Knight's Quest

Chapter XX: The Long Night

There he is, standing right in front of you, Blade. You forgot that you hadn't actually killed him, he had escaped at the last second. Well, there he is. Standing right over Sarah, across from you, as she lay on the bed. A night stand sits beside you, with a lowly candle lighting the room. This should get interesting.

“Blade, how good to see you once more. I'll admit, I didn't expect you. Although I was wondering why you took so long to show up. Your little band of thugs is completely incompetent and I have no desire to take control of them. In fact, you can have them back.”

“Yes, the Guild is a mess,”says Blade, smirking “But they are gullible enough to do whatever you tell them. You're sure you don't want them back?”

“Your Guild is a bunch of idiots. I have no desire to sort out that mess.”

“I thought you might like the Guild. Besides, I believe they have something that might be of interest to you.”

“My interests are on this right now. As you can see, there has been a mishap and I'm seeking medical attention. Now I understand you probably want to kill me, revenge and all that. But really, if that falling chandelier managed to kill you, you would have deserved it. Death is for the degenerates my friend. Few can evade Death as you and I have. Fighting amongst ourselves, the elite. It is not becoming of us. We are greater beings, you and I. Now, you may be the only person in the world who could even come close to a tie with me in a fight. So I really don't want to get in a battle right now, seeing as the princess needs help badly. Can we get that done?”

“Very well said. No hard feelings about the chandelier. You did what any good criminal would. But I don't think my employer feels the same way. About the ex-princess, I do believe you forgot one thing.”

“And what have I forgotten?”

“She is my property. I lent her to you until I could find a buyer. Well, the market has opened up and considering I have just lost my job, I'll need the money. Don't worry, I'll fix her up. Don't want damaged merchandise now do we. That would make my employer very unhappy.” Blade pulls out a black dagger that looks strangely familiar. He strokes it across the wound on her chest and dark smoke arises. Sarah stares in awe, but doesn't say anything. “Good as new, well not quite. She'll still be emotionally scared, which is a pity. By the way, why did you stab my ex-princess?”

“What?”

“That's right, I've still been watching you, and you really should look at the bleeding cut on your face.”

I wipe the blood off my face with my sleeve.

“It was good seeing you again, I'm sure this isn't the last time. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be taking my ex-princess now.”

“I can't let you do that Blade. The deal was that she would be my slave until I chose to give her back to you.”

“I paid you, that makes her mine.”

“I'm the one who caught her, so I'm the one who gets to decide what happens to her.”

“I don't have time for this. Since you won't give me the girl, I guess I'll just have to take her.” Blade bends down to pick Sarah up off the bed.

“Wait Blade. I'll buy her from you.”

“Ha, you actually think this is about the money?” He smiles. “Oh this is much worse than that, much worse. My employer has huge plans for her.” He picks up Sarah, who is extremely frightened, but can't seem to move. He takes a few steps towards the door, then turns to say. “Any farewell words to your ex-princess, Mad Man?”