Tyranny Of The Black Knight (Hero Stories)/Part 3

As they were heading on their way to visit the Lady of the Lake, Snappy asked Merlina to use her magic to conjure up targets for him to practice with.

"Time for some sword practice!" Snappy said to no one in particular.

"It's fit for a knave like you!" Caliburn added.

"Enough of calling me 'knave'!" Snappy shouted.

"Not until you prove yourself as a knight to me!" Caliburn said.

Snappy groaned in anger, and proceeded to strike the targets that Merlina had conjured.

"Keep swinging!" Merlina said, as she watched.

Merlina then decided to conjure up a large groups of targets close together.

"Try hitting them, Snappy!" Merlina said.

"I'll smurf all I can," Snappy told her, as he tried to hit the targets; but he missed quite a few targets.

"You have some more work to do." Merlina said, sounding disappointed.

"Hey! I'm smurfing all I can," Snappy said defensively.

"Knave! A knight always hits his targets," Caliburn said.

"Hey! Is this 'Make Snappy Feel Worthless Day' I'm smurfing all I can," Snappy said angrily, as they continued on their way towards the residence of the Lady of the Lake. On their travels, Caliburn noticed something.

"Hm... I suppose something must be done about this." Caliburn said.

"What are smurfing about?" Snappy asked, still fuming from before.

"My edge has grown blunt," Caliburn said, "Being in that rock for so long has taken its toll."

Snappy sniggered, "Heh! Not the sharpest tool in Handy's workshop, huh?"

"That's because a gentleman shouldn't have such an edge." Caliburn said sternly.

"Gentleman? Who are you calling 'Gentleman'?" Snappy said sarcastically, before taking hold of Caliburn's hilt.

"Seek out the blacksmith in the castle town not far from here. I must be presentable when we meet the Lady of the Lake." Caliburn said to Snappy.

"What're you gonna smurf, Merlina?" Snappy asked, there was so response, "Merlina? Hello...?"

He turned round and seen Merlina pick up a lonely flower.

"Why do flowers bloom, knowing they are destined to wither?" Merlina asked no one in particular.

"Huh?" Snappy asked, unsure as to what she meant.

"Their time of beauty is so short-lived..." Merlina said, before the flower she had in her hand withered away, "Forgive me, Snappy, but I would be recognized in town. I shall remain behind in hiding."

"All right. Then I guess it's so long for now." Snappy said, sounding a bit more cheery.

"Yes. May your journey be safe." Merlina said, before Snappy took off towards the castle town; Caliburn in hand.

to be expanded later