Free Dawn of the Zombie Knights by Adam Wallace Page B

cream.’
    One more punch. Pete started to giggle.
    â€˜The softest pillow. Our work begins tomorrow. Arrive with the sun.’
    And with that, Sir Mountable turned and went into another room. Pete left the house, an energy like he had never felt before filling his body. He had hope. He had spirit. He had a horse and he had a mentor knight.
    Things had changed alright.

new day dawned. Pete McGee was at the door of Sir Mountable’s house as the sun stretched itself over the trees. Horsey Horse Horse was eating grass with the goat in the front yard, and Pete held a bucket of water in his hand. He put down the bucket and opened the door, ready to drench Sir Mountable if he was asleep, or hungover, or both. To his surprise, when he entered the house, there was Sir Mountable, clean-shaven and dressed, eating his breakfast. He glanced over at Pete.
    â€˜You’re late,’ he said gruffly. ‘When I say “with the sun”, I mean that when the sun rises we are out training. Understand?’
    Pete nodded and backed out the doorway, trying to cover up for the water.
    â€˜Yes Sir. I just need to put out my horse’s water, which is in this bucket here. Water for the horse. To drink.’
    He went outside and put the bucket next to the horse and goat, hoping Sir Mountable hadn’t guessed what he’d really brought it over for. Going back inside, Pete realised this training wasn’t going to be ea—
    â€˜AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH!’
    The scream came from Pete, who now stood in the doorway with the point of a sword touching his throat.
    â€˜A knight,’ Sir Mountable said, ‘must always be prepared to be attacked, for there are many who wish to destroy him. Knights represent, as you said, good over evil, and so evil wishes to destroy them. Evil also cheats. Evil is also sneaky. Always be relaxed, but alert.’
    Pete would have nodded, but feared that if he did the sword point would go straight into his neck. So he sort of just grunted a reply instead.
    â€˜Good,’ said Sir Mountable, removing the sword, ‘and so your training has begun.’
    The first day of Pete’s training consisted of cleaning Sir Mountable’s house, cutting the grass with a scythe, and washing down the goat and Horsey Horse Horse.
    â€˜Your horse must shine,’ Sir Mountable announced, stroking the newly washed horse’s fur that afternoon. ‘He is a major part of your entire image as a knight.
    I know I said image is not important, and in real terms it is not. But on a superficial level, how you look can strike fear into those who wish to defeat you. You must carry yourself with confidence, and your steed must do the same.’
    With that Horsey Horse Horse puffed out his chest and trotted around the yard, making Pete and Sir Mountable laugh.
    â€˜Call him over,’ the old man said.
    Pete hesitated.
    â€˜Here. Come here,’ he called.
    â€˜The horse’s name,’ Sir Mountable said gruffly, ‘always use the horse’s name.’
    Pete hesitated again. Oh man, this was going to be embarrassing. He breathed deep, let the air out, and then called his horse.
    â€˜Here Horsey Horse Horse,’ he said in a weak voice. Sir Mountable slapped his forehead.
    â€˜No no no no no ,’ he said. ‘The horse has lightning on its forehead. It is a fast, fast horse. Surely you can do better than Horsey Horse Horse?’
    â€˜Quick Sticks?’ Pete asked.
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Speedy?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Fast running horse?’
    â€˜They’re getting worse.’
    â€˜Rushes?’
    â€˜NO!!!’
    â€˜Lightning Head?’
    â€˜Lightning! Your horse’s name is Lightning!’
    And so Pete McGee’s gallant steed was given a name.
    â€˜And now,’ Sir Mountable continued. ‘That bucket. Carry it to the town centre, fill it at the well, return, water the garden, revisit the well, and continue until I tell you to