(Here's the next chapter, y'all. Apologies for the late update.)

Noble Six: Thanks.

Chapter 17: Oaths and Oathkeepers

(Adirondack Park, a few days later)

The pirates were ruthless in their training regiment, testing Connell's adaptability and creativity in a fight. It was a completely different method of training than what he learned beforehand. He slept in his tent and felt the wind moving around his tent. He heard metallic clanks mixed with footsteps. He grunted as he got out of his tent. Before him stood a new spirit.

"Stand." The spirit said simply.

Connell picked himself off from his crawling position to onto his feet. He stood a few inches taller than Connell with an imposing yet stoic figure to him. His shaggy hair was drawn back and his face was had a trimmed moustache and beard. He stood in chainmail and armor plating, His pauldrons and breast plate seemed to be, even in ethereal form, to have been worn down. Under one arm he has a knight's helmet and a longsword in the other.

"Who are you?" Connell asked.

"A forgotten soul…a knight who fought against his own to honor his oath. No longer a 'true' knight, but a rogue one…yet not for very long. My name is Mainard" The spirit answered.

Connell scratched his stubbled jaw in curiosity.

"I fought for my people…my home…vowed to protect the weak and fight for peace. I was cast out by the others for their actions." Mainard said.

"What happened?" Connell asked.

"We were on a campaign for the Lionheart far from home in a foreign land. We defeated the foes we battled…but…after the battle…one of the lower lords that my 'brothers' and I directly served under were attempting to kill or rape the women in one of the cities we sacked., I cared not which for both were heinous. I tried to stop them, and the women got away…moments later I was killed by those who I had fought and trained beside…and the one we were sworn to protect. I fought them, horrified by their actions, yet hoping they weren't truly that way…but those men were monsters…" Mainard answered.

Connell was lost for words.

"They stated that the oaths we took didn't matter there, that those women were heathens for not following our ways. But the women I saw, weren't the devils they called them. There was a look of pity towards them…and respect for me." Mainard continued.

Mainard was quiet for a moment or so, his memories from when he was flesh and blood plaguing him.

"I kept to my oath, but they didn't. Our oaths were taken when we finished our training, a few years before the campaign began. What I saw during that war…it wasn't all honor and glory…but too much of it was horror and destruction. Sometimes we must shed blood for peace, I understood that. But as you know, trying to destroy and control those seemingly believed to be enemies isn't a path to peace." Mainard stated.

Connell nodded in understanding.

"When using a blade, it reveals the measure of one's heart: do you battle for peace, or for destruction? You must answer this, lad, as have all who have been in battle." Mainard stated, leveling his ethereal blade at the young man.

Connell nodded again.

"Let us see." Mainard said, sheathing his longsword within a scabbard around his waist.

He fixed his helmet on and unsheathed his blade. Connell focused carefully and an ethereal longsword manifested in his hands.

"Keep your grip firm, but make sure you can maneuver the sword within your hand." Mainard stated.

Connell nodded in understanding. Mainard quickly jabbed with his blade, but Connell parried the strike with a quick slash from the left. The spirit pulled his blade back and twisted as he turned. He slashed down with his ethereal blade. Connell slashed up with his blade, blocking the knight's longsword.

"Don't hesitate with your attacks, but swift in your strikes. Focus your attacks." Mainard advised.

Connell nodded in reply. The knight swiftly rushed forward, his right shoulder first. The young man side stepped the attack, barely missing the swift strike of the spirit. The knight swiftly turned around, slashing the blade from his right side. Connell slashed from his right, parrying the attack yet found himself being pushed back by the spirit. Connell grunted as he twisted the blades to the side, trying to find an opening. Mainard locked the blades into place and shoved the young man back. Connell grunted as he stumbled back then regained his footing. He struck back with a jab, but Mainard leveled his blade up, halting the strike immediately.

'Ah hell.' Connell grunted in his mind.

Mainard pulled his blade and slashed down with it, Connell's sword disappearing. The young man grumbled under his breath. The spirit sheathed his blade.

"I know…it wasn't very impressive." Connell sighed.

"You are just learning, lad. You still have much to learn." Mainard replied.

Connell nodded.

"You have heart and a willingness to learn. You strive to be better and fight as best you can. That's something to be admired." Mainard stated.

"But it won't help if I don't improve…I…don't know when I'll be ready." Connell grunted in reply, angry with himself.

"Such things take time, lad. To become a master of this blade requires dedication, patience, and sacrifice. Being able to fight as a knight took me years. To be prepared for the battles ahead that you must face, you must be ready." Mainard stated.

"I know it will take some time. I just hope it will be enough to fight them." Connell sighed.

Mainard was quiet for a moment or two.

"A knight takes an oath when he the day is revealed that the knight's heart and soul is right. There would be a ceremony for such things…but make a vow to yourself right now…for once you are ready…the oath you shall take…will be for when take the first steps in your war. For now…you must make a promise to yourself…your own oath…to what you must do…when the time comes." Mainard advised then walked away while his ethereal form vanished as if the wind blew him away as he said his last few words.

Connell walked into another part of the woods, thinking, contemplating on the knight's words. As time went on, he slowly created his own personal promise…his own oath…to avenge those who had fallen, to defeat the oppressors who had controlled and destroyed…to do what he can…to do what he believes is right.

To be continued…

(Again, sorry for the late update.)