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Fire and Ice – Reforged

Chapter Two

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

7th August, 2019

All Rights Reserved.

Sir Kathis stood before the fireplace a moment, torn with indecision and confusion. At last, he turned about and walked outside, concerned that his usually well behaved Stallion was creating an unusual ruckus.

“What has gotten into you? Be silent and behave yourself!" He snapped at the Stallion, who snorted and pranced in place, his ears flat against his neck. “Hey, stop that! Honestly, what's gotten into you?"

Tugging at the reins, the Stallion squealed and snorted, tossing his head and trembling. Sir Kathis had never seen his steed behave so! He'd fought with and alongside his for over a decade, facing down hordes of enemies with nary a backwards flick of his ear – yet now? He was behaving like a colt who had gotten into bad grain.

“Easy!" Sir Kathis murmured, as he took a gauntlet off and stroked the sweaty stallions neck. “Come on, behave yourself! This is most unbecoming – we've even faced Dragons before and you've never missed a beat! Now, settle yourself and stop misbehaving!"

With a final snort, the Stallion glared at the cottage door and relent, hanging his head and trembling. Sir Kathis began taking off the surcoat, then the saddle and at last, the heavy chain mail barding. As he put it all under the eve of the cottage, he turned back to the horse, who snorted and huffed at him.

“I don't have the brushes and such you deserve – my proud and loyal steed, and I'll leave that padded under armour on, it might get quite cold tonight! Look, I'll turn you out, but first..."

Retrieving a set of hobbles from a saddle bag, Sir Kathis affixed them around the Stallion's front ankles.

“Now, no more misbehaviour!"

With a snort, the Stallion flicked his ears, then moved away and started cropping the grass.

*

Returning inside, Sir Kathis began unbuckling his armour, sitting it carefully in a corner out of harms way. One night wouldn't hurt it – but it was a much more difficult job being alone, than being assisted by his young squire. What would usually take him and his squire twenty minutes, turned into an hour and a half, before he had removed all the heavy armour plating.

Beneath it, he wore sweat stained linen leggings and a shirt, that smelt like it hadn't been washed in a month. Truly, it wasn't far from the truth. Using a rag and a bucket of ice cold water, he cleaned himself up as best he could. He'd have preferred a nice hot bath at some roadside inn somewhere – but he had to make do. Finally, freshened up as best he could, his chivalry kicked him into motivation and he quietly knocked at Jessica's bedroom door.

“My lady, forgive me – are you alright?"

“Go away!" Come the tearful sob from the bedroom.

“Milady, forgive my impudence, but it dishonours me not to face the accusations you level at me, and I beg your forgiveness for my harsh words. I never meant to disrespect of offend. I have dishonoured the code we Knights are sworn to uphold -"

“What code?" Come the mournful voice. “You've been away, doing whatever you do...you don't know what has befallen the Kingdom, do you? You still probably believe that the King and Queen rule with kind, benevolent hands! That Prince is the Darkest of the Dark! He can not be their rightful son – your precious Knights? Who do you think murdered and exiled us, at the Princes orders? They're nothing more now, than ruffians and thugs – eat and drink and steal from those who have nothing! Where is your self-righteous code of honour now?"

Her words struck him like a crossbow bolt to the heart.

“My Lady, such can not be so - “ He blinked.

Jessica threw open the door and stared at him, then poked him in the centre of his chest with her index finger.

“No, I hear it in your voice, you don't believe me...well, start believing! It's the truth! I have a few friends left to me, humans, who tell me from time to time of that which transpires in this once beautiful kingdom! They risk their very lives, to send me once a moon, a pigeon with news."

“How d_are_ you cast such slander and baseless accusations against the King!" Sir Kathis roared at her, advancing until he was in her face, his own suffused with rage and disbelief.

Jessica never battled an eyelid at his tirade.

With a snort, she turned her back on him and shook her head sadly, ears flattening. “ Your proud and chivalrous Knights? Pah! I'd spit on them,but they are beneath even that contempt!"

Sir Kathis's fist clenched in anger, but something, deep inside him, begged him to hold his temper and hear her out.

“Once, they were figures of righteousness and glory, but now – those who refused to kneel before the Prince and swear their fealty were murdered in the street in public executions!"

“I - “ He began, realisation the truth of her words hitting him hard. “I'd heard – rumours..."

“Those who have turned – are dark and twisted – fuelled by cruelty, depravity and their own lusts and longings! No, Sir Kathis, the Kingdom you cling too in your heart no longer exists, I am sorry to say...it has been usurped by that Hell spawn Prince, twisted and warped into a place of nightmares and suffering..."

He reeled, the realisation of mistruth and whispered rumours striking him like a war hammer to the psyche.

“I...how..." He stammered, slumping against the doorway.

“How?" Jessica spoke quietly, glancing over her shoulder. “How was easy – I believe the King and Queen were murdered by the Prince, who in turn, is not their only son. I believe something killed the prince years ago and through vile magicks, has either possessed him – or has taken his form... Now, he rules with an iron talon over the whole Kingdom. Who dares challenge a Prince, now King?"

“I – can't believe this, its unimaginable and – to speak such crimes, that's high treason!" Sir Kathis moaned.

“Why is it high treason – to speak only truth?" Jessica shot back as she walked to her bed, then sat down, placing her head in her trembling paws as she took some deep breaths, then wiped her eyes with her palms. “Come, dinner should be ready by now..."

*

Jessica brought over the bowls she had used earlier, the vegetable stew scent filling the cottage.

“Forgive me my Lord, I have not expected visitors, being a Herbivore, I did not prepare anything else -"

“This will be fine, thank you Lady Jessica." He replied, as he picked up a rough wooden spoon.

“Lady Jessica?" She murmured, then stirred her stew idly. “It has been many moons since I was addressed so formally! Once, it was appropriate. Once, I believed in the Kingdom, in law and order! In the justice for the lowest of the peasantry, to the highest of the Nobility - “

Lord Kathis felt the hurt in her words deeply. He realised she truly spoke the truth, as bitter as it was to his ears.

“My own husband and infant daughter died the night of the Great Purge – he sought to defend myself and our child – a mere babe in arms from those you called brother. They beat him until he was weak, bleeding and begging for clemency – before they slashed his throat like he was some beast! Our daughter – was run through on a pike then hung outside our Estate for the carrion birds to feast upon! Do you have any imagination Sir Knight? Any concept of how brutal and heartless your so called Knights had become?"

He was speechless, so lost in the horrific words, he had none of his own to offer in apology or solace.

“Oh, you look at me and imagine the High Born, wealthy, opulent, surrounded by riches beyond measure and servants and slaves to do our bidding! We were not like that – we used our wealthy and our power to help those less fortunate than ourselves! We were pariah's amongst the nobility, for daring to care about the little people as they were referred too. What did our kindness and gentleness get us? Exiled, my husband and baby murdered before my eyes – you do not wish to know what they done to me!"

'My lady, please - I truly had no idea -" Sir Kathis began, sickened by what she was telling him.

Outside, the Stallion screamed and whinnied.

“No, you can not imagine, been born to the human nobility – your kind were spared such cruelty and injustice I imagine. I know those who sided with my kind, were likewise stripped of lands, titles, wealth and holdings – probably jailed in the dungeons and left to rot – depending on whether they recanted and turned against us!"

“No, I can not believe a word – you would seek to turn my faith in the King and my loyalty against him!" Sir Kathis roared, as he slammed the table with a fist, shaking the bowls until they spilled and stood up. “I recant my words, you are some vile, Witch, trying to turn me..."

“Sit down!" Come the sharp voice of Jessica.

Before he knew it, he found himself turning boneless as he slumped into the chair, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

“You just had a glimpse of the iron fist, within the velvet glove Sir Knight – now, please, pray you do not witness the full powers. I am no witch, no worker of black magicks and harmful hexes, on my word of my husband and daughter, I so pledge this to be true!"

“How can I - “ He began, but a flick of her hand silenced him.

“Be silent and listen to me. I realise none of this will be easy for you to understand, but it is the truth. It was by your King's hand, he signed away the lives of my people! Why? Only the God's know why, but I suspect as I've said, he is not what or who he appeared to be."

Sir Kathis stared incredulously.

“Many of us refused to bow before him at his Coronation, to fawn before him and lick his boots like the human nobility. We turned out backs on him, sensing with power that humans do not have, the cruelty and black hearted spirit that lived with this man-child. All the riches of the whole Kingdom, mean nothing if we are forced to be beholden to such cruelty and oppression! Tell me Sir Knight – have you ever held your lover close? Felt their warmth and love for you, as yours for them?"

“I...never - “ He began, then looked down at the table.

“Oh...you've never - “ Jessica blinked, her anger vanishing in a heartbeat. “Never?"

“When I was chosen to become a squire, I was but eight winters old. Too young too – well – you can guess. No, my oath as a Knight prohibited me from taking a woman as my wife, or even for a one night dalliance. I have upheld my vow of chastity ever since!"

“Then you know not of that which I speak of – to have someone you love and cherish – held in your arms, as they in turn hold you. To feel as if you are half of one soul, the person you love more than life itself – is the other. No, for this, Sir Kathis, I grieve for you, for you can not imagine my depth of sorrow and suffering."

“No, my Lady, nothing I say can assuage the grief of your loss, I can only offer my heartfelt grief that can not do it justice, for what you and yours have suffered so unjustly. I beg your forgiveness, please, I fear I have grown quite weary from my travels and will trouble you no further."

He bowed and retired to the fireplace, rolling out his bedding close enough to be warm, but not too close to burn the blankets. As he composed himself for sleep, he was unmindful as Jessica walked over to a old wooden chest against the wall of her bedroom, then opened it. Muttering something, she let white sand trickle from her hands as she intoned the simple magickal spell and Lord Kathis was driven into a deep, unknowing sleep.

Walking over to him, Jessica knelt down and placed a paw lightly on his scarred shoulder.

“Forgive me Sir Knight, but this is something I must do – your Stallion knows who and what I am, and I can not risk you growing suspicious..."

*

Walking outside, as naked as the day she'd been fawned, Jessica sighed and looked at the stallion, who pinned his ears and stepped backwards, snorting in fear and anger at her.

“You can see that which can not be seen young one, for this, I beg your forgiveness. I can not allow your master to know the truth about me..."

Gazing heavenwards, Jessica sighed, as her eyes went from a deep woodland brown, to a brilliant mercury-like colour. As she chanted in a low, melodious voice the trees began to whisper and sigh. Here and there a cold eldritch fog come into existence and surrounded the terrified stallion. It danced like capricious spirits as Jessica lowered her head and a single tear slid down her cheek.

“I am sorry..." Jessica sniffled, as she brought her paws down, and the swirling fogs closed in around the horse and herself. “It will be quick, I promise..."

Sir Kathis' stallion reared and snorted his ears flat nostrils flared and eyes rolling as it watched the fog swirled and eddied amongst the trees. Barely seen ghostly forms dancing and weaving through the fog, Jessica appeared before him, wreathed in nothing but the fog itself, that clung to her form like a second fur. As she walked, the freezing fog when it touched the Stallion, chilled him and compelled him to move where it desired, herding him away further and further from the cottage and his master.

At last, the Stallion found himself backed into a dead end, a fatal precipice at his back, nothing but small, scraggly trees and the impenetrable fog before him.

“Forgive me, proud destrier, your fate should not have come to this!" Jessica whispered, as she sighed sadly and stepped closer.

Cackling and whispering, the eldritch forms formed a semi-circle before the stallion and he whinnied in panic tossing his proud head and pawing in terror at the ground. His entire body shaking with his dread and trepidation. He'd bravely fought Dragon's, he'd seen more wars and skirmishes than was his want, but never in his life, had the stallion ever felt such terror. This was beyond his capabilities to comprehend - and it was this fear that even now, paralysed him with indecision.

As the fog swirled and grew thicker, there come a terrified equines scream – then silence...as the fog was torn apart by the wind that seemed to emanate from nowhere, when it cleared there was no trace of the proud, noble destrier – nor of the doe – as suddenly, hobbles fell from the sky, bloodied, broken and torn...

To Be Continued....