Sky Knight and the Lost Knights: Sky Knight, #2

By Matt O'Connor

Two Sky Knights are missing and it is up to Ed to find them.

Sir Charles has asked him to join a rescue mission aboard the Jolly Adventurer. It's a chance to prove himself before starting his Sky Knight training.

But first he will need to survive the wild creatures of Borcal Pass which are far deadlier than he ever imagined.

Join Ed as he once again flies into danger intent on becoming a Sky Knight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MOVE Publishing
• Release date: Jan 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9780987301130

Book preview

1

Ed practically skipped out of the castle after his meeting with the King.

He’d done it. His adventure to save Princess Victoria, though foolish, had given him the chance to become a Sky Knight. A Raptor. In one short week he would be off to the Raptor Trials and when he was successful he’d receive an apprenticeship to a real Sky Knight as a Squire. He’d no longer be a simple Hawk Minder, caring for hawks, and watching Knights fly off on adventures. Now he would be the Knight.

Raptors were the elite military force of the Kingdom of Westra. The knights rode massive war hawks into battle. This ran search and rescue missions and protected the kingdom from evil beasts, pirates and other threats.

Ed entered the Aviary, the giant tower where he had lived and worked since his adoption by the local Master Alfred, the Master Hawk Minder.

As expected, Mark and Nigel were waiting for him. The older boys, also orphans had come to the Aviary after Ed. Both boys had burly builds with curly brown hair. They looked and acted like brothers even though they weren’t.

How much trouble are you in?

Back to get your things before they take you to the mines?

Or will you be building railways for the Kingdom until you’re old and hunched?

 I know what will make you feel better—clean out the hawk cages for me, will you? It will be good practice, Nigel held out the shovel they used for that job.  

Ed said nothing. On the outside they seemed exultant, but something subdued their teasing. Maybe they were jealous of the adventure Ed had just experienced, or more likely, they were under orders from Master Alfred not to tease him.  

Ed ignored them and walked in a happy trance to Master Alfred’s office.

I’m back, he said, knocking on the door.

Well, come in then, boy, Master Alfred waved him to a chair. Let me look at you.

Ed’s master was a thin, middle aged man with a hooked nose and bushy eyebrows. His usual scowl was still present, so Ed guessed that he wasn’t in too much trouble. Ed sat on the stiff wooden chair opposite his master’s desk. There were more comfortable ones at the side of the room, but his master kept them for guests of higher status than his apprentices.

No broken bones then?

No master. Just some bruises, Ed pointed to his eye.

I can see that. Someone hit you nice and hard.

Yeah.

Obviously not hard enough to knock sense into you, Master Alfred cackled at his own joke.

Ed frowned, I don’t get what you mean?

Sir Charles came to see me. Very angry he was. Called you a thief, and a pirate. And then after making a big song and dance, he made me release you from your apprenticeship so that he could have you trained up to be a Knight.

Yes, sir.

And despite being beaten to a pulp by pirates you still want to be a Raptor?

Ed looked around the office. The charts tracking the health and recovery of hawks, maps showing proving grounds, and the various presents and trophies Master Alfred had received over his career. Ed had spent a lot of time in the office, cleaning and updating his master on the hawks. Suddenly part of him wasn’t so sure he wanted to leave the tower. It was much safer than the crazy dangers he had just survived and he knew his job here. But then he remembered how it felt to fly and his dreams of exploring new places from the sky, and answered, Yes. More than anything.

See, no sense, a grin split his master’s mouth.

Do Mark and Nigel know?

Did they tease you?

Yes… Ed looked back at Master Alfred. Oh, you haven’t told them.

I will. But later. Until then, keep silent and just do your chores. Preferably without getting any more of our birds burned.

Yes, sir.

A week is not a long time, Edward. But it will feel it. I want you to know that I’m proud of you. You stuck to your guns when I wouldn’t listen to you.

Ed grinned. Praise from Master Alfred was rare. Especially if you put a hawk in danger while doing something, Thank you Master.

Well, head upstairs and clean up. Dinner will be served soon and then I think an early night is in order. A good night of sleep will help you clear your head.

Despite his master‘s promise, sleep did nothing to make Ed feel better. If anything, the aches he felt from his adventure made him feel worse. He ate breakfast mechanically and then began his chores. Thunder, one of the local garrisons giant war hawks, head-butted him