“I am Konley, second knight to Henrick Stroop, champion of Carthage.”
“Where is Henrick?” the Rogue Knight asked. “His challenge I would heed. ‘Rogue Knight’ may be my title, but I am the champion of nine fair towns and three noble cities. It is not within your rights to challenge me, but any of my eight and a half knights would gladly engage you should you so desire.”
“Eight and a half?” Konley repeated.
“Eight full-size knights, and Minimus, the Halfknight, who just slew the archer.”
The small knight was back on his feet. “Let me have him, sire,” the little knight begged, his tinny voice in a fairly high register.
“I’m not going to grapple with underlings,” Konley said. “In the eyes of the realm you are an outlaw harassing travelers. Your thievery has forfeited any protections a true champion would enjoy. Perhaps you fear to face me.”
Cole shared a glance with Jace. He’s so dead, Jace mouthed.
“I know of you, Konley,” the Rogue Knight said. “I have made a study of all the champions and their knights. You were once champion of Rudberg.”
“That’s right,” Konley said.
“You gained that position when the former champion stepped down,” the Rogue Knight continued.
“I was his first knight,” Konley said.
“You inherited your championship,” the Rogue Knight said. “Why are you not still champion of Rudberg?”
“Henrick offered me a place among his knights,” Konley said. “I stepped down.”
“Why surrender your championship to serve another?” the Rogue Knight asked, walking his horse toward him.
“Rudberg is a minor town,” Konley said. “Knighthood under Henrick was a better position.”
“It was a matter of wanting a better position?” the Rogue Knight asked.
“Yes.”
“Then why not take the championship from Henrick? Would that not have been nobler?”
“The risk seemed unnecessary.”
The Rogue Knight was drawing near to him. “You confuse me, Konley. Shouldn’t a champion feel ashamed to forgo his position for reasons other than retirement? Did you feel any reservations about abandoning a championship you did not win through combat in order to serve another?”
Konley’s face was rigid. “Some, I suppose. But it was a generous offer.”
“And the risk was less than facing Henrick.”
“Yes.”
The Rogue Knight reined his horse to a stop a few steps from Konley. “Do you know how I won my championships, Konley?”
“I’ve heard some stories.”
The Rogue Knight held up his sword. “First, I intimidated the champion of a small town into vacating his office and naming me his successor. It was the one championship I claimed without violence. Since that day, eleven champions have died on my sword, including Gart the Headsman and Tirus of Wenley. I initiated all of those duels, and the best of my opponents failed to provide much of a contest. So first I will ask on what grounds you presume to call me afraid, and second I will ask why you would wish to fight me at all?”
“I was trying to goad you,” Konley said, his voice not quite steady.
“That leaves the second question. You serve Henrick. Tirus of Wenley was a much better fighter than him. Gart the Headsman was his superior by an even greater margin. If the risk of fighting Henrick was too great, why provoke me?”
Konley looked pale. “I’m here under orders. I have my honor.”
“You have dueled for sport,” the Rogue Knight said. “Have you ever killed a man in combat?”
“No,” Konley replied softly.
“What were your exact orders?” the Rogue Knight asked.
Konley hesitated for a moment. “I was commanded to observe the threat you pose. If I had the chance, I was to slay you.”
“You have no chance,” the Rogue Knight said bluntly. “You are outclassed. That reality releases you from the obligation. You needn’t die today.”
“I’ve already made my challenge,” Konley said.
The Rogue Knight sheathed his sword. “You have no right to challenge me. But I am a sporting man. If you truly wish it, I will fight you to the death. No quarter will be asked for, and none given. Or you can select one of your men to face me in single combat, so you can observe the threat I pose and report back. Or I could forget your challenge, and you could surrender. The choice is now yours.”
“No way he goes through with it,” Jace murmured. “He’s wetting his armor.”
“I wouldn’t do it,” Cole whispered back. “If he loses, will they be harsher to the rest of us?”
“That would be about my luck,” Jace complained.
Konley stared at the Rogue Knight, a sheen of perspiration glimmering on his face. He licked his lips and swallowed. Glancing sideways, he forced a small chuckle. “Danforth. You’re always saying you want the chance to show you deserve a promotion.”
A guardsman’s eyes widened. “Begging your pardon, Konley, I didn’t mean like this!”
Konley forced another chuckle. “Now’s the chance to step up and prove your worth.”
“None of us are a match for him, Konley,” Danforth said. “You saw what happened to the men who attacked them. We’ve had our example already. If you’re open to counsel, I’m all for surrendering.”
Konley looked around. “Any volunteers?”
The guardsmen remained conspicuously still.
Konley closed his visor. “What kind of knight would I be if I quailed?”
“A prudent one,” the Rogue Knight replied. “I do not relish taking life. I understand duty, but if you are not under direct orders to attack me, why perish? Don’t die because you’re embarrassed to not fight me. You’ve lived your life avoiding real combat. You’ve evaded risk. Why choose death today?”
Konley opened his visor. “You will harm none of us?”
“Not if you all do as I have asked.”
Konley glanced over his shoulder at Lucinda’s coach.
“You have people under your protection,” the Rogue Knight said. “Surrender and relinquish your valuables, and those in your care will not be harmed, you have my word. I will take your sword and your armor. Your men will relinquish their arms as well. You endanger the occupants of that coach more if you resist. Accidents happen during combat.”
“Very well,” Konley said. “We surrender.”
CHAPTER
15
VERITY
The Rogue Knight checked with Monroe, who also agreed to surrender, then rode back out into the field to address the entire caravan. “Your leaders have submitted to my terms,” he announced. “Exit your coaches in an orderly manner. Any who attempt to escape will be run down. Don’t try to hide any valuables. We know all the tricks. It’s not fair that some don’t lose their goods because they could afford hidden compartments or hollow boot heels. I don’t care if I can’t use your promissory notes—I want them. My purpose is not to spend your money. Complain to your cowering champion until he does his duty. His unlawful behavior gave rise to mine.”
Cole looked to Joe. “What do we do?”
Joe considered the boys thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen a guy like this Rogue Knight. He has it all—the brains, the skill, the right men, the right equipment. I think we follow his orders and be grateful if we leave with our lives.”
“Come,” the Rogue Knight encouraged. “Bring your valuables and exit your coaches. Nobody will be harmed. Line up on my side of the caravan. I mean everyone—women, children, servants, teamsters, wealthy merchants, government officials.”
“What about the money?” Cole whispered.
“Our secret compartments are covered by illusions,” Joe whispered back. “Let’s leave it alone and see how it goes.”
Cole climbed out of
the coach. Mira and Skye emerged from the coach in front of them. Mira looked distraught, but she tried to smile when she saw Cole.
“This includes the occupants of the fancy coach Konley was guarding,” the Rogue Knight said. “Don’t make us drag you out of there.”
A short distance down the line from Cole, the door to the stately coach opened. Lucinda emerged, along with a matronly servant. Both women wore dresses. Lucinda sported a wide-brimmed hat with an elegant shape and a silk flower on it.
Cole lined up between Twitch and Jace, facing the Rogue Knight. The knight’s shiny armor looked like it must have been washed and burnished an hour before the ambush. Cole did his best not to stand out. The many people in the caravan helped him feel less conspicuous.
The Rogue Knight pointed his sword at Lucinda. “Tell me your name.”
“Lucinda,” she replied.
“Who is your father?”
She straightened bravely. “Alderman Cronin.”
“Interesting,” the Rogue Knight said.
“He will not smile to know what happened here today,” Lucinda said.
“I hope not,” the Rogue Knight replied. “Rustin Sage could use some pressure from other leaders.”
“My father’s anger won’t be directed at Rustin Sage,” Lucinda said.
“Alderman Cronin can react as he pleases,” the Rogue Knight said. “Tell him he should hurry, because after Rustin Sage has been entombed, I’ll come to Carthage, kill Henrick, and expel your father from his office.”
Lips trembling, Lucinda made no reply. Cole felt bad for her.
The Rogue Knight held up his sword. “The name of my blade is Verity,” he declared. “She and I dislike falseness. That includes all forms of illusion. Before we collect your valuables, why not wipe any seemings away?”
He swung his sword in a broad horizontal swipe. Cole felt a brief tingling. Glancing to one side, he saw that Mira now looked like herself, and Skye looked as he had never seen her. She was still attractive, but a bit leaner, with big blue eyes and a short white-blond pixie haircut. Cole would have guessed she was in her thirties. At the moment, she looked astonished.
“Your seeming is gone,” Jace whispered to Cole.
“We’re in trouble,” Cole said, glancing over toward Konley. To his surprise, Cole saw that Lucinda, still in her dress and hat, was actually a thin old woman with wispy hair and wrinkled features. The nearby guardsmen appeared surprised.
“Konley,” the Rogue Knight said. “I take it this is not the daughter of Alderman Cronin?”
“I’m one of his servants,” the wrinkled woman proclaimed spunkily.
“Explain,” the Rogue Knight said.
“We needed an excuse to join the caravan,” Konley said. “We didn’t want to put the actual Lucinda in harm’s way. My mission was to observe you if you appeared.”
“You have my congratulations,” the Rogue Knight said. “Mission accomplished. My knights will now take custody of your valuables. Please save time by not trying to hide anything of interest. You won’t succeed, and I’ll take every last ringer if you attempt to hold anything back.”
The Rogue Knight pointed to Cole’s coach and Skye’s coach. “For example, these two conveyances have hidden compartments that until recently were disguised by skillful seemings. This is your last chance to voluntarily produce your valuables.”
Cole looked at Joe, who gave a nod. As the knights dismounted and approached the members of the caravan, Cole and Twitch hurried into the coach. Skye went into her coach as well, as did a few of the merchants.
“Think the Rogue Knight noticed my seeming vanish?” Cole asked Twitch once they were inside the coach.
“I don’t think much escapes him,” Twitch said, popping open a little secret door and removing a bag of ringers. “Let’s hope he doesn’t care.”
“I’m worried for Mira,” Cole said.
“Be worried for all of us,” Twitch said. “If Konley or any of his men have our descriptions, it won’t go well after the Rogue Knight leaves.”
Cole itched with anxiety over what would happen next. He was so close to finding Dalton—and now this! At least he was no longer hiding anything from the powerful knight. That brought a small measure of relief. Cole grabbed the remaining ringers and then returned with Twitch to wait to be robbed.
The Rogue Knight approached Skye. “You and the girl were both concealed,” he said to her, holding open a large canvas bag.
Skye dropped ringers and papers into his sack. “It was for our safety,” she replied meekly.
The Rogue Knight extended his bag to Mira, her warped reflection visible on his armor. “There is something familiar about you,” he said.
A chill passed through Cole.
“I’m told that often,” Mira replied, not looking up at him as she handed over her goods.
The Rogue Knight remained before her. “You had best come with me, my lady.”
“What?” Mira asked, raising her eyes.
“You’ll depart with us,” the Rogue Knight said. “In fact, come with me now. My knights can finish without me.” He reached down and took her by the wrist.
Cole could hardly believe it. How did the Rogue Knight know Mira? Cole wanted to interfere, but what could he possibly do that would make any difference?
Skye reached out and gripped the shiny guard protecting the antlered knight’s forearm. “Then take me too,” she said. “The girl and I mustn’t be separated.”
“Remove your hand, woman,” the Rogue Knight said. “The girl will accompany me alone. No harm will befall her.”
Looking uncertain, Skye released his arm and took a step back. The Rogue Knight began leading Mira toward his horse. Glancing at Joe, Cole danced in place with panic. Wasn’t somebody going to do something?
Jace opened the door of the coach, leaned in, and came out with a Jumping Sword. Yelling at the top of his lungs, he raced after the Rogue Knight.
Releasing Mira, the Rogue Knight turned and drew his sword. He blocked one, two, three swings from Jace before kicking him in the chest with the bottom of his boot, sending him sprawling.
Cole winced. Attacking the Rogue Knight had been reckless and hopeless. It was suicide, really. But Cole had never loved Jace more.
The other knights paused their collecting to watch. Jace scrambled to his feet and stabbed his blade at the Rogue Knight, who parried the thrust and dropped Jace with a brisk slap.
“Stay down, lad,” the Rogue Knight said.
Blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, Jace was back on his feet in an instant. He faked twice, then swung hard. The Rogue Knight deflected the attack, then stepped forward and shoved Jace to the ground. Planting a foot on Jace’s chest, the Rogue Knight crouched, pried the Jumping Sword from his grasp, and tossed it aside.
“Phillip,” the Rogue Knight ordered, keeping a boot on Jace’s chest. “Come see that this boy stays down.”
The knight who wielded the battle-ax walked over and pressed his boot on Jace. After leaning close to speak to Phillip, the Rogue Knight returned to Mira and took her arm. Jace squirmed wildly to no avail.
Cole looked up at Joe. “What do we do?”
“We can’t help her if we’re dead,” Joe whispered.
Buzzing with panic, Cole stared as the Rogue Knight led Mira to his big horse. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he watched Jace thrash helplessly. The Rogue Knight obviously knew her identity. Why did he want her? Would she be a hostage? A bargaining chip? Would she be traded so he could get the duel he wanted? Cole had a terrible feeling that if the Rogue Knight rode away with her, he would never see Mira again.
Cole’s eyes went to the Jumping Sword lying unused. Was Jace the only one willing to protect Mira? Would nobody else even try?
Without allowing himself time to reconsider, Cole dropped his bag of ringers
and dashed forward. Nobody moved to stop him. He reached the sword and picked it up.
The Rogue Knight had just mounted his horse. Too furious to be terrified, Cole ran at him. The Rogue Knight swung Mira up and sat her in front of him. Only then did she notice Cole coming. “Cole, don’t,” she cried. “There’s nothing you can do.”
Ignoring him, the Rogue Knight turned his horse and flicked the reins. The elite steed started running.
Fueled by desperation, Cole raced with everything he had. At his closest he was five paces away, but that quickly stretched to ten, then twenty. Anger and frustration surged through him. He squeezed the hilt of the Jumping Sword with all his might.
And then Cole felt the hilt vibrating. Brilliant flames blazed along the length of the blade. Though the ghostly fire gave off light, Cole felt no heat. He knew with instinctive certainty that the Jumping Sword had awakened.
With the weapon humming in his hand, Cole pointed it at the fleeing knight and shouted, “Away!”
Feet leaving the ground, Cole rocketed into the air, rushing on a collision course with the fleeing horse. As he zoomed within range, the sword slowed a bit, and Cole thrust it into the Rogue Knight’s back.
The tip did not pierce his armor, but both the knight and Mira pitched forward off the galloping horse. Armor clanging and rattling, the knight cradled his arms protectively around Mira as they madly bounced and rolled, gouging the earth as they went. Cole skidded to a stop as well, but he hurriedly rose to his feet, sword ready.
He heard hoofbeats behind him. Two other knights had mounted up and were coming his way. From her position on the ground, prickers and soil in her hair, Mira looked back at him with wide eyes.
Scuffed, dented, and streaked with dirt, the Rogue Knight’s armor had lost some of its polish as he rose to face Cole. “Who are you?” the knight demanded.
“Get out of here, Cole!” Mira cried.
The Rogue Knight’s riderless mount was curving around back toward them. Cole heard the pounding approach of the two other knights. The sword enabled Cole to jump far. It didn’t make him a master swordsman or enable him to pierce heavy armor. What was he supposed to do now?