Black Moon Draw

"Is something in this?" I ask, setting the goblet down and staring at it.

"'Tis strong wine." He sets his down as well. "I know you have some magic. I saw it."

"I do. I guess it's not what it's supposed to be. Maybe because I'm not a damn witch to start off with!"

"You are." His calm, firm assurance makes my brows furrow. "There is a legend about Black Moon Draw, that if the last great battle-witch fell into the hands of the Shadow Knight ruling the dark kingdom, he would know victory over all. Reclaim the lands of his ancestors, break the family curse, and all war would end for an era."

"That doesn't sound so bad," I say, thinking about the horrible battle I witnessed yesterday. I wish I knew more about the curse; it seems like everyone has his or her own understanding of it.

"If you are a knight of this world, it does," the Red Knight says dryly. "No one wants to lose his kingdom."

"Ah. Makes sense." I'm starting to understand a little more about what's going on in this world. "What happens if he fails?"

"The eternal fog of Black Moon Draw consumes all."

I stare at him blankly for a moment. "So you do know what happens. And you'd rather have that happen than be ruled by someone like him?"

"That is the position of many of the Knights. They want to kill him in order to stop him and his curse from spreading. 'Tis just a legend after all. No one knows if it is true. They are wagering 'tis not. He is the last Shadow Knight with no son to succeed him. If he is gone, many believe the curse will be gone with him."

I listen, soaking up the information. It's not what I expected to hear. The Shadow Knight is sounding more like an underdog, someone who needs more support than I thought. Hearing about the alternative - that his death might also stop this - leaves me a little more interested in his welfare than I am ready to admit. I can't escape the image of him saving my life and those of his men in battle or the instinct that there is more to him than I'm willing to consider right now. I don't want there to be some part of this place that makes me want to stay, no matter how my hormones respond to seeing him.

It's getting harder to concentrate. I shake my head.

"The best way to kill him is to first eliminate his battle-witch," the Red Knight continues, drinking more wine.