The Unknown Tales: A Collection of Short Stories, One Shots, and More

The Cowardly Knight and His Servant

   Killian stumbled over a rock in the path sloshing cold water all over his clothes. He sighed dejectedly and turned around to go back to the well. His master, Sir Regan, wanted everything just perfect, and a half full water bucket was not. He wanted it full to the brim with not a drop missing.

   Back at the water pump Killian filled the big bucket for the third time and trudged back up the hill to his master's house. It was a beautiful little castle with white stone walls glinting in the morning sunlight. The princess had given it to Sir Regan for his service but Killian knew it was more than that. The princess had a certain fondness for the burly, stupid knight that Killian would never understand.

   Hundreds of apple trees surrounded the white castle with peacocks strutting beneath the branches laden with ripe apples. Killian watched as a male peacock with his feathers spread wide was hit by a falling apple and crumpled to the ground in a daze. Killian laughed when he tried to get back up but tangled himself in his feathers.

   "Weren't expecting that were you, you mangy chicken." Killian said. The peacock squawked and ruffled his shimmering blue feathers. "Yeah, yeah go lay an egg. At least you'd be useful. Even fleas are more useful. At least they get me the day off when I have them."

   Killian didn't hate all the peacocks, just the one sitting before him with its brains knocked loose. He had been attacked by the peacock on multiple occasions each having nothing to do with anything whatsoever. It was like the stupid bird just decided Killian needed a good beating in the middle of a chore and went with it.

   Right now Killian was glad he was incapacitated because he did not want to go back to the well and get more water. He was already late as it was and freezing. The cool autumn air chilled his skin and set his teeth chattering.

   "Seeya, Gaston." He said cheerfully going around to the back of the castle. There was a small door that blended in with the white stone unless you knew where to look for it. Killian knew the door all too well. It was the only door he was allowed in and out of even when no one was visiting.

   Today the duke and his daughter were spending the night at the castle. They were on their way to a council at the king's palace. They loved being in the castle as it was just as beautiful as their home. Killian saw to that. There were currently only two servants working for Sir Regan. He had fired the others last week.

   Killian had been with Sir Regan for seven years. Longer than anyone, the others only lasted a year at the most. He knew everything about Sir Regan from his favorite food to what he liked to wear on Sundays and even his little quirks, Sir Regan loved dandelions. Killian had no idea why but the weeds brought a smile to Sir Regan's face whenever he saw one so Killian made a point about slipping off when his master was in a foul mood and placing a few of the bright yellow flowers in vases around the castle.

   He slipped in the narrow door and up a flight of steps without spilling a drop of water. He spied a vase of wilting dandelions and made a mental note to dispose of it later. He set the bucket just inside the doorway to the kitchen and lit one of the stoves.

   The kitchen wasn't big but it wasn't small. Three stoves lined the northern wall and a huge icebox big enough for Killian to fit in sat against the eastern wall. A short pudgy man bustled around preparing Sir Regan and the duke's breakfast.

   "Morning, Pad." Killian said as he dumped the icy water into a metal tub and set it on the stove to heat.

   "Breakfast is on the table." Pad said. He pushed a sweaty strand of pale blonde hair from his face. Killian saw a plate of eggs and ham. He grabbed a couple slices of ham and shoved half of one in his mouth.