Time passed Kellan was soon brought into the inner walls, as a future knight he was provided with a personal quarter, a small one-story wooden building with two bedrooms, one hall, one kitchen, and a bathroom with a connected drainage. His eyes teared up looking at the house as a distant memory flashed by, "Mother I promise you, I will build a strong wooden house that would not leak in the rain like our straw house." A promise he could not fulfill while she was alive.
Kellan soon settled into his new quarters, a welcome upgrade from the crowded barracks where the common soldiers resided. To mark this milestone, he threw a housewarming party that was both a celebration and a tribute to the friendships that had seen him through the toughest of times. Inviting his old army buddies—Eamon, Alden, Finn, Gareth, and Tony—as well as his trusted blacksmith friends, Marta, Roran, and the ever-wise instructor Bram, Kellan created an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity that he had missed.
Despite his growing fame, the evening was a joyous return to simplicity. His friends treated him with the same easygoing camaraderie as before, melting away any lingering worries he had about fitting into his new life. They shared stories of their past exploits, and laughter filled the room as they reminisced about the days of their training and the absurdities of their first battle. The clinking of glasses and the hearty chuckles were a stark contrast to the grimness of the war, a reminder of the normalcy they had fought so hard to protect.
As the night wore on, the weight of the conflict seemed to lift from their shoulders, replaced by the promise of new beginnings. The war had pushed everyone to their limits, but now, with peace finally on the horizon, they savored the simple joy of being together. The room was alive with renewed hope, and the prospect of starting anew felt as refreshing as the night air.
...
Days turned into weeks as Kellan immersed himself in his new role. His knight training began in earnest, with rigorous combat drills under the watchful eyes of seasoned knights. Kellan found himself in the training yard, facing Sir Alaric, a veteran knight known for his strict teaching methods. "Prepare yourself, Kellan," Sir Alaric said, drawing his sword. "We will see if your bravery translates into skill."
The lesson began with a series of sparring exercises. Kellan attacked with determination, but Sir Alaric parried each strike effortlessly. "Your form is sloppy," Sir Alaric barked, striking Kellan's sword out of his hand. "Again!"
Kellan picked up his sword and resumed his stance, focusing on his technique. He lunged forward, but Sir Alaric sidestepped and tapped Kellan's shoulder with the flat of his blade. "You leave yourself open. Keep your guard up."
The drills continued, with Sir Alaric correcting every mistake. "Your footwork is too slow. Move with intent!" Each critique was followed by an intense repetition of the exercise, pushing Kellan to his limits.
After hours of relentless sparring, Sir Alaric called a halt. "For each mistake you made today, you will bind one extra log to your back and climb the eastern mountain. Begin now."
Exhausted but resolute, Kellan set off towards the mountain. The climb was grueling, the path steep and unforgiving. His muscles burned, and his breaths came in ragged gasps, but he pushed forward, determined to improve.
His days continued following a regular pattern. His day began with swordsmanship training followed by mountaineering as punishment, that almost took the first half of the day. His physical training ended by the time of mid-day lunch. He grabs a quick bite and then goes on to do etiquette training.
In his sessions on etiquette, learning the intricacies of courtly behavior. Under the tutelage of Lady Elara, a refined noblewoman, he learned how to navigate social gatherings, address nobility, and present himself with the dignity befitting a knight of House Arlyn. It was a world far removed from his days as a blacksmith's apprentice, but Kellan adapted, understanding the importance of these lessons.
In the evening Kellan's education extended to literature and history, where he learned to read and write with greater proficiency. Under the guidance of Scholar Darius, an elderly but sharp-witted tutor, Kellan delved into the rich history of the continent. His peaceful life continued following this simple routine, with some occasional deviation. When he has an off day or he has to attend an event organized by the lord were his only days away from training, or else he consistently devotes himself to learning and improving himself as much as he can.
One afternoon, Scholar Darius handed Kellan a stack of books. "These will help you understand the basic history of human civilization," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I recommend you start with this one. It provides a comprehensive overview of our past and the pivotal events that have shaped our present."
Kellan took the books, feeling the weight of the knowledge they contained. Before parting with him Darius gave him a soft warning, "Be extra careful with these copies, they are old and delicate, If they are damaged you will have to re-write the whole thing."
Kellan scanned the thick and heavy books and slowly put them to a side as carefully as he could. And went back to practicing his writing with quills and ink, for which his early lessons from his father provided a solid foundation. The future was uncertain, but with each lesson, Kellan felt more prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Kellan settled into his quarters, as the moonlight filtered through the window, Kellan took out a book from Darius's recommendation. The cover was worn, and the pages yellowed with age. He looked at the title of the book "The Age of Sage". The title itself raised a series of questions, after contemplating a little he gave in to his curiosity. He gently opened the old book, the musty smell of old paper filling the air. As he began to read, he saw the first line:
"In an era long before the borders have fragmented mankind, there flourished a realm of magic and myth across the ancient lands."