Legacy

Having been conflict free with its neighbors for centuries and known for having a most formidable army, Deerborne castle needed only the scantest of patrolling. Like most days, only a single guard was keeping watch atop the outer wall.

Being so unconcerned with a possible attack, the guard’s attention gradually waned so that he could watch a raven circling the perimeter of the castle. Before long, it came to a rest upon the wall, its gaze focused squarely on the guard, who could do nothing to stop himself from staring back. As if to taunt him, the raven let out a ghastly caw.

In an effort to scare the bird away, the guard made a move toward it. But he was forced to stop dead in his tracks when an arrow struck him in the neck. The arrow had entered through one side and was protruding out the other. Grasping feebly at the projectile, the guard crashed to his knees all the while choking violently on the rapidly growing amount of blood filling his throat. Before long, his life had come to its horrible conclusion.

With a war cry that could rival the largest of armies, a horde of brigands emerged from the surrounding woods. Their numbers were a few hundred strong and not a single one of them was about to show any mercy to their enemies.

The castle gate was sturdy, but the brigands had brought with them a battering ram that would make short work of it if left unimpeded. To combat the attempted entry, bowman lined the top of the castle wall and rained down on their enemy a shower of arrows. Many of the invaders manning the battering ram fell during the barrage.

“Shields!” shouted a brigand.

Men with wooden planks provided cover for their brethren who had survived the initial onslaught. So with nothing left to stop them, the brigands were able to break through the castle gate and gain their much desired entry.

“To arms!” shouted one of the king’s soldier’s.

“Kill them all!” shouted a brigand.

The factions then met with incredible force.

Having woken from a well deserved night’s slumber, the group, which had added Aiko to its ranks, was back on its way.

“I must say,” said Aiko, “it was nice of you three not to leave without me. Had I been in your position, I never would have woken you up. I would have crept out so I wouldn’t have to pay the money that I owed you.”

“How could we leave you behind?” asked Avery. “Not after someone knocked over a chair and woke you up,” he added, looking at Jaycee.

“You were planning on leaving without me? What kind of people are you?”

“We were never going to leave without you,” said James. “We gave you our word that we would pay you what we owed. We won’t go back on what we said.”

“If only everyone was as righteous as you three. The world would be a far better place. So, what’s this king of yours like? I bet he’s really generous. He’s probably the kind of king who likes to reward good deeds.”

“King Lionel is as noble a man as there is,” said James. “I still remember the first time I met him as if it was yesterday. He presented me with my brother’s sword. He told me he knew one day I would become just as strong as William.”

“King Lionel is beloved by all his people,” added Jaycee. “I’ve yet to meet a person who had a negative thing to say about him. He has no enemies.”

A group of soldiers was doing its best to keep the invading force from entering the throne room. But however many men there were on the other side, their power was far superior to the blockade’s collective strength.

“Stand strong, men, we must protect the king,” exclaimed one of the soldiers pressed against the door. But like his comrades, he was growing weaker by the second as the force on the other side seemed to be growing stronger.

Despite their best effort, the soldiers could do nothing to keep the door from bursting open. Such force was used that they were sent crashing to the floor. What was waiting for them on the other side was nothing short of bewildering. There had been no great number of men attempting to gain entry, there had been only one.

“So good to see you again . . . your majesty,” said Shadow Kahn.

King Lionel’s eyes bulged. “It can’t be,” he gasped. “The Devil.”

James and the others were in utter disbelief of what they had stumbled upon. The castle that was thought to have been impenetrable was now under heavy attack.

“What is this?” asked James. “How can this be happening?”

“Did your king start a war or something?” asked Aiko.

“Never,” said Jaycee. “The king would never do such a thing.”

“That army isn’t even carrying a flag,” said Avery. “No kingdom sent them. They came here on their own.”

“What do we do?” asked Jaycee. “Do we join the fight?”

“No, it’s far too dangerous,” said Avery. “None of you are experienced enough. As for me, I have no choice but to defend the king. You three wait here, and don’t even think about moving from this spot unless absolutely necessary. Do you understand?”

“You can’t go alone,” said James. “Let me go with you.”

“Out of the question. Listen to me, James. If something happens to me, I want you to know something. You’re every bit the man your brother was. Don’t ever think that you can’t live up to his memory. I knew William well, and every time I look at you, I see more of him. Knowing you was like knowing your brother. It truly was an honor, James.” And with that, Avery sprinted off to join the battle.

The three watched Avery until he became swallowed within a horde of combatants.

“We aren’t going to let him fight on his own, are we?” asked Jaycee.

“No,” said James. “I’m going to help him. You two stay here.”

“No,” exclaimed Jaycee. “After seeing Avery go off on his own, you expect me to just stand here and let you do the same? If you're going then so am I.”

“No, it’s too dangerous.”

“Is it going to be any less dangerous if you go alone? I know the risk I’m about to take. And it’s a risk that I’m willing to take.”

“If you come with me, you don’t leave my side,” said James.

Jaycee gave James a nod, then joined him in a mad dash for the castle.

“Those three have to be completely out of their minds,” said Aiko. “They’re gonna get themselves killed.” After contemplating what to do next, something occurred to her. “Wait, if they die, I won’t get my reward.” It was then when Aiko realized the noble thing to do was to join the others. The prospect of an even heftier reward for helping in the battle also helped to convince her of that. “Wait for me!”

The young trio was met by a brigand at the castle gate. Just barely was James able to block the aggressor’s attack with his sword. Using the butt end of her staff, Jaycee struck the man in the face, sending him crumbling to the ground.

The battle that was being fought was unlike anything James, Jaycee or Aiko had ever before seen. Men on both sides were dying at an incredible rate and the blood on the ground was puddled up in so many places that it looked as if it had rained down from the sky.

So consumed with the battle were both sides that James and the girls were able to rush past them and into the castle with no further trouble.

Once inside, the three found their next course of action would be more complicated than had been expected. The corridors were set up in a maze-like fashion, making traversing them arduous for anyone not familiar with the layout.

“So, which way are we supposed to go?” asked Aiko.

“I have no idea,” replied James.

Entering a grand hall, Avery found someone at the other end of the room. The stranger had his back turned and was standing as still as a statue. “You there,” called out Avery. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

After turning around, Sage began his advance.

Avery drew his sword. “Stay where you are.”

It seemed the presentation of a weapon would be enough to keep his foe at bay as Sage came to an immediate stop.

“Why is this happening?” asked Avery. “Why is the castle under attack?”

“Because the master has deemed it necessary,” replied Sage.

“Necessary for what? Who is your master?”

“That, I’m afraid, is something you will never know.” And with that, Sage drew his sword and continued his advance.

Being so unfamiliar with his surroundings, it took no time at all for James to lose his way. James’ progress eventually led he and the girls to a dead end.

“I thought you said you had been here before,” said Aiko.

“I had an escort lead the way last time,” replied James.

“James,” gasped Jaycee, who was the only one facing the opposite direction.

James and Aiko turned around to find a man blocking their way.

“This is no place for children,” said Raspheet, his sword already in hand. “Why don’t you three come with me so I can take you some place safe?”

“I don’t trust this one,” said Aiko.

Being in total agreement with Aiko, James drew his sword. This prompted a boisterous laugh to burst from Raspheet. “I’ve never had to kill anyone as young as you before,” he said. “But there’s always a first time for everything, I suppose.”

“Stay behind me,” James told the girls.

Just as Raspheet had taken his first step toward the three, he let out a pained grunt and fell to his knees. An arrow was now lodged in the back of Raspheet’s leg and standing behind him was the bowman who had fired it.

“Take another step toward those three, and you’ll be losing the other eye,” said the bowman. “Understand?”

Raspheet pulled the arrow from his leg and tossed it at the one who had fired it. “We need to stop meeting this way, Archer,” he said.

“We really should.”

“But you really shouldn’t have done that.”

“Is that so?” asked Archer, another arrow pointed at his foe. “Why don’t you go ahead and do something about it?”

Raspheet took a quick peek out a nearby window, then at the arrow that was waiting for him. The choice looked to have been an easy one for him to make as Raspheet leaped out the window and to freedom. Fortunately for him, the stables were below. Raspheet landed safely in a pile of hay, then ran away as fast as his legs could take him.

“Thank you for your help,” said James.

“We could have taken him,” said Aiko.

“No time for gratitude,” said Archer. “Follow me.”

Sage lifted his sword up to his blood stained face and began staring intently at the blade. It almost seemed to be staring back at him as rich drips of crimson slid down its face. “Everything for the master,” said Sage. “Everything for him.”

Behind Sage lied Avery, motionless in a puddle of blood.

The battle that had been so heavily in the favor of the invading army would take an immediate turn for those defending the castle when numbers of the king’s men came stampeding in on horses. Upon entering the melee, they swiftly began cutting down their foes.

With such a large cavalry to contend with, the brigands began an immediate retreat. A scant number were able to escape with their lives, while all others were slaughtered for the heinous crime for which they had committed against the kingdom.

Archer had led the way to the throne room. It was abnormally dark inside for the time of day. Even with the curtains drawn, some light usually found its way in.

“Your highness,” called out Archer. “Are you in here?”

A number of candles around the room suddenly lit by themselves. Upon the king's throne sat Shadow Kahn, looking as if the honor had always belonged to him.

“Who are you?” asked Archer. “Where is King Lionel?”

“If there is any justice in this world, then that precious king of yours is already rotting away in the darkest of pits,” replied Shadow Kahn.

“Bastard,” exclaimed Archer. He quickly took aim and fired an arrow.

Using only a finger as his shield, Shadow Kahn stopped the arrow. “You might want to come up with a better strategy than that,” he said.

“What are you?” asked a wide eyed Archer.

Shadow Kahn removed himself from his throne. “I am darkness . . . I am eternity.” The room suddenly began to grow cold. “I am . . . Shadow Kahn.”

“Shadow Kahn, what kind of name is that?” remarked Aiko, who immediately became the focus of the man she had just insulted. The icy glare Shadow Kahn directed at her was more than enough to prompt Aiko to hide behind Archer.

After finishing with Aiko, Shadow Kahn focused his attention squarely on James. “So long have I waited for this day to come,” he said. “To look upon your face once again. You have no idea how much this moment means to me, James.”

“What are you talking about?” asked James. “I don’t know you.”

“Oh, but you do.”

“Why did you do this?” asked Archer. “Why the king?”

“Because he condemned me to die,” replied Shadow Kahn. “So why not do the same to him? An eye for an eye, is that not what your god decreed?”

“What do you mean ‘your God'?”

“When someone turns their back on you, you turn your back on them,” replied Shadow Kahn. “Your god is no god of mine.”

“You got what you wanted,” said Aiko, still standing safely behind Archer. “So, why don’t you leave now?”

“This was far from getting what I wanted. Everyone who played a part in my demise must pay for what they did.”

“You’re making it sound as if you’re already dead,” said Archer.

“You catch on quick,” said Shadow Kahn.

“Then that would make you some kind of monster,” said James.

“I have been called far worse than that.”

“Listen to yourself,” said Archer. “Nothing you’re saying makes sense! You’re mad!”

“Am I?” asked Shadow Kahn. “Perhaps, but why should I let that stop me? Man is far more flawed than I will ever be. The stones on the road and even the road itself will outlast every one of you. What kind of legacy can one leave behind when their existence is a mere breath in time compared to a lump of dirt? But my reign will last forever.”

“What are we going to do?” Jaycee whispered to James.

“We don’t have a choice,” James whispered back. “We have to fight him.”

“That would be a very grave mistake,” said Shadow Kahn, who surprised everyone with the fact that he had heard everything just said. “I would have no problem ridding this world of all of you. All of you but James, that is. For he is the only one that I need. The rest of you, well, you are the very definition of the word ‘expendable’.”

“What do you want with me?” asked James.

Before Shadow Kahn had a chance to reply, Sage emerged from the shadows surrounding the throne. After taking his place beside his master, Sage tossed a sword at James. It landed just short of the young man’s feet.

“That’s Avery’s sword,” said Jaycee, a quiver in her voice.

“He won’t be needing that where he is,” said Sage.

A trembling James picked Avery’s sword off the floor. He stared wide eyed at it for a moment before catching everyone by surprise by charging.

“James, no!” exclaimed Jaycee.

The gap between James and Sage was quickly narrowing. And with Sage making no move for his sword, it looked as if James was going to succeed in cutting him down. But an instant before James could slash his foe, Shadow Kahn caught the sword by the blade.

“Now, James, you must learn not to be so impulsive,” said Shadow Kahn. “One should never let their emotions cloud their judgment. How can you expect to someday be worthy to serve by my side?” A trickle of blood then began to seep from Shadow Kahn’s hand and down the blade, eventually finding its way onto James’ hands.

“How are you able to do this?” asked a horrified James.

Using only minimal effort, Shadow Kahn snapped the blade in half. Having no use for the broken steel, he tossed it away.

“What are you?” asked James, timidly backing away.

“My boy, I assure you, that is one question that you do not want the answer to.” And with that, Shadow Kahn faced his wounded palm toward the group so that they could watch as the fresh cut healed itself.

“You’re the Devil,” said Archer.

“You have no idea how wrong you are,” said Shadow Kahn. He then again focused his attention on James. “Now that you have seen a small sampling of my power, would it not be wise to join me? If you do, I will make this power yours.”

“Never,” said James. “I’ll never join someone like you.”

“What a shame. I had hoped that we could do this the easy way. But it seems you still need more time.”

“You can give him all the time in the world, he’ll never join you,” said Aiko, who seemed more bold now removed from her hiding spot.

“Once you learn the truth about yourself, you will see things differently,” said Shadow Kahn. He then abruptly turned his back and walked into the shadows behind the throne, where he disappeared from sight.

Sage refrained from joining his master. Instead, he stayed behind and glared at James. Showing no fear, James directed the same angry look back at him. After a lengthy stare down, Sage joined his master within the suffocating darkness.

“James,” said Jaycee. She wanted to say something to comfort him but was unable to come up with the right words at the moment.

“We should get out of here before that lunatic changes his mind and comes back,” said Aiko. But before she could make her way out, the door slammed itself shut. Aiko attempted to open the door but it refused to budge in the slightest. “It won’t open!”

The sound of jingling bells soon filled the room.

“What is that?” asked Archer.

From the shadows behind the throne emerged a most horrific sight. Into the light stepped a court jester with a bare skull for a face.

“You don’t suppose he’s friendly, do you?” asked Aiko.

With a flick of its wrist, the jester produced a number of playing cards. Before anyone knew what to make of the trick, the jester had already hurled the cards at them. Everyone was able to get out of the way of the cards that were so sharp that they stuck in the door.

“That thing’s trying to kill us,” exclaimed Aiko.

Unleashing a hideous fit of laughter, the jester flicked its wrist again, producing another number of playing cards. This time, Archer fired an arrow that struck the jester in the hand, forcing it to drop its lethal projectiles.

In what seemed like less than the blink of an eye, Aiko was within striking distance of her target. She devastated the jester with a tremendous kick to the face, dislodging its jaw. “Let’s see you laugh about that,” she remarked.

Showing that the blow had little effect, the jester popped its jaw back into place, then let out another disturbingly joyous laugh.

“About kicking you in the face,” said Aiko, timidly backing away. “It was just a joke. You like jokes, don’t you? That’s why you’re always laughing.”

For its next trick, the jester tilted its head back and opened it mouth as wide as it could. It then reached in and pulled out a sword.

“Is this thing for real?” asked Aiko.

Just as Aiko had done, James quickly reached striking distance. Before the jester had the chance to react, James had already begun his attack, taking the jester’s head off cleanly with one furious swing of his sword.

There was no time for the group to savor their victory as something immediately began ramming against the throne room door.

“Now what?” groaned Aiko.

A group of soldiers succeeded in breaking into the throne room. “Archer,” said one of them. “Where’s the king?”

“I’m afraid we were too late,” replied Archer.

The soldiers lowered their heads.

“Then it seems their trick worked,” said the soldier. “King Jacob wasn’t expecting us. There was never a request to send a delegation to his kingdom.”

“We weakened our ranks by sending our strongest knights,” said Archer. “How could we have been so foolish to fall for such a ploy?”

For all the trouble the jester had caused, Aiko began kicking its headless body.

Raspheet came stumbling back to camp. Entering his tent, he was presented with a most unpleasant surprise. Shadow Kahn was in his chair and at his side was Sage.

“Telling by that haggard expression on your face, I take it things did not work out quite the way you had anticipated,” said Shadow Kahn.

“We were ambushed,” said Raspheet. “The king’s men returned much sooner than we were expecting. I was lucky to escape with my life!”

“Of course they did. They were told to.”

“By who?” asked Raspheet.

“By me. Who else would have told them?”

“You bastard,” exclaimed Raspheet. “You betrayed us! How dare you show your face! You led my men to their slaughter! You knew we wouldn’t stand a chance!”

“What happened to you or your men was of no concern to me. I accomplished what I set out to accomplish. And that is all that matters. Consider yourself fortunate that you were allowed to play a role in my plans.”

“I’ll kill you!” exclaimed Raspheet, drawing his sword.

This prompted Sage to do the same.

“There will be no need for that,” said Shadow Kahn. “This one has spirit. Perhaps I can find a new use for him.”

Even from a great distance, Raspheet’s scream could be heard.