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The story starts in an old village of Archmouth, passed from king to king. That was now ruled by a rich and snobby king, named Edward; he wasn't the most favored king, he was unfair. Edward was a money-chasing king. I was only a new and young knight standing by his side, though he said I wasn't a true knight without being born as a noble or having family riches.
But today, September 24th was the day of taxes for the village, it was the day he took money. It was around midday when me and a wise knight went around the village stepping on the cobblestone path.
We stopped at an old cottage. I began to knock on the door of the old house that looked and smelled of comfort and peace, something I haven't felt since I was young enough to roll in the bed of dirt by the manor, I knocked again on the wooden door. It came with silence, the older knight suggested to barge down the door since the resident hasn't paid in months. The only reason we have to collect taxes early in the year is because King Edward was short on money for leisure.
"It is fine to break the door, the king comaundeth so."the older and wiser knight engorged
I did so, and kicked the door with all strength I could muster, as the door opened,it was only a still unmoving body on the stone floor
“What in the devil's flame?” the older knight reacted.
As the day progresses this happened several more times until we reported to the King
“My dear king,” i say taking a knee ”many soul hath been unable to render payment-” I
said getting cut off by the king
“Why! They should senden themselves to the dungeons” the king exclaimed with power
“My king all we founden in many housen weren still and silent bodies with no pulse” I cried
Then I heard footsteps that were a mix of graceful and loud, it was the queen walking on the dirt stone floor
“What is this ruckus about” the queen asked with demand
I didn't notice that our conversation was loud enough for anyone else to hear.
“Since you must start talking about news around the village, to let you know a person from the dungeon has left. Perhaps he caused a death of poison?”
It is now December the grass was dead; Months passed from the conversation, the King could have cared less of what was discussed. But the wedding of this only daughter was going to be celebrated soon, she will be married off to a sparse haired but rich King. Despite the marriage princess Emliy did not want.
The plans for the Royal banquet will continue on the 14th of December which is today… Ale and stuffed peacock, and King Edwards favorite;roasted swan filled the table and the air. The newlyweds were front and center . As I drank my ale, I gazed over the crowd instead of watching the entertainment , I saw an unfamiliar face. He looked like the man the Princess was marrying but freckled. I turned my head to the old knight next to me, the same one that had been with me when we were collecting the money from the village.
“Sir, John hark what manner of visage did the murderer possess, he who did flee the prison of Archmouth??” I hesitated. Not wanting to make an accusation.
Sir John, the older knight breathed slowly and controlled even as he drank the warm ale. As he started to speak in his croaky voice. “Freakled with sparse hair and quite ill-favored. Do thou see one akin to him? Sir Cyrus?” He responded to my question. But as he responded the chatter of the dinner hall went out as a woman wailed.
“A murther!” A woman of the neighboring kingdom shrieked “A murther of thy king!” The dinner hall emptied slowly as people scrambled against others. The greedy king expired. As the queen and the princess screamed and cried.
I caught the eye of the killer, maybe the same one that killed several others in September. I followed the shady hooded killer through the castle.
I was led to the dry moat, running on the dead grass under my leather shoes, that the king and queen gave since they gained power and luxuries of many years. I de-hooded the shorter figure, which happened to be grayhaired.
“How darest thou, and who mightest thou be?” The gray haired figure said in a thick voice.
“Wherefore didst thou slay them? And wherefore the King, as well?” I cautioned.
“ The King? Forsooth, he hath earned such a fate, for ever he did take and take,from the folk o' the village, more and more. ” responded the gray haired killer
I reached for the hilt of my sword that wasn’t there, without proper weapons I ball my fist ready to swing a punch like when;I was young enough not knowing what to do right away and young enough to be defenseless.
“Thou didst not fully answer… What of the guiltless folk of the village?” I interrogated him.
Now on top of the dry moat we walked up while bickering. Though I was supposed to be a brave knight I was actually scared, maybe terrified tonight would be my last. I wasn't sure what weapons he had on himself. Then the familiar face, Sir John approached wearing armor and a sword in hand. I avoided looking at him so the gray haired killer wouldn’t suspect him. In a blur of quick action Sir John threatened with his sword pointing towards the killer’s heart making him fall down the dry moat pushing him to a painful fall. A blur of castle guards surrounded the body.
The night sky with stars was quiet now without the havoc of a killer running wild, but the wind ran wild along with my fast paced heart rate. It ends on a hill that once had smiles of flowers but the grass is dead .
When life ends, a new birth shall begin or so that old midwife said to me when she visited the manor. Maybe I should visit the lady
Still a bit shaken seeking comfort that once appeared in childhood i will revisit.