Black Moon Draw

The men erupt into cheers. I face them once more. The Shadow Knight's arms are crossed, and his boar's head is snarling. Assuming he lost the match, I start forward.

"Come on, squire," I say over my shoulder.

At once, every Knight and other man on the roof stops and turns. Their unfriendly looks range from resentment to suspicion to anger.

I stop at the wall of bristling men, not certain what's going on. Am I not allowed on the roof? Is LF going to write me a how-to manual of otherworldly protocol anytime soon?

One draws his sword, followed by three more.

"A reminder that you are all guests in my home," the Red Knight says calmly, stepping out in front of them.

"You were supposed to end this before dawn!" one snarls back.

"'Tis not dawn yet, is it?"

"How much did we pay you?" another growls.

Uh, oh. Looks like I walked into something I shouldn't have.

"Witch," the Shadow Knight's growl is one I'm not really thrilled to be on the receiving end of.

My squire is struggling to pull his sword free from his back without toppling over. Rolling my eyes, I take his shoulder to steady him. He won't be more than a speed bump if the men here try to attack us.

"Calm, brothers," the Red Knight is saying. "We have an understanding."

The Knights aren't convinced. "Let me have that thing," I whisper to the squire.

"No. 'Tis my duty -"

"You can barely hold it!"

Dismay crosses his features, followed by determination. "I will die defending the last great battle-witch. I cannot fail you again."

It's clear he's not going to give me the damn sword, and I have the magical prowess of a Smurf.

The Shadow Knight joins the Red Knight.

"As prophesized, I have claimed the last great battle-witch," he booms. "You called me here in a dishonorable attempt to kill her and bring an era of darkness upon the lands that are rightfully mine." Whipping off his cloak, he slowly draws his axe and a short sword the size the squire should be carrying.

"A thousand years ago your family ruled these lands, but they no longer do." It's the Desert Knight who speaks. I recognize the color of his tunic from my dream. "My ancestors defeated the Knight of Black Moon Draw, and I will do it again now."

The squire inches closer to me. I should've stayed downstairs. It doesn't take someone from this place to realize the two men are ready to come to blows.

"You would take on all nine of us, Shadow?" another Knight asks.