The sunlight of a late summer morning spilled into Everglade Manor, casting long shadows across its pristine halls. Kael leaned against a stone railing overlooking the training grounds, his golden eyes scanning the bustling activity below. After his victory in the duel, he had earned a certain degree of respect, but there was no time to bask in it. The upcoming trip loomed over his thoughts, its significance weighing heavily on him.
His mind wandered as he gazed toward the horizon, where the village of Silverglen nestled against the manor's outskirts. Its quaint appearance seemed out of place beside the grandeur of Everglade, and the contrast nagged at him.
"Why would a prestigious manor be so close to a village?" Kael muttered, his curiosity growing.
A light laugh behind him broke his train of thought. He turned to see Aria and Lyra, the twin maids of Everglade, approaching with matching smiles. Their vibrant red hair caught the sunlight, and their hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Still brooding, I see," Aria teased, crossing her arms.
"Careful," Lyra added with a grin. "You might get wrinkles."
Kael chuckled despite himself. Their playful banter was a welcome distraction.
"I'm not brooding," he replied. "Just thinking about the village. Doesn't it seem... odd to you?"
Aria tilted her head, considering his words. "Not really. Silverglen's been here for centuries, long before the manor was built. It's mostly a farming village, but I hear it's got some skilled craftsmen too."
Lyra nodded. "We've been there a few times. Nice place, if you ignore the smell of livestock."
Kael smirked. "I might check it out. I need to get some gear before the trip."
"Planning to do it all on your own?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't have much choice," Kael admitted. "My gear isn't exactly top quality."
The twins exchanged a glance before Lyra spoke. "Why don't we come with you? We know the village well, and we could use a break from the manor."
Kael hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. I'll need to get some money from my mother first."
***
Helen was in the kitchen, her hands deftly preparing a simple meal when Kael entered. She looked up, her expression softening when she saw him.
"Kael," she greeted. "Are you alright? Your wounds from the duel—"
"I'm fine, Mother," Kael assured her, cutting her off gently. "I came to ask for something."
Helen set down the knife she was holding, giving him her full attention. "What is it?"
"I need some money," Kael said. "For gear. I can't go on this trip unprepared."
Helen's brow furrowed, worry flickering across her face. "Are you sure you'll need it? The manor has supplies for the trainees."
"I'd rather not rely on what they hand out," Kael replied firmly. "I want to be ready, and that means getting what suits me."
Helen sighed but nodded. She reached into a small pouch at her waist, withdrawing a handful of silver coins.
"It's not much," she said, pressing the coins into his hand. "But it should help."
Kael smiled, squeezing her hand. "Thank you, Mother. I'll make it count."
***
The village of Silverglen buzzed with life as Kael, Aria, and Lyra strolled down its cobblestone streets. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy aroma of livestock, creating a distinct atmosphere that felt both foreign and familiar.
"Where should we start?" Kael asked, glancing at the twins.
"Depends on what you need," Lyra replied. "There's a blacksmith down that way," she gestured to a narrow side street, "and a leatherworker near the market."
Aria added, "And if you're looking for something... unconventional, old man Garven runs a shop with all sorts of odds and ends."
Kael nodded, his gaze wandering to the smithy. The rhythmic clang of hammer on metal drew him in, and the three made their way toward the sound.
Inside, the forge blazed with heat, and a burly blacksmith greeted them with a nod.
"Looking for something specific?" the man asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"A sword," Kael said. "And maybe some armor, if it's within my budget."
The blacksmith led him to a rack of weapons, each one gleaming with polished steel. Kael tested the weight of a few swords, eventually settling on one with a simple yet sturdy design.
The armor was another matter. Most of it was beyond his means, but he managed to find a set of reinforced leather bracers and a chest piece that fit snugly.
As they left the smithy, Aria nudged him playfully. "You've got an eye for quality, I'll give you that."
Lyra grinned. "Don't get too attached, though. It'll look a lot less shiny after your first battle."
***
The clang of swords echoed through the training grounds as Kael wiped sweat from his brow, heading toward the armory to check on his gear. He hadn't taken more than a few steps when he noticed Harlem Benton leaning casually against a wooden post, his polished armor gleaming under the sun.
Unlike the standard-issue gear most trainees wore, Harlem's set was custom-made—pristine plate armor etched with intricate patterns, and a longsword that practically radiated craftsmanship. He looked more like a knight heading into battle than a trainee preparing for a journey.
"Admiring the view?" Harlem smirked, catching Kael's gaze.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "I'm just surprised you'd bring something so... extravagant for training."
Harlem chuckled, his confidence bordering on arrogance. "Extravagant? This is necessity, Kael. Out there, you'll wish you had armor like this."
Kael crossed his arms, unimpressed. "I'm sure it helps, but skill matters more than shiny equipment."
"Maybe," Harlem replied, adjusting his gauntlet with an air of nonchalance. "But why not have both? If you want to keep up, you might want to upgrade your taste in gear."
Kael smirked, refusing to rise to the bait. "I think I'll manage. Let's see if all that polish holds up in the field."
Harlem laughed, clapping Kael on the shoulder as he walked past. "We'll see, Kael. We'll see."
***
Later that afternoon, Kael was in the courtyard, methodically sharpening his sword. He hadn't noticed Thorne approach until the older man's shadow loomed over him.
"Good sword," Thorne said, his sharp gaze appraising Kael's weapon.
Kael looked up, slightly startled. "Thanks. Got it from the smithy in Silverglen."
Thorne nodded approvingly. "Smart move, getting your own gear. Shows initiative. Too many trainees rely on what's handed to them."
Kael felt a faint sense of pride at the compliment.
Thorne glanced toward the training grounds, where Harlem was practicing against a dummy. The light caught the shine of Harlem's armor, making him look like he had stepped out of a painting.
"Harlem's gone all out," Thorne muttered, a hint of dry humor in his tone. "That set probably costs more than most trainees will earn in a year. Expensive sword, custom armor... He looks like a full-fledged knight, not a trainee."
Kael chuckled. "He certainly acts the part."
Thorne's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "It's not just about looking the part, Kael. Keep that in mind. A flashy sword won't save you if you don't know how to use it."
"I'll remember that," Kael said, gripping his sword tighter.
Thorne's expression softened slightly as he turned back to Kael. "You've got potential. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep working, and don't let people like Harlem get under your skin. Skill, discipline, and smart decisions—that's what wins battles."
Kael nodded, feeling a renewed determination settle over him as Thorne walked away.
***
The remainder of August passed in a blur of preparation and training. Kael spent hours honing his swordsmanship, often sparring with Thorne under the watchful eyes of the other trainees.
Thorne, ever the stoic instructor, offered occasional advice but mostly let Kael figure things out for himself.
"You've got potential," he said one afternoon, after Kael successfully parried a heavy strike. "But raw talent won't be enough out there. Stay sharp."
Kael nodded, sweat dripping from his brow. "I will."
He also found himself spending more time with Aria and Lyra, the twins proving to be both reliable companions and relentless teasers.
"You know," Aria remarked one evening, as they sat around a small fire in the courtyard, "you're not as hopeless as I thought."
Lyra smirked. "High praise, coming from her."
Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of camaraderie, a fleeting glimpse of what he had lost.
---
By early September, the manor buzzed with anticipation. The trainees were packed and ready, their gear polished and their nerves taut. Kael stood in his room, adjusting the straps of his newly acquired chest piece.
Helen entered quietly, carrying a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
"What's this?" Kael asked, taking the bundle from her.
"Something to remember home by," Helen said softly. Inside was a simple pendant, its surface engraved with a faint symbol he didn't recognize.
"Thank you," Kael said, his voice thick with emotion. He slipped the pendant around his neck, the weight of it grounding him.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the manor in hues of gold and crimson, Kael stood by the window, staring out at the darkened silhouette of Silverglen. Tomorrow, the journey would begin.
For better or worse, he was ready.