Part IV

The old knight awoke unable to breathe! His lungs screamed for air! He once again began to fall into unconsciousness, one that he knew he would not return from. He then felt a great pounding on his chest! Unable to see, he knew the beast was rending him, the end was near.

The weight upon his chest began to lessen as he fell slowly into unconsciousness. He thanked Tyr for taking away the pain. Finally the weight and pain subsided as he said farewell to the world.

The old knight floated for awhile before his sight began to return. Was he about to meet Tyr? The after-life had always been an enigma to him, you had to die to see it, therefore there were no eyewitnesses!

He heard a voice say, "He's coming around."

He fought to open his eyes, not wanting to meet Tyr on his back, he slowly and painfully tried rise, at least to a sitting position. He wondered why there would be pain?

"Careful, hold him down." came another voice, this one familiar.

Moments later he was able to open his eyes and see that the voices were those of his squires! He was not dead! He allowed himself to be raised up and leaned against the wall he had rounded earlier. He took water, his throat raw from many hours of battle and the accompanying cries. He took in his surroundings as he sat silently.

On his left along the wall, were the two patrolmen, asleep, but alive, and on his right, was the downed squire, Rollf. He too was alive but asleep, and standing over him protectively was Tanny, bow in hand surveying the forest. In the distance, the smaller Bandar lay hacked apart, probably to pull it off of him after John had killed it. He mentally thanked Tyr that at least his instruction to attack the neck had been followed. And lastly there was John. He was standing sword in hand, as if ready for battle, only the battle he awaited was from him! And he would get it!

Taking another drink, he cleared his throat and asked, "What were your orders, sir?"

Without hesitation John answered, "To learn to fight and survive, that others may live."

Smiling a teachers smile of pride, the old knight knew he'd lost this battle, the lesson was done.