The Last Battle: Part 3, Draft 1

Yeesh, this took a while. This segment was supposed to be a lot shorter and the post was going to include the feast itself, but obviously that didn't happen. Still, there's some nice stuff in here and a better hint at Kata and Santok's relationship. I should probably mention that the fortress and Santok's castle in Apex 1 are the same thing. I decided this would make more sense in light of the fact that Keltaria is still very much in a defensive stance (to say the least). Plus, I remembered that where Santok is now shouldn't really be his home. Calling his current residence the fortress should make the distinction easier. I'll change the wording in Apex 1 when I decide to edit it.

As usual, comments welcome


The next few days were busy ones, which was exactly what Kata wanted. Waiting around the castle and counting the days until the sending of the knights would have been maddening. That was part of why there were so many events held in the days leading up to the sending ceremony. Chief among them were the initiation of the squires into knighthood and the great feast held the following night. The squires' initiation ceremony was an almost secretive affair, which was supposedly meant to scare younger squires about what they'd be going through. Cyra had repeatedly said that the real reason was to keep the squires from suffering any more anxiety than they already did as they prepared for knighthood, but the myth persisted. Everyone, however, was welcome at the feast. It was a chance for the newest knights to be accepted by the others, for the knights to have a celebration with their families before leaving, and for everyone to send the knights off with a big party before sending them off more ceremoniously later on.

Though she could have easily gained an invitation to the initiation ceremony, Kata was helping with the feast preparations this year. The fun of the feast seemed more in keeping with her mood than the solemn tone of the initiation. The castle's great hall needed cleaning after the long winter. Tables and decorations had to be put up inside and out. Torches needed to be arranged for outside, as the festivities always went long into the night. More food came into the kitchens that the cooks alone could possibly keep track of. Entertainers from around the kingdom required sleeping quarters. And citizens of the capitol who were volunteering to help needed to be organized.

It was always a lot of work, but Kata had never enjoyed it as much before. She couldn't remember being this excited since her own days as a squire about to become a knight. Just strolling around the castle and counting the days would have been unbearable. Checking the stability of a torch or trying to figure out where 50 bags of flour had disappeared to gave her something immediate to focus on. There were some knights who felt that work like this was beneath them. Kata had never really felt this way and now she was extremely grateful for all the near chaos of preparations.

Still, there were the nights. When the sun had long gone down and the supervisors insisted that she get some sleep, Kata reluctantly returned to the knights' quarters for her nightly battle with wakefulness. The day's work might have seemed tiring, but her training as a knight had prepared her for much worse. One of Kata's teachers when she had been a squire had advised his pupils to take sleep where they could find it, as they'd never know when they'd be able to rest again. Kata was a good student, but this was one skill she had never mastered. Kata would lie awake for long hours, unable to quiet her excited mind. Rationally, she knew that sleep would bring the next day faster, but her giddy joy would not obey. It only grew worse as the day of the initiation and great feast grew nearer and Kata was becoming worried that when the sending came at last, she'd be too exhausted to leave.

The night before the feast finally came and Kata was sure she wouldn't sleep for a moment. She tried her hardest to relax her mind with controlled breathing and soothing thoughts. But still, her thoughts wandered. They pulled forth memories of her past visits to Santok, lingering over every detail of the ride out to the borders, the towering rough stone fortress, and Santok himself. It was maddening. Again, Kata though of her last night as a squire. Was this worse? No, this was joyful anticipation, no matter how maddening it was. The squires had excitement mixed with worry. Some had no idea what really awaited them in the morning. Some feared they weren't ready for the responsibilities of knighthood. Still others feared they had made a mistake and that knighthood wasn't what they wanted at all. Kata could remember that creeping nervousness and her sincere wish that she could somehow skip right to the great feast. What had she done that night to calm her fears?

Kata got out of bed, quietly so she wouldn't wake anyone else. She threw on enough clothes to be presentable and snuck out the side door of the knights' quarters. The guards on night watch nodded as she passed them and headed out to the stables. The stable guards were equally uninterested in why she was there. Kata hurried along to Tally's stall.

Tally gave a welcoming snort as Kata opened his stall. He had been with her since her last year as a squire and Kata had known no better horse. She patted him as an apology for getting him up so late, though he didn't seem soothed until she offered him a carrot. She got his tack on him as quickly as possible. Kata jumped into Tally's saddle, took hold of the reins and they were ready. Tally easily found his way out of the stables without guidance. Once they were outside, Kata steered him to the back of the castle. Once they passed the fencing grounds and the archery field, there was nothing but wide open space. Kata gave Tally three clicks of her tongue and a pat on the neck. Neighing happily, he broke into a full gallop.

On that final night in the squire's barracks, Kata had done much the same, though being a squire had required more sneaking around. Tally didn't know her as well then and had needed more urging to get up to full speed and more steering once her reached it. Now, with a horse she could trust completely and without the fear of being caught up after hours, a fast ride by moonlight was an even better way for Kata to clear her head. The cool air of the spring night flew by as she and Tally raced along. The castle grew slowly smaller, though it was too big and towering to escape completely. It was as if all the nervousness and unsettling anticipation Kata had felt was left far behind, unable to keep up with her swift footed steed.

Kata took a deep breath as the wind rushed into her face. She remembered the last time she had gone on a night ride like this. Of course, it had been with Santok, but the memory was only good now. She wasn't trying to sleep so thinking so Santok couldn't keep her from it. She had told him in the late afternoon how she loved riding at night, how calming and freeing it felt. Santok had never tried it. He never rode for pleasure at all, night or day. So she convinced him to try it with her that night. They rode through the woods at an easy pace, she on Tally and he on his enormous charger Granak, searching for an open field. Almost as soon as they found it, Tally was off, knowing Kata well enough to guess what she had in mind. At first Kata thought that Santok wasn't going to try it, that he'd just stay where he was and watch her. But then he was at her side. It took a while for both him and Granak to get comfortable with just going as fast as possible to no destination. But before long, he had begun to enjoy himself. He would turn sharply or bolt out towards distant hills, daring Kata to follow him. They raced each other, with no course, finish, or determining of the winner in mind. At last, the horses began to slow and Kata and Santok decided to let them rest. Santok led them to a small quiet lake where they dismounted. The horses were free to drink and graze while Santok and Kata laughed from exhilaration as they caught their breath. They stayed at the lake for a long time, not reaching the fortress again until just before dawn.

Almost as soon as she though that she should head back, Tally was turning back towards the stables. He slowed his pace and they reached the stables at an easy trot. Kata got him back to his stall and out of his gear. She rubbed him down, gave him a last pat, and left the stables. Soon she was back in bed. Sleep came easily now, even as she thought of taking Santok out riding again.