Maverick couldn’t see the castle as they approached because he couldn’t see past the armored man’s back. And he was too busy hanging on for dear life. And thinking about how much his butt hurt.

But soon he was riding through the great gates of an enormous stone wall. The leader slowed his horse to a trot and Maverick could finally look around him.

And he was amazed by what he saw.

Beautiful, colorful stone houses were lined up in neat rows of seven. Every house had a garden on its roof and an overflowing garden in its lawn, contained by black-steel fences. The street was paved with white marble and a deep-black stone and was wide enough for a semi-truck to drive through. White birds flew everywhere, as did colorful paper lanterns. Atop the walls, Maverick could see animals he never thought he’d see…griffins! There were hundreds of them, one every few feet watching over the city and castle.

They rode on down the street and Maverick could see the city was laid out in a circle and they were heading towards its center. He looked towards the center and saw an incredible sight…the biggest castle he had ever seen! He had seen castles before—in Japan, Italy, Germany—but never one like this. As they rode closer, he was able to take in the details.

There were five golden spires running up to the clouds—one on each corner and one on a large dome in the center. Above the massive iron doors was a stained-glass window showing a white knight slaying a terrifying red dragon.

As they got even closer, Maverick could see each large stone was engraved with different scenes like the pictures of a book.

“What are the pictures on the stones?” he asked the black knight.

The black knight smiled and took on a tone like Maverick’s father when he was about to teach him something. “Each stone depicts an important event in the history of Caladir. From the earliest days before magic was introduced to the land, to King Volaris slaying the Great Red Dragon. The stones near the top await future great deeds.”

“I’ve never seen a place like this before,” Maverick said, his amazement oozing from his face and voice. “Wait, did you say there’s magic here?”

“Of course there’s magic here. Does your land not have magic?”

“No, of course not. What kind of magic? I’ve never seen any.”

The black knight looked amazed. “Ye have never seen any? Not even the knife trick?”

“No, sir.”

“Watch this then.” He put his hand out in front of him and four knives appeared from thin air. He flicked his wrist and the knives shot away from him and stuck into a nearby wooden post.

“That was incredible!” Maverick couldn’t contain himself. “Can you teach me?”

“If ye have never even seen magic before, ye will have a hard time learning it. Yet keep your head focused on the present, for ye will soon see the king.”

Maverick tried to do as he was told. He thought about what he would say to the king. He had no idea. All he could think about now was getting off the horse.

He soon got his wish. They rode up to the front of the castle, the doors opened, and then rode inside. Once in, the black knight told him to get down. When he did, the others did the same.

Maverick’s legs felt numb, and it was weird to walk.

As he was getting used to walking again, the black knight said, “We have had this great journey to Vala together and I don’t know your name. I am Sir Percivale the Black Knight. Yes, my companions wear black also, but I am the Black Knight.” He followed his last statement with a wink.

“I’m Maverick,” was all he could say. He didn’t know what was wrong with him.

Stolen novel; please report.

One of the companions, the one who had yelled at him when they first met to listen to his elders, said, “I am Sir Baderic of the Silver Shield.”

The other two chimed in. “I am Sir Casimir of the Misty Sea,” said one, “And I am Sir Rurik the Spinefall Wielder,” said the other.

“How do I get a name like that?” Maverick wanted a name like theirs more than anything at that moment.

They all laughed, and Sir Baderic said, “You have to do something great first, boy. Or be born of magic like Casimir here.” Sir Casimir just waved his hand as if to shoo Sir Baderic away.

“Born of magic?” Maverick didn’t understand.

“You’ll learn more later,” Sir Percivale cut in. “Casimir, Baderic, Rurik…you know what to do.”

They left Sir Percivale’s and Maverick’s side, going down a different passageway. Maverick and Percivale kept walking along a great stone corridor with different colored banners hanging from the ceiling.

“Where are they going, sir?”

“Don’t worry about that now. Just stay by my side through whatever happens.” Sir Percivale’s attitude had changed a lot in the last few minutes.

They kept walking in silence. Maverick was afraid of the answers if he kept asking questions.

They came to the end of the hall and stood in front of two great golden doors with large, rearing horses on each one. Sir Percivale pushed the doors open and entered with Maverick close behind.

Maverick couldn’t believe what he saw. There were large wooden tables throughout that reminded him of picnic tables. There were maybe thirty people sitting at them. Green and black banners hung from every wall with a knight slaying a dragon embroidered on it. Golden pillars rose up to the ceiling and on the ceiling was an amazing mural of two great armies clashing in an open field. On the opposite side of the room was a black throne with the skull of a troll atop each side. In the chair sat a a large man in golden robes with a large broadsword at his side.

Upon recognizing Sir Percivale, the man on the throne stood up and greeted him with a friendly hug and laughter.

“My king,” Percivale said pointing at Maverick. “I found this lad wandering on the road here. He claims to be from a land called America and said he’s sure he’ll be friendly to you.”

The king looked past Sir Percivale at Maverick, then looked him up and down. “You’re a strapping young lad, aren’t you? Much bigger than the lads of our lands. What do they feed you in your land?”

Maverick answered shyly. “My dad says the government puts poisons in our food to keep us sick so we keep going to the hospitals to keep them in business and so we’ll die early, and they won’t have to pay us social security…so he grows his own food for us.”

The king laughed. “Your world sounds complex, and I do not doubt your father. If you would, please dine at my side tonight along with Sir Percivale. It would bring me honor and you can tell me more of your land America.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Percivale,” the king said, turning his attention back to the Black Knight. “Is it only you that has come to see me? What of the Companions—Sirs Casimir, Rurik, and Baderic?”

“They will join later my king. I had to send them on an errand.” Maverick thought he saw a fleeting stoney look on Sir Percivale’s face when he said this.

“Ah, very well. I have missed your company, Percy. Come sit next to me and wisen my old head with tales of the land.”

Sir Percivale did as the king asked and Maverick sat next to him listening to the stories. An hour or so passed before a trumpet blast in the outer halls announced dinner. Men dressed in strange clothes entered carrying covered dishes and set them on the tables. They left and came back with more then stood in the corners with drink pitchers.

The king stood up from his throne and walked to the table with Sir Percivale and Maverick following. Sir Percivale sat on the king’s right and Maverick on his left.

Then, before the king could react, Sirs Baderic and Rurik appeared behind his chair with drawn knives and stabbed his hands to the chair’s armrests. The king yelled out in pain and Maverick scrambled backwards, falling to the floor scared, as he had never been scared before. He looked up at the balcony and saw Sir Casimir there with his bow and arrows ready to quell any disturbance. Sir Percivale stood up and shoved a black cloth into the king’s mouth to quiet him then began to speak.

“This man was proclaimed our king years ago after he brought back the head of the great dragon Scaldris and told us the others were destroyed. I and my Companions have just returned from Anemis to tell you of his lies. The great dragon still lives and so does its family. King Volaris has used evil magic to deceive the people of this land and claim the power for himself. I am here to tell you no more. No more will we live under lies. Our greatest code has been broken—the only code the Great Fathers made us live by—Honor. Honor above all. Help those in need and destroy those who would prey on the weak.”

With that, Sir Percivale unsheathed his sword and ended the king’s life in his dinner seat.

“The evil has been destroyed,” he continued. “Chaos will follow, or it will not…it is up to you. Know that I hold the boy of prophesy in my possession. Rest, and in the morning, we will ride for the Anemis lands and kill the great dragon Scaldris.”

The noble men and women rose from the table with much murmur and soon left. The king’s guards, hearing Sir Percivale’s speech and knowing his character, did not raise their weapons to him and his Companions. Instead, they withdrew with the others, leaving Sirs Percivale, Casimir, Rurik, Baderic—and Maverick—by themselves in the Great Hall.