Two months had passed since Caspian arrived in Castle Blackfyre. He did not know what to expect. The journey here was terrifying but it was all in his head. He was escorted by a guard that did not talk at all, for all he knew he would be treated as a slave.
His parents told him that nobles were not people to be trifled with, they had both martial power and might. Nobles could command forces to kill you if they so desired also, they taxed the people to oppression and took whatever they wanted.
His father was a bastard of a water noble. That water noble was horrible to his sons sired from peasants and only gave them just enough food to live. His grandfather never acknowledged his father as a son as well as the other brothers sired from peasants. He had treated them more like slaves. That particular water noble only wanted to bolster his military might and treated them as tools. So his father left escaping the wrath of his grandfather. He never knew what that noble's name since no one ever spoke his first name. The only thing he knew was his house: Destan.
Aspiring for a new life, his father and mother settled down on the far end of the Fulmen province. They thought they would have an easy life since they heard that Earl Blackfyre was a kind lord. They did not know if they could fully trust the information but they decided to move anyway.
They had just moved to a village when they were attacked by bandits. They were really strong. They killed all the guards including the swift messenger. During the attack on the village, he was told by his parents to hide. He had used his magic aura abruptly to seek refuge, and so he got a glimpse of the power of the bandits, but his father told him to conceal it. That was the last thing he ever heard from his father.
He had mourned for his parents and did not eat for three days. It was a good thing that Caspian was a little mature for his age of seven. It was most probably because of the hardships they suffered. He was pretty smart considering he could already read and write some words. He was taught this by his father when he was six. It was a part of their training when his father was back in Castle Destan. He adored his father very much and wanted to be as capable as him someday but the bandits took him away from Caspian.
After his parents' death, he did not know what to do. He was taught how to hunt rabbits and skin them. He also knew how to cast Water Ball but that was about it. At least having learnt these two skills he could eat and drink as he pleased but he was aimless. Having just moved into the village, his parents did not have friends, only acquaintances. Who would take him in if he could not earn his keep? He would just be a burden to the farmers of the village.
He was so afraid when he was summoned by the Lord, he did not know what it was about. He could only cower in fear. To his surprise, he was asked to be a retainer of the Lord's son. He did not know what to say, he was scared and apprehensive due to the instruction of his parents but on the other hand, he had nowhere to go but it was risky as well since he might be treated as a slave or worse. But could he defy the lord? What would happen if he did? He might be killed. There was only one option for him and it was to do as the Lord requested.
He was escorted to a carriage with only one guard. The guard did not utter a word and wore a solemn look.
'I'm gonna be turned to a slave for sure, the Lord seemed kind but who knows? Mama always said be wary of nobles.'
Along the way, he was fed rations that were better than what he often ate. He even got to eat some meat but he still could not enjoy the food because of his constant fearfulness. It took roughly a week of non-stop travelling to get to Castle Blackfyre.
Upon arriving he was told to bathe and was handed clothes. He obediently complied. He was escorted by the servants to a washroom for Knights and it was luxurious.
Caspian was surprised.
'Golly, I did not think that a bathroom could be so nice. I wish that my home before was half as nice as this.' He thought as he bathed.
'I wonder what would actually happen to me?'
A servant then led him to an old wrinkled man who wore a cape. He had grey eyes and cold stare. His clothes were made of fine silk and had a stern demeanour.
'This is Maester Grimfire. He is charged with training knights.' The servant who led him said.
There was a cold silence. He was sweating like a pig. He was so nervous as the servant left.
A hoarse voice then broke the chilling air. "Boy, once you are taken here it means that you will be trained as a knight. During this time, your training will be harsh and rigorous. You will eat three meals a day and bathe every day as well. You will be taught how to read, write and proper etiquette. You will serve our Lord and his progeny. I was told that you were selected by Lord Blackfyre to become a retainer of Master Ezra. This means your training will be even harder. Do you understand boy?"
'Well that wasn't too bad but maybe they will do unreasonable things,' Caspian thought.
"Boy, Answer. Are you deaf?"
"N-no milord, I-I understand."
"You shall address me as Maester. Milord is only for our Lord Blackfyre. Understand, boy?"
"Yes Maester Grimfire," Answered Caspian abruptly
"Very well. For now, I shall introduce myself. I am Maester Aed Grimfire, Master of Instruction for House Blackfyre. Second son of Baron Agni Grimfire. I am viscount ranked in Fire, knight level in Earth. You shall be taught by me in the basics of magic while Sir Evan shall instruct you in water incantations. You shall start your training tomorrow. "
"Yes Maester"
The week after that was tough, but not hellish. During the second week, he was surprised to hear that the Lord had come back injured. He was a bit worried because if the Lord died then he might not be needed anymore. Thankfully the Lord did eventually recover.
He was then put on a demanding training schedule. He constantly had pains in places he did not know that existed. He was taught the sword in the morning, reading and writing early afternoon, and magic late afternoon. In between those he was charged to do servile work around the castle.
'Well, this isn't so bad. My mama and papa would be happy for me if they knew,' he told himself as he looked at the stars after a tiring day.
It did get easier throughout the weeks. One day as he was tasked to fetch water he came across the Lord and Lady. They were arguing.
"Bandits? what if it is those people again!?"Aerwyna shouted.
"I must go Aerwyna this is my territory and my responsibility," Retiz answered plainly.
"But it might be a trap again, Reitz, you could die this time."
"I can't ignore it, besides Aaron and a few vassals will come along with forty knights, so it won't be dangerous at all I've decided. Those bastards won't expend that kind of force again unless they want a civil war."
"But what if they do?" Aerwyna asked with pleading eyes.
"Are you listening to yourself? That would never happen besides I have already decided on this matter. The territory they are attacking is also near so you shouldn't be too worried. Castle Blackfyre can easily give me more troops if needed. This time I'm well prepared. "
Caspian didn't linger too much and decided to return back and deliver the water. He pondered at the conversation, it seems that there had been another bandit attack. He did not dwell too much on the matter and proceded to train. Maester told him he would get to meet his Lord Ezra in three days time. He was really excited to see the person that was the reason for him becoming a knight in training.
When the day arrived as he was going to the lordling's room there was a commotion. The guards had become restless, they were forming into platoons and seemed to be planning for war. Caspian was confused.
'What's going on?' Caspian thought.
There was a woman in tears beside the crib.
"My baby, my little Ezra. He is gone." Aerwyna simpered as she cried.
Her son had been kidnapped.