Knight Gang Bang

Chapter 2: Father

The side of the road. Once upon a time, the roads were made for him and his. On those bygone days, he used to ride atop a stallion while donning his dazzling armor. It was over a decade since he had descended from his mount, and exchanged a knight's breastplate for an old man's attire. He now made his life here, in the middle of nowhere, on the side of the road.

He tended to his garden, and sometimes offered fruit to the passersby. This being, once again, the middle of nowhere, meant that they were few and far between. When was the last time he had seen a young couple, like those that now headed on his direction? He smiled, and walked up to greet them. Yellow one's hair, silver... silver like hers, the other.

"Hello there, old man!" The words maybe lacked the respect, but the tone that spoke them was warm, and so it landed without offense on him. This young man was either an affable person, or had enjoyed a pleasant talk with his companion on the way here. "We are looking for a place to stay the night. Think you can accommodate us?" The girl at his side bowed her head, adding the supplicancy he lacked. His smile got wider.

"But of course. This is not an inn, but my house is spacious. Follow me, follow me." With that, he turned his back to them, and began walking over the road of stones that lead to his house. The flowers had yet to bloom, and to him, that alone was a shame...

"By the way, old man", came the voice of the young man. "I know this is not an inn, but does it have a name? Or do you, at least?" He chuckled. What a question. Once upon a time, his name opened every door in the kingdom. Now those that came to his were unaware of it.

"But of course. I'm Arland. It's a pleasure to meet you."

--

He poured tea to his guests, and prepared them a good meal. They seemed to enjoy it. Then he sat with them, to make conversation. "Tell me, travelers, what goal dictates your steps?"

At that question, the girl got uncomfortable. Sitting on her legs, she grabbed the hem of her dress tightly. The demeanor of her companion was the complete opposite. Laying on his side, a hand on an elevated knee, he smirked. "Revenge, my good sir."

Arland shook his head. "What a waste. A beautiful lady at your side, and questing for revenge instead of enjoying life with her." Next to the boy, the girl blushed slightly, and in quick succession let go to grab more firmly the helm of her skirt. "Who is worth such a vengeance?"

"My mother. I'm searching for my father." He let out another sigh. "Fifteen years ago, the twelve knights of the round table had their turn with the same woman, on the same night. I'm the result of that night. I was born to kill the one who brought me into this world."

Arland froze for a moment, then recovered just as fast. "Part of me knew this day would come... ever since news of Sabaki's murder. A mere thief? Please. He used to be one of the best in the kingdom. Like me." A self-deprecating smile. "Tell me your name, young man."

"Albion, Sir Arland", came the response. He gave it without hurry. As if he had all the time in the world, to do what he came here to do. Maybe he did. He was young, and Arland was old.

"Very well, young Albion. You may take my head, right now. I'll offer no resistance."

Albion didn't move, though the girl at his side did tense.

"Or perhaps... would you like for us to go somewhere the young lady won't see?"

"Sabaki", began Albion, "was a bastard..."

"I won't speak ill of a dead man's memory", replied Arland.

"Nor will you defend it", noted Albion. Arland replied only with silence. "But, as I was saying, Sabaki was a bastard, and I let even him say what he wanted before doing it. Speak, if there's anything you wish to say." Arland nodded, in silence, once more.

Then he broke it. "I... I'm not your father."

Albion nodded. "What color was your hair when you were younger?"

"Black, like some of the strands that remain on my beard." Albion nodded. Her hair had been silver. His was yellow. Black was the wrong color. "However... that is not the reason I'm not your father. You see..." It was embarrassing to say it in front of a younger man, let alone a young lady... dumb male pride. Even at death's doors. How foolish. "I'm sterile."

Silence. "Come again?"

-

"I... suspected, for the longest time. That something was wrong with me. Most didn't notice due to my skill, but... my complexion was always inferior to those of my age. I went to the royal physician, he ran a series of tests I would rather not recall, and... he came to the conclusion I couldn't produce children. So, when the order came..." He ran a hand across his face. "I volunteered to go last. Still, to think I was going to cause that suffering, for no reason at all... your mother was in a bad state when she reached me. Unresponsive. I tried to handle her as gently as I could, but..." He shook his head. "It makes nothing better."

"Later on, I quit the knights, and found a lady my age that would have me. We tried having children. We couldn't. I couldn't. It seems the physician was right. Or maybe... it was my punishment, for that night. She died, a while ago. And the thing is... I've always wanted to have a family." He smiled with teary eyes, as she looked at the couple of young people in front of him. "At least I'm... glad, my child wasn't born out of such a terrible act." He caught himself. "I apologize. And I think it's time. Go ahead, young man. I don't fault you for it."

Albion stood up, grasping Sabaki's sword, and walked to the sitting Arland. "I just... I just hope your life isn't just your quest for revenge. If these conversations with us leave you any lesson at all... please let it be that the end of our time as knights wasn't the end of our lives. May the end of your time as an avenger be the start of a new life, for you as well."

--

"What do you think?", asked Vestia to Albion, sitting both on the old man's porch.

"I think you are useless in a fight, Vestia."

The girl made fists. Maybe she should use them. "I'll show you how–"

"Almost like me. I'm the same. Pretty much useless too, in a real fight." Vestia stopped. This was... awfully introspective for him. "Sabaki was rusty, overconfident. Arland didn't want to fight. Maybe we still luck out and the next knight is a fisherman, a monk, or whatever. But what if I face a knight who, well, is still a knight? What happens when I do? I..." He looked at the sky above. "I don't want what he said to happen. For the end of my quest to be the end of my life. It will happen, if I fail to overcome a foe due to lack of preparation. And, if I die... you may, too. We are travelling together, after all. I don't want these bastards to hurt you."

"..."

"I think we should stay here for a time, Vestia. Who better to train us?"

They both looked back to the ex-knight, who was in deep meditation at the moment.

"He has something we need. He can help, just like you wanted to. I say let him."

With that, Albion stood up and went to join Arland. Vestia looked at his back go.

"Who are you kidding. You know we have something he needs too, right?"

Though maybe have wasn't the right word. Are, would be a more appropriate one.

Chapter 2: Father (END)