The morning weather above Mobotropolis and Castle Acorn was dreary, cold, violent and stormy...A thick blanket of concrete grey and midnight black clouds almost choking out the radiant light of the sun...A relentless, nigh unending torrential downpour of rain could be heard even through the thickest of rooves as it came hammering down on rooftops...Ech individual droplet like a miniature comet as it slammed down on the tiles...While in the streets, the heavy rain caused drains and gutters to flood...Releasing a horrible, foul, stomach retching odour in the air...
However, it wasn't just the very heavy din of rain that sounded in the air...For there was also the devastating noise of thunder...The sound of it a terrific cannonade of natural power...And through windows across the city, one could see the streaking, luminous, white snakes of lightning...Illuminating the sky an ethereal blue for a split second before vanishing into the rain...
However, despite the utterly horrific weather outside, it was business as usual in the banquet hall of Castle Acorn...With its inhabitants at around tables and eating their breakfasts...
The atmosphere in the room was rather fitting considering the horrid weather outside, for if someone like you or I were to look around it...One would be met by a sea of grey, emotionless faces, each individual person caught either in the middle of consuming their rather measly breakfast of bread and oats...Or in the midst of complaining about the dreary weather...
However, For Sir Sonic, that wasn't the case, he was sat on a table far to the right, accompanied by fellow knights: Sir Knuckles, Shadow and Amy. Among them too was oddly enough the daughter of King Nigel himself, Princess Sally Acorn who sat beside the renowned speedster and of course...His humble squire Miles...However, the youngest of the group wasn't eating or chatting like the rest of them...Instead he was focused on reading a heavy tome from the Castle Libraries, occasionally poking his head up from the book to peer around the hall...His expression like the weather outside; horrible and grim...With hints of worry seeded within it...
The hedgehog's furrowed his brow upon seeing the sight, in the past few days he had noticed that fox seemed ever more...Vigilant and on edge, initially he was happy! Hoping that his training was teaching the fox to be ready for any possible kind of situation, however...It clearly became evident that something was wrong...He didn't seem to be eating nearly as much as he should...And he seemed to overwork himself too, seemingly studying late into the knight and straining himself in sparring practice until he even got hurt...Something wasn't right with that boy...But he just didn't know what it was!
"-And then the bandit captain came charging in at me, right? His axe was held right over his head as he charged at me! Naturally I just had to give him the ol' House Rose treatment and give him a good hammering. I caved in his breastplate in a single blow and sent him tumbling back! It is good that we are not at war, but how am I meant to improve my skills as a Knight when I am matched up with such...Idiots?!" Sir Amy exclaimed in a joking manner, a jolly, tropical oasis in a sea of freezing misery.
Her humorous tale earned a snort from Sir Knuckles, an audible chuckle from Princess Sally and even as much as a wiry smile from Sir Shadow...However, Sir Sonic gave no reaction to the joke, his eyes focused on his squire's visibly shaken form...Hoping to find clues as to what was going on with him as he had gotten no success from merely asking.
However, Princess Sally had noticed the hedgehog's unusual apathy towards his friends...And her eyes narrowed as she followed his gaze...Noticing herself the fox's very visible conundrum...And because of that, she leaned over to the troubled Knight and whispered to him,
"What's wrong with dear Miles? Has something happened to him?"
Sonic nodded his head slightly, his eyes not shifting from his young squire,
"I think so Princess, but I do not know what exactly. He refuses to tell me and actively avoids talking about anything that doesn't concern his training...Something's wrong with him and I want to find out just exactly what it is..."
The hedgehog leaned over to the kid and whispered in his direction,
"Psst...Miles?"
The young fox's head shot up from his book, his expression still extremely bleak and saddening to look at...He looked upon his mentor and feebly mumbled out a "What?" in response.
"Miles...I'm becoming worried about you; you've changed a lot and not entirely for the better...You seem so...worried all the time! Not even sparring and that gambeson I bought you is seeming to cheer you up! If there's something that is bothering, you then why don't you tell me? I'm your mentor...You're my squire! It's my job to care about you and help you if you need my assistance...Now please...Tell me what's wrong..." Sonic pleaded, his tone serious and sympathetic.
"Not now, please Sonic...I'm trying to re-" Miles tried to get out before Sonic snatched his book away from the kid, his face more irritated but still sympathetic for his squire,
"Tell me now Miles, no more dodging my questions...I want to know what's bothering you and I want to know now!" He demanded...His unusually louder tone making him lean back in his seat from intimidation...
"O-Okay...I'll t-tell you...But not here! I...I think it's best that we discuss it in private as I don't want to garner any negative attention with what I say to you about what's been bothering me...Especially Baron Robotnik..."
At the mere mention of the Baron's name...Sonic's eyes narrowed, and he turned to look around the banquet hall in hopes of finding the aforementioned noble...He was successful and within a minute was able to see him sitting on the same long table as King Nigel and the other members of the Royal Council...He seemed to be...chatting with a white platypus wearing...religious ornaments...It was the elusive head of the Church of Chaos...Arch-bishop Valerian Starline...The way the two seemed to speak didn't seem...Right, their own eyes looking around the room as they conversed with one another...It was almost as if they were talking about something that they didn't want anyone else to find out about...How...strange...
However, they both seem to stop dead in their tracks when King Nigel stood up and tapped the side of his goblet of wine with a small silver spoon, the sharp noise drawing the attention of everyone in the room...The elderly king gave a warm smile to everyone in the hall and then announced to them in a very warm, friendly tone...
"My dear friends and subjects! I apologise to be interrupting your breakfasts, especially on a day such as this but If I may borrow a minute or so of your time...I have an announcement to make to you all."
A sea of tired eyes fell upon King Nigel Acorn, hoping that his little speech would be quick so they could all get back to their daily routines and get the day over and done with...However, what the King would say next would cause an intense reaction from the crowd that would spread; like wildfire in a dry field of grass.
"I believe that in poor times such as these, we are all in need of some comforts to cheer us up...And following the advice of Baron Ivo Robotnik and Archbishop Starline...I have decided to send letters to some of my dearest friends from all over the Kingdom! And while no others may have returned yet, I have received word that Lord Amadeus Prower of Blackwater Keep shall be arriving for a visit tomorrow and he shall be accompanied by the rest of his family and some of his subjects...I hope to find this place spotless before then, as I want to make the castle perfect for our guests...That is all everyone!"
As soon as the attendees to the banquet hall heard the name "Prower" mentioned, the hall suddenly burst into life as people scrambled to wolf down their breakfasts and drinks...Eager to make sure that they could go onto cleaning the castle as quickly as possible...Lest Lord Prower be disappointed in the home of his old friend...
Amongst the now very active crowd, both Sonic and Miles watched as both Archbishop Starline and Baron Robotnik grinned at each other, their smiles filled with a malevolent glee...However, Sonic couldn't determine whether or not they were genuinely the scheming, suspicious kind of smiles; The ones made by folks who would do so while greeting you before putting a knife to your throat...Or if they were just rather more...evil smiles made by accident...Either way the grins were suspicious and may be in need of an investigation.
However, Sonic would put aside his concerns for now and focus on his squire...Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder he said to him in a kind tone,
"We'll talk about what's bothering you while in the barracks, okay?"
The fox looked at him with a nervous expression...And then nodded, however he then glanced over to someone who was looking at them...It was one of the servant girls...Milk? Dairy? Cream! That was her name! She was looking at both of them...But more specifically at Miles...Mouthing some words to him, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Sonic looked towards the young boy and saw his face relax a little...He was seemingly a lot happier after being told whatever she was saying to him...And he could feel his worry for the fox soften a little...But no matter what, it still remained and as they walked out of the hall...He started to think on what it was he was going to say to the fox...
...
The two went back and forth, the sounds of their blades clashing reverberating off of the walls yet again...All the while the storm still boomed outside...The occasional flash of lighting, brightening up the barracks for a split second every time it happened...
"So... You ready to talk yet?" Sonic asked, sending a thrust of his longsword towards Miles.
The fox stepped back, temporarily exposing his guard but being able to block an overhead blow from the knight with his shield...The force of the hit sending him stumbling back.
"Yeah...It feels a lot nicer knowing that there's nobody else here..." The fox responded, sending a swing of his falchion towards the hedgehog's leg...The blow was peerlessly blocked and then parried as he flung Miles's falchion and following sword arm to the side...
"Good...Well, I want to know what's been going on with you, why have you been feeling so miserable as of late."
"Well...How do I put this...You know that I do a lot of reading don't you Sonic?" The fox asked, blocking a sword swing with his shield.
The hedgehog nodded before trying to thrust at the fox's knee but once again being blocked off by the fox's shield.
"Good, well...I've been reading through the history of the kingdom as well as the different Knights that have served the kingdom as well as eternal lords and... Well...I have to say that my impression of Knighthood has been...deflated quite a lot...I mean...While there are great heroes in there like you, Shadow, Amy and Knuckles...It seems like for every proper knight...There are four or five who are...Scum...Truely despicable scum...I've read the accounts of peasants who have had their villages and homes raised by these knights just because they were in the way during a war...Or simply because they could...
And it isn't just a simple case of this being a long time ago either...Some of these happened only two r three years ago! Sir Leoncour freely kills anyone he likes and yet he is still in service to Lord Amadeus! They're even found in the castle! Sir Graham Douglas has been tormenting Cream and other servants for his pure, sadistic pleasure and nobody ever does anything...The Crown just freely knights them as if they are saints like you! What is a knight supposed to be other than a hero? A paragon of truth, justice and chivalry...A defender of the weak and protector of the broken...Not some jumped up little psychopath in plate armour who is free to pillage, murder and rape as much as he likes and get away with it?
And why isn't King Nigel doing anything about it? He's our king and yet he doesn't do anything to dispel these horrible folk...He doesn't punish them for their crimes and nor does he help those whose lives have been destroyed by them...Instead he just burns money on all these banquets and tournaments! It's like he doesn't care at all...Instead he only cares about what they can do for him...What good is being a Knight if t's no better than being given a license to do whatever you want..." The fox relented, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper as he ended his tirade...
He saw that Sonic's face remained stone cold as he listened to his woes...And that left the kid on edge...He didn't know whether or not his concerns would be put forward and addressed or just batted aside and suppressed by his mentor and he hated that...He hated being unsure about what'd happen...
However, after a few moments...The knight sighed and hugged the child gently before pulling away and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know how you feel Miles...It's always disheartening; hearing of the deeds of others who have unjustly been given the honour of Knights...And I know why you may think that King Nigel doesn't care about who he knights but...Listen kid, there's a reason for it and that is to keep the realm united...A lot of our knights come from wealthy and noble families, families who often hold important seats and lands within the realm and so Nigel needs to make sure that he has them on side...If he doesn't then it could lead to a civil war...And I bet that's an ever so convenient detail that people like Baron Robotnik likes to leave out.
And as for Sir Graham Douglas? I tell you what, next time that there's a tourney on...I'll make sure I ask him to duel me in the arena...Or perhaps I could stage an "Accident" for him."
Miles's face twisted with horror at the Knight's suggestion,
"What? No! I don't want to kill him! Just...Make sure he leaves Cream alone that's all."
"Actually...Yeah, you may be right...Death is a little bit extreme, fear of death on the other hand though? I think that can be managed...Either way though...Feel any better now?"
The fox turned his head down and his tails brushed the floor anxiously...Like two great, fluffy, feather dusters...His ears flattening against his head,
"Well...I...I'm not sure...Yes it's good that Douglas is going to be dealt with but...I think that the king should do more to combat the crimes being committed by Knight's all across the kingdom...Cut down on the tournaments, parties and banquets and instead spend the gold on more worthwhile things such as housing for the poor and better public services...I was lucky to be taken in by you and...As much as I was tormented by them...I know a lot of kids out there who need a proper home...If I...When I become a knight...I think I'd make sure that my squire was a lowborn like me...As a way of honouring you and doing my bit to help the kingdom's people."
The fox's words caused the Hedgehog's face to break out in a wide smile, one that was full of warmth, kindness and pride...It was like a roaring fire on a cold winter's morning; it made the fox feel safer and cheered him up.
"Heh heh...Miles, you just might be one of the most remarkable people I've ever met...And I don't say that often, you make some valid criticisms and you've shown yourself to have a good heart...I know you may be upset at the lack of true Knights...But you, a squire who's only just started on his journey embody the meaning of chivalry more than anyone else...I'm proud of you kid...You'll be a great hero someday...I promise that." He said, his warm expression not changing towards the kid in the slightest.
The fox however merely blushed and wrapped his tails around himself...Hoping to hide his embarrassment, however the hedgehog saw through it and grinned at him in response...
"See? I told you that coming here would make you feel better! Now...Is here anything else you want to discuss or...You wanna keep on sparring?"
"Yeah...Actually, there is...When King Nigel announced that Lord Prower would be attending...everyone seemed to...change, they were panicking almost, and I want to know why? I mean...I know he has one of the worst knights in all the realm under his banner but...Other than that he hasn't done anything bad himself? Right?" Miles asked innocently...However, the way Sonic's face fell slightly alerted him...
"Well...Yes and no...You see, Lord Amadeus Prower of Blackwater Keep is an... interesting man, initially he was brilliant; the kind-hearted, intelligent, ambitious, tenacious and fresh-faced head of the richest family in Acorn behind the royal family...It seemed like he could do anything he ever wanted...And generally, he seemed to use his power and influence for good! He invested in infrastructure, paid for tournaments and banquets, supplied the Royal Army and its knights with weapons and armour from his own seat of power on the Iron Coast...He could do it all...And when he finally married Lady Rosemary of House Vulpes, everything seemed perfect! Especially when he had a son and a daughter to go with it...
However, something bad happened to him...You see...Eight years ago, he and his wife were excited because she was going to be having a third child...They celebrated with banquets, parties, tourneys and received gifts from all over the realm...And King Nigel even invited them to have the child be born in Castle Acorn! However,...It was not to be, allegedly there were complications with the birth of the child. Supposedly the child came out monstrously deformed and stillborn...Their third child not even being able to experience even the opening moments of life...Worse still, the sheer effort and stress of giving birth...Killed Lady Rosemary...
On that one night, Lord Amadeus had lost both the love of his life and the child they were so eagerly celebrating for...Ever since he's been much different...Cold, cruel, overly stern and judgemental...He surrounds himself with men such as De Leoncour...Vicious killers who have had no qualms with making their servants as well as ours "disappear"...It is always a story that is quite the tragedy to hear but...It seems that he makes no effort to confront his grief and instead buries it under layers of spite and bitterness so large you could build a mountain from it...Do not approach him when he comes tomorrow Miles...I mean it."
The fox hung onto every word, drinking in the story as if it were a glass of rich wine...And a frown appeared on his face,
"What a horrible story...I'll try my best not to come to near but...What if I'm forced too? What if he wishes to speak to me?"
Sonic merely chuckled in response and answered his question...However it was a lot less...wholesome than had been intended,
"He wouldn't come up to you or me, he only ever talks to either his son, his daughter or his guards outside of meetings...But, If you must know...Be polite, be formal and hide your tails...I don't want you having the word 'freak' hurled at you...And stay away from De Leoncour at all costs...
House Prower is unpredictable, intelligent and have a knack for brutality... All of them...I'm happy that there's at least one fox around who isn't like them though...Now, let's get back to work! Raise your weapon and shield boy...We both know that they can save your life..."