In the dark of the woods, Alfred stared at the band of soldiers returning to the castle after a skirmish. Alfred quickly ran out to talk to the last knight entering the castle. “Sire, could you spare some food or money?” Alfred asked. “Don’t bother with ‘em, Michael.’ Michael turned to Alfred and look into Alfred’s eyes, he saw the suffering in him. Michael whispered in Alfred’s ear, “Meet me here at sunset.” Then Michael, acting like he told Alfred to get away, kicked him saying, “ Get away! Go back to the pit you came from!” The sun dipped into the horizon and Alfred was awaiting Michael’s arrival. Michael came around from the corner of the castle looking for Alfred. Alfred, whistled to catch his attention, and Michael walked over to the woods. Michael quickly pulled out some bread and water and gave it to Alfred. “ Sire, thank you! But I, Alfred, was not asking for food. You see, I am poor but I came to you to ask if you could help me in another way. You may have heard the rumors of bandits robbing everyone in this region…my family…they were taken from me and I can’t stand thinking about what the bandits will do to them. I want your help in getting them back!” Michael thought for a moment to himself…what would the others think? “No, I cannot help you,” Michael said as he turned away and walked back into the castle. Very disappointed at this, Alfred returned to hi home in the woods. Michael awoke hearing a faint chopping sound coming from the woods. It had been three days since he had talked to Alfred. Michael walked downstairs and found the other knights eating breakfast. He asked, “What’s that chopping sound coming from the woods?” One of the knights answered, “Tis the sound of hate, revenge, anger and love. Rumors have spread like a hawk taking flight of a beggar going to fight the bandits to get his family back!” Michael, shocked at this news, went back upstairs to ponder. Alfred was very busy making spears and other weapons to help him fight. He went out to find a horse, but only found a donkey. “Protect my family long enough to allow me time to save them. Give me speed to come upon my enemies with swiftness and fear. Lord, give me the light to shine through the darkness.” Alfred prayed this every night. That night it was cold and the wind blew hard, freezing the furriest animals. Alfred started to plan his attack, or his death. He was going to attack from the east just before sunrise. He knew he was out numbered but he didn’t know how well they fought. He was hoping to have an advantage on his charge by throwing spears and killing some of the bandits. A knock sounded at the wooden door of Alfred’s home. Alfred opened the door to see Michael there. “Alfred, you’re going up against the Night Shade bandits. Rethink your choice…you could die!” Michael said. “No! I will no stand here and do nothing! “ Alfred replied, slamming the door in Michael’s face. Standing on a small hill in the east was Alfred, watching the bandits talk. He got on his donkey and trotted down the hill. He threw a spear into a bandit’s back, pushing him into the fire they had made. Alfred’s donkey was going faster and faster, as if it were a thousand horses. The other bandits grabbed their bows and targeted Alfred. Then a blinding light came from the hill…the sun was rising. Covering their eyes, the bandits ran back, one falling to Alfred’s spear. Alfred came down full speed, filled with love. Then sssschsss, an arrow hit the donkey’s chest, flipping Alfred. Quickly recovering, Alfred drew his sword. The three bandits charged. Alfred dodged a blow to his head and swung his sword, hitting the stomach of a bandit. Swinging his sword back around, Alfred chopped off the head of another bandit. He turned to kill the other bandit but then a pain came across his chest. The last bandit had plunged a knife into Alfred’s chest. Just before the bandit struck the last blow, another beam of light came from the west and an arrow shot into the blinded bandit. Alfred looked and saw Michael, dressed in full armor, reflecting the sun. Michael rushed down, untying Alfred’s family, then went to the dying Alfred. “Take care of my family, Michael,” Alfred muttered. Michael grasped his hand saying, “I will, I promise!” With that, Alfred closed his eyes and slept the sleep of the dead. Alfred’s family lived with Michael forever. But Michael never got over the fact that he could have saved Alfred if he had only realized that it doesn’t matter what other people think. From then on, Michael helped everyone! [This message has been edited by tedman333 (edited 10-22-2003 @ 05:39 PM).]
“He will never live through he fight, he is out numbered 5 to 1, “ Michael said to himself as he looked out the window of a tower. He went downstairs again to talk to the other knights. “Does anyone know what group of bandits this is?” Michael asked. “Some say tis be the Night Shade bandits,” a knight said. Michael now knew Alfred would be killed. The “Night Shade” bandits was one of the worst group of bandits anyone had ever seen. It’s was as a lion to a turtle.
Winner of:The Kindest Forumer At AoMH.Thanks Lost_1n_Space!
Also I have been bestowed with the honor of:
The Kindest Crusader Award
Thank you Lady Arcola!