Disclaimer: Pairings will not be based around what is canon in Thracia 776.
"Take this!" Finn shouts as takes a momentary step back before driving his practice lance straight ahead toward his liege.
"Not fast enough!" Quan replies as he swiftly avoids Finn's strike before intercepting the attack with one of his own. He jams his right shoulder directly toward Finn's ribs. While the blow makes the young knight stagger, he does not lose his footing. Quan couldn't help but smirk, "Well would you look at that, just a few months ago you would have fallen right on your rear end. Your stance grows steadier each day, Finn."
"You flatter me, milord," Finn mutters in-between his heavy breathing as another long day of training comes to an end.
"I assure you that praise is very much warranted. You weren't a slouch when you first became a knight, but you improve by leaps and bounds every day," Quan continues.
"I'm honored, milord," Finn answers as he bows, "I simply try to do my absolute best, both for you and for Leonster."
"Spare me. Finn, you mustn't feel the need to remain so formal at all times, it's just the two of us out here," Quan says before piercing his lance into the dirt beneath him.
While Finn treasured the close relationship he has developed with Lord Quan and Lady Ethlyn, the young knight still felt he had something to prove. The royal family treated him as one of their own, as close to being family without sharing blood, and he was more than willing to give his life for them.
"You know, they called me crazy at first," Quan says as the two allies take a seat beside each other in the ravaged training grounds. Despite limited battle experience, Finn's abilities on the battlefield are second to none, and Quan noticed early on. "Why would I possibly choose some random nameless soldier to become such a high ranking knight? Especially one so young, you're still just a boy in a lot of people's eyes, Finn."
Finn remained focused on Quan's every word. Quan was never shy about giving critiques and heaping praise on Finn's fighting on the battlefield, and Finn cherished every piece of advice he could acquire. He truly idolized Quan on and off the battlefield and made sure to take every chance to learn from him, however he was particularly perplexed on where these specific sentiments were leading to.
"There's a reason I asked you to train with me today," Quan says.
"What would that be?" Finn answers.
"My father-in-law, Lord Byron of Chalphy, is still off dealing with affairs over in Isaach," Quan explains.
"Right."
"That leaves my brother-in-law, Sigurd, to take care of things in his absence. Not that that's a problem, I know better than anyone that he can handle himself." Quan continues.
"Has something happened?" Finn asks, figuring Quan wouldn't bring this up now unless something urgent came up.
"Indeed, some Verdane dogs have invaded Grannvale and kidnapped Lady Edain of Jungby."
"What!?" Finn exclaims, quickly jumping to his feet.
"And since most of their forces are off in Isaach, Sigurd isn't left with much to take care of this invasion. We just learned of this earlier today, which is why first thing in the morning, Ethlyn and I are marching our way to Chalphy to aid him," Quan explains as he returns to his feet as well, pulling out the training lance and handing it to Finn. "And I want you to come along with us."
"L-Lord Quan, really? You want me to go along with you?" Finn could not believe his ears. "But what of Leonster, and young lady Altena?"
Quan simply lifts a reassuring hand, "My father has everything well in hand here, and Altena will be safe while Ethlyn and I are away, I made sure to see too that. Our main defenses will remain here to keep Leonster safe, and to make sure of that I had only planned to bring one knight along with us, one knight I knew I could trust the most, and that's you, Finn."
"M-Milord," Finn mutters, part of him felt like tearing up, to be held in such a high regard by his liege was an accomplishment he never could have conceived. Finn kneels down and lowers his head, "This is the greatest honor you could bestow upon me, Milord. You have my word I will assist you, Lady Ethlyn, and Lord Sigurd to the best of my abilities. I promise not to disappoint!"
Quan let out a light chuckle, "I couldn't imagine the day you would, Finn. Now c'mon, at ease," he says as Finn returns to his feet.
"Will you be taking the Gáe Bolg along, sire?" Finn asks.
"No need, I won't need it to clean up some Verdane mess, it'll be more useful here with my father. Now go and rest up, we've got quite the journey ahead of us, and there will be no time to relax once we get to Chalphy."
"Yes sir."
For someone so young, Finn doesn't truly understand how much potential he has, and how far he could possibly go in this life. He knows he'll do whatever he can to protect Quan and Ethlyn, and he's prepared to make whatever sacrifices necessary to ensure their safety. What he doesn't realize is that upon leaving for Chalphy, his life will never be the same.