The White Knight

Chapter Eight--Shariene

The sun, climbing upwards to the highest point of the sky, revealed that it was nearing noon of that eighty-five degree day, with not a cloud in the sky, those blown away shortly after dawn.  Maria was riding along the trees, going presumably towards the direction of King Alexander's castle.  She was trying to retrace the route she had taken while being chased.  However, she kept getting more lost.
         The noon sun made Maria hot.  Thinking that she would only be gone for a short time when she left the castle earlier that morning, she did not bother to refill her water flasks.  Knowing that she should be drinking water every ten to fifteen minutes, the standard rule of the army of knights and Kingsbane, to prevent dehydration, her water supply was quickly consumed.  She found a small stream and refilled her flasks and led Chilowna to it so he could refresh himself.  She decided to rest in some shaded portion and wait for the day to get cooler before trying to find her way again.  The group of trees around there would protect her from sight of any knights who might be still looking for her.  Maria took off her helmet, letting her long hair waive in the breeze.  Deciding to read, Maria took the book from the saddlebag and opened to the next chapter.

Chapter 3

Of King Daniel and King Leroy and Their Knights

         When Rem created the worlds he created Bellerophon to be the ruler of one.  When Bellerophon created Utofamia, he created the eastern and western hemispheres.  On each hemisphere, he had a king to rule over each land.
         King Daniel was the ruler of the Eastern Hemisphere.  Under the law of Bellerophon, his people had to train to be warriors.  The King agreed to do this, because he felt it was necessary to defend the land against invaders.
         King LeRoy was the ruler of the Western Hemisphere.  It was also mandatory for his people to train.  He also felt that it was necessary to defend.
         Bellerophon was not satisfied in the results of the training.  He got the two kings together and spoke to them.
         "Your training is not enough.  You let your people get too old before teaching them the trade of being a warrior.  You need to begin them at an earlier age.  When the child reaches his eighth year, he shall begin his military training."
         "That is too young!" the two kings protested.
         "That is too young!" the two kings protested.
         "It shall be done.  I will let you decide how to train them at that age.  It can be more training in speed and physical conditioning than in combat.  However, if I am not pleased in what I see, you will be the first to know.
         "Second thing, we do not need to have weak warriors.  Of the ones who are sick, inexperienced or unskilled, you will kill off."
         "No!  That will not be done!"
         "It will be.  If you dare to defy me, it will cost you.
         "The final thing I have to say is the knights will be given some protection from the sword's bite.  It is a metal called armor.  King Daniel of the Eastern Hemisphere, your knights will wear white armor.  King LeRoy of the Western Hemisphere, your knights will wear black armor. 
         "Instead of having your kingdoms such a great distance from each other, you castles and homes will be twenty miles apart from each other.  When you two depart and return to your kingdoms, you will forget your friendship with each other.  You will become sworn enemies as will your sons and so forth.  Your knights will rage wars against each other.  Only the fit shall survive.  If the Red Knights do invade Utofamia, both your knights will become allies and join forces to defeat this enemy."
         Bellerophon finished talking.  The two kings departed.  Upon reaching their kingdoms, they set out to do, against their will, what Bellerophon commanded them to do.  Many people were killed.  Hatred built up within the two groups of knights and violent wars were raged between them.
         Some time later, Bellerophon visited King Daniel.  The king noticed how sad he looked.
         "I made a terrible mistake.  These people do not have to be knights if they do not want to be.  Many lives have been lost.  From now on, the military is voluntary.  No one shall be killed if they are weak or unskilled."
         Then Bellerophon went and told the same to King LeRoy.
         At the same time, the Red Knights invaded Utofamia.  King LeRoy saw the damage that was being brought upon them by the enemy.  He sent a message to King Daniel, telling him to have him and his knights meet at the Plains of Musglove.  This was done and the two knights came to an agreement.  They would become allies and defend themselves against this enemy.
         Then a battle between these knights and the Red Knights began.  It was a long and bloody war.  Many lives were lost.  The combined group of knights refused to give up.  This was their land and they loved it.  They decided to fight to the last man in defending the land.
         Then the Red Knights were gone.  They were nowhere to be found.
         King Daniel said to King LeRoy, "The enemy has been defeated.  Because of them, there has not been celebrating for a long time.  Tonight there will be a celebration.  Every year, at this time, this holiday will be celebrated.  It will be called Victoria Day.  It will tell the story of the Battle between good and evil."
         This was done.  People were happy once again.  Different songs of the battle were orated.  People ate good food and got drunk on the wine.  The two knights ate and drake together and once again became friends.
         For some time the two groups of knights remained allies.  More people became knights to replace the ones lost in the War.  The numbers were greater than before.
         Then one day a drought struck the Eastern Hemisphere.  Food was scarce.  King Daniel went to King LeRoy for aid, but he was refused.
         "What is this?" King Daniel asked.  "Here I am starving and you refuse to aid my people."
         "I have my people to worry about."
         "You are nothing but a greedy bastard.  You care about nothing except yourself."
         "Are you accusing me of something?" asked King LeRoy angrily.
         "Yes!  You have been waiting for the opportunity to be the dominating army.  This drought, which has ruined my land, has given you the chance.  Enjoy the opportunity while it lasts."
         King Daniel turned to leave.  However, he did not get far.  King Leroy drew his sword and thrust it into King Daniel's back.  He died before hitting the ground.
         King Daniel's servant saw what had happened.  He quickly got on his horse and rode away.  Upon reaching the King's knights, he told them what had happened.  The two groups of knights became enemies once again.  Prince Valerius became King.
         Bellerophon had seen the fate of King Daniel and was saddened.  He made up for the loss by ending the drought and making the land beautiful again, with abundant food.
*********************************
         A sound came from behind Maria.  She jumped up and was about to draw her sword, not sure what had made the noise.  She was surprised at what she saw.
         Standing in front of Maria was a creature that had all of the features of a lion, all except that this one was the size of a cat.  The lion was not a cub either.  It was fully developed, or at least it looked it.
         The miniature lion inquired, "Are you the White Knight called Maria?"
         "Yes, I am.  How may I ask, do you know about me?  Also, you are you only the size of a cat?"
         "We should then sit down, I am afraid it shall be a long story.  I am called Shariene.  I belong to a group of animals calls the Taslians, which are animals that can talk.  We have been in this world since the beginning.  Bellerophon has given us the gift of speech.  We shall keep this gift until we die, unless if the gift is taken away from us.  All of the Taslians are gentle to other animals and people.  Some have lost their speech because they have turned to the evil side.  However, not all gentle animals have been given the gift of speech.
         "I had once been a normal sized lion, which you have probably seen before.  There had been many lions roaming all over Utofamia a long time ago.  However, they were killed off by Melisande.  Now there are only a few lions living in Utofamia now.
         "Years ago, I was captured by Melisande, the evil one, and was made to be a slave.  For over a year she treated me with cruelty, until I escaped.  While I was a slave, I watched her do evil spells to help her conquer Utofamia.  A few days before I escaped, Melisande was going to cast a spell on me to transform me into an evil lion.  However, I would not be a traitor to Utofamia.  I was able to escape and get far away from her.  Alas, she had cast a spell on me in that my size would reduce to the size of a cat if I were to attempt to escape.
         "Because of my size, I must be cautious looking out for Melisande and other dangers.  I only hunted animals for food.  Yet those that I hunted now hunt me.  I have been trying to find a way to break the spell, but have not been successful yet.
         "Now I will tell you why I am here.  Sir Peter sent me to find you.  They noticed you missing from your room.  They were not sure what could have happened to you.
         "These days are grim.  The Red Knights are in Utofamia again.  Melisande may be with them.  I have been sent to find you.  You are not to return to the castle.  You will meet the knights at the Plains of Musglove.  I will show you the forest road that will lead you there."
         While walking, Maria told Shariene all that had happened to her since she came into Utofamia and what had happened that day.
         "You see," stated Shariene, when Maria told him about her unexpected meeting with the Red Knights.  Sir Peter must know that the days ahead look bad.  You must get to the Plains as quick as you can.
         A few minutes later they found the forest road and Shariene instructed Maria on what to do.
         "You ride in a westerly direction on this road.  It will lead you out of this forest in one to two days ride.  In the far distance there is another forest.  The land between this forest and that is known as the Plains of Musglove.
         "Be careful while you are riding there, for you might meet some Red or Black Knights."
         "If I meet people on the way, I will have them pass word on to others.  The Black Knights need to know.  We have to become allies with each other.  I think that will be the only way to defeat the Red Knights."
         "Do you want me to come with you?"
         "No.  Get back to Sir Peter.  Tell him what has happened to me and I will meet with him and the other knights at the plains.  I do not want him to think that I became cowardly and ran off during the night."
         "I will do that," Shariene said and ran off.