Knight's Quest Part Six

Hi, everyone! I’ve returned, with the sixth and final part of Knight’s Quest! Ready to find out what happens? Read on! Haven’t read parts one-five yet? Here are the links to part one, part two, part three, part four, and part five! Now, on with the tale!

Part Six

Sir William and Sir Walter spent an hour creeping through the dark passages of Miran’s fortress, trying to find the throne room. Finally, after following a pair of slaves, they found it. Walter waited in the small anteroom just outside the throne room while William entered.

“Miran, you rascally, rotten, reptilian ripsnorter! Your doom is nigh!” exclaimed Sir William.

            Miran spun around, startled, but the dragon was careful not to show the scaleless spot. As Miran spun, Sir William noticed Princess Ariana, who was chained to the huge, black, stone chair that Miran used for a throne. “Who are you?” asked Miran.
            “I am Sir William of Antuindia, champion of that same city, and I have come to slay you and rescue the Princess Ariana, you vexing, venomous vermin!” replied Sir William.
            “Ha!” bellowed Miran. “You? One human, defeat me, the mightiest of dragons, who has roasted whole armies? I don’t think so. Now, run away, Sir William, while I’m still of a mind to let you live!”
            “You misbegotten muddler!” returned Sir William, “I shall not leave until I have done what I came here to do, or die trying!”
            “Then you have come to your death!” roared Miran, plunging toward Sir William. Sir William quickly dove out of the way, swinging his sword towards Miran. He missed, but Miran was still enraged. He blew a stream of fire at the knight, who once again dodged out of the way. Sir William jabbed at Miran, but he missed once more. Suddenly, Miran struck out at Sir William, who dove away once more, but this time he wasn’t fast enough. Miran’s gigantic claw cut into William’s leg, wounding it.
            Sir William fell to the ground, clutching his leg. “Now, Walter!” he yelled at the top of his voice. “Do it now!”
            Suddenly, Walter, who had been hiding in a small anteroom, threw a huge spider in front of Miran, who reared up in shock. Then, Sir William, with all the strength he could muster, leapt up and drove his sword up to the hilt in Miran’s chest, right through the scaleless hollow. Miran fell to the ground, screeching. “Nooooooo!” he screeched, and then he fell dead.
            William hesitated, listening intently for the cry of guards rushing to their master’s aid. Hearing none, he turned, wondering if Miran had commanded no loyal or at least semi-loyal servants. To his surprise, a crowd of people was gathered around the door. Where’d they all come from? He wondered.

A small girl, probably a slave, spoke up. “Sir, will the master get up?”

Sir William shook his head. “Nay. Miran will not rise again. You are all free to do what you will.”

The servants and slaves stood for a moment, and then someone let out a cry of joy. “We’re free!” Soon all the gathered people were laughing and rejoicing in their new freedom. William pulled a young man aside.

“Does Miran have any guards, anyone who would be upset by his death?” he asked.

The young man shook his head. “No, sir. The only people who might’ve been upset are the soldiers he paid a bit to defend the castle when the master was too lazy to do it himself, and if you leave his treasures here, or most of them anyway, they won’t care one bit.”

William smiled and said “Thank you, lad.” Then he hurried away to tell Walter the news. The two knights and Princess Ariana quickly began the ride back to Antuindia, each astride one of the many horses Miran had stolen from King Jonathan’s stables. Their quest was complete.            

About a week later . . .

            “I hereby declare you commander in chief of the royal army, and the champion of Alitene!” King Jonathan tapped the kneeling Sir William on the shoulder with his sword, and motioned for him to stand. There had been some debate over whether Sir William would accept the position, but the mission had helped him to regain his confidence. The crowd broke into a loud cheer. The people who had assisted with the conquest of Miran had all been well rewarded, from Sir Shaftson Blackwood of Woodsrovia, to the two slaves who had unknowingly informed Sir William and Sir Walter of Miran’s fear of spiders.  The ceremony for doing so was almost over. After King Jonathan made one last speech, Sir William hurried over to Sir Walter. “Some adventure wasn’t it?” he asked.
            “Aye,” agreed Sir Walter. “And I wonder what our next one will be!””
           

As Lady Aleta finished her tale, the crowd broke into applause. “Hurrah, Lady Aleta!” someone yelled. “That was the best tale yet!” Aleta smiled. She loved telling the tales of Alitene’s history, and like Sir Walter, she couldn’t wait for the next one!

Well? What did you think? Please comment and tell me! Also, don’t forget to cast your vote on whether or not I should post parts/chapters on Saturdays! How? Just click here and comment with your opinion!

-Sarah