The Giant Knight

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there once lived a Giant Knight. He was a terror to the community and all the villages surrounding the Kings kingdom. It was decided by the King and his court that someone had to rid the kingdom of this evil Giant Knight once and for all.

It was a typically cold, rainy and dreary day when the king’s bravest knights, Sir William and Sir Robert, were sent on a mission, declared by the king, to find and destroy the Giant Knight once and for all. It was no secret within the kingdom that the Giant Knight was living beyond the great forest to the west. He had terrorized the villages and communities across the region for years. Causing havoc and committing murderous acts against and within the villages and communities with destruction and mayhem without any retribution.

Knights William and Robert had traveled for days with very little food or water through terrible conditions, rain, wind and cold but they felt strong and prepared to carry out the mission assigned to them by the king. They spoke much throughout their travels about their conquest and how it may play out since all the stories they heard over the years were how brutal the Giant Knight could be. It was not first-hand knowledge about the Giant Knight since no one who had ever approached him had ever survived. But what they did have were some vague stories and tales of his size and prowess with a sword and spear. William and Robert were deemed the best with the sword and spear by their peers of the kingdom, therefore, it was no surprise the king choose them to, once and for all, rid the kingdom of this threat to the people and the expansion of his kingdom to the west.

The weather was cloudy and cool with a slight drizzle when they first saw the small castle at the edge of the forest. Their hands were cold but their grip was strong. The hunger and thirst were no longer on their minds as they approached the castle where they believed they would find the Giant Knight. They studied the castle and its surroundings for a time without speaking. Then they began the planning of how they should approach the castle and their attack. After much discussion, they agreed they would not try to sneak up on the castle and they would make a direct approach to the front gate. They thought a direct attack would be to their advantage since they believed there was two of them and only one of him, as far as they knew. The advantage should be theirs.

They approached slowly, observing their surroundings as they moved forward toward the front gate. Spear and sword in hands. They heard some noise coming from the small castle but could not tell what the sound was. As they got closer, they could see that the front gate was already open and the huge front door was open. They could not see inside the front door through the shadows. They proceeded slowly, weapons in hand and at the ready for anything. No fear, only the anticipation of successfully carrying out their quest. They approached the castle door, spear and sword at the ready. There he was, the Giant Knight, standing in the huge door way. Dark and large. Ten to twelve feet tall dressed in rough armor. William and Robert both froze and for a moment and had to catch their breath, ready for battle. They are both having second thoughts about attacking such a huge knight who already has a sword in one hand and a spear in the other. His face is hidden by the shadows. All his armor appears roughly constructed but it doesn’t matter. William moves first and quickly attacks with his spear without making contact with the Giant Knight. Just missing his target and falling away to the side. He quickly recovers and takes a second attempt at the Giant Knight. Stabbing at him with his spear. Only to miss his target again. He is now in a compromised defensive position and the Giant Knight takes advantage and chops the top of his head off with his sword in one quick swipe. William is dispatched quickly and drops to the ground in a heap. Robert drops his sword in shock of what he just saw. The huge quantity of blood pouring from William’s head and the sight of his comrade in arms being semi beheaded before him is almost overwhelming. Trying to regroup, Robert quickly grabs William’s spear out of instinct. He stabs at the Giant Knights armored chest with the spear and the Giant Knight stands his ground and does not move as the spear strikes him over and over to no avail. Robert realizes quickly that the only way to kill the Giant Knight might be his most venerable spot, his exposed neck. He drops his sword, convinced the spear is his only weapon he can use to defeat the Giant Knight. Robert points the spear at the Giant Knights neck and lunges forward. The Giant Knight doesn’t move. But the Giant Knight grabs the tip of the spear and holds it tight. His grip is remarkably strong. Robert is again frozen since the Giant Knights grip is so tight and powerful that Robert can’t pull the spear back or push it forward.

The Giant Knight then speaks in a low and echoed voice: “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Before Robert can answer or even comprehend what was said, the Giant Knight pushes the spear through his own neck and blood sprays out everywhere as he slowly falls to the ground. It is then that Robert becomes the Giant Knight and he comes to the realization that the Giant Knight wanted to die. Robert is confused and is in a state of shock as he watches the Giant Knight collapse. The Giant Knight is now a normal sized knight lying on the ground next to William and Robert has become giant. Robert’s mind is not clear. The Giant knight looks up at Robert, who is now bent over the old Giant Knight, and with his dying breath he speaks softly to Robert and says: “Now you have become the Giant Knight! You are now cursed to live forever, alone, hunted and tormented until another knight comes along to slay you but only if………” and he dies. Robert, now the new Giant Knight, screams so long and loud his voice is heard for miles but heard by no one.