Nightside 11 - A Hard Days Knight

trying.”
    “It wasn’t like that,” I said. “He wanted to kill me and take over my life. And he threatened you. I couldn’t have that. So I killed him.”
    “The most important man in the Nightside is dead,” said Suzie. “Good.” She put a comforting hand on my arm. “I know you and he were ... close, in some way I never really understood.”
    “He was my father’s friend,” I said. “But he was always there when I needed him. He used me for jobs when he needed someone expendable, but he protected me when he could. At the end, when he knew he was dying, he said he wanted to be my father; but I never wanted that. And I don’t want his bloody job, either. Oh yes, the man’s barely been gone a few hours, and already people are queuing up to tell me I have a responsibility to take over his position and be the new Voice of the new Authorities!”
    “If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it,” said Suzie. For her, it really was that simple.
    “But ... there’s no-one else.”
    “That’s my John,” said Suzie, putting her arms round me. Her black leathers creaked loudly. “Always ready to take the weight of the world on his shoulders. And always convinced no-one else can do the job as well as him. Maybe that’s why our mysterious benefactor sent Excalibur to you. Because they know you can be trusted to use it wisely. I’m not sorry Walker’s dead. Or that you killed him. I worked for the man, but I never liked him. He played chess with people and never gave a damn about the pieces he had to sacrifice.”
    “I worked for him,” I said. “I respected him, and sometimes I liked him, against my better judgement.”
    “Were you and he ever friends?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “It’s complicated.”
    “Two of the Nightside’s greatest lights have gone out,” said Suzie. “We shall not see any blaze so brightly again in our lifetime.”
    I gave her a stern look. “You’ve been watching the History Channel again.”
    She laughed and let go of me. She started towards the table, reached out to grasp the sword’s hilt, then stopped.
    “This sword fascinates me,” she said slowly. “It’s one of the greatest weapons in the world. But as much as I want to, I can’t bring myself to touch it. I don’t think it wants me to. As though ... I’m not worthy.”
    “Hell with that,” I said immediately, carefully keeping it light. “If I’m worthy, you’re worthy. No, I think it’s just ... we’re back to the destiny thing again. It wants me.”
    “So we’re back to the main question,” said Suzie, glaring at the sword with her arms folded firmly across her chest. “Why would anyone send Excalibur to you?”
    “I think it’s my turn to feel hurt,” I said. “Are you implying that I am not worthy?”
    She snorted briefly. “Don’t start getting ideas above your station.”
    “I am, let us not forget, the son of a Biblical Myth.”
    “And look how that turned out.”
    “Good point,” I said. It was my turn to look thoughtfully at the sword. “Maybe ... I’m supposed to hold on to the sword, guard and protect it, until its rightful owner turns up.”
    “You mean Arthur? King Arthur? The King Arthur?”
    “Why not?” I said reasonably. “We spent enough time in Merlin’s company ... Dead, but definitely not departed enough for my liking. A lot of people believe Arthur is still out there, somewhere, sleeping in state until the day shall come when he will be needed again, to lead us all in the Final Battle. I used to love all those books when I was a kid.”
    “This is sounding worse and worse,” said Suzie. “If Excalibur’s turned up, does that mean we’re on the verge of the Final Battle? I’ve already been through the Angel War and the Lilith War. I think I’m entitled to a little rest between Armageddons.”
    “I wish everyone would stop talking about those two wars as if they were my fault!”
    “Well, they were.”
    “Only indirectly!”
    “Don’t shout, or I’ll give you a headache,” said Suzie. “Still, it has been a little quiet of late. I could use some exercise. It’s been a while since I killed a whole bunch of people.”
    “I’m starting to get a really bad feeling about this,” I said.
    Suzie looked at me thoughtfully. “How did the sword feel when you handled it?”
    “Light,” I said. “Almost weightless. Good balance.”
    “No, John. How did it feel ...”
    I thought about it. “Like it could do anything. Like I could do