Knight of Kandor

Lena- John Jones

Kal's words bounce around in my head. I was hardly able to focus on the people speaking in front of me. What secrets could a man who grew up in poverty have? I had just begun to completely trust him, but now doubts began to seep in. 

I grew agitated and dismissed the petitioners early, using the excuse of enjoying the festival. As we enter the dining hall one of Kal's men approach him. Most of the palace guards where plain silver plate mail with a small Luthor crest just above the heart. Kal's men matched that of Sir James. The Dark Green metal with the Luthor Crest taking up most the breastplate. Those in my personal guard were set apart from the others and were only to report to Kal or Sir James, taking orders from no one else. The two exchanged a few short words before Kal left with a bow to me. The guard then took his place beside my chair. I looked at the man and realized that this must be the new guard. He was much younger than I expected, perhaps fifteen or sixteen. Jessica was gone so I decide to strike up a conversation with him instead of sitting in silence.

"So you are the tenth man in Sir Kal's guard." The boy smiles.

"Yes, my lady."

"You seem a bit young for such a responsibility," I state, trying to see if he can defend himself well.

"Yes, my lady. However, out of all the palace guards, only Sir Kal and Sir James can defeat me in single combat." I raise an eyebrow, defend himself indeed.

"That is impressive. Were you not Sir Kal's squire beforehand?"

"Yes, my lady. He began to teach me long before most would have." 

"So would you say you know him well?" He laughs a deep laugh.

"No one knows Sir Kal well, my lady. However, yes I most likely know him best."

"Why does no one know him well?" John hesitates. 

"He is a very private man, my lady. All I know personally about him is that his sister died when he was young and his parents died shortly after he was brought into the army."

"But you trust him?" I  know I was asking a lot of questions but I had to ease my fears.

"With my life, my lady." The boy grows very serious. The seriousness of a boy who had seen death in a war he should have been too young to join.

"Good, then I can trust you also." I turn back to my plate of food, feeling a little better about the man who kept secrets even from his future queen.