THE KNIGHT...... He had all any young man could want, a beautiful home in a city of castles built by Kings, warm clothing to keep Him warm, gleaming, sharpened swords for fighting... armor to protect His strong body, plenty of food and drink to satisfy His hunger and thirst, wealth and respect, and many horses to take Him where He needed to go. But the one thing He wanted, He did not have, a beautiul, vibrant woman to call His own. Because of His many accomplishments and fearless fights against man and beast, He was called Euqine by His fellow man. He was well known in the land of Loxsley and well liked by women and men alike. He was called upon whenever there was a problem, whether it be in Loxsley or another land. He was a Knight with great demeanor, yet felt so alone, although surrounded by family and friends. It was a warm, spring day when He rode into town. Upon arriving, He come to meet a good friend, who told Him of troubled times in a city called Nellbar. He listened as His friend and brother Knight told Him of the deception and senseless blood shed...of the rapings of innocent women, all in the name of power. He knew He had to help, He must ride to this Nellbar and do all He could to free the land and people from it's despair and anquish. He told His friend to carry word to the Knighthood and to have them all meet Him just outside the city of Nellbar. He rode home, gathered His best sword and His armor and jumped atop His strongest steed, a cole black stallion, named Lightning, because of his exceptional speed and strength. He headed for Nellbar, full aware of what He would face upon arriving. He feared no man, no beast, not even death and He had looked it in the face many times. He was a strong willed man, determined and galliant. He lived by the sword and He would die by it if necessary. The ride to Nellbar was a rough one, through mountains and baren desserts. He arrived outside it just after night fall. There, as He had requested, was an army of His brother Knights. He told them of His plan, to take Nellbar at night, as the town slept. They would ride to His friend Patrick's home to get the information needed to find the evil doers of the city. With that, they followed Euqine into Nellbar. Patrick welcomed his friend with food and wine. They spoke of the evil in Nellbar and Patrick told Him of a small cottage in the outskirts of town where women were taken only to be sold to the highest bidder for sex. He told Euqine how these women were taken from their homes, the families butchered when trying to protect their daughters. Euqine thanked Patrick for his help and returned to the Knighthood. He told them of what Patrick had told Him and they rode off in the night to the cottage. Upon arriving they lit their lanterns and shined them upon the cottage. The first thing Euqine noticed was the windows were all boarded up and across the door, a long, thick piece of steel, locked tightly into the clasp that held it. Not much in keeping the outside from getting in but definately enough to keep the women from getting out. He also noticed there was not a soul around guarding the place, it all appeared too easy. They had told no one of their coming here this night, so He did not believe it to be a set up. He dismounted and walked up to the door. He lifted the bar from the clasp that held it. He opened the door....................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TO BE CONTINUED~~~~~~~~~~~~~