The Knight of the Golden Armour
(I have added some music in the end of the post… just if you want to listen to what I was listening when I wrote this).
The King’s Messenger was riding as fast as his horse could. He knew he had to deliver that message in the name of his sovereign King Ladialos IV, to that Knight, the misterious but extremely brave Knight of the Golden Armour, or, as he was known in the Court, Duke of Kaliardos.
The messenger was near: the castle was only 2 leagues away. But that meant another 8 Hours on horseback, that is, another day riding that very tired horse. Even worse, he felt the horse was getting more anxious by the minute.
The sun has just risen, so the temperature was not too high. The spring, with the heavy rains and soft breezes, made the weather agreeable. It was then, when he was daydreaming a little, that he heard the hooves of some horses, far but approaching fast. He understood then why his horse had been restless for a while.
Searching some place to hide, he saw the cave at the foot of the mountain, on the left side of the path he was riding on.. Relieved to have found that place, he spurred his horse to arrive there as quickly as possible. At least, there he could easily hide and defend himself much more effectively than on that road…
The cave was dark inside but his eyes quickly adjusted to the lack of light. It was then that he saw a door in the right wall of the cave. “Not a very big door”, he thought, “but the horse can pass, even if the space is a little tight”.
After that door there was a little room and then some stairs, that his horse was able to go down with not much difficulty. The stairs, that seemed to have been made by the water of the cave, decended into a big natural room. In the middle of that hall, there was a big lake, that reflected the little light the cave had. So he thought, “let's go around the lake and see what's in that part of this big cave”. He looked around and he was overwhelmed when contemplating the forest of stalactites and stalagmites that could be seen all over the place.
He heard some noises above but it looked like those brutes hadn’t found the door… yet. He continued walking and admiring the colours of the cave, which he could perceive in the dark thanks to the reflections in the water.
He arrived at the other side of the lake, when he saw a very old man sat in other stairs.
- Young lad, the man said, what are you doing here?
- I’m fleeing some brutes who want to kill me and destroy the urgent message I have to deliver on behalf of my lord - he said, trusting the stranger.
The old man smiled:
- Stay calm. You can continue your journey. Just climb these stairs and, whatever you hear, don’t look back.
He did as he was told. He came out of the cave and continued his journey towards the Duke’s castle without any more incidents.
Foto de Birmingham Museums Trust en Unsplash
The Duke’s castle was situated on a hill, using the land’s orography to make it more impregnable. The lake that surrounded it, except in one side, was natural, and the fog made it invisible most of the year. The Duke, tall and well proportioned, was Training for the next Battle, duel or tournament, as he did daily. Still young, he knew that the age in which he had to marry and produce an heir to the duchy was approaching. But there, in the countryside, he had found peace and an interesting society with the surrounding people in the area, such as the Baron of Nironia, the Earl of Caminiora and the Margrave of Taglinor and their respective families. The Earl's beautiful second daughter in particular had always attracted his attention, because she was also able to hold a conversation with him on somewhat deeper matters than most people.
But for today, the training and those kind of thoughts about his future were over. He went to his chambers where his servants have already prepared a bath for him and, after taking it, he got dressed. For dinner, he wore those sky-blue tights for the first time: here in his castle, life was easy… But his valet interrupted his thoughts, when he entered his chambers and informed him that a messenger from the King had arrived to deliver him personally an urgent message. The Duke nodded:
- Take him to…
- Yes, I know, milord. I have already taken him to the courtroom.
The Duke smiled, put on his light and short cape and began walking through the corridors. He greeted all the people he encountered and even asked about her mother’s health to a poor woman he had employed in the castle.
Then he reached the courtroom, sitting in his high chair.
- So, what is the message you have to convey to me? - he asked in the most agreeable manner to the messenger.
- Oh, milord. It’s urgent, very urgent. Your Highness King Ladialos summons you to his castle. The fight between the Gilorians and the Torinians is getting nastier by the day. But there is something else I must tell you: the reports of spies in High-ranking positions…
- Have those been confirmed?
- Yes, milord.
- And does the King want me to take my Knights with me?
- Yes, milord.
- Well, then, we will ring the bells: that’s the fastest way to summon them…
- But they have to take care: some knights were following me…
The Duke’s face grew worried.
- Ok, then, we will use the bells to convey the message - he made a signal to a manservant who exited the room. In very little time the bells were ringing with a very particular cadence.
Then the Duke looked at the messenger.
- You must be very tired and hungry. There’s a bath waiting for you in your chamber and you can afterwards have some dinner with us in the dining hall. I think this is all for now.
- Yes, milord and thank you very much - he bowed his head and exited the room.
The Duke got up and went to his private Library. Educated by the monks in the nearby Abbey, he was fond of his books. He loved to read and, when his duties let him, he went to listen to the monks’ discussions in various subjects. But it was not the time to read now: he had to prepare himself to go to the capital, a place he didn’t like very much. He had to look at some maps and choose what he should take with him.
His uncle, a middle-aged bald man, well-known everywhere for his bravery, entered the Library:
- I have heard you are to leave for the court.
- Yes, I have.
- Again those damned Gilorians and Torinians, I presume.
- No, uncle. It seems they are not the worst problem now but the spies in High-ranking positions. I’ve been summoned to confront that last threat.
His uncle grew worried.
- And that is why the bells have been ringing?
- Yes.
- When are you leaving then?
- Tomorrow, if the Knights are ready.
Most of his Knights arrived on time. But they had to wait for the rest of them, so the departure towards the capital, was postponed until the next day. In the morning, he put on his golden armour, a symbol of his house, and, after crossing the barbican gate, he rode to the plain to meet his knights. The journey to the capital had began.
Looking from afar, the old wizard saw the movement and thought the day had come for him to follow the knights. He called his black horse: nimbly, he hopped on it and spurred it on without difficulty. His owl began flying in circles as if it wanted to know what was happening in their surroundings.
Foto de Maria Pop.
The Knights arrived at the capital. The Duke was called immediately to the Royal Castle where everyone noted he had cut his hair: his black curly hair had made him one of the Court favourites and it had been quite complicated for him, being somewhat serious and taciturn. He didn’t like all the gossiping of those people in the Court, so in the end, he had opted to speak as little as possible. He understood than being silent was a very adequate answer to all the questions and a very economical way to avoid problems.
He was received by the Royal Couple with honours. The King was very pleased to see one of the most loyal Knights of the Kingdom. The Queen immediately asked him if he had had a pleasant journey.
- I don’t know if it was pleasant, but at least it was quick - he answered.
Then the King asked the Duke:
- Would you like to take a walk with me, Duke? - The Queen didn’t like the movement very much but she had to go away and leave the men alone.
The two men went into a private garden:
- You know what I have called you here.
- Yes -he nodded-, the messenger told me about some spies in High-ranking posts.
- It’s worrying. I have actually condemned two people to death on these charges. But I figure they are not truly important inside their infraestructure and that the real culprit or culprits are still in the shadows.
- And what do I have to do?
- There are rumours of strange people in the East frontier. We must know what is happening there.
- Of course, sire. When should we start?
- As soon as possible.
- We are ready.
- Then you should rest today and start the journey for the frontier tomorrow.
The Duke went then to speak with his nnights but, in the street, while returning to his residence in the city, he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She also looked at him and smiled. He then looked at the shield that his servants wore on their livery and knew instantly who that girl was: his father was the Earl of Larulian, one of the more devious and malicious man in the Court. But the girl, he thought, was truly beautiful.
He continued then back to his own castle in the city but he knew he would remember the girl’s smile for long. When he arrived, he was informed that an old man was waiting for him. He ordered to lead him into his library and went himself there. Then the old man entered the library and, after him, the door was closed.
- I don’t know if you’ve been told why I am here.
- No, wizard, I have not.
- Well, you’re going on an expedition to the Eastern frontier, aren’t you?
- Yes, that’s right - he answered, rather surprised.
- Hmmm, the King doesn’t know it but he has been deceived: you’re falling into a trap if you go through the Forest. Yes, I know it’s the shortest path but some strange knights are waiting for you here -he pointed the map-, in the gorge.
- And how do you know that?
- Because I have seen them: they have tried to kill the messenger that the King sent your way and, as they weren’t able to do that before they gave you the message, they started for the frontier.
- But who are supporting these Knights? How could they walk so freely upon our country.
The wizard smiled:
- Well, there are rumours about the Earl of Larulian and others even speak about the King’s youngest brother. But nothing is certain: they can even be linked to that fight between the Gilorians and the Torinians. Now, if you win the upcoming battle, it is quite possible that we will discover the culprit.
- Are you coming with us?
- If you want me to come, I don’t have any problems with that.
- Of course, I don’t. You saved the messenger from a certain death, as he told us in my castle.
- Then, I’m coming with you. Oh, a last thing. I know that you have your own Golden armour, but I have brought you some gifts -he then pointed to a trunk he had carried with him and that was on the floor-: a new armour, also Golden as you will see when you open it, and a sword. Use them and you will be invincible. There is only a condition: once you finish this affair, you have to return both objects back to me.
- Understood.
And they shook hands.
Foto de Jonathan Kemper en Unsplash
The next day, they started their journey. Above them, the wizard’s owl inspected, without rest, the area, flying over the knights riding at a gallop.
Three days afterwards they got to the Eastern frontier. They all thought they had made the journey much quicker than usually. The Duke looked at the wizard, and the latter winked at him.
They dismounted and one of the knights, Sir Plamir, went to inspect the land. Then he came back:
- The wizard was right, sir: they are waiting for us in the gorge. Not below but on the rocks of the surrounding precipices: anyone who passes below will be annihilated.
- So that was the real plan: as we went for the frontier that is on the other side of the gorge, we were going to be massacred… - He then looked at the map and looked at the brave Sir Dinorian -. Well, we need a distraction.
- Yes, sir. We are prepared. And sir, after this, we know now what happened to the former knights who came here to inspect the crossing towards the frontier.
He nodded. Then the owl came and the wizard agreed with the plan.
Some knights, led by the Duke, went to the gorge’s entry, while the rest began easily enveloping those who were hiding on both sides of the gorge. The moment they saw the Golden armour, the attackers smiled maliciously: the King’s ally had fallen in their trap.
A cloud of arrows was shot from above while the Duke and his men used their springs to shoot to their attackers, who were unaware that they were being attacked from behind. Everyone fought valiantly, but the moment the Duke saw the attackers were defeated, he went into the gorge and there, after the Cascade that run down the Cliff, he found the lost men. Most of them were frail, two of them were dead and another had been tortured and had both his legs broken. The wizard treated them and they buried the dead, one of which was Sir Pondrian, who had been thoroughly tortured and succumbed to it. None of them had answered the torturers' questions, but the price paid had been terrible.
Then, Sir Darion, one of the Knights who had stayed above to search their attackers, called on them:
- What happens? - The Duke asked.
- This one has a letter from the Earl of Larulian. He says that they had been paid 100 royals a week to anyone killing the Kings men, as the letter says. But they have engraved the shields of the King's brother and other noblemen of the Court in the front of the page. They also say that a powerful sorceress is one their side. But they don’t say who that is.
The Duke asked:
- Does anyone know who the Earl’s daughter is?
Sir Dinorian and Sir Plamir looked at each other and the latter said:
- The Earl has only one daughter but she is far away, in their state. He never has brought her to the court.
- Do anyone of you know her? - The Duke insisted.
- Yes, sir -another Knight, Sir Karelian said-.
- Describe her to me.
He did as requested and the girl he has seen in the capital had nothing to do with the girl his knight has just described.
- Oh, God, I have been so silly - the Duke said, and then he blew his horn strongly, calling all his knights: they had to return to the city as quickly as possible - Sir Trenior, Sir Atrairon and Sir Lianor, you take care of the hurt knights. If you think you need any more men…
- No, sir, we will manage.
The wizard blew and they were quickly taken to the city.
The Duke entered the main gate: he noticed immediately that everyone had fallen asleep, whether they were in a balcony, driving a carriage or selling some cabbages. Even the soldiers at the Gates were deeply asleep. Just when they were asking themselves what had happened there, a monstruous scream and then a growl were heard. Not long after, the monster appeared before them: it had 6 legs, 2 heads and 10 claws in each of his two hands. One of its heads was spewing fire from its mouth and the other was spewing poison from its eyes. Its eyes were big in the fire-spewing head and little in the venom-spewing one. The wizard told the Duke:
- Well, milord, if you didn’t know why I had given you the armour and the sword, now you know. It’s your turn, Duke.
And who could say no to that? Hmmm, certainly not the Duke. He spurred his horse, lance in hand, and charged at the monster. He thrust his spear into the monster's stomach but did not kill it. So he dismounted, drew his sword and attacked the monster with force. A terrible flame hit him fully and so did the monster's poison but the armor seemed to resist. He stabbed the monster several times, receiving a shower of fiery poison. Finally, he managed to plunge the sword into the monster's heart, killing it.
And then, something happened: the monster began changing, transforming into the beautiful girl he had seen some days ago when getting out of the castle. People around him began to wake up.
The Duke, aware that the danger had passed, turned and went to the wizard to give him the armour and the sword back. But the wizard told him:
- No, Sir, you have totally earned it.
He was then received with all the honours by the Royal couple, who bestowed upon him several new titles, as Defender of the Realm and MonsterSlayer. He accused the noblemen mentioned in the letter found at the Gorge’s Skirmish of trying to dethrone the King, but, after his testimony before the Judges, there was no need for him to stay in the capital any longer. The Torinians, specially the King’s brothers, had been discovered as those who had supported the plot, so the fight between them and the Gilorians ended too. So the King allowed him to get back to his castle, something that made him even happier than the titles.
Some months after those deeds, the Duke married the second daughter of the Earl of Caminiora, with the blessings of his uncle, the Earl, the royal family and the entire neighborhood society. At the entrance to the castle, the wizard's golden armour and the sword that accompanied it were placed in a prominent place, so that no one would forget the events in which its use had been so decisive.
The wizard and his owl, from the distance, were very pleased with the chain of events. “Well, I think we can rest for sometime now, can´t we?”, he said smiling, looking at the sky above them. The owl was now at a branch, just resting.
Peace had returned, at last, to the Kingdom and everyone wanted to enjoy it.
The End
(Mañana lo traduzco que hoy no me da tiempo…).
This story/tale had been written for the contest that
, and have called.