Chapter 8: Knighting and a Confession

Although the sun was shining on this the following week, Raina couldn't help feeling gloomy as she awoke. Nothing stung her more than losing her chance at being a knight in the service of Galladoorn. She had risked her life to save her friends and it gained her nothing. She couldn't help but feel more depressed when Airk came in smiling.

"Sun's up, Raina, and good to see you are, too," he said.

"Oh, goody," Raina grumbled.

"What's got your armor all tight?" Airk asked.

"Hmm, let me think. I lost my chance at knighthood after I risked my life to save you and our stupid friend, I'm letting my parents down, everything I dreamed of is crashing down, take your pick," Raina said.

Airk sat Raina down on the bed and took her hand. "Raina, that couldn't be further from the truth. You are making your parents prouder every day just by learning and fighting for what they believed in. Just because you don't the armor doesn't mean you cannot stand up or fight for what they stood for. And it doesn't mean that it's over. One day you will have your chance. Maybe it's not today, but it will be someday. You just have to be ready for when that day comes."

"How do you always know what to say?" Raina asked.

"You're my best friend," Airk said. "I have to know that you're alright."

"You're the best friend I have," Raina said. "I'm glad you're watching my back."

Raina stood up. "Come on, Airk. You don't wanna be late to your knighting."

The entire kingdom of Galladoorn had attended the ceremony to see its new knights receive their title. The King was in attendance to grant the new knights their new honor as well as all the nobles. Madmartigan, Ronan, and Airk wore the golden armor of Galladoorn, while Raina wore a shining silver coat of mail. She wished that she could be standing with them, but she put that aside for their sake. Madmartigan looked as smug as ever, grasping his sword pommel and leaning back on his heels. Raina kept her eyes on Airk the entire time. She watched him as he knelt with the other knights and took the Galladoorn Knights' Code of Honor. She felt a great swell of pride and honor as Airk, Ronan, and Madmartigan rose and finally took their places as Knights of Galladoorn.

That evening, there was a great feast to welcome the new Knights of Galladoorn. Raina ran forward to greet Airk and collided into an embrace with him. "Well, Sir Airk Thaughbaer, how does it feel to be a Knight of Galladoorn?"

"Well, I can't lie, it does feel better than being a common foot-soldier," Airk said.

"You look good in gold," Raina laughed.

"Well, you look good yourself," Airk said. "Where's Madmartigan?"

"What kind of chat is that?" Raina asked. "'You look good' and 'Where is Madmartigan?'"

"Sorry," Airk said. "I'm not surprised. He's probably disappeared with some barmaid to celebrate. I would really rather have you here than him. You're much better company. I can actually speak to you. With him the conversation lags a little, even if he does give me a laugh once and a while. Don't tell him I said that."

"Oh your secret is safe with me," Raina laughed. "I really am proud of you, Airk. You deserve this more than I do. One day you'll be the best general in Galladoorn."

"Why do you know exactly what to say?" Airk asked.

"You're my best friend," Raina said. "I told you I was glad to have you watching my back all this time."

"And I'm glad to have you watching mine," Airk said.

"Care for a drink?" Raina asked.

"Of course," Airk said.

Raina picked up a glass of wine and gave one to Airk. Then, she tipped hers, as if in toast to Airk. "To the best Knight and soon to be General in Galladoorn I know you will be. To Sir Airk!"

"And to the best warrior of Galladoorn and Knight I know you will be. To Lady Raina," Airk said.

Airk and Raina downed their glasses. "You're the best knight we have, Airk. I don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for you," Raina said.

"I think you would've made it. You're the bravest and wisest woman I've ever met," Airk said.

"No, I was stupid. I would've died if I didn't have anyone to guide me like you," Raina said. "I'm glad you got your knighthood. You deserve it."

Although Raina had spent the entire day looking at Airk, she suddenly couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. She began to feel her temperature rising, although the air was cool and a breeze was flowing. Her pulse was pounding and her knees felt like they were being crushed by the depths of the ocean. She could hardly breathe, as if she was wearing a constricting corset. Suddenly, Raina realized that not receiving a knighthood wasn't bothering her anymore.

"Raina, are you alright? Your face is white," Airk said.

"I'm fine," Raina said.

She hastily took another drink. "I need to go."

Without a word, Raina left Airk and hurried inside to her chamber. As Airk stood there, dumbfounded, Ronan came to his side.

"Ah, I see the Lady retired early. I hope you didn't bore her," Ronan teased.

"I have no idea what I did," Airk said, confused.

"Well, tell me what happened, and I'll try and tell you what you did," Ronan said.

"We were only talking to each other and having a drink and suddenly she turned white, she started to sweat, and she darted off," Airk explained.

Ronan could not contain a giggle.

"What?" Airk asked.

"Oh no," Ronan said. "This is too perfect."

"What is too perfect? Cut it out with the darn riddles, Ronan," Airk said. "What's wrong with Raina? What did I do?"

"Oh no, I'm not telling you," Ronan said.

"Why not?" Airk said.

"Because this is between the two of you to figure out," Ronan explained.

"Well, what if we don't?" Airk asked.

"Don't worry, you will," Ronan said.

After two weeks, Airk had not seen or spoken to Raina since she was knighted. He did not know what troubled her since that day. As Airk came down to breakfast with the other knights, he was greeted by Ronan.

"Have you seen the Lady yet?" Ronan asked.

"No, and I'm really worried I did something to her," Airk said.

"You did, but it's not what you think," Ronan said.

"Well, that's really helpful," Airk said. "Anyway, where has Madmartigan been?"

"I heard he took up with some Princess," Ronan said.

"Why does he insist on acting like an idiot?" Airk asked.

"Do you really want an answer to that?" Ronan laughed.

Suddenly, there was a blare of a horn. General Cayne rallied the men. "Nockmaar has attacked the Kingdom of Cashmere. They call for aid. To arms!"

Without any hesitation, Airk, Ronan, and the Knights of Galladoorn readied to head off to battle. As Airk and Ronan entered the armory, they found Madmartigan sleeping inside.

"There you are! Get up, you lazy idiot!" Airk said.

"What's going on?" Madmartigan said.

"We're going to battle, that's what's going on," Ronan said.

"Nockmaar attacked Cashmere so hurry up and get ready," Airk said.

"Perfect wake up call," Madmartigan said.

Raina heard the horn from her chamber and raced down to the armory to find Airk suiting up for battle and her heart sank into her stomach.

"Airk, what's going on?" she asked.

"Nockmaar attacked Cashmere. They called us for reinforcements," Airk explained.

"So soon?" Raina asked. "You only just got your knighthood. They can't expect you to go."

"I am a knight. This is what I've trained for," Airk said.

"But you can't go," Raina said. "It's too soon!"

"Raina, what is going on with you?" Airk asked. "You know I'm the best knight here. You tell me you're proud of me, then you run away from me, and you hide from me for two weeks. What is wrong with you?"

Raina took a breath and held Airk's hand. "I meant what I said at the ceremony. You're my best friend, and I am proud of you. I don't care about my knighthood anymore. I care about only you, and I can't let you go without knowing."

"Knowing what?" Airk asked.

"I love you," Raina said."with all my being."

"Well it's about time someone said it," Airk said happily.

Raina and Airk shared the most lighthearted laughter since they met and embraced. Before their lips could meet, Airk heard Madmartigan call out to him. "Airk, get a move on! We got a battle get to!"

Airk sighed. "If I wasn't about to ride off to battle with him, he'd be dead."

"Don't be to hard on him," Raina laughed.

She and Airk held each other close.

"Come back. Promise me you'll come back," Raina said.

"I'll come back. I promise," Airk said.

"You'd better. I don't want to be stuck with Madmartigan forever," Raina laughed.

"I will do everything to spare you from that fate," Airk said.

With a kiss on Raina's hand, Airk mounted his horse and rode off with the other soldiers. As Raina watched them ride off, she felt a fire burn inside her. She could not stand the thought of just waiting there, not knowing. If Airk was fighting, he should not fight alone.