The clang of wooden swords echoed through the courtyard of the Iron Fortress, a symphony of effort and determination. Shadow gripped his practice blade tightly, sweat dripping down his brow as he faced off against a larger, more seasoned squire.
"Come on, boy!" Sir Aldric's voice boomed from the sidelines. "Is that the best you've got?"
Shadow's opponent swung a powerful overhead strike, but Shadow sidestepped, pivoting smoothly to deliver a quick jab to his ribs. The older squire staggered, and Shadow pressed the advantage, knocking the sword from his hands with a deft twist of his blade.
"Enough!" Sir Aldric barked. He strode over, his heavy boots kicking up dust. "Not bad, Shadow. But speed alone won't save you against a real foe. You need to think two steps ahead."
Shadow nodded, panting. "Yes, sir."
The days that followed were grueling. Dawn began with long runs around the fortress walls, followed by hours of swordplay, archery, and shield drills. Shadow's muscles ached, his hands blistered, but he never complained. Each lesson brought him closer to his goal: becoming a knight of the Iron Order.
In the evenings, Shadow would collapse onto the hay-strewn floor of the squires' quarters. It was there he formed an unlikely friendship with Alaric, a nobleman's son with a sharp wit and a tendency to shirk chores.
"You know," Alaric said one night, tossing an apple between his hands, "you're going to burn yourself out if you keep pushing so hard."
Shadow glanced at him, his face serious. "If I don't push, I'll fall behind. I can't afford that."
Alaric smirked. "You've got the drive of a starving wolf. But remember, even wolves rest."
Shadow didn't answer, but Alaric's words stayed with him.
Months turned into years, and Shadow's skills grew sharper. He mastered the longsword, learned to fight from horseback, and honed his instincts in simulated battles. Yet, Sir Aldric never seemed satisfied.
"You're good," Aldric admitted one day after a particularly grueling sparring session. "But good isn't enough. If you want to survive out there, you'll need to be great."
Shadow stared at the horizon, where storm clouds gathered. "I'll be better than great, Sir Aldric. I'll be unstoppable."
Sir Aldric nodded, a flicker of pride in his stern eyes. "Then let's make sure you are."