Along Came Knight

Chapter 1

Black and white. That should hold special meaning to some, others, it means absolutely nothing. Some people can see only in black and white, others, in all colors, and less than one percent of the world can only see in black.

Have you ever had to, or have someone describe a color to you? A color that you've never seen before and you might think you get it, but you'll never know. It's an amazing thing really.

"Explain it to me again," leaning forward, the exasperated breath that comes from my brother has me smirking. He hates explaining colors to me, especially since I make him do it over and over, again and again. He does it without hesitation because I'm his baby sister by two minutes, he has to love and care for me. "Promise, this is the last time." Holding my pinky out to him, I know he's smiling because this action is as childish as it gets.

"Find, only because I like you." Huffing in laughter, he would do this even if he didn't like me. Father would have his ass if he didn't. "The smoothness and suppleness of the leaves feels like green; green feels like life. But when the leaves are crispy like this one, they have turned brown and aren't alive anymore." Bishop places leaves in my palms, one alive and one dead.

We sit outside a little longer, Bishop making me pick up random leaves around us to tell him what color it is. "Here, what's this?" Holding my hand out, the weight of the object it heavier than I expected it to be. Making a fist, it is solid, not like the leaves we were messing with.

Moving it around my palm, it's mostly smooth but also has jagged parts that are rough against my fingers. "A rock," smiling, it has to be a rock.

"Good, and color is a rock?"

"Gray?" Saying it in a question because I remember Bishop once saying that rocks can be a lot of different colors, I'm not sure if this one is though.

"Close, it is gray but because it was sitting in mud, it is..."

"Brown."

"Yes, when the mud dries and comes off then the rock will be gray once again."

"Kids, come inside and washup for dinner," Bishop is first to move, the leaves underneath him crunching under his movements. Holding my hand out, I'm lifted with ease and then brought to his chest as he easily guides me inside.

Bishop and I have an easy sibling relationship, when he isn't at school or football practice, he is normally with me. He isn't that good of a student, so he always comes to me for help on his homework. Normally math, which I have become very good at explaining.

Sitting down for dinner, the cook's place down our food, thankfully telling us beforehand what it is. They also know to cut up my meats and only put down the utensils that I will be using for the meal. Bishop and Father have to fair on their own with every kind of fork, spoon, and knife available.

"How was practice, Bishop?" Small talk isn't something we do very often, not with Father at least.

"It went good, Coach is starting us on a new workout regimen to help us get more muscle."

"That's good, son, what about you, Royal, how was your day?" Nodding because it didn't go good and it didn't go bad, it just went.

"Studied," that's really all I can say, I'm not allowed outside unless Bishop is with me. I'm trapped in the house.

The sound of papers shuffling has me looking towards Father's, I can't see him, but I know just from the sound that he is doing work. He never stops working, not even when we go to event, it's always about his businesses and how to improve them. It's truly tiring to even think about let alone talk hours about.

Father has a particular way of running his businesses and no one questions his methods since he is the youngest self-made multi-billionaire in the world. People have asked him how, but it is always the same answer. "Hard work and dedication."

"Good, I'm happy to hear that you're getting ready for the coming school year." School hasn't started but that doesn't mean my psychotic homeschooling teacher hasn't already given me a lot. I swear she is the spawn of Satan; no should have to read three books before they officially start school. It's ridiculous.

"I have some important news to tell you both but mainly Royal...(heavy sigh)...I am sending you to an Academy. Before either of you say anything, I want you to know that it is in your best interest to think about your futures."

"Dad, Royal will be bullied, again." That right, again, I once upon a time went to a public-school type of deal and then got withdrawn because I was being mercifully teased and bullied. I didn't care but Bishop nearly got expelled because of the amount of fights he got in. Father pulled me out of school and Bishop become a mediocre student and a great athlete.

Staying silent, Bishop and I knew Father would try to send me back to school sooner or later, better now than when I go to University. "Bishop," quieting him easily, Bishop normally listens to me, "Dad has decided that this is the way so we should respect his decision."

I worry about Father and Bishop sometimes; they care so much that they are blinded by how they come across. To each other, they are two titans going to war against each other, neither one wants to lose. To me, they look like blubbering idiots trying to explain to each other why they are right.

"See, your sister understands," how mature of you, Father is just as childish as a six-year-old, it's sad really.

"You sister understands," Bishop mocks, resisting the urge to bang my head against the table, I have a feeling Madam Nodine would not approve.

Feeling Bishop's hand cover mine, it's his way of getting my attention, besides shouting my name like an annoying child. Turning to him, I tilt my head in response.

"I worry, Royal, kids are mean. Some people at school still ask and make fun of us. What makes you think that this school will be any different?"

"Nothing, but there will always be someone who points and laughs because I'm different. That simple fact shouldn't have me cowering in the corner or hiding in my room." Turn my hand in his hold, I interlock our fingers, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "This is a good opportunity for me, a good learning experience. Don't be angry with Dad because he is doing what is good for me, be thankful because you two won't always be around to look over me."

Squeezing Bishop's hand one last time, I pull mine away and do something that would have Madam Nodine raising her voice about. Leaving the table, my food untouched, I have lost my appetite from sheer panic. I can hide it well but just below the surface of my façade, the storm is brewing to break free.