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The steps of horses sounded rhythmically as they pulled a carriage along a path, high up on a stone gray mountain. It was an ornately decorated carriage, one of the most fancy, for inside rode Princess Sara, the Princess of Phryge. The carriage did not travel alone, of course. Five knights accompanied the Princess, each in full armor, each riding a majestic white horse. Three knights rode in front of the carriage, and two knights rode behind. The lead knight's armor was more ornate than the others, made of silver rather than of iron. At his waist, he wore a sword, also silver, also fancier than the others, decorated with jewels and intricate carvings. Suddenly, like a meteor, an arrow shot down from the mountain above, piercing the armor of a forward knight. As the knight fell off his horse, the lead knight gave a command, and the four remaining knights raised their shields to defend themselves and the carriage from the anticipated shower of arrows. Instead of arrows, though, a small team of horsemen appeared over a mountain path above and charged down the steep mountainside, swords drawn, screaming barbaric war cries. "Locrian raiders!" the lead knight shouted, recognizing the foreign coat of arms. "Arm yourselves! Protect the Princess!" Outnumbered, the Phrygian knights drew their swords, and the opposing forces clashed. The lead knight found himself caught between two raiders. As he defended his left with his shield, he crossed swords with the raider to his right. Then, he noticed two more raiders making their way to the carriage. One slew the driver and the other jabbed randomly through the wooden carriage's wall with his spear. Swiftly, the lead Phrygian knight sliced the Locrian horse on his right, then backed up as the Locrian raider fell into the other raider's attacking blade. Then, charging forward, the Phrygian carved the surviving Locrian. He quickly intercepted the Locrian raiders attacking Princess Sara's carriage, cleaving another Locrian horse. His horse then trampled on the fallen Locrian soldier, making sure to step through his open visor for the kill. As the other Locrian jabbed his spear, the Phrygian lead knight simply shifted his weight and separated the top foot and a half of the spear with his sword. Slowly, the Locrian backed up, calling, "Retreat!" Then, the Locrians were gone. "Are you all right, Princess Sara?" the lead knight asked. "Yes," Princess Sara replied. "Thank you, Sir Leo. Your valor has protected me once again." She looked to the wounded knight. "Sir Kovarin, he's hurt. Go see him." Leo, the lead knight, gave a quick bow and galloped over to help the fallen knight. Two long lines of royal guards stood on either side of the royal red carpet. At the end of this carpet stood a massive chair, carved in gold, in which a robed man sat, decorated with fine jewelry and a majestic crown. A horseback messenger galloped down the red carpet, dismounted in front of the King, and bowed, paper in hand. The horse was quickly led away by the guards. "My liege," the messenger reported without lifting his head, "my Majesty King Phryge the Seventeenth, I have urgent news! Locria demands that we give them the lands at the base of Mount Paetre. They want the gold mines we hold. If we refuse, they will attack us and take the land by force. In my hands, I have a message from the Locrian Royal Scribe." The messenger held out the paper, which the King took. King Phryge read the paper, then nodded thoughtfully. In a grand and powerful voice, he spoke, "That is a difficult choice. On one hand, the gold mines are a large source of our income. On the other hand, the Phrygian people would undoubtedly want peace. How much gold do our experts predict the mines still contain?" "I have the report," the messenger replied. Without raising his gaze, he opened a pouch and produced another scroll. "They estimate that the mines will still produce gold for another six and a half years and that the total value of this gold would be around three hundred and seven thousand Komogs." "A lot of value in those mines indeed," the King contemplated. "Which is greater: the price of peace or the price of war?" At that moment, the front gates opened again, and four knights--one of them Leo--Princess Sara, and two attendants slowly proceeded to meet the King. As the knights and attendants bowed, Princess Sara quickly seated herself in a small, jeweled chair off to the side, near to her aged mother. "My liege, my Majesty King Phryge the Seventeenth," Leo said ceremoniously. Then, he stood up and spoke, "We were just coming back from the Princess's favorite vacation spot on Mount Paetre when we were ambushed by Locrian raiders. We were fortunate enough to fend them off, but Sir Kovarin was badly injured." "Then, Locria has already attacked!" the King exclaimed. "No. In that case, we must not submit to Locria. We shall resist. We shall show Locria that we will not take their aggression without a fight. Chancellor! Prepare our forces for war. We will need full mobilization to defend our lands." "Father," Princess Sara cut in. "You know how I often enjoy leaving the Castle to visit friends and see various places. Does war mean I cannot leave the Castle anymore?" King Phryge thought for a moment, then said, "You may leave the Castle Phryge as long as you have Leo with you. He will protect you. He is, after all, our greatest knight, our most valiant and most honorable knight." "Our greatest knight, our most valiant and most honorable knight." Leo had heard the King say the exact same words a little over a year ago. He had just finished leading a campaign to deal a finishing blow to the Dorian rebels who had ransacked the border villages. In his honor, King Phryge ordered his royal artisans to create a statue of Leo and had it placed just outside the Castle gates. "This is all in your honor, Leo," the King had said, "for you are Phryge's greatest knight, our most valiant and honorable knight. For your contributions to the kingdom, I present to you this statue, sculpted by the best artists of the land. I also present to you this sword and suit of armor, forged by our best silversmiths and decorated by our finest jewelers. From now on, you shall be known as Phryge's Valor." "I have one more gift for you," the King continued, smiling. "I have full faith that you would make a fine husband for my beautiful daughter Sara. Thus, I offer you my daughter's hand in marriage. Would you accept my offer?" It had been a public announcement, and, at the time, Leo didn't wish to disrespect the King by declining outright. "I'll consider it, my liege," had been Leo's response. "Leo, have you come to a decision about marrying my Sara?" the King asked. "You have been thinking on this for over a year." That was only partly true. Over the last year, King Phryge had implored Leo several times to marry the Princess, and each time Leo told him he was still considering it. However, the truth was that Leo didn't want to marry Princess Sara at all, and this time, he was determined to end the whole ordeal. "I have come to a decision, my liege," Leo said, his voice wavering. "I do not wish to marry the Princess. Forgive me." The King did not speak. Instead, he rose from his throne and went into his private chamber. Princess Sara opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Leo walked away and left the Castle. On his way out, Leo passed by the statue, the statue that King Phryge had presented to him over a year ago. The stone piece of art depicted Leo on horseback, his sword raised as if ready for battle. That was one of the gifts the King had presented him that day, ages past, and Leo still had the others. The ornamented silver armor and silver sword he always wore into battle to display Phryge's grandeur. They had been with him while he had escorted Princess Sara up on Mount Paetre that day. "That's Sir Leo," someone said as he passed. "I can't believe he would degrade himself by choosing an elf girl over the Princess." This wasn't something new to Leo. Everyday as he walked this road, he would hear these comments, comments such as "How dare he have an affair with a dirty elf!" and "Those elves are so out of touch with society. How could he love them?" These comments still upset Leo, but he had learned long ago not to let words bring him to anger. Yet, as he passed a tavern, a single word, a horrific word, broke through this stoicism and enraged the knight. A drunk had randomly approached him and said in careless, slurred speech, "Hey, aren't you the guy with that dirty elf slattern?" Instantly, Leo had his sword pressed to the drunk's throat, but the drunk was too inebriated to respond or even notice. "Withdraw that remark!" Leo ordered angrily, but the drunk made no reply. "Withdraw it!" From all sides, townspeople entered the conflict and separated the two men, one group dragging the drunk away from Leo and away from the tavern, another group dragging Leo away, telling him to calm down and to not take offense from a foolish drunk. Leo bitterly pushed away the townspeople, sheathed his sword, and continued to walk hastily down the path. The townspeople and their anti-elf sentiment disgusted him. Thus, Leo left town and entered the neighboring Eosan Forest. For a long time, Leo walked through the forest alone, no living thing near him except the vegetation. Time passed, and a woman emerged from the forest to meet with him. She was quite a tall woman, taller than average, but not as tall as Leo was. She was built amazingly thin, and her skin was light, her hair long and colored a silky yellow. Her ears were delicately pointed. She was an elf, and quite a beautiful one, too. Yet, the essence of her appearance wasn't in her ears, nor her skin, nor her hair. It was in her smile, a smile that had never left her face, even in the most grave of times. Leo and the elf girl embraced passionately, both holding the other tightly and close to their hearts. "Sylvia, my love, 'tis good to see you again," Leo whispered softly. A moment passed, and Sylvia opened her eyes. "Something's troubling you," she said, her voice as sweet and gentle as the wind. "I sense something awry." Leo sighed. "The King asked me again to marry Princess Sara," Leo explained. "This time, I told him no, and he became so furious. He left without saying a word." "Oh, how you've troubled over this so long!" the elf interjected. "Would it be wrong to disobey him?" Leo asked. "After all, King Phryge has been a wise and just ruler ever since he ascended to the throne. The Princess loves me, too. That was why the King wished me to marry her in the first place, but I don't love Princess Sara. Yet, how can I disobey my King?" "Leo," Sylvia said. "Follow your heart. It knows what's right and what's wrong." Leo closed his eyes for a moment, then said, "My heart tells me that I love you, but I love the kingdom as well. How can I choose between the two?" "The answer to that you will have to find yourself," Sylvia replied. "But I don't know where to find that answer," Leo complained. "I'm sorry, Sylvia." The knight stroked the elf's long, light hair, then held her in his arms. "I must go now, my love. My mother's going through some hard times and needs me." "Yes, your mother," Sylvia understood. "Give this to her for me." The young elf handed Leo a small vial, filled with a light blue liquid. Leo thanked her, then slowly walked back to the village. "Leo, thank the gods you're here," shouted a girl. "Her condition is worsening." Leo had just returned to his home, a simple, dusty home built of wood and stone. The girl--his little sister--stood just outside the door, waiting for him. She was dressed in simple white robes, for she was a priestess at the nearby temple, as her mother had been. "Mother grows more sick?" Leo asked. "Yes," his sister replied. "Ever since she came down with this disease almost a week ago, she's grown weaker and weaker. I've been so worried about her." "Don't worry, Selena," Leo said. "I'm sure we'll find a cure. Take me to her." Selena hastily led him into the house, but when she noticed the vial Leo carried on his belt, she stopped suddenly, growing suspicious. "What's that, big brother?" Selena asked, pointing to the vial. "Medicine," Leo answered, "for mother." "Where did you get it?" "Sylvia gave it to me." "Elven folk magic?" Selena was visibly disgusted. "That stuff's completely useless. Those backward elves have no knowledge of real medicine. Everything they do is based on superstition. It's horrendous." Much to Leo's dismay, Selena seized the vial and cast it away, throwing it into a nearby garbage heap. Then, they entered the chamber in which Leo's mother slept. For a moment, she didn't seem to be aware of much. Then, she saw her son and spoke. "Leo," his mother quietly groaned. "Leo, I don't have much time left." "Mother, don't say that," Leo implored. "We'll find a cure. We'll make you well." "No, my son, I must go," she told him. "Everyday, I grow weaker and weaker. Now, I'm tired. I don't have the strength to live anymore. Soon, I will no longer be able to take care of you and Selena." "Mother..." "Leo, my son. The Princess. I want you to marry her and settle down," she said, pushing her strength. "That way, you can live a steady life and you won't have to worry about getting yourself killed fighting in wars anymore. I think you'd make a fine Prince, my son. Marry the Princess. That is my dying wish." "Mother..." "My son, remember that I will always love you. Now, I am tired." Thus, Leo's mother closed her eyes and said no more. Selena reached for her. "She's still alive," Selena said, crying, "but barely. She's only sleeping now, but she's given up on life. I doubt she'll live, but as long as she's alive, she still has a chance." As they left their mother to herself, Leo spoke to his sister, "Mother has been intent on keeping me away from war, ever since Father and Canus were killed eleven years ago in that battle against Dor. She's been so protective of us ever since, and she's always feared for me every time I fought a battle. It's almost as if Mother knew about the upcoming war against Locria, so she wants me safely in Castle Phryge." "Locria?" Selena asked, confused. "Locria's attacking us for our gold mines." "Men fight wars for such petty reasons," Selena commented. "Eleven years ago, we fought Dor over trade. Now, we fight over gold. Leo, I think you should do what mother says and marry the Princess. Don't go fighting anymore. Even I fear for you." "But I don't want to marry Princess Sara," Leo replied. This remark enraged Selena as it had the King. "You don't want to marry the Princess?" she shouted. "How foolish you are! You have been blinded by that elf witch Sylvia, whom you think you love. You would choose an elf girl--which is far worse than a slave girl--over the Princess? No, marry the Princess! That's what Mother wants." "I can't marry Princess Sara," Leo responded, "if I love Sylvia more." "Love doesn't matter," Selena yelled right back, indignant. "In this world, only respect for your king and for your family matter." "I don't want to argue," Leo replied. "I already made up my mind a long time ago. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's getting dark, and I'm getting tired." Leo left his sister in the main room and went into his own room. He took off his heavy silver armor suit and slipped into his bed, and sleep overcame him. A small boy, only twelve years old, came running down the path from the village into the Eosan Forest. Tears came streaming from his eyes, and his face was red with anguish. Reaching that darkened shade of the forest, he collapsed by a tree and cried painfully. Moments passed, and a young girl, only eight years old, approached him. "Don't cry." She handed the boy a flower from the bunch she had gathered in her hand, her smile never leaving her face. "You're making the forest sad." The boy opened his eyes and saw the girl for the first time. "You're an elf." "Yes." She sat down next to the boy. "Tell me, little boy, why are you crying?" That was eleven years ago. The rooster crowed a third time, and Leo awoke. Quickly, he dressed, but instead of donning the heavy silver battle armor, he put on a lightweight plate vest. This way, he could move more freely, but if he had to fight at short notice, he'd still be able to defend himself. Of course, he kept the jeweled sword with him. On his way out, he noticed that Selena was still sleeping--she often slept in late. This was good, Leo thought, because he didn't want to have another argument. Besides, he had made up his mind. He wasn't going to let anyone convince him to leave Sylvia. He wasn't going to let anyone convince him to marry Princess Sara. Satisfied, Leo mounted his horse and rode to the market. Later that day, deep into the afternoon, his sister came running up the road, shouting for him, tears in her eyes. "Oh, it's horrible," Selena cried, out of breath. "Mother... she's passed on." "What?" Leo exclaimed, shocked. "Mother!" He quickly lifted his sister onto his horse, and they rode back to their home. Without waiting for Selena, he dashed into his mother's room. She did not move. She did not breathe. Selena had spoken true. His mother had finally succumbed to eternal sleep. "'Make sure your brother marries the Princess,'" Selena said, her eyes flooded with tears and her voice broken. "Those were her last words." Leo's heart was filled with sorrow and anguish, mourning his mother's death. He closed his eyes. "Mother," he said. Then, he remembered his mother's last wish. Should he do what she asked of him? Could he do what she asked of him? It was then that Leo and Selena heard knocking on the front door. Whoever the visitors were, they soon discovered that the door was unlocked, so they opened it and entered. Leo and Selena ran to the main room to find two royal guards awaiting them. "Sir Leo," one of the guards said. "King Phryge wishes to see you." Thus, Leo and the two guards mounted their horses and rode back to Castle Phryge. On his way into the Castle, he passed by the statue again, the statue bearing his own likeness. It reminded him of how the King had favored him. He dismounted and entered the throne room, walking down the royal carpet until he stood before the King. "My liege, my Majesty King Phryge the Seventeenth," Leo said as he bowed. "You wished to see me, my lord?" "Locria has sent legions upon legions of their warriors to threaten our lands at the base of Mount Paetre," the King proclaimed. "As Phryge's legendary knight, it is your duty to defend the kingdom, to lead our forces to victory." "Yes, sire," Leo agreed with a nod. "I will prepare to fight." "But first," the King interrupted, "it would greatly boost our soldiers' morale if you were to marry my daughter Sara." Leo hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden remark. "My lord," he said, "I'm not sure if I can do that. My primary concern is to defend Phryge, not to find a suitable wife, even if she is the Princess." "You dare to defy me?" the King roared with royal rage. "Sara loves you deeply, and it shocks me to know that you would reject a Princess's love. What right have you to fight alongside my loyal troops when you yourself cannot even obey an order as simple as marrying Sara? No, in this condition, you are unfit to lead the Phrygian army." Leo was scared speechless for a minute. When he finally spoke, he stammered, "My lord, I'll consider the marriage. Now, I seek permission to leave." The knight didn't wait for the King's answer. Instead, he sped out of the Castle, looking only straight ahead, never looking at anyone. Just outside the gate, he saw the statue again, and he paused to look at it. What right did he have to turn his back on his people in time of need? What right did he have to reject the Princess's love? "Sir Leo," someone shouted, interrupting his thoughts. It was another royal guard. Another two had been sent to fetch him. "The King wishes to see you again. He wants an answer regarding Princess Sara." "I told him I'd think about it," Leo replied. "It's not that simple," the other guard said. "King Phryge wants you to answer now, and he wants that answer to be 'Yes'." "I said I'd think about it," Leo said, growing angry. "Just leave me alone. Look, my mother just died today. I'm going through a lot right now. Just leave me alone." "I don't think you understand," the first guard pleaded. "The war will not wait for King Phryge's decision. Likewise, King Phryge cannot wait for you." "Too bad," Leo said. "He'll have to wait." "No, you'll have to come," insisted the first guard. The two guards walked up to Leo and tried to grab him, but Leo pushed them away and drew his sword. In response, the two guards drew their own swords, and the three of them fought--two guards against one knight, except Leo was wearing only the lightweight armor vest for defense. Both guards were highly skilled. Leo could not fend off both of them at the same time. A sword flashed, and the knight took a small cut to his left arm. Then, the other guard rammed his sword into Leo's armor vest, knocking Leo into the wall. On the floor against the wall, Leo was disoriented. All he could do was hold up his sword and hope that it would block their attacks. A guard made an attack on Leo's head, but Leo deflected it, just barely, taking a scratch to his cheek. Then, he heard a voice that brought him hope. "And I'll lend you mine." "Sylvia!" Leo cried, recognizing the last line of the chant. A red glow of energy surrounded Leo's body, repelling the swords of the two guards, protecting him. Leo quickly hopped up, grabbed a guard, and smashed him face-first into the wall. The other guard charged at Leo, but the knight knocked the attacking sword away with his own. Then, with a swing of his blade, Leo knocked the guard into the statue, where he ran his head against the stone horse's mouth. "Sylvia!" Leo cried again, and he ran to her, embracing her. Immediately, the derogatory comments poured forth from the surrounding crowd. "Hey, elf whore! Stop trying to steal the Princess's husband!" one shouted. "Hey, elf witch! It's because of you that there's trouble in the Castle!" cried another. "You dirty elf! Go back to your dirty tree house!" yet a third shouted. Leo and Sylvia tried to ignore those hateful words, but the townspeople made such a racket as they jeered at the elf. Seething with rage, Leo dashed for his horse, and Sylvia followed. They quickly mounted and rode away, heading for the Eosan Forest. "I don't know what to do," Leo said. The knight and the elf were riding the white horse in the middle of the Eosan Forest, as Leo rode to take Sylvia home. "King Phryge is practically forcing me to marry Princess Sara. I want to fight against Locria. I want to defend Phryge--it's my honorable duty to defend Phryge--but the King won't let me fight unless I marry his daughter." "A heart-wrenching choice he's forcing you to make," Sylvia commented. "Also, my mother, who passed away just today, wants me to marry the Princess, too," Leo continued. "So does my sister. In fact, the whole village wants me to marry the Princess. You saw how they were treating you. You heard what they called you." "I forgive them," Sylvia said. "They simply do not understand the ways of the elves, and thus, they mean nothing when they speak of me thus." "That's beside the point," Leo said. "The King is against us. All my family and friends are against us. Everyone in the village is against us. The only people who don't think I should marry Princess Sara are you and I, and even I'm not sure anymore." "I stand by what I said earlier," Sylvia replied. "Follow your heart. It knows what's right and wrong." Leo looked at her intently. "I don't know what my heart's telling me anymore," he said. "You're home. We've arrived." "Leo," Sylvia said, pleadingly. "Leave me alone," Leo interjected coldly. "I need some time to think." He rode off and never looked back at Sylvia. "I heard what happened today," Selena said, upset, as Leo returned home. "What were you thinking, getting into fights with royal guards? Then, you spend some time with that elf witch, and you still refuse to marry the Princess! What kind of fool--" "Shut up!" Leo shouted. "Shut up! I don't care anymore! Just leave me alone!" Selena was silenced not so much by Leo's words but by his emotional outburst. Her brother seemed so distressed, as if his life were heading into some great catastrophe. Leo left her in the main room for the second night in a row and went to bed. He couldn't sleep. There was too much on his mind, so Leo climbed out of bed and took a walk, sword in hand and metal vest on his torso. He thought about Princess Sara and Sylvia, only one of whom he loved. He thought about the King and how he had always been wise and just. He thought about his mother and her last wish. He thought about the people and how he was bound by honor to defend them and how they hated the elves for no apparent reason at all. Leo thought he had been sure of his choice a long time ago. Why had his resolve wavered? Was his love for Sylvia wavering? All this wondering and wandering had brought Leo into the forest, but he wouldn't find Sylvia here at night. She was undoubtedly sleeping in her den, replenishing her magical energies. The knight sighed and turned to return the village when he heard the galloping of horses behind him. He turned back to face the forest, and four Locrian raiders suddenly appeared. Quickly, Leo drew his sword and slew one of the horses, knocking its rider back into the brush. The other three raiders drew their swords and struck, knocking Leo onto his back. They then dismounted and approached for another attack, but in one swift motion, Leo killed one. However, the last two, just as the guards had done that same day, fought Leo, pressing upon him until his back was to a tree. "Their skill," Leo thought. "These aren't raiders. These are elite headhunters." Leo managed, with his superior sword, to cut the blade off the one of the headhunters' weapon, but that hunter simply stabbed the two-inch stub into Leo's shoulder and punched him in the face. Leo shouted in pain, unable to fend off both Locrian hunters. His time was up. The armed headhunter was about to plunge his sword toward Leo's face. It was time for him to return to the Earth. "What do you mean father and Canus are dead?" the little boy shouted, tears soaking his face. "How could they die? Father's a famous paladin and Canus is a skilled knight! How could they die!?" The twelve-year-old boy stood in the main room of his house with his four-year-old sister, who was too young to truly understand the situation, sitting on a stone bench and his mother, distressed at the news. A royal messenger, who bore the news, stood in the doorway, his face contorted with the pain of having to bear the message. In mad sorrow, the boy dashed out of the house and into the forest, where he collapsed under a tree. Within moments, a young girl approached him and offered him a flower. "Don't cry. You're making the forest sad." "You're an elf." "Yes. Tell me, little boy, why are you crying?" "My father and my big brother, they were killed in the war." "Don't cry. There's nothing to be sad about. Your father and brother were born of the Earth, and the Fates have decided it is time for them to return to the Earth." "What do you mean?" "My father died last year, so I know how you feel. Just remember, they're in a happier place now, a place where there is no sadness, only happiness, a place where there is no death, only life, a place full of the greenest trees there ever were. Don't cry because they're gone. Rejoice because they're in a better place." "Will I ever see them again?" "Yes, when your time is up. Then, you'll be in a better place, too." A pause. "Thank you. What's your name?" "My name's Sylvia." "My name's Leo. Nice to meet you, Sylvia." "Nice to meet you, Leo." Leo was ready. He sat there, waiting for death. Then, he heard the chanting. "The strength of our love, our hearts combine, lend me your fire, and I'll lend you mine." It was Sylvia's voice, the elven enchantress. The red glow surrounded Leo, protecting him for the second time that day. Leo opened his eyes and saw that the sword was barely an inch from his face, but it was stopped. The knight quickly knocked it aside with his own sword. Then, in one swift movement, the unarmed headhunter was dead. In a few more moments, the last Locrian headhunter had no sword. Then, he had no head. Panting, Leo looked to Sylvia, remembering his passion, remembering his love, and they embraced. "Thank you, Sylvia," Leo said. "What would I do without you? That's twice you've saved me just today." "Leo, I saved you because I love you," Sylvia replied. "I don't care if your love for me has been wavering or not. I love you, and that's all the reason I need to protect you." "I love you," Leo cried, "more than anything else, more than anyone else. My love for you may have wavered, but only for a moment, and now it's stronger than ever." He paused, then continued, finally understanding, "I think I know what I have to do now." "You say that, Leo. Yet, look at the sword in your hand," Sylvia said. "As long as you wield that sword, you're bound to the King." Leo looked at his sword, the ornamented silver sword, the King's gift, and understood. He walked, slowly but resolutely, all the way back to the courtyard before the Castle gates, and Sylvia followed him. There stood the statue, Leo's face on its face. The knight looked again at the sculpture, looked again at the stone visage of himself, riding a horse, his sword raised, poised for battle. It was a beautiful statue, but Leo couldn't have it. He took off the armored vest and placed it by the statue. Then, he slowly drew his sword and took one final look at it. He admired the shine of the silver. He admired the intricate carvings. He admired the colorful jewelry, but like the statue, it too had to go. Leo looked purposefully at the statue and the armor vest. Then, with one swift strike, he tore his sword through the armor and through the statue. In one quick motion, everything was shattered--the sword, the armor, the statue, everything. Pieces of stone, chunks of metal, and fragments of gems rained down around them. "Goodbye, my King," Leo whispered. "Goodbye, Mother. Goodbye, Selena. Goodbye, Princess Sara. And most of all, goodbye to all of Phryge." Then, Leo, finally free, took Sylvia by the arm, and the two of them left the kingdom, leaving the shattered remains behind. The former knight and the elven enchantress walked through the Eosan Forest under the brightly shining sun. It had been a few days since Leo left Phryge. Now, he wore no armor, only cloths and rags. Now, he carried no sword, but a wooden spear. Yet, these minor details did not convey the changes that had occurred within Leo. Sylvia had always smiled, but now, for the first time in a long time, Leo shared that eternal smile. Joyfully, he put his arm around Sylvia and held her close to him. Then, the quiet scene and the two lovers were interrupted abruptly by small group of Phrygian soldiers, coming down the forest path to confront them. "Leo, you are under arrest for treason," shouted one of the soldiers. "By order of our Majesty King Phryge the Seventeenth, we are to take you back to Castle Phryge for a trial. If you resist, we are authorized to use deadly force on you." "Then, I resist," Leo said simply. "Come and get me." The soldiers drew their swords and charged. Sylvia chanted. A red glow appeared around Leo, protecting him, and a second red glow enlarged the tip of his wooden spear, strengthening him. He and the group of half a dozen or so Phrygian soldiers clashed. Leo was heavily outnumbered, but he still smiled. He wasn't afraid. As long as he had Sylvia, he was safe, both physically and spiritually. |