The Squire

[RetroWitchcraft]

Their family’s honor rode on his apprenticeship to a rather dastardly but powerfully wealthy knight. After having their estate claimed and their title ripped away from them over a gamble, the need to return her family’s name to its elevated position burned brightly within her and had within her brother as well. It was fortune that smiled upon them when it turned out that he was naturally born with a gift for the sword and soon, with no training, was besting even the most experienced sparer that lived in their small village.

Things were looking quite well for them. Everything was in order. Then, of course, like a cruel joke the accident happened. No healer could have been brought in time; he died almost instantly and with him almost all hope felt lost. But Magdalene was unable to take this sitting. They had lost their only son but, by the gods known and unknown, she would make sure that the rest of them died the nobility that they once were.

Dressing as a boy, she left their village on her brother’s favored horse. It was only a four day’s ride but at the break neck speed she was going, she made it there in two. On limbs sore from riding she hobbled over to where she was intended to meet the knight. She could not even remember his name nor the way he was supposed to look and she, a half head shorter than her younger brother, probably would not go noticed by him. As she waited, she adjusted the hood that hid her hair and face and felt around her body to make sure her armor and padding hid her frame.

 

[SpellBinder]

Sir Ken, was a well known knight in the castle, because of the favor he had recieved from the king from the many things he had done for him to aid him. Little was really know about ken he really kept to himself and did what the king requested, it seemed like the only one who really knew him well was the king himself. The other knights didn't like the fact of how close he was to the king and were jelouse of the wealth he had gathered from the king in aiding him. As he walked threw the busy streets, in just his light leather armor, a sword belted to his hip, one dagger in his boot and one on his other hip. He was no stranger to battle he had been threw many for his age and survived. He stood at about six foot three, brown hair, green eyes, slim and toned, with tight muscles making him look like he was something more of a finessing fighter then a head on overpowering one. Which had gotten him into a lot of bar fights when he was drinking ale and minding his own business. He didn't understand why people always did stupid things when they drink so he was always careful to watch how much he had, after all no one wanted to wake up out in the street who knows what would happen.

Ken would normally be heading to the barracks this early in the morning to start his daily training and work outs but today he had to make a stop before that. He was going to be getting a new squire, he never really took them in because they normally lacked the discipline needed to suck seed in what he had to teach them. He truly hoped that this one would be better then the last two he had trained before. As he came to the meeting place and saw the new face, his was kind of disappointed his new squire was small and looked to have little to no muscle at all he would have to work on getting that up fast or he wouldn't survive if he ever went to war. Well he would just have to hope that this boy would show more promise then it looked like he had when he got close he finally asked. "You there boy! Are you the new squire that is to be working with me and training?"

 

[RetroWitchcraft]

The disappointment on the knight’s face enraged her. Her small hand balled into a tight fist and she bit down on her tongue to keep from spewing anything. Magdalene had been known for having a vicious tongue and a temper but she understood whatever let down this man might have had. Richard was a rather impressive youth, already tall and broad at his young age. To think you would be getting a strapping lad and to see a scrawny piece of scrap was likely devastating.

“Who else would I be?” She asked, her words showing some of her smarminess that bubbled and frothed beneath her surface. It was good that he could likely not see all of her face. Those amber eyes of hers were flashing dangerously. “I’m the only lad here.”

 

[SpellBinder]

Ken looked her over not knowing anything about her real sex, he tilted his head to the side slightly detecting the scorn under her words. "Is that so? I was lead to believe I was going to get getting a young strong youth not a scrony little lad like you. I hope your skills and fighting prove to be as good as I was told." He said taking a step closer and looking her over noticing some slight oddities in her appearance but nothing to really give him a good hint yet. "So lad are you compitant in maintaining armor and weapons as well as horses, or do you need any lessons in that?" He asked trying to get a feel for her to see what kind of commitment he might be able to get out of her and what types of skills she already has, not having the slightest clue of what he was going to be in for when taking in his new squire.

 

[RetroWitchcraft]

Magdalene knew how to take care of weapons and horses. It was true that she may not have known how to wield a blade to the same level as her brother but she had taken care of his sword and his horse since he first aspired to be a knight.

“I am quite competent, thank you very much.” Her voice was growing more agitated by the second. “My father has kept some horses on our small patch of land and I have been handling weapons since a very young age.”

 

[SpellBinder]

He grinned slightly seeing that he had agutated her. "Is there something wrong? Do I anger you, with my questions? If so feel free to attack me if you like, I can hear the fire burning in your voice. You don't look like much but I can hear that you are struggling to control yourself." He said openning his arms in invation for her to try something, wanting to gague how foolish and brave she might be. He watched her carefully from where he stood, hoping to see something in her worth pulling out.

 

[RetroWitchcraft]

“I do not wish to fight anyone right now. My sister, if you’re inclined to listen to gossip, has passed away. I am most upset.” She replied hastily and with a little pain in her voice.

It was just a slight distortion of truth and one that she had made sure had spread through her village before she left. A redheaded child was put in the earth and that was all that mattered. Only their family knew who actually laid in the grave.

“Excuse my serpent’s tongue.”

 

[SpellBinder]

Ken nodded as she spoke knowing how hard it is to lose someone that was close to you. He shook his head slightly so the memories would not well up on him about the comrads he had lost in the wars he had fought. "That is ok I understand.... Well I guess we shall go to my house first to drop off all of your things and then we will go to the barracks and train, then after that we will have brekfast." He said to her, not bothering to look backto make sure that he was being followed by her. "Well boy would you care to give me your name? So I don't have to call you boy all the time." He said as they walked deep into the town threw all the houses getting closer and closer to the castle. His house being one of the closest just in case the king ever had need of him, this was a pain but it is the price you paid to be in favor of the king, you had to be close so he could call on you anytime he wanted.