Knight Fire Page 4

  “Hi,” Elissa said softly from behind him.

  Conner turned towards the young Queen Elissa and smiled. Her long blonde hair was pulled back and tied behind her head. The usually curly and bouncy locks had become stringy and matted in the salty and humid air. But her green eyes sparkled as bright as ever, and her full lips curled up into the smile that melted his heart. She stepped up to the railing and leaned over it, making sure that she was close enough for their bodies to touch. A warm tingling sensation swept through him. Any guilt of leaving his kingdom behind left. With her right beside him, Conner knew this is where he should be.

  “How much farther, do you think?” she asked.

  Conner slowly shook his head. “I don’t think even Glaerion knows for sure.” He looked back at the sails that were full of wind and then down at the water as it sped by. “I think we are going fast, but I know nothing about ships. We have food and water for many weeks, and the sailors have nets for catching fish. However long it takes, we have the provisions.”

  A sour look crossed her face. “I am not sure I could stand being on this boat for many weeks.”

  “Ship.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a ship,” Conner said with a chuckle. “Believe me. Captain Gorge has corrected me many times!”

  She turned back to look at the water and let out a long sigh. “Ship, boat, whatever. I am just ready to be off it. I’m bored.”

  Conner let out a laugh. “There’s the princess that has been missing!”

  “What?” she exclaimed, turning on him.

  “Sometimes I miss Princess Elissa and her princessly ways. All pompous and full of herself. It was actually cute at times. And we could make fun of her.”

  “Make fun of? Me? Who?”

  “All the squires. And yes, you.” His smile became wide enough to show all his teeth.

  “You made fun of me? Why would you do that!”

  “It was all in good fun! That was so long ago, and I did defend you, though. I told them how sweet and wonderful you were.”

  Elissa crossed her arms and turned her back to him. Conner took her by the shoulders and turned her around and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice still with a hint of laughter. “I did not mean to offend you.”

  He bent down to kiss her and lightly touched his lips to her. Her brow remained furled, but she kissed him back. “It’s a good thing I still love you.”

  He pulled her close again and said, “I am never letting you out of my sight again. I have enjoyed these last nine days together.”

  “I’m still bored,” she said.

  “I heard that the deck needs to be scrubbed.”

  She let out a low growl.

  “Have you learned how to fish, yet?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “They are all slimy and gross.”

  He laughed again, and she crossed her arms at him.

  Captain Gorge walked up to them and said, “Excuse the intrusion. Milady, your meal is ready in my cabin.”

  “Is it not a little early? I am really not hungry.”

  “The sailors will be training their swordplay. I am not sure that it is a sight that a lady such as yourself would want to see. They practice in their skivvies.”

  A slight tinge of red touched her cheeks. “Well, then, maybe it is time for my meal.”

  Conner watched her walk away, unable to keep his eyes from her.

  “She is quite the beauty, is she not?” the captain asked, his eyes following her as well.

  “Yes, she is.”

  “I heard you profess your love for one another. It is quite romantic, especially in these times.”

  “Oh?”

  “War is not a good time for love. Death comes quickly and unexpectedly.”

  “You think we should not be in love?”

  “No, no!” the captain said. “Not at all. I envy you. Finding love even in times of peace is a rare and precious thing. Many go their entire lives without finding one to share it with. Or they find one and let them go. I trust you will not do such a thing.”

  Conner smiled. “Of course, not.”

  Mirth flashed through the captain’s eyes, and he said, “The queen has taken residence in my cabin, and yet, you have not. I commend your virtue.”

  Conner blushed and looked down at his feet.

  “That, too, is a rare thing, especially among sailors. I have heard them talk and whisper. Nothing escapes the ears of the captain.”

  “What do they say?”

  “Oh, they joke and tease, for the conquest of a woman is a badge of honor among them.” He dropped his voice and continued. “But in truth, they only do so because they are envious. Not only because you have the heart of such a beautiful young lady who just happens to be a queen, but because they see the love that is between you two. The only kind of love they know is fleeting, lasting only as long as the coin in their pockets and the stamina of their…well, you know. They may laugh and joke, but they respect you. As I do. It is a shame that such love comes in the midst of war. In another time or place, you two would live long, prosperous, happy lives.”

  Conner let out a soft laugh. “In any other time or place, my love for her would never go noticed. She would live her life as a queen, and I would live my life as a commoner. It is only because of this war that threatens the entire world that I can love her, and she can love me back.” He looked at the dark stairwell at the back of the boat that led down to the captain’s cabin. “If I were to exchange my love for peace, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

  Captain Gorge let out a hearty laugh and gripped Conner on the shoulder and squeezed. “I know. And that is why I have respect for you and would follow you to the ends of the earth.”

  Conner blushed even more and turned his head away, unsure what to say. He felt undeserving of the praise and embarrassed that it was being heaped upon him. He was no leader. He had seen King Thorndale, Brace Hawkden, even Marik lead men into battle. He could not follow in their footsteps. Certainly, he could stand behind them and fight, but leading was something that was meant for someone else.

  “You will join our exercise?” Captain Gorge asked. A number of sailors had stripped out of their clothes and were standing around in just their simple undergarments. Rusty old swords were passed out among the sailors. “It is only a time or two throughout the entire sailing season that we are attacked, but when it happens, I need to have my sailors battle ready.”

  Conner looked from sailor to sailor, noting their skinny arms and torsos. They were hardly the muscular specimen that knights, or even his former fellow squires, were. “They are so skinny,” Conner said.

  “Wirey,” Captain Gorge retorted. “You will see few fat sailors.”

  With a friendly laugh, Conner said, “I am not sure they could even hold up a sword.”

  Captain Gorge raised an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge.”

  “I wouldn’t want to hurt your men. You’ll need them to keep this boat afloat.” His lips curled into a wry smile, knowing that using the term boat would irritate the captain.

  “I heard that you trained as a squire. That training might do you well on the battlefield, but in the close quarters of this ship, my men have a clear advantage.”

  “Challenge accepted!”

  Conner strode up to the sailors that were getting ready for their training. They were swinging their swords and practicing moves while Conner walked through them, intentionally interrupting their exercises. A pile of swords had been tossed on the deck. They were all old and rusty with edges that were dulled. A blunt-force strike would certainly break a bone or two, but the edges would hardly cut through melted butter. A few were wide-bladed broadswords, the type a Karmon Knight might use. Although he was very adept at such a weapon, he preferred a smaller and lighter sword. His two Sak’Turanas were carefully stowed with the rest of his gear, wrapped in oiled cloths to keep the salt air from eating at the metal. He would have liked to use similar weapons, but he set
tled with using a longsword. After picking up and tossing a dozen swords aside, he finally found one that was nearly the same weight as his own swords. It was also the only sword that didn’t have any crosspieces that would protect his hands from a sword slicing down the blade. A less experienced swordsman might miss such protection, but for him, it would only get in his way.

  “That is the sword you choose?” one of the sailors asked. The others snickered. “That is hardly more than a toothpick!”

  Conner spun the sword in his hands. “It will do. Who’s first?”

  “I am!” the sailor said. He was taller than Conner and had long arms that could easily outreach him.

  As Conner watched him move, he realized that sailor’s length had a disadvantage. It made him a bit slower and less agile. Conner knew he would just have to be patient and not get caught by the long reach. To win, he would have to get in close, inside the sailor’s reach. That would expose him to the sailor's sword, but as long as he kept his wits, he would easily be able to dodge or parry.

  “Okay.”

  Just as the words left his lips, the sailor attacked with a furious barrage. Conner had not expected the speed or force at which the blows rained down on him. It took all his concentration to parry and dodge each blow. The first two blocks were a little slow, and he thought he was going to get smacked across the side of his face. But he was just fast enough. As the sailor continued to attack, Conner regained his composure and easily defended himself.

  As soon as he felt the sailor fall into a comfortable and predictable groove, Conner launched his counter-attack. With furious speed, he drove his sword at the sailor’s head and then the body. Several times his sword could have struck arm or body, but Conner pulled up short. He did not want to hurt the sailor.

  But the sailor had no qualms about hurting him. As Conner kept his sword from smashing into the sailor’s ribs, the sailor took the advantage and swung as hard as he could at Conner’s head. Ducking just at the last moment, the flat of the blade struck him across the shoulder, sending him tumbling across the deck. Conner did his best to gracefully recover, rolling across his back and then up to his feet, sword held in front of him.

  The sailor was laughing.

  “That wasn’t nice,” Conner said. “I pulled my sword from hitting you!”

  “Then maybe you shouldn’t have done that!” The sailor grinned, exposing only half a mouthful of teeth. “I win!”

  “Hardly!” Conner counter. “You got in a lucky hit.”

  “There was no luck. Only practiced skill.”

  “You were bested by these pathetic men?” Glaerion the Elf stepped from the shadows of the stairwell that led down to the lower deck. He straightened up to his full height as the lower decks of the boat were designed for men much shorter than he. With sharp eyes and a firm jaw, he carried himself with a stoic demeanor across the deck of the ship.

  Conner looked at the Elf, unsure if he was serious. His tone was stiff and cold, as it always was, but Conner knew the Elf had some humor in him. With a slight smile, Conner said, “They were lucky.”

  Glaerion replied sharply, “From what I saw, there was little luck involved. He simply beat you.”

  “The Elf is right,” Captain Gorge said. “Karson beat you fair and square. But you were holding back, weren’t you?”

  Karson, the sailor, glared at his captain and spat on the deck. He clearly did not like hearing that Conner had held back on him.

  Captain Gorge continued, “You insult my men by what you did. Fight again, but this time, do not hold back.”

  “I don’t want to hurt them.”

  “These are proud sailors. There is nothing you can do to hurt them.”

  The moment Conner lifted his sword, Karson attacked with a swift move, bringing his sword down at Conner’s head. It was the only swing the sailor threw. Any thoughts of protecting the sailor left his mind in that instant. He did not think about how he was going to fight, he just attacked with a vengeance. Deftly dodging the sailor’s attack, Conner swung his sword with a quick, but powerful two-handed blow that stunned the sailor into a loose grip and then a second swipe sent the sword crashing across the deck. With feet that were just as quick as his hands, Conner jumped forward, the dull sword swinging as he moved, striking the sailor across the man’s unprotected face. He dropped instantly and did not move.

  Captain Gorge took a tentative, protective step forward, his eyes first on his fallen sailor, and then on Conner. “Well, that was something.”

  Conner stood over Karson watching the side of his face swell up.

  “I’m next!” another sailor called out, stepping forward.

  Conner looked up at the captain. “I thought this was training and not some sort of a test of my skill.”

  Captain Gorge shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever works. They tire of beating on themselves. They would much rather beat on you.”

  “They are no match for me,” Conner said, ignoring the protests and insults coming from the sailors. “Not even the best three of your men could stand against me.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  Conner shook his head. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  Karson groaned and tried to sit up, but his body went limp and wouldn’t respond to his commands. He gave up and stayed lying on the ship’s deck.

  “He’ll survive,” Captain Gorge said, ignoring the fact that Karson could not get up on his own. “Next!”

  Conner didn’t have time to protest. Three sailors ran at him, their swords out and ready for attack. He hesitated for the briefest of moments, his eyes quickly surveying their charge. They might have been skilled with swinging a sword and fighting in close quarters, but they were not skilled in any sort of tactics. They came at him in a bunch, which allowed Conner to side-step away from two of them and engage just one sailor. With both instincts and skill, he deftly avoided getting struck by the sailor’s sword and kept him busy with his own quick attacks. In the close quarters of the ship, he had a clear advantage. He used his sword to parry the first sailor’s attack, dodged the second sailor’s wild strike, and positioned himself far away from the third. It took only seconds for him to disarm the first sailor and then it was two-on-one. Before the other two could react to his speed and quickness, he disarmed the second sailor. Before the sword finished rattling across the deck, the third sailor lost the will to fight and dropped his sword and stepped back.

  Hardly breathing heavy at all, Conner looked across the deck at Captain Gorge, who was smiling back at him. “Have I proved enough?” Conner asked.

  Captain Gorge laughed.

  “It was an unfair fight,” Glaerion said, walking up to the captain. “Conner, you see, is not human.”

  “What?” Captain Gorge exclaimed. “He doesn’t look at all like you.”

  “Of course not!” Glaerion snapped back. “He is not of the Elven-kind, he is of the Hurai. His is from a line of men bred to be warriors. I would have been thoroughly disappointed if he had not easily defeated your men.”

  “Hurai? I think not. I know of them, and I have even seen them. He does not look like a Hurai.” He turned to Conner and asked, “Does the Elf speak the truth?”

  Conner shrugged his shoulders. “He says so, but I don’t know.”

  Captain Gorge rubbed his chin. “You fight like the legends say. Fast and graceful. It would certainly explain why you were able to so easily defeat my men.”

  A half-smile crossed Conner’s face. “Maybe it's because they aren’t very good?”

  The captain gave Conner a hard look before he started laughing. “A Hurai who trained as a Karmon Knight. A most formidable opponent, I would say.” His eyes flashed across the deck, and he gave a slight bow as he said, “Your Majesty.”

  All eyes turned towards the queen who appeared from the shadows of the stairwell. She gave a slight nod back and glanced around the deck, ignoring the sailors who were clad in only their undergarments. A slight redness touched her cheeks at the s
ight she saw, but strode forwards as if the sight of half-naked men did not bother her.

  “Your dinner favored you?” The captain asked as she approached.

  “Yes, of course. At least as well as any fish gruel can. I heard the commotion.”

  Glaerion said, “Conner was just showing us some of his Hurai moves.”

  All eyes fell upon Karson, who was still sprawled out on the deck.

  “Oh, my!” She exclaimed. “Did Conner do that?”

  “Oh, he will be fine,” Captain Gorge said with a wave of his hand. “He has taken much worse to the head.”

  “Are you sure? He isn’t moving.”

  Captain Gorge stepped over to the fallen man and nudged him with a foot. Karson groaned and rolled over. “See? He’s fine.”

  A skeptical look stayed on her face for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a wide smile and a perky voice. “Since you are in the midst of training and exercise, I thought maybe I could join in.”

  Captain Gorge did not react, but Conner did. He let out a snort and a hearty laugh.

  “What?” Elissa said. “It is about time that I learned how to use a sword.”

  “But you are the queen,” Conner said. “That is why you have knights and soldiers to protect you. So you don’t have to worry about such things.”

  “You don’t think I can?” She snapped back with anger.

  “It’s not that,” Conner said quickly, suddenly realizing that he had insulted her.

  “Then what is it? Because I’m a lady, is that it? Because I have long, curly hair? Because I wear a dress? Well? Tell me why I can’t!”

  “Elissa,” Conner said, stepping forward. He knew that any more words that would come out of his mouth would not go over well, but he felt he needed to say them anyway. He owed it to her to speak her mind.

  But as her name came out of his mouth, she held up a hand. His lips snapped shut at the look she gave him.

  She said, “All my life I have been compared to a prince. Anything that a prince could do, I couldn’t, because I was a princess. Even when I became the Queen, it was always what I couldn’t do. I guarantee you that my father was never lectured about the things he could or couldn’t do!”