to check in on you and find out if you’ve had time to consider my offer.”

  Valerie rose. “I’m still thinking about it.”

  “You mind if we take a walk?”

  She set her wine glass on the bar and hastily joined him. “Of course, yes. That would be great.”

  King Logan nodded to the others, then held the front door open for Valerie. They stepped into the daylight and walked into the mostly empty parking lot.

  The king put his hands in his pockets and turned to admire the partially repainted theater. Valerie noticed that they were standing in almost the same location she and her brother had been when they had daydreamed of fixing up the theater together.

  Workers were endeavoring to hang a sign on a nearby garage. King Logan read the logo. “V8 Vines?”

  Valerie glanced at the garage where her battered Rogue Fastback was still up on a lift, missing its engine.

  “We’re opening an automotive speed shop and wine bar next door,” Valerie said. “Shop talk and charcuterie.”

  “A creative combination,” King Logan replied. They walked toward the garage. The Guardian was sitting out front, its wounds only partially mended. A few spots of primer still dotted the paint job. The king leaned down and admired the interior. “L’ Orsa Nera, isn’t that what they’re calling you now?”

  “I think they just miss my dad,” Valerie said. “We all do.”

  The king opened the door of the Guardian and gestured to the driver’s seat. “May I?”

  “Be my guest,” Valerie said.

  King Logan settled into the seat and placed both hands on the steering wheel. “He was a good man, your dad, and a great knight. His service to the kingdom was unparalleled. That’s partly why I was so pleased to find you were his daughter. I know he would be incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  “I feel like I’m still figuring out what I’m supposed to become,” Valerie said. “All of this is a lot more than I ever imagined for myself.”

  The king nodded. He brushed a finger along the hilt of her sword that was clipped onto the ceiling rack, then lifted himself back out of the car. “You know, one of the great traditions of the Knights of the Round Table was designed for just such a need.” He rested an arm on the open car door. “Since the beginning of its formation, King Arthur would send his knights on various quests. Some thought the purpose of these journeys to be about fame or glory, or perhaps to acquire some notable artifact to increase the riches of the kingdom. But it was much simpler than that. These tests and quests gave each knight a gift. The gift of knowing who they truly were in the face of adversity and to test their character in times when there was no crowd or king to see them succeed or fail. It was a quest of self, and that, in turn, served the greater good.”

  “Are you saying that I still don’t deserve the job?”

  “No.” King Logan reached into his pocket and removed an envelope and a badge carrying the seal of Avalon. He held the badge out. “I know we didn’t have a chance to knight you properly with all the fanfare it deserves, but I thought we might do that at the palace. As you know, it’s a bit of a drive.”

  Valerie accepted the badge.

  “And if you do fancy yourself a road trip, there are a few things I thought you might look into along the way—as my representative.” He handed her the envelope. “There’s no requirement that you say yes. But if you do, I’ve left a map of the best routes with a certain agent of the Queen’s Guard who is staying at an inn just up the road. He’ll be happy to fill you in on more of the details.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Valerie said. “It’s an incredible honor.”

  King Logan rested a hand on her shoulder just as a black car flying the flags of House Pendragon pulled into the lot.

  “Welcome to the Royal Knights of Avalon,” he said. “I hope to see you again when you take your place at the Round Table.” He squeezed her shoulder and smiled, then backed away and climbed into the waiting vehicle. Valerie caught a glimpse of Queen Kimiko in the back seat.

  “Honey, what have I told you about wearing that hat in public?” the queen said. She shook her head and gave Valerie a wave.

  Then the door closed. With flags waving from the fenders, the car pulled out of the lot and disappeared down the sun-dappled road out of the village.

  Valerie climbed into the open door of the Guardian and slumped in the seat. She held up the shining badge emblazoned with the cross and crown of Avalon. It flashed in the sunlight. She hooked it to the rear-view mirror where her father’s watch was dangling, then tore into the envelope.

  She only read the first few lines before pausing. A summer breeze was blowing through the lot and shaking the boughs of the trees. It sent leaves skittering down the road.

  An invitation.

  Valerie smiled and tossed the king’s envelope to the passenger seat. She would have time to decide later.

  She closed the car door and started the ignition, then shifted into gear and blasted out of the theater parking lot. The Guardian’s tires l
eft a cloud of smoke behind her.

  The car shot onto the open road, scattering leaves in her wake. She let the engine noise try to compete with her shout of joy. Her heart raced along with the hum of the motor as she rounded the curve to take in the sight of the quaint, old inn and the Blackbird 900 parked in the lot.

  She flew past with a smile on her face.

  She’d see him tonight.

  For now, all she wanted was the wind in her hair, the roar of the engine, and miles and miles of open road.

  The End

  The next adventure will be coming soon!

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  Acknowledgments

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this adventure.

  Want more Valerie and Damon? Be sure to download the bonus epilogue from Damon’s perspective at:

  https://BookHip.com/VSJQSK

  If you would like to leave a review on the platform you purchased from, it will be extremely appreciated. I will read and enjoy your comments!

  No book conceived in an author’s imagination ever saw the light of day without help.

  This book had a lot of it.

  I was toiling away on an entirely different novel when the idea for this story kept niggling me. If it weren’t for the encouragement of Alan Janney, Lucy Score, and T. Ellery Hodges, I may never have given myself permission to switch projects and take the leap to this new world.

  Several other author friends were vital to the marketing and launch process, especially Boo Walker, Jillian Dodd, and all of the St. Pete Author Lunch group. Thank you so much!

  There is an extremely excellent podcast called The Story Grid Podcast that inspired me to dive deep into structure and plotting to make sure the bones of this novel would be in place before I ever started writing. I learned a tremendous amount from studying the methods of editor Shawn Coyne as laid out in his book, also called The Story Grid.

  This story needed a test drive while I was still writing it, so I’d like to thank my alpha readers who gave me feedback to keep me on track and feeling inspired. Especially Maarja Kruusmets, Kay Clark, Marilyn Bourdeau, Bonnie De Moss, Ken Robbins, Josh Shaine, Felicia Rodriguez, June H. Van Riel, Marilyn Gast, Bill Hall, Linda Kerekes, Diann Marshall, Rob Stephen, Randi Milam, Lee Inks, Mark Hale, Matthew Taylor, Norma Grubb, Rick Bradley, Gary Smart, Claire Palmer, Dave De Camp, and Mike Hiltunen.

  Author and editor H. Claire Taylor helped me align the story when I was still trying to wrangle it into some sort of shape. Her advice and willing ear were a godsend. She’s also just a lot of fun.

  I must thank my mom, Marilyn, for not only being a member of the beta team, but always going above and beyond to help make the stories I write the best they can be. The encouragement and positive support keeps me going during those inevitable writing days where I want to throw the whole manuscript in the garbage.

  A special thanks to Kay Clark for doing a final proofread that went above and beyond and gives me the confidence of knowing that every sentence I write is getting her incredible eye for detail on it before ever seeing print.

  Thanks to my friend and writer’s group partner Emily Young who helps make every book I write better with her insightful comments on character and emotion. This writing gig is way more fun when we do it together.

  For the beta team who volunteered to help sort out my prose issues and hunt down rogue typos. You are my rock. Every book I write has your fingerprints all over it and is so much better as a result.

  Rob Stephen, Yvonne Mitchell, Andrew Freeman, Matthew Taylor, Lisa Mages-Haskins, Josh Shaine, Eric Lizotte, Bruce Green, Maurice Druck, Rick Bradley, Bethany Cousins, Kay Clark, Ray Clements, Marilyn J Bourdeau, Mark Hale, Joseph M Oakey, Diann Marshall, Marilyn Gast, Brett Parker, Gary Smart, Missy Burrows, Gerry Cohen, Logan DeVane, Gary C Smart, Nate, Walt Taylor, Geezer Roy, Tim Wright, Donnisha Jones, Melissa K Pritchard, Gary Lopiccolo, Elaine Davis, Laura Driskell, Andrea Sestak, James Morse, Seán, Philippe Jardin, Mitchell C Kelsey, Sylvia Walker, Abhinav, Rob Stephen, Marcus Baker, Tony Everett, Ben, Gordon Lee, Stephen Lafave, Thomas C. Altman, Lee Inks, Ginelle Blanch, Marijelle Moreno Bartholomewq, Stephen Bishop, Cindy Williams, Ken Robbins, Claire Manger, Amy Spicka, Ray Antonelli, Joseph Kane, Felicia Rodriguez , Paul Ness, Dave Bennett, Von Whitlock, Jason A Wolverton, Cle Montgomery, Mike Reed, Coleen Alexander, Rogelio Faco Franklin, Becky Alexander-Conrad, Dan McCrory, Fiona Holden, Karen Stansbury, George Beech, Alissa Nesson, and Larry Dietz.

  The helpful staff and servers at my favorite restaurants kept me stocked with tacos and iced tea and are always incredibly kind to my dog, Atticus. I’d especially like to thank the staff at Grumpy Gringo, Poppo’s Taqueria, Red Mesa Mercado, Chipotle, Banyan Cafe, and every other restaurant that let me occupy a seat for far longer than any customer has a right to while I toiled away over this manuscript.

  And last but never least, my astounding wife Stephanie, who makes life better in every way. Your hard work and support for us as a family is what makes all of this possible. I love you to the moon. I hope you like this story.

  Also by Nathan Van Coops

  In Times Like These

  The Chronothon

  The Day After Never

  The Warp Clock

  In Times Like These Boxed Set 1-3

  Faster Than Falling: The Skylighter Adventures

  Clockwise & Gone

  In Times Like These Series Boxed Set

  About the Author

  Nathan Van Coops lives in St. Petersburg, Florida on a diet comprised mainly of tacos. When not tinkering on old airplanes, he writes heroic adventure stories that explore imaginative new worlds. He is the author of the time travel adventure series, In Times Like These, and The Skylighter Adventures. Learn more at nathanvancoops.com.

  Copyright © 2019 by Nathan Van Coops

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover design by Damonza.com

  Map by Nathan Van Coops

  Author photo by Jennie Thunell Photography

  Chapter header images designed by Julia Scheiber.

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-950669-00-4

  Print ISBN: 978-1-950669-01-1

  Created with Vellum