The Masked Knight

Chapter 5

The Masked Knight’s P. O. V.

I was standing on the dusty ground for some time where most of the warriors of my troop were busy training. Some were practicing their skills of sword fighting, a few were busy wrestling, while others were engaged in different kinds of activities to build up their strength even more. I know that warriors like us are not allowed to become this powerful and well skilled with weapons but I had my own way to train my troop without getting noticed by the King this easily.

Yes, I have been successful to build my own army over the past five years without getting caught and I will keep doing the same in the future as well. No one from the new King’s men have any kind of idea what we do on our grounds with the troop of warriors that I have taken under my leadership. I only show what I need to show the king to make him believe that we are not crossing the line with training and all, but reality is way different from that.

And could not have done all this without Sabastian of course, and most importantly without each and every single one of my warriors. They came a long way and started to have faith in me eventually. They respect me and believes that only I can change their lives which I will do without any doubt. Cause our goals are not so different from each other.

Anyway,

I was working hard to stay focused today and decided to join the combat at last with my warriors, cause, I realized that just standing there without doing nothing is not at all helping me to keep my composure in check as my mind kept going back to the time when I heard the news from Sabastian.

So, I needed to distract my mind.

As soon as the last fight ended, I walked up to them and stood there quietly amongst the crowd while the one who just won the match kept bragging about his strength and skills in front of the other warriors.

In no time the ground filled with loud cheers while the warrior just could not help feeling great about himself. Yeah, I saw extreme pride kept oozing from his eyes for the moment. And I cannot see anything wrong with that cause I know how much skilled my each and every single warrior is, and winning over one another definitely means a great achievement. So I let him feel the joy for the time being at least.

And when he was all done, I unsheathed my sword all of a sudden, making the most vicious sound of the sharp blade which kind of shook the air, announcing my very presence to the other warriors right at that moment.

The ground which was getting noisier just a while ago, fell absolutely silent all of a sudden.

As if they all were waiting for me to speak.

So, I did not keep them waiting any longer and opened my mouth at last.

“Show me what you have learned after all these years.” I asked the one who just won the last sword fight and was bragging about his strength and skills until now. But as soon as I approached him to invite for another combat with me this time, he kind of flinched back a little for some reason.

I did not fail to hear the gasps of the crowd as well, as soon as they realized what I just meant.

Yes, I know they are shocked indeed but they are not coward to avoid my invitation to a sword fight.

“Yes, chief.” The warrior came to stand right in front of my eyes, holding his sword in one hand while his eyes were right on me. Yes, I must say that he is brave and I am proud of warriors like him.

It took time but soon the entire training ground got filled with cheers even before we have started.

And then the fight started at last.

While our swords kept crashing with each other, making the most menacing noise of some battle field, there were no other sound left to be heard as the entire ground fell silent as they all were busy to witness the greatest combat between their chief and one of their best warriors.

They must have been entirely awestruck by watching our movements during the fight.

I must say that he got some skills as he was still standing on his two legs even after sometime have passed already, which is indeed first for me. But still, he needs to go a very long way to defeat the masked knight.

Soon I found myself quite enjoying the fight with the warrior just when I heard the very familiar voice all of a sudden,

“Chief!!!!”

A scream distracted me in an instant cause I knew who it was.

Sabastian!!!

Sabastian came running for me and shouted without even realizing that there is a sword fight going on right at this moment.

And my little distraction turned into a very good opportunity for the warrior to disarm me right away. So, even before I could come back to my senses, I saw him moving fast towards me. But it is not that easy man.

I heard the sudden gasps which came from the crowd in no time, as they might have thought I will end up losing the fight for the little bit of mistake that I just made unconsciously. But no. Nothing like this is going to happen today.

After all you are fighting against no one but the masked knight who had trained you in the first place. So, it is not that easy to win over the master. Isn’t it?

Even before the warrior could disarm me, I dodged his strike swiftly and within seconds everyone watched his sword flew away from his hand and fell on the ground in some distance quite unexpectedly.

Yes, everyone was shocked without any doubt. Because I could not hear any single sound after that. It seemed like they were still busy to understand what just happened.

Well, I believe there is no reason for me to keep going on with the fight any longer. So, I put my sword back inside the sheathe and turned to leave at last. But before I finally leave the place, I did not forget to utter my words for the warrior who fought bravely today.

“Well done, Leo. You indeed gave me a tough fight.” I praised him for his extraordinary skills and left the spot.

Sabastian was standing within a close distance all this time and was absolutely quiet for some reason. Maybe he had already realized what he just did. He interrupted me during my fight and he was well aware of the fact that he is surely going to get scolded by me any time soon.

I walked the distance between us and glared at him furiously while he could not even dare to keep his eyes on me any longer.

“Sabastian!!!!” I called his name with a bit annoyance.

“Yes, chief?” he replied fast, keeping his eyes still on the ground.

“What is it that you just could not wait for another few minutes to tell me?” I asked in a deep voice and kept walking towards my tent, knowing that Sabastian would surely follow me around when he still has so many things to say to me, I guess.

“You were right, chief.” He replied right away and went on saying further,

“The King’s men have already arrived with a message for the masked knight and is asking for your presence before them.” Sabastian’s words made me stop on my track right away.

I turned around sharply to face him now and asked,

“What message?”

“I don’t know. They are waiting for you to hand over the King’s orders.” Sabastian replied and I just could not help but frown.

“Ahhh!!! What a headache. Anyway, where are they now?” I asked, realizing that there is no other way to avoid this situation now, as I was kind of expecting them to come anyway. And it seems like I have guessed right. They are indeed here and are looking for me.

“Outside. I have asked them to wait in the visitor’s tent outside the gate.” Sabastian could not even get the time to finish his words when I already started walking towards the gate to meet them right away.

After all I too want to see what the King wants me to do now.

Within a minute or two I have reached the border of our training ground which is surrounded by a huge wall to keep it separated from the other parts of the valley in order to prevent the King and his men unnecessarily interfere in my business over here. And it is only the huge iron gate which links our world to the outside lands which is always highly guarded to keep watch on the trespassers if there is any.

Yes, this is how I made sure to keep my warriors away from the King’s cruel intentions all the time.

“Open the gate.” As soon as I came to stand right in front of the door, Sabastian yelled at the guards to open the gate so that I could get through, while he followed me as well without one single word.

I entered the tent unannounced and saw two men in their glorious attire was standing at the other end of the tent with a message rolled in one of their hands. The useless bright and sparkling attire of the King’s men kind of irritated my eyes while I just could not help but compare their clothes with the ripped and dirty grey ones that the men usually wear at the coal mining center. Rather they were forced to lead such a life for the sake of these evil people who does nothing but licks the King’s feet in order to live lavishly for their whole life.

They never fail to disgust me.

“Why were you looking for me?” I asked right away as I have no intention to waste my time on people like them, but it seemed like my sudden appearance kind of startled them.

Or is it because of my ugly iron mask which often scares the others who does not know me yet?

Whatever it is.

“Ahhh!!!! The masked knight. About whom even the King is aware of. You must be something to gain such an honor.” One of them spoke while the other one looked down at us in such a way as if we are no better than some filthy worms that they desire to smash under their feet without any mercy.

After all they judge people’s worth based on their appearance and not for their abilities. So, what else can I expect from this kind of men?

Of course, they would never let go of any chance to humiliate us just because our clothes are not so glamourous and our hands are always filled with dirt. To them it is just the old and ugly knight’s armor that we warriors often wear but for us it is our pride. Those who have been blinded by the luxury would never be able to see the treasure that we cherish by being in the dirt.

Anyway,

I have the least amount of patience to keep hearing their useless words, so I uttered right away without any hesitation,

“The message. I don’t have all the day.” I glared at their ugly faces through the eye wholes of my mask and I guess it was enough for them to keep aside their unnecessary words right away. They came straight to the point.

The King’s message.

“Ahh, yes!!! King Luther has sent a message for the masked knight.

His highness wishes to see the masked knight and his troop at the assembly today while a prestigious title will be given to the leader of the army which has just returned to the Uxtan Valley kingdom after seven long years with a great victory.

His highness also wishes to appoint one of his strongest warriors the masked knight and his troop for a specific post to give him honor for his great work over the past few years in today’s assembly as well in front of the entire kingdom.

Your presence is sincerely required.” With that the man rolled the cloth back up as soon as he finished reading the King’s message.

“When is the assembly?” I asked even though I was already freaking out in my mind.

“Toady. Within a few hours actually.” The other man who was standing quietly until now at last opened his mouth.

“All right. Thank you for the message.” I waited no more and turned around to find Sabastion as soon as possible, now that I am already done listening to the King’s message, I have no interest in keep entertaining those people from the palace any longer, not even for another fraction of second.

“Sabastian!!! See them out and come to me right away when you are done.” I gave him my orders and left the tent in no time to get back inside as I was barely holding back my anger after realizing what the King’s intentions are.

Cause I know very well that honoring me and my men is just an excuse and nothing else. And like always, this time too, I will be proven right.

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