Sir Alexander Vermont smiled broadly as his friends toasted his good fortune. He was entering a golden age of happiness since the end of his service in the King's army. He left after commanding a large regiment of the army for several years with his strong shoulders holding his heavy aura of chivalry. No one despised or mistrusted him. Common villagers knew his name as a valiant warrior fighting for the people. Nevertheless, he eagerly put his sword away to embrace the life of a Lord and a veteran.

He was the Lord of a large spread of land on the Eastern borders of his kingdom. The King had granted him the land once Alex had defeated the heretics who previously held it. The land was fertile and beautiful, covered with forests and farms and some of the happiest peasants in the kingdom.

In one of the villages of his land, he met his young and beautiful wife, Serenity. Serenity had blonde-brown hair draped upon her shoulders like the finest oriental silk. Her skin was smoother than any king's bed sheets, and if anybody touched her flesh, they would be humbled by their own dirtiness. Her legs and arms were crafted by Venus, and were connected to a slight and slender body. Her face was smoother than any wind-swept dune, marked with less wrinkles than a plain of snow. Serenity's beauty was paralleled only by her kindness and intelligence. She was the most respected in the village, even at her young age. She also spoke her mind, and would help people with their problems, expecting nothing in return.

Serenity was worth more than anything Alex had ever had or ever could have and he knew that. Before they were married, Alex would wander about his estate listlessly, his mind encompassed by his angel. They loved each other more than any god could guess or prove. The two rarely left each other, in sight or embrace. Others would see the two and be immediatley gratified that such happiness could exist on Earth.

About a year after the two were wed, an old friend of Alex's, Baron Lestat, had passed away and left his estate-a region much larger than Alex's-to the gallant knight. Alex, of course, enjoyed the inherited land and decided that he would devote a large sum of his growing fortune to redeveloping the existing farmland and villages.

However, this pleasure to Alex had a downside, for Baron Lestat had a son, Thomas Lestat. Thomas was a dark rogue among the higher classes of society. He was almost hanged as a traitor for previously consorting with enemies. His father was obviously disgraced by him, and denied him his inheritance. Thomas blamed Alex for this, because the Knight seemed easy to blame because of his success in everything. Thomas seemed a wild card, twisted with jealousy and greed, he could do something very irrational…

So, Sir Alexander Vermont received his toast joyously, thanking his luck and his friends. Alex brought his goblet down from his lips, and turned to gaze upon his wife, but the seat beside him was empty. Perhaps she had to run to the jakes. When, after several more toasts and speeches had passed and Serenity still had not returned, Alex excused himself from the table abruptly and began searching for his wife.

He was walking down the hall towards his chambers when he noticed the rug in front of him stained with recently-spilled blood. His senses snapped up so quickly one could hear it. A parchment was lying on the ground amidst the blood. Alex was instantly panicked and leapt upon the note,

A strand of Serenity's silk hair was tied in a knot and laid motionless upon the note.

Alex froze with his eyes locked upon the message. His mouth was clamped shut and his free hand hung in the air motionless. He stayed like that, kneeling for long before William Hermes, his squire, discovered him.

William rushed to his master and knelt beside him, grasping his shoulder, "My Lord, w-what is the matter? What's this blood?"

Alex moved only his mouth, "Read this." His tone was grim and dire.

Will did as instructed, read, and gasped. He then jumped up, breathless and reeled back against the wall, speechless as well.

Finally, Alex bowed his head down. No tears streamed forth, no moan or scream, just quiet rage. "You and I, William, are going to Thomas Lestat's keep. The least I can do now is avenge her death and claim her body. He will not survive this evil deed."

The crushed knight rose slowly and turned to look at his squire. Alex's face was thrilling. His lips were twisted into a horrible frown that could only forebode destruction. His head was half bent down, just enough so his eyes could meet the face of his squire. Alex's black eyes were the most dreadful part- they didn't dart around, they didn't shine. His eyes reflected no light and were as steady as a massive fortress. They gazed from afar, sunken into his gloom face.

Alex inhaled with a grizzly growl deep in his throat and said, "I'll need my armor, my sword, my shield. Pack enough food and water for 2 days travel, and your weapons and armor, make sure you grab your bow as well. I'll meet you in the courtyard as soon as possible. Make sure my guests know I'm leaving, but don't tell them my wife, my Serenity has been murdered. Make something up." He turned away and walked swiftly towards his chambers for his riding clothes.

They left that night, the vengeance-bitten master and squire. Alex had taken the lock of Serenity's hair and tied it to the hilt of his sword. The two headed north, where Lestat's keep lay guarded in the forest. They rode quietly through some villages, where Sir Alexander Vermont simply waved back to his adoring peasants. The sun had set again, and Alex decided to hold for the night, his squire needed rest.

Alex remained silent. While the two sat about a fire, eating their dinner, Alex stared at the fire, barely holding in his bloodlust.

William was seventeen. He was also a cousin of Alex's. The relation had nothing to do with Will's position, though, for Will was brave in battle, and as chivalrous as a knight of the round table. William definitely had potential to be a commander like Alexander in the future, and that was why Alex took him as squire.

William hoped to help his master as much as he could, though, and said, "M'Lord, have you a plan for Lestat's demise?"

Alex raised his head from the fire to meet William's eyes, "Yes. I'll tell you now. Don't think I'm cocky or arrogant, but I am very strong."

"Yes, you are the strongest, My Lord!"

"I'm going straight for Lestat. He's all I need, all I care for. You must divert or distract his guards somehow, I'm guessing with your arrows. Don't risk your life though, Will. I don't want your death upon my shoulders as well.

"If I die, you must make sure Lestat is dead, and Serenity is buried at my castle. You must. That's all."

"Of course, My Lord. I understand the injustice and dishonor in the deed that has been committed."

"Learn from it, Will. Learn that there are people roaming these lands who feed off the pain of others and have no other meaning in life but to cause them pain. They are pitiful, but do have their place in society. Try to ignore or avoid them as much as you can." Alex looked back into the fire, "This one has-- I'm driven to destroy this swine. I must avenge my Serenity. She was innocent of all blame. She is supposed to be alive and happy and in my arms where it is safe!" His voice had escalated into a scream, "By heaven and the gods I hope she is happy, wherever she is, for I know I will never be again!"

Alex yelled the last part at the sky, but soon shook his head and scooted a little away from the fire to try to sleep. Quietly, William followed suit.

William awoke the next day to the rattle of metal. He looked over at Alex, tending to his horse and weapons. Alex held the lock of Serenity's hair in his hand, with a face of pure grief. William frowned at his master's sorrow, wishing there was a remedy he could supply.

Alex snapped out of his sorrow when Will moved out from under his sheets. Will brushed off his shirt and pants and immediatley got ready to leave.

The two were soon underway and by nightfall had reached the estate of young Lestat.

Alex was as dour as normal, but now ready for battle. He and William dismounted three hundred yards from the keep and suited up. The two were decked out in silk shirts (protection from arrows), chain mail around the neck, waist and arms (protection from slashes), a suit of plate mail that covered all but the head (protection from stabs), and topped with an encompassing helm. Alex's sword hung, sheathed, at his side. He also wielded a medium sized war hammer. Will slung his quiver of arrows across his back and tested his long bow. A foot-long dagger was belted to his waist.

The two stretched their limbs and breathed heavily. They both hoped for little bloodshed, except for that of Lestat. Guards were posted from every vintage in the keep, the two knew that it would take luck and wit to enter the place undetected. Sir Alexander Vermont had a plan. William would creep up to the castle and fire a lighted arrow at the massive flag that waved upon a tower. The fort held no archers, so Will had no real threat upon him. Will would keep an arrow trained on any guard who came too close, and he would retreat, and act as peacefully as he could. While that was going on, Alex would go around the castle and enter through a secondary entrance in the back. All forts had a back entrance, in case small groups of people needed to evacuate; it wasn't large enough for an army to effectively get through. Alex would then run as fast as he could to reach Lestat to torture and eventually slay him.

So the two separated. Alex had to stay at a good distance from the castle, for his running with armor produced quite a racket. Alex located the rear entrance and saw the flag above the castle suddenly turn ablaze. He breathed in and steadily marched towards the open-arched doorway. Two guards stood there looking around at the commotion in the courtyard. Alex wielded no weapons: they both hung at his sides. He held his helmet at his side to show his quest for peaceful entry. The two guards held large halberds (heavy axes with a pointed end). When they heard the approaching clanging, the two simultaneously turned to face the massive man encased in metal.

Alex spoke first while still walking towards the frightened guards, "Good Evening. I must talk with Lestat, immediatley."

"Whoa-Wh-- Hey! Who're you, What-- …are? Hey!" The one guard brave enough to speak squinted at Alex's face as he entered the light of a nearby torch. "You're the-- you. Sir Alexander Vermont?"

"I am indeed."

"M-My Lord! What is your business at a place like this at this hour?"

Alex stopped and stood tall and replied, "I've come from my castle, two days ride. Thomas Lestat had my wife killed and I seek his death."

"Killed, he killed Serenity?"

Alex was surprised that the guard knew so much of him. He must be more well-known than he thought.

The guard looked at the other guard with a concerned face, then continued to Alex, "He seems the sort of man who could commit such an atrocity. He is corrupt! I keep my business here secret from my people, to keep my name clean!"

"Yes," Alex interrupted, "I must see him now."

The guard stood straight, "You've brought peace and happiness to this land, and I encourage destruction of corruption, Sir Vermont. We offer no resistance."

The guard nodded at the other guard, and the two sentries parted to let Alex through. Alex proceeded and almost smiled at his easy and peaceful victory. The two guards left their axes at the door, and ran past Alex to warn the other guards away, and point to where Lestat was, in a small tower near the center of the courtyard.

Alex walked briskly towards the tower, dawned his helmet, and drew both hammer and sword. He was very proficient in wielding his broad sword with one hand; he was one of the few who were strong enough to do so. By the time he reached the door of the tower, he was almost at a jog. He swung his hammer full force into the door of the place, emitting a restrained growl at the same time. The door splintered and shattered.

He ascended the stairs like a panther stalking its prey, eyes red with rage and breath hotter than boiling oil. His muscles tensed with adrenaline brought straight from the depths of his anguish. The stairs shuddered, not from his weight and might, but from his desire for vengeance. The twirling stairs gave way to a door and he yelled as he plowed through it, shoulder first.

The room was dimly lit by one torch and a moon-lit window. It was a bed chamber, and Lestat stood with a look of horror on his dark face. He was dressed in leather and chain armor, about to investigate what was going on outside. The sight of Alex, fully clad in armor with sword and hammer drawn, was terrifying. An obvious aura of temperament was around him, expressed by his face and eyes.

Alex stared and growled at Lestat before saying, "You've killed her." Then proceeding to walk upon Lestat.

Lestat grabbed a crossbow off of his dresser that was conveniently ready to fire. The bolt that flew from it went straight into Alex's arm, below the shoulder. Involuntarily, Alex's arm twitched back and he dropped his sword. Nevertheless, the avenging knight screamed in a low, hoarse yell. It deafened Lestat and the stones in the walls rattled with disruption.

Alex drew back the hammer and lunged at Lestat. Alex's teeth and eyes gleamed like the moon, white with justice against the cursed gloom of Lestat's body. Lestat had his dagger up to parry the hammer, but no strength any man could garner was enough to hamper the hammer's decent. The rugged, blunt hammer cleaved Lestat, hitting him above the collar bone. Blood and bone shot out past Lestat's head as he crumpled and whined, hitting the floor.

To Lestat's fear, and Alex's pleasure, the man was still alive, but paralyzed mentally and physically. Alex knelt down onto Lestat's chest, holding the hammer ready. Adrenaline had temporarily healed his right arm, which he used to grab Lestat's hair and bring their faces closer.

"Where is her body?" Alex hoarsely yelled.

Lestat's eyes were rolling around wildly, blood spilling out of his shoulder. However, he summoned a smile and said, "My pla-an worked…. I see. Heh! You'll never be t-the same ever again! B-bastard!"

Driven by this defiance, Alex used the sharp end of the hammer to carve a line down the side of Lestat's face and said, "And I will now have her innocent body put to rest!" He twirled the hammer in his hand and shoved the top end against his forehead, sending his cranium onto the floor. "I will find her eventually, though you could loose several years in purgatory by telling me, Defiler!"

Lestat laughed, "Haha! You see, brat, the body was never delivered! Perhaps the man I sent to kill her took her for himself! I chose from the b-bottom of the barrel for him! And I've never seen either of them for days!"

Alex rose above the crumpled man, "You will burn in the hottest of hells." He then took the hammer's handle and shoved it down through Lestat's stomach and into the floor beneath. Alex picked up his sword and left the man to die in prolonged, utter agony.

Alex and Will left the keep as soon as the deed was done. Alex was no longer silent and angry, but struggling to hold in the tears for his wife. He explained the situation to Will, and believed what Lestat said of his wife. No man could lie at a time like that, no devil on his death bed could…

They reached the castle within two days. Alex hadn't slept in that time, but walked from the fire while Will slept to weep quietly under the stars. After having his arm treated, Alex kept to himself in his room, and had William explain what had happened to everyone so his solitude would be respected.

Another day passed, and Alex still couldn't eat or sleep. He wept constantly over his loss. He came out once to the courtyard to thank William and explain how he felt when he killed Lestat. A peasant's wagon carrying hay had entered the castle as the two were talking. It moved past the two, and from it emitted the most wonderful sound Alex had ever heard, as Serenity yelled from the wagon.

Alex spun to look at the wagon, and when met with the sight of his wife-alive and well-fell to the ground, sitting upon his rear. Serenity bounded off of the wagon and ran to Alex. Vermont's eyes exploded with more tears, but now of joyous means. Alex was unable to speak as he embraced his wife, but she was strong enough to…

"I'm alive, Alex! I was supposed to be killed but that horrible man couldn't do it! He couldn't bring himself to kill me, and he let me loose out in the country! I'm so glad to be with you again, Alex! God, I've missed you."

She didn't know of Alex's venture yet, and didn't find out until Alex was done speaking of his love and his thanks for her well-being. She was scared out of her mind over what he had done, and also proud to have been avenged, proud of her knight! It had turned out that the killer had cut Serenity's arm while taking her from the castle He took her far away from the castle because he couldn't bring himself to kill such an angelic woman. He was even about to turn his dagger upon himself, but Serenity was forgiving enough to stop him. He was going to bring her to Lestat's castle, but instead took her to a village out in the country. Serenity's beauty and kind nature had set the man right! The peasants in the village loved their kind lady and took it upon themselves to carry her back to the greatest Lord around.

The two continued on their path to prosperity. Alex even had the chance to become king, but turned it down because he didn't want to be too busy to neglect his people, or his wife. With Alex's Serenity restored to him, they lived and loved for many years to come.