The Forest Knights Box Set by Swift J. K

Author:Swift, J. K.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Anthology
Publisher: UE Publishing Co.
Published: 2016-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

DUKE LEOPOLD RODE at the front of a squad of fifty soldiers. Klaus, his ever-present man-at-arms, was at his side. The gray-haired veteran’s hooded eyes swept back and forth on the road ahead, like a wary bird of prey waiting for a field mouse to break cover.

The only sign of movement came when a cold wind pushed its way through the trees and breathed life into a scattering of dead leaves, whipping them into a frenzy. They rose a foot into the air and hovered there for a moment. Then they began to turn in a circle, slowly at first. As the momentum built, they rose higher off the road and formed a column of spinning gold and tawny debris. The whirlwind floated back and forth across the road, in an erratic pattern that resembled a drunkard stumbling between taverns.

“Look!”

Leopold cringed as the sound of the Habsburg Fool’s voice came from somewhere behind him. Much too close.

“The carpenter’s fart!”

The little, purple-haired man sat sideways on a shaggy Norse pony. The Fool’s face was split down the middle with white and black paint, a design his clothing also followed. Every now and then, when his pony stumbled, the Fool’s pointed shoes tinkled with the sound of bells.

The Fool pointed at the twirling leaves. The soldiers nearest him laughed for everyone knew the story of the carpenter who had traded his soul to the Devil in exchange for two wishes. In a remarkable feat of balance and agility, the Fool stood on his saddle and acted out the entire story while standing on his moving pony’s back.

“For the first, he asked for riches,” he said in his best stage voice. It carried easily to the last soldier in line. “And the Devil made appear a kettle of gold coins! Far more than any man could spend in a lifetime. But the crafty carpenter paused before he made his second wish, knowing full well the Devil would own his soul once it was granted. ‘Make your second wish,’ the Devil demanded.”

The Fool lifted his leg, screwed up his face, and farted; a necessary skill for any respectable court jester.

“My wish is for you to catch that and return it to me,” he said, then he pointed at the spinning leaves. “And there goes the Devil now! Chasing the ever elusive carpenter’s fart.”

Most of the soldiers laughed, and more than a few crossed themselves when the Fool pointed out the Devil in their path. The Fool bowed in all directions, and then feigned to lose his balance. He fell split-legged onto his saddle, his eyes rolled up into his head, and he doubled over in mock pain.

That was enough for Leopold.

“I think the men at the end of the line have not had their fair share of you this trip. Go ride with them. If I see your painted face again, or hear your voice, I will have the men eat your pony and you can walk back to Habsburg.”

The Fool clamped one hand over his mouth and covered his eyes with the crook of his other arm.

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