Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Being a Paladin
The following day, Ragnos was up before dawn, and as the sun began to rise, we find Louise lying on her back in a basic set of chainmail, gasping for air. Nearby, Ragnos stood with a scowl on his face. "Do you really have no more stamina than this?" he asked sharply. When no response came, he smirked and whistled loudly. "Be glad my mentor isn't here, or you'd be running from a dragon for your morning exercise."
Moments later, a table and chairs appeared, along with a pitcher of water and some strips of what Louise assumed was bacon. Oh, how wrong she was.
One bite into the tough travel jerky had her downing half the pitcher of water before nearly retching. She looked up to see Ragnos eating the same stuff with a smile. "You need to learn to stomach this, Louise. You won't always eat like royalty." Louise groaned and watched as Ragnos popped a strip into his mouth, chewing and swallowing so fast it seemed like he barely tasted it. She mimicked him, finding it slightly more bearable.
After their "breakfast," Ragnos handed her a wooden sword and shield, weighted to feel like real ones. He demonstrated basic exercises and made her repeat them for an hour. "Get used to the weight until they feel like part of you," he said.
The two heard muffled chuckling from a nearby bush. Ragnos's eyes narrowed, and with a flicker of energy, he fey-stepped to the other side. He returned, dragging Guiche by the scruff of his neck, and set him down by the table.
"Since you like eavesdropping so much, you just volunteered to be her sparring partner," Ragnos declared with a smirk. He disappeared briefly and returned with another set of chainmail, a wooden sword, and a shield for Guiche.
The complaining began immediately. "My father's almost a duke! You can't boss me around! This is heavy! Come ooooon!" he whined through the first match. Louise, fueled by frustration and sheer determination, won easily. Her victory was capped by a poorly aimed kick that landed squarely where no man wants to be hit. Guiche's voice hit a pitch far higher than usual, and Ragnos sighed, muttering a healing spell to prevent further humiliation.
"Louise, nice work, but beating a man while he's down? Not great form. Guiche, stop whining and protect yourself better. Both of you need to remember: this is sparring, not a bar brawl. Now, go again," Ragnos ordered.
The second match lasted longer. Guiche's training showed as he opened with a practiced overhead strike, but Louise countered with a swipe to his legs. Though Guiche's reflexes saved him from the worst of it, Louise's shield caught him in the gut. The two continued sparring, and by the third match, their banter shifted from complaints to lighthearted teasing. When the sun reached its zenith, Ragnos finally called a halt.
"Enough! I'm significantly less disappointed than when we started," he said, giving them a pointed look. "Guiche, work on your reaction time and protect your vitals—seriously. Louise, you've made progress, but you're not there yet. Still, good work on that stomp."
The pair trudged to the campus bathhouses in silence. By the time they returned, Ragnos had laid out an ornate spread of food. As they ate, Guiche broke the silence. "So, Louise, what's your plan for the familiar exhibition later this week?"
Ragnos chuckled. "Louise, meet me in the tower after classes. I have something that may help," he said before standing and heading toward his tower. He glanced back. "Don't you two have class soon?"
Later that afternoon, Ragnos led Louise to the eighth floor of his tower. Her jaw dropped as she took in the sight of winged beasts: dragons in varying colors, a pegasus, a griffon, and even a massive flaming bird. But none were as awe-inspiring as the black dragon at the far end of the room.
This dragon was enormous, easily four times the size of Tabitha's Sylpheed. Midnight black scales shimmered like liquid night, etched with faint, rune-like patterns that seemed to hum with ancient magic. His wings stretched wide, their span enough to cast the entire room in shadow. His piercing, intelligent eyes locked onto them as he regarded the newcomers with a mixture of curiosity and regal authority.
"This is Ivyrth," Ragnos said with a note of pride. "He's the eldest of Vamryn and Cerrirai's brood. Don't let his size intimidate you; he's a softie once you get to know him."
As they approached, one of the smaller dragons nearby noticed Louise. The hatchling fumbled toward her, its awkward gait contrasting with the grace of its elders. Louise knelt, hesitantly extending her hand. The little dragon nuzzled her palm, earning a soft laugh from Ragnos.
"While you get acquainted with your new friend, I'll speak with the headmaster. There are matters to handle," Ragnos said, leaving Louise with the playful hatchlings.
Upon returning to the tower later that evening, Ragnos found Louise playing with the young dragons. Vamryn, the massive black dragon, observed the scene with a sharp, knowing gaze. As Ragnos approached, she spoke softly.
"Why is her magic bound in such a vile way?" she asked, her voice a deep rumble.
Ragnos's eyes darkened. Kneeling beside Louise, he examined her closely. Growling under his breath, he said, "Thank you, Vamryn. I'll address this immediately." The dragoness gave him a knowing look before calling her hatchlings back, though the youngest lingered before joining its siblings.
"Louise, tomorrow we're visiting the royal family. Would you like to accompany me and Ivyrth?" Ragnos asked.
Louise's eyes lit up as she glanced toward the massive dragon at the end of the room. Ivyrth's gaze softened slightly, and he let out a low, rumbling sound that might have been a chuckle.
"I'd love to," Louise replied, her voice filled with excitement.
Ragnos smiled. "Good. Go prepare for tomorrow. We'll need to make a proper impression."