Sir Daniel rode his thundering steed hard through the meadow, skirting the thick line of trees of the forest. After a half hour of a full gallop he slowed the mighty horse down to a slow walk. He wanted to conserve its energy for the remaining two hours of the trip back to the Castle.
It was his last crusade, and he wanted to take his time to revel in the victory that he and his men had scored. Every thought of the battle flashed through his mind as the slow gait of the horse became regular and steady.
His mind was still that of a young Knight, but his body bore the scars of a seasoned veteran after too many battles to remember. He had promised the King a victory and was pleased to be returning as the victor.
King William was a fair King. He provided protection for his people in return for their work in the fields and the encampment known as Thunder Castle.
The commoners were very successful with the crops and the raising of cattle for food among other services such as a renowned livery, producing a high grade line of steeds for war.
King William took from the common people that which they offered, which was always the very best of what they had grown. This was their decision because he was fair in not over taxing them as many other Kings did. In return, they never feared being overtaken and captured into poverty by the rival clans.
Sir Daniel was the senior Knight of King William. He was taken into the King's heart as closely as a son was. He was revered as a warrior and a competitor and was loved by all that knew him in Thunder Castle, including the others who were equal in rank, as well as his subordinates.
He was a towering man. He was six feet six inches tall and carried a burly, but well toned weight. His hair was a dark auburn and his eyes were hazel in color that turned steel gray when angered or in battle and deep blue when impassioned.
Sir Daniel was responsible for the training of the soldiers and the Knights. His swordsmanship was high caliber and his hand to hand combat was unrivaled. He had competed at many jousting tournaments over the years and had always prevailed as a blue ribbon competitor.
He held a passion for those who had been dealt with unfairly and abused. He carried his own personal campaign to right the wrongs or at least rid the area of wrong doers. This was above and beyond the duties imposed on him by King William.
His thoughts of the victorious battle the day before, with King Bard's army, a raunchy lot of hoodlums hell bent on taking what they wanted at the cost of others lives, was quickly squelched by the cries of a female just inside the thick canopy of the forest.
He stopped the horse momentarily to listen. He could hear a woman scream in distress and panic. Then he heard what sounded like several voices of men, laughing and taunting her.
He turned the horse into an opened area of the thick tree line and entered, moving slowly enough not to lose the direction of the sounds of the woman in trouble.
His mount was as adept at being a warrior as was Daniel. Quietly, as if the horse knew to walk softly, they drew closer to the woman, as her cries of dislike grew louder and clearer. Daniel stopped at the tree line at the edge of the large clearing, his form still protected somewhat by the darker cover of the tree canopy.
In the clearing he saw six men, formed into a small circle. Inside of that circle was a younger woman wearing what was left of her clothing.
She clung desperately to the tattered material that barely covered her bosom and her hips. He watched as one thug would grab at her then push her to the next thug, trying to grasp at the remaining cloth.
Each time she was pushed into the arms of the next man, she would scream her unsuccessful attempts to make them stop.
Daniel was mused and impressed that this woman held a scolding sternness in her voice where others would be pleading by now in her state of helplessness.
Just as the last strip of cloth covering her breasts was ripped away, he kicked his steed in his withers and made the horse grunt as it moved into the opened area and in full light of the circle.
The noise of the grunt combined with the size of Daniel atop the big horse as they moved into full view, made the men, what Daniel referred to as "forest rats", stop dead in their tracks.
Daniel needed no introduction to the man rats. They knew him from many tales that they had heard over their entire lifetime.
As the woman tried to quell her fear and ire, she began to weep as softly as she could while still trying to cover her almost nude body. She refused to cry aloud. She would not give any of the thugs that pleasure, and simply squatted to the ground in the now silent and still circle.
The finely honed and balanced sword rang through the trees as Sir Daniel quickly flared it from the steel sheath, holding it like an extension of his arm.
"Which one of you bastard rats wants to die first?," he bolstered in a booming voice.
The warrior spirit rang heavy and loudly in his voice without effort.
As Daniel dismounted, the smallest man pleaded, "Sire. We beg your mercy!"
"Should I show mercy upon you as you have demonstrated to this damsel?"
Then, the largest of the men spoke. "Sire, we were just enjoying some frivolity."
Daniel walked immediately to the large man, stopping a mere inch from his dirty weathered face. He grabbed the man's throat into his large left hand and squeezed enough for the mans deep voice to be reduced to a tiny, high pitched squeak.
"Perhaps you rat bastards would be curious to see how I like to be frivolous!"
Daniel noticed out of the corner of his right eye, a movement. He knew that one of them was moving in on his flank as he watched the one he held by the throat as his eyes widened in dismay of the foolish attempt by his rat mate.
He kicked his right leg back and to the side, connecting with the assailant's groin. He actually felt the wind from the rat as it left his body against his neck from the stern kick he had just delivered.
"I shall kill each one of you at my count of four!," Daniel said loudly.
The other five men ran like gazelles as the one being held by the throat struggled at Daniel's grip to get away.
Before releasing him, Daniel said, "If I should ever encounter you or your rat brethren again, it will be your last day!"
The large man was released from the vice like grip and he stumbled back and squeaked that he understood, then he too, ran into the thick forest.
Daniel walked to the still stooping woman and squatted next to her. "It is okay now,they have gone. You are safe now, are you okay?"
She looked through her tear filled eyes and nodded that she was alright.
Daniel removed his toga and wrapped it around her soft shoulders. She gathered the plush toga securely around her exposed flesh. Because Daniel was such a large man, the toga was more than enough to cover her.
He helped her to stand. He could tell that she was from good stock as he looked her frame over. She was well nourished and her flesh was soft and clean and well cared for, other than the paw marks and a few scratches from the filthy hands of the rat men that had ravished her.
"What is your name, My lady?"
"I am Tessa, from the Highlands. I am a maiden and was in route to Thunder Castle. Those men ambushed me and my guide. They ran off our horses and my guide ran like a coward. I am so distraught, Sir."
"Tessa, I am Sir Daniel of King William of Thunder Castle. I am traveling to the Castle for retreat. I will be your escort Maiden Tessa. You will not have any further worries, I give you my word."
As Daniel mounted his steed, then reached his arm down to lift Tessa onto the horse behind him, he felt an urge race through his core as he touched her smooth flesh.
He guessed that she was about five to eight years his youth, and with her holding the title of maiden, she was obviously not attached nor betrothed.
He breathed in her soft scent of flower water that filled her long brown hair. He relished her touch as she firmly wrapped her arms around his waist. It was more than a holding grip, but more like a warm hug.
They arrived at the Castle at dusk. The setting sun behind the towering walls of the Castle gave a warming sight to Daniel. He was finally home.
As they entered the gates, several stable hands greeted him as well as many of the soldiers in the King's army.
Word spread throughout the castle grounds quickly, that Sir Daniel was home.
By the time that Daniel had gotten to the courtyard, there were many people, soldiers, fellow Knights as well as common people cheering his triumphant return.
When the horse stopped, Daniel dismounted first, then gingerly gathered Tessa from the mount as well. Other maidens rushed to Tessa's side to welcome her and comfort her into the castle grounds.
King William then appeared on the steps of the court house. Daniel walked up the dozen steps and stopped in front of King William and bowed onto one knee. "We were victorious, My King!"
The large crowd cheered loudly at his words.
King William waited for Daniel to rise and spoke for all to hear, "Sir Daniel, senior Knight of my army, has returned with pride and honor from his final Crusade. Tonight he will rest. Tomorrow we shall all celebrate!"
Again, the crowd cheered exuberantly. Aides to the King began to run in different directions, each knowing their roles to prepare for the feast and the festivities for the next day.
King William draped his right arm around Daniel's shoulders and they turned to enter the Kings residence.
