Knock knock knock. The chamber doors are opened.
"Lord Arthur, your young knight has returned from completing the task you have asked of him. He awaits you below. Would you come give him praise, as usual?"
Letting out a sigh, Lord Arthur Kirkland set aside his duties and stood up from the desk in his chamber. "Yes, Howard. Tell young Alfred that I will be down in a moment."
Howard bowed and hurried off to carry out his lord's order. The lord had been busy all the morn, preparing for the arrival and acceptance of yet another page, the son of Lord Francis, a viscount. Matthew, was it? He was to arrive by noon.
With a reluctant step, Lord Arthur made his way down through his castle. And my, was the castle large. Of course, the home of any baron would be large, which made it all the more troublesome to go from place to place inside it. Outside, seated on a white stallion, waited his most favorite knight, ever filled with ambition and vigor. Thought of like a son by his lord, Alfred sought praise and recognition for everything he did.
Finally, the lord made it out to the front of the castle. The grinning knight dismounted and knelt down before him. "The sorcerer from town has received and understands the message loud and clear! He will be arriving at the castle tomorrow between the time of dawn and noon, depending on how Mother Nature cooperates with mankind tonight, my dear Lord Artie!" reported the knight Alfred, turning his head away from the rising sun and looking out at the ocean. "Those storm clouds in the west might be a long way off, but, Lordie, you better prepare for a cold, cold evening because they're coming in fast."
Satisfied, Arthur praised the youth and nearly went back inside with him. As he was about to turn around, a carriage pulling up in from of the castle caught his attention and saved him from having to make his way through the castle another time. A small blonde boy stepped out and bowed humbly.
"Ah, so you're the son of the viscount Bonnefoy. Matthew, right?" He asked, walking back outside, leaving his knight to wait at the doorstep.
"Y-Yes, my lord!"
Arthur let out a chuckle. "No need to be so tense, boy. I don't treat my pages as strictly as others do." He motioned for Alfred and the loyal knight returned to the side of his lord. "This knight's name is Alfred. Follow his example and you'll become a brilliant knight, just like him. You shall meet the others later, seeing as it is noon and you must be starving from your trip. Come, the meals are already prepared and you must eat well to become strong." He placed an encouraging hand against his back and lead the boy inside.