The Kininiky Knights: Alanna's Choice

Alanna gazed at Lord Plenkenhow, her purple eyes met his fierce brown ones. He watched her carefully, she felt like his gaze was drilling through her. He blinked slowly, suggesting silently. She was confused. Did she really want to share her bed with this man? He was handsome, true but surely he was not who she loved. She lowered her gaze and shook her head, thoughts pounding through her brain. As she went for the door Lord Plenkenhow reached for her. She turned.

"No, Lord. I cannot. I love another. Don't touch my ass."

As she turned towards the door she could feel his green eyes staring at her back.

No, she though. As she hurried down the corridor- seeing through the arches that it was almost sunset. She was now a Mage but still had many duties. She still had to groom Hanky Panky, her chestnut stallion and wash the floor in nothing but her underwear for the groom boy, Thomas.

As she made her way to the stable Lord Kyywomc stepped into her path. As she was looking down she bumped into him, but did not draw back.

Why not have a second choice- just in case my one true love dies?

He looked into her azure eyes and looked down a little.

"The lord Fredloombaloomba wishes to see you in one hour." He murmured, still looking to low to catch her fierce green eyes.
"Yes, lord Kyywomc. I mean, yes Sir, I mean…" He smiled at her and headed towards the astronomy tower.

As she was brushing Hanky Panky she thought.

My life, now that I am a mage at the Castle Kalamunda Rocks, is becoming increasingly boring. Sure, there are a couple of cute guys and the odd war but I'm missing the duels and danger of the old life.

If I had a choice I would travel. I would go to the Dueling arena, and try to find who I am destined to kill. I need a new arch-enemy.

After she had seen to Hanky Panky and fed Faithfullup, her dog she made her way towards Lord Fredloombaloomba's tower. By far the most elegant of the castle, it was a lovely shade of puce and hade nice DIY window and landscaping (it, unlike most tower had a garden. It didn't quite make sense, but nor did her love life. So there you go.)

She made her way up the staircase.

"I am here to see Lord Fredloombaloomba" she said to the butler, flicking her long, red hair over her shoulder.

"He is in his bedroom, should I call him to the dining room?"

"No, no. I shall see him there. Thank you."

As she opened the door, she saw him sitting opposite the door. He was on a large chair, with the words 'Freddy rox" carved into it. As soon as her saw her he turned and said;

"Leave. Now" to the servants standing around him. She stepped forwards to the muscley man. He was standing by the window. From this height she could see the sun setting and the various rooms lit. Even further she could see the Swank Mountains, tipped in snow.

"My lord, you sent for me." He came close to her.

"Alanna. I have a problem. The band of renegade knights, the Kininiky Knights are free in my kingdom. Usually I would send my army, but this is a Stylus story so I won't. I am going to send you with one person of your choice and you may take one horse from the stables. Bring them to me."

He stopped and looked into her grey eyes. She closed her eyes.

"I shall do whatever the lord commands me." For all her formalities she was brimming over with excitement.

She stopped thinking along this line of thoughts when her stooped to kiss her neck. He pressed himself closer and embraced her.

CENSORED
CENSORED
CENSORED

When she was back in her room she immediately began to ready her saddlebags. When she was done she began to change. Halfway through, Lord Kyywomc walked in.

How does he always manage it halfway? She thought.

Usually on Tuesdays it's Lord Plenkenhow followed by Thomas. Ah well. It's good to be… flexible.

"I heard you were sent on a quest. The Kininiky Knights."

"Yes" she said. She smoothed back her red hair and continued to talk, ignoring the facts that she was half naked. Lord Kyywomc did not.

"I will leave tomorrow."

"They are too dangerous. Surely you will reconsider. Alanna. I lost you the first time. I cannot let go again (he is referring to the last time she met and then left him after a steamy night. Then he got news that she was dead and was generally heart broken)

"I know that love, but this is for the greater good." She continued to pack, taking out her bow and testing the string with some steel tipped arrows. She was still ignoring the facts that she s half dressed, and continued to flex the bow sideways until he got the gist. She walked across the room. She took him and lay him down and embraced upon the bed.

CENOSRED

CENSORED

CENSORED

She left the next morning, taking the white mare Berkeley. She also took Kstyztyt, her raven. They left before dawn, leaving Lord Kyywomc asleep in her bed. As they made their way down the path out of the village Alanna threw a cloak over herself and Kstyztyt settled on her shoulder. The cloak was a token presented to her by the Rot Elves she had helped by burning down a small mushroom that stood in their way; it was made of Dappenar Silk and shimmered in the cold morning. As she left she did not notice a pair of eyes staring at the figure on a white horse. Lord Fredloombaloomba watched as she left his life and broke his heart.

After a day of traveling she came to a small village called Small Unimportant Village. It was a cozy town, except for the fact that it was burning and being attacked by trolls of some sort. Alanna leapt off Berkeley and landed silently. Kstyztyt, who was sitting on Berkley's head, swooped carefully onto her shoulder as she reached for her knives, her thin sword, elaborately inlaid with Find Ore (which was veeeerrry hard to come by so it was worth a lot) and her trusty bow. She changed quickly into her combat cape, and dress that was incredibly skimpy. She finally pulled her red hair into a messy bun, and carefully pulled out streaks to go beside her face. She strung her bow and pulled on her stealth shoes. They were a simple sole connected to only fabric covering her feet. They made her almost silent as she crept towards the village, which was pretty much ashes by that time.

The Trolls had gathered everyone into a group and were eating them one by one.

With a few quick movements she created a ring of fire around one for a distraction. She crept up behind one and leapt onto its back. It was a shaggy, furry beast. Eight foot high and sporting large tusks and horns, they don't fit into the friendliest of groups. She flicked her untied hair over her shoulder and steadied her self. The arrow was out of the quiver and ready. She aimed one at the base of its neck. She pulled back carefully and let go. The troll dropped to the ground and roared. Instantly she was one her feet with an arrow on the string. She shot two at one troll lumbering towards her and another at one who was trying to eat some random person. As she shot the arrows she said the words of fire and the tips of the arrows leapt into flame finishing off the final trolls.

I hope my hair's still in place. She thought distractedly as she straightened out of the leopard like stance. She looked around at the grit stained villagers.

Out of the smoke stepped a thin figure. Alanna could not make it out properly. It seemed mainly human and she aimed her bow at it, just in case. Her bow leapt out of her hands and fell into the dirt. Frowning she reached for it but it clattered further away. She drew her throwing knives and hurled them at the figure, still partially screened by the rising smoke. They clattered off.

All right. She thought. She threw off her cape, revealing mostly leather. There was not much of it, whatever the outfit was, if you know what I mean. She stood defiant, her sword raised.

I wish I'd brought my amour. That would have come in handy.

It stepped into the light. She gasped. It had fur on its face and murderous claws erupting from its figure. The fur was mainly black but had curios red stripes and a red Mohawk. It stepped forwards. It looked kind of humanoid. She frowned. It smiled. Her Brown eyes met his and scowled.

From the most southern reaches of the land beautiful women had been summoned to the great Castle the Pentagon. They came in cartfuls, not knowing for what they had been summoned. There were hundreds of them; it seemed to the guards of Pentagon Castly. They weren't complaining.

One young girl there, the youngest as it happened was sitting by the window, combing her cropped black hair. She would have been very beautiful, if it were not for her hacked hair. She stared over the land, as she was (of course) in the highest room of the tallest tower. It was swaying slightly, but Ice-cream (for that was her name) didn't care. It gave her the feeling she was back at sea. To her left the Swanky Mountains were stretching out, going far behind her. The wind from them was very cold and she could see the Great Eagles rising. Ice-cream felt sorry for herself, and wished to be back on the ship. She was the first mate of the

StarShark and missed it dearly.

Trumpets usually would have made an impressive "parumparaaaah!" sound, but all she heard from this height was a kind of strangled "pleeeuurrrp". She made her way down, stopped by three young lads who wanted a bit of private time. She sent each of them on their way with a quick punch combination. Behind her heels followed a goat, called Touchme. He was a cranky, black goat and was as nimble on her feet as Ice-cream, the girl. They finally reached the bottom. Out on the terrace above the courtyard they saw the procession. It was the King, astride his palanquin. He was back from some crusade or other. Ice-cream closed her grey-blue eyes and opened them again. She could not believe what she saw. He was so… beautiful. She fell in love with him instantly. After the procession passed she sat down on the stairs and took comfort in Touchme's soft brown coat. Having never seen her own face (aboard a ship there were no mirrors) she did not know herself to be immaculately beautiful. She though herself ugly and crude. She was inconsolable. She had fallen in love with the one man who she could never reach. Yet apart from that it seemed perfect. He knew no magic, she could talk to animals. He was dumb, she was intelligent. He was handsome as the sun, but she was as beautiful as the moon. Touchme bleated and reminded her mistress that it was time to head back up to her room. It was almost sunset and tomorrow the women would find out why they had been summoned.

She fell into her bed, fully clothed and thinking unprintable thoughts about her love. Into the room stepped the guard. He smiled at her but she thought-

He is not the King. But he'll do juuust fine in the mean time.

He came towards the bed and she sat up, her dress accidentally falling partly off.

CENSORED

The next day the girls were summoned out into the courtyard. They stood in regular lines, military style. The stood skimpily clad and curios as the emperor walked between the rows of females. Finally he pointed to a girl. She was lifted by guards onto a platform. He walked further and pointed to another. She too was to be taken.

He's coming closer!

He was, indeed coming closer. She stood silently, fighting the instinct to giggle.

He looked at her long and hard, considering the black goat standing behind her.

He pointed to her and moved on. Fighting the joys inside her she and Touchme were lifted onto the stand. After an hour about seven girls were lined up. The Emperor motioned to the rest of the girls to go home. They left, whining and groaning. The platform Ice-cream and Touchme were standing on whirred and clicked and moved back into the massive tower that the King stayed in. The doors shut behind them and thousands of flaming brands and torches lit the room. He smiled.

"You girls are very lucky. I chose you on the basis of looks. Therefore you should be unnaturally good fighters and be able to do whatever I tell you to. I would like to ask you to join the Guild of... The Kininiky Knights!"

Ice-Cream gasped. She looked at her adored one, unable to speak. She was being asked to join the army of mercenaries under the king's service? She was filled with joy. She had practiced combat on the ship and had never thought it would impress him, who was good at fighting. Outwardly she simply smiled.

END OF PART ONE