Language: There is some occasional strong language.
Violence: This one has some physical violence and several scenes that may offend a few. Please remember this tale is depicting the time of King Arthur and sword fights and battles were commonplace. I did not undertake to make these gory, only to assist in the authenticity of the story.
Hurt/Comfort: Have some of this also, both hurt and emotional.
Acknowledgements: This story was written for Alice.
Thank you to Betty and 'The Dream team' for their continuos support and help, I am as always very grateful.
Part 4
Chapter Six:
The old Count had not expected the Black Knight to flee the castle like a thief in the night. At all times, the Knight had always served himself and others with a honourable stance. Albeit it the Knight was in love. What he had expected to go well did not! For that, the Count chastised his folly. But to have to find the errant Knight before he, or in this case she depart the castle, possibly never to set foot within it's walls again and break the heart of his beloved daughter. No, no that wasn't the way it would be!
Stepping into the darkened stable lit by only two torches, which flickered and glowed with the small breeze going through the open doors.
"Black Knight please show yourself." The count demanded and waited in the glow of one of the torches so that the Knight would not consider him a threat.
The demand was not answered. All the Count heard was the clank of armour and shuffling in the recesses of the stable area that he knew the Knight had taken residence in, for the short time he had perceived he would be in the Castle.
"Sir Knight, is this the way a gallant Knight who served King Arthur well and who has sworn to protect my daughter up to death itself, acts when a simple question is asked?" The Count heard the indrawn breath and knew that the words had wounded the honour of one such as the child of the very worthy Knight Sir David D'Argent Lion.
"I would stay Sir, but I fear that we may have trouble approaching. I plan to see it vanquished before it reaches the Castle walls and the very lives of the women we love." The words softly spoken and as soon as they were uttered the Black Knight appeared into the light donning the full black armour that she was associated with.
The Count looked perplexed at the words. Then he gazed directly into the sapphire blues eyes that were as yet uncovered by the visor of the helmet she wore.
"Who would do such a thing? We are not at war. Nor have I knowledge of an enemy that wants to take over Lascelles?"
The Black Knight considered the question carefully, then looked down at her gauntlets and then back into the green eyes that Alicia shared with her father. "I have reason to think it maybe the son of your friend the Count Devries!" the answer solemn.
As the Count shook his head at the possibility, the Knight went over to Raven and began the process of saddling the steed in battle readiness.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Count Lascelles quizzed softly, not particularly expecting an answer. As he spoke, he walked over to the Knight and helped her saddle up the large black steed.
"Sophia said that the man wanted to marry Alicia and perhaps our announcement tonight made another decision more practical in his eyes. Did the man ask for Alicia's hand tonight?" Edwina waited for the response. Her face did not mirror the turmoil that she was feeling inside. She looked disinterested, almost.
"John did ask the question and I was attempting to find out how much he cared for her, when you made your announcement." The Count watched the stoic expression on the face now turned towards him and a wry smile passed the lips of the Knight.
"I would warrant, he does not love her?" Edwina spoke softly, her eyes cold imagining the audacity of the nobleman who would want to marry for less than love.
"You, of course do?"
"I said so earlier in front of all your guests and made it known my intentions." Edwina looked affronted at the suggestion that her words held less than the truth.
Count Lascelles held up a hand to halt any further angry words that might spill from the Knight. "Tonight you must do what you feel is just, for tomorrow Black Knight otherwise known as Edwin…a D'Argent Lion you will be allowed to proclaim your betrothal to Alicia Lascelles with my blessing." With that the Count turned and headed out of the stable doors.
Edwin starred at the departing back of her love's father and swallowed several times. "Sir, you know?" the voice whispered in awe.
Lascelles turned and smiled warmly at the Knight. "I suspected earlier this evening, but my daughter in her panic not to loose you mentioned it in passing. Alicia loves you Edwina. I cannot intervene. I do hope that you will honour all that she is, and what she may yet become in the future. I will tell her that you will be back?"
Edwina smiled warmly at the old Count and he returned the smile. "Only death will prevent that Sir. And death is not on my agenda tonight."
"Excellent. When you are through with the rascals, please feel free to come tell me the outcome." The Count turned away and again walked towards the main Castle, followed by the Black Knight and the powerful steed Raven.
"I suggest you fortify the walls tonight Sir, as a precaution only." The Black Knight retorted sternly, as he mounted the steed that had knelt to allow his armoured mistress to do so easily.
"Oh Sir, I intend to and please make this a quick battle should there be one. I have a rather upset daughter, who is very strong willed and will no doubt want to be with you on the battle field should I allow it." Chuckling the old Count made his way towards the Castle entrance calling the master of the guard in his wake.
The Black Knight turned her eyes towards the Castle, as she was certain that her soul could see Alicia. Without thought to anyone observing the action she placed her black gauntlet hand to her heart and then placed it towards the Castle window that she was sure Alicia was behind. The darkness of the night making it impossible to see anything distinctly. 'Worry not my love. I will be back for you. There is not a knight in this realm or any other that could possibly prevent it.' Edwina thought as she nudged Raven forward and they galloped out of the sturdy gates towards the foes of the dark.
Alicia had watched with a frantically beating heart as her father followed the Black Knight. She waited at her vantage point at the south window hoping to see them stride forward together back towards the castle. Alas, that was not to be. Her father had exited the stables first walking alone towards the Castle. Edwina walked out of the stables with her steed Raven. She had changed into her Black armour and Raven was kneeling for her to mount and ride to god knows where! Alicia watched further as her father and Edwina exchanged further words and her father started back towards the main castle shouting for the master of the guards. 'Oh god! Was her father going to send soldiers after the Knight?' Her mind was in total disarray.
The Black Knight mounted Raven and Alicia was certain Edwina could see her as a black gauntlet was held to her chest and then outwards towards the window where she was standing behind in the shadows. A similar action to the one that Edwina had used in the rose garden earlier that day, "Edwina I love you too!" the words escaped the quivering mouth as she watched her ride out through the gates.
Turning towards the door as it opened and her father walked inside his face a withdrawn mask. "Father?" Alicia asked with a worried frown.
Lascelles looked at his elder daughter, his eyes looked worried, but they cleared at the pain he could see in hers. "Daughter, your love will return. She has vowed so. I would wager that it would be so."
Alicia ran over to her father and placed her arms around him a bear hug that had him chuckling at the gesture. "Thank you father, thank you. But where is the Black Knight going?"
Lascelles looked at the worried frown that appeared on the forehead of the young woman in his arms.
"Our gallant Knight believes that the young Count John Devries will cause trouble this night. She goes to extinguish the threat as anyone would do in light that there maybe any possibility that the woman they love is in mortal danger."
"Father, have you sent anyone to help her?" Alicia was aghast at the news. What if there were many? The Knight could not vanquish them alone?
"I can not do so Alicia. The Knight would not allow such a thing. But, I have more men on the walls as a precaution as instructed by our gallant Knight. It is what the Black Knight requested my daughter. However, I had men ready and able to go to aid her should she not return within the next three hours." Lascelles spoke softly and smiled his confidence at the abilities of the Knight.
"Did she say anything before she left Father?" Alicia wanted desperately to know what Edwina was thinking prior to the battle.
Lascelles chuckled at the words. It was so like a young person in love to want to know what the other lover was thinking. It reminded him of his love for her mother, what a love that had been. Oh to feel that love reach out for him again. More and more these days, he felt her presence around him, but shrugged it of as fanciful thinking.
"She stated only death would prevent her coming back to you and death was not on her agenda this night."
Alicia savoured the words and a smile deep within her heart shone out of her face. Her eyes brightened to shimmering green pools. "She will be back then father, for she has promised it so."
"Yes, my daughter, I do believe you are right. Now we must put on a brave face and go back to the celebrations. It is after all your party and tomorrow you and the Black Knight can fulfil your betrothal in whatever manner you see fit." Lascelles saw her look at him with a wide-eyed look.
"I would want to marry the Black Knight Father." Alicia declare, her voice unwavering.
Lascelles laughed loudly at the comment. "Pray tell when could I stop you doing anything Alicia. However, I would talk with your gallant Knight before making that statement outside these four walls. Come Alicia it is time to drink a toast to the Black Knight and her safety this night. What say you?"
Alicia put her hand on the arm of her father. She nodded her head. Her mind was full of happy thoughts. Yet, the young woman was troubled by the thought that the Knight was alone. She could have been by her side, as she felt that was where she should be.
Chapter Seven:
Edwina was floating on the back of Raven. Her heart was so light. For the first time in many years, she felt as if everything that she had struggled with over the years now had a purpose. It was revealed to her at last, what a joyous apparition that was, the Lady Alicia Lascelles.
The horse was galloping at speed towards the forest encampment where Edwina had earlier seen the many horses tethered. She was sure that would be the meeting point, especially if more men would be required to take the Castle.
Within a short space of time, Edwina slowed the horse to a gentle canter as she spied what she had thought all along. There was definitely going to be trouble! With watchful eyes scanning the area, she noticed there were at least twenty horsemen and at least the same again on foot. All in full battle armour, ready for a cowardly attack on an ill defended Castle, which had no idea of the oncoming battle.
Edwina stopped her steed. Pushing the visor of her helmet to her forehead so that she could better view the scene, her eyes alighted on several riders who did not have the battle armour and without a doubt one was the young Count Devries. He appeared to be giving the orders. 'Now what should I do? It was easy to die for a cause and my heart knows that the cause of love for Alicia would be enough to do so. However, it would be harder to live for that cause with the numbers I see in my midst.' Her eyes continued their unceasing evaluation of the scene. She was abruptly on her guard as the armoured horsemen moved forward with the foot soldiers forming rank close behind. The progress would be slow, but even so, they would reach the Castle before daylight and would most certainly cause destruction and death in their wake.
Moving out of the saddle she spied that the young Count, did not follow the armed force. He was in deep discussion with three other men, presumably from the party earlier. 'Was this her chance? It maybe her only opportunity of challenging the instigator of the deed and perhaps bringing the perpetrator to justice prior to the larger force arriving at the Castle gates.' Her mind set, Edwina closed the visor and whispered something soft and gentle to Raven. The steed whined, brought his head up and flew like the wind toward the group, taking the Black Knight along for the ride.
Within moments, the magnificent, but deathly sight of the Black Knight astride an equally black horse came into the full view of the four men, who stood amiably laughing. That laugh was to die in their throats as they saw the very devil himself appear.
"JOHN WHAT IS THAT?" one man shouted in panic as the horse and rider surged ever forward to their quarry.
"I do not know yet…IT IS THE BLACK KNIGHT!" John Devries was astonished at the sight before him. It simply could not be.
"The Black Knight? But how did he know?" another man exclaimed in annoyance. His hand shook as he thought of fighting the formidable Knight, whose reputation had preceded him.
"I don't know, but come there are four of us to his one. What better odds could be in our favour? We rid ourselves of the biggest threat to our plans immediately. The rest of the Castle will fall easily once he is no longer there." John Devries grinned evilly at the ease in which is prey had come to him. He would see to it that Alicia had a lock of the ebony hair to hang round her neck in remembrance of the dead!
"Yes! Come Pierre, we will make it our goal to take him from the horse." Jacques jeered with his friend. They proceeded to watch and wait for the Black Knight to ride by.
Edwina was focused. She had nothing on her mind except the defence of the Castle Lascelles and the residents within - all the residents. As Raven galloped around the rise, the sudden movement from either side of her startled her as a large jousting pole was aimed in her direction. She avoided the first attack, but the second came from a third position. She was unable to defend herself. She felt, rather than saw the pole smash into her left shoulder, making a direct hit between the hinges of breastplate and arm coverings. Having the momentum jolted and the pain she felt as the pole struck her in a tender spot, Edwina felt herself fly out of the saddle and fall with a heavy thud on the hard ground.
Winded and unable to focus on her defence for a few seconds, she was surprised as a broadsword cleaved through the air and only by the grace of god did she move her heavy armoured body out of the way of a man inexperienced with the weapon. Kneeling, she whistled for Raven who obediently came to her aid and knelt by her side so she was able to take her own sword out of the scabbard. Her only hope was that the men had been equally surprised at her rapid fall from grace. They had but now all four came towards her. She was forced to admit, this time she might have miscalculated a little.
"Leave our gallant Black Knight to me my friends. It is fitting I behead him and take the woman he's asked to marry him for my own." John Devries had the look of an evil man about him, no compassion in his soul at all.
"John, why don't we all help? He might be too much for you?" Pierre his friend suggested then was suddenly moving quickly to one side as the young Count gave him a silencing look and wished he'd never said a word. There was no doubt the Count's reputation as cruel was well served, even towards his friends.
"Black Knight, I'm surprised that you have fallen so quickly. I had hoped for a much more satisfying fight. But, alas it was not to be." John Devries gave him a mirthless smile and brought his solid bulk towards the fallen knight. He had not noticed that the knight was now armed and waiting for the man to get closer.
"I too, would relish such a challenge from an honourable man. But, I fear you are not one Count Devries. I hope when you meet your maker you rot in hell, for that is surely only what you are fit for." Edwina spat out.
A surprised cruel gaze festered from the astonished Count at her comment. He continued to stare at her in obvious contempt.
"Then I will surely meet you there Black Knight. For you are one who moves within the circles of our decent noblemen and takes advantage of their hospitality by intentions beyond his station with the eldest daughter of the Castle. That doubtful sir would be fit for only Satan himself." John Devries answered and wielded his sword towards the head of the Knight.
The Black Knight with agility unknown in the region of one so laden with armour moved swiftly away to avoid the threatened blow. She was able to parry one of her own and the Count fell to his knees as the blow struck him a glancing blow only on his legs. With that, a full-blown fight was ensued. However, every time the Black Knight managed to raise her sword to give the final blow and defeat the ever-tiring nobleman, one of his friends interfered, used a poleaxe to thwart the blow. Both Knight and nobleman were tiring after a lengthy fight. Each had struck the other several blows, but not the crushing on that would cause death.
Just as the Black Knight was about to make another such blow, she had to defend herself from a very powerful blow from a quarterstaff? Her head reeled at the strength of the parry. John Devries saw his chance and with a final sweep of his arm leaving himself defenceless with the action, his sword struck the Knight, not were he intended on the head to cleave it clean off the shoulders. But, by some miracle the knight moved a fraction as she heard the swish of the blade towards her head and it struck not only against her neck, but towards the collarbone as well. The blood spurted openly over the Knight and her aggressor. Edwina was aware as her lifeblood flowed that she had but one remaining chance to kill the man. She with aching arms and the pain in her shoulder making her feel sick she used one last thrust towards the open body of the nobleman and sank her blade into his chest.
No friend was able to stop the blow. It had been far too swift. They immediately went towards their fading companion, who had no life left in his body, other than the final sigh that escaped his lips indicating he had finally gone onto another realm. All three had only been along for the ride with their friend. Now, he was dead. They silently looked from the Knight, who was covered in her very own blood and the still form of their friend, lying in a pool of his precious life force seeping deeper at their feet.
Edwina whistled for Raven, who immediately knelt at her side. She slowly and painfully crawled onto her faithful steeds back, which then stood tall and without a word galloped out of the forest clearing with his injured mistress.
Alicia and her father had gone back to the party with as little disturbance as possible and made merry with their friends.
The Master of the Guard had been given explicit instructions that the walls be defended at all costs. If there should be a disturbance of any kind out of the ordinary, then he was to signal the alarm with haste. The Master of the Guard had been astounded at the instruction, but he had been impressed with the quiet and reserve of the Black Knight. Who had taken time on his previous visit, to teach the younger soldiers some very useful battle tactics? He himself had welcomed the sparring from such a true knight as the Black Knight had proven to be.
Her sister stopped Alicia as she returned from a dance with one of her father's friends. "Sister, what can I do for you?"
Sophia looked with compassion at her sister and gave her arm a squeeze of comfort.
"Alicia it is no secret that everyone here in the room believes that the Black Knight has left the Castle. That he has now rescinded his plans to marry you, as our father disavowed it."
Alicia gave her a slow careful glance. "Then they would be wrong Sophia, the Knight is welcome here and will by the morning be my betrothed, and father approves."
"Alicia I'm happy for you. I truly am, for I do believe that the Knight does love you." Sophia expressed sincerely and watched as her sister gave her a tear-filled look.
"Yet, you have a reservation Sophia. I hear it in your voice?" Alicia asked her quietly and waited with a bated breath for the answer.
Sophia smiled weakly at the elder sibling. Her sister for all her travels and the worldly ways she appeared to have mastered was in some things innocent, to the ways of the noblemen of the area. That was no surprise. She had lived in the realms of King Arthur far too long it appeared.
"People here Alicia expect better of you than to marry a Knight that up until tonight was unknown to us in name and that may as yet be unworthy of you."
"I care not what the people here think Sophia. I care only that I love this Knight and that is enough for me and for he…the knight too!" Alicia was surprised that it mattered to anyone but herself, her close family and the Knight as well.
"Then you should care Alicia. It could bring trouble to our door. We are not capable of a large defence of the Castle and with papa's health!" Sophia alleged quietly, but her eyes flashed her anger that her sister appeared not to care.
"It is too late for that Sophia. For we are already in trouble and the Black Knight has gone to extinguish the threat or die in the attempt to do so. I think the question of how right the Black Knight is for the people in the area and the defence of the Castle has already been proven. But alas, if it his life they want also, then perhaps tonight they might have their wish." Alicia spoke angrily, the tears she had held now flowed down her cheeks at the very thought.
"Sister, I did not know. I do not doubt the Knight as some. I believe that you and he are well matched and that you both love enough to make everything right. Please Alicia, do not cry. He will come back. He knows you are waiting for him; that is enough for any man to move every obstacle in his path." Sophia sought to bring the smile back to her sister's face. She was given a weak smile in return for her efforts.
"Let us sit by father as a united family as we have always been Sophia. In my heart I want nothing more than to see the Black Knight walk through the door and all the ills of the day be behind us." Alicia pulled her younger sister along and they smiled at their father. As they seated themselves at his side, he gently patted both daughters arm in warmth and understanding.
The Black Knight knew only that the world around her was swimming. Her armour was now covered with the crimson blood that flowed freely from her heavy cut on her shoulder and neck. If the blood was not stemmed soon she knew she would die. Her eyes swam with the tears of pain and frustration as she continued to hold precariously on the horse, that to her was flying through the air at great speed.
'What if she didn't make it and stop the small force that was attempting to take the Castle? What if Alicia should be hurt or worse die at the hands of these men? What if she died herself without protecting the most important person in her life one last time? What if….' Her mind refused to contemplate any more of that. It was too melancholy and she had a task to complete and complete it she would regardless of the consequences. There could only be one result - that Alicia live.
Edwina cursed the very night that stopped her from seeing her goal. She felt rather than saw the Castle appear, as Raven slowed slightly and he cantered towards the gates.
"Who goes there?" a gruff voice solider asked from his position on the top wall with a bow aimed at the Knight.
"The Black Knight," her voice was hardly a whisper as her mouth had become dry and words proved difficult to voice.
"Speak up rider, it is dark we cannot see you, so state your purpose here at Castle Lascelles?" the soldier said again and was joined by another.
"The Black Knight, defender of the honour of Castle Lascelles." Edwina shouted with what little strength she still possessed.
Several minutes lapsed without another word and then the gates opened to allow the injured rider to move inside. Raven responded without prompting to the gates and cantered his mistress inside the enclosure. As they shut the Master of the Guard came forward with a burning torch and saw the profusion of blood.
"Black Knight you are hurt? Please, we will tend you." The man spoke compassionately.
"No!" The Black Knight responded as her eyes focused on the burning torch and the light it brought back into her life. She would see Alicia one last time if that was what god willed.
"Paul, I need to be cleaned up quickly and tell you of the force that threatens the Castle." Edwina replied and slid from her steed, tried to walk, but needed the large thickly set man to help her towards the stables.
"You might die if you do not see a healer."
"We will all die if I do not say my piece Paul. When it is over, I will see the healer." The Knight responded quietly.
Everyone in the hall heard a trumpet sound and Alicia looked at her father that could only mean that the Black Knight had failed in her endeavours that night. Alicia did not want to break down in the sight of the guests. With her sister following her closely behind her, she exited the hall and ran to her room. Her sobs echoing in the corridor as she did so.
Lascelles looked at his guests and explained that it was possible that an attack on the Castle was imminent. Anyone willing to defend the Castle would be welcome, but he would understand if some left.
Several minutes later he was amazed at the response. All had rallied to the defence of the Castle, even his friend Count Devries. It had warmed his heart when he had clasped the shoulder of his friend. If that were to be fate, then they would fall together.
As they all prepared for the defence of the Castle, the large hall doors swung open and in walked the Black Knight with the Master of the Guards. Count Lascelles was struck dumb at the sight. He was sure, as his daughter had been, that the knight must be dead.
"Count Lascelles, I have extinguished the person who had the most to gain from the attack on the Castle. But the army he sent before him does not know this. We will have to defend the Castle and find a way to communicate those facts to them." The Black Knight said slowly and distinctly. She did not feel totally well. It was a struggle just to say the words. Paul had stayed behind her and discreetly held a hand on the small of her back to keep her from swaying.
"Sir Knight, I thank you for your efforts. How soon will we see the foes?" Lascelles asked politely, but in his heart he was happy that the Knight had survived and he knew his daughter would be also.
"I think in the next hour, the hour before daylight returns. Count, I wish to talk to the army before we cross swords." The Black Knight said and watched the frown appear on his forehead.
"Why?"
"Because we are out numbered and it is a chance that needs to be taken." Edwina spoke and felt her body weaken and also experienced the comforting and supportive hand that held her in position.
Lascelles considered this and smiled, "I cannot deny you anything. For not only have you saved my life, you have defended my Castle and proved worthy of the love my daughter has for you Black Knight. Go do what you must, but please talk to my daughter first," the last a pleading with the Knight, who looked so intimidating to everyone in the room but him.
The Black Knight hesitated only a moment and nodded her head. Turning towards Paul, she lifted her visor and he saw a pained smile. "Alicia will expect no less, thank you Paul."
The Master of the Guards looked at the warm blue eyes and smiled. "At your service Sir Knight. But please, allow me to escort you to the Chambers of the Lady and I will wait."
The firm tone of the man made Edwina smile and she inclined her head accordingly.
"Thank you." As people moved to let them thread through the room,
she swayed slightly and Paul made sure he supported her accordingly.
As the Knight moved forward towards the passage to the family quarters, Lascelles saw the slip from the Knight and his heart sunk at the situation. He hoped that Alicia might have at least one night of love with her Knight, but perhaps that was not to be.