The Armor She Wears

The White Knight

There hadn't been a single wall in the castle left un-punched by Keefe. Ever since he heard about everyone disappearing, Keefe struggled with his emotions. Which was strange for an Empath. Mr. Forkle had tried to help, but he couldn't see past the fact he had lost Sophie. Not the war crazy one, but the one he loved. Yes, Keefe Sencen loved the old Sophie Foster.
If he could change one thing in the world, he wouldn't stop the war, he would ask for Sophie back. Not that it mattered any way, she was gone.
Keefe had been sleeping in the frozen cherry grove behind the palace in the hopes he would catch her sneaking in, but he never did.
"Mr. Sencen? Sorry to break your thoughts"
Mr. Forkle sat down next to Keefe, but he didn't acknowledge him.
Keefe stared at the sky and said, "You know, once when we were at the hideout, I was really upset about my mom. Sophie and me would have window slumber parties. She was there for me. She was there when I had no one. Sophie trusted me. I just want her back"
Keefe's voice cracked and he turned away, the tears dripping onto the bench. Mr. Forkle sighed and left, these days he wasn't sure how to talk to Keefe.
As soon as Mr. Forkle was out of sight, Keefe smothered the tears and slung a leather backpack over his shoulders. There was no point in staying in the castle when the girl he loved needed his help. He was sure that Sophie had left because of them leaving her and he had to fix it. This one thing he could change.
The morning had snowed heavily, but only small snowflakes fell in the forest. Not a single animal was heard and Keefe kept a wary eye on the horizon.
He kept one hand on a dagger hidden in his belt and the other holding his backpack straight. It was only after the sun had disappeared into the shadows that he released his grip. His mind searched the dark woods for Sophie usual loud emotions, but he found nothing but whispers of them. By a tree he felt her pride. By the river he felt her fear.
But when he stepped into a small clearing covered in chalk residue, he felt her immediate pain. His mind exploded with agony, the pain filling his mind. He crouched down to the ground and tried to focus the emotions.
Someone must have made a kandela in the clearing. Kandelas were the old method of chalk drawings the elves used before leap crystals. He traced the outline and drew chalk from his bag. It took him long after the sun was truly gone to finally get it to glow.
The earth rumbled and he stepped back. As soon as the stairs appeared, Keefe followed them without a second thought. The deeper he travelled, the stronger he felt Sophie's emotions. I'm coming, he promised.
A loud grunt came from the darkness beyond him and Keefe stiffened. He should have thought about guards. They weren't going to let him just walk in there.
Keefe silently cursed and gripped the dagger with his hand. As soon as he heard another grunt, Keefe aimed towards the sound and she felt his dagger dig into a mound of flesh. Something roared and Keefe recognize it as an ogre. His eyes made out the outline and he noticed the door behind it and the one further down. He heard someone scream from the door behind the ogre and Keefe dogged the beast, sliding behind the door just in time.
It took him a while to let his eyes adjust to the sharp light but Keefe gasped when he saw it. It was a large amphitheater filled with Neverseen. Keefe sucked in a breath when he saw that on the stage was Sophie and Alvar.
And Sophie's face was covered in blood.