Heavy Metal
Chapter One
Heavy Metal
I was not born into knighthood. I came by it quite accidentally. One morning as I wandered the moors in search of a lost milk cow belonging to the farm where I worked for a loft to sleep in and whatever meal the farm wife decided was no good for the rest of the family, a run-away horse with a beautiful maiden clinging to the reins flew past me in a cloud of flying heather, bits of grass and a mud ball or two. It was surely pure instinct that made me grasp the harness and hang on for dear life, whilst digging my heels in the soft damp earth trying to get a foothold and soothe the savage beast with flaring nostrils at the same time.
I had no time to think of the maiden and indeed, only noticed her beauty once the bay was halted and calmly munching grass as though nothing untoward had happened.
Fearing at first that the beast would take off again, I hauled her unceremoniously off the creature. She was not amused and called me out in no uncertain terms for handling her so roughly. It was at this time that another rider approached and took control of the situation. I was thanked for rescuing the Lady Arlaine, and thought no more of it when the two rode off again.
To my surprise, the next morning, I was summoned to the castle where I was made a knight-in-training. Little did I know the adventures that awaited me, but first I had to go through some strenuous training both of the body and of the mind.
I was also outfitted with a worthy steed and some very heavy chain mail that would come in handy later, although at the time, all I could think of was how was I going to carry it all.
I was assigned a mentor who began teaching me immediately, the first lesson being humility and the second was how to don the armor.
Chapter Two
A Horse By Any Other Name Would Still Smell The Same
I was a knight in my King's eyes, but I still had a lot to learn about what that meant. Most nights I slept in the stall with my horse. I was told this was to familiarize the beast with my scent so he would always know me. However, it was his scent that bothered me most. I learned to care for him meticulously and kept him very clean.
One of the things I learned was jousting. This meant I had to be able to stay on my horse without using my hands. This was very difficult to learn. After many, many unsuccessful tries I finally accomplished this. I spent quite a few nights getting camphorated oil rubbed into my aching muscles. Sometimes I landed on my backside. Then I would eat my meals standing up for awhile.
I also had to learn to carry the jousting lance and use it efficiently to dislodge my opponent while staying on my own horse.
At the Festival of the Roses I got to try my newly learned skills. I was summoned again to the feet of my king, but it was his daughter the Lady Arlaine who requested me. She gave me her silk scarf to wear for luck.
My first two times up were a success, but then my luck changed. I drew Sir Gordon as my opponent. He was the most skilled and the most feared of all. I did not stand a chance. It was almost a relief when he unseated me. I was not discouraged. This was only my first tournament. Next time I would do better.
During the months that followed, my skills steadily increased. I enjoyed the tournaments, the jousting, the drinking and feasting, but mostly I enjoyed being able to occasionally exchange a word with Lady Arlaine who frequently gave me her scarf for luck.
Dragon in Flight
At my last tournament, I did so well that I was summoned by the King who informed me that I was now a full fledged Knight. I was given my first official duty. Word had reached the king that a dragon was killing livestock in a far away shire. I was to go there with two other knights to roust the old boy and bring his head back. I was ready for this! This is what I trained for! Still, a very tiny voice in my head said I should worry, but all I could see was the glory and the smile I would bring to the Lady Arlaine's face when I returned victorious.
The journey to the shire was long and tedious. It was uneventful other than some rainy weather along the way. We arrived late in the evening of the twelfth day of our journey, found an inn, stabled the horses, ate a quick but hearty meal and fell asleep the moment our heads touched our mats. We were so tired, we did not even notice the vermin that were also stabled in the same room with us.
My fellow knights and I were up with the cock's crow. Sir John, Sir Paul and I, Sir George ate a hearty breakfast before talking to the locals to determine the location of the alleged dragon. We were directed to the holding of a man named Crouch who had lost a large number of assorted livestock due to the dragon.
We were also told many different versions of what the dragon looked like. He or she was either taller than a farmhouse or about the size of a horse depending on who you talked to. The dragon may have been brown, green, or golden. Some said he spewed flames from his nostrils while others reported blood dripping from his huge gnarled talons and sharp fangs.
We were curious as to what awaited us. Sir John felt that we were not going to find a dragon, but some other beast from the underworld. Sir Paul thought the townspeople had lifted too many tankards of the fine ale we sampled the night before.
I hoped for a Golden Dragon because the winning of the battle with this beast would bring me the most glory. I also knew from the many stories of my youth that golden dragons are called that, not only because of the golden sheen of their scales, but also because they generally guarded a hoard of gold coins, rare gems and other treasures. When I slayed this dragon, I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams and a hero. This meant I would then be able to ask for the Lady Arlaine's hand in marriage. I was elated.
Upon reaching Farmer Crouch's holding, we were shown evidence of the dragon's presence. We witnessed the torn and tattered hides of several animals, some of which were large cows.
No one had actually seen the dragon, but they had heard his cries and seen steam coming from a cave which they thought was his lair. Crouch led us to the cave's entrance where we saw and heard nothing. We set up camp where we could watch to view the dragon the next time he exited the cave.
By nightfall the dragon had not appeared. I was beginning to wonder if we had the right cave or if there even was a dragon when steam was seen coming out of the cave entrance. We stared at the entrance intently but nothing happened.
After about two hours of nothing but an occasional puff of steam or maybe smoke, we were all tired and anxious. Sir John wanted to take a torch and enter the cave. The rest of us quickly talked him out of it.
It was then that I saw the eyes. They were coming out of the cave. With hardly any moon out it was all we could see, just two glowing yellow eyes. As low down as they were, if it was the dragon, he'd have to be crawling on his belly. We watched in silence as the eyes floated out of the cave and disappeared. We took turns the rest of the night watching the cave entrance, but nothing else appeared.
In the morning, we learned that the dragon had been on the prowl that night and had killed two sheep. Evidently, we had a very smart dragon here. We decided to search the cave. With Sir John in the lead we covered as much of the cave as we could reach.
There were small tunnels in the cave walls that no man or dragon for that matter could crawl through. We found several cracks in the floor of the cave. Steam was rising through them. So much for our dragon. We did find a large pile of bones left behind by some predator.
Just as we were turning to leave, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Something was in this cave with us. A ferocious howl came out of the tunnel behind Sir Paul as a giant black cat leapt on to his back. He screamed in pain as Sir John and I leapt to his defense, blades drawn and killed the monster cat. We had our dragon!
We stayed at the Crouch's holding until Sir Paul was well enough to be moved before journeying back. No more livestock was lost, so we knew for certain there was no dragon, golden or otherwise. We were still heroes, but I had no treasure with which to buy the lady's hand. Maybe next time.
Chapter Four
The Tattered Traveler
A funny thing happened on the return trip. It really wasn't funny, more like odd. We approached a heavily wooded part of the trail where we could not see ahead. We could, however, hear ahead or at least a voice. Someone was in danger. The voices, for there was more than one, that reached our ears were engaged in an argument over what seemed to be the spoils of a battle.
Not wanting to alert them of our coming, we dismounted and quietly made our way through the trees in order to see without being seen ourselves. Two rather haggard fellows were debating on the spoils, the spoils in this case being one scruffy young boy about the age of twelve wearing tattered rags and a dirty face that peeked from under a large filthy hat.
My thoughts were that maybe they were arguing to see who would be lucky enough to not get him. I have never believed in child labor or abuse so we decided to free the boy. My earlier thoughts were confirmed when one grabbed for a sack the child held and took off down the trail.
While my companions convinced the other to give up and be on his way as we had no need of prisoners, I gave chase to the other who was either unfit for a chase or too dimwitted to outfox me. In any case, I took back the child's sack and let the ruffian go free.
We took the boy with us. He seemed not to be able to speak. I did not know if this was from fear or otherwise. Snatching back his bag, he quickly made it disappear within the tatters he wore. He needed protection so we provided what we could, planning on leaving him at the next farm or village we passed.
We stopped to rest that night near a stream where we cleaned ourselves of the grime of travel. The boy did not want to bathe but we forced him in clothes, if they could be called that, and all. He quickly hopped back out as the water was very cold. He now looked and smelled better.
That night I had a strange dream. I felt as though I was awake, but by morning I knew it had to have been a dream. While the others slept, I arose to see the vision of a lovely young girl with long flowing red hair. She stood almost nose to nose with a giant brown bear. Her hand held his snout so that he could make no noise. Why the bear did not gobble her up, I do not know.
It was then that she noticed me. She turned and without saying a word, held out her hand to me and blew shards of sparkling diamonds. When the diamonds reached me, I fell sound asleep and did not dream again for the rest of the night.
Morning came and we were on our way. The waif was proving invaluable as he started the fire and prepared a morning meal for us before we were even awake. We were beginning to think we might keep him, at least for the time being. We named him Bobin until we could discover his real name.
Chapter Five
Wolves In The Night
We had been on the trail for three days and nights since we took Bobin, or Bob as we now called him, into our care. He still had not spoken. Perhaps he was deformed and could not speak. Night fell and Bob built a fire, for there were wolves in the nearby forest.
We were awakened by the snorts of the horses. The fire was out and the wolves were nearby howling. I could see the glow of their eyes as they quickly surrounded us, cutting us off from the horses, our only hope of escape. With knives drawn, swords would have done us no good here, we formed our own circle in an effort to protect Bob. The wolves growled menacingly.
A bright light appeared behind us. Could the fire have flared up from the embers? I glanced back and saw the maiden I had dreamed of before. Was this another dream? Or was this really happening? She held her cupped hands to the sky opening them slowly to reveal more diamond sparkles that flew out and attacked the wolves who then scattered back to the forest. In shock and disbelief we all stared at the maiden who then spoke to us although her lips did not move. Perhaps we only felt the words. She said she could travel with us no longer, but she was grateful for the help we had given her. She pointed at our dead camp fire and it relit. The bright light was gone along with the girl. We stayed awake the rest of the night, but the wolves never returned. Bob was nowhere to be found. Mention was made that maybe Bob was our mysterious visitor, but someone else said that Bob was probably so scared he took off. I feel that Bobin was not a boy, but the fairy creature who had saved us from the wolves. There was no trace of Bob at the campsite. We never saw Bob again.
Chapter Six
Damsel in Distress
In mid summer, word reached my lord of the abduction of Lady Nancy, his brother's only daughter. My companions and I were sent to rescue her. We were told to contact a certain serving wench at the Boar's Head Inn in Tenneyson Shire for the latest details.
On our arrival we found the wench busy with some rather unsavory customers, but she soon found her way to our table. However, she refused to comment until we ordered the most expensive meal in the place which as it turned out was very tasty, indeed, but no where near worth the coinage required.
As she was clearing the crockery and refilling our tankards, we again attempted to get information about Lady Nancy. At the mention of her name, the wench became so agitated that she dropped her tray, spilling the contents across the floor. While clearing the mess, she whispered to us to meet her in the alley at a certain hour. After much discussion with my companions, I was elected to meet the wench at the appointed hour.
She was prompt, if nothing else. She said a local farm boy had told her of a tower hidden deep in the woods where he heard a female voice calling for help. When he tried to enter the tower, he could find no door. When he touched the walls of the tower he was thrown back by some mysterious force. It was so powerful, he was knocked unconscious and did not awaken for several hours, during which the farmer he worked for got angry, thinking he was off courting the wench. She gave me his name and where I could find him. We started out immediately.
Perhaps an hour and a half passed when we approached the holding where the lad worked. Even then we still had to go farther for Robbie, the boy we were after had been sent to the edge of the forest to cut firewood.
This was a stroke of luck because he could easily get away from the farmer without appearing to slack off on his duties. As it turned out, he was working only a few yards from the tower which, although I could not see it from outside the trees, he assured me was quite nearby.
We hurried to the spot and there indeed was a door less tower. When Sir Paul got too close, Robbie yelled at him to get back or he would be burned. Sir Paul, not quite believing him, but not wanting to take the chance not to, tossed a handful of small pebbles at the structure. There was a flash of blue white light and a loud crack like often heard in a storm. It was after this that we heard the maiden's cry.
She called down to us in a voice that sounded like it came from the heaven's itself, so sweet was it. She leaned out the window to talk to us, but cautioned us not to try to save her. She warned us we would be killed. By now, I was one to believe her.
Lady Nancy, for she was the lady we sought, told us she was taken prisoner one afternoon while she strolled in the palace gardens. Her captor was a knight all dressed in black who wore a mask so she could not see his face. It all happened so quickly, she did not even have a chance to cry out to try to save herself.
Since that afternoon, she had been locked in the tower. Fresh food appeared each morning although she could not understand how this happened.
She could climb down the stairs, but when she reached the bottom there was no where to go but back up for there was no door. She had pounded on all the walls and searched for loose stones, but there were none.
As it was getting late, we camped just out of sight of the tower, but where we could take turns keeping vigil in a weak attempt to guard our Lady from the fates knew what.
During my turn on watch, I spent a lot of time thinking on the problem. It must be some kind of sorcery that held the lady captive. I was not too familiar with sorcery. I knew my Lord had a court magician, but I never met the man and to be honest, I tended to handle most of my problems with a quick tongue or failing that, a sharp blade.
Chapter Seven
The Green Fire
At daybreak, Robbie returned to take up his wood cutting. I used the opportunity to question him about local sorcerers. He apparently was a dunderhead and had no idea what I was talking about, although this may have been just my impression.
While we ate a meager breakfast, we bandied ideas about, coming up with a long forgotten tale of an old woman who lived in a tumble down shack about three miles from where we were who purportedly kept strange creatures who spoke to her in strange tongues. She was said to have cured warts and made love potions for the local folk. She was also known to be a healer of strange sicknesses. I hoped her powers extended to freeing maidens from towers with no doors that repelled anyone trying to free said maiden. While the others stayed behind to stand watch and try to come up with a worthy plan, I saddled up and rode over to visit the old crone.
I knew I had arrived at the right shack, judging by the strange sounds coming from within. A raucous cackle assailed my ears. Either the woman was fighting with someone, maybe herself or she did possess some strange creatures. I tapped tentatively on the door, hoping it wouldn't fall off its hinges and called out in a moderate voice, but high enough to be heard over the din.
The woman who answered the door seemed to have come from another dimension. Her hair flew out in complete disarray as though she had been caught in the wind. Her eyes seared me with a green fire. A gnarled be-ringed hand stretched out to me and without a word being spoke she drew me into the room with a strength I would have thought not possible for a female.
The clamor inside was louder than outside, but now I could see the source. Two very large and colourful birds were perched on opposite sides of the room. These were strange creatures, indeed, ones I had never seen the likes of before. One wore brilliant feathers of green and red, while the other was feathered in blues and golds. They had huge curled beaks and large sharp eyes. I was mesmerized not only by the sights but by the sounds as well, for they never let up on the screeching, except for one occasion when I thought I heard the blue one say, "Welcome seeker of wisdom."
Before I could come to my senses and run screaming from the place, the old crone spoke to me. "I know what you seek and I can help you if you believe." she hissed at me. She waved a bony arm behind her and birds quieted except for an occasional murmur. She produced a goblet out of the air and told me to drink the contents. This I did and was strangely calmed. She said not to worry, it was only chamomile tea and would not hurt me.
Suddenly the blue bird was beside me and I swear by all that's holy he did speak to me in my own language. "You seek to free the maiden from the tower. You must trust in yourself and in the power of the green fire. Hold up the crystal and trust. The door will open." the bird said in a voice like stone being dragged over stone. The old woman held out to me a crystal the size of plum that blazed with an inner fire of emerald. She, the birds and even the shack vanished in a puff of smoke and I was again alone except for my horse and the huge green crystal that warmed my hand. I quickly stuffed it in my shirt and hurried back to the tower before it too would disappear.
Chapter Eight
Fire and Ice
At the tower things were much the same as I had left them. I had not been gone long as the sun was now overhead. After informing my companions on the results of my visit to the crone, although I did not tell them everything, I stood before the tower and yelled up to the maiden in the window. I informed her I was going to attempt to free her and she must be prepared for strange things to happen.
I slowly drew the fire stone from my shirt. It did not look so powerful now and was cold as ice in my hand, but I had to trust in myself and in the power of this crystal. I held the stone aloft where it could catch the fire from the sun. My hand warmed as the green stone began to blaze. It was now almost too hot to hold, but I persevered. The fire spread out from the stone and a green light shone on us all. The light spread to cover the entire forest. It was now or never. I reached out and touched the tower wall. Like magic, the tower disappeared and in its place a small cabin with a door, through which the Lady Nancy now hurried. I wanted to throw my arms around her and protect her for ever, but she had eyes only for Sir Paul who as it turned out had spent a lot of time talking to her while she was imprisoned. In any case I still had my heart set on the Lady Arlaine if only I could prove to her father the King that I was worthy.
Chapter Nine
The Black Knight
We returned Lady Nancy to her father with a promise to return as soon as we took care of the black knight. Sir Paul stayed behind to insure no harm would come to her in the future. We were at a loss to know which direction to take. We knew next to nothing about the black knight. The only knight we knew of who dressed in black was the formidable Sir Gordon from our jousting tournaments, but he was off putting down a rebellion in the north country. It couldn't be him, although he was mean enough.
I still retained the emerald fire. I thought perhaps I could find the old crone and give it back to her in exchange for information on the black knight. I wandered for days in the area, but I could find no sign of her. I went back to the hut where the tower had been. There was no change here, only an eerie feeling of being watched. The locals should torch this place before someone else wandered inside and was trapped forever.
I took the stone from my pocket and held it aloft where it could catch the setting sun's rays and maybe give me a clue somehow. I almost dropped the stone when a white light appeared in front of me. The light grew bigger, until I could see in it's center a delicate fairy child. The two birds were perched on her shoulders. "Did I not help you enough already?" she demanded. "What do you want now?" Could this really be the old crone in another form? I quickly told her what I needed to find out.
Mystically, she informed me, "You must enter the tower to find the one you seek. You know the black knight already. You must end this here where it began. Use the crystal's power!" The white light shrunk to nothing and she was gone.
Where the hut sat before was now the tower returned. I again held the stone high. A door appeared in the nearest wall. Gingerly, I entered. amazed to find I was in a strange land with blue grass and green skies. I felt almost as though I was inside the crystal, but that could not be. I looked around me and saw nothing more unusual except the golden water in the stream was as hard as ice. I leaned over to touch it and shrank back quickly as heat seared my fingers.
Behind me I heard the gallop of a large horse. I quickly mounted mine, who appeared behind me. As soon as I was on the horse, a jousting lance appeared in my hand. The sound of the other horse was getting closer. I held out the lance as the black knight charged me. We both missed. Again and again, for what seemed like hours, but could only have been minutes, we charged each other. He was a very skilled opponent. I was glad of the time I had spent practicing. We exchanged several hits, but I remained on my horse. At last on the final try, when I was ready to drop from exhaustion, I put everything into my jab and the black knight flew off his horse.
I held the lance to his chest, but he did not move. Taking off his mask, I was shocked to find my old rival, Sir Gordon. As his mask came off, the scene dissolved into reality. I quickly tied the villain up and threw him over his saddle. He was out cold, but he was still alive and would awaken in a very cranky mood.
I left him with Lady Nancy's father and returned to my king. For my part in all this, I was given two special honors. The first was a very large land holding and the title of Lord of Balmain.
Chapter Ten
An Apple A Day
Oh, yes, lest we forget the second honor meant much more to me for I was given the chance to win the Lady Arlaine's hand in marriage and the blessing of my king. To win her hand I had to complete two tasks. The first was to climb the highest steepest mountain in the kingdom and retrieve a silver apple from the nest of raven. It seemed an easy task, but all was not as it seemed.
Finding the mountain was easy enough, climbing it was next to impossible. It could be seen from anywhere in the kingdom. It was so high that the peak disappeared within the clouds.
My companions and I separated at the base. I had to do this on my own. At first climbing was easy. By the seventh day, it was colder and most of the trees were gone. It was difficult to find a hand or foot hold. I prayed to the spirits that I would make it to the top.
On the tenth day, I was nearly breathless and weak. I had no water left and no food. I did not know how much longer I could hold on. Suddenly out of nowhere a vision of Bobin appeared. She spoke to me in her own way. "Your quest is an honorable one. I will help you, Sir George. Your next step will take you to the top." In the blink of an eye she was gone and I was again alone on the mountain. I looked around for my next step, but I could see nothing. Looking up, a hand appeared before my eyes. I reached out and took it and was hauled up beside the raven's nest. My helper was not to be seen. I knew it had to have been Bobin.
So here was the nest, or at least a big bowl shaped pile of tree limbs. Safely within lay the silver apple. I stretched out my arm and touched the apple. A black cloud covered me and I could not see, but I knew this was no ordinary raven. Outside the nest again without the apple I gazed in horror at the gigantic creature. It's wingspan must have been fifteen to twenty feet. Picking this apple was not going to be easy.
It was at this moment that I remembered the green crystal. I searched my pockets hurriedly for the stone, hoping I had not lost it in the climb. At last I found it and held it high. Before my eyes the giant bird shrunk to normal size. I quickly reached in and grasped the apple, stuck it in my shirt and prepared to climb back down. Again, I heard Bobin but I did not see her this time. "Use your crystal to make the raven big again. Fly to safety." At first I did not understand, but I trusted Bob. She had never steered me wrong. I held up the crystal and the huge bird returned. How could I fly to safety unless the bird took me. It held still while I climbed on board. I held tight to the long sleek neck and within minutes I was back on the ground at the base of the mountain. Now back to the king with the silver apple to find out my next task.
Chapter Eleven
The Deep
I knew by now that my second task would be a lot worse than it seemed. I was right. I had to enter Lock Mysty, swim to the bottom and retrieve a blue gem stone. Easy? Not on your life. In the first place, swimming is not something that comes easy to creatures that live on the land. I was just such a creature. Oh, sure I could bathe in a stream where I knew there was a bottom and I only had to stand upright to not drown. Lock Mysty was not known to have a bottom. It was also said to be inhabited by a huge sea creature. I did not know how I was going to accomplish this, my second task to win the Lady Arlaine's hand.
I visited the court wizard to seek a magic potion that would enable me to breathe under water. He had long white hair and a snow white beard resembling the wizard of King Arthur, one Merlin by name. He assured me he was not the same wizard. He went by the name of Izzy and although he did not have a potion to help he did tell me of a method he thought might work.
I timidly approached the shore of the lock at first light hauling a big sack of animal entrails. I had an assortment of bladders filled with air and tied together. I entered the icy water, took a deep breath and walked in till my feet no longer sucked up the soft mud. I took another breath and dove under. I had rocks sewed into my shirt to make me stay down. If not for these, I would float back to the surface. Izzy assured me this was true.
There was no sign of the water beastie. I was filled with hope as I sank deeper. When I needed air, I freed a bladder and sucked in the air it contained. Things were going fine.
That's when I saw the bubbles. They were huge and coming up from the bottom. My fears were realized when the beastie swatted me with his huge tail. I was sent hurling through the water and met up with the bottom a lot sooner than intended. I was painfully aware of something hard like a big rock under my back. Gingerly, I felt beneath me the smooth glassy surface of what had to be the blue gem stone.
While the beastie searched the depths for me, I unfastened my shirt of rocks and left it on the bottom. I had only two bladders left. I hoped it would be enough. My prayers were answered when I bobbed to the surface. I still had quite a way to swim to shore and the beast would soon realize I was not down at the bottom. My arms were aching and my chest felt as though I had swallowed rocks when I clambered out on the bank of the lock.
Lady Arlaine was waiting for me on the shore with arms outstretched and soaked as I was, she didn't seem to mind. Years later we would have quite a tale to tell our grandchildren.
The End.