The Good Doctor's Tales Folio Three (10 page)

Master Occum hadn’t been able to find a sword in any of
the town dumps or landfills, and so he drew out a long knife.  “Bear these
blows and no others.  In remembrance of oaths given and received.”  He tapped
Sellers’ right shoulder with the flat of the blade.  “In remembrance of the
Rules and your responsibilities.”  He tapped Sellers’ left shoulder with the
flat of the blade.  “Be thou a good knight.”  He tapped Sellers’ head.  “Rise,
Sir Sellers.”

Sir Sellers rose, suddenly aware of his new physical and
mental strength.

In fact, Sir Sellers realized, after looking at Hoskins
(who looked back with a startled expression), he now possessed enough strength to
take Hoskins if he wanted to reclaim his leadership position.  Not every time
was a good time for a challenge, but this time was, as he had created the
opportunity by his successful quest and more, by his establishing a new path,
of knighthood.

Hoskins saw it too, and his eyes narrowed and he shifted
into a fighting stance.

“Oh, hell,” Master Occum said.

Sir Sellers tasted temptation.  He liked to be on top,
and Hoskins could be damned irritating on occasion.

But Hoskins had killed Shere Khan.

When Sellers hadn’t dared to take that step himself,
Hoskins had done the deed and taken the risk.  Hoskins’ deed made him Sir
Sellers’ brother, a debt between them for all time.

Sir Sellers turned away, and bowed to Master Occum.  Hoskins
straightened, startled, and the opportunity passed.

Hoskins should also have a chance to become a knight.  If
he didn’t do something to raise his stature before the next opportunity arose,
Sir Sellers would challenge him then, but he was sure Hoskins would come up
with something.  Hoskins was creative that way.  In fact, Hoskins would
probably build on what Sir Sellers had done, the most likely opening for good
ideas likely to work.

“Good job,” Hoskins said.  “Sir Sellers.”

Yes, Hoskins would definitely build on what Sir Sellers
had done.  All Master Occum’s Chimeras, current and future, would be Noble
soon.

Author’s Afterward

Thanks to Randy and Margaret Scheers, Michelle and Karl
Stembol, Gary and Judy Williams, Maurice Gehin, and as always my wife, Marjorie
Farmer.  Without their help this document would have never been made.

As stated earlier, Folio 3 of The Good Doctor’s Tales is
a companion piece to my novel “Now We Are Monsters.”  Some of the pieces in
here are here for completeness, others for fun, and they all serve to flesh out
the story.  The flashback sections and the Rover sections, unrelated to the
action in “Now We Are Monsters” will continue in further Folios of The Good
Doctor’s Tales.

You can find out more information about the world of the
Transforms and other stories published by this author on
http://majortransform.com.

The Commander series continues in “All Beasts Together”,
epublished in May of 2012.  With this will come Folio 4 of The Good Doctor’s
Tales.

Randall Allen Farmer