Sir Swift (A Sonic the Hedgehog story)

Chapter 18 - A Tiger's smile

Ken Khan, Lord of the Free People, was the unofficial title that the villagers started calling him. The title came from the villagers themselves for they were in a sense free from the Iron Dominion's hold. Khan was bestowed this title, along with the title known to outsiders as Leader of the Free People, when he led the cohort of ordinary monkeys, as well as those with mystical powers, safely into the Jade Mountain.

However he didn't receive the position right away. There were some disagreements he had to resolve first regarding the cohabitation of the normal folk with the sorcerers, and considering the history Ja-ching had with sorcerers - it was extremely difficult for them to cooperate.

But Ken had finally managed to help settle the two side's differences. In turn, progress with building their village had increased and with Ken leading the people, they finished it in a mere two weeks. And the sorcerer's aid, the free people had stayed safely hidden from the Iron Dominion.

Things resumed into peace for Ken and his people, like the Iron King's attack had never happened. Until a certain day came - the day those two foreigners walked in. A blue Hedgehog named Swift who's mentor was a talking sword called Calasear. It was certainly the strangest thing he had experienced, that was for sure.

Ken felt terrible for denying the white Tiger's request as he could clearly see the devastation written on her face. But what she asked for was basically a civil war with the Iron Dominion and he couldn't risk his people's lives. Ken instead sent them away offering a place of residence.

His conversations with the living sword had been enlightening, as if he was speaking to someone that was both a monk and royal adviser. The discussions they had ranged from simple things like what they eat, their currency, how each society worked. Calasear then brought up the subject of the Iron Dominion and the fall of Lord Genjurou..

Calasear requested that he and Swift train with Ling-ling outside the village so that they wouldn't stir up any trouble, which Ken allowed so that his people wouldn't panic. But Ken still had his suspicions of the three, so he sent his scouts to keep surveillance on them and make sure they weren't going to deceive them.

Considering his scouts hadn't been exposed for two months, one would think they were doing a good job. However Ken knew better, with the Tiger-Samurai's skills she could have easily exposed them but she chose not - which brought Ken to the following conclusion.

"They are either really good at acting, or they're genuinely good people and I've been worried for no reason." The Monkey Lord questioned himself.

Ken cast his sky blue eyes to the side of his chamber which held a red metal staff with golden tips at both ends. It was a gift from the sorcerers for accepting them despite their history. He had never seen a time to use it since the village was so peaceful.

"If the reports are right then those two are planning to take on the Iron Dominion themselves. And owing to Calasear, Ling-ling has abandoned her revenge plot and was now seeking to rebuild the Samurais." Ken rambled to himself. When he first heard this from one of his scout informants, he was flabbergasted.

With Swift and company, outside the village (morning)

The sounds of swords clashing resonated throughout the green wood forest. The source of the sound came from Swift and Ling-ling sparing with each other, this being the swordhog's last lesson.

Calasear was memorizing their various movements, despite being wildly swung around by Swift, so that he could pass on these sword techniques to the next generation.

"Someone's coming." whispered Wise Steel as they shifted eyes to the visitor.

It was one of Ken's attendants, the one who never spoke his name. Another thing that Calasear noted was that their watchers weren't hidden as per usual, instead this one was briskly pacing towards them leading Calasear to one conclusion.