Florian Laveaux's Arc

Chapter 5 of 10

BelloSaros led Florian through the main hall toward a stone staircase. Florian followed, watching the prince's cape sweep across the floor. Other squires carried weapons and bags past them, heading toward different parts of the castle. Griffin was somewhere with Daveth now, settling into whatever chambers Daveth kept. Florian's chest tightened. The prince's chambers occupied the third floor of the eastern tower. BelloSaros pushed open the heavy door and gestured Florian inside. A wide bed stood against the far wall, draped in crimson cloth. A wooden chest sat beside it. A wash basin rested near the window. BelloSaros crossed to the chest and pulled out a folded blue tunic. He held it out to Florian. This one was different from the squire's tunic Florian already wore. The fabric was softer, the embroidery finer. Griffin's tunic, Florian realized. BelloSaros had taken it from Griffin's things before Daveth claimed him. The prince said nothing, just watched Florian's face. Florian reached out and took the tunic. His fingers closed around the fabric. It still smelled like Griffin. BelloSaros turned away, giving him a moment. Florian pressed the tunic to his chest, then folded it carefully and tucked it inside his own shirt, against his ribs where no one would see. BelloSaros walked to the window and looked out over the training yard. He spoke without turning around. A squire's duty was to stay close, he said. To train together, eat together, sleep in the same room. That was how trust was built between a knight and his squire. Florian would sleep here, in this chamber, and wake when BelloSaros woke. They would drill at the jousting fence every morning after dawn. Florian would carry the prince's sword when they rode out. He would learn to fight the way BelloSaros fought. The prince turned back to face him. This was the price of being chosen. Florian felt the tunic pressing against his skin. He nodded. He understood. BelloSaros studied him for a long moment, then nodded back. Good. They would start tomorrow at first light. Florian stood alone in the chamber after BelloSaros left to meet with his officers. He pulled Griffin's tunic out and held it up to the window light. The golden embroidery caught the sun. He folded it again, smaller this time, and slipped it back inside his shirt. Tomorrow he would train with the prince. He would learn what BelloSaros had to teach. But Griffin would stay close, hidden against his heart, a reminder of what he was fighting for. When they both became knights, they would stand together. Until then, this would have to be enough.