Child of Magic | jerza

The Dark Knight [4]

"WHAT IS HE THINKING?" Jellal shouted, darting in and out of the crowd, trying to make it to the middle of the dusty arena.

I followed him, not sure how to answer.

"Minvera!" Jellal called, running up to her. "Why didn't you stop him? This is my fight."

Part of me wanted to smack him across the face for being such a brat. The other part of me felt bad for him.

"I couldn't," she said, shrugging. "It was his decision. He's the king."

"But you're the king's ward!" Jellal exclaimed.

Minerva idly twisted a lock of her dark hair around her finger. She sighed. "And you're the king's son. King Faust doesn't listen to anyone!"

I didn't listen to the rest of their argument. I was too busy watching King Faust fight the statue-thing. With Jellal's sword. If the statue didn't kill him, his own sword would. Or at least something would go wrong. That's what Igneel had said.

I watched as King Faust slashed and stabbed the statue, but it was too fast. The statue didn't have a scratch, because, well, it was a statue. The king fell. After all, the king was getting pretty old, no offense. The statue raised his sword.

I didn't like the king. I didn't care if the magic-hating man died, right then and there. King Faust had many enemies. He killed innocent children- but then again, he had willingly taken Jellal's place. Jellal would never forgive himself if his father died, and I couldn't live with a heart-broken Jellal.

"Ombregdan," I hissed.

The sword slipped out of the knight's hand, giving enough time for King Faust to get up and strike.

The knight melted into dust.

~ ~ ~

The woman snarled with disgust. "You were lucky, King Faust Fernandes."

~ ~ ~

I quickly walked up to King Faust the second he exited the arena. I needed Excalibur back. So far, nothing bad had happened, but I didn't want to take any chances.

He sheathed the sword and said carelessly, "Can I keep the sword? Perfect balance!" Then he chuckled and said, "Why am I asking you, anyway? I'm the king!"

~ ~ ~

The sword...The sword..The sword..

It was taking all my willpower not to sneak off to the kitchens to steal a slice of strawberry cake. I had to get the sword.

I quietly walked up the North Tower, the highest point in the castle. The tower in which King Faust slept soundly every night.

Surely there would be guards, but nothing a little magic couldn't handle.

God, if Mira and Porlyusica found out, they would be so angry...Sneaking into the king's chambers using magic...That's a double no-no.

"Fumei," I whispered, flicking my hand upward.

The nearby torch lit on fire. In the light, I suddenly noticed my hands trembling uncontrollably. I curled my weathered fingers into fists, forcing myself to be still.

The guards stopped talking and walked over to the torch.

Guards were so stupid.

I ran past them easily.

Another set of guards.

A little more magic.

When I finally got to the door, I quietly opened it, expecting to be attacked by more guards. Fortunately, the room was empty, except for the sleeping king.

Excalibur lay, gleaming, beside the king's bed. I grabbed the blade and made a run for it.

~ ~ ~

"You take risks, young sorceress," Igneel said, looking at me in surprise. "Sneaking into the king's chambers?"

"Faust was becoming obsessed with the sword. What do I do with it? I can't give it to Jellal, otherwise Faust will know I stole it!"

The dragon stared at me thoughtfully, his wings rattling against the metal chains that fastened him to the ground.

~ ~ ~

"Quietly," I whispered to my horse. My horse nickered softly, bobbing his head gently.

I rode past the Inner Sector of Fiore. The sword would be safe here, in the Outer Sector, where villages were sparse.

Take the sword to a place where it will never found. To a place where it will never be wielded by the wrong hands again.

I unsheathed Excalibur and threw it as far as I could, into the peaceful waters of Lake Heiwa.