A year ago years ago: Arthur's perspective
Everything was so big; it couldn't be just because I was so small at the time. I didn't often pay attention to status, or things I probably should of. I got fairly distracted easily. White walls, wide and grand. A staircase that seemed to go to the heavens themselves for their grandeur. I clutched my favorite lunchbox to my chest, unsure where to go until a woman with her hair up prettily and dressed all nice with a frilly dress came up to me. She smiled, I don't remember what she said, but I had the feeling that she was friendly. She smelt that way too, safe. Flowers… like mom.
That helped a lot. Some familiarity in such a unknown house. I didn't know at the time, but I was at the Ruthe's home, my mother would sometimes come and cook for them. They were nice people, treated me like a nephew, or cousin, even though they were nobles. As I said, I didn't figure out status till much later. That would've saved me some scars if I knew that earlier.
I know that there was a large mirror in that room, though I don't recall seeing it, same goes for the room up ahead, with the white arch. Safe, and peaceful. Her son with dark hair came down the stars, he was awesome. Brave, noble, friendly, and would hang out with a little kid like me. Though, I also ignored age differences.
I would go to the Ruthe's home around twice a week, the other four days I'd be playing with sis, or doing something else, meaning getting into some trouble or another. I got bored so easily, I found that I had little time for patience.
I was the kid who'd ask every question, then ask for them to repeat it again. The Ruthe's found that amusing, and soon showed me to their library. Books upon books to answer my questions. 'How did that work? Who first thought of this? Do you really have to do that a certain way?' They showed me their library, but when I didn't know how to read, they taught me. I had a difficult time learning. What where all these complex words? How were they supposed to sound? What did they mean? I began to learn letters and words.
I soon found replacing my love for food with a desire to devour books. I borrowed books, and would read them at home. Though, some of the texts were boring, I had a desire to learn.
I would listen in on what the tutors would tell the Ruthe's younger sons and daughters. Though, I forgot to pay attention (even more so) whenever Lorali, their cousin came to visit. This is one of the mental scars that I keep as a reminder on noble status.
9 YEARS AGO: Arthur's perspective
'From the book of Valor:
Page: Apprenticeship starts at age seven. Helps knight with armor, etc.…
Squire: 15 years old. Next step from a Page. Can become a knight if appointed so due to showing military success in battle. A Squire must complete the "Masteries of the seven." Which include: horse riding, swimming and diving, shooting with multiple types of weapons, climbing, tournament participation and completion, wrestling fencing and long jump, and dance.
Knight: At age twenty-one, a squire is eligible for trying to become a knight. Each knight follows the codes of chivalry. Each has separate orders. Following their own set of rules.
Note: Knights are noble born, however, there are rare accounts of ordinary men being appointed knights for great deeds. No names recorded.'
Arthur closed the book. How could there be so many books, yet no dust? Grand wood like honey shined, long stretches of shelves that seemed to extend to through eternities. A fireplace, of stone, unlike the floors, smooth of wood. Actual wood, the poorer folk had no installed flooring, and if they had money, the rough-cut stone. But wood flooring where for nobles and the rich. Only the Uther's castle (the closest one) had blood stone, a rare kind meant for the children of the gods, or the church, but only the nice ones.