Miles could feel a horrible chill of dread run up his spine…The feeling akin to the first few droplets of rain that came before a monsoon…And it wouldn't be hard to understand why as the looming, towering and baleful shape of Castle Acorn's Keep grew closer and closer…
It was by all means a super-fortress compared to other castles in the kingdom and beyond…Built atop a volcanic plug in the earth…It was the highest building in all of Mobotropolis, so that the monarchs of Acorn could look down and survey their capital…And considering the status of its residents…The fortifications had to be intense and oh…Intense they were.
The only way up into the castle was a small stone causeway that was constantly under survey by dozens of guards at a time to ensure that no foe could sneak in or out of the fortress without becoming a living pincushion by archers and crossbowmen…And even after that the defences didn't relent as inside the curtain wall constructed of large stone blocks making the defences 10 meters thick there were numerous guard houses and revolving patrols…
Then there was the keep, a bastion of a building that had been able to combine elements of both beauty and defence…As it had shimmering stained glass windows of every colour of the rainbow, ugly faced-gargoyles that shot down evil, accusing glares down at Miles as he was led towards the towering, fortified, wooden doors before him…
When they opened…They did so with a loud creak…Making the fox clasp his hands over his ears in discomfort…However his eyes did not leave the doorway…They remained focused on what lay inside…
It was a banquet hall…Large, regal and well lit…With a crackling, great fireplace in the far side of the hall…Small logs crumbling into ashes as they were fed to the monstrous conflagration…It's heat so great that it bathed the knights in a beautiful warmth…Taking a bit of the edge off of the small fox's anxiety…Furthermore there was a wonderous scent that wafted into their noses…
It was a beautiful blend of rich wines, succulent meats roasting over open fires, vegetables being delectably roasted and stewed…It made Miles's mouth water; growing up on the streets of Mobotropolis meant that any kind of food was hard to come by…You were limited for choice and had to eat what you could find…No matter if you liked it or not, if you didn't then you starved…And that meant that Miles had to suffer through some truly awful stuff…Sometimes even awful enough to make him violently sick…But now he was ever so close to some of the finest cuisine in the kingdom…And by god it was tempting just to run away and head straight to the kitchens…
However, he was taken out of his train of thought when he was nudged along by the pink hedgehog,
"I know it smells good kid, but don't get distracted…You and Sonic are going to have a very important discussion with someone about what we're going to do with you."
The kid tilted his head slightly…He had already suspected that he was being brought to the castle for an important reason…But he had suspected it was just to be hired as some kind of servant or menial…But…Surely the hiring of a menial wouldn't require a conversation…Would it? And so, gingerly he asked,
"Ummm…Who am I going to be talking to? N-nothing's gonna happen to me, right?"
The Echidna who was walking in front of the fox chuckled in response…His tone deeper and more guttural and blunter,
"King Acorn and the royal council wouldn't dream of it boy, they're competent and kind-hearted people…Most of them at least."
"What?!" Miles exclaimed with shock; however, he was gently hushed by the girl again.
"I know kid…It's a lot to take in, but I recommend you keep your mouth firmly shut, not everyone on the council is as kind as King Nigel…But don't worry Sonic should be able to work out some kind of deal with them…"
Miles however wasn't listening to her…The king and his council?! What on Mobius was happening?! Why was be being brought before the folk responsible for managing the entire kingdom?! He was a street urchin, not a bloody nobleman's son! He could feel his heart begin to slowly pound with anxiety…He really wasn't ready to face the sovereign of the realm as a street mutt who mostly lived on scraps and slept in bins…
The fear that he felt only intensified as the rest of the knights started to walk away…Leaving only him and Sonic moving towards the far end of the dining hall and up a tall spiral staircase…He was beginning to tremble now with every step…Especially as they grew closer to an iron framed door…With numerous stern and serious voices being heard from the other side…
Sonic pushed open the doorway and revealed what was inside…It was a small chamber, ornately decorated with rich wine-coloured curtains, a floral-patterned table constructed of a large slab of solid bronze, inlaid with small gemstones and silver decorations…Then surrounding the table, there were a handful of well decorated chairs…Constructed out of oak wood and inlaid with the finest leather cushioning the kingdom could offer…
However, standing around the table, stood a small party of finely dressed men and women…The first of them was a female chipmunk around 20 years of age dressed in a sapphire blue robe, a small golden circlet being worn atop her head…Marking her as a woman of noble birth.
The second was another chipmunk that seemed to be a couple of years older than the male this time and dressed in royal garb the colour of burgundy and sky blue, a golden handled broadsword was sheathed and hanging from his hip…
The third was a Coyote the same age as the male chipmunk, if not maybe a few years older…He unlike the rest of them was dressed in armour…With a bronze coloured breastplate, dirty chainmail hauberk, sheathed broadsword and a rather tattered black cloak…A closed sallet helm rested on the table before him…He seemed to be a member of the city guard…That was the only explanation as to why he had the same equipment as one…Aside from the cloak of course.
Then there was a fat, portentous looking man in his late forties or early fifties…He wore crimson clothing of the very highest quality, with a brilliant, fiery red moustache and smoked black glasses…Just from the way the man stood and presented himself…It gave off an aura of arrogance and inflated sense of self-importance…
And finally, sitting at the head of the table sat an older chipmunk in his late fifties or early sixties, his clothing although high quality and luxurious…Was less garish and ostentatious as the others in the room bar from the Coyote…He had a blanket over his lap as he rested in his chair…
The group seemed to be caught in the middle of an argument and Miles listened intently at the words that were being exchanged between the folk,
"You're saying that we owe House Prower over 5 million gold coins? Damn you Robotnik you're supposed to be the one managing our coin!" The girl yelled, fury and irritation lacing her words.
"Ooooh…Well sorry Princess but it's a bit hard to manage the economy when the realm is constantly overspending on these stupid tournaments and banquets to keep the morale up! These past few harvests haven't been favourable either."
"As much as I hate to admit it your majesty…Baron Robotnik is right, if we do not cut down on these frivolous activities then the people of the city and the countryside will begin to view the Acorn family in a less than favourable light."
"Those activities are meant to boost our economy! People pay to come and see the best the kingdom has to offer duke it out in fighting rings and on jousting courts…I knew we should have charged them more…Besides, where is Starline? He's the head of religious matters in the city, he should be attending the royal council like the rest of us!" The older chipmunk exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air in frustration.
The atmosphere of aggression and spite in the room was intense…Vivid and violent…As if a boiling, crimson cloud of bloodlust had flooded the room and tat every person in the chamber was mere seconds away from drawing weapons and setting upon each other like rabid beasts…However, when the sound of the door opening was heard, the old man in his chair barked out loudly,
"ENOUGH! We have guests…Come in."
Sonic walked in with a proud strut, easing the expressions of the four Mobians, yet causing the fat human to roll his eyes in irritation, as if he didn't want the knight to be there…
Sonic gave a bow to the king and gave him a warm smile, the old man gave one in kind to the knight and exclaimed happily,
"Ahhh, Sir Sonic! It's a pleasure to see you again my boy! I trust that you've been in good help since last we spoke?"
Sonic nodded and responded in an equally friendly tone,
"Indeed, I have your grace, I've made sure to keep in as good a condition as possible as to best serve the kingdom."
"That is good, but why have you stumbled into our council meeting? I thought you were fighting in the tournament?"
Sonic gave a small wiry smile to the ruler and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone,
"I was your grace; however, I was sidelined by someone I would like you to meet…Lady and gentlemen, this is Miles."
The small fox could feel his heart violently pounding in his chest like a drum as he felt the knight's armoured hand gently nudge him out from behind him and into the direct view of the royal council…He was absolutely terrified and he was well aware that he was trembling…His ears were flattened against his skull and his fur was beginning to puff out…Hastily, he bowed and squeaked out,
"Your Majesty!"
The king of Acorn leaned forward in his chair, seeking to get a better look at the boy…His eyes were narrowed, but not in any kind of malevolent, judgemental sense…But more out of curiosity…In an attempt to try and soothe the frightened boy, he spoke in a warm and friendly tone,
"It's quite alright lad, you can stand tall…Now, Sonic. Why have you brought this boy to the royal council?"
"And why does he look like a street urchin?" Spoke the fat man in a much less friendly and welcoming tone than King Maximillian…However, his rudeness earned him glares from the monarch and the rest of the court…
"To answer your question…Baron Robotnik, this is Miles…And he looks like a Street Urchin because he is a Street Urchin. He was starving and homeless when I found him…He evaded the guards and broke into my Pavilion at the tournament guards to try and steal some coin."
Miles hung his head in shame as the words left the knight's mouth…Any moment now he would either be getting shackled and dragged down to the castle dungeons…Or be screaming in agony as his hand was severed…What the fat human said next certainly didn't help either,
"He tried to steal from you. By Chaos what possessed you to bring a criminal into the castle?!"
However Sonic, cool as a cucumber merely responded with,
"Easy there Ivo, the kid was desperate…Like I said, he was starving and, on the streets…That is no life for a child, and he deserves better than the hand he had been dealt at birth."
"If that is the case, then there are plenty of orphanages and foster homes that'll take the boy! Why bring him to us?!"
"B-b-because n-n-nobody w-would t-t-take me…" Miles whimpered, his voice barely above a whisper…All eyes fell on the child, making him even more frightened…His trembling akin to that of a man who had been dunked in a frozen lake…
The girl's eyes, unlike that of the human…Were filled with sympathy for the little fox, no matter the state he was in and so she asked in a tone meant to soothe the child,
"Why would anyone do something like that to you darling?"
Miles sucked in a breath, he knew he had to show them his…Deformity, he was afraid…Very afraid but he knew he had too if they were going to believe he was rejected for the way he looked rather than simply being a thief…And so, once more…He unfurled his tails and stuck them out…Showing the court the two appendages that had been responsible for so much pain and suffering over the course of his short life…
He kept his eyes shut…Not wanting to see the inevitable screams of horror and the usual physical pain he'd feel right after…He waited…And waited…And waited…But it never came, he wasn't being attacked?! How? Everyone attacked him or insulted him when they saw his other tail? It was the reason why he had to tie them together and make them resemble one! To make things even weirder…A new strange feeling enveloped him…
The fox opened his eyes slightly, realising that the strange feeling was the girl's arms wrapping around him in a warm and tender embrace…He was…Utterly blown away, what…Was happening? He didn't even have the time to ask any questions when the girl said to him in an overly caring and sympathetic tone,
"You poor thing! What kind of cruel, heartless monsters would ever do something like that?"
"Unfortunately, everyone according to the poor boy, he has quite a few cuts, bruises, welts and even burns under that fur of his…" Sonic replied, which only warranted the girl to hug the fox tighter…
As much as the bear hug caused those old wounds to ache and sting…Miles couldn't help but feel a strong sense of safety when that girl hugged him…He felt as if nothing could assail him In that embrace…No army, dragon or assassin's blade could ever harm him there…And so he only sank into the warmth…Wanting to hide away from the world…However the moment was ruined when he heard the old man speak,
"I see…The lad has my sympathies but why bring him to us? If you wished to have him live in the castle as a serf like those rabbits, then you should be asking Ms Vanilla."
What Sonic said next pretty much sent a shockwave through Miles's soul due to how unexpected and…well shocking it was to the small child,
"When I caught the boy trying to steal from me, he was able to flee from me, Sir Knuckles, Sir Shadow and Sir Amy through the tournament grounds, using the terrain to his advantage…And when we cornered him in an alley, he was able to use his street smarts to climb up onto the rooftops and evade us…It was only a poor jump that allowed us to catch him.
The boy is fit, he's very crafty and nimble for his age too…And being able to sneak into my pavilion without warranting the attention of the guards shows that he is also harbouring a sharp little mind…I reckon that if we can hone and refine his mind and his abilities, he can do the realm great services…And so I ask you my liege…To make the boy my squire."
Miles immediately broke from the girl's embrace and gave an absolutely awe-struck expression at the hedgehog…His eyes wide and bright as caged stars.
"W-w-what? You want me as your…"
Sonic nodded, cutting off the boy…Miles, overwhelmed by this act of charity fell to his knees and grovelled before the knight,
"I-I am honoured…I…I don't know what to say!"
However, once again Robotnik's voice sounded out, and he didn't sound happy, not. One. Bit,
"It is the King who chooses the Squire! Not the Knight and in my personal opinion my liege…I would advise against the training of this boy! He was a thief who tried to steal from the greatest knight in the realm, how do we know that we can fully trust him?"
The human threw Miles a dirty, judgemental sneer that sent daggers through the young boy…Souring the wonderful moment that had just occurred,
"I would trust the boy with my life Baron Robotnik, he has a good heart, and he displays all the physical qualities a Knight should have and more!"
"Oh? And pickpocketing and sneaking around is a desirable quality, is it? Damn you Sonic I always took you for a fool, but this is really-"
"The right thing to do? Yes, I think so too! I honestly thought that fat gob of yours was going to start spewing out more pig-shit statements!"
"Why…How dare you?! I swear I'll-"
"SILENCE!"
The bickering between the two was cut off by the sudden shout of the king, almost immediately the two went as silent as the grave…The King glared at them both angrily, before his gaze softened as he looked down upon the fox…
"Bow down lad."
Miles did as he was asked, keeping his head down so he couldn't see the wider chamber before him…He heard the king clear his throat,
"Miles…If I am to make you a Squire…Then you must promise me and Sonic this…You must promise to give every hour of every day…And put it towards the training necessary to become a Knight of the realm when you are of age…You must promise to be of noble spirit and never violate our laws while I service to your trainer…
You must promise to represent the Kingdom of Acorn to the best of your ability…And once you make this oath, there is no going back…Do you, Miles swear on these terms?"
The fox nodded…Speaking in a polite and serious tone,
"I swear on those terms your majesty…I promise…"
"Then by the will of the King, the Kingdom and Chaos above…I appoint you as the Squire of Sir Sonic…May you serve our kingdom well in the future."
The fox rose to his feet…The widest smile he had ever shown blazed across his face…He walked over to his new mentor and beamed at him before bowing, exclaiming with excitement,
"I promise to do my best Mr Sonic!"
The hedgehog merely chuckled in response and ruffled the boy's bangs before turning to the king,
"Thank you, my liege…I'll make sure you won't regret this, he'll become a great Knight. I'm sure of it."
The King merely smiled back along with the rest of the court, apart from Baron Robotnik who only gave an irritable grumble in response,
"I know he will Sonic…His training will start tomorrow…But first, get him some food, give him a bath and then escort him to one of the guest chambers…He looks like he's in need of all three…Smells it too…"
Sonic merely laughed in response…It was true, the kid did smell like an open sewer in July…But that was to be expected if you were a gutter rat just days before…But he was a gutter rat no longer…Miles was a squire now…HIS squire…And he would make sure that the kid would get the best education possible…For it is the Chivalric Code to help those in need…A code the boy would grow to become all too familiar with…
Apologies for the repeated chapter everyone, the laptop I'm doing this on isn't the best and for some reason there was this weird bug where it would upload the same thing over and over again despite me changing and saving new documents.