FIC - First Knight (16/?)
Title: First Knight (16/?)
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 3,953
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Warnings: Violence
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15
Luke’s heart pounded in his chest and his mouth went painfully dry, making it difficult to swallow, as he looked about him at some of the faces he had grown to know so well and, in some cases, trust with his life.
Some of the men stared back with looks of disbelief etched across their rugged features whilst others showed disgust and betrayal.
Luke knew this day of revelation would eventually come and a part of him felt relieved that he no longer had to hide who he was or what the feelings he shared with Noah. But that was far outweighed by the sheer panic he felt solidifying in his chest and he wished that he and Noah could forever hide amongst the shadows rather than have the men about him look upon the two of them with such contempt.
Noah was the first to react; instinctively moving his horse even closer to Luke… wanting to protect his lover and keep him safe. But he knew he could not… not against the enemy that faced them.
Nor was he certain where the allegiances of their allies now lay after the shocking disclosure.
He wanted to pull Luke onto his steed and race them far away from here to a place of safety where no one knew of them or their relationship.
But he knew in his heart of hearts that was not an option. The time for fleeing and hiding was long since gone and it would be here in this nondescript valley that they would make their final stand.
Oddly, he fleetingly thought that his father might well be proud of him… if not for the subject matter of the revelation.
The movement of Noah’s horse made the blonde look up into crystal blue eyes that were brimming with emotions.
Luke saw in the deep recesses of those orbs a mirroring sense of panic and the want to flee and hide from this fate that had been chosen for them.
He was reminded of Noah’s whispered words in their cell in Stormcrag.
“Deny me.”
Could he deny what he felt for the man in front of him in favor of the greater good?
Luke shook his head almost imperceptibly. He could not deny Noah. How could he? How could he deny the very man who gave him what he had once thought he would never share with another human being… love?
A hint of a heartfelt smile touched Noah’s lips before he responded with a barely noticeable incline of his head as a steely determination settled on his features. He gripped his horse’s reins tighter and his Adam’s apple bobbed in nervous anxiety of what was to come.
Although Luke observed the tremor in the brunette’s hand and the nervous swallow, he took strength and solace from Noah’s gaze and from his steadfastness, knowing that his lover was by his side… where he belonged.
Luke felt a strong hand grip his shoulder firmly. “Does he speak the truth?” Lord Calderon hissed.
After several long moments, Luke tore his eyes away from Noah’s fortifying gaze to face the older man.
Calderon was staring back at him with questioning eyes that held a hard edge, leaving Luke wondering what thoughts stirred behind them.
Luke took a depth before replying. In that instant he thought of his father and Luke fervently hoped that he would have understood what his son was about to do… that he would have supported him. But Luke had a feeling that Holden Snyder would not have judged him harshly. His father had taught him to stand up for what he believed.
Feeling the close proximity of Noah’s presence and with thoughts of his father paramount in his mind, Luke sat a little more upright in his saddle and answered simply, “Yes.”
The older man’s eyes widened in surprise and his mouth dropped open but before he could respond, Luke took the opportunity to shift in his saddle to direct his gaze straight at Damian Grimaldi who stared back at him with a look of open and unbridled distain and disgust.
“Yes,” he repeated louder… almost defiantly; leaving the men about him in little doubt as to the truth of Grimaldi’s words. No one, especially not Damian Grimaldi, could tell him that his feelings for Noah were wrong… were something to be abhorred.
Grimaldi’s mouth curled into a triumphant sneer. Snyder was reacting exactly as he had wished he would. This would be easier than he thought. He raised a finger to point at the younger man. “See! He does not even attempt to deny his deviant acts!”
Luke tried to stop from flinching as he heard the muttered and hurtful jeers of “Deviants” and “Disgusting” directed at him and Noah echoing throughout the ranks of the gathered men.
Looking about him, he saw many openly hostile faces and he knew that he could not hope to reach these men… not yet at any rate. But amongst them were countenances of men who were watching him intently; waiting for his next move and men who were shifting uncomfortably in their saddles or on foot who were clearly struggling with their consciences and with where their allegiances now lay.
It was these men that he hoped to reach with his next words.
Taking a deep breath and trying to keep the quaver from his voice, Luke began speaking. “My fellow men, many of you know me well.” He swung in the saddle to seek out the countenances of Donovan, Davis, Matthews, Oliver and others amongst the sea of men.
“Indeed, we have fought shoulder to shoulder for what is right and what is just.”
Luke let his words hang in the air before he turned to face Bashir and Calderon and the ranks of men behind them. “Many of you I have yet to know well. But before you all, I admit that I have kept this from you. Not out of any willful deceit but more out of fear… fear of how we would be received.”
He turned to face Noah and was greeted with such a heartfelt expression of love and pride that he had to smile softly in return.
“I regret that now; I wish we had been more courageous,” he spoke as he turned back to face forward. “For I… we… are no different from any of you. We still have the same values of right and wrong. My feelings for Noah will never change that. Indeed, my love for him has increased those values tenfold.”
Luke let his words be absorbed before continuing as he took a deep steadying breath.
“Many of you who knew my father will also know that he pledged to restore peace and justice to a troubled time - a time created by the tyrannical rule of men such as these.” He pointed to Damian and Aiden.
“When Holden Snyder was cut down and taken from us, I sought to honor that vow and walk in my father’s footsteps to continue his quest to rid the world of the evil and oppression of men like Grimaldi so that every man, woman and child could live without fear… so we could be who we were destined to be. My vow has not changed. Many of you and your kin have suffered at the hands of these men. Do not allow them to win here at the last.”
Damian Grimaldi laughed harshly. “Observe how he struggles and squirms like a worm caught on a hook to explain himself and his vile companion with yet more lies.”
He held his arms out wide in a gesture of openness to the captives. “I am a reasonable man,” he spoke softly now… without menace. “My only wish is to restore the kingdom of Oakdale to its full glory and to keep it from the clutching grasp of abominations like these. My fellow men, swear your allegiance to me and I will pledge that you will be treated fairly and justly… as was Sir Davis when he swore fealty to the House of Grimaldi. He was once Snyder’s closest friend until he discovered the despicable truth. Is that not so, Sir Davis?”
Luke stared in shock at Kevin and noticed for the first time the sword at his waist.
Had his friend turned traitor once again?
Kevin returned Luke’s stare and the hurt and betrayal etched across the blonde’s features made him twice over regret his past decisions. When Damian had ordered him cut down from the torturer’s straps and for the beatings to stop, he had been at once relieved. Little did he know then that he was yet to play another unwilling part in Luke’s humiliation. It had been enough to be forced to watch Luke and Noah’s sufferings in Stormcrag at the hands of Grimaldi. He had truly seen the deposed king for what he was that day.
Not for the first time, did Kevin desperately wish he was a stronger man and that he had been able to resist Damian’s powerful hold over him in the beginning. He cringed with remorse and regret that he had once bowed down in front of this evil man and called him ‘my liege’.
Was it too late to make amends a second time?
Reaching what he hoped was not his last decision, Kevin’s sword hand moved surreptitiously to grasp the hilt at his hip. “Listen not to this man!”
In one practiced and fluid motion, he pulled the blade free and bellowed a rallying cry as he lunged forward in the saddle toward Grimaldi. “For the House of Snyder!”
The shout and the movement alerted Damian and he wheeled his horse so that the sword only struck him a glancing blow off his breastplate. It did no lasting damage other than to tear a rent across the muzzle of snarling fox emblazoned on his surcoat.
But the force of the unexpected blow was such that it sent him tumbling from his saddle.
In the confusion that followed many of the men closest to Grimaldi surged forward to protect their fallen commander, leaving the captive men partially unguarded.
Donovan seized the opportunity and rallied the men around him who would listen to bodily overpower the remaining guards, take their weapons and use them to cut their remaining bonds before joining the affray. He had sworn to Holden Snyder as he had held the man while he lay dying on the battlefield that he would pledge allegiance to Luke… to follow and protect him with his life.
And nothing would change that or make him break his vow.
There were some, however, that were not prepared to honor their oaths in light of the revelation and soon Donovan found himself faced with men that were either unwilling to take up arms in support of Lord Snyder or who now openly fought against them.
Donovan was not a man of words… only of action. And he could not hope to persuade these men to have a change of heart in the midst of battle. So he let his sword speak for him and their section of the battlefield soon rang with the sound of metal against metal as men that had once fought together now battled against each other.
Luke watched in horror as enemy soldiers swarmed toward Kevin’s position and without any thought of his own safety, he drew his sword and charged his steed to the aid of the other man.
“Luke!” Noah shouted in desperate exasperation at Luke’s recklessness and, without a moment of hesitation, drew his own blade and urged his charger after the blonde, sweeping his sword in wide arcs at any man that came close.
Lord Calderon had watched the events unfold intently. He could not begin to process how he felt about everything he had heard here today. But he was a great believer in actions speaking louder than words. He had seen firsthand the devastating effects of Aiden’s reign over the kingdom of California and from all accounts his cousin was no different, worse in fact. And from what he had seen of the young Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, Calderon had little doubt that they had strong hearts and held the courage of their convictions.
Now was not the time to investigate his feelings further as he saw in the confusion of the melee before him the opportunity to rid his borders of the threat of men such as the Grimaldis once and for all.
Looking around at the strength of the combined forces behind him, he knew there was little point in holding men in reserve; they would not survive the hour against such opposing numbers if they did not commit all of their soldiery now.
Calderon drew his sword and held it aloft. “To me, men! To me!” he commanded as he too spurred his steed toward the enemy position.
“No!” Luke yelled when he saw Davis being pulled from his horse by a mercenary as he drew near to the other man.
He pushed Stepper onward as close as he dared, using the horse’s bulk and swings of his sword to cut his way through.
“Luke!” Noah’s clear warning reached him across the distance between them and Luke turned in time to witness Aiden bearing down on him, his sword held ready to strike and a look of intense hatred etched across his bearded countenance.
Noah spurred his horse in an attempt to reach Luke but found his way blocked at every turn as the gap between them was quickly engulfed by enemy soldiers. He thrust his sword repeatedly with increasing desperation, trying to break through to Luke.
Luke bought his sword around in an attempt to parry Aiden’s blow but the fierce strike sent a wave of pain radiating up his sword arm.
Again and again, Aiden wheeled his horse to strike incensed blow after blow.
Luke felt himself weakening under the onslaught until one well aimed thrust felled him from his saddle.
He groaned in pain as he landed awkwardly on his sword arm, spilling his sword from his grasp. He managed to scramble out of the horse’s stamping hoofs to avoid being trampled.
Aiden saw his opportunity and dismounted quickly. Raising his sword, he advanced threateningly toward Luke. “You will die here scrabbling around in the dirt like the filth that you are!”
Luke reached out and fumbled around him in an attempt to locate his sword, not daring to take his eyes off Aiden. His fingers closed around a small rock instead and he brought it close to his chest, hoping to defend himself at the moment when the other man would strike his final blow.
He readied himself as Aiden gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, preparing to deal the deathly strike.
At that moment, Aiden’s eyes widened in shock and a spurt of blood erupted from his lips as he looked down toward his own chest.
Following the man’s gaze, Luke’s mouth dropped open as he saw the tip of a bloodied sword protruding through the base of Aiden’s throat, just above the neckline of his chain mail armor.
With a gurgling final gasp, the man towering above Luke toppled forward, narrowly avoiding collapsing onto him, as the sword was pulled free.
Relief flooded over Luke as his savior was revealed and he nodded gratefully up at the older man. “Master Gant, I owe you my life!” He moved to grip the armorer’s forearm in gratitude.
But the man took a step back and looked at Luke with dull almost lifeless eyes. “I have avenged Jim’s death and honored my vow to protect your life. My service to the House of Snyder is complete,” he said in a hollow and empty tone and his whole attitude spoke of a man whose very belief in all things he held dear had been torn forcibly from him… he looked a man adrift in a world he did not comprehend.
Without another word, Matthews dropped his large hands to his sides, letting the heavy sword fall carelessly to the ground before turning and walking from the battlefield.
“Wait!” Luke called after the man as he felt his heart shatter. He had thought that if any man would have remained loyal, it would have been Master Gant… given that the man had fought so bravely with Noah at the encampment to keep Luke from capture.
What had he done? Who was he to think that he could put his feelings for Noah before his duty to his men?
He wanted to scramble to his feet and follow the older man from the battlefield to try and reason with him… to make him understand.
But now was not the time; he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Suddenly he felt hands on his shoulders, helping him to sit upright. “Fear not, my Lord. You still have supporters here.”
Luke could not believe his ears and he spun quickly around. “Casey! You live!” He gripped his serving boy’s forearms before pulling him into a fierce embrace.
Pulling back, he accepted the younger man’s assistance to get to his feet but held him at arm’s length… seemingly unable to release him just yet. He did not think he had ever been more grateful or relieved to see Casey.
He wanted to ask Hughes so many questions, most of all how he came to be here and how Luke had not observed him before.
But the questions died on his lips when he saw an enemy Knight approaching them.
Luke pulled Casey behind him and scanned the ground to locate his fallen sword.
Bending, he retrieved it just in time to parry the Knight’s thrust. He sidestepped and dealt the man a two-handed blow to the base of the neck with the hilt of his sword which sent him staggering forward. As the Knight fell, Luke finished him off with a well-timed strike to his side, sliding between the interlocking sections of chain mail.
Pulling his sword free, he looked about them and to his dismay he could no longer see either Kevin or Noah; both their previous positions having now been overrun by soldiers.
Luke was heartened to see that both Calderon’s and Bashir’s men had engaged the enemy in battle and there were pockets of fierce fighting all around them.
But, looking closer, he observed that some of his men were now fighting shoulder to shoulder alongside Grimaldi’s forces.
Before he had the opportunity to dwell darkly on the reasoning behind their change of hearts and minds, Luke observed a gap opening up in the sea of men before him.
“Noah!” he murmured in shock when he saw his lover and Damian Grimaldi slowly circling each other. Both men watched the other intently with their swords held ready in front of them.
Quickly, Luke reached for the fallen Knight’s sword and thrust it, hilt first, toward Hughes. “Here, take this. But stay hidden if you can.”
Luke turned back in time to see Grimaldi launch a series of fluid sword strikes, succeeding in driving Noah back again and again.
He saw the brunette valiantly try to parry the next blow and then sidestep to land an answering strike of his own.
But in Noah’s weakened state, he stumbled over the uneven ground.
Grimaldi saw his opening and lashed out with his right leg, sweeping Noah’s legs from under him and knocking the younger man onto his back.
“No!” Luke shouted as Grimaldi raised his sword high above him, ready to strike.
In an instant, Luke was sprinting toward the clearing on the battlefield, swiftly dispatching any enemy that came within striking distance.
As Damian sneered triumphantly at Luke, Noah attempted to swing his sword at him from his position on the ground but Grimaldi saw the movement at the last moment and aimed a kick at Noah’s sword arm, catching him full on the wrist and making him cry out in pain as the sword spilled from his grasp.
“You are no match for me, vermin!” he spat as he prepared to bring his blade down on Noah’s head.
“YOU. WILL. NOT. HURT. HIM. ANYMORE!” Luke screamed angrily as he reached Grimaldi. He punctuated each word with a vicious sword blow, putting all of his energy into each swing… making the older man parry and sidestep desperately to try counter.
All the things he had witnessed and lived through up until this moment manifested in a deep seated anger toward Damian Grimaldi and in a heart stopping fear of losing Noah.
He would not let that happen… he simply could not.
Luke took that anger and fear and channeled it into every lunge… he had never known such depth of emotion.
Noah lay resting on his elbows, panting as he tried to calm his breathing and recoup his ebbing strength. From this position, he watched Luke’s increasingly furious onslaught with a building sense of concern.
He had never seen Luke like this. This was not the compassionate Luke that he had come to know… with a lover’s tender touch and a dimpled smile. This was pure unadulterated rage and it was as if a red mist had descended over the soft green flecked hazel as Luke’s countenance twisted in anger.
He hardly recognized his Luke… his love. And that scared him.
Grimaldi’s stamina finally gave way as he submitted to Luke’s onslaught and he stumbled backward, hitting the ground hard.
“I will see to it that your vile and malicious evil is gone from this world!” Luke spat out harshly as he towered over the older man and struck the sword from his grasp.
As the sunlight glinted on Luke’s raised sword and highlighted the blonde tresses, Noah squinted up into the glare and it hit him like a well-aimed blow to the solar plexus that Luke was mirroring Grimaldi’s earlier stance.
It could have been Damian Grimaldi standing there with Luke at his feet.
Noah could not allow that to happen… not like this.
He struggled to his feet and approached Luke, softly calling out his name as the melee of the battlefield continued fiercely all around them. “Luke. Luke, look at me.”
Luke did not hear him at first… the words unable to reach him through his mask of anger and fear.
“Luke. Luke, do not do this. This is not who you are,” Noah murmured as he reached up to cover Luke’s hands with his own where they grasped the hilt of the sword with such intensity that his knuckles had turned white.
Luke blinked at the touch and turned his head to stare intently at Noah as if seeing his lover for the first time.
Pulling the sword from Luke’s hold with one hand, Noah wrapped the other around Luke’s waist and drew him gently back against his chest.
Noah felt the blonde shudder against him and heard him gasp as if the realization of what he had been about to do had just hit him with full force.
Keeping the sword pointed at Grimaldi, Noah spoke quietly into Luke’s ear as he held him close as his body continued to shake. “It is ended, Luke. It is finally over.”
Both men stood together, neither wanting to relinquish their close proximity, and watched in relief as a handful of Lord Calderon’s highly trained soldiers succeeded in breaking through into the clearing and hauled Damian Grimaldi to his feet in order to detain the disposed King.
Dare they believe that Noah’s words were true and that this was indeed the pivotal turning point of the battle and their journey was at an end…
Chapter 17
Back to fic master post
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 3,953
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Warnings: Violence
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15
Luke’s heart pounded in his chest and his mouth went painfully dry, making it difficult to swallow, as he looked about him at some of the faces he had grown to know so well and, in some cases, trust with his life.
Some of the men stared back with looks of disbelief etched across their rugged features whilst others showed disgust and betrayal.
Luke knew this day of revelation would eventually come and a part of him felt relieved that he no longer had to hide who he was or what the feelings he shared with Noah. But that was far outweighed by the sheer panic he felt solidifying in his chest and he wished that he and Noah could forever hide amongst the shadows rather than have the men about him look upon the two of them with such contempt.
Noah was the first to react; instinctively moving his horse even closer to Luke… wanting to protect his lover and keep him safe. But he knew he could not… not against the enemy that faced them.
Nor was he certain where the allegiances of their allies now lay after the shocking disclosure.
He wanted to pull Luke onto his steed and race them far away from here to a place of safety where no one knew of them or their relationship.
But he knew in his heart of hearts that was not an option. The time for fleeing and hiding was long since gone and it would be here in this nondescript valley that they would make their final stand.
Oddly, he fleetingly thought that his father might well be proud of him… if not for the subject matter of the revelation.
The movement of Noah’s horse made the blonde look up into crystal blue eyes that were brimming with emotions.
Luke saw in the deep recesses of those orbs a mirroring sense of panic and the want to flee and hide from this fate that had been chosen for them.
He was reminded of Noah’s whispered words in their cell in Stormcrag.
“Deny me.”
Could he deny what he felt for the man in front of him in favor of the greater good?
Luke shook his head almost imperceptibly. He could not deny Noah. How could he? How could he deny the very man who gave him what he had once thought he would never share with another human being… love?
A hint of a heartfelt smile touched Noah’s lips before he responded with a barely noticeable incline of his head as a steely determination settled on his features. He gripped his horse’s reins tighter and his Adam’s apple bobbed in nervous anxiety of what was to come.
Although Luke observed the tremor in the brunette’s hand and the nervous swallow, he took strength and solace from Noah’s gaze and from his steadfastness, knowing that his lover was by his side… where he belonged.
Luke felt a strong hand grip his shoulder firmly. “Does he speak the truth?” Lord Calderon hissed.
After several long moments, Luke tore his eyes away from Noah’s fortifying gaze to face the older man.
Calderon was staring back at him with questioning eyes that held a hard edge, leaving Luke wondering what thoughts stirred behind them.
Luke took a depth before replying. In that instant he thought of his father and Luke fervently hoped that he would have understood what his son was about to do… that he would have supported him. But Luke had a feeling that Holden Snyder would not have judged him harshly. His father had taught him to stand up for what he believed.
Feeling the close proximity of Noah’s presence and with thoughts of his father paramount in his mind, Luke sat a little more upright in his saddle and answered simply, “Yes.”
The older man’s eyes widened in surprise and his mouth dropped open but before he could respond, Luke took the opportunity to shift in his saddle to direct his gaze straight at Damian Grimaldi who stared back at him with a look of open and unbridled distain and disgust.
“Yes,” he repeated louder… almost defiantly; leaving the men about him in little doubt as to the truth of Grimaldi’s words. No one, especially not Damian Grimaldi, could tell him that his feelings for Noah were wrong… were something to be abhorred.
Grimaldi’s mouth curled into a triumphant sneer. Snyder was reacting exactly as he had wished he would. This would be easier than he thought. He raised a finger to point at the younger man. “See! He does not even attempt to deny his deviant acts!”
Luke tried to stop from flinching as he heard the muttered and hurtful jeers of “Deviants” and “Disgusting” directed at him and Noah echoing throughout the ranks of the gathered men.
Looking about him, he saw many openly hostile faces and he knew that he could not hope to reach these men… not yet at any rate. But amongst them were countenances of men who were watching him intently; waiting for his next move and men who were shifting uncomfortably in their saddles or on foot who were clearly struggling with their consciences and with where their allegiances now lay.
It was these men that he hoped to reach with his next words.
Taking a deep breath and trying to keep the quaver from his voice, Luke began speaking. “My fellow men, many of you know me well.” He swung in the saddle to seek out the countenances of Donovan, Davis, Matthews, Oliver and others amongst the sea of men.
“Indeed, we have fought shoulder to shoulder for what is right and what is just.”
Luke let his words hang in the air before he turned to face Bashir and Calderon and the ranks of men behind them. “Many of you I have yet to know well. But before you all, I admit that I have kept this from you. Not out of any willful deceit but more out of fear… fear of how we would be received.”
He turned to face Noah and was greeted with such a heartfelt expression of love and pride that he had to smile softly in return.
“I regret that now; I wish we had been more courageous,” he spoke as he turned back to face forward. “For I… we… are no different from any of you. We still have the same values of right and wrong. My feelings for Noah will never change that. Indeed, my love for him has increased those values tenfold.”
Luke let his words be absorbed before continuing as he took a deep steadying breath.
“Many of you who knew my father will also know that he pledged to restore peace and justice to a troubled time - a time created by the tyrannical rule of men such as these.” He pointed to Damian and Aiden.
“When Holden Snyder was cut down and taken from us, I sought to honor that vow and walk in my father’s footsteps to continue his quest to rid the world of the evil and oppression of men like Grimaldi so that every man, woman and child could live without fear… so we could be who we were destined to be. My vow has not changed. Many of you and your kin have suffered at the hands of these men. Do not allow them to win here at the last.”
Damian Grimaldi laughed harshly. “Observe how he struggles and squirms like a worm caught on a hook to explain himself and his vile companion with yet more lies.”
He held his arms out wide in a gesture of openness to the captives. “I am a reasonable man,” he spoke softly now… without menace. “My only wish is to restore the kingdom of Oakdale to its full glory and to keep it from the clutching grasp of abominations like these. My fellow men, swear your allegiance to me and I will pledge that you will be treated fairly and justly… as was Sir Davis when he swore fealty to the House of Grimaldi. He was once Snyder’s closest friend until he discovered the despicable truth. Is that not so, Sir Davis?”
Luke stared in shock at Kevin and noticed for the first time the sword at his waist.
Had his friend turned traitor once again?
Kevin returned Luke’s stare and the hurt and betrayal etched across the blonde’s features made him twice over regret his past decisions. When Damian had ordered him cut down from the torturer’s straps and for the beatings to stop, he had been at once relieved. Little did he know then that he was yet to play another unwilling part in Luke’s humiliation. It had been enough to be forced to watch Luke and Noah’s sufferings in Stormcrag at the hands of Grimaldi. He had truly seen the deposed king for what he was that day.
Not for the first time, did Kevin desperately wish he was a stronger man and that he had been able to resist Damian’s powerful hold over him in the beginning. He cringed with remorse and regret that he had once bowed down in front of this evil man and called him ‘my liege’.
Was it too late to make amends a second time?
Reaching what he hoped was not his last decision, Kevin’s sword hand moved surreptitiously to grasp the hilt at his hip. “Listen not to this man!”
In one practiced and fluid motion, he pulled the blade free and bellowed a rallying cry as he lunged forward in the saddle toward Grimaldi. “For the House of Snyder!”
The shout and the movement alerted Damian and he wheeled his horse so that the sword only struck him a glancing blow off his breastplate. It did no lasting damage other than to tear a rent across the muzzle of snarling fox emblazoned on his surcoat.
But the force of the unexpected blow was such that it sent him tumbling from his saddle.
In the confusion that followed many of the men closest to Grimaldi surged forward to protect their fallen commander, leaving the captive men partially unguarded.
Donovan seized the opportunity and rallied the men around him who would listen to bodily overpower the remaining guards, take their weapons and use them to cut their remaining bonds before joining the affray. He had sworn to Holden Snyder as he had held the man while he lay dying on the battlefield that he would pledge allegiance to Luke… to follow and protect him with his life.
And nothing would change that or make him break his vow.
There were some, however, that were not prepared to honor their oaths in light of the revelation and soon Donovan found himself faced with men that were either unwilling to take up arms in support of Lord Snyder or who now openly fought against them.
Donovan was not a man of words… only of action. And he could not hope to persuade these men to have a change of heart in the midst of battle. So he let his sword speak for him and their section of the battlefield soon rang with the sound of metal against metal as men that had once fought together now battled against each other.
Luke watched in horror as enemy soldiers swarmed toward Kevin’s position and without any thought of his own safety, he drew his sword and charged his steed to the aid of the other man.
“Luke!” Noah shouted in desperate exasperation at Luke’s recklessness and, without a moment of hesitation, drew his own blade and urged his charger after the blonde, sweeping his sword in wide arcs at any man that came close.
Lord Calderon had watched the events unfold intently. He could not begin to process how he felt about everything he had heard here today. But he was a great believer in actions speaking louder than words. He had seen firsthand the devastating effects of Aiden’s reign over the kingdom of California and from all accounts his cousin was no different, worse in fact. And from what he had seen of the young Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, Calderon had little doubt that they had strong hearts and held the courage of their convictions.
Now was not the time to investigate his feelings further as he saw in the confusion of the melee before him the opportunity to rid his borders of the threat of men such as the Grimaldis once and for all.
Looking around at the strength of the combined forces behind him, he knew there was little point in holding men in reserve; they would not survive the hour against such opposing numbers if they did not commit all of their soldiery now.
Calderon drew his sword and held it aloft. “To me, men! To me!” he commanded as he too spurred his steed toward the enemy position.
“No!” Luke yelled when he saw Davis being pulled from his horse by a mercenary as he drew near to the other man.
He pushed Stepper onward as close as he dared, using the horse’s bulk and swings of his sword to cut his way through.
“Luke!” Noah’s clear warning reached him across the distance between them and Luke turned in time to witness Aiden bearing down on him, his sword held ready to strike and a look of intense hatred etched across his bearded countenance.
Noah spurred his horse in an attempt to reach Luke but found his way blocked at every turn as the gap between them was quickly engulfed by enemy soldiers. He thrust his sword repeatedly with increasing desperation, trying to break through to Luke.
Luke bought his sword around in an attempt to parry Aiden’s blow but the fierce strike sent a wave of pain radiating up his sword arm.
Again and again, Aiden wheeled his horse to strike incensed blow after blow.
Luke felt himself weakening under the onslaught until one well aimed thrust felled him from his saddle.
He groaned in pain as he landed awkwardly on his sword arm, spilling his sword from his grasp. He managed to scramble out of the horse’s stamping hoofs to avoid being trampled.
Aiden saw his opportunity and dismounted quickly. Raising his sword, he advanced threateningly toward Luke. “You will die here scrabbling around in the dirt like the filth that you are!”
Luke reached out and fumbled around him in an attempt to locate his sword, not daring to take his eyes off Aiden. His fingers closed around a small rock instead and he brought it close to his chest, hoping to defend himself at the moment when the other man would strike his final blow.
He readied himself as Aiden gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, preparing to deal the deathly strike.
At that moment, Aiden’s eyes widened in shock and a spurt of blood erupted from his lips as he looked down toward his own chest.
Following the man’s gaze, Luke’s mouth dropped open as he saw the tip of a bloodied sword protruding through the base of Aiden’s throat, just above the neckline of his chain mail armor.
With a gurgling final gasp, the man towering above Luke toppled forward, narrowly avoiding collapsing onto him, as the sword was pulled free.
Relief flooded over Luke as his savior was revealed and he nodded gratefully up at the older man. “Master Gant, I owe you my life!” He moved to grip the armorer’s forearm in gratitude.
But the man took a step back and looked at Luke with dull almost lifeless eyes. “I have avenged Jim’s death and honored my vow to protect your life. My service to the House of Snyder is complete,” he said in a hollow and empty tone and his whole attitude spoke of a man whose very belief in all things he held dear had been torn forcibly from him… he looked a man adrift in a world he did not comprehend.
Without another word, Matthews dropped his large hands to his sides, letting the heavy sword fall carelessly to the ground before turning and walking from the battlefield.
“Wait!” Luke called after the man as he felt his heart shatter. He had thought that if any man would have remained loyal, it would have been Master Gant… given that the man had fought so bravely with Noah at the encampment to keep Luke from capture.
What had he done? Who was he to think that he could put his feelings for Noah before his duty to his men?
He wanted to scramble to his feet and follow the older man from the battlefield to try and reason with him… to make him understand.
But now was not the time; he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Suddenly he felt hands on his shoulders, helping him to sit upright. “Fear not, my Lord. You still have supporters here.”
Luke could not believe his ears and he spun quickly around. “Casey! You live!” He gripped his serving boy’s forearms before pulling him into a fierce embrace.
Pulling back, he accepted the younger man’s assistance to get to his feet but held him at arm’s length… seemingly unable to release him just yet. He did not think he had ever been more grateful or relieved to see Casey.
He wanted to ask Hughes so many questions, most of all how he came to be here and how Luke had not observed him before.
But the questions died on his lips when he saw an enemy Knight approaching them.
Luke pulled Casey behind him and scanned the ground to locate his fallen sword.
Bending, he retrieved it just in time to parry the Knight’s thrust. He sidestepped and dealt the man a two-handed blow to the base of the neck with the hilt of his sword which sent him staggering forward. As the Knight fell, Luke finished him off with a well-timed strike to his side, sliding between the interlocking sections of chain mail.
Pulling his sword free, he looked about them and to his dismay he could no longer see either Kevin or Noah; both their previous positions having now been overrun by soldiers.
Luke was heartened to see that both Calderon’s and Bashir’s men had engaged the enemy in battle and there were pockets of fierce fighting all around them.
But, looking closer, he observed that some of his men were now fighting shoulder to shoulder alongside Grimaldi’s forces.
Before he had the opportunity to dwell darkly on the reasoning behind their change of hearts and minds, Luke observed a gap opening up in the sea of men before him.
“Noah!” he murmured in shock when he saw his lover and Damian Grimaldi slowly circling each other. Both men watched the other intently with their swords held ready in front of them.
Quickly, Luke reached for the fallen Knight’s sword and thrust it, hilt first, toward Hughes. “Here, take this. But stay hidden if you can.”
Luke turned back in time to see Grimaldi launch a series of fluid sword strikes, succeeding in driving Noah back again and again.
He saw the brunette valiantly try to parry the next blow and then sidestep to land an answering strike of his own.
But in Noah’s weakened state, he stumbled over the uneven ground.
Grimaldi saw his opening and lashed out with his right leg, sweeping Noah’s legs from under him and knocking the younger man onto his back.
“No!” Luke shouted as Grimaldi raised his sword high above him, ready to strike.
In an instant, Luke was sprinting toward the clearing on the battlefield, swiftly dispatching any enemy that came within striking distance.
As Damian sneered triumphantly at Luke, Noah attempted to swing his sword at him from his position on the ground but Grimaldi saw the movement at the last moment and aimed a kick at Noah’s sword arm, catching him full on the wrist and making him cry out in pain as the sword spilled from his grasp.
“You are no match for me, vermin!” he spat as he prepared to bring his blade down on Noah’s head.
“YOU. WILL. NOT. HURT. HIM. ANYMORE!” Luke screamed angrily as he reached Grimaldi. He punctuated each word with a vicious sword blow, putting all of his energy into each swing… making the older man parry and sidestep desperately to try counter.
All the things he had witnessed and lived through up until this moment manifested in a deep seated anger toward Damian Grimaldi and in a heart stopping fear of losing Noah.
He would not let that happen… he simply could not.
Luke took that anger and fear and channeled it into every lunge… he had never known such depth of emotion.
Noah lay resting on his elbows, panting as he tried to calm his breathing and recoup his ebbing strength. From this position, he watched Luke’s increasingly furious onslaught with a building sense of concern.
He had never seen Luke like this. This was not the compassionate Luke that he had come to know… with a lover’s tender touch and a dimpled smile. This was pure unadulterated rage and it was as if a red mist had descended over the soft green flecked hazel as Luke’s countenance twisted in anger.
He hardly recognized his Luke… his love. And that scared him.
Grimaldi’s stamina finally gave way as he submitted to Luke’s onslaught and he stumbled backward, hitting the ground hard.
“I will see to it that your vile and malicious evil is gone from this world!” Luke spat out harshly as he towered over the older man and struck the sword from his grasp.
As the sunlight glinted on Luke’s raised sword and highlighted the blonde tresses, Noah squinted up into the glare and it hit him like a well-aimed blow to the solar plexus that Luke was mirroring Grimaldi’s earlier stance.
It could have been Damian Grimaldi standing there with Luke at his feet.
Noah could not allow that to happen… not like this.
He struggled to his feet and approached Luke, softly calling out his name as the melee of the battlefield continued fiercely all around them. “Luke. Luke, look at me.”
Luke did not hear him at first… the words unable to reach him through his mask of anger and fear.
“Luke. Luke, do not do this. This is not who you are,” Noah murmured as he reached up to cover Luke’s hands with his own where they grasped the hilt of the sword with such intensity that his knuckles had turned white.
Luke blinked at the touch and turned his head to stare intently at Noah as if seeing his lover for the first time.
Pulling the sword from Luke’s hold with one hand, Noah wrapped the other around Luke’s waist and drew him gently back against his chest.
Noah felt the blonde shudder against him and heard him gasp as if the realization of what he had been about to do had just hit him with full force.
Keeping the sword pointed at Grimaldi, Noah spoke quietly into Luke’s ear as he held him close as his body continued to shake. “It is ended, Luke. It is finally over.”
Both men stood together, neither wanting to relinquish their close proximity, and watched in relief as a handful of Lord Calderon’s highly trained soldiers succeeded in breaking through into the clearing and hauled Damian Grimaldi to his feet in order to detain the disposed King.
Dare they believe that Noah’s words were true and that this was indeed the pivotal turning point of the battle and their journey was at an end…
Chapter 17
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