The Preposterous Tale of Sir Edmund The Courageous

Chapter 9 The Return to Zanlar

Sir Edmund lead Edmund the wise out of the stuffy cave and out into the open air. The sun was setting, casting a rose-gold glow over the dull grey rocks, Maria gasped in wonder. "We ought to put some distance between us and Krakk's lair before we rest for the night." Sir Edmund said.
"Actually, before we move I have something I need to do." Maria said.
"Go ahead," Sir Edmund replied. Maria plunged her hand into her collar, bringing out a shiny silver paperweight.
"Do you mind turning around?" Maria asked as she started to unlace the front of her bodice, Sir Edmund obliged. When he turned back around Maria had a small pile of trinkets layer out on the ground "They were getting uncomfortable in there." Maria explained.
"I should imagine so! Do you need a sack?" Sir Edmund replied.
"Yes please," Sir Edmund handed her an empty food bag, into which she hastily shoved her stolen treasure.
"Well, no time to waste then," Sir Edmund said, offering to lift her into the saddle again.
"I'd rather walk, if it's all the same to you." She said "I've been cramped up in a cage for what, a week now?"

After that they set out down the mountain, Sir Edmund had refused to ride as well, an act of chivalry that Princess Maria appreciated even if she rolled her eyes. They didn't make it very far before it was growing hard to see; Sir Edmund wanted to press onward, further from the dragon lair, but Edmund the wise counseled him otherwise. They stopped in an hollow of rock somewhere between a large outcropping and a small cave. Sir Edmund had to chase out a dragon, though it not dreadfully large or menacing, being at most a dozen feet from head to tail. Maria added it's somewhat pitiful hoard to her sack.
They slept on the rocks, after removing his armor Sir Edmund offered Maria most of the blankets and this act of chivalry Maria took without an eye roll. The next morning they woke up with cramps in their backs, Maria especially felt as if her spine as assumed an entirely different location and structure. She refused to set out for half an hour and when they finially did get moving she agreed to ride.
They traveled for most of that day, stopping only briefly for a noonday meal, then moving on until dusk, when they again ate and went to sleep on the grassy hills on the boarder of Zanlar. Princess Maria found this much better than the hard stones back in the mountains and slept pleasantly. The next morning she awoke refreshed, after she and Sir Edmund had eaten the last of the food Sir Edmund had brought with him she helped him don his armor, which he had not worn the previous day, but wished to be wearing when he returned to Maiomain. Maria found a stream and washed her face and hair a little, under a similar premise.
They arrived at the gates of Maiomain late afternoon, the guardsmen from atop the walls welcomed them in and send messengers to the King, within a quarter hour the entire city was gathered with trumpets and horns blowing triumphantly. The King greeted Sir Edmund fondly and thanked him many times over, but all Sir Edmund really wanted was food, as he had not eaten since breakfast. Maria agreed with the notion from where she was being suffocatingly embraced by her mother.

Food, of course, was soon provided in plenty; indeed perhaps overmuch, the beggars outside the castle feasted the next morning on the leftovers. But of course Sir Edmund was not simply allowed to eat, he had also to tell his tale. This he did gladly, for Sir Edmund was somewhat fond of boasting and may have exaggerated some parts involving himself, but around the fifth or perhaps ninth time he began to grow tired of telling his story.
Sir Edmund would have excused himself but King Jeffery still had something to announce, and standing he cleared his throat.
"Sir Edmund the Most Courageous, again I must express how truly thankful I am, but this I cannot do properly. Tell me then, what is it you desire most? Ask of me and I shall deliver if it is within my power to grant you."
Sir Edmund thought for a long time, he knew that this was a formality on occasions such as this and could not think of what to ask. Finally he said "My only wish is to serve you, my king, for it is reward enough."
The king laughed, "Very well," he said "If that is your wish then I shall find you another task soon enough, but I must ask you to be patient, I shall not be giving you anymore of your reward tonight!" And the feasting continued. Sir Edmund tried to slip away but first had to endure several important people congratulating him individually: the Duke of Cossaxe Tower, the mayor of Ricip, the head falconer, several of Sir Edmund's fellow knights, the queen, and finally Princess Maria herself.
"I really must thank you." She whispered to him as he edged towards the door
"No need, I think I've been thanked enough already." he replied.
"Well, I wanted to do it in person," she said "I realized I hadn't yet."
"Oh, that's alright. I'm used to this kind of thing."
"Can you get used to risking your life to saving people?" Maria asked.
"No, I suppose not, but you never really get used to people thanking and congratulating you for doing so either, now if you excuse me I think I've had quite enough thanking for the night. I'll still be getting letters for weeks, why Sir Joseph isn't here and I expect he'll come all the way from Valam to congratulate me when he hears, it's not everyday that even I slay Krakk the Great."
"Well, you can only do it once," Maria pointed out.
"Yes, and that happened to be two days ago, it wont exactly quiet down, though I expect I'll enjoy the praise once I'm not so tired. Goodnight, fair lady, t'was an honor to rescue one such as yourself."
"Goodnight, brave hero, your rescue almost made the whole shabockle worth while." She replied, then, with one last final bow, Sir Edmund took his leave.

Sir Edmund snuck around the palace in the moon-lit evening. He passed by his quarters, where Johnathan and his other squires were busy cleaning and oiling his armor, and around to his stable where Edmund the Wise stood looking at the moon.
"I've never understood what you find so fascinating about it," Sir Edmund said as he approached "It's just a bigger star or a smaller sun."
"Something about it just calms me," Edmund the Wise explained "I don't think I can describe it."
"Well, I suppose one does need calming after an adventure such as ours." Sir Edmund said.
"I suppose so," Edmund the Wise replied and they said no more. They simply sat, man and horse, gazing at the moon together until, far into the night, Sir Edmund fell asleep under the stars.

The End