The Secret Kingdom

Chapter Two: A Knight's Tale

A crow takes its usual position outside the knight's quarters. The grayness of the morning sky along with the misty dew had roused the bird from its nest in the hanging tree and flew down to wake the humans below it.

Like clockwork, the blackbird begins to caw, calling out to its fellow feathered brethren that the morning had begun and that they must all begin their daily lives.

Sir Killian moans in annoyance and turns to put his pillow over his head. Another day... another day of nothing but misery... misery and death. Such is the life of a knight. Perhaps if he keeps himself rolled up in the safety of his blankets nothing will harm him and in the blink of an eye, it will be a better place.

How could one-man live in such a terrible world? One ruled by a king who had no restrictions or limitations to exert his power over others to maintain absolute control. A tyrant he'd heard some prisoners say, a monster whispered amongst the villagers in the quietest of tones, even though speaking ill of their ruler could end in treason and death. When Sir Killian ever heard such talk, he'd ignore it and continue on, giving only a warning glare to those who lived in fear. The king was the bogeyman that all the children feared and every looming figure who caused animals to flee in terror.

King George the Bloody, a title he proudly wore like a crown, and it was no surprise how he earned such a name. He was the reason for the Hundred Years War between so many kingdoms, waging all kinds of warfare and leading battles that left barely any survivors on both sides. He earned this reputation at home too. Men and women who were seen as treasonous were put to death without a fair trial and were done so quickly in front of others to set the example. The Darkest Day, as the knight called it, was the day when the grounds of the kingdom were red with blood and it still haunts everyone to this day. Those who were spared were still put to death in terms of being slaves and hard labour force. A fate worse than execution and Sir Killian had seen many prisoners look on during execution, wanting a swifter death than what awaited them during eternal toil. The only slight relief given was for children. While unruly children were still punished, they were either put to work or kept in cells until the King released them, whenever the mood struck him. It did not help that often the innocent would be caught with their parents and when they were let go, they were orphans because of what the King had done.

A fate that had befallen him and his brother's father back when the knight was only a lad. Both boys were imprisoned and forced to work as slaves at the docks while their father was put to death. What he had done, Sir Killian's brother had never divulged but compared to what he had done in service to the king, it was probably something minor and trivial.

"Time to get up little brother," a voice says.

"Younger," Sir Killian corrects, his voice still muffled by his pillow.

"Little, now get up and stop acting like a child," is the order.

Sir Liam had already risen, made his bed in the correct fashion and was cleaning their quarters. Both brothers were fortunate enough to share a sleeping pavilion and not be crowded in the barracks like the rest of the knights. Sir Liam's service and loyalty to King George had somehow endeared the two brothers to him, despite the same man having executed their father and left them as slaves and orphans. Sir Killian performed as he was ordered to, but his loyalty was often tested, something he kept close to his chest. He knew there had to be a better kingdom out there, one that did not make him pray that the next day he would be dead.

"It's too bloody early," the knight mutters.

"Do you want to upset His Majesty and face his wrath?"

That did it and the younger brother was up and stumbling to the water basin. Fear was the most motivating thing that kept both knights going every hour and every moment of their lives.