Rating: PG
Characters: Sebastian, Blaine
Warnings: Mild violence, cliff-hanger
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognisable names used in this fic.
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CHAPTER 4:
Sebastian was taken to Blaine's later that day, the doctor finally providing the medicine the boy needed before Sebastian was left to recover. With the aid of the medicine, the coughing fits grew fewer and less severe quickly but the boy slept more than anything else.
A week passed before Sebastian felt well enough to start looking for work. Blaine had come home from guard duty to find Sebastian sitting at the table scribbling a list onto a piece of parchment.
"What are you doing?" Blaine asked as he sat down across from his new housemate.
"Trying to think of jobs that I could do," Sebastian answered before he pushed the parchment across to Blaine. "I have no idea what I would actually be any good at but those are things I thought of that I might be able to get work with."
Blaine perused the list of skills with surprise. Sebastian had always been such a free spirit without much sense for responsibility. But he was trying to find something that would help him provide for himself.
"It's a stupid list isn't it? Am I really one of those stupid Lord's sons who depend on their father for money?" Sebastian asked, panicking.
"No, no, it's good," Blaine said quickly as he jerked his gaze between the list and Sebastian. "You've written that you can fight with a sword though – I didn't know you could do that. How good are you?"
"I dunno, I learnt when we were at school," Sebastian shrugged. "What could I do with that though? I thought I could be a knight but if my father has actually disowned me then I can't be."
Blaine narrowed his eyes questioningly and leaned forward slightly. "Has your father actually disowned you though? Has he disinherited you or publically claimed that you're no longer a Smythe?"
"Well, no but I'm sure he's going to. He was so angry at me, Blaine…"
Blaine shook his head. "No, we're going to get you into the Dalton Knights. There is another trial next week for new applicants and if you promise to work hard, I can make you good enough to get in."
"What will I have to do though?"
"Basic swordplay, the code of chivalry and battle strategy. I still have the materials they gave me when I was studying for it, you can use them to prepare while I'm on duty and when I come home, I can help you with the swordplay."
"Would you really do that?" Sebastian asked as he watched Blaine get to his feet and approach his single shelf of books.
"If I don't, you'll end up on the streets," Blaine answered as he dragged a finger along the spines of books. "Finding you in the street last week was … terrifying."
"I know, I'm sorry," Sebastian murmured as he looked at the table top sadly.
"Can I ask you something, Sebastian?" Blaine asked as he pulled a book from the shelf.
"Of course."
Blaine sat down again, looking his friend in the eye. "What exactly is going on between you and Prince Nicholas?"
Sebastian swallowed harshly and sunk back into the chair. "I don't know what you mean."
"Yes you do," Blaine reached across the table and took Sebastian's hand in his own. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Seb. Talking about it might help…"
Sebastian bit his lower lip. "I really like Nick, I feel safe and happy with him but… You know what the King is like. He would never let us be together. We would be the disowned princes of Dalton."
"Maybe you two could change that though, you could be a positive force in this country. You know I have the same issues – being a knight makes it even harder – but you and Nick as a son of a lord and a prince could really make a difference."
"How though?"
Blaine grinned broadly and pushed the book over the table to Sebastian. "We'll get you into the Dalton Knights first, and then we'll worry about the rest of it."
Sebastian laughed and took the book. He could do this. He would become a knight and then find a way to show Nick how much he meant to him. They could be together.
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Sebastian had never been so exhausted in his life but he couldn't stop now. It was the day of the trials and he had woken early for one last training session with Blaine. He had won each round and sat on the grass in the warm sun. The armour Blaine had bought for him – which he had promise to pay back – was heavy but Sebastian knew he was already getting stronger.
Blaine fell back onto the grass beside him with an ungraceful thud. "Well, you are definitely going to give the other candidates a run for their money," Blaine said as they watched the other hopefuls gather on the edges of the training fields.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this – that I'm actually doing this," Sebastian looked to Blaine with a grateful smile. "Thank you for everything you've done, Blaine."
"It's no problem," Blaine replied with a smile of his own. "Just remember, you've got to act as if your father is still talking to you and that it was his suggestion you decided to come here today. There is no one out here who knows any different aside from you and me."
Sebastian nodded shakily before the trumpets sounded. "That's my cue," he said as he got to his feet.
"You're going to be absolutely fine. Just remember to breathe and that your father still loves you," Blaine replied as he stood.
Sebastian watched his friend with a hurt look in his eyes but they didn't say anything. There was no point in fighting it now. He was so close to becoming a knight he could taste it in the air. Blaine clapped him on the back before disappearing from his side and Sebastian made his way to where the other candidates were lining up for the first test.
The candidates' knowledge of the code of chivalry was examined first. Sebastian felt he did well despite his hesitation on the last question about emergencies in the city. And the battle strategy test was easier than breathing. But when Sebastian was paired up for the swordplay test, he felt as if his stomach dropped six feet under.
His opponent was taller than him – which he hadn't thought would be a problem standing at six feet and two inches – and bulked up with muscle. There was a wait before Sebastian would be up to fight and all he wanted was to find Blaine and tell him that he was pulling out. Sebastian searched for an escape route but he was boxed in by spectators and officials. There was no running now away.
When the time came for Sebastian and his hulking opponent to fight, Sebastian strode forward with an air of feigned confidence. He had spent so much time trying to charm people in school Sebastian had thought he was a master at it but it didn't seem to faze his opponent.
Another knight stood off to the side, glancing between them sternly. "You have five minutes. If one of you is badly injured, the fight is over. If one of you taps out, the fight is over. And if both of you last the five minutes, you will both be considered for knighthood."
A bell was rung then and the fight began, the nameless knight stepping away as Sebastian drew his sword and took a defensive stance. His opponent mirrored him and they circled each other before Sebastian dove in for a sharp jab. The clang of metal rang out with a block and Sebastian span around and watched as his sword collided with his opponent's armoured shoulder. A wave of cheers washed over the crowd but Sebastian's small victory was soon forgotten when his opponent lunged forward.
Sebastian dodged as best he could but the screech of a blade sliding across his armour pierced through his head. As his ears rung, he lost his balance long enough to lose flow and the flat of his opponent's blade collided with the back of his head. Sebastian fell, his vision flickering in and out. When he could make out the blades of grass again, he struggled to his feet and tried to ignore the streak of something hot running down his neck. Tightening the grip on his sword, Sebastian swung it around and swiped it across his opponent's face. The man fell back, yelling in pain and as Sebastian rushed forward to land another blow, the bell rang out across the field again.
Sebastian was breathing heavily as he stumbled away, nodding his recognition to his opponent who returned the gesture from where he had fallen to the ground. Medics were talking to Sebastian but he couldn't focus on their words. The only coherent thought he could form was running through his mind and toppling from his tongue.
"Did I get in?"
