With a final sword slash, I fell the bandit lord.
The battle was nearly over but instead of fleeing or surrendering, a few of the bandits made a desperate last stand.
I make a dash towards the bandit highout, we had to locate the Viscount's daughter!
I kill any bandit that didn't surrender and as I went deeper into the hideout I spot a bandit trying to make off with the Viscount's daughter.
I throw my knife into the bandit's back and he falls. I race to the Viscount's daughter who was scared of me at first until I removed my helmet and she could see my pretty brown hair, blue eyes and the gray trinity symbol.
"You're a Knight of Trinity!"
"Yes and you're safe now," I assure.
The battle ends with no casualties on our side, victory for the Knights of Trinity.
We escort the Viscount's daughter back home and the Viscount rewards us handsomely.
*
After a week of travel we arrive to Crystal City, and submit our report to the Church and then we make our way to our base of operations.
Many Knights greet us and we tell our tell and I receive most of the credit. Being a Trinity Knight was truly the best thing I could be and with my reputation being above reproach, my seat on the Order of 13 Trinity Knights was assured and the being first woman was one for the history books.
Everything is perfect save one thing....
"I'm relieved that you brave men made it back safely," the redhead says and he turns to me with a look of scorn. The man was Sir Byron, he never liked me due to being a woman, he was a thorn in my side and now made clear he desired my seat. The man was nothing but a sexist weasel!
I turn my nose up and make my way to deliver the report to the Grand Master.
"Well done, Ophelia. You are a credit to the Trinity Order, you can take your leave tomorrow. Vacation and then inauguration."
"Yes Grand Master," I smile.
*
Two weeks pass and I am on the council making important decisions. I was finishing up signing an important document when there was a knock at my office door. "Come in." My eyes narrow when it turns out to be Sir Byron. "What do you want!?"
"Peace. I have urgent business."
"Speak then."
"There have been reports of a wild beast prowling the forest near the village of Applegate, first two reports say the same thing but the third indicates it was a bear. I have been tasked to deal with this problem but the Grand Master feels that is a two person job, so I thought..."
"You want me to assist you on this bear hunt?" I exclaim.
"Yes, it's the perfect chance for us the bury the hatched."
My eyes narrow.
I know you don't trust me but I'm sure you heard the rumors of war breaking out in the east, right?"
"Yes."
"Well we need all of our strength, infighting will not help us against the pagans and Muslims."
"For once I agree with you."
"Splendid! So you'll be able to help me then? Unless our illustrious female knight is afraid.
"Bah, I know no fear!"
"Then we ride at dawn, I'll handle the arrangements," Sir Byron answers and swiftly leaves before I could give my answer.
I hit the table, it was too late to back out now, the Grand Master will be informed.
*
We were riding towards Applegate Village. We spoke very little and when we spoke, Sir Byron was polite which threw me off guard, this was strange but suppose I should be willing to dismiss old grudges.
When we stop to make camp for the night, Sir Byron goes over the map. "The forest isn't that big but it's enough for a bear to live, there has to be a cave."
"Hopefully there's only one," I say.
He nods in agreement.
I make an irritating groan, "Ok enough, why are you being so nice?!"
"I already told you why, but as you surmised there's more to it."
"Explain!" I demand.
"Baroness Catherine De Jean fancies me."
I couldn't imagine anyone fancying this man?
"Her late father left her everything since she was his only child, he was also a close friend of the Pope and that friendship has extended to her."
I was surprised but then my eyes narrow, "You're only doing this so you can gain access to her money!"
"Certainly not, this isn't about me, it's about you and the entire Order. If we wed, the Trinity Order will have unlimited funds and resources. We have to be ready for the coming war."
"Do you love her?"
"I'm trying, but I must humble myself."
I couldn't believe it, he was actually trying to change. "Well let's do a good job. For the Trinity Order."
We shake on it.
*
We arrive at Applegate and speak to the mayor. Once we were finished, we settle in for the night.
I awake to the sound of the cock crowning and preparing myself for the mission, hopefully we can have this settled by day's end.
After breakfast we depart for the forest with Sir Byron in the front.
The forest was quite nice and quiet despite our objective. As we go deeper into the forest, we spot two men and the bear only it wasn't a bear but a person pretending to be one.
"By order the Church, you men are under arrest for suspicion of robbery and attempted murder!" Sir Byron announces.
The two men and the bear man run.
"After them!" He barks which irks me because I was his superior but whatever.
We pursue after them at swift speed but Sir Byron was going even faster.
"Stop you fiends!" He shouts.
As we continue our pursuit, the area starts becoming trench like making the path narrow and I was beginning to lose sight of Sir Byron. I increase speed but suddenly a Cheval de frise appears and I was force to halt my horse. "Sir Byron!" I call but get no answer.
I was preparing to turn back and find another way around but a net covers me and as I was trying to get it off a dozen bandits appear.
"Well, well look what we got here boys! A knight, a female knight, she's going to fetch us a good price."
"I'm not alone!" I declare.
"Your friend can't help you, he has troubles of his own, haha."
The bandits move into the trench. I place my hand on my sword but then I hear screaming.
I smile for Sir Byron had come back to aid me. The screams grew louder and I hear someone say, "What are you?!" There were many who saw him as my equal, of course I never saw that but as of today he was living up to it.
Something suddenly went pass to the other side of the trench, as if it flew but it was too big to be a bird. The bandits were in complete panic and begin to flee. My horse began to panic and I was knocked off. I unsheath my sword and begin cutting myself free and while I was doing that the screaming continues and then suddenly silenced.
Despite my horse running off, I begin to run to aid Sir Byron but then a figure suddenly stood in my way. It wasn't Sir Byron, it was a woman only it wasn't like any woman I ever I seen. Her skin was red as blood, she had black bat like wings, black horns sticking out of her black hair and her eye scleras were yellow and her pupils were black and vertical like a reptile. She had a tiny black cloth that barely cover her ample bosom as well a black cloth that barely covers her bottom. It's like she was a dancer which I had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing during a rescue op. She looked human but clearly wasn't. She looked like the images I've seen in the books and at the cathedrals!
"Demon!" I scream and quickly pour holy water my sword.
She chuckles, "You're right I am a demon but I am a particular species of demon called Succubus and you can relax, I'm not here to kill you."
"Then why are you here?"
"I'm looking for a pet."
"Pet?"
"Yes, a pet. I've been searching for awhile and was prepared to sleep and then go home but then those men disturbed my sleep. But thanks to that my search is now over."
My eyes widened in horror.
"Yes now come along."
"You're mad if you think I'm going anywhere with you!"
"We can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way, Pet!"
"My name is Ophelia and I am a Knight of the Trinity Order!"
"That's hard to remember so your name is Pet and you was a knight." She takes a step closer.
Stay back!" She continues getting closer. "I'm warning you!"
"Then do your worst, Pet!"
I swing my blade several times but she dodges every blow. I start panting.
"What's the matter, I thought you were a knight."
I grit my teeth and charge but she takes off into the air. She was right behind me and I quickly swing behind me but she leaps out of the way.
"Yawn, I grow tired of this." She grabs my sword and squeezes it until breaks.
I stood there mouth agape.