Forest Island Eye of the Storm

The fifth night had arrived, thick fog hung in the air as the rain beat harder against the land. Bear Lord Nathaniel marched up to the portal with his soldiers. It was strangely familiar and the routine was comforting. Nathaniel and his group had fought against the shadowmen every night for almost a week and fighting became part of his routine. The soldiers stayed in high moral despite the rain, fog and constant threat of attack. The shadowmen never killed anyone but their numbers and size grew with each passing night, which made Nathaniel worry that the shadows would eventually try to escalate the attack beyond what the Bear forces could handle.

            The portal opened and shadowmen began to trickle out. The smallest wave since that one shadowman attacked by itself. The soldiers lazily killed the few shadows that charged forward. Nathaniel was feeling more cautious though as he remembered what happened last time.

            The small batch of shadowmen were killed and then only silence followed. Only the breathing of the soldiers, the trickle of a light rain and the gentle wind could be heard. This was unusual and outside of the routine that Nathaniel was used to.

 The portal began to shake and flicker, breaking the quiet and replacing it with the crackling and loud whip like noise that was made as the air around the portal bent and shook. Nathaniel and his soldiers stepped backward. No one knew what would happen next, so they watched the portal helplessly.

            The portal blinked out, disappearing from the air. Before the soldiers could cheer a larger portal opened as if the air was being torn open by a mysterious force. The air was torn apart leaving a giant twenty-foot tall portal. Nathaniel’s blood went cold. This portal was just like the one in his dream and that dream didn’t end happily.

            A large hand emerged from the portal, then feet and a body. It was a large fifteen-foot tall and ten foot wide shadow monster, featureless and made of the same black ooze as the others. This creature had a large mouth where its face should have been. The mouth was full of teeth and a giant, almost human like tongue. Regular sized shadowmen emerged from the portal behind the shadow Behemoth. The normal shadowmen were carrying swords and axes this. This raid of shadows didn’t look like they wanted to steal anything, but instead wanted to kill the soldiers who had been standing in their way for almost a week.

            “Concentrate all fire on the big one, don’t get close. Prepare yourselves, they mean to kill us this time!” Nathaniel shouted. The twenty soldiers prepared themselves for a bloody battle. The Knights charged in with their shields, blocking the swinging axes and swords of the newly equipped shadowmen. The Bear lord’s rear guards lunged forward with their spears impaling the first row of shadows that clashed against the knights’ shields. The knights then bashed with their shields and slashed with their swords. The fighting of the Bear forces was synchronized just like a machine built to kill.

            Arrows flew over the Knights’ heads and pelted the lumbering Behemoth as he slowly drew closer to the group of soldiers. Pubbles the bear guarded Nathaniel and used his massive claws to swat away any approaching shadowmen. Nathaniel fired arrow after arrow into the large nightmare creature, trying to find a weakness of some kind. Visions of his dream kept snaking their way into his mind, disrupting his focus. Nathaniel shook the thoughts from his head, it wasn’t the time to be distracted and one false step could lead to a very bitter end.

            Shadowmen fell and evaporated into the air as the Bear forces fought hard with everything they had. The front line shadows were slowly losing their numbers but the Behemoth continued to march forward with small deliberate strikes. The arrows wounded the beast, slowing its movements further and making black bile flow from its wounds. Each arrow that struck the Behemoth would leave a wound, become coated in bile, fall off and hit the ground, then the black arrow would morph into an unarmed, newly made shadowman.

            In five days the shadows had increased their power, numbers and forces quicker than any human army could. The shadows had only been stealing from a small village and it only took a single arrow to make a basic shadowman. Nathaniel didn’t want to think what would happen if the shadows had opened a portal in the center of the castle armory, or if they had been left alone for weeks picking off villages. This portal could potentially be a threat to the entire island and possibly the entire would.

            Nathaniel patted his bear Pubbles, and then jumped up on his back. The Behemoth and its forces were almost overwhelming the Bear Forces. Action had to be taken immediately. Nathaniel knew that even if he defeated the behemoth that night, there would be an even bigger army the next night, an army that even the Forest King reinforcements might not be able to handle.

            Nathaniel rode out into the army of swarming shadowmen. Pubbles trampled and crushed all the shadows in his wake. Nathaniel kept his arrows ready, shooting any shadowmen that posed a threat to his bear friend as they rode through the crowd of shadows.

            Nathaniel went straight to the front line with his Knights and shouted to his troops. “We must Assault the portal. Any who wish to risk their lives to save the island should follow me into the depths. All who wish to stay behind may do so and continue to guard the village” Nathaniel shouted.

            The soldiers all cheered back in agreement. All of the soldiers wanted to follow their king through the portal but five of them stayed behind to protect the village.

While one knight, three archers and a spearman formed a defensive line between the portal and the village, the Bear lord and his fifteen soldiers charged forward.

            Pubbles cleared a path with his mighty claws, Nathaniel fired quickly and accurately at the shadows surrounding them. The knights charged forward like tanks with their shield s out, knocking enemies to either side. Spearmen and archers kept the rest covered. The two Mace wielders in the group went to opposite sides and smashed through multiple shadows with each swings. The Bear forces were the strongest on the island and these twenty soldiers were only a small part of the large Bear army.

            Lightning cracked the sky and the rain poured down. Shadows were vanquished as quickly as they could pour out through the portal. The bear forces cut a swath through the sea of pulsating shadow. As they rode closer to the portal they approached the Behemoth who was standing between them and the portal.

            Nathaniel knew that his forces were quick enough to run passed the creature, but he only left five soldiers behind to protect the village. He needed to try and weaken or kill the beast before entering the portal. The Behemoth outstretched its arm to grab Nathaniel. Instead of panicking, the Bear Lord jumped from his stead and landed on the creatures wrist. The oozing flesh of the shadow held the weight of the man, but moved and squirmed under his feet. Nathaniel ran up the beasts arm, firing arrows into its mouth and at its body. When he reached the top of the head he pulled a dagger from his boot and began slashing at the top of the head with all of his might. The beast roared and tried to grab Nathaniel again, but the King was too fast and jumped off of the monster, landing back onto his bear, who was now behind the Behemoth.

            While the King was attacking the Behemoth, his soldiers were also slashing, stabbing and shooting at the beast as they ran by. Their attention had to stay on the mob though so as to not lose a shield or sword in the assault.

            “Onward to the portal! We will take the fight to the enemy and destroy it from the inside!” Nathaniel shouted. As they charged forward the portal started to shimmer and flicker, which were signs that it was about to close for another day. Nathaniel hoped that the portal closing meant that the shadow forces were used up for the night and that more weren’t waiting on the other side.

            The Bear forces charged the portal cutting down the few who still stood in their way. “Let us show these shadows the might of the Bear!” Nathaniel shouted. The soldiers cheered as they all jumped into the portal. Seconds later the portal snapped shut and disappeared into thin air.

            The Behemoth was weakened from the attacks and the portal closing seemed to drain what remain life it had left. The Behemoth fell, followed by the few remaining shadows. The Five remaining forces cheered for victory but quickly went silent as they were overcome with worry for their king. The grieving soldiers didn't know what to tell the other Forest Kings when they arrived on the six day with reinforcements.

Forest Island first night

In the Boundless ocean, among the inlands that are connected by the Pentacle Sea, rests the forest Island. The Forest Island is ruled by the three Forest Kings, the Bear lord, Nathaniel, The Dog Lord Stefan and the Elk Lord Gregory. The three kings worked together in harmony to ensure the peace and prosperity of every humanoid citizen and animal on the island. As the name implies the Forest Island is an island almost completely covered in dense forest. Living on an island covered in dense forest ensures a high level of safety from other possible invading forces. Unfortunately it also means that everyone on the island is forced to rely on each other for survival and would not be able to count on outside help if danger arose.

            Nathaniel the Bear lord was traveling the eastern side of the island on his trusty bear Pubbles when a villager wearing a faded maroon tunic ran up to Nathaniel. “Ma’lord! Thank heavens you are here! I was gonna hafta run all the way to the castle otherwise” Said the peasant sounding out of breath. The Bear lord wore a fancy pointed brown leather hat, with a green feather in it, a brown leather armored tunic and a bright yellow undershirt. His pants were black and his boots were brown. Pubbles the bear had a matching hat to Nathaniel but it was smaller. Pubbles had brown fur and emerald green eyes.

            “What is the trouble kindly sir?” asked Nathaniel as he pet Pubbles on the head. “Trolls, Sir! Small shadowy trolls have been attacking the eastern most villages” said the villager. “Small and shadowy? That doesn’t sound like trolls. I will investigate anyway. Please continue down this trail to my camp and inform my men that I am heading to Cliff Peak village to investigate and they should meet me there” Nathaniel instructed, then made his way up the trail, riding on the back of his bear friend.

            The eastern most village was known as Cliff Peak village because it was positioned a half mile from the peak of a cliff that lead to a sharp drop. The peak of the cliff was also the highest point on the island and the sharp drop would send you out of the forest and plummeting to the beach shore below. Cliff Peak village was one of the safest villages on the island because there was only one path to the village on one side and an unscaleable cliff wall on the other side. Nathaniel was concerned because anyone attacking Cliff Peak village would have to pass through the lower altitude hamlets on their way and those locations had not been attacked.

            Nathaniel traveled through two small hamlets on his way to Cliff Peak, along the way he asked if anyone had seen small shadowy trolls or any unusual sightings. No one had seen shadowy creatures or been attacked, which was good news but even more confusing to Nathaniel.

            The trail to Cliff Peak continued up higher and higher up the large hill. Nathaniel’s guards from the Bear Lords camp had caught up to Nathaniel on their way to meet him at Cliff Peak. While the Bear Lord rode a fierce bear who could help in a fight, the guards all rode horses and could travel faster across the island than Nathaniel could.

            The Bear Lord and his men finally reached the village of Cliff Peak and were shocked to see that it had been ransacked. The huts, houses and storage buildings were empty with broken doors, windows and locks spread across the ground. A woman with a blue dress and bonnet came out of her empty house and ran toward the Bear lord and his men.

            “Sire! It was awful! Please help!” She shouted frantically. “Calm down” what happened?” asked Nathaniel. “Shadowy imps keep attacking the village. At first the men repelled them, but every night they came back in larger numbers. We attacked with swords and axes but any creatures we didn’t kill would steal the weapons right from our hands!” She exclaimed.

            “First I hear they are trolls, now they are imps. I will investigate this, do not worry” Said Nathaniel. “Bless you sire!” Said the woman in blue.

            The bear lord decided that the best way to stop the shadowy threat was to learn as much as he could about them. He and his twenty men guarded the town that night while the villagers slept. Nathaniel let Pubbles roam the village to search for any threats as the bear lord himself walked through the village on foot carrying a well crafted bow and arrows. The soldiers in town had swords and bows, some stayed on their horses and others wanted to search on foot. The Bear lord’s group was on high alert.

            The night was cool and breezy, it had been a warm couple of days and this break on heat was a nice change. Some crickets could be heard chirping in outside of the village but otherwise it was quiet. A loud roar from Pubbles the bear broke the silence. Nathaniel went running toward his friends cries. He stopped in his tracks in shock when he saw it. Pubbles stood nervously in front a six foot tall oval shaped glowing portal. The portal was made of swirling purple energy and from the portal emerged three foot tall jet black monsters. They looked like small humans made of shadow itself. The first little shadow monster ran at Pubbles but was instantly destroyed by the bear’s mighty claws.

            These creatures weren’t invincible or even that strong but their numbers were incalculable and they continued to spawn from this mysterious portal. The portal appeared from the thin air outside of town and Nathaniel had no idea how to deal with it.

            “Men! We are under attack!” Nathaniel shouted as he took aim and shot the closest shadowman in the head with an arrow. The creature vanished taking the arrow with it. Nathaniel stepped backward as he shot at the creatures emerging from the portal.

            Swordsmen charged forward and sliced through the shadows, each slice destroyed them instantly. “Sire, these buggers are no threat to us!” Cheered Richard the swordsman. “Do not be over confident, we do not know if this is the extent of their strength” Nathaniel called back

            The shadowmen continued to flood out from the portal. Soon fifty shadows had emerged and were making their way into town. Richard slashed with skill and precision, each strike vanquished a shadowman. Then Richard was struck hard in the back, the blunt force of a charging shadowman made Richard stumble forward and drop his sword. The second his sword hit the ground a greedy little shadowman scooped it up and ran off with it. Richard yelled in anger and chased the little imp until he reached the portal. The sword thief escaped through the portal, a place Richard didn’t dare to follow.

            Nathaniel was the best archer on the island and his skills were put to the test while fighting such large numbers of creatures. Pubbles stuck close and clawed any creatures who came into melee range of Nathaniel.

            Villagers awoke to the sound of fighting. They saw their king fighting to protect them and this inspired some of the men and women to charge into battle, using rocks, shovels and anything the shadowmen hadn’t already looted from the town.

            The shadowmen continued to pour from the portal endlessly but the combined might of the villagers and Nathaniel’s group was able to fight them back. After an hour of fighting the shadowmen retreated back into the portal, having killed no one, injured just a few and stolen a keg of beer, two shovels, Sir Richard’s sword and Bob the archer’s bow.

            This was just the first night and Nathaniel knew that this would continue until he put an end to the portal.

Lower Thy Shield

I do not submit easily, I have bowed out from fights in my weaker days and backed down when necessary and those with weaker minds would not be able to tell the difference between my actions and my intentions. Bowing or backing down is an action similar to a theater performance to submit is to give another control over your thoughts and actions. One would be safe if surrounded by those who submitted but the ones who bow and do not submit are dangerous as they are just waiting for a chance to either escape or kill the one forcing them to bow.

            To submit is to surrender your will, this isn’t always a bad thing unless you submit to someone who cannot handle the power you’ve given them. Two lovers must submit to each other in order for the couple to build trust and a sturdy relationship, a knight must submit himself fully to his king so that he may be focused in battle and not questioning his actions or his kings actions. Because of this need to submit it is only after the fact that you learn whether the one you’ve submitted to is worthy of you or abusing the power you have given.

            I do not submit easily and my strength of will has carried me through life further than my own useless body. When the body betrays you and legs weaken it is the determination that fuels you. The human spirit is one of the strongest forces in the world and I have seen it in action first hand. I have forced myself to walk when I had no energy to do so and force of will held me together.

            Will power is not magic as much as it seems to be and the human body has a breaking point where it just stops moving regardless of how much inner strength someone has. That being said, I believe that if you continue to push yourself past your limits you will find new limits that you didn’t even know you had.

            I push myself through pain, depression and anxiety, my will grows stronger and when I do submit myself to someone it is by choice and not by force.

            The choice to submit means I have found someone worthy of me and I feel safe and secure enough to drop my shield which has been built over the years to be wide and sturdy. I do not take this action lightly and when I let someone into my heart and mind it is very difficult to get them out. Unfortunately I make mistakes like anyone else and removing someone from my heart is as painful emotionally as it would be physically. 

            Removing someone from my heart and mind is painful but in addition to pain there is anger. Anger at myself for making a foolish decision, anger at the one I trusted for betraying that trust and anger combined with sadness for the possible future that did will never happen.

            When this happens I lift my shield and move on through life, try to recover from the wounds and hope that one day I will find someone I can submit myself to without fear of another painful wound in my heart.

The Duel on Wolf Peak

            The winter festival was fast approaching, it was a time to celebrate and eat one last big meal before the harshness of deep winter set in. All throughout the land people would hang colorful lanterns, cook delicious roasts with herbs and eat the last fresh vegetables of the year. The approaching months would be a time to preserve and conserve on food and resources so the winter festival was seen as a bright, colorful and loud firework in the sky before the dead of night set in. To the people living in the town of Wolf Peak it was one of the biggest holidays of the year. Wolf Peak was located in the White Mountains and the White Mountains had the harshest winds and coldest winters in all of the land. By the middle of winter Wolf Peak would be completely trapped by snow and deadly winds. The towns in the low lands could leave their house and even travel in an emergency if they had to. The people of Wolf Peak were confined to the town, cut off from the rest of the world for three months.

            During the Winter Festival people would prepare for the long winter ahead or just leave town and head for the lowlands, where the winters were shorter and less severe. The only saving grace that Wolf Peak had was the shelter of the Respite caves. Long tunnels and man made caves that bore deep into the mountain were known as the Respite caves, the town of Wolf Peak was built inside of the caves. Villagers wouldn’t be snowed into their houses but they were completely trapped inside of the mountain. The villagers who lived in Wolf Peak all year had a close bond with each other. After a year of relying on your neighbor you start to see your neighbor as a brother or sister.

            Soft music echoed out from the town and warm lights could be see shining in the Respite caves. People were celebrating, preparing for the night of the Winter Festival and preparing for the long winter afterward. While most celebrated there were those who had other matters that needed their attention. In such a peaceful and joyous time there were those who insisted on fighting.

Clashing swords rang out through the mountains, two men stood facing each other in a duel to the death. The bitter cold winds of the White Mountain Pass blew through the combatants but they both stood unmoving. One fighter was wearing all black armor, a black helmet that was rounded at the top and came to a point in the front, a long red scarf wrapped tightly around the neck, carried a long sword and shield and had a battle axe on his back. The first fighter was known as the Vanguard and had more than a few legends.

            The second fighter was known as Sir Gregory Andrews, a former knight who apposed his king and was thrown out of the castle and stripped of his honor and title. Sir Andrews was more recently known as Gregory the knight mercenary. Sir Gregory Andrews had medium length messy brown hair. A trimmed goatee that was starting to grow out and looked like it hadn’t been maintained in a few weeks. He wore silver armor that he owned from his days as a knight, the armor used to shine brightly like a star but it hadn’t been cleaned or polished in a while. Gregory used to have a helmet but the King had taken it away because it had the Kingdom seal on it. Even though his kingdom branded him a traitor he still tried to be noble in everything he did but also needed to eat and many of Sir Andrews’ deeds had not been noble as of late. Gregory knew the Vanguard was wanted by the king and figured if he captured the black armored villain then his good name would be restored and the King might even forgive him for all that treason stuff.

            Few people knew why the Vanguard was a wanted criminal and even less knew who the Vanguard even was. Sir Andrews didn’t care though, he needed to return to his noble statues and was running out of ways to get back on the King’s good side. Gregory charged at the Vanguard with his two handed sword, Gregory’s dirt covered silver armor clanked against the stone with every step.  The Vanguard did not react to Gregory’s sudden charge, the dark night just stood like a statue, firm and unwavering. Sir Andrews swung his sword, swinging it downward with all of his strength. The Vanguard moved with unnatural speed moments before the sword struck his armor. The Vanguard moved out of the way and in one motion slammed his shield into Gregory’s chest. The blow from the shield struck with such force that it knocked Gregory off of his feet and sent him backward into the snow.

            Gregory struggled to get to his feet as he clutched his chest and tried to breath again. The strike was so strong that Sir Andrews was lucky he didn’t have internal bleeding. “Why do you wish to fight me?” Asked the Vanguard, his voice echoed through his helmet and sounded almost inhuman. “I need to bring your head to my King. You are a villain with a price on your head” Gregory said as he held his sword up again. “I am wanted in many kingdoms, but I am not a villain. I do not want to kill you, but I will defend myself. If your honor commands you to slay me then you risk your life in trying to do so” The Vanguard said as he sheathed his sword, tied his shield to his back and pulled his two handed axe from its holster on his back.

            Sir Andrews held his sword tightly, he didn’t want to keep fighting, he felt out matched by this nightmare of a knight, but he couldn’t live another day as a mercenary. “If I kill you my honor will be restored, I cannot live without my honor. I won’t live another day as a dog” Said Andrews as he charged again. He swung his sword downward like before and the Vanguard crouched down to start a counter attack, knowing that the Vanguard would counter Gregory didn’t put all of his weight into his sword like last time and instead brought his knee up as his sword came down. The Vanguard tried to react but was kneed in the head. Gregory was able to bring his sword down on the now dazed Vanguard. The sacrifice was that his sword slash was not as powerful as it normally would have been.

            The Vanguard tumbled backward into the snow with a fresh slash in his armor. “Your supposed ‘honor’ binds you to your king like a dog. The kingdoms hate me because I am truly free. I have honor, I spare the weak and I do not resort to cheap tricks, but I am hated because I do not let others use my honor to chain me down” The Vanguard said, his words rang out, echoing with each word. The words stung Sir Andrews as he thought back to the things he did to survive all the while hoping to regain the King’s favor and his precious honor. “Enough talk, I will finish you here and now!” Gregory said as he stabbed his sword down on the Vanguard who was starting to stand back up.

            The Vanguard couldn’t react fast enough and the sword plunged through the shoulder joint in the armor were there was little protection. The Vanguard’s armor had weak spots and joints in it for increased mobility. The weakness in the Vanguard’s armor had been exploited and blood dripped from the shoulder joint and down the Vanguard’s hand as his blood spilled out through his armor. “So you are a man after all. So many stories were told of you being a demon or a specter that haunted a suit of armor” Said Sir Gregory with triumph.

            The Vanguard’s armor began to glow and pulsing red light vibrated from the black metal plates. Gregory stepped back as the Vanguard stood up. “I am none of those things. What I am, is your death” Said the Vanguard, his voice echoing from his helmet in a rage. Icy wind blew over the two combatants and the snow began to blow in from the north. The winter storms were growing more intense and if the battle lasted much longer both the Vanguard and Gregory would freeze to death.

            The Vanguard took off his helmet and threw it into the snow. Gregory Andrews was take back by what he saw. The Vanguard lifted his axe with one hand as his other arm lay limp. Before Gregory could react the Vanguard had moved forward four feet in a blink and was mid attack. Gregory only blinked once and then saw the Vanguard raising his axe into the air and then down onto Sir Gregory’s shoulder. The axe slashed through Sir Andrews’ armor and cut a chunk into his shoulder, upper torso and ribcage. Sir Gregory Andrews coughed up blood and stared at the Vanguard with a hazy vision.

            A woman with jet black hair, burning red eyes and skin as white as the snow stared at Gregory with intense hatred. “You lived like a dog, chained to your master. Now this is where you die, cold, alone and forgotten” Said the Vanguard, her gaze harsher than the winter winds of the White Mountain. The Vanguard picked up her helmet, placed it back onto her head and walked off, blood dripping from her arm and leaving a trail behind her. Soon she disappeared into the wind and snow of the mountain and Sir Gregory was left alone. Blood poured from his wounds and he began to lose consciousness. Faint music was heard from the town of Wolf Peak and Gregory smiled. The Winter Festival was starting and Gregory wondered were he would be right now if he hadn’t chased after the King’s favor like mad dog.

            Gregory closed his eyes, music played softly like a lullaby and then soon faded. The sound of the wind disappeared and the cold could no longer be felt.  The Winter Festival was fast approaching and everyone was busy celebrating.

The last Duel

            Sir Williams traveled alone an empty road on his horse. He was sent by the king to investigate a sinister looking keep. This large stone building was old but sturdy and normally would be left alone. It was said the Keep was haunted and a black knight on a ghostly horse would ride out of it every night and prey on helpless travelers. Sir Williams didn’t believe in ghosts, but it was entirely possible that a disgraced knight lived there.

            The sun slowly set over the hills as Williams approached. All was silent except for the nervous sounds coming from Williams’ horse. The keep stood up ahead, being old and made of dark stone, it was easy to see why people were afraid of it, especially at night. The sound of another horse could be heard, the slow trotting of the horse and then the clinking of heavy armor from the rider. Just as the towns people said a knight in black armor riding a pale horse came out of the keep and like a ghost appeared on the other side of the field. The two knights looked at each other. The Black knight shouts, his voice sounds like a lion’s roar. It certainly wasn’t a noise human’s make. Williams is stunned for a second, by the time the shock of the roar wears off, the evil knight is half way across the field. He put his sword out stretched, ready to strike when within range. The Dark knight’s sword was a jagged blade with a slight curve. It could make a messy stab wound or cause a slice strong enough to take off an arm.

            Sir Williams charged forward his sword raised up above his head. His sword was brilliantly shiny steel, with a gold hilt. This sword wasn’t legendary or magical. But it was made by the best blacksmith in the land and was given to Williams as a reward for all of his bravery and service. The two knights charged forward, the horses ran faster and faster at each other. Sir Williams readied his sword and at the last second swung it downward at the Black Knight. Both of their swords clanged together with such force it almost threw Williams off his horse. They both continued to run in opposite directions for a moment to recover. Then, as if they had rehearsed this, they turned around at the same time and when in for another charge. Sir Williams lifted his sword again ready for another strike. The Black knight veered off to the right and began whirling his sword around in the air like a madman. Sir Williams slowed down and turned his horse to face the Black knight. the dark knight’s sword began spinning quickly through the air as it did, the shadows around him began to grow. The shadows stretched out and began reaching up from the ground. In seconds the shadows pulled themselves from the ground and now floated above the Shadow-summoning Knight.

            Sir Williams barely had a chance to react before the Shadows flew straight at him. They howled a ghastly noise as they flew. They outstretched their arms and attacked with claw like fingers. Williams pulled back on his horse to avoid the strike, but his horse was scare and reared up on two legs, throwing Sir Williams off. His horse ran off and he quickly got to his feet as the shadow creatures circled him. Then he heard the shadow knight galloping on his horse. In a fair fight two knights would fight with lances or swords on horseback and if one rider was dismounted a noble knight would also dismount and engage in ground combat. This was not a fair fight, and Williams did not expect the Shadow knight to dismount.

            To even the odds, Williams reached into his boot and pulled out a dagger, which he quickly threw, striking the knight with such force that it made him lose his balance and fall off his ghostly horse. Without a rider, the horse simply vanished into thin air.

While the Shadow knight was disoriented, Sir Williams dodged the oncoming attacks from the shadow creatures. He swung his sword in the air, slashing at the shadows as they swooped down, but he was unable to hurt them. He would have to defeat the Shadow Knight to get rid of these minions. The Shadow knight stood up and lifted a flail and began swinging it. The spiked metal ball spun through the air, building up speed and stopping power.

            Sir Williams got his sword and shield ready. He moved in closer, dodging shadow claws and holding up his shield to block any flail attacks. He ran forward, knowing if he was going to strike, he would need to strike fast. The Shadow knight swung his flail down on Williams, luckily Williams blocked it with his shield, unluckily the force of the strike broke several bones in Sir Williams’ wrist. He winced in pain and dropped the shield. His eyes grew wide as the metal ball came back around toward his face. Sir Williams leaned back and moved his head just in time to dodge the attack. While the Shadow knight recovered from his last swing and before he attacked again. Williams lunged forward with his sword, striking an opening in the Black knights armor. Sir Williams managed to stab in the space between the chest armor and the bottom of the helmet, a tiny little slit that leads right to the throat. With one final move, the Shadow knight struck Sir Williams in the chest with his might flail and at the same time the shadows all attacked at once. Sir Williams had his armor ripped and his back scratched up by the shadows and the flail dented his armor and broke a few ribs. the strike to the ribs knocked Williams off of his feet and from the ground he saw the Shadows fade away and the Shadow Knight let out another roar before he too faded away. No trace was left of the enemy, as if they never existed at all.

            Sir Williams was badly injured, not near any town and was without a horse. He traveled for days on his own, heading back to town, but he never made it. The king was informed that Sir Williams defeated a knight in black armor, and then died in battle. In the report the black knight was just a rogue knight without a king. The truth was the Black knight was much more than that and was more of a ghost knight or some kind of evil spirit. As for Sir Williams, he didn’t die in battle. He walked for days, injured and alone, until he found a small farmhouse. The family there took care of him and nursed him back to health. Once he was healthy again he decided not to return to his kingdom. He was tired of war and fighting and figured that after his last battle he deserved a break.

            Days went on, then weeks, then years and Williams never went back. Eventually he started his own farm, made his own family and changed his last name to Williamson. He and his family remained friends with the farming family that helped him and from that point on he led a nice peaceful life.