of Shovels and Knights (Shovel Knight stories)

Propeller Knight, chapter 3 - Light and free

- Simon, report of the day. - 

- No clouds or anything flying beside us and a few Birdies, no possible Sky pirates was seen today but cannons are ready in any case. Merch is still on a good and marketable price. - 

- Merci beacoup, I have to say this valley is far more interesting than what I've immagined, as well for the people who live here. I have a good feeling about our commerce here, don't you? - 

- Our sellings haven't been higher, Captain. Allow me to comment, you're quickly improving with the new language. - 

Propeller made a nod with the head as agreeiment, smirking under the helmet, and gave the order to stop by the Armoured Outpost. It was one of the few places his airship would have been safe or easy to defend in case of an attack coming from the sky. And the only one he would have enjoyed to get off and have a walk around. 
The night was still light colored, but that wouldn't have stop the stars to be their brightest. Duing Summer time the town would have been lively even late after midnight at times and the inns and streets would have got louder. However that time it wasn't as crowded as usual, and he took the chance to take a break from money exchanges and quantities calculations, and after leaving the ship on his second-in-command care, he stepped off one of the platforms and glided towards the roofs. 
He had to admit, moon had its beauty even if it couldn't be compared with a sunset like the one he saw when he first came into those lands. 
Thinking about it... 
"Perhaps I'm lucky enough."


- Bonsoir mademoiselle! -
She smirked as she lifted up her eyes, after being wondering in thoughts, outisde a noisy bar. 

-  Propeller Knight, what a nice surprise to see you! - 

-  The pleasure is mine, I've just got back from some affairs with the King of Pridemoor and I was wondering if I would meet you at this time. May I ask you, why here? -

She made a face where he read boredom, worry and disappointment. 

- My brother and his friends... They seem to have a great time, but I'm not a lover or vine and I would have prefer to spend only with him since it's been a while... - 

- Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that. Well, I can always stay her and make you some company. If you want of course! - 

- Y-yes, unless you have better places to go, that would be really appreciated. - 

It wasn't the first time they had bumped into each other since that meeting, and even if a few they had the chance to talk or greet each other. But now they were there, one next to the other, the night was nice and not too late yet. 
"You won't throw away this chance, will you Propeller?"

- So... do we have to wait for them or shall we have a walk around? - 

- Well... at this point I don't think they ever remember I'm out here, so why not? - 

He standed up and lifted the arm straight, invinting her to go first, and two steps later he was by her side. 

- If it's not rude to ask, do you trade your merch or you simply bring them from place to place? - 

- Both, or it wouldn't be as fun as job, ho ho! I've just come back after filling the storage with one  of Pridemoor King's main sourcs of richness, avory! 
What about you, may I ask? - 

- Oh, well mine is not as interesting or of certain importance as yours, I live modestly in my own farm  and sell both groceries and sewing works. I do have a small job as assistant in the library here however, which allows me to get all the books I want and have an idea of the world out there. - 

- Oh, I here the tone of an explorer there. -

She admited it; if she could she would have loved to be a traveller and see the Valley in all its  diversity. Her longest journey had been towards the other village where even if close to the Swamp they said the Troupple King lurked, or the forests of drakes, she didn't feel as fulfilled as going in there by herself, which would have been to odangerous to go without not even a light leather armour. 

- But the stories of all those knights, always make me wonder, and dream to have seen those lands with my own eyes... -

Propeller listened without interrupting, not only it would have be an uncourtesy but he liked when she talked in that. Reminded of him just some years ago, that same feeling which pushed him on take that career instead of being just one of many knights. 

- Then you, not only on the lands but you an wander between the clouds, I'm sure you must have a lot of stories to tell. -

- I sure have quite a few, - he said, still on his pondering - but I do prefer looking for new ones than stuck on those and the goals I've reached already. - 

They stayed silent for a few, long minutes, she lost on her thoughts and he considering a possibilty. 

- I would love to have you on my Airship now, if you want, so you can see how is the Valley yourself. - 

She tried to keep a cool and controlled temper, but the big smile on her face betrayed her true feelings. 

- I will take it as a yes. Unfortunately we can't set off, my crew needs some rest as well. And do not worry about being attacked, if sky pirates are intelligent enough they won't attack on a night as this one, when they can be spotted from miles, haha! -


She was astonished. There was no clouds and even by the night she could clearly see the villages, the valley where they said a Lost City was buried deep down on the ground and the Northern mountains, and far away towards South something was reflecting the moonlight: the sea, filled with treasures and knights looking for them. 

- May I ask what is that castle down there? I don't understand what is that green liquid pouring from the basement, looks poisonous. - 

- Oh, that is Plague Knight headquarter, from what I've heard. It's told he makes experiments of any kind and dystilates the most powerful and deadly potions, but very few have seen him to confirm these voices. He's not welcomed in any village. - 

- I can well imagine why. So how's the landscape, anything close to what you've imagined? - 

- That's... much, much better than those silly dreams. - 

- Hon hon, they are not silly, it's a natural human desire the yours. That's what I enjoy the most of my long journeys, feeling one of the few honored to see the world from this special point of view. I'm glad you are enjoying it as much as I do. - 

They both took a deep breath of the cold and frizzy air, living the moment at its best. Propeller didn't know yet he would have never forget that night, and later on he would have wished they couuld have stayed longer on that platform spending more time together. 

- I should go now, I don't want to take advantage of your generousity. Thank you very much for having me here, it's a honor really, - 

- The pleasure is mine. I better take care of some preparatives for tomorrow morning, we must go as soon as the sun rises, but I would like to accompany you back. - 

- You are a very gentleman, but I don't want to take more of your time... - 

- Non, I enjoy spending time with you mon amie. Can I call you like that? - 

She couldn't say no, beside she felt the same for him. There was genuine curtesy on his manners, instead of some of the nobilty who were at the Armoured Outpost who after claimed their high education they would have been the first on insulting someone for bumping on them by accident. He wasn't of her same social status, but he didn't seem to mind or even care about the difference, something that any other would have do. 
And he was a charming and talkative man, always a pleasure to have a conversastion with him. 
In a few minutes she was back at the entrance of the bar, where she had a look in and noticed his brother having fun as he didn't even noticed her missing. 

- If my predictions are correct, I will stop by this village quite often for some time. If you're willing to, I would love to have you on one of my shortest journeys and show you more of this valley. 
Au revoir, thank you very much for the lovely night. -

Even the landscapes of the Tower were so gloomy and dark, there was no living being for miles, not even a crown or the so called "Fairies", more like overgrown bats with a sproportioned jaw. 
The wind was strong enough to make his propeller spin a few times, but he didn't care of putting the block. 
He was standing up from one of the higher parapet, and he heard some yells and laughs from inside. When King Knight wasn't there, the Enchantress and the knight's minions would have spent the time playing some Jostus: apparentely not all the cards had been destroyed after the golden-armoured-knight first decret. 
He was thinking one again about what his leader told him earlier. 
"You must be wishing to have your freedom back. Do not worry, soon when the entire Valley will be under our control, there will be none who would dare soar above the clouds with you being the only owner of the sky. Be patient, my subject."
She was right. Day by day he missed those times where he could go whenever he wanted, live any kind of adventure not even scared of possible attacks as his airship would have brought their armies down in less time. He still had a zone where he could turn around, but he felt the chains of her control over him and the order members, and he could see how much were fakes those words by seeing how his Flying Machines had been filled with traps and enemies and new members who had nothing to do with his crew, turning the once cargo machine into a sky pirate floating fortress.
Not that he minded much those, after that accident he considered that new path as the his new career, but sure he didn't mean to make such a makeover.

- Better different than teared apart in broke into pieces... I suppose. -

If he have had that freedom she always talked about when eveyrthing would have finished, then the first thing he would have loved to do was a massive attack to the Tower itself. even if it meant to die.