Children of the Knight by Michael J. Bowler Page A

who shalt command in my stead. Doth you mean to say thou canst not share our ideals and goals with all who need us? These boys be different in one way, yes, but they beest human first and foremost. Like you and I and all these others, they art children of God and thus deserve our love and fealty. I truly need thee, my Lance, by my side. More than ye canst know. May I count upon thy service, not just to me, but to all who find themselves in need?”
    Lance looked at Arthur, and knew he couldn’t say no. This man meant so much to him. He could do it. He would do it. He’d just avoid the… those guys… as much as possible. He pushed his hair back from his eyes and smiled. “Yes, sire.”
    Arthur relaxed into a grin of satisfaction and gratitude. “Good. Now tell me, how many lost ones have we recruited, including those who merely join us by day?”
    Lance frowned. “Not counting… you know, them you brought tonight, near doscientos. Entiende ?”
    Arthur’s face revealed that he understood. He’d always been quick to learn new languages, and this Spanish didst seem easier than most. He sighed and shook his head, his voice filled with sadness. “Two hundred. How wasteful humanity hath become.”
    Lance merely nodded in agreement as both remained side by side in silence, gazing into the darkness of the tunnel, contemplating the future.

Chapter 3

    T HEfollowing morning as Arthur began his training with the new arrivals, Lance decided to go to school. He hadn’t been there in… actually, he couldn’t recall how many days. Or was it weeks? But he needed some distance between himself and the new kids. He’d caught those same two, the blond and the buff one, eyeing him this morning, sizing him up, as though trying to make a decision about him. That creeped him out, big time. He’d felt they could see right into his heart and soul, and that made him feel exposed. He hated that feeling. It made him feel like they could see… his secret! Just thinking of it pulled his heart into his throat with fear.
    So he put on his old skater clothes, wrapped his favorite circlet around his head to restrain the hair, then hopped on a bus and went to MTS. He needed to talk to Ms. McMullen.
    He spotted her during Nutrition, crossing the war-torn campus, struggling under a load of books as she darted between kids and around caution tape in equal proportions. Lance ran up beside her.
    “I’ll take them for you, Ms. McMullen,” he offered with a smile, and she grinned with relief as she handed them over gratefully.
    “Thank you, Lance. Where have you been?”
    Despite his troubled state of mind, he did not fail to notice how easily he was able to carry the heavy load. Before Arthur, he’d have been fighting just to hold this many books, let alone walk with them. He was stronger!
    He just grinned at her. “I been busy. No time fer school.”
    Jenny frowned, tossing her blonde hair away from her eyes. “How are you ever going to learn to read and write better if you don’t come to school?”
    Lance threw her that knowing look she’d seen on occasion. “Ms. McMullen, you’re a good teacher, and you know I already read and write better than anyone in the class.”
    Jenny stopped a moment and gazed into those beautiful green eyes. He was right. She did know that. So why was she spewing the same old platitudes about coming to school when she knew he probably didn’t need it?
    She laughed, and they resumed their walk toward her classroom. Of course it had to be on the opposite side of campus from the library, which precipitated the long walk burdened by all those books. “You’re right, Lance. I guess I just miss having you in class.”
    Lance blushed again. Man, that was becoming a bad habit. “Ms. McMullen, can I ask you something?”
    Jenny nodded. “Of course, but let’s get these books into my room before they crush you.” She fished keys out of her pocket to open the classroom door.
    “Don’t worry about me, Ms.