Well, this is my story. I don't have a title for it yet but when i think of one i'll let you know. I don't mind critisim, but be nice when you are.
Prolgue
Long, long ago, there was a beautiful land called Hyda. This land was peaceful until the neighboring land, Senzabova lay siege to Hyda . The knights of Hyda were noble and were driving the Senzabove knights back.
One noble knight fought against the leader, Santos Esteed. This brave man’s name was Keefe Russell, he was famous and very loved. He had a wife, son and a baby daughter. Keefe and Santos were matching each other’s moves; they battled for hours, their under clothes soaked with sweat. Their armor growing heavier by the minute. At this point it looked like Keefe was to be the victor, until Santos played a dirty trick, he used his magic to create an illusion of Keefe’s two-year-old son. Keefe froze, he thought it was his actual son. By the time he had realized it was an illusion, Santos had run him through with his sword. Keefe Sank to the ground, the last thing he saw was his comrades cheering with victory, Santos and his men had retreated, they had won the war. So Keefe died with a smile on his face.
Chapter one.
Several years later a young man, about 16, had the same smile across his face, his name was Jack Russell, son of the famous knight Keefe Russell. Jack was surrounded by the whole village of Samara. They were having a going-away party for Jack in the main square. For the next day Jack would be leaving to follow in his Fathers foot-steps and become a knight. Everyone was cheerful and happy, except for a thirteen-year-old girl named Sophia Russell, Jacks sister. She wasn’t happy about Jack going away, she looked up to her brother, and he was always there for her when she was sad or in trouble. But if he went away who would she go to for help?
Jack made his way through the crowd to his sister, when he finally got to her she turned and walked away, he tried to run after her but was stopped by his cousin Sunset. Sunset was a nice girl, she had taken care of Jack and Sophia after their mother died of illness. Sunset smiled at Jack “I’ll go after her Jack, you go have fun while you can”
“But…. I’m the one she’s upset with!” Jack tried to argue but his best friend Fayt grabbed his arm and pulled him back into the crowd. Sunset yelled after him “Don’t worry Jack, enjoy yourself, Sophia will be back here in a couple minutes.”
Sunset walked back to their house, which was at the edge of the town. She looked into Sophia’s room, but she wasn’t there. Sunset searched the rest of the house, just as she was about to go search outside she heard a snuffling sound from the attic. Sunset climb up into the attic and found Sophia sitting on a dusty bed, holding an old picture in her hands. Sunset could tell Sophia had just been crying because her cheeks were wet. She sat beside Sophia and put her arm around Sophia’s shoulder “You know Jacks only going for about a year, maybe even less.” Sunset reassured her.
“But what am I going to do, I always go to Jack when I have a problem, and I always hang out with him, what will I do when he’s gone?” Sophia said in a hushed tone.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Sunset said jokingly. “You can always talk to me, I maybe way older than you, but I still know how to have fun. And if there something you only want to talk with Jack , then send him a letter, and I’m sure he’ll send plenty himself, you now how he likes to boast,”
“Yeah I guess, but I’ll still miss him, but I guess it will be ok” Sophia smiled up at Sunset.
“We’ll all miss him, now, are you ready to have a good time so your brother can” Sunset smiled
Sophia nodded and they both headed down to the main square. Jack rushed through the crowd when he saw Sophia. She smiled at him. Jack made a little bow and smiled “Can I have the honor of dancing with my sister before I go?”
Sophia laughed at his messy bow “Of course!”
Jack lead Sophia into the crowd were everyone was dancing, Jack took Sophia’s hand and started to dance.
“I’m sorry for my behavior Jack. Its just I’m going to miss you” Sophia said looking down at her feet.
“Its perfectly fine, I would probably act the same way if you were leaving instead of me” Jack laughed.
“You would not and you know it, you would just say you didn’t care and give me a small hug” Sophia laughed too.
“Yeah I would, but I would still really miss you even if I didn’t show it” he hugged his sister.
Everyone stayed up all night, Fayt had at some point in the night thrown Jack in the river and jumped in himself. When everyone finally started to settle down it was almost time for Jack to leave.
Jack got about an hour of sleep. He got up just as the sun was coming up over the mountain. He packed the last things he needed into his bag. He walked down the stairs leading into the kitchen quietly, not wanting to wake anyone . When he entered the kitchen he found Sunset sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. Sunset looked up from her coffee at Jack “How was your sleep?” she asked.
“Short” Jack smirked as he walked over to the cupboards and got himself a mug and poured some coffee into it. He then sat at the table across from Sunset.
“So how are you holding up, anxious, nervous, scared, excited?” Sunset asked taking another sip of her coffee.
“A little scared, but mostly anxious” Jack murmured. Jack looked out the window at the rising sun “I guess its time for me to get going” Jack said as he stood up and pulled his bag over his shoulder.
Sunset got up and gave him a good-bye hug “Don’t forget to say good-bye to your sister, I heard her leave early this morning, I think she went up the mountain”
Jack hugged her back “I will, take care of Sophia for me” he didn’t want to leave but he let go of Sunset and walked out the door without another word.
He started to climb up the mountain, the trail had always been steep, but today it seemed to Jack that it was even steeper. It was probably the wait of his bag that made it harder to climb.
It took Jack a couple of minutes to get to the top. When he did get up he was out of breath. He set his bag down on the ground and took deep breaths to regain his normal breathing pace. When he had regained his breath he looked around at the scenery. He felt a longing to stay were he was and not leave to become a knight, but he pushed this want to the back of his head and focused on looking for Sophia. He found her leaning against a fallen tree clutching a picture, a tear rolling down her cheek. Jack sat down beside her quietly without saying a word and put his arm around her and looked at the picture too. After a couple of minutes of silence Jack spoke “I remember this picture, Sunset took it just before Dad had to leave to fight in the war. You where only a baby then and you were cute” Jack chuckled.
Sophia broke down into tears and put her head on Jacks chest and sobbed. Jack patted her with his hand “Sophia, you know I’ll be coming back. Its only for a year, or maybe even less” he said in a soothing voice.
Sophia didn’t answer but kept on sobbing.
“That’s if I make it into the knights” Jack said quietly, thinking about what he would do if he did fail.
“You won’t fail Jack..” Sophia said as she tried to stop crying, “You’ll make it, I know it. You’ll be the best knight ever, just like Dad.” Sophia smiled up at Jack.
Jack smiled and pushed away Sophia’s tears from her rosy cheeks.
“I’ll write when I can, I promise and I may even send you some new kinds of flowers that they sell in the city, would you like that?”
Sophia nodded her head and hugged Jack “I’ll miss you” Sophia said softly.
“And I you” Jack hugged her back, then pulled away and smiled one of his mischievous smiles, and bowed “May I have the honor of escorting you too the house before I leave?”
Sophia giggled “Oh course most noble knight” she made a messy curtsy.
Jack and Sophia walked down the mountain together, Jack left Sophia on the steps of their house. Jack headed in the opposite direction of the mountain and started to climb a hill. When he was at the top he looked over the town he grew up in, he would miss it greatly. He heard a shout from below and saw Sophia waving to him and yelling “You’ll make it Jack! I know you will!”
Chapter two.
Jack traveled for many hours before he reached the city of Acorma. Acorma is a large, extremely crowded city built predominantly of brick and defended by a somewhat lackadaisical city guard. It is well known for its huge marble castle, the castle of shining lights.
Jack took his time heading up to the castle, he looked at all the fine weapons as he walked through the market place. After he got out of the market place he finally got to the castle. He stood in front of the main gates and looked up and marveled at the beautiful castle, he couldn’t believe that he might soon be living in this big castle.
He took a big breath and walked through the gates. There were many other people waiting in a small room, they didn’t even look up when Jack came into the room. Jack walked to the other side of the room and looked at the contest sheet. He was to face a man by the name of Stewart Edwards. Jack took his seat next to a very big muscular man. The man reminded him of the pigs he used to take care of back home, big, fat, and smelly. The hours past and they still did not call Jacks name, most of the men had already left, even the man that reminded him of a pig was gone. The only people left in the room were himself and a water boy. Jack looked at the boy and said, “Get me some water boy”
The boy looked over at Jack and frowned “Get yourself” the boy said angerly
Jack was just about to hit the boy when a guard came in and announced “Sir Jack, Sir Stewart, please proceed into the arena” and the guard walked back through the door.
Jack walked after the guard and didn’t realize that the boy was following the guard too.
The guard led them through a pair of big doors and they entered the arena. The arena was huge. There were tapestries hanging from the walls and the floor was made of marble. The guard lead Jack and the boy to the middle of the arena, bowed, and went back out through the door. The boy walked out from behind Jack and stood in front of him. Jack jumped back in surprise “what are you doing here brat, Im about to take my entry test against this Stewart Edwards, where ever he maybe” Jack growled.
The young boy smirked “Stewart Edwards is standing right in front of you.”
Jacks eyes grew wide he was about to say something in protest, but before he could get a word out a voice echoed through the arena, above them there was a platform with a man standing on it looking down at them “Welcome Sir Jack, and Welcome Sir Stewart, I am Lord Evyugl, leader of the knights. Today you shall face each other to see who will get the position of a knight. Now draw you swords.”
Stewart drew his sword right away and got into his battle stance. Jack hesitated for a moment looking at Stewart, then finally drew his sword. Jack got into his own battle stance and had the same mischievous smile on his face as he always did “Im not going to go easy on you brat.”
“Nor will I” Stewart smirked.
Lord Eyyugl lifted up his hand, just as he let his hand drop he shouted “BEGIN!”
Stewart darted towards Jack at incredible speeds. Jack was just able to block in time as Stewart tried to strike him in the side. Stewart bum bared Jack with many quick attacks, but Jack was able to block all of them just in time. All jack could do was block, he was getting frustrated. Finally as Stewart came close for another attack Jack was able to knock him to the ground. Jack came up to Stewart and was about to point his sword at Stewarts neck, when something surprising happened, Stewart used his arms to push himself into a back flip, he used his foot and kicked Jack hard in the chin and landed on both feet in front of Jack. Jack staggered for a moment, then fell to the ground unconscious, before the darkness took over him he heard Lord Eyyugl announce Stewart as the victor. Then he felt someone dragging him out of the arena. Finally the darkness overcame him.
Jack woke up an hour later, she sat up quickly and hit his head against something and laid back down. He opened his eyes and saw he was lying on the bottom bunk of a bunk bed. He felt his chin and there was a small bandage on it. Someone walked in through the door “I see your awake Jack.”
Jack recognized the voice, he sat up quickly again, and hit his head again on the roof of the bunk. He crawled out of the bed and stood up quickly and bowed to Lord Eyyugl.
“That was quite a fight Jack, I thought you were the victor after you knocked Stewart down. But I guess Stewart is very talented for his age”
Jack sighed and held his head where he hit it “I guess I’ll be going now Sir.” Jack bowed again and started towards the door. Lord Eyyugl Stopped Jack with his hand before he walked to the door “You are not leaving Jack, your home is here now” Lord Eyyugl smiled at Jack “You have passed the trial and now will under go training to become a knight”
Jack looked at Lord Eyyugl with surprise “But… but…. I lost” Jack stuttered.
“You made it because of what you can do for us in the future, I see great things coming from you Jack. Noble blood runs through your veins Jack, the blood of Keefe.”
Jack thought for a moment as to what to say, “Thank you sir, I will bare my fathers blood with honor” Jack bowed again. “So what has become of that little brat? Was he sent home to his mommy?” Jacks mischievous smile came back.
“If you mean Sir Stewart, he’s just washing up. He made it to and you two shall be room mates.”
“What!?” Jack said shocked.
“Yes, and tomorrow, the both of you shall head for Florerion to start you training.”
“Oh great, I don’t just haft to share a room with him, I haft to train with him now too” Jack sighed and sat back down on the chair.
“Don’t forget babysitting” Lord Eyyugl smiled.
“What?!” Jack looked up at Lord Eyyugl with a little bit of agitation in his face “What do you mean by baby-sit?”
Lord Eyyugls smiled grew bigger “Well you haft to look after Sir Stewart, he is on;y ten after all.”
Jacks eyes went wide “WHAT?!” he almost screamed,
Stewart came in through the door a towel around his waist and his hair was sopping. He started to dry his hair with another towel “What’s all the shouting about” Stewart looked at Jack “Did you get your IQ test saying that you failed” Stewart said sarcastically.
Jacks face turned red. He grabbed Stewart and press him up against the wall, high enough so Stewarts feet wouldn’t touch the floor.
Lord Eyyugl smiled “you’ll both be leaving at 6 o’clock sharp, make sure your awake, and no braking each others bones now or you won’t be fit for training.” Lord Eyyugl walked out of the door laughing and shut it.
As soon as he shut it, a bunch of noise came from the room he just left. He smiled to himself as he walked back to his office and thought “They’ll make fine knights, and soon they’ll be the best of friends.”
Chapter three.
“Jack…… Jack?…….JACK!”
Jack shot up and hit his head on the bunk, then laid back down holding his head. He opened his eyes slowly so the light wouldn’t hurt his eyes. Stewart was standing beside his bunk and frowning.
“why are you yelling, let me sleep more” Jack grumbled as he pulled the covers over his head and tried to get back to sleep.
“Your going to be late Jack, we’re supposed to meet Lord Errugl at the main gates in ten minutes!” Stewart said angrily.
“WHAT?!” Jack shot up again and hit his head again, but he didn’t lie back down but jumped out of bed and started to get dressed. As he tried to get his pants on he asked “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier!”
“I tried but my voice couldn’t reach your little brain through your thick skull” Stewart said sarcastically.
Jack really wanted to give him another black eye to match the other one he gave him the night before.
Jack himself had got a black eye and a cut up cheek.
Stewart picked up his already packed bag and headed out the door, “Have fun trying to get to the main gate in time” Stewart chuckled and closed the door behind him.
“Darn it!”
Jack hopped around trying to get his pants on and eat at the same time, a piece of toast stuffed in his mouth.
He got his pants on and pulled on a shirt and stuffed a couple things in his bag, a toothbrush, comb, clothing, and a picture of all the people close to him in one picture. He quickly ran out the door.
Ten minutes after Jack was supposed to be at the gate he arrived. Stewart was leaning against a wall, his head lowered and his arms crossed. Lord Errugl was pacing in front of the gate.
Jack ran up to Lord Errugl and bowed “I’m so sorry Lord Errugl for being late, please forgive me” Jack stayed bowing.
“Its ok Jack, just try and not make a habit of it. Now you must be on your guard, there were reports of Venomlightning Ghasts in the area that you will be traveling. Now be on your guard and get going, your already going to be late as it is. Good luck to you.” The front gate opened as Jack and Stewart walked through, then closed behind them. As soon as the gate was down Jack struck Stewart in the back of the head “That’s for earlier” he growled and started to walk towards their destination Cathaseos. Cathaseos was a village located along a cliff. It wasn’t even really a village but a training camp for young knights around the kingdom.
Jack and Stewart traveled for a long time. By the time they reached Cathaseos the sun was setting over the cliff. A young trainee greeted them at the entrance of the camp. They bowed to each other before speaking. The trainee was the first to speak “Welcome to the knight training camp. We were getting worried because we expected you before the sun set. I will show you to your room.” The trainee turned and walked into the camp. Stewart followed close behind. Jack sighed and slumped along after them “Great, I’m still stuck in the same room as the twerp” he mumbled to himself.
They walked for about ten minutes, seeing all sorts of things on the way. They saw wild Omenhoods flying over the canyon, lots of knights practicing there stances, and blacksmiths creating many wonderful weapons. Jack and Stewart had a stone cabin to themselves, but there was no doors on any of the cabins, all that covered the doorway was a thick blanket of wool.
Jack was just about to lay down and relax after their long trip when the trainee stopped him “Lord Vinn has requested to see you before you rest.”
Jack grumbled and followed the trainee.
He led Jack to a large stone cabin. Inside the cabin was finely made rugs and tapestries and animal furs. A rather muscular man sat at the only desk in the room, bent over a book. The trainee bowed and announced “Lord Vinn, I have brought Sir Jack as you requested.”
“Thank you, Jason, you may go back to your training.” The trainee bowed and left the room. Lord Vinn stood and walked around his desk and stepped in front of Jack. He looked Jack over then smiled. He gave Jack a big bear hug. Jack had a look of surprise on his face as he was squeezed. Lord Vinn stopped hugging Jack and held him by the arms in front of him “Its been along time Jack last time I saw you, you were only a little baby.”
Jack still looked confused “do…do I know you?” Jack stammered.
“You probably won’t remember me because you were so young, I am Orrin Vinn. your father and I were in the same squad and we were best friends” Lord Vinn smiled and patted Jack on the back “It was your fathers wish if he were to pass on before you became old enough to become a knight, that I was to train you in the ways of a knight.”
“You knew my father?” Jack was still shocked and was still stammering
“Yes, now get some sleep, report back here just before the sun comes over the cliff.”
“Yes Lord Vinn” Jack bowed.
“Please call me Vinn, we don’t need any lord stuff between close family friends. Have a good sleep Jack.” Vinn said as he pushed Jack out the door.
Jack was still trying to sort the events that just happened out in his head when he got back to his room. He rested on his bed and closed his eyes. Then the voice he most dreaded was calling his name.
“Hey blockhead, so why did you get summoned to see Lord Vinn. Already get in trouble?” Stewart said as he stared down at Jack.
Jack opened one eye and stared back at Stewart “well actually Lord Vinn wanted to tell me that I was going to have special training with him” Jack said proudly.
“Well he probably meant special as in mentally retarded” Stewart scoffed.
“Shut you before I give another black eye” Jack said angrily.
Stewart didn’t reply, he just got into his own bed on the other side of the room and crawled under the covers.
Jack didn’t go to bed, he went over to the desk that was in their room. He pulled out a piece of paper and a quill and started to write,
Dear Sophia,
Hey Sophia! I made it; I finally become what father always wanted me to be. Right now I’m in Cathaseos training with a family friend. You probably won’t recognize the name Orrin Vinn, I didn’t know who he was either, and I felt very strange when he gave me a big bear hug. But then I found out he was a very good friend with dad. He’s going to be personally training me because dad asked him to train me if he was to pass on before I was proper age to become a knight. Oh and I almost forgot, I know have a little parasite hanging off my back. His name is Stewart Edwards and he’s the most annoying, , ten-year-old I’ve ever met. I don’t know how he got to be a knight at his age. And know Lord Errugl said I haft to look after him, we haft to share a room in the castle and know we haft to share a room here at the training camp. Well I will be out of contact for a little while but I’ll send a letter as soon as I can. Say Hi to everyone in the village, and kick Fayt in the shins for me. And also give my love to Sunset.
I miss you,
Jack
Jack sat back into his chair, stretched and yawned. He folded the letter and put it
in an envelope. He quietly snuck through the camp because it was after curfew. He walked into the postal hut and gave his letter to one of the postal birds and gave it the directions. It took off through the door and flew off into the sky.
Jack snuck back into his hut and blew out all of the candles. He stripped all of his clothes off, except for his boxers and climbed into bed. He was insistently asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Chapter four.
Jack was woken up by and angry looking drill sergeant. He was screaming into Jacks ear “Wake up maggot! You piece of lard, good for nothing bag of flour!”
Jack sat up and put his hands over his ears “What do you want?” Jack asked taking his hands off his ears.
“How dare you speak to me in that tone lard! The correct thing to say was Sir, what would you like Sir” The man growled. He grabbed hold of Jacks ear and pulled him out of the cabin. Before Jack was pulled out he looked at Stewarts bed. It was nicely made not a wrinkle in the blanket. “Figures” thought Jack.
Jack was only in his boxers when the drill sergeant pulled him out of the cabin. He dragged Jack by the ear down the rows of cabins. Knights in training looked out the window and laughed and made whistling noises. The girl knights blushed and looked away. Jacks face was red from embarrassment. At the end of the rows of cabins there was a shower station, the drill sergeant threw Jack into a stall and turned on the water. “Aww” Jack yelled and tried to get out of the stall, but the door was locked. The water was freezing cold, and the stall was so small that Jack had no room to try and avoid the freezing water. The door to the stall wasn’t locked, but the drill sergeant was leaning against the door. The sergeant was very muscular so just by leaning on the door he could make it so no one could get out.
Jacks teeth were chattering loudly as the water poured onto his head. His boxers were soaked because the drill sergeant hadn’t given him time to take them off before he was forced into the freezing water.
After about ten minute the drill sergeant pulled Jack out of the showers and shoved some dry clothes in his arms. Jacks lips were blue and his knees were knocking. The drill sergeant leaned against the stall again and pointed his finger to the change rooms. Jack walked into one of the rooms, his teeth still chattering. A minute later he came back in the uniform the drill sergeant had given him. The uniform was all brown, on one of the arms had the Hyda coat of arms on it. Jack was still shivering but he stood at attention in front of sergeant, for he was afraid if he didn’t he would be shoved into the cold showers again.
“That’s better trainee, you will go through the same thing every morning, and if you won’t I’ll escort you to the showers, at least if you go yourself you get warm water.”
“ye..yes Sir” Jack stuttered
“I know your expecting Lord Vinn to train you today, but he has business to take care of. So I’ll be training you today” The sergeant smiled
Some near by trainees looked at Jack, the ran their fingers over their throats pretending to slip them.
Jack sighed “Yes sir”
The Sergeant nodded and walked in the direction of the training grounds. Jack followed close behind, his head hung low because everyone was staring at him because they were still laughing at him for seeing him in his boxers.
When they got down to the training grounds the sergeant unsheathed his sword “Draw your sword trainee”
Jack did as he was told and unsheathed his sword. As soon as he had done this the sergeant came at him. Jack didn’t have time to move so he was thrown to the ground. This is basically what happened all day. The sergeant wouldn’t let Jack leave until he had gotten a hit on him. So Jack missed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was already dark and the torches around the camp had been lit. Jack and the sergeant were still at it. Jack was thrown down for about the two hundredth time that night. But this time Jack was to tired to get up, the sergeant yelled at him but jack just ignored him. The sergeant was about to kick Jack in the side when someone stepped in front of the sergeant “That will be enough Sergeant.”
The sergeant bowed to the person and left.
“Jack, are you still there?” the person asked shaking Jacks shoulder
“Who’s there?” Jack asked sitting up and holding his head “Man I have a splitting head ache”
“Its Vinn, I bet you do” Vinn chuckled
“Lord Vinn!” Jack jumped to his feet and saluted
“I told you just to call me Vinn. I bet your hungry, come with me and we’ll get you something to eat.”
Vinn started to walk away, Jack followed.
They went into Vinns private cabin; there was food set out on the table. “Eat up” Vinn smiled at Jack.
Jack nodded his head and smiled, he sat down and started eating rather fast.
About and hour later Jack finally finished eating after 5 plates of assorted food. He leaned back in his chair and sighed with satisfaction.
Vinn chuckled “I guess you were really hungry.”
“Well I didn’t have any food today, all I got was a cold shower and lost my dignity” Jack said blushing a bit
“I heard about the boxer thing, everyone was laughing about it at all the meals…” Vinn stopped when he saw Jack blushing “well actually it wasn’t that bad, but you will have a hard time with the other trainees now.”
“I know, I bet that brat Stewart will be the first,” Jack grumbled “So why couldn’t you train me today?”
“Two trainees want to try and ride omenhoods, so they were going to try and jump off the cliff and land on one. I had to talk them out of it” Vinn sighed “The idiots”
“I bet, well I hope you’ll be training me tomorrow” Jack said hopefully
“Yes I will be, you don’t have to worry about training with the Sergeant tomorrow, but you will see him if you don’t get up early enough.”
“Don’t worry, I will get up early, I really didn’t like cold water in the morning” Jack chuckled “May I be excused now Sir… I mean Vinn, I should get to bed if I’m going to be able to wake up early”
“yes, meet me here when your done your breakfast” Vinn smiled
“Good night Vinn” Jack bowed and walked out.
Before Jack went back to the cabin he went to the showers and had a nice warm shower. On the way back trainees looked out their window and laughed at him and made the whistle noises.
Jack walked faster but wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of running. When he finally got back to his cabin, he collapsed onto his bed. Stewart came over to him and laughed in his face, “Those were nice boxers you had this morning”
“Shut up Stewart, I’m not in the mood to beat you up,” Jack growled
Stewart stopped laughing and sat on Jacks bed “Something must really be bugging you if you’re not in the mood to beat me up, come on tell me” Stewart persisted
“Why should I tell you? You would just laugh at me,” Jack grumbled.
“Listen I know we’ve been hard on each other, but we might as well try and get along since were going to be stuck in the same room.”
Jack sighed, “For once I agree with you. Well its going to be really hard around here now that everyone is laughing at me. They think I’m a joke”
“Well I’ll help you out, I guess, everyone thinks I’m a joke too. Just because I’m ten.” Stewart sighed and laid back on Jacks bed.
Jack smiled mischievously “Let them, let them think we’re a joke. We’ll prove them wrong!” Jack laughed; he grabbed Stewart and gave him a nugy. Stewart laughed too and tried to get out of the nugy. For a couple hours they play fought and had a pillow fight. When they were all tired out they laid on the floor laughing and talking.
“I was just wondering, how did you qualify to try out for the knights? I mean your only ten” Jack asked Stewart.
“My Dad got me in, he’s a good friend of the King. So all I had to do is beat one of the kings knights. I did so I was in” Stewart smiled “And how did you learn how to fight?”
“Well my dad was supposed to teach me, I remember I would sit on his knee and he would tell me about knights and fighting. Well since he died in the war, I learned with my friend Fayt when he was training with his dad” Jack sighed
“So your really the son of Keefe Russell? At first I couldn’t believe that you could be his son” Stewart laughed and yawned “well im going to hit the hay, good night Jack. Would you like me to wake you up?”
Stewart asked as he took off all his clothes but his boxers.
“Yeah thanks, good night Stewart” Jack also stripped down to his boxers. They both crawled into bed and were asleep instantly.
Chapter five.
Stewart and Jack woke up on time. But when they walked out of their cabin they found that their cabin had been tee-peed with boxers. Trainees were standing in front of them and laughing. Jacks face showed no emotion, he just pushed through the crowd. Stewart stayed close to Jack. A rather muscular trainee stepped in front of Jacks path “where are you going boxer boy, didn’t you see how we decorated your cabin?” he said in an intimidating voice. Jacks face still showed no emotion, he just stood there looking strait ahead of him. The trainee picked Jack up by the front of Jacks shirt and lifted Jack into the air. “I think boxer boy is a zombie, look how he doesn’t show any emotion” he laughed, he slugged Jack in the face, but Jack didn’t even flinch. Stewart was trying to hold himself back from starting a fight, but when Jack got slugged that was Stewart’s breaking point. He jumped onto the trainees back and started to chock the trainee. But the trainee just dropped Jack and grabbed Stewart by the scuff of his shirt and pulled him off oh his back. “You think you can hurt me shrimp? Well you can’t but I can hurt you!” The trainee lifted his hand the punch Stewart. But Jack had been watching the whole time, he got to his feet and punched the trainee in the cheek so hard that the trainee was knocked to the ground. He also let go of Stewart, who after he was free he ran and stood beside Jack. After all the male trainees attacked Jack, they would of hit Stewart to but Jack was standing in front of him. Jack still had no emotion in his face, even though he was being beaten to a pulp. For some reason Jack wouldn’t fight back, the only times he hit someone was when they tried to hit Stewart. Just as Stewart thought that they were never going to let up he heard someone yelled, “THAT’S ENOUGH!”
All the trainees stopped and looked at who had yelled. It’s was Lord Vinn, all the trainees bowed then ran off. Jack was lying on the ground, Stewart standing beside him on the verge of tears. Lord Vinn came to Jacks side “Are you ok lad? Do you have anything broken?” he asked as he sat Jack up
“Nothing broken Sir, just a couple of bruises” Jack said trying to smile, but his cheek was swelling so he couldn’t.
“Well your heads bleeding boy, we’ll have to get that taken care of” Lord Vinn said as he helped Jack to his feet, Jack wobbled a bit so Lord Vinn put Jacks arm over his shoulder, Stewart followed beside Jack. Vinn took Jack to the infirmary where they were taken into a room with a bed in it. Vinn set Jack down on the bed, then a nurse started to put stuff on the cut on Jacks head. Stewart leaned against the wall by the bed with his head down, arms crossed and one foot resting on the wall. Lord Vinn sat in a chair across from Jack and looked Jack in the eyes “Why didn’t you fight back boy?” he asked
“I don’t know, I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me mad at their little stunt” Jack said as he winced in pain from the stuff the nurse was applying to his wounds.
“But you did fight back when they tried to punch Stewart. Why was that?”
“Why should they pick on Stewart, he wasn’t the one in his boxers. And Lord Jason asked me to look after him.”
“Well since your injured you won’t have to train today, Stewart are excused from training today to so you can take care of Jack.” Vinn smiled. He patted Jack and Stewart on the shoulder and left.
After the nurse was done wrapping Jacks wounds, Stewart helped Jack walk back to the cabin. But they were stopped by another group of taunting Trainees, this time when one of them came at Jack, Jack didn’t hold back. He punched the man in the cheek as hard as he could. Jack looked at all the other trainees “Does anyone else plan to get in our way, or taunt us more?” Jack asked. All the trainees shook their heads and ran off. Stewart stood there with his mouth wide open. “Jack, you scared off all those big guys!”
“I don’t think they’ll be bothering us anymore” Jack said as he smiled
“That’s good” Stewart smiled to and helped Jack back to the cabin.
All day the boys played cards on Jacks bed, after dinner the trainee that had first hit Jack came and apologized. Jack invited him to play cards with him and Stewart, they found out his name was Berny, but everyone called him Block. Soon other trainees came and apologized, and Jack invited them to cards. Soon Jack and Stewarts cabin was loaded with people talking and enjoyed themselves. Everyone left when it was lights out.
* * * * *
Jack and Stewart trained hard over the next week, and after that week they had the graduation ceremony.
They were all sitting in the grand hall room talking and laughing. Jack and Stewart had become the most popular guys in camp. Jack got a new nickname and it was Iron Fists, and Stewarts was Little Iron.
Lord Vinn was now reading out the graduates names, when the graduates name was called they would go up and get a certificate, shake Vinns hand, then go sit down again. Jack and Stewart were the last to be called, but they both were called up at the same time. They both walked up with their heads held high. They got the certificates and shook Vinns hand, but he told them to stay on the stage. They were confused but they stayed up. Vinn started to make a speech
“Ladies and Gentlemen, these boys had a hard time when they first came here, this boy” he said pointing to Jack “was called Boxer boy. And this boy” he was now pointing at Stewart “Was called Shrimp. But they proved themselves by standing against adversity and standing up against those people who taunted them, So they earned new names, Iron Fists and Little Iron! Today they graduate top with top grades and they will be knights at the most famous castle in the country, The Castle of Shining Lights!”
Everyone began to clap and the guys hollered. Vinn embraced both Jack and Stewart. They then sat back down. The rest of the night there was a party, many of the young female knights flirted with Jack, but he wasn’t interested. Stewart and Jack left the party early so they could pack. After they were done packing they both went straight to bed because they would have to wake up early.
* * * * *
As Jack slept, a tapping on the window woke his sister Sophia. She sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. She then got up out of bed and opened the blinds over her window. She found a postal bird standing on her window sill with a letter attached to its leg. Sophia was fully awake now, and excited. She opened the window and the bird flew in and landed on her desk. Sophia sat down at the desk and carefully picked up the little bird, she untied the letter and set it on her desk. She stroked the bird lightly before taking it back to the window and letting it fly out. She closed the window and sat back down at her desk. She unrolled Jacks letter and read it. She giggled at the part about Stewart. When Sophia was done reading the letter she leaned back in her chair and stared at the picture of Jack, Fayt, and herself by the pond. She had an idea that would cheer Jack up. She would go up the mountain and pick some flowers and send them to Jack so he would have a little bit of home in his room in the castle. She couldn’t wait for morning to come to go up the mountain. So she put on her cloak and climbed out her window. Sophia went down the wooden ladder. She then started to run up the mountain. A couple of minutes later she reached the top. She walked happily over to her favorite patch of flowers. Sophia crouched beside the flowers, she was about to pick on but she had a feeling that she was being watched. She turned around and looked around behind her. When she was satisfied that no one was there she started to pick flowers. When she had a big bouquet in her arms, she got up and was about to turn and walk away. But suddenly a strong hand came over her mouth. He held a cloth to her mouth with weird tasting stuff on it. Sophia dropped her flowers and tried to pull the hand away from her mouth. Sophia began to feel sleepy; before she knew it she fell asleep and went limp into the persons arms. Another person came out of the bush and followed the other as they carried Sophia off in the opposite direction of Samara.
Chapter six.
Jack and Stewart woke early the next morning and made their beds for the last time. After they were done cleaning the cabin, they took one good look around, then picked up their bags and left. All the trainees were at the entrance saying their good-byes to their new friends. Lots of guys patted Jack and Stewart on the back, and the girls came up to Jack and kissed him on the cheek. One girl was even sweet enough to kiss Stewart on the cheek; Stewart’s cheeks were bright red after that. Jack and Stewart were the first to leave, everyone yelled and hollered as they left saying that they would visit them in the big castle. Jack and Stewart laughed at that and continued on. Jack and Stewart were having a good time sharing childhood stories for hours. They were about an hour away from the castle when they came across some weird looking people coming out of the bush. Jack saw that they had someone over their shoulder and realized that this was a kidnapping. Jack immediately unsheathed his sword Stewart did the same. A second person came out of the bushes with a sword in his hand and started to run at Jack and Stewart. Jack knocked the man down as he tried to hit Stewart. Stewart stabbed the man in the arm, pinning him to the ground. Jack ran towards the other man, the other man dropped his hostage down on the ground and ran at Jack with his sword pointed forward. Jack froze when he saw who the hostage was, it was Sophia. Sophia woke up just in time to see Jack being stabbed through the stomach and falling to the ground. “Jack!!!!!!!!” she screamed and tried to run to his side, but the man grabbed her arm and held her back. He hoisted her over his shoulder and started to run away, knocking Stewart down in the process. As Jack drifted into darkness all he could here was Sophia’s screams growing fainter and fainter until he couldn’t hear anything at all.
* * * * *
“Jack, oh Jack please wake up. I don’t want you to die.” Jack heard a voice but he couldn’t tell whom it belonged to.
“Sophia?” Jack asked
“No, it’s Stewart, Jack.”
All that happened now came back to Jack and he felt a pain in his stomach. Jack sat up quickly and clutched his stomach; he lifted his hand and saw it was covered in blood.
“Don’t move Jack, or you’ll just loss more blood” Stewart tried to Stop Jack from sitting up but he couldn’t. Jack got to his feet even though it hurt a lot and started to stagger in the direction that he saw the man running. Every step he took his blood dripped onto the ground. Stewart stepped in front of Jack and stopped him. “Jack what are you doing?!”
“I…have to…save…. Sophia” Jack said taking deep breaths, he found it hard to breath all of a sudden.
“No Jack! You’ll die if you do!” Stewart cried
“I…don’t care, and don’t try to stop me!” Jack panted
“I’m sorry Jack, but I can’t let you go” Stewart said as he hit Jack on the back of his neck. Jack passed out and fell to the ground. Stewart picked up Jack as best as he could, but it took him a long time for them to get back to the castle. When Stewart finally got to the castle Lord Jason was pacing at the castle doors, when Lord Jason Saw Stewart coming up the castle road he ran to him. He picked Jack up in his own arms, Jacks blood staining his white robes. Jason and Stewart ran into the castle and took Jack to the infirmary. Stewart was treated for the couple cuts he had, then he went back to the room he shared with Jack. Jack was out cold for three days.
Jack woke on the third day; he looked up at the ceiling wondering how he had got there. He sat up slowly, his stomach only hurt a little now. He saw a boy with blue hair asleep on the end of his bed. Just as Jack was about to poke the boy, the boy woke up and sat up straight, Jack was speechless when he saw who the boy was. “Fayt?” Jack asked confused.
“Yeah its me buddy, I see you finally woke up. How are you feeling?” Fayt asked smiling.
“Still a little pain, how…how did you get here? How long have I been out?” Jack asked rubbing his eyes.
“Sunset asked me to come since she’s to busy helping to try and find Sophia, so I took one of my dads horses and rode here, and you’ve been out three days. But boy you got a spiffy place to live in, servants, good food.” Fayt laughed
“Have they found Sophia yet?” Jack asked with a sigh.
“No, we can’t find a trace of her, I’m sorry Jack” Fayt sighed
Jack got out of bed and walked out of the door, Fayt tried to stop him but Jack just pushed him back. Jack was still in pajamas as he walked down the corridors. Lord Jason was walking down the corridor when he saw Jack he smiled “I see you’re awake, I’m glad to see that you’re up.” Lord Jason smiled.
“Lord Jason I have a favor to ask”
“I know you want some time off so you can go help out in the search of your sister, its already been arranged, we’ve already got a wagon ready for your trip. And you’ll have company, I hope its ok but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Ah here is just the person I was talking about.”
Jack turned around and saw Stewart coming down the corridor with his bag. He bowed to Lord Jason and smiled at Jack “I’m glad to see you’re up Jack, I hope its ok for me to come help you” Stewart stuttered nervously
“Of coarse its ok, twerp” Jack smiled and gave Stewart a nugy
Fayt laughed “I see you’ve got a new friend now, I guess I’ll just leave” Fayt faked pouted and turned to walk away.
“Come on Fayt, you know were buds” Jack laughed and gave Fayt a nugy too. But ended getting one himself. Fayt tossed Jack a pair of clothes, Fayt had already packed Jacks bag, so had Stewart. So while Jack got changed Stewart and Fayt loaded the wagon.
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