Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor

by Elizabeth Drake

  “Close enough,” the older monk said.

  Before he could say anything else, Brelynn gulped down the entire glass of holy water. No sipping, no tasting, no praying. If it was going to kill her, she might as well get it over with and go down in glorious flames.

  She waited a moment, but she was still standing. She handed the glass back to the monk. “Looks like I’m not evil. Or not evil enough for your gods to smite me. Are we done here?”

  The monk studied the glass. “Sister Shawna will take you to the sleeping quarters.”

  Brelynn closed her eyes a moment as relief swept through her. She then followed the female monk from earlier and never glanced back at Sir Marcus.

  Chapter 8

  Marcus watched her leave, the difference a bath and a change of clothes made surprising him. Her hair was honey blond, and her skin milk pale, both which highlighted her large aqua eyes. She was pretty. Not the Oskelesian bombshell he’d expected, but beautiful.

  The thought made him uncomfortable, but he wasn’t sure why.

  “You are not surprised she passed,” Arch-Mage Ndrek said, his words lightly accented.

  Marcus remembered the stray dog she’d brought with her and the ancient horse she fed conjured apples. “She’s scared, not evil.”

  “If you say she is not evil, then she most certainly is not. Can she be trusted with the prince?”

  “I wouldn’t leave them unguarded, but her battle magic is not very strong.”

  “Learning to control sorcery is the same whatever amount of magic is inherent, though I believe she is more powerful than you suspect. There is a reason her master still pursues her beyond Oskelez’s boarders.”

  “She may be a spy.” Marcus doubted the words even as he uttered them. He’d encountered a lot of mages, both sorcerers and wizards, and none would’ve shared their rations with a stray dog.

  “The king has considered this. If she is, we can use it to our advantage. Provide her incorrect information. But she passed your test, did she not?”

  “She passed.” Marcus glanced toward the door. “She’s hiding something. I don’t know what, but the gods didn’t smite her for it.”

  “Coming from Oskelez…” Ndrek held up his hands. “It has earned its reputation. And so has Tamryn.”

  Marcus ignored the jab. “Someone or something wants her back. Her presence might jeopardize the prince.”

  “That is what your dragon order does, is it not? Slay evil things?”

  “It’s one of the things we do.”

  “The Knights of Valor may have to destroy a vampire that comes looking for her.” Ndrek shrugged. “You have killed far worse things.”

  “Vampire? Did she tell you who her master was?”

  “The scarf she wears tells me.”

  Marcus scowled. He hadn’t noticed it, and he’d rescued many people from being vampire chattel. He was distracted, and that was dangerous, but he didn’t know what was diverting his attention.

  That worried him even more.

  Arch-Mage Ndrek shrugged. “She was not a willing victim even before her escape. If this vampire is foolish enough to cross into Tamryn lands to chase her, then it deserves whatever justice the Knights of Valor see fit.”

  And Marcus would destroy it. After witnessing ghouls ravage villages and necromancers slay towns to fuel horrific spells, he would not abide a vampire anywhere in Tamryn. “Report back to the king that she passed the test and that I’m bringing her to Aerius.”

  “You are worried, and I do not understand why. You could destroy anything sent to bring her back to Oskelez. If a vampire, even a master vampire, is the best they have to throw at you, they are not trying very hard, are they?”

  “I’m not delighted to bring a sorceress into Tamryn.”

  “Even though she passed your test?”

  “You know what we saw, what we faced. Raymond didn’t make it home-”

  “Because of no fault of yours,” Arch-Mage Ndrek said. “You warned him, repeatedly, but he wanted to be a hero. And he paid the price for it.”

  “I-”

  “Could not save everyone.” Ndrek spread his hands wide. “You are not Raymond, and I do not believe Brelynn is anything like Gmina. Do you?”

  Marcus stared down the hall after her, remembering the way she’d trembled in the alley when they’d faced the ruffians and how she’d rubbed Lucky’s ears. “She’s nothing like Gmina.”

  “That is why she passed your test.”

  Marcus hated it when Ndrek was right, but time and experience had taught him to accept good council. “I made a promise to the king, and I will get her to Aerius alive. Unless you’ve mastered teleportation?”

  Ndrek bristled, his accent thickening with pricked pride. “As you well know, I have not.”

  “Then we’ll stay away from larger towns with a lot of people her former master could hurt. No matter what way we take, it means a vampire will try to cross into Tamryn lands. I assume the king has taken measures to protect the civilians?”

  “You assume correctly.”

  “Then I’ll wash up and get some sleep myself. Might be my last decent night of rest until I get her to Aerius.” And while he didn’t look forward to trail rations or sleeping on the ground, it would be good to be useful again. To be helping. To be spreading Dracor’s light.

  As Marcus turned to go, Arch-Mage Ndrek stopped him. “Without a vampire feeding on her, her power may grow. She could become a target for more than just a vampire lord.”

  “I will get her there safely.”

  Marcus left Ndrek alone with the monks and headed to the sleeping quarters. This time, he would make sure everyone came home. He wouldn’t make the same mistake he had with Raymond.

  Chapter 9

  Brelynn studied the twelve beds arranged in a long row with a locker positioned at each one’s foot. Each bed was clean, neatly made, and had a thin pillow. Not comfortable or inviting, but better than the ground. They hadn’t told her where to sleep, so she sat down on the one furthest from the door.

  The monks had scrubbed the room as clean as the rest of the monastery, and a single arrow-slit window offered a trickle of moonlight. The room was defensible, just like the rest of the monastery, and that made sense. Monks of the Dragon God represented justice, law, and righteousness. With their monastery this close to Oskelez, wandering mercenaries or worse would attack them if they were discovered.

  Brelynn wondered what they were doing out there but not enough to ask.

  Sir Marcus had known where they were, and the monks hadn’t been surprised to see him. She wondered how many other refugees he’d brought back to Tamryn after he’d killed a lich.

  Damn impressive killing a lich, even if he was a sanctimonious pufferfish.

  A handsome sanctimonious pufferfish, but she wouldn’t dwell on that. She’d met her share of attractive, capable men in Oskelez, and she was better off because she’d avoided them.

  A decent night’s sleep should set her head straight, especially as she hadn’t had one of those since she’d escaped Oskelez.

  Funny that. As dangerous as Oskelez was, she’d never been as scared as she was after she’d escaped it.

  Brelynn stretched then flopped back on the bed. A moment later, Lucky joined her, and she petted his scruffy fur and rubbed his ears. He curled up at her feet, and she smiled, glad he’d followed her. He was just a dog, but she always felt better, safer, when he was with her. Stupid, but she’d take any comfort she could get.

  Armor clanked outside the door, and Brelynn groaned. She couldn’t fathom what tall, blonde and shiny wanted, unless he’d come up with a test he was sure she’d fail.

  She lay back and closed her eyes, hoping he would peek in, see she was asleep, and save his test for morning.

  No such luck.

  The door opened, closed, and his armor clanked as he walked across the room.

  Lucky stared up at him, and the dog’s eyes shone gold as he studied Sir Marcus. The mutt wagged h
is tail and laid his head back down on Brelynn’s leg.

  So much for Lucky’s help.

  Sir Marcus paused and regarded her, but hard as she tried, her breathing wasn’t rhythmic enough for her to be asleep. If he saw through her ruse, he didn’t say so as he propped his shield against the wall.

  She cracked an eye as he sat down on the bed next to hers. “Do you really need to sleep in here when we’re surrounded by evil-slaying monks?”

  “Not sure they’d appreciate being called that, but it’s an accurate enough description.”

  She rolled onto her side and peered up at him. “I passed your test, so it looks like you’re stuck with me until we get to Aerius. Unless you have another test planned.”

  His lips thinned. “There is no other test.”

  “I get that you hate me-”

  “I don’t hate you.”

  “Then you do a good job of acting like you do.” She sucked in a breath and stared down at the floorboards. “You were right about one thing.”

  Sir Marcus arched a brow. “Just one?”

  “Just one.”

  “And what was that?”

  “I don’t want to need you, but those guys in the alley would’ve killed me if you hadn’t been there.” She swallowed hard, never lifting her gaze to meet his. “I need help to get to Aerius alive. There. I admitted it. Happy?”

  “I promised to get you to Aerius, and I will,” Sir Marcus said.

  “Or die trying?”

  “Yes.”

  Brelynn shook her head. “Is this the way you are with everyone or just me?”

  “You’re an Oskelesian sorceress. You’ll wait until my guard is down-”

  “And what?” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “You know what.”

  “I don’t know what they’ve been telling you, but sorceress and succubus both begin with ‘s’, and that’s where the similarities end.”

  Sir Marcus narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?”

  “To get safely to Aerius and not fight with my protector the whole way there. I’ll be nicer if you are.”

  “I am nice.”

  “That’s what you call this?” Brelynn rolled her eyes. “In a gesture of good faith, you want me to help you with your armor? Gotta be a pain getting it on and off without a squire.”

  “What do you know about putting on armor?”

  “A friend in Oskelez wore it, the full plate stuff like yours with all the padding beneath it. When she was angry with her squire, which was often, I’d help her.”

  “I’m surprised a vampire let someone in heavy armor close to you. They’re usually protective of those they select.”

  Brelynn touched the linen at her neck, then yanked her hand back. “Don’t know who told you, but yes, my master is a vampire.”

  “Former master.”

  “Right, former master.” Brelynn twirled the edge of her scarf around her finger. “Anyway, you want help with your armor?”

  “This armor-wearing friend of yours is a woman. You said ‘she’. Anything I should know about her?”

  “Mara’s a vampire, I guess, but not like the others. She doesn’t drink blood, and she walks in daylight.”

  “Doesn’t sound like a vampire at all.”

  Brelynn lifted her shoulders. “She’s been alive for hundreds of years and bound to Mokkar Calmont all of it. I’m not sure what she is, but she’s one of the best Champions in all of Oskelez.”

  “That says something.” Sir Marcus paused. “Will they send her after you?”

  “She won’t have a choice if they do.” Brelynn focused on the arrow-slit window. “I hope not. I don’t want you to kill her. Or try to, anyway.”

  “You’re right,” Sir Marcus said.

  Brelynn’s head snapped around and her brows raised. “I’m right?” That was something she’d never expected a Knight of Valor to admit. Ever. About anything.

  “Getting armor on and off without a squire is difficult, and it’s dangerous to be without it in hostile lands. Which is why mine does this.” He laid his hand over his heart. His armor shimmered, and a crisp shirt, trousers, and boots replaced it.

  “I sensed your armor was enchanted, but that’s impressive.”

  “One of the many things it does, and I required all of them for my last mission.”

  “Against the lich?”

  “So you heard.”

  “The monk told me. You must’ve angered someone powerful to go from lich slaying to babysitting me.”

  “I retired from regular duty after that mission.”

  Brelynn crossed her arms over her chest. “Tall, blond, and shiny, I saw the way you handled those guys in the alley. You’ve got a lot of fight left in you. Why would you retire?”

  “Tall, blond, and shiny?”

  “Fits you.”

  “Maybe.” A smile tugged on his lips.

  “So why are you helping someone you don’t like get to Aerius when the gods want you out there fighting evil?”

  “I never said I didn’t like you.”

  “You didn’t have to, and you didn’t answer my question.”

  He stared across the room as he put his sword down beside his shield, both within easy reach of his bed. “King Eli thinks you can help his son. Right now, helping the royal family is the best way I can spread the gods’ light.”

  The sincerity in his voice surprised Brelynn, and she touched his hand. “I’ll do what I can to help the prince. Guess there is a downside of not having a vampire around to drain your magic along with your blood.”

  Sir Marcus grimaced. “I’m sorry.”

  Brelynn lifted her shoulders as she bottled the memories. “Oskelez is an awful place, but I had value to my master. Made it less awful. But that doesn’t explain why a Tamryn legend came to retrieve me instead of being out there smiting evil.”

  “The Dragon Council had me retire after I killed the lich. They allowed me to come out of retirement as a special favor to the Crown.”

  Allowed him. She almost laughed. He was the type that didn’t need permission from anyone but his god. “This Dragon Council serves Dracor, god of justice?”

  “The Dragon Council heads Dracor’s church in Tamryn.”

  “But you killed a lich, and you’re only a few years older than me. It’s foolish to force you into retirement.”

  He repositioned his sword and shield. “I’m sure they had their reasons.”

  “And you didn’t ask what they were?”

  “I’m a Knight of Valor. It’s not my place to question orders.”

  “By the seven hells it isn’t, especially when it’s a bad order. And that’s a bad order.” Indignation sharpened her words, and she folded her arms over her chest. “I’ll ask them for you when we get to Aerius.”

  Sir Marcus’s lips twitched. “I doubt they’ll answer you.”

  “Probably not.” She blew out a breath. “I bet the bastards didn’t want their legend getting picked off by a lucky arrow so they’re locking you away like fine porcelain. Won’t come out and say it though.”

  “I suppose not. Though they are all Knights of Valor, and Knights don’t lie.”

  “Amazing what you can convince yourself is true if you try hard enough.” Brelynn paused. “You said the king himself sent you on this babysitting run. Not the prince’s advisor or tutor or something?”

  “Not sure how many people King Eli has trusted with knowledge of his son’s condition.”

  “Sorcery isn’t a disease.”

  “Not sure the king agrees with you.”

  Brelynn swallowed as she considered that. “What’s the King of Tamryn like?”

  “You survived a vampire. You’ll handle a king.”

  “I have little choice.” Brelynn flopped back on the bed. “You need to get hobbies. You must be bored if you’re willing to come rescue me. Maybe Arch-Mage Ndrek can teach you magic.”

  “I don’t have the aptitude or the stomach for being his pupil.” />
  “I was kidding.” She reached over and squeezed Sir Marcus’s hand.

  He tensed as he stared down at where their fingers met.

  Brelynn narrowed her eyes as she turned on her side toward him, his hand still in hers. “That fancy armor means you didn’t have to walk through Eskara looking like a giant lightning rod.”

  “After the ambush that was waiting for me at the rendezvous point, I wasn’t sure if you were still alive or how to find you if you were. I decided to be obvious, hoping it would bring you to me so I could help you.”

  Brelynn bit back her comment when she realized he really had done it to help her. And it had worked. He was a Knight of Valor, but he wasn’t all that she’d expected. She squeezed his hand again. “Thanks. It did help me find you.”

  “We should both get some sleep. This monastery is one of the safest places we’ll be in quite a while.”

  Strangely, she felt safe with him. She shouldn’t, but she did. She stared at the tiny window. “My master’s coming for me, and holy ground will only slow him.”

  “Go to sleep. I’ll destroy him when he comes.”

  Brelynn rolled over on the hard bed and tucked the thin blanket around herself. A part of her believed him, and she had seen him fight.

  But a master vampire and his retainers were a lot different than a few thugs in Eskara.

  Chapter 10

  The moon had dropped below the horizon, but dawn was still several hours away when Brelynn awoke. Pain throbbed through her neck and burned along her veins. This, the darkest time of night, was when her master was the most powerful.

  And he was looking for her.

  She’d never expected him to leave Oskelez, not a master vampire of his standing. But he had, and he was furious that she was not on the road to Tamryn.

  Blood dampened her throat, and she took several deep breaths. She could feel him calling to her, but she didn’t answer.

  She wasn’t his anymore.

  Lucky whined and dropped his head into her lap.

  “You okay?” Sir Marcus asked.

  She hoped the darkness concealed the blood stains. The last thing she needed was a Knight of Valor thinking a vampire had corrupted her. “As okay as I can be.”