Griffin Yardley's Arc

Chapter 2 of 5

Griffin woke before dawn in the barracks beside Daveth's quarters, the blue tunic from yesterday still folded at the foot of his bedroll. Across the way castle, Florian was probably doing the same in BelloSaros's chambers in the eastern tower. A white dove shot through the open window and landed on the wooden table near Daveth's door, a rolled dispatch tied to its leg. Daveth untied it, read it once, then looked at Griffin with an expression that made Griffin's stomach tighten. "Citya are burning villages south of Gracia," Daveth said. "Command is calling squires to deployment. We ride at noon." Griffin stood, hands steady even as his mind raced. This was it — their first real battle, the proving ground they'd trained for. But Florian was BelloSaros's squire now, assigned to the eastern tower, and Griffin had no idea if they'd be sent to the same place or torn apart before they'd even begun. Griffin crossed the yard to the stables where an azure banner hung above the doors, marking the assembly point. Other squires were already gathering, checking weapons and gear, their faces tight with the same question Griffin carried. He scanned the crowd and found Florian near the entrance, already in his blue tunic, his hand resting on the hilt of his scimitar. Their eyes met across the distance. Florian started toward him, but BelloSaros appeared at Florian's shoulder and said something Griffin couldn't hear. Florian's jaw tightened, then he nodded and turned back toward the prince. Griffin's chest went cold. They were being separated. Griffin pushed through the crowd until he stood in front of BelloSaros. "I need to ride with Florian," he said, not bothering to soften it. The prince studied him for a long moment, then glanced at Florian, then back at Griffin. "Daveth's unit goes to the western front," BelloSaros said. "I'm taking mine east. You follow your knight-master, Griffin. That's the oath you swore." Griffin felt the weight of it settle over him — the promise he'd made yesterday, the duty that now pulled him away from the only thing that mattered. But Florian stepped forward and met Griffin's eyes with that same steady certainty he'd always had. "I'll find you there," Florian said quietly. "Wherever they send us, I'll find you." Griffin believed him. He nodded once, turned, and walked back to Daveth's side, the choice already made.