Lucifer returned to castle an hour later. As he entered the castle doors, Cadfer appeared at his side. Lucifer was in no mood to talk, so Lucifer grabbed Cadfer's shoulders, sat him down on a nearby bench, took the helmet from a suit of armor and forced it on Cadfer's head, flinging the visor shut. Cadfer sat there, dumbfounded by what Lucifer had just done. He removed the helmet and replaced it. What has Lucifer so upset? Cadfer wondered. He decided to follow Lucifer, knowing that he only had a few nerves left to jump on. Cadfer followed Lucifer around a corner and collided with Rolf, the head chef. Plates and goblets loaded with food and drink crashed to the floor. The cacophony mingled with Rolf screams of rage and Cadfer retreated as Rolf grabbed a wooden spoon and wielded it like a sword. Lucifer peered around the armor he'd hidden behind and chuckled, that had worked better than he'd hoped. Lucifer was on his way to his chambers when he passed the throne room. Lucifer stopped and stared at the double oak doors. He opened one door and peeked around it. Kathryn hadn't noticed his entrance and was pouring over what looked like laws. Cadwallader was also in the room. He looked like he was about to fall asleep, but Lucifer noticed that his head was inclined in an attempt to look down Kathryn's shirt. Lucifer thought hard for something to say and remembered the feast. He cleared his throat and entered the room. Kathryn didn't even look up, but said, "What is it Lucifer?"
"Umm…I was just wondering if you'd go to the…uh…feast with me?"
"No." Kathryn said sternly, still not looking up from her paper.
"Oh why not, my dear?" Cadwallader said sleepily.
"I already have a date." Kathryn said reluctantly.
"You do!" Cadwallader and Lucifer said simultaneously.
"Yep." Kathryn sighed.
"You must tell me who." Cadwallader said wide-awake now.
"I want it to be a…ah, a surprise." Kathryn said.
"You just don't want to say the name so I won't be able to kill him." Lucifer said, grumpily.
"Well there's that too," Kathryn said, "Now if that's all you wanted to say, please leave us."
Lucifer bowed and turned on his heel. What was I thinking? I have a job to do; I can't go around flirting right now. As Lucifer reached the door, he heard Cadwallader call after him. Lucifer looked back, "Yes sir?"
"I know this beautiful, young girl who is free that night."
"No thank you, sir." Lucifer bowed again and backed out of the room.
The days before the feast seemed to last forever to Lucifer. He kept brooding over what he was going to do and Cadfer's never ending challenges only made the days longer for Lucifer. Finally, the day of the feast arrived and Lucifer set out to put his plan into action. He made it to the kitchens without incident and pulled out the vial when Cadfer came in, "Hey Lucifer-oh no, don't tell me you helped with the cooking! I could understand talking to your horse but cooking! This is a new low." Cadfer took delight in the look on Lucifer's face.
Lucifer quickly hid the vial of poison behind his back, "N-no I'm merely…uh…trying to get a sneak peek," as he said this, he lifted the pot lid and put the poison in.
"Hey, what's that you're adding? I'm not sure I'd trust one of your concoctions." Cadfer was enjoying himself to no end; it was as if Christmas had come early.
"N-nothing. Just some…uh…water! Yeah, water. The s-soup was too thick s-so I thought I should add some w-water." Lucifer was starting to sweat and get irritated with Cadfer.
"Hmmm, okay. I'll have to try some of your famous watered-down soup," Cadfer said.
Yeah you do deserve some of this soup for all the trouble you're giving me. Lucifer thought.
With that, Cadfer left and Lucifer's legs gave out. He gave a great sigh of relief, "Oh, I hope this doesn't come back to haunt me."
"What are you doing here? Get out!" Rolf screamed.
The feast was held in the castle's great hall. No one recognized it because it was decorated so nicely. There were giant, golden banners with Cadwallader's coat of arms on them. Cadwallader had even used Nagnarok to light the room; it was suspended above the floor by a chain and was emitting brilliant, multicolored light. Cadwallader had surrounded himself with food and young, beautiful women. Lucifer was glad Cadwallader was enjoying his final hours. Cadfer had fetched Kathryn from her chambers and had never beheld such a vision of beauty. Kathryn had decided that the dress was too light so underneath, she wore a black negligee. She had let her fiery, red hair down and had a gem-encrusted veil over her head and hair. Cadfer tried not to stare for fear of being blinded by her radiance, "Shall we go Lady Goddess?"
"Please don't flatter me, Cadfer," she said with a simper. Did I just giggle for Cadfer? What is wrong with me?
When they arrived, the feast was in full swing. Everybody was laughing and drinking, just what Cadfer wanted, "I'll get us some mead," Cadfer had a plan of his own to initiate.
Lucifer had stolen the soup from the kitchen and after pouring the king's portion, disposed of the rest. He moved quickly towards Cadwallader, bowl of soup in hand, "King Cadwallader, I took it upon myself to make you some soup. I'd be honored if you tried some."
King Cadwallader was rather drunk so he took it without question, "Th-th-thank you, Percival! I'd be glad to let you date-no no no-wed my daughter," he pushed forward an equally drunk girl from his little harem.
Lucifer caught her before she tripped over her feet and said, "Thank you your majesty. By the way, how did you get Nagnarok way up there?"
"Nagorock? Nagayrok? What the hell is a Nagagork?" King Cadwallader slurred.
"The shiny, pointy thing up there," Lucifer pointed at Nagnarok.
"Oh, the sword. Well you see…" now that the king was distracted, Lucifer slipped a piece of paper in king's waistcoat pocket. The paper was blank, but it had been one of the creature's instructions.
"Sire," Lucifer interrupted the king, "I'd love to hear more but your daughter is craving my bed," Lucifer said with a wink.
"What daughter? I have no daughter! Just take your whore and do with her what you see fit Lucifer," Cadwallader said.
"Before I do, could you taste my soup?"
"Your wha-oh yes, sure thing," with that King Cadwallader drank the entire bowl of soup in one gulp, "now get out of here you two sex fiends."
As soon as Lucifer could no longer see Cadwallader, Lucifer shoved the drunken girl into the crowd; he wanted to be alone. Cadfer; however, had other plans, "Hey Lucy, look at the angel that just fell from heaven," Cadfer was quite drunk and when Lucifer looked where he was pointing, a bizarre scene met his eyes. Kathryn was standing on top of a table in a black negligee spinning something red over her head and drinking horn after horn of mead.
"Who is Kathryn here with?" Lucifer asked Cadfer.
"Just the most awesome knight in all of Avalon." Cadfer said with a smirk.
"What? She's here with me?" Lucifer said with a smirk.
"You wish." Cadfer said smugly." She's here with me!"
So this is why Kathryn didn't want to give up the name of her date. "How did you get her to go out with you?" Lucifer shouted
"Yeah, like I'll tell you how I got her a silk dress to impress her. How drunk do I look?"
"I always did like you more when you were drunk."
Suddenly Kathryn was standing next to them, "Y-you boys feeling lucky tonight?" Kathryn could barely stand she was so drunk.
"Hell yeah I am!" Cadfer said.
Lucifer was fairly tempted by the offer but his guilt was getting to him, "Cadfer, look at how drunk she is. This won't be the real her."
At the sound of his words, Kathryn loosened her negligee and exposed her breasts to the men.
"I know," Cadfer said, staring at Kathryn's chest.
"So are you boys coming to my room or not?" Kathryn asked.
"You go Cadfer, I'm not in the mood tonight," Lucifer couldn't believe what he'd just said but his mind was still brooding on the dark deed he'd just done.
"Awwww…I was looking forward to having both of you," Kathryn pouted.
"Don't patronize him. He's a grown man…who's IMPUDENT!" Cadfer shouted.
"You know what? How about I just kill Cadfer and I keep you for myself?" Lucifer said.
"I'd like that."
"Hazaa! We shall duel for Kathryn's virginity! Off to the training field!" Cadfer ran for the door.
"I hope you win. Here, take this for good luck." Kathryn drew Lucifer in for a kiss.
"It'd mean more if you were sober, Kathryn." Lucifer said, knowing she didn't mean a word she said.
"I am sober, Lucifer!" Kathryn hiccupped, re-tying her negligee and tripping over her own feet.
When Lucifer found Cadfer, he was in a drunken sleep under his favorite oak tree. Lucifer saw a bloody lump on his head so Lucifer guessed that he'd tripped and smacked his head on the tree. Then he heard Rhyswynd yelling Unhand me at once you mongrel. Lucifer, I know you can hear me, THE CASTLE IS BEING RAIDED!
Lucifer looked back to Cadfer and then at the tree. He drew Rhydderch and set it ablaze and just where Lucifer expected, there was a Saxon raider with a mace. He was stunned by the sight of the fiery blade and didn't react when Lucifer ran him through. Lucifer quickly hid Cadfer and went to warn the feasters, "Hey, we're being raided by Saxons!" at first Lucifer thought they were all stunned but then he saw that they were all gathered around the dead king, " Damn, I picked the worst night to do this," Lucifer mumbled, " Did you hear me? WE'RE BEING RAIDED BY SAXONS!" Lucifer yelled.
This time everybody heard and reacted. The men went to fetch their armor and weapons. Lucifer was already dressed for the occasion; he never took off his armor. He was about to save Rhyswynd when he remembered Nagnarok. Nobody was looking so he threw Rhydderch at the chain suspending Nagnarok. Rhydderch cut through the chain and the Sword of Ages fell into his hand. He fetched Rhydderch and went to kill some Saxons.
Lucifer headed toward the stables since Rhyswynd was in trouble. When he got there, the Saxons were trying to steal the horses but Rhyswynd wouldn't let them near the horses. It looked like he'd already been hurt by Saxons so Lucifer jumped in front of him with both swords glowing, Rhyswynd are you okay? Lucifer yelled.
Oh, yes, except for the gashes I have in my ass! Rhyswynd bethought; Is that Nagnarok? Why isn't Cadwallader using it?
Not now, Lucifer jumped at the Saxons and decapitated two with his first attack. The others gathered their wits and struck back only to have their swords melt or break as they met Lucifer's two powerful blades. Lucifer laughed as the Saxons stared down at their ruined swords. He plowed through the massive Saxon force leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. The Saxons were appalled by what was happening before them and were scared to get too close. This suited Lucifer just fine. If a target backed off, he'd chase them down and attack then he'd move on to the next Saxon. Lucifer's guilt and stress seemed to be flowing out of his body like the blood of the many Saxons around him. Lucifer became aware of the other Avalonian warriors. Unfortunately, they weren't the skilled knights that would protect Avalon with their lives, no these knights were drunk and likely to attack one another. At least one of us is sober. Lucifer thought. Lucifer grew tired so he turned and proceeded back to the stables so that he could care for Rhyswynd's wounds. He found Rhyswynd laying in his stall, moaning and pretending to be dying Oh, Lucifer, is that you. Everything is just so fuzzy and dark. I think I'm going to die! Rhyswynd started weeping but not a tear did Lucifer see.
"I hear you sobbing but you're not fooling me; your eyes are quite dry." Lucifer said.
Excuse me for not having tear ducts. Why are you actually talking to me? It gives me a headache listening to human.
"My thoughts are racing right now; thinking to you would give you a bigger headache. Now let's look at those cuts."
Lucifer looked him over and found several cuts on his hindquarters, some swelling around his eyes, more cuts on his legs and some arrows in his back, " Wow, you took a beating Rhyswynd."
I told you I'm going to DIE!
"A little dramatic don't you think? None of these are fatal or even deep. Where have you been, I haven't seen you in five days?"
I went for a walk and found a stray horse. It took me five days to convince her to come back to the castle with me. Rhyswynd said, quite annoyed, By the way, I found a drunken wench looking for you and a dumbfounded knight crying for Saxon blood.
"That'll be Kathryn and Cadfer. And don't call Kathryn a wench, she's just drunk."
That's what I said: a drunken wench.
"There, that should help you heal a bit faster. Just take it easy for a bit. Now where did Kathryn and Cadfer get to?"
Two stalls over, I'd try not to startle the knight, though.
"Thank you old friend," Lucifer found Kathryn trying to keep Cadfer seated, "It's okay Cadfer, the Saxons are in retreat."
"What? That's not fair. I only saw one and he took me by surprise!"
"Why won't you stay Cadfer? Do you really like those Saxons more than me?" Kathryn whined.
"No, but I must protect my country and you, my love, from the Saxon raiders. Let me at them, I'll fight beside King Cadwallader until the last Saxon falls."
Lucifer winced at the name, "Uh…Cadfer…King Cadwallader is…dead."
"Surely you jest Lucifer," Cadfer seemed sober all of a sudden.
"No I'm not. He died just as the raid began."
"But, he had no heir! Who'll rule Avalon?" Kathryn also seemed sober suddenly.
"I don't know," Lucifer said, trying not to show any emotion.
The three got up and headed for the great hall. Cadfer wanted to look for Saxons but the knights that were making their way back promised that it had been a small raid and they were all gone. They all arrived just in time to see Cadwallader being carried away by the women and children.
A week later, the King was buried next to his wife. One of the maids had found the paper Lucifer had planted when she was changing him. It had changed into the king's will. It said since there was no heir, Cadwallader had named Lucifer the new heir to the throne. Lucifer was told that his crowning would take place five days after the funeral. Cadfer had at first had no doubt that the Saxons had killed the King but as he watched Lucifer become more powerful and reclusive, he began to suspect others. He questioned Lucifer about the soup that the King ate. Lucifer had told Cadwallader he made it himself, according to the women that surrounded the King that night. The women, however, reeked of ale and Cadfer took their story with a grain of salt. Cadfer had seen Lucifer add something to a soup that Rolf had spent a day making. Cadfer didn't know if it was the same soup but Rolf said his soup had disappeared just as the feast began. Cadfer didn't want to think Lucifer would kill the King but that's where the evidence was pointing. Kathryn had also become more engrossed with her work. If Cadfer asked if she was okay, she just said she was swamped with all the new king business, but really didn't want to risk her virginity again. She had made a promise to herself that she'd never drink mead again. Lucifer was trying to learn how to use the true power of Nagnarok. When he fought the Saxons, he could only break their swords, he couldn't make a beam of light shoot out of the sword. He'd asked the King's closest advisers to teach him but they had no idea how he did it. Lucifer had searched Cadwallader's chambers to find some notes or a clue as to how to use the sword. His searches were fruitless and no matter how hard he concentrated, Lucifer couldn't control the Sword of Ages. He had to learn the secret to succeed in his newest scheme.
The day of the crowning came and to Lucifer's surprise, this actually wasn't the day that he'd get a crown. This was the day that he'd seek out Angloking, the wizard and soothsayer of Avalon. When he'd found Angloking, he'd be given a mission to prove whether he was strong enough to be king. Lucifer left the great hall to get Rhyswynd. He found the stallion nuzzling another horse, Have we been struck by Cupid, Rhyswynd? Lucifer asked.
Well it is that time of year. Rhyswynd said matter-of-factly.
You'll have to wait a bit. I have to seek out Angloking so he can give me a quest to prove my worth. Lucifer explained.
You'll be on your way then. Rhyswynd said, a flash of anger betraying his outward sarcasm.
Yes, on your back.
You said "you" had to seek out Angloking, not "we".
"Just get over here so I can put your saddle on you," Lucifer yelled.
"Yelling at horses, Lucifer? Why don't you take out your rage out on me?" Cadfer complained.
"Because I know I will beat you so I see no point in wasting the energy.What are you doing here anyway?"
"I'm not going to let you go by yourself," Cadfer never let Lucifer see or do anything he hadn't done.
"Come if you want. By the way, I wasn't only yelling at Rhyswynd, I was thinking to him also," Lucifer felt like freaking Cadfer out.
"What do you mean 'You thought to him'?" Cadfer asked, suspecting Lucifer was messing with him.
"Rhyswynd uses telepathy to communicate with me, but he also understands human," Lucifer explained.
"So you kind of read his mind?" Cadfer asked.
Hell no! I'd never let Lucifer delve into the great expanses of my mind. If I let him do that, he'd discover how to destroy the world, learn how the universe worked and discern the origin of the Holy Grail.
"What? Who said that?" Cadfer looked all around him and then gazed at the stallion before him, "Was that you that I heard in my mind?" He asked Rhyswynd.
No, it was the other psychic horse in the vicinity.
"Whoa, I heard your thoughts!" Cadfer jumped back and stared at Rhyswynd.
Oh how proud you must be. You just heard the thoughts of an animal you consider dumber than yourself.
"He's not the nicest beast is he?" Cadfer asked Lucifer.
"No he isn't but he's a good companion (Did the two of you just call me a beast!?). Okay, let's get going Rhyswynd," Lucifer jumped into the saddle and Rhyswynd took off at a gallop.
"Wait, I'll get my horse," Cadfer wasn't about to let Lucifer get away with that.
Cadfer eventually caught up with Lucifer and asked, "So does anybody else know that Rhyswynd is a telepath?"
"Only Kathryn," Lucifer said.
"You told my beloved but not your best friend?" Cadfer was a little hurt.
"Don't forget, you're also my arch rival."
"Yeah you've got a point there. Okay, so where are we going anyway?"
"We have to seek out Angloking and ask him for a mission to prove my worth so I can be king."
"Any idea where he might be?"
You really don't know the stories? They say that Angloking lives on the top of the tallest mountain in all of Avalon: Mt. Bahorek.
"How does a horse learn of these stories?" Cadfer inquired.
I can hear everyone's thoughts within the castle. I'd just tune into the ones that were about Angloking and other things that interested me.
So you can hear what I'm thinking right now? Cadfer asked
Duh. Rhyswynd thought.
Even when I thought about Kathryn?
That's one of the things that interested me. Rhyswynd said with a smile.
"Oh great," Cadfer mumbled.
"What was that?" Lucifer asked.
"Oh nothing. Just that your horse likes listening in on my fantasies." Cadfer said, going beat red in the face, "So, Mt. Bahorek then?"
"Mt. Bahorek."
"You do realize that no one can live on top of Mt. Bahorek right. If you live up there, you'd be just like Rolf's famous fruit icicles," Cadfer said.
"I assure you, he's up there. He's a wizard so he'll just use his magic to keep warm," Lucifer said.
I knew him once, quite a strange man. Rhyswynd thought, anger once again lurking beneath his cool exterior.
"How do you know Angloking?" Cadfer asked.
Well before I came to this era, I lived in the Otherworld. Everything is there at one point or another and I just happened to bump into him. He didn't have his powers yet so he was telling me about how he'd be the one all the important people came to one day.
"Did you believe him?" Cadfer asked
At the time no. He could barely do simple magic and he morphed me into the horse you see before you.
"What were you before you were a horse?" Lucifer asked.
I wasn't anything. In the Otherworld, only your mind exists, there aren't any bodies wrapped around the spirit. He just forced my spirit into the shape of a horse and I've been stuck as one ever since.
"So do you know if Angloking is still up on Mt. Bahorek?" Lucifer asked.
Nope. Haven't seen him since this plane of thought came into existence.
"What? He could be dead by now if you haven't seen him for that long," Cadfer said.
"Angloking can't die, he's a wizard!" Lucifer shouted.
"There's no such thing as wizards," Cadfer said, his temper rising. Everyone stopped and stared at Cadfer, "Well, there aren't."
"You take that back right now, Cadfer," Lucifer said as he drew Rhydderch.
"What if I don't want to?" Cadfer asked as he drew Kusanagi.
"You think it wise to duel with your king?" Lucifer jumped off Rhyswynd and set Rhydderch ablaze.
"Nope, that's why I'm dueling you!" Cadfer jumped off his horse and turned Kusanagi's blade to lightning.
Lucifer rushed at Cadfer with a blood lust who stood ready to block the oncoming attack. Lucifer swung his sword at Cadfer who deflected the attack and retaliated. Lucifer spun around and raised his blade just in time to put it between his neck and Kusanagi. The two stood there holding each other at bay, glaring at one another.
"Why don't you use both blades, Lucifer? I've been looking for a challenge," Cadfer said.
"That's King Lucifer to you, Cadfer!" Lucifer yelled and pushed Cadfer away.
Lucifer rushed at Cadfer with Rhydderch aimed right at Cadfer's heart. Cadfer easily deflected the attack again, but the force of the push knocked him off balance. Lucifer was insatiable; his attacks rained down without end and it was all Cadfer could do to block the attacks and keep his balance. Then Cadfer found some flat land and regained his balance just as Lucifer lifted his blade for a mighty final blow. Cadfer summoned all his strength and swung his sword to meet Lucifer's. Sparks flew from both swords and then there was a mighty explosion that threw the two men away from each other. Rhydderch flew out of Lucifer's hand and landed near Rhyswynd. Lucifer looked up and found that Cadfer still had a firm grip on Kusanagi.
"Fine, you want to fight the awesome power of Nagnarok? Well get ready for the fight of your life!" Lucifer drew Nagnarok and brandished the glowing blade at Cadfer. Lucifer ran at Cadfer and slashed at his waist; roaring like a banshee the whole while. Cadfer jumped back to avoid it and suddenly threw his hands over his head; dropping Kusanagi in the process. Lucifer was about to deliver the final blow when he heard a strange whoosh sound and then an earth shattering explosion. He looked at the forest and saw a dome of light growing bigger and bigger until it reached the edge of the forest then retreated to where it had originated and disappeared. It didn't look the same as Cadwallader's attack, but it had the same effect: all the trees within the dome were gone. Lucifer looked down at Nagnarok and saw that it was smoking.
"Did…did I just do that?" Lucifer asked Cadfer.
"Y-yes. You did," Cadfer could barely speak; the beam had almost hit him.
"So do you believe in Angloking?" Lucifer asked, putting Nagnarok's blade next to Cadfer's throat.
"No, but I'll keep an open mind," Cadfer said.
If you fellows are quite finished, I'd like to get a move on. I swear I'm never going to get a mare around you humans. Whether I'm in the stables or out here in the forest, you humans pull me away from the ladies. I'm also never safe. I mean, in the invasion, I got cut by swords, shot by arrows and now giant domes of deadly light. Rhyswynd complained.