A Company of Knights

The next morning they set off once again, heading north along an easterly route. Aethir commented that the tug from the unfinished medallion seemed stronger, albeit only slightly. But still, it was encouraging news.

What wasn't encouraging though was when, half way through their day, they found themselves surprised and surrounded by a company of mounted knights. Astra was furious with herself for having been caught unawares. Aethir was only concerned with the delay this would cost them in their quest for the missing amulet piece. Simon, as he gazed upon the armored horsemen, was struck by troubling memories from his past. And Frederigo, well Frederigo couldn't have been more pleased. This was an opportunity he could take advantage of.

The knights had thought they'd caught four brigands from the Court of Fools, but when they saw Frederigo standing there they realized that something more than that had come into their grasp. "So the rumors are true," the knight captain said with a smirk. "Lord Frederigo of Suffex has abandoned his Quest and betrayed the King." Frederigo stepped forward and, gazing at his accuser, said in a loud voice, "Lies! My Quest takes me where it will and it has led me here. And it shall lead me even further than this. I don't know what you've been told or who has been saying it, but I am no traitor nor am I a deserter. I am a loyal son of the Kingdom and I tell you this, the Kingdom is in great peril. Even now the forces of the Dragon have taken hold of North Umbria, and his spies no doubt have crept even further into our fatherland!" There was a stunned silence at Frederigo's words. Could what he was saying be true? Was North Umbria under the control of the Dragon? Impossible! they thought. An invasion could not have been mounted against the Realm without a call to arms being sent to every lord and captain in the Kingdom.

But there was something in Frederigo's voice, a power that compelled them to listen and to consider what he was saying. "If it is traitors you seek then go to North Umbria!" Frederigo spoke to them commandingly. "It was not through force of arms or violent attack that the Dragon sunk his claws into us, but through guile and subterfuge. And if I am to overthrow the monster's domination then I must follow a strange and crooked path which leads me ever northward. Listen to what I say and leave me to my Quest or else the Kingdom shall fall!"

The knight captain sat very still in his high saddle and stared down at Frederigo. Frederigo gazed back at him, his eyes intensely bright. The captain seemed to feel himself falling into those eyes, losing himself until all that was left was the Lord Frederigo and his commanding will. "But the King..." the captain said uncertainly. Frederigo shook his head, "The King is surrounded by enemies and fools. He does not know what has happened. You must tell him the truth and save him. You must marshal the forces necessary to stop the Dragon. You must be the hero that will stave off destruction." Fred's voice mesmerized the captain, and indeed all of the knightly troop.

"Then we must rush to the King right NOW!" the captain cried out. "Wait a moment!" Frederigo commanded and the captain stilled his horse. "My companions and I are desperately in need of steeds for we have little time to reach our destination and the death of the Dragon depends on my mission. Lend us four of your horses so that we may succeed in our quest," Frederigo beseeched him. The captain nodded and quickly ordered four of his men to dismount. The horses were handed over to Frederigo and the Lord of Suffex thanked him. He also had one last thing to say. "Captain," Frederigo whispered into the knight's ear, "give this message to the King and let no one else hear it. Tell him to beware Duke Zular, for the man's ambition has grown beyond what the Kingdom can afford."

1. And with that the mounted knights and the four adventurers parted ways.

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