King of Knights

by Bebe Lightsmith

  “Cadet Pendragon.” A sharp voice of authority rang as we stepped into the hallway. Agent Rogers stood at the other end. Ivy gave my hand a squeeze and kept walking. Agent Rogers motioned his head towards the greenhouse and I followed him in. Excalibur sat in her stone, a glimmer of light radiating around her.

  “That was quite the performance.” Agent Rogers started, sitting on the iron bench in front of my sword. I sat next to him, leaning back.

  “I suppose so.” I shrugged. I really didn’t feel like I did anything.

  “You impressed the hell out of Admiral Gilgamesh.” He started, “I just got off of the phone with him.”

  “Oh?” I asked. I wasn’t sure what he was getting at, but I wished he would just get to the point.

  “He wanted to know what your plans for next year are.” Agent Rogers went on. “So I told him you are applying to MBIU.” I nodded in agreement. He turned to me, then, shifting his hips, so he was facing me. “He wanted to know if you would accept a squire position with him.”

  “What?” I asked, giving him a long look. Just like the knights in the Middle Ages, the younger ones would become squires for the older generation so they could learn.

  “He doesn’t want to get in the way of your school, but asked if you’d spend the summer with him.” Agent Rogers clarified.

  “But, what about the MBIU process?” I asked. One didn’t just turn in a few forms and become accepted to the most competitive Mythos school in the country. There was a month of tests at a remote facility in South Dakota. Agent Rogers let out a long laugh.

  “I think we can wave the process for the King of Knights.” He chuckled.

  “And my Team?” I asked. I couldn’t leave Ivy and Owen alone, especially for the tests. That was part of the acceptance process, was seeing how well a team worked together.

  “They’ll be fine.” Agent Rogers assured me. “I don’t have to tell you what a rare and valuable opportunity this is.” He then gave me a pointed look. I knew that I would be an idiot to turn it down. Still, my stomach clenched at the thought of being separated from Owen and Ivy.

  “Did he give you a number, where I could reach him?” I then asked. Agent Rogers pulled a crisp note card from the breast pocket of his white button-down shirt and handed it to me.

  “He told me the name of the Cult.” I then said. I wasn’t sure why I said it, but I knew I could trust Agent Rogers. He nodded, giving me a serious look.

  “They’re not your problem . . . yet.” Someday they would be, but I had much to learn first.

  “How long have they been around?” I asked. Agent Rogers let out a deep sigh.

  “That’s classified.” He then gave me a long look, telling me nonverbally to shut up. I took the hint and gave him a nod of understanding.

  “How do we know we can trust Admiral Gilgamesh?” I then asked.

  “I think you should talk to him, hear out his proposal, and then decide.” Agent Rogers answered.

  “What’s going to happen to Brandon?” I then thought to ask. I didn’t want him getting in trouble because of me. I knew that loss could make people do crazy things.

  “He’s getting an evaluation from psych.” Agent Rogers said after a moment. “From there, we’ll determine how to proceed.”

  “I don’t blame him, you know?” I commented. “If someone had killed my father, despite the circumstances, I’m not sure what I would do.” Though my father and I had had a precarious relationship, I still didn’t want him to die.

  “You wouldn’t have done that.” Agent Rogers seemed so confident in his assessment. He nodded towards Excalibur. “She can sense the will of a person, their intentions. She wouldn’t have accepted you as her master if you had any corruption in your heart.” We sat in silence for a long moment.

  “Well, think it over and give the Admiral a call.” Agent Rogers said and then left the greenhouse. I sat with Excalibur as I thought about the opportunity.

  “What do you think?” I asked her.

  It was her decision too, as she went anywhere I did. Excalibur shimmered brighter. The universe had punished us before for separating, but maybe this was the path I was supposed to take. I needed to discuss it with Owen and Ivy before I called him back. Perhaps Morgana would also have an interesting opinion on the matter.

  I stood to leave the greenhouse. Suddenly, the old man appeared before me. He wore a blue tunic this time, his blue magic swirling around him. Before I had time to react or question, he grabbed Excalibur from her stone and then disappeared. My heart pounded as I realized what had just happened. My sword was gone! Looking around frantically, I spotted him outside of the greenhouse, a few yards away in the open field.

  Running outside, I was about to demand my sword back when he gave me a long knowing look. Raising Excalibur above his head, dark, ominous clouds started to form in the sky above him. With a crash of thunder, golden lightning struck the blade, wrapping around the metal.

  “It’s time you know what she can do, boy.” He called to me. Turning to face the forest, he pointed the blade towards a large oak tree. The golden-blue lightning, much like Owen’s blue, shot from the blade and completely destroyed the tree. All that was left were bits of sawdust.

  “Now you.” He tossed me the sword. I caught Excalibur feeling the power in the weapon.

  “Open yourself to the universe, let the energies flow through you.” The old man instructed. “Let her whisper the instructions to you. She knows what to do, you just have to trust her.”

  I felt my chest tighten. The last time I had freely allowed Excalibur to emit her full power I had killed a man. The clouds diminished, as did the lightning sparking off of the blade. Instead, she glowed that red and gold energy. The old man clicked his tongue at me, shaking his head.

  “That will never do.” He commented.

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I said, honestly.

  “You don’t?” He tilted his head, looking at me like I was an oddity. “Then what is the duty of a knight?”

  “To protect people, not to hurt them,” I argued.

  “Then how do you protect people without harming those who wish to kill them?” He asked. I glared at him for a long moment. I knew that fighting and killing was part of the job description, it didn’t mean that I had to like it.

  “You must not be afraid to kill.” The old man instructed. I shook my head.

  “Taking a life will never be something I’m alright with,” I argued.

  “I didn’t ask you to like it, I asked you to let go of the fear.” He replied, giving me a serious look. His blue eyes started to spark as I sensed his magic welling up within him. Without warning, he shot a steady stream of blue lighting from his fingers, directly at me. I raised Excalibur, blocking the attack. The blue electricity sizzled off of the blade.

  “You’re fear is blinding you, boy.” He shouted from across the field. My heart thudded in my chest as I tried to rationalize his words. Respecting life wasn’t a detriment.

  “I will always choose life over death,” I replied.

  “And what if Death wants her due?” He retorted. He shot another series of lightning bolts at me, which Excalibur protected me from. I didn’t understand what he was saying. Once the electricity cleared, I lowered my sword and shrugged.

  “Damn it, you’re just like him.” The old man muttered. I didn’t know what he meant.

  “Like who?” I asked.

  “The only way to get through to you is to harm those you care about.” The hard set of his light blue eyes made my stomach churn.

  “What are you saying?” I demanded, taking a few steps closer.

  “Excalibur should never hold more magic than you.” He replied. “You are starving her.” I glanced down at my sword. Is that what I was doing?

  “You rely too much on her for protection.” The old man then raised his hand. I thought he was going to shoot more lightning, but instead, Excalibur suddenly leapt from my grasp. The floating blade then turned towards
me.

  “What are you doing?” I demanded, taking a step back as the mighty glowing sword hovered in front of me. Another sword appeared in my hand. It was just a magical conduit weapon. It didn’t have its own magic but could conduct mine.

  “You will prove to her that you are worthy of her devotion.” The old man instructed. It was embarrassing how long it took me to realize what was happening. He wanted me to fight my own sword.

  “She is powerful, but you are more so.” The old man kept instructing.

  My heart pounded in my chest as I looked between Excalibur and the old man.

  “I’m not doing this.” I decided. There had to be another way.

  “You will never unlock your full potential if you do not. You will never be able to protect the ones for whom you care most.” The old man shouted, his eyes starting to glow with magic.

  Excalibur rushed towards me, and I was able to put my sword up just in time to block the swing. How did I fight a floating sword?

  “You can’t kill Excalibur, but she can kill you. What will it be then?” The old man demanded. Excalibur went for me again, and I blocked. The impact of the hit forced me to take a few steps back to retain my balance.

  “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I demanded.

  “Release the fear.” He shouted back.

  I dodged, rolling on my side, to escape Excalibur’s next swing.

  “The fear is what keeps my humanity intact.” I argued.

  “The fear is keeping your knighthood at bay.” The old man argued.

  Excalibur jabbed at me again, and I was able to block her away. She wasn’t glowing or using any magic other than hovering above the ground. I knew how powerful she was, and I hoped the old man didn’t convince her to use it. Though I had seen Meredith several times since I had killed Colonel Charlemagne, I still was not at peace with my decision. I did it to save Ivy, but if she hadn’t been there, I often wondered what would have happened.

  “You are weak!” The old man shouted at me, pacing in a semicircle behind Excalibur. I countered Excalibur again, rolling out of the way of her second swing. “How are you supposed to be king if you are afraid of your own power?”

  Back on my feet, I shook my head. I wasn’t afraid of my own power, I was afraid of what my power could do to the people around me. After a few more clashes with Excalibur, the old man must have grown impatient. With a flash of his blue eyes, Excalibur started to glow, the energy gathering around her blade. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that the sword I was currently wielding would crack under that kind of power.

  “You strutted around so proudly earlier after you countered that erratic boy, but it wasn’t you, it was Excalibur. No one should kneel to you, swear fealty to you. You’re just a weak, scared, boy.” He yelled.

  I felt my anger rise. Since that night with Colonel Charlemagne, I had kept my temper under control. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. Killing Charlemagne had been too easy. Just one swipe with Excalibur and his heart had literally exploded. How could I allow myself to have such power over people?

  “You are a king, act like one!” He shouted as if he could read my thoughts.

  Excalibur came at me, her blade flickering with the massive amount of power.

  “Fight or die.” He warned.

  I raised my blade, ready for the attack. Taking in a deep breath, I lifted the sword in my hand. Excalibur crashed into it, the energy causing me to fly back. The old man walked up to stand next to where I lay. I gasped for breaths as Excalibur loomed over me. The sword I had once held had shattered to pieces. The old wizard looked at Excalibur.

  “Go home, my darling.” He said to her. The sword floated into the greenhouse and sunk into the stone. I still lay there, gasping for air. The power of the magic had knocked the wind out of me. I sat up, the old man sitting in front of me.

  “Fear is the antithesis of progress, remember that.” He said and then disappeared.

  I sat there for a long moment, still trying to catch my breath. What the fuck was that? My hands shook as I stood, wondering if that old man was just off his rocker or if he was right. Was my fear holding me back? And if so, would it hinder me when it really mattered? Owen was right; something big was coming for us. The universe was preparing for it. Colonel Charlemagne wouldn’t be the only life I took in the name of keeping the peace and prosperity. I would do anything to protect Ivy and Owen, but would my fear lead to their demise? What if I couldn’t protect them? I let out a few curses as I stormed into the greenhouse. Grabbing Excalibur, I exited the greenhouse again, entering the barren field.

  “Alright, girl, show me how,” I said to her. The blade glowed.

  Do like the Owens do. She said into my head. Her grammar wasn’t great, but I knew what she meant. When Owen needed to center his magic, to grow his influx, he meditated.

  Sitting in the grass, I lay Excalibur over my lap. I closed my eyes and allowed the universe to flow freely through me. It was about letting go of all earthly thoughts. It was the process of feeling the breeze and hearing the sounds of the rustling of the trees and the chirping of the birds, it was smelling the dirt and the flowers, and tasting the air. I opened my self up more, letting my mind shift and turn wherever the energies took me.

  My mind flashed to a distant memory, one I had long forgotten. I was maybe five or so and still living with Owen. The two of us were sitting in the living room, eating snacks and watching some kids cartoon on the television. A commercial came on to advertise a set of our favorite action figures. Owen and I started play fighting, as the characters on the show had done. We wrestled on the living room floor. Owen, who was bigger than me then, sat on my chest. I couldn’t breathe. My young mind descended into panic as my lungs lost air. I couldn’t even get out the words that he was suffocating me. Finally, I let out a yell and Owen went flying off of me, red sparks of lightning dancing over his skin for just a moment.

  Constance ran in then. Owen was fine, just a little singed. His eyebrows were burnt off, and the ends of his hair sizzled. She looked at Owen and then back at me. I thought she would be mad so I started to apologize. Instead, she knelt next to me, pulling me into her arms. I was still trying to catch my breath and tears streamed down my cheeks.

  “Oh my little knight, how special you are.” She whispered in my ear.

  “Owen,” I called, trying to pull away from her to check on him. She held me in place.

  “He is fine.” She pulled away enough to allow me to look in his direction. His hair stood straight up, but he was laughing at the television.

  “Ryker,” She waited until I faced her again. “Never, under any circumstances, allow your fear to hold you back.”

  My eyes flashed open, and I was back in the field, nineteen years old again. Excalibur sat across my lap, but red sparks danced over my hands. I had totally forgotten about that incident. Constance, instead of reprimanding me for hurting her biological son, had encouraged me to explore it more. She was never afraid of me, and neither was Owen. It was my own fears of myself that had ultimately won out and forced me to suppress my magic until that day with the Dybbuk almost two years ago when I was protecting Ivy. The red lightning still sparked around my hands as I realized all of this.

  My magic wasn’t new. It was always inside of me.

  Ivy was the only one who made me get over my fear. Excalibur didn’t kill Charlemagne, my lack of fear did. I had allowed, if only for that one moment, my power to release. It was so formidable that it shattered a grown knights heart. Protecting Ivy ranked above all else, even my own humanity. She was my place in the universe, but to fulfill my destiny, I had to get over my own inhabitations. As I stared down at the energy on my hands, I realized what I had to do.

  Chapter Nine:

  Ivy:

  I sat in the kitchen as Owen worked on his baking. It was a couple weeks after Constance’s funeral, and all had seemed to calm down. We settled back into school, which was getting more challenging as the semester came to a c
lose. I sat at the bar, reading over some notes from my intelligence textbook. Music played softly from the speaker, and I hummed along. Ryker was off doing more training. He had explained to us that the mysterious old man had forced him to acknowledge his fear and weakness. Since then, he had been practicing with Excalibur every afternoon. Usually, he drew a crowd, as everyone was impressed and awed by the power of the mighty King of Knights.

  We had gone on a few dates, which as it turns out, dating Ryker was a lot like I imagined dating Captain America would be. He was always a gentleman, opening car doors and paying the tickets. Every night he would drop me off promptly at ten o’clock at my dorm room door. I invited him in several times, but he would always give me a gentle smile and an innocent kiss on the cheek. It was frustrating, to say the least. Especially when our nights in dream world were filled with anything but innocence.

  My Grams had only stayed for that day to tell Owen whatever it was that she needed to tell him. Owen had not divulged what she had said but started to work harder on his cookies and other baked goods. I worried about him, but he seemed to be as determined as ever to find the magical formula that would conjure the Codex to him.

  “Have you read Morgana’s book yet?” He asked me absently, as he added flour into a mixing bowl.

  “I’ve been a little busy,” I replied, gesturing to the mountain of books and papers in front of me. Not only was I doing mine, but theirs as well. I took on the responsibility because Owen’s magic and Ryker’s quest for Excalibur were much more important. Besides, with my photographic memory, I could complete the assignments in a fraction of the time.

  “You need to.” He muttered. I had decided that I would read the mega-sized history of Camelot over the summer.

  We had just completed our last session with Meredith that day. All three of us were in the free and clear as far as our psychological states went. Ryker had really improved from the experience and had accepted the fact that death was a part of being a knight. I think that was one of the biggest hurdles he would have to face, and I was glad he was making strides to get over it.