“What’s it like to be a knight?”
A question barely formed by Ezekiel’s lips as they smacked together between bites of pheasant roasted over a fire. Feathers removed in cooking preparation were saved and stored for use as fletching. Bones picked out as they ate were neatly placed beside the fire to save for crafting or fish hooks. Between the man with dirty blonde hair and the brunette knight, the ground was littered with belts, gloves, plate armor and padded clothing, pouches and weapons. Ezekiel’s surprise had grown every time he found a new weapon stowed on his person. Two identical daggers from each hip, a hand crossbow attached to a leather strap with a quiver of bolts, and nine knives. Stripped down to their leather and leggings, they would more easily rest through the night once their bellies were filled.
Instinctively, Kilena countered with an equally curious inquiry. “Why do you ask?”
“You’re the first knight I’ve ever met,” he retorted with a smug grin. “The first person I’ve ever met according to my record.”
The knight chewed politely, jaw separating and closing but not once did her lips break apart until Ezekiel’s comment made her smile. After swallowing and licking her teeth, she answered, “You make a fair argument.” Kilena wiped at the corners and edges of her lips with the side of her thumb. “I might be the wrong knight to ask.”
Bewildered, he queried, “Why’s that?”
“I am a woman,” she stated plainly.
“Is there a rule against women being knighted?” he asked incredulously, his voice rising nearly an octave.
“Not exactly,” she responded thoughtfully, lowering her meaty meal, “but it is unorthodox.”
“Is that what that lord was scoffing about?”
“You are asking an awful lot of questions,” she pointed out.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’s forget I brought it up,” he decided in defeat, and returned to hungrily devouring his portion of bird.
Kilena used her teeth to peel away another string of meat, which she generously chewed. Creatures of the night chirped and hooted, a cacophonous symphony to which she and Ezekiel were esteemed guests. Entertainment for their meal to fill the periods of silence, along with the crackling of well heated wood. Flames confined by a circle of rocks chased away a chill. “My father was a knight high commander. He always followed the code of his order, the Iron Rose,” she said after a time. Her companion looked up from his meal to her, attention captive to her story. “Growing up in Roselake, I learned the natural order to life is that I would become dependent on a man. To marry and bear him children, raise his children, and serve my family from dawn to dusk. We all have our place in life, but that is not mine. From the moment I raised a sword, I knew this was my calling. Eventually, I was sworn in as a knight.”
“I bet your father’s proud of you,” he said.
The round-faced girl lowered her eyes and her vision became consumed by the fire. She wore a pensive frown. “He was.”
“I- I’m sorry,” Ezekiel quickly interjected. “Is that why you’re on your own?”
Kilena dipped her chin, offering a solitary nod. Her sullen gaze focused attentively on his face. “Once he died, I was banished from the order,” she dolefully explained. “That is why I bear no emblem and boast no allegiance. I often encounter people who doubt me because I am not a man.”
“If they saw you fight, I bet they’d change their minds.”
“Thank you, Ezekiel,” she responded earnestly. “It means a lot to hear you say that.”
Through another mouthful of meat, he asked, “Why are we going to Beckton?”
Kilena postponed another bite of food until she finished speaking. “We will remain there for the day to learn if anyone needs aid. If not, we can purchase a room at the tavern for the night and leave the following morning.”
“Is that what it’s like? Being a knight, looking for people who need help?”
“For me it is, yes. There are simple folk across the country who may need help. I am no good to them if I remain in one kingdom. Though, it is not entirely by choice and not for lack of trying that I wander,” she advised flatly.
“I take it there are a lot of lords like that last one,” he decided, noisily munching as he spoke.
“Ezekiel?”
“Hm?” he managed to ask, mouth full of the last bite he ripped off the pheasant. He looked at her expectantly.
Suppressing a laugh behind a smile, Kilena kindly asked, “May I ask you to please chew a little more quietly?”
Ezekiel grinned as he continued to chew, albeit much more politely. He swallowed, and then laughed aloud. “Yes.”
The glow of the burning logs began to wane, a slender trail of smoke drifting skyward. Meal concluded, the two moved in closer to the dwindling fire, on opposite sides of the rock barrier, and used stuffed pouches as pillows. Kilena rested on her back and gazed at the stars shimmering above.
“One more question,” Ezekiel whispered in an effort to avoid sundering the serenity.
Kilena smiled joyfully. Matching his volume, she asked, “What is it?”
“Do you think you’ll ever settle down one day? Stay in one place and live out your life in peace?”
Sapphire eyes darting between the twinkling gems in the sky, she scoured the stars for an answer. Nothing jumped out from the mysterious lanterns scattered across the inky curtain. A protracted moment passed, that proved too long as Ezekiel began to wonder if she fell asleep. “Kilena?”
“We will see what the future brings,” she faintly answered. “Good night, my friend.”
“Good night,” he replied, and closed his eyes to find rest on the mattress of grass.
Kilena Shrelack 