Chapter 2: The Village

All the knights were quiet as the King swung his iron clad leg over his saddle. He nodded his head to the knights and they rode forward. Allie was wondering if everyone was quiet because they were nervous or if they were extremely tired. She herself was tired and felt like curling up in her saddle bags and going to sleep. She found this funny because her saddle bags were much too small to hold her, yet they held a folded up tent. Kramer ambled along, his ears flickering too and fro. The other knights' horses were the same way. The horses kicked up a cloud of dust and rocks clicked under their feet. The rocking of the horse was lulling Allie to sleep, but the thought of how real knights wouldn't fall asleep in their saddles woke her up. She sat tall in her saddle and urged Kramer on.

A few hours later, the sun was fully up and it's rays warmed everybody's faces. The horses and men seemed to perk up as well. Allie looked over at William and was pleased to see he wasn't looking as troubled as last night.

"How long do think it will take to catch this person?" she inquired.

"I'm not really sure. The men seem more worried than usual because he seems like a crafty murderer," William said.

Allie sat back in her saddle, much displeased at hearing this. This was going to be a long journey and a long time lying and keeping her identity a secret. She looked ahead, determined not to show the worry on her face. The trees swayed in the strong breeze and birds chattered annoyingly in the woods. Kramer pranced beneath her obviously enjoying getting to go on a real ride for once. The path they were taking was getting thinner and more ragged as they went on. Still, the King pursued.

They rounded another bend and came out onto a grassy hill. It overlooked a huge mansion. There were workers everywhere. They didn't seem worried or agitated and Allie guessed they knew nothing of the murder. It was such a secluded location Allie guessed she was probably right. The knights rode up to the gate and asked permission to be let in. The servants hurried forward at seeing the King and hurriedly granted the knights admittance.

"They don't even know of the murderer," commented William.

"I was just thinking that. Are we here to protect them or to warn them?" Allie questioned.

"I think neither. We may just be here to find lodgings and let them know to keep their gate closed and people in at night. The King doesn't want to stir up the whole kingdom by saying there's a murderer on the loose," William said.

Just then a young girl ran up and looked at William and Allie on their horses.

"A murderer sir? Oh you can't mean that! We would have to evacuate then," the girl cried.

William looked shocked that someone had heard him and he covered his shocked expression with a smile.

"No, but you should listen carefully to what the King has to say. Do you like dolls?" William inquired.

"Yessir."

William reached into his pack and pulled out a small block of wood and a small knife. He began picking away at the wood and the little girl watched intently.

As William whittled at the wood, Allie looked around at the surroundings. The main building was huge. It was made of smooth grays tone and it towered over the height of the gate. The roof was wood. If someone launched fire arrows or any arrows over the gate the roof would burn or people would definitely be killed. Or, if someone brought in catapults and sent rocks into the castle wall. It would be a tough castle to protect. It wasn't castle sized, but it was still huge and the gate offered no protection for it. The surrounding homes were small stone huts with thatched roofs. The main yard was impeccably clean and the chickens were contained in a small pen next to one of the barns. The people rushing around had on neat clothes and were pretty clean for servants in the area. All in all, the place was well put together, well funded, and the perfect place for a murder.

Allie turned back to William and the little girl, who was running away with a gorgeous wooden doll in her hands. William looked after her with a satisfied smile.

"I take it you like kids?" Allie asked.

"Yeah I guess. I really should have watched what I said though. Now, she is probably scared of what could happen to her family and home. I myself would be utterly terrified if a strange group of knights came in and declared my home might be attacked," he said.

Allie didn't think he'd be the only one.