Florian Laveaux's Arc

Chapter 4 of 10

Florian grabbed Griffin's arm and pulled him toward the courtyard. They couldn't just stand here watching. The crown prince was here, now, and if they didn't speak today they'd lose their chance. BelloSaros might leave for the front lines tomorrow, or the day after, and then who knew when they'd see someone with the power to grant knighthood again. The training yard sat beside the barracks, marked by rows of wooden dummies and straw targets. A large banner hung from the main post, its golden griffin gleaming against blue silk. Soldiers moved between the practice stations, testing their strikes against the wooden frames. Florian spotted a dark-haired man in armor standing near the dummies, watching two fighters spar with wooden swords. The man gestured, and one of the fighters adjusted his stance. BelloSaros. Florian's heart hammered. Griffin tightened his grip on his banner pole. Florian stepped forward, then stopped. What could they say? That they wanted to be knights? That they'd been denied an audience twice before? BelloSaros would see two village boys with no armor, no training under recognized masters, nothing to offer but hope. But Griffin was already moving, walking straight toward the training yard with his banner held high. Florian followed, his machete heavy at his side. When they reached the edge of the practice area, Daveth emerged from behind one of the weapon racks. The knight's eyes widened in recognition, then he smiled and called out to BelloSaros. The crown prince turned. Daveth spoke quickly, gesturing toward them both. BelloSaros studied them for a long moment, then nodded to Daveth and motioned them forward. What followed passed in a blur. Wooden practice swords in their hands. Daveth calling out instructions. Griffin blocking and striking with the same focus he showed when fishing, his movements clean and deliberate. Florian matching him, remembering every lesson they'd practiced alone by the docks. When they finished, BelloSaros walked over and spoke directly to Daveth, then turned to them. He wanted Florian as his own squire. Daveth would take Griffin. Florian's throat tightened. Different knights meant different assignments, different battlefields. But Griffin was already nodding, accepting, and Florian understood why. This was the door opening. They could walk through it together or watch it close. Later, after they swore their oaths and received their blue tunics, BelloSaros handed Florian a framed painting showing a dark-haired prince and a blonde squire standing side by side, both holding swords. The prince kept his closest companions near him, BelloSaros said. Florian looked at Griffin across the yard, already wearing his new colors, and knew they'd made it past the first wall.