The Black Knight

Princess Beatrice felt confused. She had done everything the Demon King asked her to. Why was this ghastly apparition here? She searched her mind. Going back to their encounters. When the demon asked to seal the deal with a kiss, she did it with very little hesitation.

When he had made her partake in those strange requests in bed with him. She had done them all. The more she thought about what happened in bed between them, the more panic ridden she became. She would have to do something. But what ? If she stood up and left in search of the black book to summon it and tell it to stop she was sure it wouldn't go unnoticed.

She was confounded in this moment. The Dark Horse stomped its left front hoof on the ground, while steam exhaled from its wet nostrils. Princess Beatrice tried to swallow her fears, but it didn't help. She felt trapped. She knew something bad was about to happen.

It would be all her fault because she had invited the demon in. Everyone's eyes were on the Dark Beast and the Phantom that rode atop it. The arena no longer had a light, carefree air to it. Now, the air hung like a musty cloak. The scent of death and the smoky smell Princess Beatrice had smelled the second night she had met the the Demon King filled the air.

She wondered if anyone else could smell it. The beast trotted into the jousting arena. Princess Beatrice looked over at Prince William. He had a stoic expression fixed on his face. He showed no fear and she felt a glimmer of hope.

The Jester gave a look of confusion at the new opponent, who took Gregory's place. The Knight did not move. The Jester turned to the princess, looking for any kind of guidance. She looked back at him, and gave the signal for the tournament to begin. He was terrified.

Still, no one spoke at all. It felt like a surreal dream. Would Prince William reign victorious? The royal trumpets let out the cry, and the two knights with jousting poles in one hand and shields in the other were propelled into motion as their horses galloped blindly towards one another.

The only sound made was the loud thudding and clopping noises of both horse shoes as they ran at a neck breaking speed. She watched the Black Knight's jousting pole barely miss its target, which was Prince William's head. Prince William however, landed his mark. A red dot from the paint they had dipped on the tip of his jousting pole was left on the black Knight's left arm. The crowd erupted, which shocked Princess Beatrice. She wondered if they thought this was all for show.

Princess Beatrice exhaled. She was so worried about William. She watched as the Knight's reset for the second bout. She wanted to stop it. She had a dreadful feeling about this.

When William was ready the Royal trumpets sounded again and the two Knights were once more galloping towards one another. She had braced herself for the worst, but she wasn't prepared for the Black Knight to make its target so quickly. This time, on the right side of Prince William. The force of the blow causing him to fall abruptly off of his horse.

The crowd was shocked. Prince Beatrice stood up then, not caring who saw her. She lifted her skirts and ran down the wooden stairs past the crowd. A Royal guard stood watch at the perimeter of the arena and was not allowing anyone pass, not even the Princess entry. She saw William and tried to push past.

"Your Majesty, I can't let you go any further."

Prince William was still on the ground, holding his side. His face held an expression that let her know he was in excruciating pain. She wanted him to stay down, but she knew he wouldn't. He proved her right before her very eyes. When he stood up and got back on his horse. 

A young valet handed him his pole and shield once more. He put his helmet back on. The crowd loudly cheered him on.

The Princess hadn't noticed Clancy had come to stand directly beside her until she spoke, "You should come back to your seat, Your Majesty."

"Clancy..." She said, realizing she was there with her. "Oh, dear, Clancy... I- I can't... I must stop this. Something is wrong!"

"Your Majesty, please, remain calm."

She didn't realize she probably sounded and was acting strangely until she saw the fear in her maid's eyes.

She whispered then, "Please, stay here with me."

"All right, Your Majesty, but no more talk of bad things happening today..."