The knight looked upon the fair maiden with some concern, "Maiden, you should not be so deep in the forest where the most vile and evil things lurk. You have no weapons or armor to protect you; nor do you seem to have the fearsome strength to defend yourself against such things." He announced with a voice full of concern and fear for her safety.
"I have no fear, sir knight. For I serve the greatest King and Kingdom of all. I have no heavy armor of steel or massive metal blade to keep the evil things of the land from harming me. For I have His words and His promise, that's all the protection I need," the red-haired maiden responded with a soft voice that shone with confidence.
"What manner of King can protect you so far from your homelands?" The Knight asked genuninely impressed. He dismounted his war horse and walked over to a massive boulder. With an awesome display of strength, the knight hefted the boulder over his shoulders and hurled it several feet into the woods.
"Can your King give you the power to perform such feats of strength as this" he asked.
"Though my King, I can move mountains, if He desires it. All that's required is faith the size of a mustard seed," the fair maiden replied softly.
"The knight unsheathed his sword and with a mighty blow, cut a massive oak in half. "Can your King's sword cut a mighty oak and tame the evil that haunts so many lands?" he challenged.
The maiden smiled up at the fearsome ruby knight; for it was clear he did not understand. She raised a small black book and held it up for the knight to see.
"With these words, I can eradicate all evil that would do harm. With these words, I am protected from all evil and kept safe from all harm. For my King has promised that those who follow him will be safe and warm in the arms of His Kingdom."
The ruby knight titlted his head and sheathed his blade, "My lady, your King sounds like a noble and just monarch, I do freely offer him my sword and my fealty."
The maiden smiled, "He would be pleased to have you, Sir Knight, but he has no need for your blade, simply your heart," she replied.
The ruby knight was confused. What King would refuse his mighty sword, how powerful and strong must this king be to not want the might of the ruby knight under his crown? "Fair maiden, I would speak to this King so that I may freely offer him my services. Might I escort you to your land and be presented to such a man?"
The maiden laughed a cascading giggle as the knight failed to comprehend. "Noble warrior, I serve no man, I serve the Creator of all things. If you wish to meet Him, simply kneel with me and we shall speak to Him together."
The Knight prayed and offered his services to the Maker of all things. He felt within him a new purpose, the just cause that he had been looking for. He arose and looked at his fearsome armor and battle blade; how small and insignifigant they now seemed. How impotent these man made constructs were against the words of the maker of all.
"Will you not free yourself of you man made armor and carry the sword and armor of The Creator instead?" she asked him.
"I would fair maiden, but I'm confident the Creator would not want me wandering the land as He had originally brought me into this world. Perhaps I might find a trailor first." He added lightly.
Written and submitted by science fiction writer and columnist, Gregory Ballan
