" Damn it!" Ian pounded his fist onto the desk for the tenth time this morning. He couldn't believe the words in front of him. Blackhawke Castle sold... to Lord Skarra of Scotland. Blackhawke had not told him of this the other eve. Alright, they were busy running the forest looking for Arista. He sighed, then picked up a quill, dipped it in the inkwell and wrote on the parchment before him:

"To the Citizens of Camelot:

Since milord Blackhawke has sold his castle, all members of the Black Watch will be quartered in the city and castle of Camelot. We ask your patience until all are in their new quarters.
Castle Blackhawke may be a memory, but the ideals and principles it stood for will live on. The insignia of the Watch will remain the Blackhawke insignia. One day, we hope, our liege will return to resume it's leadership.

Ian Blackthorn
Knight-Commander"

An hour later, Ian, flanked by Marcus, presented himself at the gate of the castle. An insulting tone from the guard who admitted him nearly made him lose his temper. But the pair strode on until they had reached the door to Ian's office. A small box sat on the desk, inside, a few items. A rubber duck. A brace of daggers. A set of beads made for him by Astra so long ago. Some pictures drawn by Shane and Ari. A splash of color in a far corner caught his eye as he turned. He handed the box to Marcus, then silently walked over to pick up the crumpled Blackhawke battleflag. He looked at it, then folded it and turned to Marcus.
"Let's go home"
The guard leered as they reached the gate once more, blocking the way with his pike. "Let me see what you have there!"

"Of course," Ian said. He stood quietly as the guard rummaged in the box, until the man started to throw the banner on the ground to see the box's bottom. Then a punch to the jaw sent the man sprawling. "You want to see what a flag worth fighting behind and dying for looks like? Here!"

A sharp crack echoed off the walls as Ian broke the pike shaft across his knee. "Watch it as we ride away. It’s as close as scum like you will ever come to standing behind a true knight's flag."

Fastening the flag to its makeshift pole, Ian mounted his horse, and rode back to Camelot, flying the Black Watch banner.

8/99