Heart of a Knight: Part I

She ran down the stairs, her long dark hair flying behind her and her sword held in front of her as she charged into the main room of the house. "I've got you now Cletar." Suddenly her eyes got wide and she fell to the floor with a long groan, clutching her chest. She looked up and drawing all her strength she swung her sword and watched as the head of the man leaning over her fell to the floor.

*************
Susan frowned as she ran into the room and saw one of her favorite vases lying on the floor in pieces. She looked at her daughter lying on the floor, her wooden sword laying beside her in the midst of the broken porcelain. "Keera Elizabeth du Lac! Just what are you doing young lady? Have I not told you that we do not play knight in the house? Look at the mess you have made and all that noise will wake Colby from his nap." Keera stood up, biting her lower lip. "I am sorry momma. I forgot." Susan took a deep breath, looking down at her daughter. "Go outside and play Keera, while I clean up this mess." Keera turned and picked up her sword, her head hanging a bit as she walked outside. She sat down on a bench in the garden and swung her feet, watching them as she did so. She didn't mean to get in trouble but it seemed she always did something to displease her mother.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she never saw the big knight walking up to her. She jumped a bit as he sat down beside her but as she looked up she smiled a big smile. "DADDY!!! You're home!" She threw her little arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Erland laughed, "It seems I have been missed." Keera nodded her head vigorously. Erland looked down at the wooden sword laying on the bench between them and then looked seriously at the little girl "And you kept the land safe from enemies while I have been gone?" Keera giggled "I killed the evil mage," she stopped and her smile disappeared. "And I broke momma's favorite vase." "Hmmmm," KM pulled his daughter onto his lap, "well it was in the name of stopping evil, was it not?" His eyes twinkled. Keera nodded her head, "yes." "Then I am sure momma will forgive you, my little knight in the making. And we shall go to the marketplace and buy her a new vase right away." Keera's face brightened at his words, she hugged him again then whispered, "I want to be a knight just like you someday daddy." KM returned the hug, his own eyes glistening a bit. "You have the heart of a knight my daughter." Then whispering so low that even she could not hear he said one word. "Mine."