This chapter is a memory brought on by Gilmore survival, (Nobleman's Revenge, Chapter 4), there is no smut in this chapter. (Rated K)

Thank you to Elvenlover and Bonesfan4evar4 for their reviews. IF anyone else has left a review I apologize for not adding your name because there is a problem and I can't seem to see any reviews. Let alone the ones that are already there.

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A warning I didn't have my beta reader look this over since she is already working on the other story, so any mistakes I am really sorry about. IF you point them out I'll fix them right away.

First Meetings

My parents stood on the steps to our castle, the wind playing with their hair as waiting for a man to drop off his child. Mother had a parasol to shield her from the bright sun's rays that beet down on them. Father squinted out into the blazing sun. I hid behind a wall not wanting my parents to see me. The shade was nice and cool here, the sun couldn't penetrate the shadows. Summer had hit full force this year, the ground dry except where the pond was. That was where I found the mud.

If they seen me now I would be in for it. My new clothes were covered in mud; my once dark thick hair was now plastered with dried mud making it hard to tell what color it was originally. My dark skin was white where mud had dried. Blue piercing eyes looked out through all the dirt watching and waiting for the new arrival.

I looked like what I thought was a normal boy, at the moment, not a nobleman's son that my mother was always dressing me up as. I and another child had been playing until the call came from a guard that the new child was coming. From what I understood he was to become a squire. It looked like another child to add to the list, of many who have come here to become a knight, and never made it. I was hoping that this one wasn't like the other ones. Always crying, keeping the men up at night. Always whining for their parents.

There were son boy that we stopped training because they were turning into bullies. That wasn't good, the picked on the villager and created what my father called havoc. I wonder what this one will be like?

A man in his prime nudged a child, about my age, with red hair, forward. I could see tears on his cheeks from here; he looked at the man beseechingly. Faintly from here I could hear pleading words that the man ignored. The usual happens every time we get a squire, nothing new here. I was about to leave but he spotted me hiding. He stared at me with scared eyes, but what was under that is what stopped me from turning a cold disappointed shoulder.

Under all that fear was determination, a look few have when they come here.

I gave him an encouraging smile, this one, I didn't want to fail. Something about him called to me. His eyes lightened, the fear receding somewhat as squared his shoulders and he walked forward to meet my parents. He held his high, his shoulder squared as he met my father.

"I hear you wish to be a squire?" My father asked in his kindest voice, so he didn't scare the child.

"Yes sir." The child stated in a firm tone, that didn't show the fear that I had seen only moments ago. "And then I want to become a knight." He smiled with pride.

"Good, that is what we need, brave lads and one who knows what they want." My father nodded in approval as he nodded towards two guards. They came forward to lead him away. Curiously I moved for a better look, not really caring that I could be seen now. The child's fear was back as he looked at the guards. I watched with a wide smile as he swallowed that fear and nodded towards those guards.

"Father, can I take him to the barracks?" I asked. I really want to know this boy now, he had proved himself in my eyes.

My mother gasped when she seen me. She placed her hands on her hips and stared at me with angry eyes that I knew so well. I felt heat seep into my cheeks as I ducked my head avoiding those angry eyes.

"And what have you been up to?" Bryce, my father asked with a chuckle, when he seen how dirty I was.

"I was playing with the boys." I grinned broadly, flinching slightly as I heard my mother exasperated hiss. I knew once I get into the castle that I would get a lecture, probably be sent to my room or grounded for another week. Oh maker, I hope it not the last one, I just got off of grounding. I really didn't want to be grounded again. I gave her sorrowful eye, that I hoped fervently, would get me out of trouble.

"Mikhail..." My mother started sternly but she was cut off by my father. I slapped a hand over my mouth to hide the smile that was itching to come out.

"Sure, you can show him where he is to stay." He smiled. I grabbed the boy's arm and took off at a run forcing the boy to follow. I was about to round the wall when my father's voice stopped me. "Mikhail, make sure to tell Esmond that he will be training the boy." He shouted.

"Yes, dad," I hollered back, before disappearing around the wall.

We ran until we came up to one of the barracks. Men were outside training with my older brother. I and the new boy watched as swords clanged together. Shields, bashing into flesh, and knocking their opponents to the ground.

"Wow..." he trailed off staring wide eyed at the fighting. He was raptly as one of the trainees fell by a shield.

"Come on; let's get you to your bunk. And then you can watch them." I told him. He followed, slowly taking everything he passed when we reached his bunk I thought he had everything memorized by the way had been watching intently.

He turned towards me, his eyes no longer holding any fear in them, "Your name is Mikhail isn't it?" He has curiously. "I heard the Teryn call you that."

"Yes, what is your name?" I asked taking a seat on his bed without thinking about how much mud I got on the blankets.

"Roland Gilmore." He whispered hesitantly.

"Come on, we have to go see Esmond." I tugged on his arm once again.

"Who is Esmond?"

"He's the one that teaches me and my brother. Now he is supposed to teach you too." I grinned.

"He doesn't teach anyone else?" He asked wide eyed.

"Nope, we are the only one he is supposed to teach. He supposed to be the best around here." I shrugged.

We found Esmond at the far end of the practice ring. He was talking to my brother and another person that I had never met. We walked up slowly so we didn't interrupt, they were discussing strategic moves for when we actual do get into a real fight.

"Ah, Mikhail, good to see you here, are you ready to practice?"Esmond asked with a kind smile.

"Um, father wants you to teach him too." I told him hesitantly.

"Will do, the Teryn must have seen something in you, boy." I told Gilmore jovially.

"The Teryn is your father?" Gilmore asked astonished.

"Uh huh," I smiled before taking two swords from the practice rack. Gilmore grabbed a sword for himself and we looked at our teacher expectantly.

I came back to myself staring at a ghost heading my way. Gilmore had survived and he was back, I had the same grin on my face now that I did when I first met him.