CHAPTER ONE

As I walk toward the practice field, I hear someone call my name.

"Who's there?" I ask expectantly.

I look over and see Gunther striding up to me. Sir Theodore wishes us to come to the meeting room. He said it was of the utmost importance.

"What is?" I question.

"I'm not sure, he wouldn't tell me."

Oh. Well, then it must be important, him needing us both to be there. As we get closer to the meeting room, I get nervous. What could be so important?

"Jane, Gunther, have a seat." says Sir Theodore.

We sit down on the very uncomfortable chairs and look at a map he shows us.

"What is that Sir Theodore?" I ask.

"It's a map of villages that were attacked yesterday. They were all within walking distance of each other. We expect it to be robbers, though it might be a rival kingdom. We want you and several other Knights to go and scope it out."

"And if we encounter robbers?" Gunther asks.

"Then do what you were trained for."

"Yes. Of course Sir."

Soon we are packed and ready to go. Pepper comes up to me with a bag of cinnamon rolls.

"For the trip, Petal." she says.

"Thank you Pepper"

Next comes Smithy, giving me advice about the horse I'll be riding. Yes that's right, Dragon isn't coming, and he's quite upset about that.

"Now, this horse can get a little scared so be careful."

"Will do Smithy."

Next comes Rake and Princess Lavina.

"Oh do be careful Jane. Promise you'll be careful?" Says the princess..

"I promise." I say.

"Be careful Jane, and remember to look for exotic plants" says Rake.

"Ok Rake."

Lastly comes Jester.

"Jane, promise me that you'll come back. I heard you might run into trouble and..." His bottom lip quivers a bit "... I just couldn't lose you. You're my best friend."

"Don't worry Jester, I'll be back. And with a story for a new ballad."

He smiles a bit at this.

Then Sir Theodore calls out "Jane, Gunther, come along, we need to get there before nightfall." As we leave, I think about all the promises I've made and how hard they'll be to keep.

Later that day, while crossing through the woods, I see something move. I convince myself it's a deer and move on. Then, I see it again. I call out "Sir Theodore! I see something moving!"

Gunther shouts "Oh, it's nothing. Probably just a deer. Get a grip Jane. What are you a scaredy cat?"

"Am not!" I reply.

"Are too!" He shouts.

"BOTH OF YOU SETTLE DOWN!" Shouts Sir Theodore.

Just then a knife flys straight toward me.