Chapter 20: A Journey Ends, Another Begins

Seven years past for the child of winter, the child of spring and the child of summer. In which time Vincent trains hard to become a knight. Winston studies diligently and grows into a kind, confident and strong king to be who does not fear to be among his people as not only a leader, but a brother, a father, and a friend. Lillian grows up in the safety of the capital to be an intelligent queen to be, but it is without her innocence and with instead an untrusting heart tainted black and malicious.

Along with her grows her darkness which she bears like an internal scar on her very being black as night and cold as ice. Only time will tell how far the darkness is and if any light could penetrate it.

Near a small village three days southeast from the capital along the bank of a river that flows from the forest between Gordowe and Lumorra and from the mountains beyond to the sea a man is being pursued by a young knight on horseback. The knight swiftly takes his bow and draws an arrow. He sets it and his aim. As the man tries to turn from in front of him he fires the arrow into one of the man's legs. With a sound of pain the man stumbles and tumbles to the ground. The knight arrives at him and dismounts his horse.

"You've caused a lot of trouble with those robberies of yours.", the knight says towering over him. The man sighs.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to escape you, but still I had to try.", a frustrated look comes upon the man's face. "It had to be you.", he says partly to himself.

"I honor you for trying just the same though, but I am only a man.", the young knight says drawing a chain and beginning to tie the man's hands and feet. The chain also connects to the robber's neck from the hands as well as the section around the ankles.

"Ha! Yes, but you are also the Holy Knight Sir Vincent. Prince Winston's most trusted knight at that.", the man says. Vincent says nothing as he takes the man and connects him to his horse.

Vincent leads him to the village where he will be presented to the villagers. It is there he will be put on trial and determined guilty or innocent. Although there will be no doubt that this man would be found guilty due to him being brought by Vincent who has built a reputation as being a knight that will investigate thoroughly in order to catch a culprit. Which in turn has resulted in him so far not making a wrong capture. In addition of being the youngest person to become a knight this has resulted in Vincent becoming well known throughout the realm.

Once they are back at the village the man is delivered to a platform in the middle of town and the people gather. The leader or leaders of the village, which in this case are the elders since a major church establishment is not present, begins the trial immediately. Vincent stands near the platform and waits for if he is either called on to present evidence or if the criminal tries to escape. Thankfully the trial is quick and the man is taken to receive his punishment which will most likely be his hands chopped off since the only thing against him is theft.

As he prepares to leave the village a man comes up to him.

"Excuse me, sir holy knight.", the man says tentatively. Vincent turns to him.

"Greetings villager. How can I be of service?", Vincent says to him with a warm smile.

"Oh, I am so thankful to have caught you. I need your help. A lot of people do.", the man says. Vincent notices the trace of fear in his eyes and he seems to have come a long way. Vincent instantly becomes intrigued and feels that something is horribly wrong.

"What is it?", Vincent says gently.

"My home- my home is being terrorized by a group of outlaws. They force me to pay them retributions or they will kill my family and destroy my home.", the old man says. Vincent narrows his eyes curiously.

"Why do you think they are doing this to you?", he asks.

"It's not only me. An entire region is suffering under them. Not far; just north of here about. The town of Gordowe is in the middle of it and has become almost their base.", the old man goes on. Vincent's eyes become wide with shock at the mention of his home town. Suddenly worry rises within him at the thought of the trouble Selena, Mother Margaret, and the others could be in.

"Are you sure about this? Absolute?", he asks with stern seriousness.

"Yes...no one knows what's going on because- argh!", as the man speaks he is suddenly stabbed with a thrown knife to his back. Vincent catches the man as he starts to fall and looks up. He sees a hooded figure making a run for it.

"Get this man some help!", Vincent yells to the freighted crowd. Seating the man down gently he goes off after the murderer at full speed.

He chases the man through the village steady gaining despite the person's attempts of invasion including causing a pile of firewood to collapse. Finally, before the person can leave town he catches him by throwing a log at his back. He collapses to the ground and Vincent swiftly pins him down. With arms twisted behind his back Vincent picks him up off the ground.

"What do you think you are doing?", Vincent questions him roughly. The guy grins maliciously through the pain.

"He shouldn't have left. He knew his life was endanger as soon as he left his home.", the murderer says. Vincent's eyes becomes slits as he listens. So this guy is part of the group of thugs wreaking havoc not too far from here. Vincent proceeds to break both his arms reducing his chance for escape, but still leaving enough options for torture. As the man howls in agony Vincent knocks him out with a blow to the head.

As for the old man, he was lucky. The knife had not hit a vital spot and he would recover. After ensuring the man is safe and convincing him not to return home yet Vincent hurries back to Crotella tower, the headquarters for the knights of the realm, with his query.