Knight Penitant

Ginny awoke to the sounds of numerous horse's hoves clopping on the pavement in the street outside. She went to her bedroom window and peeked out of the blinds. There in the street, illuminated by the street lights, were about 2 dozen or so men on horseback. They all wore medieval style attire, and were armed to the teeth with swords, spears, bows, lances, and all sorts of nasty looking weapons.

They were all dirty, grimy, and looked tired. Some were bandaged. Still, they were a happy lot, and several swayed unsteadily in the saddle, indicating they had been celebrating something or other just a few moments ago. A few held steins that they took a drink from every now and then.

Some of the men on horse back had pointed ears and light blond hair. They were remarkably handsome, in spite of the dirt and grime.

Then she noticed the Captain himself. He was with Paul Arcon. They were under a flag that she couldn't quite make out. Both men were also very dirty and both men sported beards that were many weeks old.

Ginny was delighted to see Faustus again, for he and Paul had disappeared very quickly one night three weeks ago when one of the pointy eared guys had come riding up. The surprise was that Paul and Faustus were from the same lands. Paul wore an armor that looked like a cross between a Greek Hopelite and a Roman Legionnare. He wore a red cloak, carried a large shield, and wore his sword on the right side. Other than this one incident, Ginny had never seen Paul Arcon in his armor before. He looked martially impressive!

Still, Faustus was back, and he could revel her with stories of what they had been up to, and where they had gone. She had some things to tell him too, so she couldn't wait to talk to him.

"Faustus is back! Faustus is back! Oh, cool! He's making a speech!"

Faustus addressed the men with him, talking in that odd language he spoke in. The men all cheered, then galloped away back up the street they had come down. They were soon gone from sight. Faustus and Arcon took their horses to the stables. Ginny knew the two of them would be back and she took the time to quickly get dressed so she could welcome Faustus back. She'd missed him a lot! Oh, it was good to have him back! She gracefully waltzed a bit with glee as she picked out her cloths to wear to go over to see Faustus.

Soon, she peered back out of the front room window of her bungalo and saw Faustus and Arcon standing in the middle of the street. Both men high fived then shook hands. Arcon went to his house, and Faustus went to his. Ginny waited for a few minutes for them both to settle a bit, then happily went to go see Faustus.

She knocked on the door and Faustus called "Come in!"

Ginny entered and saw Faustus sitting on his couch, arms across the top like a spread bird's wings. She was taken aback. He looked even worse in here in the better light. He was awfully dirty and he stank of dirt, grime, and alcohol. He was tad bit beyond drunk, he was wasted!

He greeted her, and Ginny wondered if she'd made the right decision to come here. He had an odd "fire" in his eyes and the way he was looking at her made her uncomfortable.

"Good ta see ya again, Ginny!" he said, way too loud. "I misshed ya all da time we was gone. C'mere, Sweety-pie!"

Faustus had never called her 'sweety-pie' ever before. She was getting very worried about this.

"Faustus, you've had a bit too much to drink. I think you should go lie down!"

He mumbled something in that odd language, and unsteadily got to his feet. He started to stumble, and Ginny without thinking, grabbed him to steady him. He put his arm around her shoulders and they staggered toward the bedroom. The smell of him almost made her gag. They made it through the door and toward the bed.

Much to Ginny's surprise they both fell in his bed!

"Alllll RIIIIIIGHT!" Faustus crowed. He embraced her tightly and tried to grope her.

Enraged, she fought her way free from his amorous embrace and drew back and slapped Faustus as hard as she could, bloodying his nose.

"OW! Hey! Whad ya do dat for?"

Faustus released her and she sprung up and fled toward the door. Faustus got up, took one step, and passed out cold on the floor. He didn't even hear Ginny slam his front door so hard that the windows rattled, and a couple of his pictures fell from the wall.

"Pig! Beast! Animal!"

How long Faustus lay on the floor he had no idea, because he didn't know when he passed out. But when he awoke it was almost noon. The immediate sensations that hit him were his head was throbbing, his mouth tasted like some very ill buzzards had died in there, and he hurt all over. Then he noticed he was face first in a small pool of dried blood. He touched his nose. Ouch! It was sore, but not broken. He sat there on the floor waiting for his head to stop throbbing long enough to stand up.

"Must've done that when I passed out. You idiot! You should know better than to go and drink that much!" He chided himself, but added delightfully "Oh, its good to be back home."

Then he noticed how much he reeked and decided to clean himself up. There was no thought of food, for his stomach was still churning from last nights partying.

He got in the shower and scrubbed the outdoors and horse off him, then went to shave off his 3 week growth of beard. He looked in the mirror. The face that looked back was horrible. He had a ratty beard, his nose was swollen and he had two black eyes. He grinned in spite of it.

"Wow! Sir Racoon! I did a goodie! Wait till Ginny sees this! She wont think I'm such a handsome knight now."

He got the plastic disposable razor and was about to shave when the realization hit him like a freight train. He froze in absolute horror and the razor fell from his nerveless hands.

Oh my god.

Ginny HAD been here. And he had tried to... almost did... she... in his bed... we...no no no no no no!

Oh my god, WHAT DID I DO?!!!

Panic grabbed him like a vise! He raggedly hacked part of the beard off and got as clean as he could. Slipping into his customary t-shirt and shorts he almost tore the cordless phone off its mount as he nervously dialed Paul's number. After a few rings Paul answered.

"PAULGINNYWASHERELASTNIGHTANDITHINKITRIEDTORAPEHER!"

There was a silence on the other end.

"What?"

"Come over here! I think I did something very wrong!"

"Okay. Calm down, man. You sound like you've seen a dragon."

"Oh, something much worse!"

Paul arrived, and tried to calm Faustus down. He was hyperventilating and pale. The two black eyes were also a surprise.  

"How'd you get those? We've been dodging spears and arrows for 2 weeks and you get home and get injured. How'd you manage that."

"I'm not sure. I think Ginny gave them to me. She was here last night, and...."

"And what, Faustus?" Paul asked, looking at Faustus with great curiosity.

"I think I tried to rape her. At least I hope I only tried. Oh, Paul, what have I done!"

"Thats preposterous. I've seen you turn down serving wenches when you were even drunker than we were last night."

"Paul, I didn't lo...uh, have strong feelings for those wenches. Ginny is different!"

"I don't think you'd intentionally hurt her no matter what. Why don't you go see her?"

"Oh, yeah, I can see that! 'Hey Ginny, did I defile you last night?' That'll be a real conversation starter!" 

Paul thought for a bit. Faustus was one hell of a tactician, and the most recent foray had proved that even more, but his abilities with women left much to be desired.

"Let me talk to her then."

Struck dumb at the prospect, Faustus couldn't voice any objections. Paul advised Faustus to shave again, heal his nose and black eyes, and go burn the clothing that he had worn for the last three weeks. Paul's stuff was beyond saving too. All that could be salvaged was the leather and armor.

Paul went over to Ginny's and knocked on the door. When she opened it she looked none the less for wear. If Faustus had attacked her, she was taking it very calmly.

"Are you okay, Ginny?"

"Sure, Paul. Why?"

"Faustus is all tore up. Said he attacked you. Hes going out of his mind over there."

Ginny put her hand to her forehead, and shook her head.

"Come in Paul."

She gave Paul a cup of coffee and explained to him what happened. She said that this had severely damaged their relationship. She also said he was surprised that Faustus ever thought of her that way.

"Ginny, only a dead man wouldn't think of you 'that way'. And the last time I looked, Faustus was still breathing. You are one good looking sexy woman, Ms. Stewart."

She blushed a bit in spite of it. But gained her composure.

"I don't think I can trust him alone anymore, Paul. What on earth made him act like that? Other than the fact he'd had a bit too much to drink."

"I'd better tell you the whole story. Get comfy. This might take a while."

Paul spun a story of how 1000 orcs and goblins had somehow infiltrated into the civilized lands and raided a village of about 300 people. Those they didn't kill, they carried off for food and slaves. Elf scouts had seen this and contacted them. That was when Paul and Faustus left the Girl's Home. They left voice mail with Mrs. Taylor, so she knew they'd be gone on "other business" until further notice.

They went to Mage Farenfarr's Tower and rallied about 350 men and horse, then set out after the raiders. They soon caught up to them and harassed them constantly to keep the pressure up. Orcs and Goblins died like flies and they lost several good men themselves.  

Then the orcs took to putting goblin rear guard parties to hold the men at bay while they fled toward their own territory. After 4 consecutive rear guards were neatly wiped out the goblins refused to do that any more. Faustus always had them leave one Goblin alive, letting it flee back to the main body and spread fear from what it had seen. This worked really well, as deserters broke from the main group and in panic tried to flee on their own. These were hunted down by Rangers and Elves and dispatched. The first captives were freed this way also.

Then the Orcs pulled an even dirtier trick. They took to killing one or two children, and leaving them behind. They knew the Men and Elves would halt and bury them, and that would gain the orcs some time. It worked up until the third time, then the command group of Mage Farenfarr, Lord Brandon, Faustus, and Arcon himself decided to keep on going, leaving the bodies behind.

About dawn on the 14th day a major battle was joined. All kinds of magical pyrotechnics blasted the Orcs and Goblins to bits, frying them where they stood, or killing them horribly. Then it was arrows, swords, and spears. This butchery lasted all day, and swirled up and down two hills and in and out of the forest.

Finally cornered on a river bank, the final battle raged about nightfall. When the moon came up the fields were befouled with dead orcs and goblins and the fallen men and elves. But in spite of it all, they had won.

The freed captives were rounded up and taken care of, their hurts tended to, and given food and water. Many a tear was shed that night.

Arcon himself walked with the others among the dead orcs and goblins, dispatching those that were injured or playing possum. There were quite a few. After a brief night's rest, they had two task to perform; get these people to safety and bury the dead.

Everyone that was able buried the dead men and elves, and then burned the bodies of the evil creatures. Then, as they made their way to a nearby fortified town for shelter, Faustus asked for volunteers. He was going back the way they came and bury those children the orcs had slaughtered. Several men and a few elves went with him, and they did their sad task over the next few days.

Reunited at Farenfarr's Tower they celebrated their victory. Faustus was particularly depressed. Most of the guys felt sorry for him, and they knew how he let things get to him sometimes. Burying those kids was a horrible task. His friends rallied around him and toasted their valor again and again and again. As Faustus got drunker he got looser, and that cheered everybody. It was about this time they came here and ended the expedition.

Ginny was almost in tears at the sad tale. Both Paul and Faustus had seen some horrible things, did some horrible things.

"Now you know why we were in the state we were in, Ginny. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive Faustus, and to forgive us for getting him that drunk. We meant well, but I see it has caused some unintentional harm."

She looked at Paul. What could she say?

"Why don't you go talk to him, Ginny? He feels real bad about what happened, and he's afraid to talk to you."

"I can't. Not right now."

"Well, okay then. I'm going home and soak my head and get some more sleep. I'm still beat, and I've got to get caught up on where we are lesson wise in my classes. I'll see you later Ginny."

She saw him to the door and closed it. Then she thought for several minutes. Finally she made up her mind. Out the door she went.

She saw Faustus in his back yard standing next to his burn barrel, tossing in bits of his livery. She broke into a run.

"What are you doing!?"

Faustus looked at her and then cast his eyes down. He couldn't bear to look at her.

"Its the clothing I wore on the expedition, Ginny. Its beyond help. I'm burning it, like Paul had to burn his stuff."

"Oh, thats a relief. I thought you were burning your stuff because you quit or something."

"I think I ought to. I was very bad to you last night, Ginny. I don't remember much of it, but enough to know I shouldn't have tried to do what I tried to do."

"Paul told me what you all have been doing the last three weeks. God, Faustus, it must have been awful."

Faustus just nodded, not looking at her.

"Faustus, I can't forgive what you tried to do. But I understand a little more than I did. This also has damaged our friendship. I can't trust you 100% anymore."

Faustus looked visibly pained.

"I can only say I'm sorry so many times, Ginny. What can I do to make amends? If you want me to leave I shall, and you'll never see me again. I'll resign my knighthood, and go into the wastelands and there accept what ever punishment God sends. I'll..."

"No, Faustus, I don't want you to leave. I'll lose a good friend if you do. And thats something I dont want to have happen. I've lost a lot of friends in my past, and I don't want to lose anymore. This school needs you too. We all need you here."

She thought for a minute and an idea seem to come to her.

"But you are not going to get off that easy. What do they call it when a knight is accepting a punishment for something?"

"Penitence. For his violation he must accept penitence."

"Well, your penitence is to take me out shopping and buy me a nice outfit or two, then go out to dinner and dancing. While we are doing that you can tell me those stories of valor and honor that you saw on your latest expedition, and I'll tell you what you missed here."

Faustus looked up. Was she crazy?

"Faustus, you're a friend. I don't want you hurt. You were drunk, and little nuts from all you did and saw, so I can forgive a little of it. But..." 

"But what?"

"If you ever call me 'Sweety-Pie' again I'll do more than bloody your nose."

Faustus was shocked.

"I called you Sweety-Pie???!!!"

She nodded, a slight grin on her face.

"Oh, hell! I don't even call my horse that! Jeese! If I ever call you 'Sweety-Pie' again, you can shoot me. This just gets worse the more I find out." He kicked a rock and walked in a circle, holding his head.

She laughed. The tension was broken. They talked for a while as Faustus threw the rest of his rotten clothes in the barrel. Then they went to their respective bungalos and got ready for the trip into town. Ginny was surprised when Faustus showed up ready to go with his black eyes gone and his swollen nose completely healed. She wondered how he did that.

After spending several long hours shopping with Ginny, Faustus was sure he should have taken the punishment in the wastelands over this. And she got some very expensive outfits, too. But it got better over dinner and dancing. The food was good and holding each other in their arms was wonderful.

After that they went to Ginny's house and he was so tired that he laid his head on her lap and told her the story Paul had. She held his head and ran her fingers over his hair. In spite of hearing it before, the way Faustus told it pulled at her heart strings even more. Faustus and Paul came from a violent world, but it was also a land of honor and chivalry. Faustus was willing to go commit virtual suicide for something that some other guys had tried to do to her on a couple of dates. Yeah, he was no longer 100% trustworthy, just 99.99. She couldn't give up a friend like that.

Faustus had dozed off; the exhaustion, the relief of being home, and the ability to finally relax with Ginny took him out. She looked down at him with deep affection. This was the man she wanted to see last night. This was who she wanted to talk to and listen to. Everything was okay now. She kissed him lightly on the forehead, and decided let him sleep on a little longer before she would wake him up and send him home.   

"Welcome home, darling...." she softly said, and whispered "I love you."