The Cursed Princess and the Black Knight chapter 3/6

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I do own these characters. Please, do not use them without my permission.

3: The Knight’s Quest

The morning after the feast, Kumari was summoned to sit by her father’s side. She was not used to such things and was not sure what she should wear to breakfast. Dumali and Citi were just as clueless. They were all accustomed to dressing for days in the library or the little garden. Citi held up Kumari’s second best dress, also red and gold, but with less gems.

“Is that too much for breakfast?” Kumari wondered aloud.

Dumali shrugged. “Don’t know,” she mouthed.

“It’s probably better to be overdressed than underdressed for something like this.” Kumari nodded.

Citi chuckled and she and Dumali got to work. Kumari dressed, hair checked, and light makeup again. Then, she was on her way to the throne room. She had to take a breath to compose herself as her father’s court gazed upon her, whispering. Always whispering.

Kumari’s stomach quivered as memories flooded her mind. She’s hideous, isn’t she? I heard she was hatched from a lizard egg! Our country is doomed with such a cursed royal family. We’re all doomed. That was what people thought when they saw her: doom.

She did her best to hold her head up as she went to her father. She bowed to him and he smiled, waving her up to the throne. He hugged her as soon as she was within arm’s length. She could get used to that.

“I thought this was breakfast,” Kumari said.

“It can be, but first, we have to greet our guest,” her father replied. “Now, sit. Please.” He smiled at her and helped her down into her throne, even though she did not need the help. She barely had a chance to thank him.

The trumpets sounded as soon as she was comfortable. Crow stepped into the throne room, announced by a servant. She was still in full armor with her helmet tucked against her elbow. She locked eyes with Kumari and smiled. The light in her eyes loosened the knot in Kumari’s stomach and made it easier to breathe. And, as if she knew, Crow’s smile became a smirk as she stood before the king and princess.

“Your Highnesses.” Crow bowed her head, but not her back. Maybe the armor made that hard or maybe she did not know it was customary to bend at the waist for royalty.

“Sir Crow, are you ready to accept three tasks to prove you are capable and worthy of our Princess Kumari,” Father said.

Crow grinned, almost like she was giddy to get to this. “More than ready, Sire. What would you have me do?”

“Then, let’s begin the first task,” Father said.

“Wait, Father,” Kumari interrupted with a glance at Crow before focusing on her father. “Can I make a request of you before you continue?”

Her father arched an eyebrow. “I think I have proven, I would do anything for you. What would you like? I won’t go easy on this knight because she is your friend.”

Kumari shook her head. “I don’t wish for you to take it easy on her, but allow me to accompany her.” She did not wish to be apart from Crow just yet. And, the promise of adventure was too great.

Father frowned and his thin mustache seemed to bristle. “I will not allow it. These tasks will be too dangerous for you.”

“I will protect her,” Crow declared with great confidence. She put her fist to her heart over her chest plate and tipped her chin in the air.

“These tasks are meant to prove that. If you can’t and she is harmed, that’s on me,” Father said. He had a point there.

Crow squared her shoulders, armor making small noises. “And if I am capable and you have denied her wish, you will seem quite foolish.” She actually wagged her finger at the king! But, then again, she also had a point.

Father’s face turned purple with rage and he glared at Crow as if she was a great enemy. “Did you call me a fool?”

“Merely pointed out you would look foolish should I prove as capable as I claim and you did not allow Princess Kumari to accompany me, especially after saying you would give her anything. I can and would protect her. So, please, set your task.” Her confidence bordered on arrogance. It was odd to see Crow baiting someone, though. Crow had been nothing but pleasant to Kumari.

“And how would I look if I sent you to bring me the head of the dragon in the Dark Moon Swamp at the end of the woods and my only child died along the way?” Father countered.

Crow scoffed. “Is that all you want of me? I can bring you the head of the dragon by tomorrow with the Princess by my side.” This was just pure confidence, cockiness really. It should come across as obnoxious, but it did not, not to Kumari anyway. Father probably hated it.

And now Father was speechless. He could not deny Crow as she already said she could do the task, easily in fact. Anything less would seem like he was in doubt and anything more would make Father seem petty.

Father cleared his throat. “Very well. Good luck to you, Sir Crow.”

Crow grinned and bowed her head again. “Luck will have nothing to do with it.” Then Crow turned to Kumari. “My Lady.” Crow pressed a hand to her heart. “Pack light. This won’t take long.” She winked. Kumari’s heart fluttered and she had to fight down the urge to giggle.

-8-8-8- 8-

Riding Raven was a little easier that day than the day before. Kumari was going to take a horse of her own, but Crow insisted they share. Raven would go at a gentle pace, Crow insisted. So far, she was right.

“I only brought food, my favorite book, and a change of clothes just in case. Is that all right?” Kumari asked from her seat in front of Crow. Her body was warm, even with the cold armor against her back. The sun was still climbing in the sky, but the temperature was bearable and Kumari was not sweating. It was almost a miracle to her. She was able to just enjoy the air and the sun and the ride.

“Food is great. The change of clothes is a good idea because the Dark Moon Swamp is a lot of muck in-between pockets of solid ground. I’m not sure you’ll get a chance to read your book unless you want to do it now. You could read to me,” Crow said.

“I could? You wouldn’t mind me reading to you?” Kumari was only used to reading to Citi and she knew she only got to do that because Citi was blind. She liked reading to someone as much as she liked telling stories.

“I would like that. It’ll be a half day’s ride to the swamp. We need something to pass the time,” Crow replied.

“That long? And why are you so confident you’ll be able to bring my father the head of a dragon? You know he probably set you this task because of your reaction to the slain dragon in my story at the feast.”

“So, he thinks this will scare me?” Crow scoffed.

“Yes. Why doesn’t it scare you? Have you fought dragons before?”

“I have, but not often. Most of the time, dragons don’t want to be bothered and people bother them until it becomes an issue.”

“So, is that why you’re not scared?”

Crow gave a brief chuckle. “I’ll save that as a surprise, but again, remember that dragons remember everything. Anything else you would like to ask me?”

“Is Raven your older sister since you were fed by her mother? How were you fed by her mother?”

Crow glanced back. “I usually say she’s my twin, but she is older. Although, unicorns age slower, so I’m more mature.” Raven snorted and Crow rapped the unicorn on her thigh loud enough for the sound to echo. “What? I am! You’re like a ten-year-old human. I’m a full twenty!” Raven only snorted again.

Kumari chuckled. “She doesn’t seem to think so.”

“Yeah, well, she also thinks grass tastes good, so she’s not the best judge.”

“You do have me there. So, how did you get fed by her mother?”

“I was a foundling. My mother couldn’t produce milk, but she knew Raven’s mother. Unicorns feed their babies for at least three years.”

“Your mother knew a unicorn well enough for that unicorn to feed you for three years?”

Crow laughed. “Only one year. Unlike some unicorn babies here.” Raven actually hissed at Crow.

“So, you grew up together?”

“Yup. In the forest beyond the swamp actually.”

Kumari gasped. “The Forest of Despair?”

“That very one.”

“Monsters, fairies, demons, and even a great, evil witch supposedly haunt those woods.”

“They all do.”

Kumari was in awe. “How did you survive?”

Crow shrugged. “It was home. You just learn to work around it. I’m more curious how you survived in a palace where everyone whispers about you.”

Kumari gasped. “You heard them?” Crow was a stranger and had only been there a day, but she heard people talk about Kumari? How often did the people of the palace talk about her?

“Everywhere. I walked Raven to an open space, so she could relax and there was talk about you. On the way to my room, strangers approached me to tell me I was part of your curse. ‘Only a cursed family could bring us a cursed knight as a hero.”’ Crow snorted and Raven most certainly laughed.

Kumari could not believe it. She was used to people talking about her, but she did not know they thought the curse was on her entire family. “Wow. My family’s not cursed. Only me. My father has been a good king.”

“I have heard good things of King Kintan, but that’s outside the city. Inside, it seems like some people don’t approve of what he’s done. I’m shocked his daughter is cursed, though, from what I’ve heard about him.”

“People can be awful,” Kumari said. She had not realized the extent, though. There was no reason for people to speak against her father.

“Well, some people believe he is a curse of his own. I have to assume they covet his position or the affection people have for him. How did you come to be cursed?” Crow asked.

Kumari sighed and searched her memory. This was a question she wished she could answer. It might make her feel better about being cursed if she just knew how it happened. “I’m actually not sure of the story, but I remember it starting after my fifth birthday. The sun burned my skin and light hurt my eyes. Then my skin cracked, became scaly, and even fell off. If I was touched too hard, I would bruise, my skin would get cut easily, and it was irritated easily. My eyes changed color and my eyesight gradually declined and light stung my eyes so easily.”

Crow made a noise. “Such an odd curse. Was it a witch? A fairy? A god?”

“That I also don’t know.”

“Well, was it because of your parents or your Kingdom? Sometimes, babies get cursed because their parents or heirs will be cursed because the kingdom did something.”

“Again, I do not know.”

“Well, we’ll cure you eventually.”

You already are. Kumari wanted to say it aloud. It seemed like a lot to put on Crow, especially when they only knew each other a couple of days. Beyond that, she felt special that Crow would stick with her to find a cure. Crow was not obligated to do anything for her, yet here she was, taking on impossible tasks just so Kumari could have grand adventures to tell stories about.

Kumari let the conversation drop and instead opened her book. She found her favorite short story. As she read, she swore even Raven hung on her every word, making little noises at interesting parts. It was empowering. At one point, Crow and Raven gasped at the same time. Kumari chuckled, but continued on to the end.

“This is the way to pass time, isn’t it, Raven?” Crow asked once the story was over. Raven made a click sound and Crow laughed. “Usually, on these trips, I’ll sing terrible songs and Raven will tell terrible jokes. It gets on both of our nerves.”

“Then, why do it?” Kumari turned, trying to look at Crow, who did not have her helmet on.

“To get on each other’s nerves. It’s just what we do.” Crow shrugged.

“I don’t understand.”

“And I can’t explain it. Those are just the rules.” Raven nodded, actually backing up Crow. “Do we have another story?”

“There is always another story.” Kumari flipped to her next favorite story and began reading. Once again, she had Crow’s and Raven’s full attention.

Soon, the landscape began to change. The woods were denser, so it was darker, sunlight needing to fight through dense leaves, vines, and mist. A thin layer of fog covered the gray forest floor and the road vanished underneath it. Even the trees appeared to be covered in a layer of ash and cobwebs. The trees seemed to be huddled together, blocking out the sun. Lights fluttered on the ground, making the ash and cobwebs shine like silver… like moonlight. Raven’s gait changed and water swished beneath them.

“Careful. There are tricky sprites in the swamp. Balls of light and flickering flames that will lead you to your doom. Raven used to follow them everywhere and I’d get in trouble for her wandering off,” Crow said. Raven snorted and shook her head, as if to dispute that.

Kumari frowned a little. “You said this wouldn’t be dangerous.”

“It’s not. Just keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. It’s like being in the palace with someone trying to find you to pick on you.”

“So confident.”

“Well, you’re capable. Look at all that you’ve lived through. You’ll be fine.”

Kumari pulled up her cloak as a chill hissed through the air and the fog grew denser. Oddly enough, the fog was warm, like the swamp was breathing. They came to a lake covered in moss, giant lily pads, and dead leaves, even though the trees around it were lush. Crow slid off of Raven, sounds of the soft ground squishing under her heavy armor.

“Wait here,” Crow said and then walked over to the lake, stepping in up to her calves as if it was nothing.

Kumari was not sure what she expected to happen, but it was not for Crow to give a two-fingered whistle. Kumari hardly had time to wonder what that was about before the ground rumbled and water shot up from the lake, erupting like a massive water spout. And then a roar made the air vibrate, almost knocking Kumari from Raven, but Raven moved to steady her. It was at that time she saw the head of a massive dragon, the color of a swamp frog with a mane of gray hair running down its back, and horns that looked like mighty trees complete with thick branches, almost like antlers.

The dragon snarled, showing one side of sharp teeth the size of Kumari’s forearm. Dark, golden eyes focused on Crow, who had not even drawn her sword. The dragon growled again, low and deep. It was almost like Crow’s voice.

“Hi, Mom.” Crow waved. Wait, what?

The dragon groaned and bowed its head. Crow moved, actually hugging the dragon. Kumari could not believe her eyes. How was this real? The dragon grunted and pulled back.

“I know I was supposed to be here days ago, Mom. I ran into someone.” Crow looked back and Raven stepped forward. The dragon growled and Crow chuckled. “This is Princess Kumari.” Crow put her hand out for Kumari.

Kumari moved on automatic, taking Crow’s hand as she eased off of Raven’s back. Her legs wobbled, but Crow held her steady. The dragon moved closer, eyeing Kumari with her nostrils flared. Her snout was short, not quite like the dragons Kumari was used to seeing illustrated in books, but she was still the very definition of massive and scary.

“Kumari, this is my mom, Ar.” Crow introduced them, as if this was all normal.

Kumari smiled as best she could, not wanting to panic. She curtsied to Ar. “It is a pleasure to meet you. You have raised a fine daughter.” Ar snorted and shook her head.

Crow laughed. “She says she didn’t, but that’s kind of you to say.”

“You can speak to dragons?” Kumari asked.

“It’s not hard. A lot of it is body language to look out for. So, what do you think of my mom?” Crow gave her a lopsided grin.

“This is why you said this would be easy.” Kumari laughed and then blinked. “No, wait. How will you take your mother’s head to my father?”

Crow scoffed. “He never said her head couldn’t be attached to the rest of her. Besides, I really wanted her to meet you.”

Ar glanced between the two of them and then sighed through her nose. Heavy, white fog escaped her nostrils. Crow nodded and rubbed Ar’s nose.

Crow looked at Kumari. “I have to explain to her what’s happening.”

Kumari nodded and stepped away, going back to Raven. She grabbed her food from a saddle bag. Raven turned and nudged her. She giggled and tried to offer Raven some berries. Raven clicked her tongue, shaking her head, but still nosing at Kumari. She gently shoved Raven’s muzzle. Raven whinnied and pushed her again.

“Careful. You’re proving Crow right that she is the mature one,” Kumari said. Raven managed to scoff and kicked Kumari with her massive leg, but was so gentle it was barely a poke. Kumari laughed because it did not hurt.

“If you did that to me last week, my leg would’ve felt like a thousand knives tore through in my muscles and bone and you would’ve definitely broken my leg,” Kumari said and glanced at Crow. She smiled. “Now, it almost tickles.”

Raven somehow cooed and Kumari could have sworn she was smiling. She tried to offer Raven food once more, but Raven shook her head. Then Crow jogged over, also smiling.

“Mom wants to eat lunch with us. I know you can’t understand her, but she understands you and I told her you tell great stories,” Crow reported.

“Oh… um…” Kumari looked at her satchel and then at Ar, who tilled her head. There was no way she had enough food for this massive creature.

Crow laughed. “She won’t eat with us, just sit. There’s no way you bought enough food for her. We all know that.”

“I didn’t know we’d have a guest. I mean, I even brought for Raven…” Kumari turned to Raven. “Do you eat apples since you don’t want the berries? Books make it seem like horses eat apples. I know you’re not a horse—” Raven cut her off with a snort and then nosed at her bag, stealing an apple now. She yelped in surprise while Raven sucked the apple into her mouth.

Kumari laughed and then found herself having lunch with the Black Knight, a black unicorn, and a swamp dragon with strange orbs of light dancing between them in a dark swamp. What life was this? She almost thought that she was dreaming. It made more sense than for her to actually be doing this. This was a grand adventure and nothing really happened. How many people could say they had this experience, though?

“Tell Mom a story, please. Show her that I’m not making it up that you’re a great storyteller,” Crow said as Kumari passed her a couple of hard boiled eggs. They were parked on solid ground and Kumari was surprised that it did not bother her. Bugs buzzed around them, but none of them bothered her. She suspected it was because of her company.

Kumari ate some dumplings and regaled Ar with the tale of how she and Crow met. Ar nodded and groaned a lot. At one point, she flicked Crow in the head with her tongue, sort of like a parent smacking their child in the back of the head.

“Oh, mom!” Crow groaned, hand on the back of her skull. “You could take my head off doing that.” Ar grunted and Crow sucked her teeth, earning another whack. “Ow!” Ar growled and Crow pouted, eyes on the ground. “Sorry.”

“What just happened?” Kumari asked. She did not understand why Ar kept hitting Crow. Crow had been a total sweetheart this whole time. “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

“I’m not in trouble. She’s just ‘disappointed’ because I let you ride Raven after you said you couldn’t ride a horse, even though Raven’s not a horse and she did her best with you.” Ar snorted and Crow frowned. “She says that would be like her trying to feed me raw meat and I tell her that it’s not good for me. If you tell me something, especially if it’s harmful, I should believe you. She’s right. I should’ve listened. You were hurt.” Crow looked her in her eyes. “I’m sorry for not listening.”

“But I’m fine now. I rode today with no problem. And I enjoyed yesterday.” Kumari put her hand on Crow’s knee.

“Still, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you to do something that hurt you.” Crow bowed her head, only to be whacked again. “Ow! Mom, I apologized!” Ar practically purred. Crow grunted, focusing on Kumari once more. “And I won’t ever do anything like that again. Your voice matters.”

Kumari gasped as a light turned on inside of her, warming her entire being. “No one’s… no one’s ever said that to me before.”

Crow put her hand on Kumari’s, the one already on Crow’s knee. “Well, your voice matters and I love to hear it, so finish the story. Tell Mom how cool I was carrying you on my back home or when I cradled you.” She put her chin in the air, definitely proud.

Kumari laughed, but got back to the story. Soon, the food was gone, but Crow just let her talk. Ar nodded a lot to show she was listening. It was a bit of a rush to have a mighty dragon hang on her every word.

Crow grinned by the end. “You make me sound so awesome drinking poison. What she doesn’t tell you, Mom, is that she warned me of it before knowing I’m immune to poison.”

Ar grunted and then leaned in, touching Kumari’s head with her snout. Then, she brought up one massive hand with a finger longer than Kumari was tall, a claw thicker than her body, and with all of the gentleness of a mother, Ar caressed her cheek. It felt like a hug somehow. Kumari looked at Crow for a translation.

“She’s thanking you for caring about me,” Crow said.

Kumari smiled and squared her shoulders. “You make it easy.”

Crow smiled back and stared at her, squeezing her hand. Ar hissed and turned away for a moment. Crow snickered. Kumari arched an eyebrow.

“What?” Kumari asked.

“She thinks we’re cute. We should probably get going before she also insists we get married,” Crow replied. Ar leaned down a little and grunted. “Mom, you just scolded me for not listening to her. Her voice matters. Her father gave her to me. She didn’t have a say.” Ar nodded in approval.

Kumari began to clean up their little picnic. “This was lovely.”

“Being in a haunted swamp?” Crow asked.

“Being with you. Meeting your mother.” Kumari nodded toward Ar.

Crow nodded. “Your first grand adventure. Perhaps there will be more.”

“I hope so.”

“I’m really glad you liked this, though.”

“I appreciate you for sharing.”

Crow smiled and helped Kumari up and then onto Raven, but Raven also helped by kneeling down. Of course she stood up when Crow tried to get on. Raven and Kumari laughed. Crow glared.

“Raven, first, you know Mom will give me a ride. Second, you know she’ll tell your mom and dad about this when she comes back home,” Crow said.

Raven glanced at Ar and then stood still for Crow to saddle up. As Crow moved closer, though, Raven stepped to the side. Crow growled and Raven definitely laughed.

“Mom!” Crow actually whined. Ar snorted and Raven turned her nose up, but Crow snickered as Raven finally let her up. Crow settled behind Kumari, looping an arm around Kumari’s waist. “Mom is basically Raven’s aunt, so she can scold Raven like she does me.”

Kumari nodded. “Wouldn’t that make you cousins rather than sisters?” She glanced at Ar, who dwarfed Raven with her size. It was almost too much for Kumari’s mind to comprehend. Ar was probably bigger than a whale, which Kumari only read about in books, but still, it was the only way to truly grasp the size of a dragon.

Crow patted Raven’s neck. “Unicorn culture makes us sisters. Her mom fed me as a baby and named me.”

“Unicorns have a culture? Wait, Raven’s mom named you?”

Crow nodded. “Yeah, Mom didn’t know anything about naming humans. She was going to call me Noisy because I never stopped crying. Of course, it was because I was hungry.” Ar grunted and Crow chuckled. “She said I hurt her ears all day. The reason she found me in the first place was thanks to my big mouth. I guess it’s kind of ironic for me to grow up and not know how to tell a story.”

“I don’t think that’s ironic, but I’ll let that pass because you clearly didn’t have a regular childhood,” Kumari said. “How did your mom know Raven’s mom for all of this to happen?”

“Oh, the dark unicorns love the swamp. There’s got to be at least a dozen unicorn families in this place. They just blend in very well.”

“Do they consider you one of them?”

“Kinda. I mean, being human makes it glaringly obvious I’m not one, but I can call on any unicorn in this swamp to help and they would. I used to play with them often as a child when me and Raven sneaked over here.”

“Sneaked here?”

“As I said, me and Raven grew up in the Forest of Despair. Her parents moved her there when I ended up there. Still, I’m very close to the unicorns around here and most unicorns we run into. I mean, as you can see, my sister respects me enough to let me use her as a horse. This is actually a huge no-no for unicorns, but Raven didn’t see the point in traveling with me and making me walk when she could ride me and go way faster than I can. She also likes that it helps me conserve my energy for whatever job I take. Other unicorns around here would let me do the same in an emergency, but not just walking around like Raven does. None of them bother her about this, though.”

“This is so amazing,” Kumari said, unable to keep the awe out of her voice.

Ar sort of purred. Crow chuckled, but it had to be something private because she did not offer a translation. But, she pressed a little closer to Kumari. It was nice and Kumari barely noticed time as they arrived back at Vasya with the sky dark and the moon bright. The adventure was over earlier than Crow predicted to Father and Kumari was a little disappointed with that. Guards rushed the gate, spears and swords in hand. Maybe the adventure was not over yet.

“Stay your arms, men!” Crow ordered, voice rough and booming, and the guards actually stopped. “First off, it’s a damn shame for you to draw your weapons while the Lady rides with me. Next, I have come from my first royal task. I am here to bring the swamp dragon to King Kintan. You would ruin my task should you attack this obviously tamed dragon.” Ar sounded like she sucked her teeth.

The guards were confused just long enough for them to continue on through the city gates. Ar had to ducked down, or her neck would have gone right through the wall. Ar glanced back at the guards once she was fully inside and grunted in their direction. They scrambled for cover. The road to the palace was clear after that. They rode all the way to the throne room. It was hard to believe Ar could fit through the doors, even when she dipped her head. Her shoulders got stuck for a moment, but she managed.

“What is the meaning of this?” Father screamed from his throne. He waved his outer robe, as if the sound would send them away. The few members of his Court who showed up to witness this first task scurried to flee the room or hide.

“Behold, great King, Ar, the swamp dragon!” Crow replied, sliding off of Raven. She stepped in front of Ar. “You asked for her head, but I feel like bringing the whole dragon shows I’m more than capable.” Ar rolled her eyes and Kumari did not need a translation for that.

“You can’t bring a dragon in here!” Father scurried behind his throne, like that would protect him should Ar decide she did not want to be there.

Crow arched an eyebrow. “But, this is what you asked of me.”

“I said bring me the head!” Father glared at her.

“The head is right there.” Crow motioned to Ar’s head with both hands.

“You were supposed to kill it!”

Crow gasped and put her hand over her mouth as if she was shocked. Terrible acting. “You want me to kill my own mother? What sort of ungrateful child do you take me for?”

“Your mother?” Father echoed.

Crow nodded. “Yes, if you are to be my father-in-law, I thought it best for you and your daughter to meet my mother. My mother approves of the match.” Crow turned around and smiled at Kumari. “I’m not sure my Lady thinks me quite that capable yet, though.”

Kumari’s heart thumped and a little squeak escaped her as she tried to answer. No words came and Crow turned back to Father. Raven clicked her teeth, though. Kumari was pretty sure Raven was making fun of her. That was backed up when Ar glared at Raven and Raven bristled.

“You cannot just bring a dragon in here!” Father barked.

“But, this is not just any dragon. She is my mother. Would you turn away my mother after offering me your daughter’s hand in marriage?” Crow challenged. She made a good point. Father could not do that by the rules of hospitality.

Father glared at Crow. “This creature cannot be your mother.”

“She is my mother. I’m a foundling. She found me in her swamp and kept me alive, raised me. Now, will you turn her away or will you give me my next task?” Ar grunted and Father ducked further behind his throne. Crow groaned. “Fine! My mother says you have to give me my next task tomorrow because I need to rest.” Ar nodded.

“She’s right,” Kumari chimed in.

Crow threw her hands up. “I’m the damn Black Knight! I don’t need a nap.”

“You need all of that and more. Your second task will come tomorrow. I will take care of your mother and Raven. Off with you,” Kumari ordered, waving Crow off. Ar made a deep rumble sound and nudged her head toward the door. Kumari preened. She had backup.

Crow pursed her lips, but offered no argument. Kumari would make sure Crow was treated to a hot bath with oils and then food. Who knew what her father would ask for the knight tomorrow, after all?

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the second task is even more dangerous than the first.