My latest book is done and out today!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1558919

This story follows Howard, a knight of Leo, on his many deployments with his fellow knights. He'll face bandits, brutal orcs and beastmen, crafty ratmen, defectors, and traitors of God and the Church in various scenarios. Even though there's not much that's special about him, he risks his life and does his best to fulfill his role as a blade and weapon of God.

The Virtue of a Simple Knight: Chapter 4 – Just Another Ordinary Blade

Chapter 4 – Just Another Ordinary Blade

“Assistant Commander Howard,” Finn says from behind me.

“Yes? What is it?” I ask.

“Are you well? You seem to have been zoning out.”

“No, I’m fine. Just enjoying the view, if anything.”

“What’s there to enjoy about the sight of ruins?”

“Those aren’t just any ruins. Those are the ruins of our futuristic past when we had ships that could sail the stars and we could live on other planets besides this one.”

“Yes, I’ve been taught about it in history class.”

“But it’s another thing to look at the ruins in person. What we’re looking at was once a great city, you know? Over there you can see parts of the large space fairing ships that are as big as a skyscraper and there you can see the remains of a machine with canons on it, a church on its back, and the armored plating in the style of a knight.”

“Yeah. They are an impressive sight to behold.”

Within the ruins of this once great city whose name is hardly remembered is a group of traitors and defectors who are using it as a base of operation to undermine the Church. The unit I am helping to command is being sent in to clear it out and bring the traitors their overdue execution. After the commanders remind the troops of the situation, what group is doing what, and saying the before-battle prayer, we head in. I’m allowed to move around in the battle freely and go where I want as an assistant commander. During the battle, I command troops to come with me, hold positions, and clear out certain ruins while sitting on my armored horse.

The battle goes well so far even as the traitors start to employ ambushes against us and catch us off guard at certain times, but we’ve anticipated this since we know that they know our tactics and act accordingly. Eventually, I command a small group of troops to raid one of their command centers, a tall clock tower that’s mostly a skeletal ruin of what it once was. I get off my horse and lead my knights through the clock tower, telling them to spread out and clear the place in pairs. By the time I reach the top where the head commander should be, I’m by myself as the knight who was with me died along the way. Busting through the door ahead of me, I am almost decapitated by an incoming blade that I thankfully am quick enough to dodge. After exchanging and blocking blows with my enemy, we get some distance from and look at one another.

The traitor’s outfit is that of a knight of Leo and is heavily worn from years of experience. Speaking of which, the man I’m facing shows his many years of experience on his face as well and is one that I wouldn’t easily forget.

“Alfie?” I say.

Who I once called a friend suddenly goes back on the attack until I fight back and cut at his decaying armor.

“You had to know it would come to this after I betrayed the army, so you have to be on your guard at all times,” Alfie says before continuing his attack. “I see that they gave you a shiny new set of armor and a new horse. It’s about time. What rank are you now?”

After beating him back and knocking his broken shield out of his hands, I say, “Assistant Commander. Look, we don’t have to fight, Alfie. You can turn yourself in.”

“I’ve been through the penitentiary system too many times to know that it doesn’t work. None of it does! Not the Church, the kingdom, or the army.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I know you’re a blind fellow but come on! You’ve seen why I say it firsthand. All we did as knights was endlessly kill and die and for what? So the world could stay the same as it was when we first joined up?”

Again, Alfie goes at me with his sword and I have to knock it out of his hand to get him to stop. With the blade of my sword to his neck and his back against the wall, I feel confident that he’ll finally stop and calm down.

“We fight to fulfill our God-given purpose, defend the innocent, and fight the Church’s enemies. Nothing more. Nothing less. Why did you join?” I ask.

“I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to change the world! That’s why I ran away from the army and joined these other runaway knights. We’re going to change the world and be remembered for it!”

“Haha! You’re joking, right? That’s such a vain reason to live and fight.”

“What are you talking about?! It’s not a joke!”

“Look around you! This city is an example of a lost legacy. Think of the millions of years of history that have been lost and the many people who have been forgotten. Even now, do you remember the bandits, traitors, and many villains that we face? No one remembers their name in our lifetime, so what makes you think people will remember yours for any amount of time? Who's to say that someone won’t come by and make your legacy look like a rock compared to a boulder? To think you can leave a lasting legacy is like trusting people to hold onto dust.”

“People will remember my name and deeds! I will be a hero!”

Alfie slips out of my grasp and dives for his sword. We continue to clash swords more intensely this time forcing me to cut at him and end his life.

“People will remember me like the great saints and heroes of old! I will be more than another face in the crowd!” Alfie proclaims.

“Those people are only remembered because God allows it! Think of the many brave knights we fought alongside and how none of them will be called saints or remembered when their families and loved ones pass away!” I counter.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. You know, one of the first times we fought together, I made a bet with Bonnie that you would be dead before the end of the battle and I was wrong because you seemed no different than the other knights with us. You’re just another blade in the army and haven’t changed in the years since then!”

“That’s a compliment because it’s an honor to be a blade of God! I don’t care about being remembered, standing out, or even being honored in life. As long as I act as who God made me to be, then that’s all that matters.”

“Arrogant bastard. I’ll show you who’s in the right! I hope you-”

I cut Alfie’s words short but stabbing him in the stomach. He drops his sword to the ground and stumbles towards me with one hand outstretched towards me and another holding his bleeding stomach. I catch him as he falls and hold him in my arms as he dies.

As he dies, he says, “Ah. I was always a loudmouth who had more to say than anything.”

“Ha, you’re right about that,” I say.

“Tell me before I go. Did you ever ask that girl, Kiara, out?”

“I did and while you were gone, we got engaged.”

“That’s my boy…”

“Please, Alfie. Repent, so I can see you in Heaven.”

I can’t hear what Alfie is whispering, but by the end, he smiles and is at peace. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a happier expression than I do now. Holding him closer, I pray to God that he is granted forgiveness and a chance to rest forever in Heaven. Finn and a few other knights run into the room and look around to check for dangers before looking at me.

“Sir, are you alright?” Finn asks.

“Yes, Finn. I’m fine. I was just saying goodbye to an old friend,” I say as I respectfully lay Alfie down and leave his sword in his hands.

“A friend? This man was a traitor who died an undignified death.”

“Watch your words, knight. I remember him saying the same words about our commander who sacrificed himself to save others. You better hope you turn out to be better and be at peace at the end of your life as he did.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Now, what is it?”

“The battle rages on since the enemy’s reinforcements have arrived. We could use your assistance.”

“And you shall have it. Knights of Leo, let us go down to the enemy and put them to the sword as is our divine calling.”

“Yes, sir!” my knights say as they join me in battle.

 

The End

The Virtue of a Simple Knight: Chapter 3 – In the Depths of Darkness

Chapter 3 – In the Depths of Darkness

“Howard!” Alfie says while snapping his fingers in front of my face. “Howard! We need to get ready!”

“Huh? Yeah, I’m ready,” I say.

“You don’t look ready. Staring out into the distance isn’t going to make Bonnie come back any sooner. Speaking of her, how did that date of yours go? You haven’t told me yet.”

“Oh, I didn’t?”

“No, well, I was busy with the penitentiary committee because of all the trouble I’ve been getting into, but still, you haven’t told me.”

“I’m sorry, uh, it went well, and I got a kiss!”

“You did? Did she kiss your forehead, cheek, or lips?”

“Lips.”

Alfie smiles and contains a scream of his while patting me on the back and then hugging me.

“That’s my boy! Did you set up the next date?”

“She said that she needed to make time for me again.”

“Ah, don’t worry about getting another date then.”

“But it’s been weeks since she was transferred to another unit.”

“It was a temporary transfer. Besides, we don’t live too far from one another.”

“Still, I’m concerned.”

“Don’t be. Besides, we gotta go soon for another deployment and it’s going to be a big one since we’re going to be clearing out an undercity of ratmen with the oh-so-grand knights of Noctua. Are you afraid?”

“Honestly, yes. I’ve never fought ratmen underground before.”

“Well, that’s why the knights of Noctua will be helping us. If you survive, you’ll have a story to impress Bonnie with, so you best be on your guard, and if you do die, try not to do so in an embarrassing way. We have to show those “elite” knights that we’re superior to them.”

“Yeah…”

While getting the last of my stuff and putting it on the back of my horse, a messenger runs to me.

“Are you Howard?” he asks.

“Yes, do you have something for me?” I say.

“Yes, the commander directed me to give you this.”

The messenger gives me Bonnie’s diary, which immediately sends chills down my spine.

“What’s…what’s this for?”

“It was your friend, Bonnie’s, diary. The commander knew you were close and it was her final wish that you should receive her diary before she died. I’m sorry for your loss. If it’s any consolation, know that she died honorably in battle.”

After bowing, the messenger runs away. I look intently at the diary with Alfie saying something to me that I can’t care to listen to at the moment. I’m hesitant at first to read it already being upset as I am and afraid that reading it will make me even more upset, and yet, I open it with trembling hands and skim through it. Bonnie had written all about her plans of being with family and friends, seeing plays, going to the beach, and finding someone to spend the rest of her life with. She noted that she had feelings for me when we first met and complained that I didn’t ask her out sooner. On the day of our date, she wrote that she had a wonderful time, couldn’t wait till the next, and was greatly upset at the fact that we were being separated though she jokingly wrote that she was glad to be away from Alfie.

Her final writings detail what she wanted to do with me and that she prayed for my safety. Lastly, there’s a note in the back of the book that simply says to not worry, that she’ll be watching over me and that she loves me. This last note makes me drop the diary and start crying uncontrollably.

“What’s wrong?” Alfie says as he picks up the diary and starts reading through it. “Don’t be upset, Howard. I’m sure that you’ll find another girlfriend in no time. If anything, since you were able to win over Bonnie, then any lady will surely fall for you. Ha! I knew she wrote a lot of dirt on me. I…”

Looking up at Alfie, I see that he’s upset at something as he slowly starts turning the pages rather than flipping through them like he previously was. He then stops on one page before looking at me.

“Howard, I’m so sorry,” he says.

I can’t help but continue crying and fall to my knees as I wonder why God let this happen to me. Suddenly, Alfie picks up and slaps me across the face.

“Hey! Bonnie loved a strong knight and not some whimpering sap! Pick yourself up and move on,” Alfie says before shoving Bonnie’s diary into my chest.

“I don’t want this. It’s just going to make me more upset,” I say with the diary in my hand.

“Fine then.”

Alfie takes the diary from my hands and throws it away into the dirt and, in that split second, I go from not wanting the diary to wanting to safeguard it forever, so I run after it and pick it up.

“Bonnie is watching over you right now. Do you want to make her see you in this sorry state?” Alfie says.

“No. I’m sorry,” I say while holding back my tears and trying to keep a strong face.

I can see that Alfie’s strong face is beginning to quiver as he looks at me. He’s obviously just as upset as I am and is on the verge of crying as well.

“Good, good. Now, let’s both move on.”

“Yeah…okay.”

After putting Bonnie’s diary into one of my pockets, I get on my horse and join the rest of my unit with Alfie. Together, we join with the unit of knights from Noctua during which my mind is still and silent as I don’t want to think about Bonnie’s death or the reason why God allowed it. Everything around me is a blur and passes by me while I silently follow along with Alfie making sure that I’m awake and still moving. Eventually, my senses and mind catch up to me when we enter the city where the ratmen undercity is located. This city is one of those newly built ones that have all traces of the past erased, unlike the city where I’m from.

The buildings here are mostly made out of steel and stone, whereas the buildings where I’m from are mostly metal with useless fixtures that are said to have been lit up with the flick of a switch. It truly feels like I’m in the past when I’m in towns and cities like this that don’t have the same architecture as my home. Besides that, everyone in the city dresses the same as they do where I’m from so places like this aren’t too foreign to me. If anything, I’m sure that being in the overgrown lands of Bernhard, the fiery lands of Canis, or the ever-shifting icy lands of Polypus would give me greater whiplash because of how strange I heard those places are. I imagined that I would travel to safer, yet foreign kingdoms I’ve never been to such as Noctua, Serpentis, or Equus with Bonnie, but that’s not going to happen-no! I have to get her out of my mind, for now. I’ve got a task I must focus on.

Around me, the knights of Leo and Noctua mingle while we wait for our commanders’ orders. Despite being considered normal, the men and women of Noctua have ashy, black skin and golden eyes that seem to glow. I’ve heard that they can cast a spell from their eyes that blinds their enemies and create a dark fog from their hands kind of like dark elves but can’t enter into the shadows like the dark elves and only use it to cover their advance. Of course, Alfie and some of my fellow knights of Leo are smack-talking with the knights of Noctua and boasting about their kingdom while downplaying the other. Eventually, they both agree to challenge each other and whoever wins is the better kingdom. Whoever gets the most kills, clears out their side of the undercity faster, and has the most knights surviving at the end wins. It’s possible for one side to win by only winning in two of the challenges so it's not like either side must win in all three, but both sides are acting as if they can.

Our commanders call us over now that they’ve finalized their plans, how big the squads are going to be, and who is going to go where. Alfie and I are put in a squad with two knights from Noctua and one fellow knight from Leo, all three of whom are adamant about winning their self-imposed challenge. After saying our before-battle prayer, all squads head into the undercity through the various tunnels in the city. The threat of having a ratmen undercity has always scared me, especially since you’ll never know there’s one until they make themselves known by accident or on purpose, and if it’s on purpose, like in the case of this city, then you know they’re confident about their strength. When they’re confident, they’ll kidnap and assassinate people more and steal more from the city’s armories, and if this goes on for too long, then they’ll eventually take over the city and kill and take whatever and whoever they want until moving on to the next city or town.

I’m more than thankful that there haven’t been any ratmen sightings in my city, though my fear is that they may be there and just too sneaky to notice. It doesn’t help that there was an event in the past where the ratmen attacked most major cities from beneath to let their presence and strength be known that ended in the deaths and kidnappings of many. The tunnels that we’re traveling through right now were built in secret without people knowing and made safe and big enough to travel through thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of the city’s guards, but also, I’m not sure how safe these can be when the ratmen are allowing us to go through them. I’m expecting there to be a lot of trouble ahead, and even though I’m afraid, a small part of me wants to die because of all the stress I’ve been through and of Bonnie’s recent death. No! I can’t think about that. Bonnie wouldn’t want me to, so I press on with the hope of living to fight another day in mind.

Eventually, my fellow knights and I make it to the undercity of the ratmen and find that chaos is already brewing here as the fight has started. Although this vast cave is lit up by various torches spread around the area, I can still see the impressive structures that the ratmen have managed to build down here and the many battles taking place in it. The largest structures are like pillars holding up the ground beneath it and every building is made out of scraps of metal, wood, and stone. Every part of this cave is a possible trap that holds either a ratman lying in wait or a hole filled with spikes. Before we know it, the knights of Noctua are gone forcing me and Alfie to stick closer together.

“Get over here!” Alfie says to the other knight of Leo who is with us only for that knight to be dragged into one of the holes by ratmen.

We try to get our fellow knight out of the hole, but we aren’t strong enough to pull him out and the ratmen take advantage of our distraction to launch a sneak attack on us that we only manage to survive thanks to our allies. Some of the torches in the undercity start going out making it harder to see and the situation even more panic-inducing. Alfie almost hits me in the chaos forcing us to stay closer to one another and constantly be talking so we know where each other is. The knights from Noctua start using their spells to cast a blinding light at the ratmen to get some advantage on them and people start burning the buildings of the undercities and starting fires so we can see, but as the cave starts to light up, the more obvious it becomes how outnumbered we are.

Somehow, against all odds, we manage to make it through it. I don’t even think that I fought well. All I remember doing was swinging my sword and shield around praying as many Hail Marys as possible and then running for my life when the ceiling and walls around us started to come down. My senses don’t completely return to me until I rest outside on the ground with Alfie and the other knights who managed to make it out. We look at the large sinkhole that’s now in the center of the city and probably a trap set up by the ratmen who made the ground sink into itself as a backup in the event of their defeat. Right now, I don’t even want to think about that common ratmen tactic and their other dirty tricks. I don’t even want to join in the celebration of our victory afterward because I don’t feel that I deserve to have lived through that because of everyone else who died. All I want to do is go to sleep and that’s what I do when I go back to the barracks.

The Virtue of a Simple Knight: Chapter 2 – Honorable Common Work

Chapter 2 – Honorable Common Work

Bonnie, Alfie, and I are riding on armored horses on our way to our next assignment alongside other soldiers who have their own horses and those who are in horse-drawn carriages.

“It’s nice finally having our own horse to travel in, isn’t it?” I ask.

“It’s a nice benefit of our increased rank after fighting so many battles, but I would’ve liked more such a new sword, armor, and helmet. My own personal tent would’ve been nice too,” Alfie says.

“Oh, stop your complaining and be thankful that you’re alive to get anything,” Bonnie says.

“She’s right, Alfie. I’m always surprised and glad when I survive battles that our fellow knights fall in.”

“That’s because you’re not as highly skilled as I am. If you were and you took my advice, then you’d have a higher chance of survival and would’ve taken Bonnie on a date already.”

“If he took your advice, he’d be dead and if he took your advice on asking people out, then he’d be rejected like you’ve been.”

“I’ve only been rejected because the ladies don’t realize a true gentleman when they see one.”

Bonnie scoffs at Alfie and I can’t help but laugh. Our destination is finally ahead of us and is a town that’s been suffering from frequent attacks by rogue beastmen and orcs. The town’s walls are currently being reinforced by orcs from Bernhard who are also setting up catapults, barricades, and ballistas. Once we get into the town, a majority of the citizens welcome our arrival by saying hello to us and how thankful they are to see us while other citizens go about their daily business and may only smile and wave at us. Our commanders meet up with the orc commanders to plan out how we can defend from the next attack and take the fight to the rogues while we are simply stationed around the town to relax until they make a decision. While sitting around with Bonnie, Alfie, and a couple of other fellow knights, Alfie seems to be fixated on the orcs who are walking around town.

“Is something wrong?” I ask him.

“It’s these orcs. I just don’t trust them,” Alfie says.

“Why’s that?”

“Is that a question that really needs asking? We’ve fought many bandit groups and the toughest ones had orcs in them. There’s also the fact that they’re one of the most violent kingdoms out there besides Canis who also think that they deserve more because they’re always putting their troops on the frontline. I’ve got news for them. Leo has more troops stationed throughout the world than any kingdom, we’re tougher, and not as temperamental.”

“But the orcs are able to station themselves in the toxic wastes of the ratmen-infested lands of Eastern Europe and go easily beyond it to the Asian lands unlike we can.”

“So? Once we figure out a way to be in the places they can, they’ll have nothing to hang over us.”

I look over to Bonnie and am about to ask her opinion but see that she’s writing in her diary again. She looks up at me, smiles, and rolls her eyes while shaking her head. The people of the town are nice enough to give us food and water as the day goes on so we don’t need to take from our own supply, but as we eat, we hear an orc horn going off which signals to us that there’s an incoming attack. We race outside the town’s gates and await the enemy.

Our orc allies push us aside and get in front of us to which Alfie shakes his head and says, “Glory hounds.”

Ahead of us, we see an incoming wave of rogues heading toward us with orcs leading from the front and beastmen behind them. Before we’re even given the signal to charge by our commanders, the orcs on our side rush to meet the enemy. We’re then given the go-ahead to charge, however, by the time we enter into the melee, most of the enemy is dead leading to an easy victory. Unlike everyone else who is glad about this, Alfie seems annoyed and approaches one of the orc knights.

“You just had to run ahead and have most of the fun, didn’t you?” Alfie asks.

“It was more than just taking most of the fun. We were cleaning up the mess of one of our own. It was the fulfillment of duty,” an orc knight says.

“No, honorable knight enjoys the slaughter like your kind does. You can pretend to be noble, but I know what you really are.”

The orc knights and Alfie begin to square up as they both intensely stare at each other. Because of the orc’s heavier armor that is lined with spikes on their helmets, shoulders, and arms, the orcs are obviously the more intimating ones, but Alfie isn’t backing down and shows no sign of fear.

“Ha!” an orc knight laughs, “I like how this one isn’t afraid to speak his mind and doesn’t back down.”

“We’ve heard your words before and known that ours think it without saying anything. What you’re truly getting at is that you’re jealous of the power of the men of Bernhard and try to bring us down by saying we’re nothing more than violent beasts because we’re quick to fight,” another adds.

“I didn’t say you were nothing more than violent beasts, but hey, if the shoe fits, wear it.”

“Let me remind you then that we’re the ones who put down more rogue orcs, slaughter more legions of ratmen, and can survive in lands that no ‘normal’ human like you could last a second in.”

“Let me remind you that the knights of Leo are the ones who are stationed in every possible place that we can be in and do more than simply fight and kill. Our commanders and royalty guide the politics of every kingdom of the Church and our people feed the poor, shelter those displaced by the wars, and educate the lame. What do your people do for those in need? Give them a weapon and tell them to fight to earn their place in the world or be forced to do slavish labor.”

A few of our own knights from Leo get in on the argument as knights from both Leo and Bernhard argue against each other bringing up the positives of their own side and the negatives of the other. Commanders from both kingdoms have to come in to break up the fight and bring them back into the town to discipline them. Meanwhile, Bonnie and I are allowed to rest in town whose inhabitants give us flowers, food, and drink for helping them.

While resting, I ask Bonnie, “Do you think Alfie is doing okay?”

“I hope he isn’t so he learns not to do anything stupid again,” she says.

“Yeah, but he’s probably going to be reprimanded harder than usual for causing a divide between us and the orcs.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

Some time passes and Bonnie and I don’t say much for a while besides some small talk about the situation. She breaks out her diary from one of her pockets and begins writing in it again.

“What are you writing about?” I ask.

“Writing more about my future plans and drawing some pictures to keep my mind awake,” she says.

“Do you have any room in those plans for me?” I blurt out without really thinking.

“Huh? What are you saying?”

“That-that I want us to spend some time together, but this time without Alfie.”

Bonnie smiles at me and looks at her books for a few seconds before writing something down and saying, “I can make some time for you after we’re down this tour of duty.”

“I promise I’ll make it worth it!”

What am I even saying? Regardless, I got a giggle out of Bonnie, so at least she found it funny. Some more time passes until messengers of the commanders come to us and rally the soldiers to them. When everyone is gathered together, I look around for Alfie but don’t manage to find him. The commanders tell us our scouts have they found the bases of the rogue orcs and beastmen and that we’ll be moving now to destroy them to avoid further attacks on the town.

Our squad formation when heading into the battle is the same as our defensive one in that the orcs lead from the front while we reinforce them from the back, and again, the orcs don’t wait for our commanders to give us the go-ahead to head in. They don’t even allow our archers to send an opening volley to make the fight easier, forcing our archers to spread out and instead take potshots from the back to aid us. Even though the ensuing battles against the rogues are made easy by them, we still end up losing a few men to which the orcs take responsibility over and their commanders promise to pay for their funerals as reparation.

“These men died bravely and honorably dying for God and the virtuous cause of His Church and deserve the best sendoff we can afford,” an orc commander says.

It’s easy to forget that the orcs put a lot of effort into burying their soldiers who died in battle and taking responsibility for any casualties that happened during battles that involved them. It softens most people’s views of them and shows that they aren’t just senseless and violent people. Speaking of forgetting things, I suddenly remember Alfie and wonder where he was during all of this and it isn’t until we return back to the town that Bonnie and I are reunited with him. While eating the dinner given to us by the town’s inhabitants as a thank you for our help, we sit with him and talk about the battles that we went through.

Alfie mentions that, “Everyone including me who caused a scene was put on the frontlines ahead of everyone. We were told that if we had two choices; we either put our differences aside and fought with each other to survive or back out and have our status as knights stripped from us.”

“I’m glad that you got over your biases over the orcs then,” I say.

“That’s not exactly what I did. Our knights made our punishment into a competition with the orcs to see who would get the most kills to prove which kingdom was better.”

“And? Who won?”

“Who do you think? We did, of course, but only by a few kills. In the end, the orcs conceded defeat but said they would prove their military is better in future battles and competitions and said we should have sparing matches later. What about you two? Did anything special happen when I was away?”

“We’re going to go out together when we get home.”

Alfie spits out his drink, and then says, “What?”

“Are you surprised that Howard managed to get a date before you did?” Bonnie asks.

“I’m not sure if you’re trying to spite me by going out with him or genuinely interested in him.” Bonnie gives Alfie a mischievous grin to which he gives a scowling face. “Regardless of your intentions, I wish you the best, Howard. I hope you take all my advice and make the right moves so that she wants to stay with you.”

“If he takes your advice, I’ll cut the date short and leave.”

“You would?” I nervously ask.

“Don’t let her get to you, man. Women like her like to play with honest men like us.”

The orc knights stop by our table and gather Alfie and the other knights from Leo for their sparing match.

While they fight for the entertainment of the townsfolk and soldiers, I ask Bonnie again, “Hey, uh, you wouldn’t just leave me during our date, would you?”

“I won’t if you don’t give me a reason to. Relax. I’m sure it’ll be a fun time.”

“Yeah.”

I might as well start writing down my plans for our date now since I didn’t even think she would say yes to me and was so focused on how I would ask her out. This is somehow making me more nervous than the nervousness I feel before entering a battle. Please, God, make it go well because I have no clue what to do at all.

The Virtue of a Simple Knight: Chapter 1 – Life as a Sword of God

Chapter 1 – Life as a Sword of God

“Howard. Howard!” my friend Alfie says while shaking me.

“Huh? What’s going on? Are we there yet?” I ask.

“No. I was just making sure you were awake. You don’t want to be asleep when Commander Cecil calls us out or we come under attack by rogues or beasts.”

My daydreaming had been distorting me so I have to look around to remember where I actually am. Currently, I’m in the back of a horse-drawn carriage with my fellow knights, Alfie and Bonnie. Our helmets designed after skulls lay next to us along with our swords and shields in reach. Bonnie is drawing and writing in her diary like always, so I look over to see what she’s putting in it. She closes it as if embarrassed by its contents and looks at me as if offended.

“Do you mind?” she asks.

“I was just about to ask what you were drawing and writing. Can I see?” I say.

“No.”

“You might as well stop being so indirect and ask her out, Howard. I know you want to and so does she,” Alfie says.

“What? That’s not it. I was just curious about what she was putting in her diary is all,” I say with my face probably blushing.

“I’m writing down what I plan to do when I get back home. It gives me something to look forward to.”

“You know what my plan is when I get back home? Sleep, eat, drink, repeat,” Alfie says.

“Your family isn’t going to kick you out of your habit to help them make silverware?” I ask.

“They won’t now that I have a good excuse not to help them. Is yours going to make you help in their shop?”

“I honestly hope not, but if I have to, I will.”

“You say that now but after our tour of duty you’ll probably never want to work again.”

“Do you two know each other?”

“Sort of,” I say. “My shop that makes decorative weapons is only a few blocks from where Alfie’s shop is. We’ve probably passed by and seen each other on the streets and at the parish we go to without knowing.”

“Right. We only just figured that out in training when we actually started talking to each other rather than just exchanging small talk. What about you, Bonnie? Are you from Westminster?”

“I’m from Kensington and don’t live too far from the Royal Albert Hall.”

“Ah, so you’re one of those snobby art types then?”

“You may call me that, but I prefer to say that I just have an exquisite taste.”

“I take it back, Howard. This girl is out of your league and it’d be better if you didn’t even try.”

I grunt and look away hoping that we reach our destination soon, and thankfully, we do. Looking around, I see dozens of troops lining up before Commander Cecil, which we join. Many of the troops have variations of skull helmets some of which have a crown of thorns on them such as mine and many wear different colored garbs and skirts that are colored in golds and reds, blues and yellows, and our kingdom's colors of reds, whites, and blues. The elite among us wear lion helmets and their garbs are more luxurious and golden. There are a variety of fresh faces and ones scarred by battle and when I look at mine in the reflection of my helmet, I imagine what I will look like in the future.

For now, my short brown hair and eyes wouldn’t make my face stick out in any crowd or convey to anyone that I’m a knight or soldier of any notable rank or achievement. Meanwhile, Alfie has a scrappy-type look with black hair and green eyes while Bonnie is closer to that of a girl-next-door type look with her light brown hair and dark blue eyes.

Alfie bumps me with his helmet and puts it on while saying, “I know I look stunning, but stop gawking and put your helmet on. The commander will address us soon.”

“Oh, that’s right,” I say as I do as he says.

Commander Maro rides on his horse to the front of where we are all facing and looks at us all. The commander’s helmet is that of a skull much like the common soldier, however, it has a fiercer expression on its face and has been worn and damaged by battle much like his dark grey armor and red and gold garb, a look that his horse also shares.

He then says, “Faithful men and women of the Church. We march on a bandit camp, which has been harassing many local settlements, travelers, and merchants that frequent this area. It’s needless to say we shall show them no mercy other than a quick end to their sinful lives so that they do not earn a greater punishment in Hell. I see that many of you are new and have been assigned to this relatively easy task, but do not think this will be simple nor that everyone will be going back home. Be on your guard and fight as best you can because the enemy will be doing the same and may even have a trick or two up their sleeves. Before we enter into battle, let us pray. Oh God, who is all-knowing, all-wise, and all good, it is known that you are a God of battles and the army that has your favor shall obtain victory.”

“Grant us Your favor that we do not deserve,” we respond.

“And yet we pray for victory.”

“To glorify You.”

“Should we fail.”

“Then may You still be glorified as we sinners obtain our just reward.”

“Let us be your instruments of justice.”

“So that thy will shall be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

“Make our motives pure.”

“So that our anger is just.”

“Protect us from all dangers especially those of temptation and sin.”

“So that we may forever serve you in Heaven.”

“St. George, patron of our kingdom.”

“Pray for us.”

“St. Michael, defender of the Church.”

“Pray for us.”

“St. Joseph, defender of the Holy Family.”

“Pray for us.”

“Mary, Mother of the Church.”

“Pray for us.”

“Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the Wicked, Slayer of the Unrepentant, and Prince of Peace.”

“Have mercy on us.”

“Use your weapons of justice as you see fit, Oh Lord, for we are yours and yours alone, and may this shedding of blood and our blood be acceptable to You.”

“Amen.”

Commander Cecil breathes in and out before turning around, drawing his weapon, commanding us to the same, and leading the charge forward into the campsite of the bandits. It isn’t long until we have it in sight. The sound of horns comes from the campsite warning everyone in it of our arrival. Soon after, a barrage of arrows and rocks come flying our way that all raise our shields to defend ourselves from. Thankfully, I don’t think anyone was hit so our charge isn’t impeded and we’re able to break our way through their wooden gates and start the slaughter.

At first, the pure chaos of the battle freezes me in place as I hesitate to choose which bandit to go after. The bandits here are from different places such as Bernhard, Abadon, Canis, and Serpentis as evidenced by their appearance, fighting style, and magic usage. Every one of them seems equally dangerous, especially the ones who can use magic. The choice of who to face is suddenly made for me as a bandit attacks me with their daggers. My panic to defend myself makes me focus and block the enemy’s flurry of attacks until pushing back and cutting them down.

Getting into more fights is now easier thanks to this first one and I am able to help out and even save the lives of my fellow soldiers. The battle seems to be going in our favor with some of the bandits choosing to run away instead of continuing to fight. These runaways are cut down before they can escape and those that manage to escape don’t do so without injury. A sudden commotion among the higher ranked knights and seeing Commander Cecil rally us together steals away my hope that the battle will soon be over and our victory won.

“Don’t let your guard down! We have news of more bandits returning from a raid and they’ve rallied together with the retreating cowards for one last attack,” Commander Cecil says.

We all form into squads around the camp with our shields up already prepared for the approaching bandits and any possible rain of arrows that they may have. Looking to see who’s beside me, I’m glad to see that it’s Bonnie and Alfie who only have to have dirt and light cuts on their garbs and armor.

“Howard! I’m glad to see that you’re still alive and kicking,” Alfie says.

“Don’t act so glad. You lost our bet,” Bonnie says.

“What bet?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about it. Watch out!”

I duck my head just in time as a spear barely grazes the side of my helmet.

“Let’s save the small talk for after the battle, boys,” Bonnie says.

Alfie and I agree before charging with her and our fellow knights at the bandits. With my friends at my side, I feel more confident as I fight and am more efficient at it because of their presence. I cut down foe after foe and while searching for another, I’m surprised to see that there are none left and the battle is won. We all yell out as our commanders announce that the battle is indeed over and won. I hug Alfie and Bonnie with one big hug that Alfie pushes away from and Bonnie giggles.

Going back to the ruins of the bandit camp, we see that many fellow knights were injured during the battle, and against my high hopes, some died as well including Commander Cecil who is said to have died defending the new recruits. These same recruits cry over his body and profusely apologize to him for their mistakes.

“What kind of commander dies to simple bandits?” Alfie says.

“He didn’t just die to simple bandits. He sacrificed his life to save theirs. That’s what a true servant of Christ would do,” I say somewhat upset at Alfie’s indifference to the tragedy of our commander’s death.

“I guess so. I still think it’s an undignified death.”

“The cross was also an undignified death,” Bonnie points out.

“Whatever, whatever. Let’s just help out here so we can head back home sooner.”

Alfie walks ahead of us to ask the remaining commanders what to do. I look over to Bonnie who simply shakes her head and then does the same. Well, I guess I shouldn’t let Alfie’s words bother me and just help out where I can. If anything, I’m glad that we won and most of us managed to survive.

My latest book is done and out today for free!

Download for free on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1552789

Escribar was a mercenary who attempted to kill Pope Ahaziah. He failed and was then visited by the Pope in prison who changed and related to him because of Ahaziah's treacherous past and is now the Pope's protector and close friend. During a visit to a city in Serpentis, there's another assassination attempt on the Pope's life by beastmen, which is mysteriously aided by high elf magic.

Royal Criminal: Chapter 4 – More than a Simple Penitent

Chapter 4 – More than a Simple Penitent

The civilians of the basement of this crumbling cathedral gather around me begging for blessings and advice, and I try to do my best to comfort them by telling them that everything is going to be okay and leading them in praying Hail Marys, a traditionally easy way to calm a person’s troubled heart and soul. It still feels strange to me that people are coming to me to comfort them, especially in this situation where I am the target and the reason why their city is destroyed. Decades ago, they probably would’ve killed me themselves though some time before that, I was a figure to look up to, a simple fisherman who was now leading people to turn against their own to bring peace to the land. Of course, my virtuous reasons for doing so were misplaced and I ended up doing more evil than good as evident by what is currently happening.

Escribar comes up to me and says, “Ahaziah, do you need anything to eat or drink? This shelter has food and drink that can last for months so don’t feel selfish about taking any.”

“I’m quite fine. Thank you, my friend. I’m sure the battle will be over soon, especially with how you’re dressed in that spiky armor,” I say.

The grey and dark armor that Escribar is dressed in is that of a capirote knight. His gauntlets have spike-like blades on their sides and his helmet mask has a snake coiled around a cross on its forehead and black spike-like tears coming from its eyes.

“The capirote knights gave it to me as a gift. I must say that I prefer having lighter armor, but this is good, especially since I can still wear my wrappings with scripture written on them underneath.”

“That’s good. Are the men ready to fight?”

“Yes, sir. We even have some of the civilians volunteering to fight.”

Again, I find myself in this situation at the command of many who wish to fight for me against my own countrymen, however, I am no traitor this time. I can see how God has moved events so that this may be the event of my redemption that wipes away my past failures. Looking over to Escribar, I see he is just as determined as I am to see this through even though I don’t see his eyes. His body language and my knowledge of his personality tell me everything I need to know.

“Our knights have brought the enemy to our location!” a watcher says.

“Just as planned,” I say as I pick up my greatsword and walk away from the civilians surrounding me.

“Ahaziah, sir, it is we who fight for you, not you for us. You can pray for our success to help, but let us do the fighting,” Escribar says.

“So be it, but if I see that you are struggling, then I’ll join in the fray.”

“Well, at that point there’d be no stopping you so I can’t argue with you on that.”

“Haha, there wouldn’t. You should know by now that there’s no arguing with me.”

“I know, but I still try so I can talk some sense into you to save your life. You are the Pope and my friend.”

“I am always glad to hear you say that which is why I must fight when given the chance. What greater love is there than for a man to lay down his life for the sake of his friends? We are two kindred souls, two betrayers given a second chance we didn’t deserve to redeem ourselves and show our loyalty to God. This is the day that the debts of the past are erased and we begin the future anew.”

Turning to the crowds surrounding us, I give them words of encouragement as well.

“To you who are also my friends, today is a glorious day whether you believe it or not. In fact, a challenging day such as this is sometimes more rewarding than a peaceful one because of the opportunity for growth that it offers. I beg you to thank God for it because, in victory or defeat, God will be glorified!”

I then begin reciting the Serpentis prayer before battle.

“Through our suffering.”

“We pay the price of sin and unite our pain with the Lord,” the people respond.

“Through our defeats.”

“We obtain what is rightfully due.”

“Through our victories.”

“The unending mercy of God is made evident.”

“We unworthy servants of God.”

“Shall give our lives to He who gave us His. Every drop of blood, tear, ache, and pain shall be our witness to the love we have for our Lord, Jesus Christ, and each other.”

“Amen!” I say with everyone.

Together with my soldiers and guards, we ascend through the rubble of the cathedral and meet our enemy outside. Around us are the wood elves and their beasts, the beastmen who the wood elves used their power over beasts to control, dark elf traitors, and traitors from other races. There’s nothing else to say to them so I simply raise my free hand to command my soldiers and guards to fight and they do with Escribar leading from the front. What proceeds is slaughter on both sides as they tear each other apart. I can’t help but recoil and pray as I watch people suffer and die for me.

The tenacity of the people of Serpentis is on full display as some fight on despite losing a leg, arm, or even both arms and continue fighting with their teeth and remaining limbs only to be killed soon after. At best, the enemy beats and cuts at them until they are barely able to stand or attempt to cut off their heads and do, but not without suffering an injury from their target or another capirote knight. Glory be to God, the fight seems to end soon after with a majority of the capirote knights injured, Escribar still standing, and the wood elves and their allies are few in number. Before Escribar and his countrymen can finish them off, the wood elves use one of their animalistic screams, and three red dragons, the size of an elephant with the necks of a giraffe appear from the ruins of the city. These dragons breathe their breaths of fire, ice, and acid at Escribar who pushes his countrymen out of danger and endures the brunt of their attack.

I can feel a cut in my heart at this sight as I lean forward and reach out as if I’m somehow trying to pull my friend out of danger with an invisible hand. The assault of the dragons thankfully ends revealing that Escribar is still standing despite his armor being mostly stripped from him and burns on his skin. He attempts to walk forward to attack but falls over instead. Running over to him, I find that the crimes tattooed into his skin are gone, and the wrappings of scripture that he wears remain untouched.

“Escribar, your crimes are erased from your body,” I relay to him.

“Then I am redeemed and my sacrifice was found acceptable to God,” he says before gripping my hand. “Thank you for bringing me to this opportunity, my friend.”

Escribar lets go of my hand seemingly dying in my arms. I can’t make sure if he’s still alive with my enemy in front of me.

“Now that you’ve felt as much pain as possible, it’s time to finally end this,” one of the wood elves says.

“You’re right. It is,” I say as I release a dark fog from my hands and mouth and become one with it just as the dragons attack me with their claws.

Their attacks pass right through me because my body becomes one with the dark fog and moves along with it as the dragons claw at it and breathe their dangerous breaths at it. Coming out of the dark fog with my sword raised, I cut off the head of one of the dragons and then use an acid spell to melt another one of them before retreating back into the fog to finish the last with a surprise attack from behind where I stab it through the heart, killing it instantly. The wood elves then use their power over the wind to blow away my dark fog and charge at me.

“Enough of these games! Justice will be served!” a wood elf says.

“It is and I will be as God commands,” I say.

I then use my acid spells from my hands to kill both the beasts and their wood elf riders. The three remaining wood elves use their wind magic to push me back and blow my own acid back at me which has no effect on my skin but also melts parts of my armor. Using my own real method of attack, I meet their charge with my own as I wildly attack the remaining wood elves with reckless abandon, caring little how many times I get hit or cut as long as I can land blows on them. One wood elf I kill by cutting off both of her legs at the same time before cutting her head off. The second wood elf that I kill is cut in half with one clean horizontal swing and then finished off with a stab through the head, and finally, kill the last by cutting off his arms and then plunging my sword through his chest.

Even after the battle is finished, I hastily look around the area for another foe to fight as my adrenaline is keeping me on edge. Now seeing that no foe remains, I take a breath and sit down on the ground now that the injuries that I’ve suffered during the battle are catching up to me. While looking around, I see a familiar face walking toward the capirote knights who are getting back up. It’s the oldest man, Evander. What’s he doing here and why is he helping everyone? I limp my way towards him as he heals Escribar with his high elf magic. As the light from his hands touches Escribar’s wounds, they disappear and are cleaned at the same time.

“Will he make it?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about your friend. He’ll survive. You should know the tenacity of the people of Serpentis by now and the power of my healing magic,” Evander says.

Despite being the oldest human being alive, Evander’s skin is as golden as a high elf who is in his thirties relative to a normal human and his voice is like that of a man in the same age range with a hint of youth in it. He smiles as he does his magic and looks up to me and continues to smile as if saying something through this action. Soon after, Escribar wakes up and struggles to get up.

He looks at both of us before saying, “Is the battle over?”

“Yes, we won and Evander here healed your wounds,” I say.

“Thank you, sir,” Escribar says.

“You’re welcome. Now, don’t go straining yourself even though you can stand. Take a long rest with your countrymen. You’ve all more than earned it.”

Escribar looks at me and I nod to him to follow Evander’s advice.

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

While Escribar walks away, Evander stops me from joining him and starts to heal my wounds.

“You need healing too, Your Holiness. I see that you’ve seen your fair share of action too,” he says.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

Evander simply gives me a friendly smile at first. “Nothing in particular. I came to see you and a friend who should be arriving at this city’s port today. If you’re thinking that I had anything to do with what these wood elves did, then you can rest assured that I didn’t. I’m not even sure why people from a race that is typically content with keeping to itself would do all of this. You should focus on giving one of those encouraging speeches that you’re famous for. The people do love hearing from you after all.”

He doesn’t seem to be lying to me, but still, I feel that something is off about his being here. After my wounds are healed, he walks off to the port where, sure enough, a damaged boat is coming in. It flies a torn-up flag of the United Kingdoms of the Americas, a red, white, and blue flag with three stars surrounding the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the center representing the kingdoms. From this distance, I see men in cracked armor, a dark elf boy, and a woman with black and red hair on the boat. I’ll have to keep an eye on these people and question them when I get a chance. They may just be informants that let Evander know about the Far West or something more.

For now, I’ll care for the wounded and those who have suffered today. Even though Escribar and I have atoned for our pasts, there is much work to be done. This long and arduous day has not so much taught me anything new, but it has reminded me that I am witness to a miracle every day that God allows me to wake up again and live anew despite my past failures, the sins I may commit during the day, and the future ones that may be yet to come as a result of my weak human nature. Such boundless mercy is why I was able to be redeemed, enjoy the few precious qualities of life, and help others do the same. I pray that God continues to bless me, all my friends, and even my enemies because if a traitor such as I can become a better person through His mercy, then anyone can.

 

The End