A Knight's Path (The Path of Cinder Book 1)

by Nathan Grafton

  Warren frowned, “So we should disobey the King if it disagrees with our conscious?”

  Alden interrupted Herc’s reply, “No, he’s saying the sword will always be their first solution but should always be our last.”

  The big teen looked over at Alden, “What is that supposed to mean?”

  The smaller man smiled, “The King will see a problem and tell us to kill it but we can always find another way to remove the problem. It doesn’t matter how we do it, as long as the King gets his solution.”

  Warren looked back to Herc who nodded and smiled, “You’re friend here hit it on the nail.”

  The big teen shook his head, “And here I am thinking you are just some guy with a sword and an odd accent, Alden.”

  Alden chuckled, “I have a funny accent? You’re the guy who doesn’t know what a contraction is.”

  Warren snorted, “Of course I know what a contraction is. I just have to talk slow so you can understand.”

  The smaller teen smiled and opened his mouth to reply as Herc spoke, “I hate to interrupt your banter but I have work to do, brothers. I’ll see that one of my men gives my letter to you by tonight. I expect Damien will be eager to leave tomorrow.”

  Warren rose to his feet, “I do as well. I will admit I am eager to be back home as well.”

  Alden stood and cracked his back, “Bein’ back at the Wall will be nice. Familiar faces and a bed I know. It was good to meet you, Herc. I have a feelin’ we’re gonna see you again.”

  Herc bowed his head, “I suspect you’re right on that, Alden. Warren. It was good to meet you. Let Malcolm know I’m doing well and congratulate Solace on that promotion for me.”

  Warren smiled and offered the big man his hand, “We will. I hope we see you again before we leave.”

  The Commander smiled and grabbed Warren’s hand in a firm grip, “I will try to see you off tomorrow but Damien will probably try to leave before I have a chance. So best of luck, Brothers.”

  Herc released his grip on Warren and grabbed Alden’s hand, “Keep up your training and make sure to keep your wits about you. If your wits don’t have the solution, your heart probably will. And if your heart doesn’t have a solution, double check.”

  Alden smiled, “We should be able to handle that.”

  The duo filtered out of the office and made their way down the halls behind a soldier to their room. Warren unlocked the door and they drifted inside. Lorelei was asleep on the couch so Warren and Alden began to remove their armor. A short time later they woke Lorelei as dinner was brought to them along with a bundle of letters addressed to various officers of the Royal Guard. They had an eight day ride ahead of them so the three fell into bed early.

  Chapter 51 The Return

  The ride home was uneventful until the last day. Alden got up in the morning and noticed that Lorelei was gone. The woman had stolen both Alden’s and Warren’s hunting knives and the extra food they had left over in their supplies. She had taken the bedding she had taken from the bandit camp and her belongings. They searched for an hour but found no sign of the dark haired woman so the group set out again. They would make it to the Wall by that evening and Alden knew he would be glad to be back in a familiar bed.

  Sergeant Hunter greeted them at the entry to the Wall. He smiled and looked at Damien, “Well?”

  The messenger grunted, “Couple bumps in the road but they did what they were supposed to.”

  Hunter bowed his head, “Very well. You know I’ll need a detailed report from you, Damien. I’ll also need one from the Captain and both my Cadets.”

  The three warriors nodded and chorused their confirmations. The Sergeant smiled, “Good, you’re all dismissed and free to return to prior duty. Alden and Warren, leave your horses with the stable hands and come with me.”

  Alden dismounted Renegade as Warren hit the ground with a thud. The big man stood back up and cracked his back. The smaller teen smiled, “Startin’ to regret all that plate aren’t you?”

  The big man shook his head, “Never.”

  The pair made their way into the Wall and followed Sergeant Hunter up the stairs to their meeting place. Skorri and John were waiting for them there and the giant smiled broadly, “Warren! Alden! It’s good to see you both!”

  Alden smiled back at him, “Its good to see you to, Skorri. And you, John.”

  The quiet teen bowed his head in Alden’s direction and then the four turned their attention to Malcolm. The Sergeant cleared his throat, “The four of you have all just returned and while I need to get the formal reports in from what I have heard all four of you have passed the Second Trial.”

  Skorri guffawed loudly and Alden asked, “What about the others?”

  Hunter’s eyes flicked to Alden and then he continued, “The twins returned yesterday while Blackfeather and Hawkes arrived back the day before.”

  Skorri simply nodded his head and began studying his knuckles. A long silence filled the air until Alden broke it, “Sir, what are these Trials supposed to be testing us on?”

  The Sergeant frowned, “What do you mean?”

  The young man shrugged, “Why are we doin’ this so early? We have three Trials to make it through and I’m guessin’ there’s going to be more we have to learn after those and more tests for what we learn then. So, why are you having a bunch of newbies escort Royal Messengers around?”

  Malcolm answered easily, “Because next year you’re going to be on active duty as well as training formally. We believe in learning by doing. The Trials simply determine if you can handle field work. After that you’ll training directly with various Knights on developing other skills.”

  The young man made a note of the rehearsed feeling the response had. After a minute of silence Malcolm nodded to himself as he called out, “Dismissed. I want reports from all four of you by tomorrow morning.”

  Alden led the group of four down the stairs and into the interior of the Wall. The young man weaved his way through familiar corridors and found his door and stepped inside. Warren followed just a step behind and began to shed armor. As soon as the armor was gone Alden grabbed clean clothes and moved over to the shower. He hadn’t had a chance to bathe since they had left the Citadel.

  A half hour later had Alden dressed in clean clothing and scribbling a report out for Sergeant Hunter. The young man had other things to take care of tonight. Ten minutes of furious writing later and the young man grabbed his duster and darted out the door to the library.

  Elise was sitting at a table with her back to him. Nose buried in a book already. Alden crept up on her and leaned in close to her ear before whispering, “You have lovely hair.”

  The young blonde jumped up out of her chair and spun. She punched his shoulder, “Don’t scare me like that, Flint.”

  Alden chuckled at her and answered, “You’re cute when you’re angry.”

  She crossed her arms and the young man smiled even wider. He stepped closer and kissed her once before asking, “How was your adventure?”

  Elise uncrossed her arms and hugged him, “Boring. Nothing happened the whole time and Lincoln’s son spent the whole time there ogling me”

  Alden pulled her closer, “Well, when I meet him I’ll tell him only I’m allowed to ogle you.”

  The blonde pulled back a step, “Believe me, Enzo almost beat the kid to a pulp. He doesn’t like it when anyone looks at me.”

  The young man cocked an eyebrow, “That might explain the cold shoulder he’s been givin’ me.”

  Elise nodded, “Yeah, it is. Of course he knows who I see is my choice which is why he hasn’t said anything.”

  A silence followed that the blonde eventually broke, “I missed you.”

  Alden grunted, “I know. I miss myself sometimes to.”

  Elise laughed and punched his arm as they
separated, “You know what I meant, you jerk.”

  The young man smiled at her, “I know. I missed you to.”

  The pair sat down at the table together as they began to dig through the countless books in the law section of the library. Alden felt like they were grasping at straws now but he couldn’t just give up on Elise’s father. He never could for her sake.

  Chapter 52 Repetitive Threats

  Warren jerked awake and sat up coated in a cold sweat. He glanced around the dim room. Alden was on the other side of the room sleeping. Just like he had been the last three nights when Warren woke up. The big teen fell back into bed. It was the same dream as before, the same nightmare.

  The three men he killed confronting him, yelling at him, telling him that they had deserved to live, that they could have been redeemed if he had not murdered them.

  The big man shut his eyes again and tried to sleep. Warren reminded himself that those men had chosen their path and he had done his duty and spared many innocents from those highwaymen . The big man drifted off to sleep for an hour before Alden woke him again to resume their training. It was their fourth day back from the Second Trial and their first day back in the care of Sergeant Hunter.

  Warren rubbed his face as he sat up in bed. The big man glanced up at his friend as the younger man dressed. Alden had been quieter since they got back and seemed to spend more time lost in his own head. The big man started to get dressed and followed his partner out of the room and down the halls.

  Sergeant Hunter was waiting on them as always and glanced up as they came in, “Good, you’re here. I wanted to discuss the Trial with you two before we resume training.”

  Alden and Warren stepped up next to each other and waited as the Sergeant finished reading the paper in his hand, “The first thing I wanted to discuss is that you both did a fine job but you, Alden, have got to control that temper of yours. If you had lashed out at a noble the way you reprimanded Damien we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Our station lets us get away with a lot of things most people wouldn’t be able to. But nobles can get away with more then we can. Understand?”

  Alden nodded, “Of course.”

  The Sergeant nodded, “Excellent. Warren, you did a fine job. The only problem I have is that you let Alden venture out and confront an unknown alone without any real plan of finding or tracking him. Now, I understand that the risk was minor but for future reference always have a backup plan. That goes for both of you. Understood?”

  Both teens bowed their heads, “Of course, sir.”

  Sergeant Hunter looked from Warren to Alden and then back again, “Now, I think it’s time we got back to training. Weapons and tracking are the things we’re going to be focused on. However we’re also going to be going over strategies for dealing with orcs.”

  The boys picked up the practice weapons and began to run through the drills and forms Sergeant Hunter gave them. It wasn’t long before they were both coated in sweat and ready for a break. The afternoon passed by the same way and the Sergeant told the pair to use the evening as they saw fit.

  Warren found a card laying on his bed. It was scripted in familiar handwriting. He opened the card and scanned it quickly. Victoria had gotten his message from when he had returned and wanted to see him that evening if possible. The big man smiled and changed quickly as Alden read the open card laying on the big man’s desk.

  Alden smirked, “All she needs is to write you a note and off you go. You, my friend, are whipped.”

  The big man scoffed, “Like you are not.”

  Alden chuckled as Warren continued, “You don’t even need a note. You just rush off to do what your lady wishes without even bein’ told.”

  The green eyed teen smiled, “Careful, Warren. This accent of mine is contagious.”

  Warren frowned as he pondered his words, “Thanks, Flint. I have to double check myself now to make sure I do not start speaking backwoods farmer.”

  Alden slapped him on the back, “It happens to everyone. It’ll fade once you can get out of my hair for a week or three.”

  The big man made a dismissive gesture and rushed out the door. He wasn’t sure how long Victoria could wait for him but the King didn’t seem to keep a close eye on her. Victoria had told him that her father only paid attention to her little brother since he was the one who had inherited the strong will of the family. From the stories she had told Warren, Prince Dorian had sounded like, well, a brat. Of course Warren had also never revealed he knew she was the Princess so she might be telling him about the worst days just to vent to someone.

  Warren made his way down the stairs and around the corner, slamming into someone and knocking them to the ground. The big man looked down to find Reginald Blackfeather sitting on the ground in front of him.

  Reginald surged back to his feet, “Watch where you’re walking you big ape.”

  The big man grit his teeth, “Let’s just go about our business, Blackfeather.”

  Blackfeather smiled, “Thanks for reminding me actually. I was on my way up to your rooms to give you a message. I know you didn’t believe me last time but this is your last chance. Do NOT speak to Princess Victoria again.”

  Warren rolled his eyes, this again, “Look, last time all you did was turn my hair white. Easy enough to fix and the short hair look actually suits me. So, thanks for that I guess.”

  Reginald sneered and stepped closer to Warren, “Faulkner, if you continue to see the Princess I will destroy your family. I will kill your family and that whore-son of a partner you have while you watch. And then I will break every bone in your fat, miserable body and let you die slowly. I hope I’m talking slow enough for you to understand.”

  The big man snorted, “All I hear is hot air coming out of a spoiled brat who got told he was special and is now finding out he is second class.”

  Warren moved to step around Reginald but the smaller man got in his way, “Nobody talks to me like that, Faulkner. Nobody.”

  Warren made a show of looking around the empty hallway, “Do something about it. We both know you are not a match for me in a fair fight.”

  Reginald glared at the big man for a moment longer before snorting, “You see, I’m giving you one last chance to walk away unscathed. Thrashing you here would only serve to make me seem dishonest. I’ll be seeing you.”

  Warren watched the smaller man round the bend and continue up the stairs. He rolled his eyes and set off again, wandering when it would dawn on Reginald that the world didn’t revolve around him. The large man ducked his head as he drifted outside into an early snow.

  Chapter 53 A Promise Kept

  Alden studied the first flowers of spring coming up along the road as he waited with Warren by the bridge to High Town. The young man reached up and pushed his bangs to one side. He needed to get a haircut soon but it always seemed to be the last thing on the long list of things to do. Like waiting on a Princess to give her a tour of Low Town as promised in the fall.

  Warren had a borrowed kite shield on his back and his mace at his side but he had dressed casually for the venture. An occasional jingle told Alden that Warren was also wearing a chain mail shirt at least under his clothing but the young man could understand the caution. Alden himself was dressed in a pale shirt, jeans, his boots and duster. His shield was across his back and sword at his side. And a head of hair that wouldn’t stay out of his eyes.

  Victoria appeared a few minutes later, and Alden examined her quickly. She carried a simple knife hidden by her shirt and another hidden in her boot. She was dressed simply although the material was a little clean and a little too nice for a trip to Low Town. As the young man had learned more about Low Town over the winter the more he had regretted agreeing to this. But he had agreed already so he would do what was necessary.

  Warren greeted her quietly and Alden smiled easily as the big man ‘intr
oduced’ the two of them. The smaller man inclined his head, “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Victoria.”

  Victoria smiled back, “Excuse me? I don’t remember-oh.”

  Her voice lost enthusiasm as it dawned on her that Alden was fully aware of the fact she was the Princess. Alden’s easy smile never faltered, “Right, the ball. Lovely night. Anyway, we should head on to Low Town so we can be back before dark.”

  The young man set off towards the shadier part of the city. Victoria seemed surprised and hesitated for a moment before following with a nudge from Warren. Alden knew by saying what he had she wouldn’t trust him. But this way she would be on her toes and watching for trouble.

  Low Town was not the kind of place one visits unless they were heavily armed and dangerous or had a few heavily armed and dangerous friends with them. The half close to the Market wasn’t too bad. The buildings were run down and the people could barely make ends meet. The lower half of Low Town was where the thieves, murderers, gangs, smugglers and other criminal types tended to run things. It was safer in the daytime but that’s because there was only a 50% chance of someone jumping you versus the 99% chance of being jumped at night.

  Alden tried to keep the tour confined to the nicer part of Low Town but sure enough Victoria asked, “What about the outer limits of the city?”

  The young man sighed, “It gets really bad the closer you get to the Southern Gate. I think we-”

  She cut him off, “I want to see how all of the people in this city live.”

  Alden grit his teeth, “It’s three times worse then this.”