The Dangerous Duke

As we look in each other eyes. Just waiting on who would strike first. As it would seem only mare days leading up to this point and now here I am looking in the face of my father’s killer. And what transpire me to get to this point.

16 Hours Earlier...

In pub far in the middle of nowhere. It seem like a quiet place. As everyone seem to keep to them self. Not a loud sound to disturb someone. Not until the doors slam open. As this man trotted slowly hearing the step of his boots on the hard pattern floor. He was gruff in appearance. Unkempt. With a black beard and short boy hair. He walk in with his black cloak hitting the floor as his puff hood shrouded his neck. He approach the bar. And ask for his payment. As it seem a group of gnomes have been scary his business off. He was told the mysterious man would take care of it for a payment.

The bar keep said “Oh yes!”.

As he mutter to get his pay. He was a bit nervous as the man was quite intimating. He hand him his reward. Just as the man snatch it from him. Just then another group of men walk seem to be angry at the mysterious man. They approach him saying that the reward was their's. Seeing they were on the case first. But the man manage to kill the creatures before them. Which made them angry.

As they said “Hand the money over and there would be no problems!”

The man then said “Give a ale.”

The other man then yelled “Are you ignoring me? I said give me the money now!”

As his friends surround him.

The man then said “I’m in no mood to fight, but if you wish then fine, but be warn you will lose.”

The men then rush him as they swung at him. They miss as the men was quick. And smack both of their heads with each either knocking them out cold. Another man came running at him. He dodge him. Then slamming his head against the bar. While another went to throw a punch. In which he kick him in the groan. With the both of them incapacitate. Only leaving the leader. Then the man then pulls out a small dagger and came charging at him. Trying his hardest to slice him. As the mysterious man dodge each one. Until he steadily punch him in the face. Breaking his nose. Then he grab the man hand with the knife and took it away and said you shouldn’t play with knives. As he place the knife in his pocket. He went to the bar and grab his bottle of ale and went on his way. As everyone just wonder who this man was as he left the pub.

10 Hours Earlier....

On the long road to the next town. He found himself in the woods of the dark forest. As he trudge along with his horse. Riding the dark path with it cold winds and foggy mist. With the trees looking rather sinister. Upon the way. He manage to run into a little girl who was no more then 10 years of age. As he stop to ask her what she was doing out here in the woods.

Which she replies “Well I don’t have a horse so walking the only way to get to the next town! “ She said in a snarky voice.

Puzzle. He then ask if she would like to accompany him to the next town and that this was no place for her to wonder.

And again in a snarky vice she replies. “Why cause I’m a girl you think I can’t handle myself?”

Which he then states no I know quite a few woman who can handle their own. I’m saying this cause your 10. And of course it would be quicker then walking. She though for a bit and agreed but reluctant still. As she hop abroad his horse and they rode off together., She look at his face. Thinking she seen him before. Until it hit her.

And she utter loud. “I know who you are. Your Faustino, The new Duke of Sudden. What are you doing here? I reckon that Sudden has to be at least a three days ride from here. Why so far from Sudden?”

He replied “I’m on a mission.”

She ask “What kind of mission?”

He said he was looking for a man who went by the name of the Black Knight.

“The Black Knight. I heard he one of the most fierce knight ever to live and he has never lost to no one. Why do you want him?” She said in a surprise tone.

Faustino then said "He responsible for the murder of my father. And he must be brought to justice!"

The girl look at him and ask. “Do you really mean justice or vengeance"

Faustino surprise ask "What?"

“My mother always said those who seek only vengeance tend to lose themselves to their own blacken hearts and become the very thing they hunted for so long. You don’t want to be someone else vengeance?” saying in a concern voice.

He look at her as she said. For her being so young she was quite wise. As they still ride on to the next town.

5 Hours Earlier...

As the ride has took over four hours for them to reach their destination. They manage to finally make it to the next town. As they rode in blazing. With the town being busy with the folks walking about doing their normal routines. He park his horse and said goodbye to the little girl as they both parted ways. Before she left she reminded him to stay true to the code of honer and to search for justice not vengeance. He nodded in agreement. But of course he was lying. As he went off in town seeing the folks. Trying to see if he can find any clues as to where he could find the man he was looking for. As he rode around town. Trying to see if there was anything that could lead him to his man. Until he heard some ruckus seeing a few boys fight among themselves. Seeing two young men rolling on the floor punching each other. He get off his horse. To check it out. And pull the boys off each other.

And then ask “What was going on?”

One boy said. “He took my ball and so I punch him.”

As he settle them down and explain just cause a wrong was made doesn’t mean another will fix anything. Any fool could start a fight. But it take a true man to settle his difference and find his own peace. Upon saying such a thing. He wonder in his thoughts maybe he was wrong for searching his revenge. He was a knight and he had to live to the code. But he unsure. As he ask the boys if they heard anything of the Black Knight. They say they heard of someone who wears black armour that live like a hermit in the woods. With this news he rode out of town and into the dark forest. Searching for such a man.

12 Minutes Earlier.....

As Faustino came riding in. Finding a man cloak in black armor. As He get off his horse and see the knight. He walk up to him. The knight knew why he was there.

Faustino then ask “Are you the Black Knight?”

“Who asking?” he replied.

“My name is Faustino, And you killed my father. So prepare to die!” He said in sharp heroic voice.

He pull his sword out and ran at the Black Knight ready to fight. As the Black Knight quickly pull out his mage and block Faustino sword. And the ensuring battle begun. Hours pass and they both fought with grace and honer. But there can only be one winner tonight. As they look in each other eyes knowing this was going to come to an end with only one walking away. They fought to the end with each swing hitting each other weapon. Until finally Faustino was able to have the Knight drop his weapon. And manage to cut him down slicing his legs. Making him drop to his knees.

As the knight said “Finish it!”

But Faustino did not.

“You killed my father but I’m done with letting my vengeance consume me. I will not allow it to control me any more. And so you will face justice. True justice, not vengeance.” Saying with a just voice.

As he sit there in relieve. Realizing the little girl was right about not pursuing vengeance. It doesn’t change anything. But seeking justice. True justice then you can see it prevail. And watch it prosper. So went in doubt know that vengeance doesn’t lead to your happiness but only a even deeper stupor. Only finding peace within the violence you can then let go and become one with yourself. So forget petty vengeance and find your inner peace....