The Lady Knight

Chapter 12

             Silence.

            King Orpheus, along with the rest of his knights, stared open-mouthed with disbelief at Alex.              When Alex had mentioned her father, a soft, almost sympathetic look entered the king's eyes. Now, saying that he was shocked was clearly an understatement.

          Henry and Archer had grown pale and slowly inched towards the wall, their nervous eyes skittering between Alex and the others.

          Orpheus couldn't believe it. A young woman had come to fight. What an unthinkable thing! At first, Orpheus deemed her as a weak girl who wanted to die. But the kneeling woman in front of him was Alexandra! The brave young daughter of Orpheus's dear old friend who had never cowered in fear.

          The knights may not believe him, but he knew this girl, had watched her grow. He may have not seen her for years, but the dedication she possessed could not be demolished in such a short time. Somehow, he had a spark of hope that Alexandra could succeed.

          Alex wished she could get a different reaction from King Orpheus, but his eyes showed nothing. His face was now a blank slate. She knew the moment he decided to speak, for his eyes hardened and his mouth closed.

          Orpheus turned his hard eyes on his knights, "Shut your mouths men, you're going to catch flies." Every man snapped his mouth shut. Henry fidgeted nervously and Archer wrung his hands together.

          Orpheus slowly walked to Alex. She bowed her head in respect, awaiting her answer. Orpheus stared down at her for quite some time.

          "Rise," he said sternly. Alex did as she was told but kept her head bowed. Orpheus tipped her chin up with one stubby finger, meeting her familiar eyes. To the others, he was glaring at the young woman. But Alex knew better. She knew her answer but purposely didn't show it.

          Turning to his knights, Orpheus put a hand on Alex's shoulder. At this point, Henry was rocking up onto his toes then back on his heels. Archer was 'polishing' his sword with a random cloth he had found.

          With a small smirk of amusement of seeing his men fidget in anticipation, he gave Alex's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

          "Men," Orpheus announced, "meet our newest addition."

          Then all chaos erupted.