Marcos sat in his stately office; his piercing gaze fixed upon the lush gardens outside his window. As he contemplated the recent tumultuous events that had unfolded in Belzerg, his mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Despite the chaos, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of pride in his son, Fenris, and his loyal ally, Rifa, for their brave and heroic defeat of the treacherous Syrath. Gratitude swelled within him as he realized the immense value of having such formidable allies by his side in this dangerous and unpredictable world.
Rifa and Fenris walked into Marcos' office about an hour after they had defeated Syrath. Marcos looked up from his desk as they entered, allowing them in with a small nod.
As Rifa and Fenris walked into Marcos' office, they could tell that he was deep in thought. They took their seats across from him, waiting patiently for him to speak.
After a few moments of silence, Marcos finally looked up at them with a proud smile on his face.
"I must say," he said warmly, "I am incredibly impressed by what you two have accomplished. You've saved Belzerg from the clutches of Syrath - something I couldn't have done alone."
Fenris and Rifa exchanged humble nods before Fenris spoke up.
"Thank you, father," he said gratefully. "We were just doing our duty."
Marcos nodded approvingly before turning his attention solely to Fenris.
"But there is something else we need to discuss," he began seriously. "Your brothers are already training in swordsmanship, and I think it's important that you do too."
Fenris raised an eyebrow skeptically but didn't object outright.
"So, what are you suggesting?" he asked cautiously.
"Well," Marcos replied slowly, "I was thinking about having you join the knights."
Fenris was taken aback by this suggestion. He had never considered becoming a knight before and wasn't sure if it was something he wanted to pursue.
He opened his mouth to object when Marcos quickly added, "But perhaps that's not quite right for someone like yourself who doesn't seem interested in joining any particular group or organization."
This made more sense to Fenris as it aligned better with how independent-minded he is. However, the value of learning swordsmanship still held true for him since now even magic might not be enough against certain opponents down the line; therefore, deciding that maybe joining some kind of training program wouldn't hurt after all if only temporarily until he got the hang of it.
"However," Marcos continued, "I've arranged for you to train under a group of knights hired by me. They can teach you everything you need to know about swordsmanship and more importantly, they can instill in you the values of knighthood - honor, discipline, and virtue."
Fenris thought over this proposal carefully before finally nodding his head in agreement.
"I'll do it," he said resolutely.
He knew that if he wanted to be stronger both as a fighter and person overall, then learning from these knights may just be what he needs right now.
The next day, Fenris made his way to the training ground on the outskirts of Belzerg. When he arrived, a group of knights greeted him, their shining armor and swords gleaming in the sun. Fenris felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he stepped onto the field, ready to begin his training as a swordsman. The air was thick with the sound of metal clashing and the smell of sweat and leather. Fenris took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves.
One knight in particular stepped forward and introduced himself as Sir Gly. He was tall and muscular with short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through Fenris. "Welcome," he said warmly. "We are honored to have you here."
Fenris nodded nervously in response, feeling somewhat intimidated by these noble-looking knights. He couldn't help but feel out of place among them, as he was a mage and had never wielded a sword before.
As they began their first lesson, Fenris found himself struggling to keep up with their techniques. Handling a blade was completely foreign to him, as someone who had relied solely on his magic for combat until now. He stumbled and tripped, feeling like a clumsy fool in front of these skilled warriors.
But despite his initial difficulties, the knights were patient with him. They encouraged him every step of the way, reminding him not to give up so easily. "You have potential," Gly said with a smile. "You just need to find your footing."
Gly even took some time out during breaks or after sessions to talk with Fenris about the importance of honor and courage. "Honor is just one aspect," he explained. "But courage plays an important role too when it comes down fighting foes bigger than ourselves."
These conversations resonated deeply within Fenris since it reminded him so much of what Rifa had been telling him from time-to-time about being brave no matter what happens along his path towards greatness! It made him realize that becoming a great warrior was not just about mastering the physical skills but also about embodying the values of chivalry, loyalty, and respect towards others.
Over time under their tutelage, Fenris slowly began improving in his swordsmanship skills - learning new moves and techniques that would be useful both offensively or defensively depending upon the situation presented before them. He also developed a deeper understanding of the importance of honor and respect in combat, which would serve him well in future battles.
As he worked hard to keep up with the knights' rigorous training regimen, Fenris began to feel a sense of pride in himself. He knew that he still had much to learn, but he also realized how far he had come since his first day on the field. His muscles ached, and his hands were blistered, but he felt stronger and more capable than ever before.
By the end of their first week together, Fenris found himself looking forward to each new lesson - eager to continue honing his skills under Gly's guidance. He had formed a bond with his fellow knights, and they had become like a second family to him.
With each passing day, Fenris trained tirelessly alongside the knights, pushing himself to become the best swordsman he could be. He drew strength from his comrades, knowing that they had his back no matter what. The confidence he gained from their support filled him with a fierce determination to succeed, and he felt like nothing could stand in his way. "I will become one of the greatest warriors around," he thought to himself, feeling the fire burning within him.
Several months had elapsed since Fenris first started his training with the knights. Over this period, he had made significant progress in his swordsmanship skills and, most importantly, had developed close ties with some of the knights.
Gly, in particular, had become like a brother to him. They often trained together on weekends or during their free time, sharing stories about their past experiences and discussing various aspects related to knighthood such as the honor codes of chivalry.
Gly would highlight the importance of loyalty unto death towards others, irrespective of where they came from, as well as the significance of courtesy and politeness. Their discussions helped build healthy relationships based on trust and mutual respect rather than just superficial gestures aimed at gaining temporary favor.
Fenris still remembered how nervous he was when he first met these noble warriors, but he now felt more at ease around them. The training with the knights had balanced out Rifa's feminine influence with their masculine influence, instilling in him a sense of brotherhood as well.
He recognized that being part of something bigger than himself wasn't just about fighting battles or winning wars but also about upholding certain values such as honesty and integrity no matter what situation presented itself. Gly emphasized this too, reminding everyone, including Fenris, that being true to oneself is equally important, whether one is facing opponents stronger or weaker than themselves because ultimately it all comes down to doing the right thing without compromising personal beliefs and principles along with standing up for those who can't defend themselves without expecting any reward in return!
During one practice session, Gly noticed that Fenris had an expressionless look on his face while sparring against other knights. Concerned, Gly pulled him aside and asked, "What seems to be troubling you?"
Fenris sighed heavily before replying, "I don't know, Gly. I've been training so hard, but I still feel like something's missing. Like I'm not living up to my full potential."
Gly nodded understandingly, placing a comforting hand on Fenris' shoulder. "I know how you feel, Fenris," he said reassuringly. "When I first started training as a knight, I felt lost and unsure of myself too. But then I realized that it wasn't just about becoming a skilled warrior; it was also about upholding the values of knighthood."
Fenris looked at Gly, intrigued. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean that being a knight is not just about fighting battles or winning wars," Gly explained. "It's about living your life with honor and integrity, no matter what situation presents itself. It's about being loyal to your friends and allies, even if it means putting yourself in danger. And it's about being courteous and polite to everyone, regardless of their station in life."
Fenris listened intently, nodding slowly as he absorbed Gly's words. "I see what you mean," he said thoughtfully. "But how do I know if I'm living up to these values?"
Gly smiled warmly at him. "You'll know, Fenris. When you start living your life with honor and integrity, everything else will fall into place. You'll feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment that you've never felt before."
Fenris felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he looked at Gly. "Thank you, Gly," he said softly. "You always know just what to say."
Gly chuckled. "I've been around for a while, Fenris. I've learned a thing or two along the way."
The two knights shared a moment of camaraderie before returning to their training, both feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
From that day onwards, Fenris began incorporating the values of knighthood into his daily life. During practice sessions with the knights, he focused not just on improving his swordsmanship skills but also on upholding the principles of honor, loyalty, and courtesy.
Outside of training, Fenris interacted with others, such as Rifa or even family members, in a more thoughtful and compassionate way. He performed small acts of kindness wherever possible, without expecting anything in return except maybe bringing a smile onto their faces. Fenris found that by living his life with these values, he felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment that he had never felt before.
◇ ◇ ◇
Months passed by, and Fenris continued his rigorous training under Sir Gly's guidance. Gly had become more than just a mentor to Fenris; he was now like an elder brother figure, instilling in him a sense of camaraderie amongst fellow warriors.
Gly reminded everyone, including himself, about the importance of staying true to oneself always, no matter what happens along one's path towards greatness. Fenris continued to learn valuable lessons from Gly, not just about swordsmanship but also about life, and he felt grateful for the guidance and support that Gly had provided him.