Men & Monsters

The Great Escape

While Bernard prepared his speckled horse to ride, Eira tossed her wretched maid uniform aside and changed into her Green Folk attire. It felt nice to be back in her old clothes, and clean ones at that. She couldn't help but smile as her hands grabbed at her sides, followed by a girlish jump. It was really going to work, she told herself. Bernard was really going to get her home. With a hand touching her mother's necklace, she smiled and began toward him, counting all the reasons why sober Bernard was better than a drunken one.

The knight turned and offered his hand to Eira, ready to help her up into Christian's saddle when something caught his eye. Before he could turn, however, something swooped down and pulled Eira's hood back, revealing her golden-brown hair. It scared the girl half to death when she looked up. Tanner's eagle gave a satisfactory cry before flying back around the stable and onto its owner's arm. Turning, both of their hearts skipped a beat as they met eyes with Tanner. Without his usual guards or soldiers behind him, the lone general rested his free hand on the hilt of the sheathed sword strapped to his waist.

"I really hoped you would surprise us Bernard. And indeed you have." The golden knight took a few steps toward them. "I hoped to see you ride once again. To see you reclaim your lost glory. And you, I had a strange feeling about you all along. From the moment when I saw you last night. You Green Folk are a mischievous lot. That was the one thing they got right in the fairy tales." The eagle on his gauntlet took back to the skies when he unsheathed his sword, only to reappear on his shoulder. His sword, which must have been worth more than a peasant's lifetime salary, glinted elegantly. "I have a gift to present to His Highness, and you've come not a moment too soon girl." Bernard took a step forward, standing in front of Eira so as to protect her.

"I'm taking her back to the forests Tanner, and you can't stop us."

"Can't I?" Tanner laughed. "With one call I'll have the Kaiser Guard here. As the former leader of the Guard you should know how formidable each one is. I hardly think you'll stand much of a chance Clayville. Unless of course you'd like to face me yourself, but I'll spare you the embarrassment old man. Now then, the Green Folk. Give her to me and I promise no one will know of this. Hell, I'll buy you drink for it. Make that five."

"Hop on the horse." Bernard muttered to Eira.

"Huh?"

"Hop on the horse and sit on the saddle." He repeated in a harsher tone. Eira did as she was told, awkwardly hoisting herself up onto the horse's back and feebly trying to find a comfortable position in the leather saddle when she looked down at the elder knight. Tanner didn't seem to mind, as his eyes were locked with Bernard's.

"So be it. Will you not put your sword back into service, if just one last time?"

"Nay Tanner, I won't. Say what you will, but you won't kill us." Eira looked to the golden general, where she could see his eyes go blank for a moment. The world seemingly stopped for him, his pulse slowed down, and countless thoughts ran through his head.

"...You don't think I will?"

"You would never kill your own teacher." Bernard replied with a decisive nod. "You're better than that." Tanner hesitated, an uncharacteristic moment for him. The breeze died, and for a moment, he could no longer hear the applause and cheers from the spectators. He slowly sheathed his sword once more. With a defeated, almost relieved, sigh, both hands returned to his sides and his eyes narrowed. His eagle, eager for the bloodshed that would have followed, gnawed at his helmet in a desperate attempt to prompt him to attack.

"You've invested too much in emotion in me, Bernard. Perhaps it's justified, what with the loss of your family. But listen to me when I say, it is fruitless. I won't arrest you, and I won't kill you, but I won't protect you either." He turned and cried out for the Kaiser Guard, which prompted Bernard to slap his horse as hard as he could on its rear end. With a surprised cry, Christian jumped once and took off, nearly running over Tanner as black-armored knights appeared seemingly from nowhere.