The ground beneath my feet sank; mud was caking to my boots. I stumbled away from the scene in utter disbelief of what I had just witnessed.
My legs collapsed on me as my body went into shock. Breathing was a challenge for me now; my breaths were shallow and unnatural. I noticed that my linen shirt was torn, probably snagged on a branch as I passed through the woods. It’s funny what insignificant things you can notice when your life is in danger. I think anything trifling would catch my eye so that I wouldn’t be forced to face the facts.
I am a failure and not even worthy to hold his sword. Death should grant me mercy and steal me from this world. There are certain commitments that I must fulfill and one of them was to protect my knight from harm, but he is dead.
Just recently I aged to fourteen years old and upgraded from a page to a squire. I preach on how I would forfeit my life for my Lord the King, and yet I just ran as Sir Daniels was mauled by a creature of these woods. Just the thought of that demon makes my chest tighten and my throat swells to the point it is hard to swallow my own saliva.
As a squire, when my mentor and I traveled I was in charge of holding his two-handed sword, battle axe, mace, daggers, and his shield. When the evil force preyed upon my knight, I should have been brave and struck the belly of the beast with his sword.
It was just so gigantic and intimidating. It was a metallic purple color but I’m sure the night was playing tricks upon my eyes. The moonlight caused the creature’s scales to glisten. His wings were taller than any oak in the woods. I knew my life would be pointless if I didn’t go back and retrieve my knight’s body because he is my responsibility as his squire.
My body was quaking as I stood to my feet. I gripped onto a nearby tree to stabilize myself. My right hand began to spasm as my memory brought back the vision of the bloodbath I had just witnessed.
The dragon lifted Sir Daniels into the sky snugly fit in between his teeth. The creature chomped down because Sir. Daniels was his chew toy. Blood painted the grass a vivid red color but again the moon deceived my eyes so it appeared as a bright pink haze.
Sir Daniels’ screams echoed in my head. Revenge upon the beast would silence his cries. I had to muster up enough courage to work my legs for they weren’t obeying my orders to walk. It seemed like an eternity until I reached the scene and set my sights upon the beast.
It was very peculiar that there was no trace of Sir Daniels upon the dragon or the grass, not even a speck of blood. The crafty bastard must have lapped up the blood, what a foul demon.
This would be my first battle so I had no idea on which weapon to use. This monster was enormous so feeble daggers wouldn’t have much of an effect upon it.
Sir Daniels told me once in confidence that his battle axe made him feel like such a badass. It was his favorite so it would be used to avenge his honor. This weapon was a thing of beauty to any warrior. The steel would slice through bone without hesitation. Blades were apparent on both sides carved into a circular design to afflict more damage.
I pulled the weapon from my sack in pure rage. I lost my mentor to this heinous monster so in return it owed me his life. The creature didn’t even stir as I swung the blade with all my will slicing off one of its back feet. It screamed in agony almost sounding human.
One of its wings flew at me striking me down. Blood from the beast bathed me as I made my way up. The creature lowered its head to examine his missing leg.
Okay, I thought, now is the moment to decapitate his head and avenge my knight.
I raised the axe high in the air to gain all the momentum gravity would aid me with. Then with one mighty thrust the axe sliced right through its thick neck.
Curious, I lifted up the head which didn’t weigh all that much. An eerie feeling passed through my body. The eyes of the beast looked frightened as the last bit of life escaped from it.
Drenched in blood and wrapped around the dragon’s body was an old sack full of treasure. Dragons always guarded a treasure that was the rule. I tugged until the sack freed itself from the dragon. I would bring it to my King to show him my love and also I would bring the decomposing head in the sack for proof that such a monster does exist. I took a moment on my knees praying for my friend who was slain in battle and wishing him the best afterlife possible.
I ventured on my trek back to the kingdom for it would be a long journey. My body was exhausted at this point.
A disgusting laugh made my stomach turn in knots. It sounds so vile and was pure evil. I kept on walking until I was approached by an old hag. Her nose was three times too big for her face. Her eyebrows were bushy and a dirt-colored black. A filthy wart rested upon the tip of her colossal nose. Wrinkles hijacked her face. Her hair was a perverted grey color, and her nails were extremely long and loathsome looking.
The old hag started chanting some kind of incantation towards me. I jumped back hoping that action would protect me from her black magic. She probably sensed that I was pure in spirit and pure in my heart. I bet she wanted to defile my soul.
I reached into my bag of tricks exhibiting Sir. Daniels mace. This weapon was also pure steel made by the Gods. Sharp spikes protruded all around the top.
I didn’t want this bitch to curse me, so I just began to violently bash the old hag before she could escape. It felt wonderful to vanquish this evil creature. I began to swing harder and faster. Brain matter began to asteroid out from her skull. I thought I heard her screaming, but I assume it was her ear piercing laugh. When I was through with her she resembled a play-doh model smashed with pins and decorated with random strains of grey hair.
Using my two-handed sword, I cut through her neck misting myself with her putrid blood. Her head would serve as a nice gesture for my King and Queen.
This witch had a sack also. It was black and covered with skulls and bones which I found a little irony in. I assume this was her potion bag so I shoved her head in the bag like it was laundry. My voyage continued…
Eventually I arrived to my castle but the King was not home. A trail of blood had followed me; I assumed the heads excreted it. A box with moving pictures was activated. Maybe it was witchcraft? The Queen exposed herself as I bowed.
“Hello your majesty. I come baring marvelous gifts.” I said.
“Oh, hey honey, what did you go out as? An evil squire I guess?” She reached over and touched the dried blood upon my flesh and then tasted her fingers.”What did you use baby? It’s not corn syrup and it looks so real.”
“Sir Daniels didn’t make it, my Queen, but I did avenge his death and bring the treasure.”
She laughed and told me how cute I was.
“Did you get lots of candy tonight? Do you want me to help you check it? There are a lot of psychos out there on Halloween you know.”
Immediately after she talked the picture box spoke of a breaking news story.
“This just in. Two children were viciously murdered tonight while trick-or-treating. Police have no leads on a suspect or the identification of the victims. The boy was about age sixteen and dressed as a purple dragon. The girl was about age nine and we think she may have been a witch. The killer took their heads as souvenirs. We urge all to bring their kids in early tonight and don’t answer the door for anyone.”
Her mouth was ajar as she disapprovingly shook her head.
“Sick world we live in!” she exclaimed.
“Want to look at my treasure?” I asked excitedly.
“Sure babe, but you got the fake blood in your bags.”
A smile spread across my face as I opened both bags showing the head of the boy and young girl along with all the candy.
The Queen’s eyes widened as tears began to escape and roll down her cheeks. She backed away from me breathing rapidly. I started to laugh at how silly she was being as I bit into a tootsie roll.
A scream leapt from her mouth.
“What have you done?” She yelled or maybe asked. I am not quite sure.
I giggled and searched a bloody bag for a snickers. I wiped away some brain matter coating the wrapper and plopped the candy into my mouth savoring the taste.
“Yum!” I exclaimed.
I am bound to become a knight soon enough I thought as I admired my trophies.
by Naomi Christy
Biography
I am 20 years old. I love to write and read fiction. I am attending school to be a psychiatrist.