Young Writers Society

When Rune opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his younger sister, Vesper. She was bending over him, her brown eyes wide. Glancing around blearily, he noticed his best friends Brand and Tarot; Quimby, the blacksmith; his wife, Morna; and Dr. Janus, the old alchemist who doubled as the palace physician clustered around his bed. He was back in his room.

"Oh, Rune!" Vesper cried, awkwardly slippinging her arms around his neck. "We were so worried! Are you okay?"

He put a hand to his head. Then everything came flooding back. Those men in black masks--they had cornered Princess Solara, right before he was knocked unconscious. He sat bolt upright.

"Where is she?"

They glanced at each other. Then Tarot said, "They took her. We--we don't know where."

Without a word, Rune stood up and staggered to his closet. His head ached terribly, but he could think of nothing but Solara. He flung open the door and threw on his black cloak.

"Oh, Rune, what are you doing?" Morna exclaimed.

"I'm going after her." He strapped his bow and quiver to his back and put on the worn leather belt that had belonged to his father. "How long has it been since they left?"

Brand looked down at the floor. "Just a few hours, but--"

"Look here, boy," Quimby interrupted. "You can't do this. Those men have already killed the guards at the gate. They would hack you to pieces as soon as look at you."

Rune buckled on his sword and sheath, then looked the huge man straight in the face. "What would you do if they had taken Morna?"

Morna gasped in horror at the mere idea.

Quimby avoided his eyes. "It's no job for a boy like you."

"I'm sixteen," Rune countered. "I'm a man now. And so help me, I will rescue Solara if I have to fight my way past a whole army of those men."

"Sir, as your physician," Dr. Janus said in his creaky voice, "I must remind you that you have just sustained a considerable blow to the head and are in no condition to--"

Rune brushed past him and stalked toward the door. He stopped when someone laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. Why couldn't these people just leave him alone? He turned around. It was Tarot, and Brand was standing beside him.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tarot asked, his black eyes twinkling. "You think you can just run off on some crazy escapade without us?"

"The Brotherhood of Wannabe Knights has to stick together," Brand said.

Rune could not help smiling. "What would I do without you guys?"

Brand grinned. "I'm not sure, but it wouldn't be pretty. Now if you'll give us just ten minutes to pack some food and saddle the horses, we brave knights can be off to rescue the princess." He grabbed Tarot's arm, and they ran out the door.

Vesper grabbed Rune's arm. "I'm coming too."

Rune laid his hands on her shoulders. She was getting so tall. "No, Vesper. You have to stay here and take care of the king. There's no telling what this news might do to him."

"I'm tired of hanging around here like an old woman!" she protested, stamping her foot. "I'm fourteen. I can take care of myself. And I can fight, too."

He looked helplessly at the others. "Please, Vesper. I couldn't bear to lose you too. Stay here, and I promise: when I come back, I'll give you all the fencing lessons you could ever want."

She stuck out a rose-pink lower lip. "You swear?"

"On my honor as a--a--a page." He hated the sound of the word. Someday, he vowed to himself. Someday I'll be a knight like my father.

She sighed. "Okay. But next time you run off, I'm going too."

He smiled and hugged her tightly. "It's a deal." He waved to the others, then went downstairs. Brand and Tarot had the horses saddled.

"Well, this is a little unexpected," Tarot said, leaping onto his young mare. "But I guess I could use a little excitement."

"Oh, when Sir Rune the Valiant's around, things are always exciting," Brand teased.

Rune rolled his eyes, but secretly he thought, Sir Rune the Valiant. Has a nice ring to it.

And then they were off.