SOS: Summer is almost over TT and I have had no time to update anything.
Lucius: ...
SOS: 10 reviews for that chapter. Sweet!
Lucius: Sauce got reviews.
Duelist of middle Earth: Thanks for reviewing, and I do have an idea for you, I emailed it.
SkyFireZero: Thank you! I thought that the last one was too short.
Gentleness28: Yes they are, and we must all prey for Harken's success!
Mission Zero: Thank you, and please update your story soon.
Elmosworld3956: Thanks for the review, and I also noticed it was a bit short.
Sugary teethrotter: Again thank you for the review.
DTN: Thank you, I noticed it was short too late.
Electric Fire: Erky and Lucy are doing a good job at that (glares at Erk and Lucius) I am done with finals, yaaaay!
Elf Lord D: Wow, that's pretty high praise, thank you for the review.
SOS: Ah, done with that, let's continue the story!
A Rose
Chapter 4: The Training Day
Harken knew that the training will be the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. He was scared. He had never done anything remotely close to training. What if they don't think I am good enough? What if they just decide to kill me? The questions ran through his head many times over and it was driving him nuts.
Isadora was also kind of nervous about Harken's ordeal. She didn't recognize it, but she thought that he could be trusted. Isadora always felt fluttery when they came close by. Overall, Harken had been treated well by Marcus, getting the same amount of food and water as the other knights.
After a half-day march, the exhausted group of soldiers finally got some rest. Isadora went straight to get herself some food and water. Harken was tired too, but Marcus immediately called for him to report to the training grounds. He felt the urge to protest but thought better of it.
When he reached there, Marcus was already waiting. "Alright boy, time to get started. First, lets see how good your accuracy is," Marcus said and pointed to a piece of wood tied by a tiny piece of rope to the beam on top. Without instruction, Harken already knew what to do. "You must cut the rope without touching the wood. Go!" Harken leapt as high as he could. Brandishing his sword, he held it horizontally with the flat of the sword facing up. As soon as he was at the height of the string he took a mighty swing. Marcus smiled. This boy has a lot to learn. The sword struck the wood and Harken was sent flying with the momentum. He looked up and, to his dismay, found an inch of wood hovering from the string. He groaned. Marcus just laughed. "Not bad! Not bad at all. A little out of control, but people normally start out that way. Ok, I know you are tired after that long march here. So you are dismissed." Without another word, Marcus casually strolled off. Harken was exhausted, so he just went to bed. Then he realized that he did not know where to go. He tried to look for Marcus but the castle was rather large and he got lost easily.
Harken was about to give up and started giving in to the urge of just sleeping on the stone floor. Then he heard a voice. "Do... do you need anything?" It was Isadora. Harken looked a bit embarrassed.
"I'm kind of lost. Can you help me?" He asked. Once again, that fluttery feeling came over Isadora. She ignored it.
"Follow me. Come on," Isadora started following seemingly random corridors and hallways. Harken tried memorizing them but gave up. Finally, after walking across several hallways, they reached the dorms. Harken looked around for an empty bunk and found one. But he realized who his roommate was. Isadora. She realized this also and blushed faintly. Fortunately, Harken didn't notice. He just lied on the bed and fell asleep after a rather long day, even though he didn't eat anything for dinner. Isadora hung her sword on the wall and mimicked Harken and both drifted into a peaceful slumber.
Early the next morning, Marcus quietly woke Harken. When he was awake, Marcus led him out to the back of the castle. Harken looked around and saw a large field covered in grass. There was some equipment there, such as targets and barrels, and some weapons too. Harken yawned and realized the sun wasn't up yet.
"This is the training field," said Marcus. "This is where you will train every day. I will teach you everything you need to know to become a knight. We will start before dawn and have breaks for breakfast and lunch. After lunch is your free time. Then at sundown we will have dinner and again you will have free time. This will be your schedule for your stay here at Pherae. Now let's get started." Then, Marcus led Harken through some warm up exercises and had him run one lap around the field. Soon, Harken was wide-awake.
After the warm up, Marcus handed Harken a new sword. It wasn't like his old Iron sword. This blade was made out of steel, shining in the dim light. Then, Marcus taught him some blocks with his sword. Harken absorbed everything and tried his honest best to learn all of the moves that Marcus was showing him. The sun rose slowly up the sky but Harken did not notice. His stamina was pushed to the limit and Marcus showed no sign of stopping soon. Later, a bell was heard from the castle.
"Time for breakfast. Come on." Marcus said as Harken dragged himself up to the castle. Though he was exhausted, he hadn't had food for a while so he kept trudging to the castle.
Isadora had awoken about an hour before breakfast. She stretched and dressed, ready for the day. She realized that Harken was not in his bed. Curious, she went to the castle, looking for him. Then she noticed a glint of steel in the training area. She could barely make out the shapes of Harken and Marcus and the glints of their blades, battling fiercely away. She was amazed. Marcus was one of the, if not the best, swordfighters in the country. If Harken can almost keep up with him on the first day...
Isadora went back to her room and picked up her sword. She went to the front of the castle instead of the training grounds, not wanting to disturb the two. She started her daily warm up and practiced with her sword. After that, she picked up a lance from the armory and started doing thrusts. After a while, she could hear the familiar sniggers of some of the other knights. '
"Oh look it what we have here, the 'knight'" one of them said, exaggerating the word "knight"
"Hahaha! Aw, isn't she cute!"
"Maybe she should have stuck with flirting with the village boys!"
Anger flared through Isadora, but she remained calm. Then, the bell for breakfast was heard. She just walked by indignantly, going for the Food hall.
On the table was a particularly large spread. She tried focusing on the food rather than her anger and frustration. As always, nobody sat next to Isadora.
Harken desperately tried memorizing the way inside the castle, but gave up. There were too many corridors, too many hallways. Finally, the ended up in the food hall and Harken surveyed the hall. There were five long tables in the middle and a stage at the front. All of the knights grew quiet when Marcus entered. He sat on the seat closest to the stage, next to a serene, redheaded man. To Harken, the man seemed to radiate a sense of calm, that things were going to be ok. On the other side of the man was a woman, obviously his wife. She had violet hair and bright, shining eyes. In her arms was a child, about 5 years old, asleep. They are so happy, Harken thought.
Harken finally stopped staring at the family and looked for an empty spot. Once again, the only spot was next to the blue haired girl. He tensed and walked over. "Is this seat taken?" He asked as polite as he could be. She gasped and looked over. She relaxes when she saw who it was.
"N-no, it's not. You want to sit by me? Why?" She asked.
"Well, there are no other seats, and, well, you are the only person I know besides General Marcus."
"Oh, o-ok," She said, stuttering. Stop it Isadora! You're making a fool of yourself!
"Thank you. And your name was..."
"Isadora, and I remember you as Harken?"
"Right, Harken. I just have a question, is the food always this good looking?"
Isadora giggled. "No way! Wait until you see the real food. Yuck." She made a face. Then Marcus silenced the hall again. Then the redheaded man stood up.
"I know you are all probably wondering how good this food got over the last day, and this is thanks to this man over here..." He pointed to a bald man by the door of the kitchen.
"Thank you, Marquess Pherae. You are too kind." At this statement, Harken jumped. So that's the Marquess! Then, the man spoke again. "This feast is in honor of the knights of Pherae. Because of them, my village is safe. I hope this feast can be a tribute to you brave ones. I am the best cook around, as the Marquess already knows..." He finished and sat down.
"Yes, and let's begin the meal." Marquess Pherae said and everyone began filling their own plates.
It turned out to be the best meal Harken ever had. He found himself taking seconds, and thirds, and even fourths. Same with Isadora. Next to each other, they stuffed their faces until they felt like they were going to explode.
After the meal, Harken confidently marched to the training grounds, now that he was rested and filled with food. Soon, Marcus also came outside and they resumed. The clashing of their swords mingled with the noise of the other knights who were also training, keeping their skills sharp, ready for anything.
Erk: That was a pathetic attempt at an ending
Lucius: Yup.
SOS: Ok, so it wasn't the greatest. Anyway, it took me over 3 months to write that chapter and I know that I spelled Marquess wrong. (shrugs)
Lucius: I'm not surprised...
SOS: Anyways, goodbye and don't forget to Review!
Sword of Seals