by M G Darwish
Roger didn’t want to infuriate his King any longer and so decided to still his tongue for better or worse. Only he was breathing heavily, it was as if he knew that something foul was about to come their way.
As the King neared the entrance to the corridor, he heard an ungodly sound that ravaged his entire surroundings. He fell on his knees and smelled the stench of rotting flesh coming from the opposite direction. His vision was blurry but he squinted hard against the rubble to make the details of a figure riding a horse.
“Who are you? How dare you barge in like this!” one of the guards said as he drew his sword and marched against that rider.
In a blink of an eye, the rider swung an unusually long mace and split the approaching guard’s head wide open. Chaos broke out in the throne room. That rider was not human. Its gouging eyes shifted towards one man and one man alone: Felix.
Once the rubble cleared, the nightmare became reality that day, as the rider was surrounded by shattering glass, somehow it had jumped in the throne room from the very top.
“You . . .” Felix mumbled, before his words betrayed him, his hands would not seize to tremble no matter how hard he tried.
“Father, are you alright?” Sasha said as she offered her hand to her father. “What in the world is happening right now!” She turned toward the rider. “Who are you?” she cried.
“Halt!” Felix shouted as loud as he could to his soldiers. “Do not engage!” he shouted again.
All the guards froze instantly at their King’s command. Fear swelled up within the King’s heart, and once that happens, all hopes of victory turned to ashes.
The gouging rider remained silent save for the growling noises that came from within its dark painted helmet. It only lifted its arm and pointed toward Felix, and then took out its gauntlet and threw it on the ground beside him.
“The Knight’s code!” Sasha said. “Father, he’s challenging you for a duel . . .”
“Do not pick it up Felix, you hear me?” Roger said.
“No, this is the result of my own actions, it seems only fair that I do this,” Felix said. He got up on his feet, brushed the dust off his clothes, and approached the gauntlet. “I knew you would come for me the second I ordered the army to march toward the village. Some promises must be kept, I suppose.”
“No! Father!” Sasha cried rushing toward him. She pushed him away and picked up the gauntlet herself. “I accept your challenge,” she said, staring down the unknown Knight.
Three
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE . . .” Felix mumbled as he rested on Sasha’s bed, he couldn’t breathe right, so much that he could hear his heart pumping blood within his chest.
“Sasha doesn’t have to fight, Felix, there must be anoth—”
“She picked up the gauntlet!” Felix interrupted Roger. As much as he hated it, and even though he was King, for the first time in his life he felt more powerless than he could ever remember. “If she betrays the Knight’s code then all of our credibility would go down the drain.”
“You’ve never seen me fight,” Sasha mumbled as her mouth rested on the side. She took slow but steady breaths.
Felix turned his face toward her. “Do you even understand who that Knight is?” and swallowed around the lump in his throat. He got up from the bed and opened the curtains to her bed side. They offered a view of the courtyard. There, standing amidst complete darkness, laid the rider who came to challenge the King, but would settle for his daughter instead.
“Look at him!” Felix said, as pointing at the Knight. “He does not eat, nor does he sleep. He only waits!”
“I can take him,” Sasha insisted. “You should trust and believe in your daughter, if only a little.”
Felix waved at her as he rushed towards the exit. His face heated and he felt it best to remove himself before he said something he regretted; he had just recently been reunited with his daughter after all.
“My father knows that Knight, doesn’t he?”
Roger pondered for a moment, but then nodded. “Yes, he does, better than anyone.” He sighed. “Your father never told you what really happened during the old war did he?”
Sasha shook her head. “He never told me anything about it.”
“It was during that fateful day . . . Felix used to be a good prince, one that was loved by all and who cherished justice above all, but it was that day that he would betray everything he stood for. Have you never wondered why he hates anyone who so much as whispers of the Headless Knight?”
Sasha’s eyes grew wider as she blinked repeatedly. She couldn’t hide her excitement, as there were lots of tales of what really went on during the old war, a tale of a great battle and how the previous ruling family appeared to have just vanished into thin air.
“Your late grandfather was a tactical genius, Sasha, we all felt incredibly lucky to have been under his service . . . your father included,” Roger continued.
“People speak of a great duel between Felix and the -then- Crown Prince, Dylan Harren, one that occurred amidst fire and smoke, the two clashed until your father emerged victorious. Or that is how the history books would have you believe.”
“You mean, that’s not what happened?” Sasha mumbled. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Dylan along with his wife were captured and held captive. I remember it like it were yesterday: the screams of the Crown Prince, as his arms were tied by a heavy chain. The soldiers brought his wife before him and began violating her. Dylan was a proud man, what do you think he did?”
Sasha’s jaw dropped, the idea that her father’s legacy was built on something so terrible was unbearable, she tried to speak but words betrayed her.
“Dylan pulled his eyes out with his two hands as to not see what they were doing to his wife.”
Sasha covered her mouth completely as she sighed.
“After the soldiers were done, Dylan was taken to a private cell, where he was beheaded, but do you know what is the part that still haunts your father and I to this day?”
Sasha shook her head, tears running down her cheeks. She watched in horror as Roger tightened his hands into fists, driving his fingernails so hard that a bit of blood came out.
“When he was beheaded, people swore that they heard Dylan speak . . . and he spoke well. It was an oath and it went like this: ‘One day, your charade of honor will come to a halt. You deem yourself a man of honor, but you are far from it . . . Mark my words Felix, on the day that you show your true mask, I will rise from the grave, and with my head in my hands I will challenge you, and I will strike you down along with your family.”
“That . . . is insane, my father would never do that, Roger! Are you sure of this?”
“I am . . . I was there when it happened, and so was your father when the head talked.”
Sasha rolled her eyes and swallowed. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I’m telling you this, because I want you to know why you cannot fight that . . . thing, Dylan Harren became the thing that people hide in the darkness for fear of retribution. All the soldiers who were involved in the torture of his wife, disappeared amidst mysterious circumstances, and he now stands here, prepared to take the life of your father.”
“No . . . this can’t be true—”
“You think war is innocent? That it is noble and just?” Roger took a pause as he scratched his lower chin. He gently shook his head. “The concept of justice and nobility contradict the nature of war: to fight and kill, so that another rule, to have peace prevail is hypocrisy incarnate.”
“No . . .” Sasha shook her head, tears stained her cheeks. Was she meant to question even the love that her father had for her? She a princess and had a right to tend to the people, but at that point she felt like she couldn’t. “Would sins committed by our parents be cleansed by our own deeds?”
“One thing is for certain. You will definitely not fight Dullahan tomorrow,” Roger said as he glanced toward the exit, and began to let himself out, leaving Sasha al
one with her thoughts.
Sasha could only look at Roger as he passed her by. Her face was burning hot. For some reason, she was agitated at merely the thought of not fighting. She mustered enough energy to knock whatever was in front of her and let out a scream. “I’ll show you all . . .” she vowed.
THE SCOURGING NIGHT turned around and the light finally gave way, signaling for all to rise and shine. The excitement in the city was unparalleled as they would see not just a duel between knights, but they would see an icon, a horror tall incarnate that has come to face them head on.
Princess Sasha was a well-known knight across the lands, and all those who had the privilege of seeing her fight would testify that she was among the best swordsmen that they have ever seen.
Sasha rose from her bed, and made way toward a bowl that contained water. She cupped her hands and splashed water against her face as she sighed looking at her own reflection in the bowl.
She made way toward the armory, and along the way, all who saw her hailed her in salute. They were proud of her bravery, yet they couldn’t hide their worried ace all that well. Sasha knew that one man could not sleep well that night, and that would be the King, her father.
She was proud, and as she began to wear her armor piece by piece, she began to pant, as tears began to form deep within her eye sockets. She fought to hold them back, but couldn’t stop them from running down. She let out another scream as she picked up her sword. “Damnit old man!”
“Sasha?” a voice said, as a person barged inside the armory.
Sasha turned towards the man that had just entered. “Father . . .” she mumbled and then frowned.
“Look at you, my beautiful daughter,” Felix said as he took a few steps toward her.
“Don’t come any closer!” Sasha shouted.
Her father was taken back by her words, he couldn’t make much of them. “Why is it that you hate me so much for worrying about you?”
“I know, Roger told me everything, how you tortured and brutalized another man’s wife in front of him. I know what you have done,” she said.
Felix felt a chill run down his spine. He paused for a moment. “Sasha . . . don’t believe everything you hear about me, listening to mere gossip is beneath—”
Felix was interrupted as Sasha drove her palm against his cheeks. “Don’t lie to me. You owe me at least that much.”
Felix froze where he stood, he simply gazed upon the hand that had struck him. He took a deep breath. “I did what needed to be done. You think weakness keeps peace at bay? It is fear that rules the heart of men. You’d do well to remember that.”
“But at what price?” Sasha said before her voice broke. “If we are going to rule our people with fear, then I’d rather not rule them at all.” She began to pant heavily. “Damnit dad! You tortured someone and killed his wife!”
“I had nothing to do with it. I did not do it.”
“You are a King!” Sasha shouted at him. “Whatever happens within your Kingdom falls under you and you alone,” she said before she took a deep sigh. “You have built your legacy on lies, and I want nothing to do with it!”
“Sasha . . .”
“No!” She balled her hands into fists. “I will defeat this . . . Darren or Dullahan as he became, but this will be the last time you see me father,” she paused to catch her breath. “I want nothing to do with you.”
Felix was unfazed by her words. He simply smiled a little. “I guess it cannot be helped. You have grown to be a better person than me Sasha, just know that I am proud of you.”
“Don’t you get it? I am ashamed of being your daughter!”
Those words felt like a dagger that was driven at his heart, but he remained still yet, he simply looked at the door that was left a bit open. “Come in,” he said.
In walked Roger with two cups that were filled with red wine. He came towards them but averted his eyes as to not meet Sasha’s. He handed them the cups, turned around and walked away leaving the two alone to their thoughts.
“What is this?” Sasha asked.
“I will not stop you from fighting today. And if you decide to leave, I will only pray for the day you return. I love you my daughter, for this, let us raise a toast.” He lifted the cup and aimed it at her. “To your victory,” he said and then he began to drink.
Sasha lowered her gaze to her cup of wine. She was still agitated at her father, but she couldn’t let his request down, especially since it would be his last. She raised the cup in the air, and nodded, as she drank it in one gulp.
Felix stood there, and gazed upon his daughter, he made sure that she drank the whole thing before his eye began to twitch, as tears began to run down his cheeks.
Sasha lifted her gaze, she looked at her father who was in tears and looked down at the cup. “What have you ...” she mumbled before her vision blurred. She felt more heavy and feverish by the second, and eventually she gave up and fell toward her father unconscious.
“Roger!” Felix shouted as he caught his daughter before she hit the ground.
Roger ran into the room, picked up Sasha resting her on his right shoulder. and walked away without uttering a single word. It was apparent that he did not like this turn of events.
Felix looked at him, and let out a deep sigh. “Take good care of my daughter.”
Roger nodded before exiting the chamber.
Felix grasped Sasha’s sword and gazed upon the details that were encrusted into the hilt. “What a lovely blade . . . Well, it’s time to end this once and for all,” he said as he took the sword with him, and went outside the armory.
He made steady steps toward the courtyard. The closer he got, the more he could hear the crowd shouting in anticipation. As he opened the gates, and made way toward the center of the courtyard, there he dug his heels in the ground. Staring at the Headless Rider.
A subtle glimpse of silence prevailed over all who had gathered to see their princess clash against the calamity, but instead their King stood in her place. They all began to chant loudly. “Felix! Felix! Felix!”
The Rider slowly rotated its head toward Felix. Only growling noises came out of his mouth.
“I am the one you’re looking for,” the king challenged his foe and then unsheathed his sword. The crowd gathered, didn’t know what to make of this, they were waiting to see a fight between the Princess and Dullahan, but now none other than the King stand before them.
Felix raised his sword against the Knight. “Darren, I know it is you inside.” He dropped his sword on the ground. “I will not fight it, come take your vengeance.” He opened his arms wide and prepared to die.
The crowd watched the scene in horror, as the Headless Knight took out its sword and plunged it deep within the King’s belly in a fell swoop. A collective gasp rang out as they saw their King, whom they depended on for protection, spit out his intestines.
Blood splattered all over the Rider’s dark helmet, so much that it turned to bright red. The mysterious Knight took out the sword and swung it mercilessly against the King’s head, separating it from the body.
End
Thank you!
I just wanted to use this opportunity to thank you for choosing to read ‘Dullahan: The Headless Knight’ and I wish it gave you a good read!
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About the Author
M.G. Darwish is an award nominated author who writes dark, twisted and action-packed fiction. He tries his best not to base his characters on anyone he knows in real life to avoid that extra weird conversation about how they were brutalized and killed in the book. Oh and he's terrified of a penguin uprising more than ghosts and demons.
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