Gideon and Katrina walked back to the Keep laughing and joking all the while. Gideon was showing off with his magic, sending balls of light chasing off into the evening sky and Katrina feigning impressed each time he did.
The Keep was more crowded than usual, as special birthdays were a whole village affair. Gideon strode up to his father preparing himself for the tongue lashing to come, but he needn’t worry. His father greeted him with a smile and a rib-cracking hug, lifting him up off the ground.
“Okay, okay father put me down, gee they should have called you Adam the bear not Adam, the wolf.”
Adam put his son down, ruffling his hair and giving him a rueful smile.
“My boy, you’re finally a man. I have looked forward to this day for a long time. You’ll finally be able to become a knight, just like I was. Oh my boy you’re going to love the Academy, it was the best three years of my life, well save the time I was able to spend with your mother. Oh if she could see you now. She’d be right proud of you boy.” Gideon smiled at his father; it was nice to see him so happy for a change.
“And son,” He said as Gideon was turning to greet the guest. “You’ll always have a home here.” Gideon smiled at him then busied himself with greeting his guests.
After an hour of greeting and thanking people, Gideon walked over to one of the many long tables in the hall piled with food and drink and found his brother glaring into his teacup.
“Did your tea go cold?” Gideon asked as he sat joining him, but choosing a mug of ale instead. Levi looked up at him,
“What? Oh no no, I just realized that you’re really leaving in a week. I mean it’s not going to be the same without you.” Gideon grinned and smacked his brother on the shoulder.
“It’ll be fine, and I’ll be back every six months, and once I finish, I’ll probably be stationed right here in Thornpine anyways. So nothing is really changing.”
Just then Katrina pounced on Gideon wrapping her arms around his neck, making him spill most of his ale all over the table and Levi in the process.
“If anything it’s going to be a lot quieter around here. Hi Levi.” She added seeing Levi mop up the ale off himself and the table. Levi nodded at her.
“Well anyways here’s your gift.” She said as she handed him a small parcel wrapped in brown parchment and tied off with twine. Gideon unwrapped it to find a dark blue, rather uneven scarf.
“Did you make this?”
Katrina smiled at him, “Yep, course I did.”
“Well, your needlework could use some practice.” Katrina scowled and aimed an empty mug from the table at his head. It bounced off the wall and on to the floor.
“Hey now, I’m only joking, it will keep me nice and warm this winter.”
She smiled at him, “That’s not all, I have some news.” Gideon waited for her to continue.
“I just spoke to father, and he said that if Kallen thinks I’m suited for it, then I can go to the Academy next year!” She said beaming. Gideon congratulated her,
“Oh Katrina that’s fantastic news, we’ll be able to enjoy Evenstar together next year.”
“Yeah, really great.” Interrupted Levi. “She could be a queen, she could have helped us forge new alliances, but hey what’s that next to the life of a warrior.” He growled before stalking off. Katina looked downcast.
“Don’t mind him; he’s just upset that things are changing.”
Katrina sniffed, “Why should he? He is father’s heir. He has a future. He doesn’t have to try and figure out who he is or what he’s meant to do.”
Gideon gave her a quick hug, then held her at arm’s length looking her in the eye.
“I understand what you mean, but I don’t think he likes the idea of being left here alone.” Katrina looked at the ground, and Gideon stooped to remain in her field of vision. “Also remember we had a choice in our future, he didn’t.” Katrina nodded, then gave him one last hug and happy birthday then went to talk to some of the other village girls leaving Gideon sitting alone at the table. He was well into his second mug of ale when Kallen wondered over.
“How are you enjoying your party, Gideon?”
“It’s good, I’ve enjoyed myself a lot. Listen, Kallen; I’m really sorry about missing training today.” Kallen held up his hand,
“Stop, don’t worry about it. Given it’s your birthday and all I figured you were out enjoying your manhood with one of the village girls if you get my meaning.” Gideon’s face burned scarlet as he blushed to his roots.
“No, it was nothing like that I just fell asleep under the Thornpine.”
“Oh? Well, I suppose that there is plenty of time for the other now that you’re a man. Don’t go around creating any bastards now.” Kallen wagged a finger at him, causing Gideon to blush an even darker shade of red.
Kallen laughed and smacked Gideon hard on the shoulder.
“Now, this being your last week here I expect you every morning and afternoon for training, your father has entrusted your chores to some others, so no exceptions no matter what you find yourself doing under that tree.” He laughed again and bid Gideon farewell as he went to join Adam for another round of ale. Gideon shook his head smiling to himself. Apart from his family, he would miss Kallen the most, even if he did have some issues with his humor. Sadly, the reality that he was truly leaving hit him. He wondered how his whole life would to change.
T he night was drawing to a close, most the guests had either returned home or were so far gone in their drink that they were passed out in the hall. Gideon himself was buzzing pleasantly, a numb tingling flowing through his body. Kallen was hunched over in his chair his face pressed hard against the cold stone wall. Aside from himself, he found the only one still up and about was his father. As he crossed the room, his father looked at him with tired eyes.
“Did you enjoy your party?” Adam asked as he drew near.
“Yes father, it was most pleasant,” Gideon said.
“Have your brother and sister retired to their rooms?”
“I believe so,” Gideon replied glancing this way and that for any sign of his siblings. “I lost track of them during the night, but I am fairly sure they retired early.”
“Good, let us walk a while,” Adam said taking Gideon by the shoulder.
Adam led Gideon from the hall to the small garden on the side of the courtyard. They sat down on the worn wooden bench that had been the seat of many happy times in the past. They sat in companionable silence for a time, enjoying the cool of the spring night air and listening to the sounds of the night watch as they made their rounds.
Adam turned to Gideon, eyes tired and raven hair and beard now peppered with grey. It just occurred to Gideon just how old his father was becoming; no longer was he the young man that had led a nation to victory.
He gave a deep sigh, “You know I have always liked this part of the Keep, when your mother, Kallen, and I sacked it, this is where the Elven king was, this is where it all ended. This is where your mother would come day after day when you and Levi were little, and this is where we sprinkled her ashes. You know all this, of course, I’m sure I have told you often.”
Gideon smiled at his father, “I enjoy listening to all you have to tell father.”
“Well I am no storyteller, but I have found with age I tend to sink deep into the past. In my mind I relive what was, I see my dear Alexia, and I am content to stay there.” He paused perhaps to draw breath or perhaps because he was lost in the past as he said. Gideon just waited, feeling an odd grief for his father and a longing to see his mother once more.
“This is the last time we will get to speak privately for a while, and I wanted to let you know son that I am very proud of the choices you have made regarding your future. I have just a few simple lessons I wish to pass down to you if you will hear them.”
“Of course father.”
“Well then, firstly do not be quick to anger. Words cannot be easily forgiven or forgotten, but a sword drawn in anger and h
aste never can and also remember also your words can cut just as deeply as the blade. Listen and be loyal to those around you and those in authority. It is more honorable to die in battle protecting what you hold dear than to run away like a coward and let others fall for you. Be wise with your money and try to understand what something you want versus what you need. On the matters of love, all I can tell you is that honesty is the strongest rock in which to build a foundation and only give your heart to one who will prosper for of it. Remember your duty is to love and protect, but you would do well to discuss every option as women have a way of seeing the right direction even when the way is clouded.”
When he had finished, he gazed at his hands, perhaps feeling unsure of his speech.
“Thank you, father. I will live with those words in my heart forever more.”
Adam smiled at Gideon and embraced him, truly embraced him for the first time in years. It was as if he was once again the child his father remembered.
Chapter 2 The Knight Academy
G ideon started for Evenstar the following Monday. He had packed some bare essentials, provisions such as food and drink for the trip, an extra change of clothes, his sword and his longbow for hunting. He technically had enough food to make it to Evenstar, but he didn’t fancy eating only dried meat, cheese, and bread the whole way and thought that a delicious rabbit or perhaps a deer would make for a great dinner.
He had traveled down to Evenstar plenty of times in the past, but this was the first time he would be venturing out on his own. The thought both thrilled him and gave him a twinge of doubt, as he shouldered his pack and prepared his departure. Those who were closest to him had gathered in the courtyard to bid him farewell, his friends from the village and some of the guards, along with his family. As he bid them goodbye, they filled away leaving only his family and mentor.
Katrina was teary-eyed as she hugged him fiercely. Sobbing into his shoulder,
“What am I going to do without you? You’re my best friend, who’s going to go exploring with me or talk to me when I’m feeling down?” She choked. She brushed back strands of her black hair that had fallen in her eyes. Gideon took his hand and wiped away some of her tears, fighting back his own.
“You’ll be fine without me sis and besides this isn’t goodbye you know, it’s just… see you later.” Katrina laughed giving him a sad smile and Gideon embraced her again and then turned to his brother. Levi, in true Levi fashion, stuck out his hand and Gideon grasped it.
“Take care of yourself Gideon; I expect you to come back a proper knight. Stoic and noble and all that, maybe even cut that mop of hair of yours while you’re at it.”
Gideon still shaking his brother’s hand replied, “Only if you grow a beard.”
A sad smile crossed Levi’s face and, for a moment Gideon thought that he was going to say something else, but after a moment he turned and left them, turning once to wave at his brother a final time.
Gideon turned to his father and Kallen.
“Well, my son this is it for a while. Try to write to us while you are gone and don’t have too much fun in the city. I’ll see you in October.” Adam said then embraced Gideon and like Levi parted the company.
“Well, I’m not going to get all sappy on ya lad,” Kallen said giving Gideon a soft hit on his shoulder. “Listen to your instructors, mind your manners, and don’t underestimate the other students. You’re a good warrior, but now you’ve got to be forged into a knight.” Kallen slapped his shoulder once more, “Travel safe.”
W ith the goodbyes said Gideon stepped out on to the cobbled street beyond the courtyard and started south down the lane. The paved road followed him out of town and soon became little more than a dirt path. The trees that were cut back near the village were quickly closing in around him as he entered the small patch of forest that separated the southern border from the Great Plains of Rosenkar.
He saw little activity the first day save for the ever watchful birds that cawed and cried at him. Their accusing cries echoing throughout the forest followed him as he reached the edge of the woods just as the light was beginning to fail.
He made a fire to keep the worst of the creatures of the night at bay and went about searching for some rabbits. Within the hour he had bagged two and was skinning the second while the first he cooked on a spit over the open coals of the fire. It wasn’t much of a dinner, but the meat was hot and tasty and paired well with the bread and cheese he had in his pack. Once he had eaten his fill and buried the remains, he laid back on his blanket and stared up at the starry sky as he drifted off to sleep.
The next day he met the plains. The waist-high grass was thick and boggy as he was traveling around the giant Star lake that lay to the north of the city and stretched out several miles.
Although he could have easily traveled across the lake using the ferry that transported people and goods from Evenstar to Thornpine, he wanted to take his time and enjoy his momentary freedom. Even if that meant battling the uneven terrain and fierce bugs that was a constant annoyance this time of year.
The rest of his travels went about the same, each night hunting some small game for a warm dinner and sleeping under the stars next to a roaring fire. He didn’t see any other travelers along that way, which was odd, although this was not a busy road he thought he should have seen someone along the way. The thought crept in each night as he lay listening to the sounds of the night.
G ideon was in sight of Evenstar on his fifth day. Its hundred foot walls and spiraling towers coming into view several miles before he was in range of the gate. When the first of the city was in sight, it added a spring in his step, and he hurried along eager to reach the city long before dark. The city was the capital of Esnela and was home to his Uncle Udda, the King and two cousins’ Jason and Trevor. This bustling city was where he would spend the next six months.
The closer he got to the city, the busier the road became until he was traveling side by side with several other people. Men, women, and children all hurried to the gate. Most, he noted, wore scared expressions and wore travel worn and ragged clothes. Gideon wondered what had made them this way, but was too uneasy to ask.
As they came in sight of the gate, the line slowed as the guards were checking the names of those entering the city and for what reason they were visiting. This gave Gideon ample opportunity to gaze down further south of the city at the small fortress that made up the Academy. The Academy was positioned with its back to the city and the Blackridge Mountains to its side giving its students an undisturbed view of the Great Plains of Rosenkar. The sight gave Gideon pause as he had never truly appreciated the view.
The plains went on for miles and miles. Indeed it stretched all along the Blackridge mountain range to the hilly region at the southern tip of the continent. From the mountains on one side to the ocean on the other, this entire side of Rosenkar was one vast plain, with only the odd hill interrupting its progress down the continent. Gideon gazed along the plains for a while longer before letting his gaze rest upon the place he would call home for the next six months.
The Academy was a towering fortress, although not the scale of Evenstar or its castle, it was never the less an impressive sight. The massive limestone and granite building had housed recruits for the Esnelan knights for over three hundred years, back when Esnela was more of a superpower in the land. Split into two with the potential knights training and living on one side and the Shield Maidens (dangerous female spell swords.) on the other side. Although they would be sharing the grounds, contact was strictly forbidden, and their vastly different schedules ensured that they were kept as far apart as possible. No one wanted any unfortunate accidents, the kind Kallen would surly joke about.
Gideon trudged forward finally reaching the gatehouse. A guard held out his hand at the sight of Gideon.
“You there who are you state what business you have in Evenstar!” the guard snapped. The man was apparently in a foul mood either from a long shift that should be ending or on
e that had just begun. Not wanting to cause trouble for himself or the guard he quickly replied.
“I am Gideon, son of Adam the Wolf. I have come to report to the Academy for training, and I am currently going to pay my respects to my uncle, King Udda.”
The guard paled as he took in Gideon’s words. Sputtering he said,
“My Lord, forgive me, I didn’t know. Please, you must understand I thought you just another refugee. There was no way of telling you apart from this rabble.”
Gideon raised his hands trying to calm the guard.
“Please, it’s alright. I am not a Lord, that would be my older brother Levi. You didn’t offend me, but you said refugee, what’s going on here?”
The guard looked shocked yet relieved as he closed the distance between them and whispered,
“Has Thornpine not gotten word? Well, it’s not my place to say, but since you asked we’ve had issues with goblins and kobolds and they say that some dark thing has been slaughtering people in the night.” He gave Gideon a knowing look and stepped back.
“Right then, well can I go on through?” Gideon asked
The guard nodded his head and stood aside for Gideon to pass, before bellowing
“Next in line, come on keep it moving people!”
Gideon stepped through the gatehouse and into the city proper and gazed around him taking in the magnificence of the city. The city was built into the side of the mountain and had a tiered layout with the first district shared between shops, inns, taverns, and dwellings. The next three were residential for the higher class, with the odd shop thrown in for good measure, wouldn’t want the upper class having to trudge down in the mud with the common people now, would we? At the very top lay the citadel, the fortified palace of Evenstar. It was a well-defended city that if needed, housed nearly all the population of Esnela. For the castle opened up into the mountain and the caves in there could protect an enormous amount of people.
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