A Duel

Sir Riley headed towards a deserted castle deep in the forest. There he waited, for he had sent a note to the villain and they were to meet there.

At noon, he heard a noise. Into the clearing stepped the man that had attempted to murder the princess.

“Hello.” Said Sir Riley.

“Hello, so you found me out.” Said the man.

“Yes.”

The man was…Prince Leos!

“I did not expect you to figure it out so quickly. Though, I knew you would some time.”

“I’m flattered. Tell me prince, why did you try to kill her? You were to have married her.”

The prince laughed bitterly. “Yes, I was going to marry her. But I saw that she loved you, and I could never win her heart.

“The reason I attempted to kill her, I wished to hurt her father, the king.”

“but why did you wish to hurt him?”

“So, you didn’t figure that out? Why don’t you guess?”

“Very well, prince. Is it because he killed your father in battle?”

Prince Leos’ eyes blazed, “So, you know that too! Yes, he murdered my father. I know it was in fair fight, but he should not have done so!”

“He did not know it was your father at the time.”

“So? He killed him anyway. When my father was alive, I had a chance to get the throne. I was my father’s favorite son. But he died and left no will. So, my elder brother has the throne. I hate King Ronald!” Prince Leos exclaimed angrily, “And I hate you, too! You ruined my plans!”

“But it is not because of me that you failed in murdering the princess.”

“I don’t care! I’m going to kill you!”

With that, Prince Leos whipped out his sword, and leapt at Sir Riley.

But Sir Riley had already gotten out his sword and blocked the blow.

Then, began the most stunning and skillful duel ever. Prince Leos sought to destroy the man whom, he considered, to have ruined his plans for revenge. Again, and again he stabbed his sword at Sir Riley, but the young knight’s sword always met each onslaught. Finally, seeing his chance, Sir Riley ran his antagonist through the shoulder. The prince dropped his sword and gripped his shoulder. His face was white with fury.

“Now, prince, you can do something for me. Sign this confession.” Said Sir Riley, panting.

“Never!” screamed Prince Leos, in rage.

Sir Riley placed the point of his sword against the prince’s throat.

“Sign it and I shall not kill you as you so richly deserve.”

“No!”

Sir Riley put more pressure on his sword. Prince Leos went pale. Then he said, ’Very well, if you will let me go free.”

’All right, but I warn you, if I ever see your face again, I shall kill you.”

The prince grasped the pen and paper and quickly signed it.

“Like all murderers you are a coward.” Said Sir Riley, as he took the paper.

Prince Leos glared furiously and would have leapt at Sir Riley, but Sir Riley pressed on his sword.

’Now, get up and ride. Before I kill you.”

The prince mounted his horse and disappeared. Sir Riley gazed after him thoughtfully. Then he carefully folded the paper and placed it in is pocket. He wiped the blood of his sword and then, mounting his horse, he rode away.

* * * * *

“I cannot and will not believe it!” exclaimed King Ronald, “Prince Leos is a perfectly good man, why would he want to murder my daughter?”

“Sir Riley explained it all to me after he had seen the note written by him. He hates you because you killed his father. He might have gotten the throne, but since there was no will, his elder brother has it.”

“Yes, yes. That is all true. But how are you going to prove it?”

“Sir Riley was going to meet the prince and have him sign a confession.”

“Why,” exclaimed the king, “Sir Riley will be killed!”

“I hope not.”

Just then a page stepped in. “Sir Riley.” He announced.

In came the young knight.

“Sir Riley, you made it!” exclaimed Sir Anthony in relief.

Sir Riley handed the confession to the king.

“Prince Leos signed this.” He told the king.

The King quickly read it. He looked up.

’Sir Riley, would you please tell me how this came about?”

“Yes, your majesty, as soon as you release Purvis and John.”

“Of course!”

King Ronald gave orders to release the prisoners immediately.

Then he turned back to Sir Riley.

“Now, tell me your story.”

Sir Riley did so. When he finished, King Ronald sighed.

“I am afraid that I have made a mistake. I am very sorry. But, who gave you the cloak, sleeping powder and sword?”

Sir Riley smiled. He reached out and put his hand on Keven’s shoulder.

“Your son.”

“My son!”

“Yes. He came to my cell and asked what he could do to help. I told him what I needed. He did a good job.”

“Sir Riley, with what do you want me to award you with? I will grant you anything.”

“I want one thing, the hand of your daughter.”

“You want Jewel?”

“Yes, I love her.”

“Very well, if she loves you also, which she has told me she does, you may have her. This matter, dreadful as it has been, has done one good thing. It has freed me of my promise.”

Just then Doctor Harrison stepped in.

“The Princess is asking for you, Sir Riley.”

Sir Riley looked at the king. He nodded. Sir Riley hurried to Jewel’s room. Keven and King Ronald followed.

Sir Riley dropped on his knees by Jewel’s side.

“Riley.” She whispered.

Sir Riley smiled, then he leaned over and softly kissed her.

King Ronald smiled, then putting his arm around Keven, he whispered, “It seems we have gained our Jewel, only to have lost her once more. But, I have gained another son, and you a brother.

The End

(That's it! I hope you enjoyed this story!)