Legacy
Chapter 4

Having beenconflict free with its neighbors for centuries and known for having amost formidable army, Deerborne castle needed only the scantest ofpatrolling. Like most days, only a single guard was keeping watchatop the outer wall.

Being sounconcerned with a possible attack, the guard’s attention graduallywaned so that he could watch a raven circling the perimeter of thecastle. Before long, it came to a rest upon the wall, its gazefocused squarely on the guard, who could do nothing to stop himselffrom staring back. As if to taunt him, the raven let out a ghastlycaw.

In aneffort to scare the bird away, the guard made a move toward it. Buthe was forced to stop dead in his tracks when an arrow struck him inthe neck. The arrow had entered through one side and was protrudingout the other. Grasping feebly at the projectile, the guard crashedto his knees all the while choking violently on the rapidly growingamount of blood filling his throat. Before long, his life had cometo its horrible conclusion.

With a warcry that could rival the largest of armies, a horde of brigandsemerged from the surrounding woods. Their numbers were a few hundredstrong and not a single one of them was about to show any mercy totheir enemies.

The castlegate was sturdy, but the brigands had brought with them a batteringram that would make short work of it if left unimpeded. To combatthe attempted entry, bowman lined the top of the castle wall andrained down on their enemy a shower of arrows. Many of the invadersmanning the battering ram fell during the barrage.

“Shields!”shouted a brigand.

Men withwooden planks provided cover for their brethren who had survived theinitial onslaught. So with nothing left to stop them, the brigandswere able to break through the castle gate and gain their muchdesired entry.

“Toarms!” shouted one of the king’s soldier’s.

“Killthem all!” shouted a brigand.

Thefactions then met with incredible force.

Havingwoken from a well deserved night’s slumber, the group, which hadadded Aiko to its ranks, was back on its way.

“I mustsay,” said Aiko, “it was nice of you three not to leave withoutme. Had I been in your position, I never would have woken you up. Iwould have crept out so I wouldn’t have to pay the money that Iowed you.”

“Howcould we leave you behind?” asked Avery. “Not after someoneknocked over a chair and woke you up,” he added, looking at Jaycee.

“You wereplanning on leaving without me? What kind of people are you?”

“We werenever going to leave without you,” said James. “We gave you ourword that we would pay you what we owed. We won’t go back on whatwe said.”

“If onlyeveryone was as righteous as you three. The world would be a farbetter place. So, what’s this king of yours like? I bet he’sreally generous. He’s probably the kind of king who likes toreward good deeds.”

“KingLionel is as noble a man as there is,” said James. “I stillremember the first time I met him as if it was yesterday. Hepresented me with my brother’s sword. He told me he knew one day Iwould become just as strong as William.”

“KingLionel is beloved by all his people,” added Jaycee. “I’ve yetto meet a person who had a negative thing to say about him. He hasno enemies.”

A group ofsoldiers was doing its best to keep the invading force from enteringthe throne room. But however many men there were on the other side,their power was far superior to the blockade’s collective strength.

“Standstrong, men, we must protect the king,” exclaimed one of thesoldiers pressed against the door. But like his comrades, he wasgrowing weaker by the second as the force on the other side seemed tobe growing stronger.

Despitetheir best effort, the soldiers could do nothing to keep the doorfrom bursting open. Such force was used that they were sent crashingto the floor. What was waiting for them on the other side wasnothing short of bewildering. There had been no great number of menattempting to gain entry, there had been only one.

“So goodto see you again . . . your majesty,” said Shadow Kahn.

KingLionel’s eyes bulged. “It can’t be,” he gasped. “The Devil.”

James andthe others were in utter disbelief of what they had stumbled upon. The castle that was thought to have been impenetrable was now underheavy attack.

“What isthis?” asked James. “How can this be happening?”

“Did yourking start a war or something?” asked Aiko.

“Never,”said Jaycee. “The king would never do such a thing.”

“Thatarmy isn’t even carrying a flag,” said Avery. “No kingdom sentthem. They came here on their own.”

“What dowe do?” asked Jaycee. “Do we join the fight?”

“No, it’sfar too dangerous,” said Avery. “None of you are experiencedenough. As for me, I have no choice but to defend the king. Youthree wait here, and don’t even think about moving from this spotunless absolutely necessary. Do you understand?”

“Youcan’t go alone,” said James. “Let me go with you.”

“Out ofthe question. Listen to me, James. If something happens to me, Iwant you to know something. You’re every bit the man your brotherwas. Don’t ever think that you can’t live up to his memory. Iknew William well, and every time I look at you, I see more of him. Knowing you was like knowing your brother. It truly was an honor,James.” And with that, Avery sprinted off to join the battle.

The threewatched Avery until he became swallowed within a horde of combatants.

“Wearen’t going to let him fight on his own, are we?” asked Jaycee.

“No,”said James. “I’m going to help him. You two stay here.”

“No,”exclaimed Jaycee. “After seeing Avery go off on his own, youexpect me to just stand here and let you do the same? If you'regoing then so am I.”

“No, it’stoo dangerous.”

“Is itgoing to be any less dangerous if you go alone? I know the risk I’mabout to take. And it’s a risk that I’m willing to take.”

“If youcome with me, you don’t leave my side,” said James.

Jaycee gaveJames a nod, then joined him in a mad dash for the castle.

“Thosethree have to be completely out of their minds,” said Aiko. “They’re gonna get themselves killed.” After contemplatingwhat to do next, something occurred to her. “Wait, if they die, Iwon’t get my reward.” It was then when Aiko realized the noblething to do was to join the others. The prospect of an even heftierreward for helping in the battle also helped to convince her of that. “Wait for me!”

The youngtrio was met by a brigand at the castle gate. Just barely was Jamesable to block the aggressor’s attack with his sword. Using thebutt end of her staff, Jaycee struck the man in the face, sending himcrumbling to the ground.

The battlethat was being fought was unlike anything James, Jaycee or Aiko hadever before seen. Men on both sides were dying at an incredible rateand the blood on the ground was puddled up in so many places that itlooked as if it had rained down from the sky.

So consumedwith the battle were both sides that James and the girls were able torush past them and into the castle with no further trouble.

Onceinside, the three found their next course of action would be morecomplicated than had been expected. The corridors were set up in amaze-like fashion, making traversing them arduous for anyone notfamiliar with the layout.

“So,which way are we supposed to go?” asked Aiko.

“I haveno idea,” replied James.

Entering agrand hall, Avery found someone at the other end of the room. Thestranger had his back turned and was standing as still as a statue. “You there,” called out Avery. “Who are you? What are youdoing here?”

Afterturning around, Sage began his advance.

Avery drewhis sword. “Stay where you are.”

It seemedthe presentation of a weapon would be enough to keep his foe at bayas Sage came to an immediate stop.

“Why isthis happening?” asked Avery. “Why is the castle under attack?”

“Becausethe master has deemed it necessary,” replied Sage.

“Necessaryfor what? Who is your master?”

“That,I’m afraid, is something you will never know.” And with that,Sage drew his sword and continued his advance.

Being sounfamiliar with his surroundings, it took no time at all for James tolose his way. James’ progress eventually led he and the girls to adead end.

“Ithought you said you had been here before,” said Aiko.

“I had anescort lead the way last time,” replied James.

“James,”gasped Jaycee, who was the only one facing the opposite direction.

James andAiko turned around to replace a man blocking their way.

“This isno place for children,” said Raspheet, his sword already in hand. “Why don’t you three come with me so I can take you some placesafe?”

“I don’ttrust this one,” said Aiko.

Being intotal agreement with Aiko, James drew his sword. This prompted aboisterous laugh to burst from Raspheet. “I’ve never had to killanyone as young as you before,” he said. “But there’s always afirst time for everything, I suppose.”

“Staybehind me,” James told the girls.

Just asRaspheet had taken his first step toward the three, he let out apained grunt and fell to his knees. An arrow was now lodged in theback of Raspheet’s leg and standing behind him was the bowman whohad fired it.

“Takeanother step toward those three, and you’ll be losing the othereye,” said the bowman. “Understand?”

Raspheetpulled the arrow from his leg and tossed it at the one who had firedit. “We need to stop meeting this way, Archer,” he said.

“Wereally should.”

“But youreally shouldn’t have done that.”

“Is thatso?” asked Archer, another arrow pointed at his foe. “Why don’tyou go ahead and do something about it?”

Raspheettook a quick peek out a nearby window, then at the arrow that waswaiting for him. The choice looked to have been an easy one for himto make as Raspheet leaped out the window and to freedom. Fortunately for him, the stables were below. Raspheet landed safelyin a pile of hay, then ran away as fast as his legs could take him.

“Thankyou for your help,” said James.

“We couldhave taken him,” said Aiko.

“No timefor gratitude,” said Archer. “Follow me.”

Sage liftedhis sword up to his blood stained face and began staring intently atthe blade. It almost seemed to be staring back at him as rich dripsof crimson slid down its face. “Everything for the master,” saidSage. “Everything for him.”

Behind Sagelied Avery, motionless in a puddle of blood.

The battlethat had been so heavily in the favor of the invading army would takean immediate turn for those defending the castle when numbers of theking’s men came stampeding in on horses. Upon entering the melee,they swiftly began cutting down their foes.

With such alarge cavalry to contend with, the brigands began an immediateretreat. A scant number were able to escape with their lives, whileall others were slaughtered for the heinous crime for which they hadcommitted against the kingdom.

Archer hadled the way to the throne room. It was abnormally dark inside forthe time of day. Even with the curtains drawn, some light usuallyfound its way in.

“Yourhighness,” called out Archer. “Are you in here?”

A number ofcandles around the room suddenly lit by themselves. Upon the king'sthrone sat Shadow Kahn, looking as if the honor had always belongedto him.

“Who areyou?” asked Archer. “Where is King Lionel?”

“If thereis any justice in this world, then that precious king of yours isalready rotting away in the darkest of pits,” replied Shadow Kahn.

“Bastard,”exclaimed Archer. He quickly took aim and fired an arrow.

Using onlya finger as his shield, Shadow Kahn stopped the arrow. “You mightwant to come up with a better strategy than that,” he said.

“What areyou?” asked a wide eyed Archer.

Shadow Kahnremoved himself from his throne. “I am darkness . . . I ameternity.” The room suddenly began to grow cold. “I am . . .Shadow Kahn.”

“ShadowKahn, what kind of name is that?” remarked Aiko, who immediatelybecame the focus of the man she had just insulted. The icy glareShadow Kahn directed at her was more than enough to prompt Aiko tohide behind Archer.

Afterfinishing with Aiko, Shadow Kahn focused his attention squarely onJames. “So long have I waited for this day to come,” he said. “To look upon your face once again. You have no idea how much thismoment means to me, James.”

“What areyou talking about?” asked James. “I don’t know you.”

“Oh, butyou do.”

“Why didyou do this?” asked Archer. “Why the king?”

“Becausehe condemned me to die,” replied Shadow Kahn. “So why not do thesame to him? An eye for an eye, is that not what your god decreed?”

“What doyou mean ‘your God'?”

“Whensomeone turns their back on you, you turn your back on them,”replied Shadow Kahn. “Your god is no god of mine.”

“You gotwhat you wanted,” said Aiko, still standing safely behind Archer. “So, why don’t you leave now?”

“This wasfar from getting what I wanted. Everyone who played a part in mydemise must pay for what they did.”

“You’remaking it sound as if you’re already dead,” said Archer.

“Youcatch on quick,” said Shadow Kahn.

“Thenthat would make you some kind of monster,” said James.

“I havebeen called far worse than that.”

“Listento yourself,” said Archer. “Nothing you’re saying makes sense! You’re mad!”

“Am I?”asked Shadow Kahn. “Perhaps, but why should I let that stop me? Man is far more flawed than I will ever be. The stones on the roadand even the road itself will outlast every one of you. What kind oflegacy can one leave behind when their existence is a mere breath intime compared to a lump of dirt? But my reign will last forever.”

“What arewe going to do?” Jaycee whispered to James.

“We don’thave a choice,” James whispered back. “We have to fight him.”

“Thatwould be a very grave mistake,” said Shadow Kahn, who surprisedeveryone with the fact that he had heard everything just said. “Iwould have no problem ridding this world of all of you. All of youbut James, that is. For he is the only one that I need. The rest ofyou, well, you are the very definition of the word ‘expendable’.”

“What doyou want with me?” asked James.

BeforeShadow Kahn had a chance to reply, Sage emerged from the shadowssurrounding the throne. After taking his place beside his master,Sage tossed a sword at James. It landed just short of the youngman’s feet.

“That’sAvery’s sword,” said Jaycee, a quiver in her voice.

“He won’tbe needing that where he is,” said Sage.

A tremblingJames picked Avery’s sword off the floor. He stared wide eyed atit for a moment before catching everyone by surprise by charging.

“James,no!” exclaimed Jaycee.

The gapbetween James and Sage was quickly narrowing. And with Sage makingno move for his sword, it looked as if James was going to succeed incutting him down. But an instant before James could slash his foe,Shadow Kahn caught the sword by the blade.

“Now,James, you must learn not to be so impulsive,” said Shadow Kahn. “One should never let their emotions cloud their judgment. How canyou expect to someday be worthy to serve by my side?” A trickle ofblood then began to seep from Shadow Kahn’s hand and down theblade, eventually replaceing its way onto James’ hands.

“How areyou able to do this?” asked a horrified James.

Using onlyminimal effort, Shadow Kahn snapped the blade in half. Having no usefor the broken steel, he tossed it away.

“What areyou?” asked James, timidly backing away.

“My boy,I assure you, that is one question that you do not want the answerto.” And with that, Shadow Kahn faced his wounded palm toward thegroup so that they could watch as the fresh cut healed itself.

“You’rethe Devil,” said Archer.

“You haveno idea how wrong you are,” said Shadow Kahn. He then againfocused his attention on James. “Now that you have seen a smallsampling of my power, would it not be wise to join me? If you do, Iwill make this power yours.”

“Never,”said James. “I’ll never join someone like you.”

“What ashame. I had hoped that we could do this the easy way. But it seemsyou still need more time.”

“You cangive him all the time in the world, he’ll never join you,” saidAiko, who seemed more bold now removed from her hiding spot.

“Once youlearn the truth about yourself, you will see things differently,”said Shadow Kahn. He then abruptly turned his back and walked intothe shadows behind the throne, where he disappeared from sight.

Sagerefrained from joining his master. Instead, he stayed behind andglared at James. Showing no fear, James directed the same angry lookback at him. After a lengthy stare down, Sage joined his masterwithin the suffocating darkness.

“James,”said Jaycee. She wanted to say something to comfort him but wasunable to come up with the right words at the moment.

“Weshould get out of here before that lunatic changes his mind and comesback,” said Aiko. But before she could make her way out, the doorslammed itself shut. Aiko attempted to open the door but it refusedto budge in the slightest. “It won’t open!”

The soundof jingling bells soon filled the room.

“What isthat?” asked Archer.

From theshadows behind the throne emerged a most horrific sight. Into thelight stepped a court jester with a bare skull for a face.

“Youdon’t suppose he’s friendly, do you?” asked Aiko.

With aflick of its wrist, the jester produced a number of playing cards. Before anyone knew what to make of the trick, the jester had alreadyhurled the cards at them. Everyone was able to get out of the way ofthe cards that were so sharp that they stuck in the door.

“Thatthing’s trying to kill us,” exclaimed Aiko.

Unleashinga hideous fit of laughter, the jester flicked its wrist again,producing another number of playing cards. This time, Archer firedan arrow that struck the jester in the hand, forcing it to drop itslethal projectiles.

In whatseemed like less than the blink of an eye, Aiko was within strikingdistance of her target. She devastated the jester with a tremendouskick to the face, dislodging its jaw. “Let’s see you laugh aboutthat,” she remarked.

Showingthat the blow had little effect, the jester popped its jaw back intoplace, then let out another disturbingly joyous laugh.

“Aboutkicking you in the face,” said Aiko, timidly backing away. “Itwas just a joke. You like jokes, don’t you? That’s why you’realways laughing.”

For itsnext trick, the jester tilted its head back and opened it mouth aswide as it could. It then reached in and pulled out a sword.

“Is thisthing for real?” asked Aiko.

Just asAiko had done, James quickly reached striking distance. Before thejester had the chance to react, James had already begun his attack,taking the jester’s head off cleanly with one furious swing of hissword.

There wasno time for the group to savor their victory as something immediatelybegan ramming against the throne room door.

“Nowwhat?” groaned Aiko.

A group ofsoldiers succeeded in breaking into the throne room. “Archer,”said one of them. “Where’s the king?”

“I’mafraid we were too late,” replied Archer.

Thesoldiers lowered their heads.

“Then itseems their trick worked,” said the soldier. “King Jacob wasn’texpecting us. There was never a request to send a delegation to hiskingdom.”

“Weweakened our ranks by sending our strongest knights,” said Archer. “How could we have been so foolish to fall for such a ploy?”

For all thetrouble the jester had caused, Aiko began kicking its headless body.

Raspheetcame stumbling back to camp. Entering his tent, he was presentedwith a most unpleasant surprise. Shadow Kahn was in his chair and athis side was Sage.

“Tellingby that haggard expression on your face, I take it things did notwork out quite the way you had anticipated,” said Shadow Kahn.

“We wereambushed,” said Raspheet. “The king’s men returned much soonerthan we were expecting. I was lucky to escape with my life!”

“Ofcourse they did. They were told to.”

“By who?”asked Raspheet.

“By me. Who else would have told them?”

“Youbastard,” exclaimed Raspheet. “You betrayed us! How dare youshow your face! You led my men to their slaughter! You knew wewouldn’t stand a chance!”

“Whathappened to you or your men was of no concern to me. I accomplishedwhat I set out to accomplish. And that is all that matters. Consider yourself fortunate that you were allowed to play a role inmy plans.”

“I’llkill you!” exclaimed Raspheet, drawing his sword.

Thisprompted Sage to do the same.

“Therewill be no need for that,” said Shadow Kahn. “This one hasspirit. Perhaps I can replace a new use for him.”

Even from agreat distance, Raspheet’s scream could be heard.