Twelfth Knight

Chapter 4

Compared to the first day, the second day of training went considerably better. She arrived early to breakfast and started a conversation with Frederick Davidson. He implored Emberly to call him Fred, stating that whenever anyone called him Frederick, he would think he was in trouble. Emberly promised never to do so.

Fred was a kind enough fellow, but terribly dull. He was a second-year squire and was able to answer every question Emberly had. When the topic of yesterday’s breakfast arose. Fred simply shrugged it off. “What Sir Wylan doesn’t tell you is that everyone is late at some point. The other first-year squires will see for themselves soon enough, just wait. After that, they’ll sympathize with you. Personally, I’ve been late a dozen times. Meals rarely start on time here.”

Following breakfast, of which she ate with the well-rested Arran as far from the other boys as they could be, the first years were directed to the stables.

It was a well-known fact that squires would choose their own horse during the first-year training. The horse here father had during this squires days had lived at Northem for a long time. He was called Grey because of his grey mane. Her father never had been all that creative his life. But he loved that horse with all of his heart. It nearly broke him when that horse died.

The stable master stepped forward, calling attention from the twenty talkative boys. “I’m Easton Weyst,” he said with a loud, ringing tone. “This is my son, Stefan Weyst. We work here at the stables. I’m sure you are all excited to end your very own horse. However, before we bring the horses to you, I must explain some very simple rules.” There was an audible groan from the boys.

“First, Stefan and I will be around most of the time to work around the stables. We are not your maids. We will not clean up after you. As Sir Wylan will explain to you during your time here, it is important for you to care for your own equipment. This includes your saddle. We will ensure that your horses are fed and well-cared for. But we will notclean up after you. If I find your saddle lying around somewhere, I will take it to the village and sell it for the highest price.

“Second, the horse you pick today is your own horse. Do take care of your horse. But since the horse is yours, you are welcome to come to the stables at your leisure to spend time with your horse or to simple ride. We will help in any way we can.

“There are a few of you who brought your own horse,” Easton’s eyes fell on the prince for a moment. “You are welcome to ride freely during this time while we help the other squires choose a horse. With that said, do any of you have any questions?” No one spoke. “Brilliant. Stefan, the other stable hands, and myself will lead the horses to you. You are welcome to pick your horse then. Do understand that the horse will go to the first person who claims it.”

Emberly waited anxiously with the other squires in an open field near the stables. “Have you had a horse before?” Emberly asked Arran, who was turning pale as the first horse was brought into the open area.

“Never even ridden one before,” confessed Arran. “I’ve been scared of them since I was six and I saw a horse kicked by uncle so hard he flew into a barn and died.”

Emberly, not really knowing how to respond to that statement, just said, “Well, this’ll be an adventure to you.”

Emberly didn’t know what she expecting. Somehow, she just knew which horse would be the perfect one of her, just by looking at the creature. But none of the horses the stable boys led into the field were the “right” horse. Sure, they were magnificent steeds, but not the horse Emberly wanted.

The boys rushed forward, clambering over one another to claim the best horses. Arran, too petrified to even move, even found the perfect horse. Or, rather, the perfect horse found him. But during the whole time, Emberly was unable to find the perfect horse.

Stefan, the stable boy, strolled over to her. Stefan was a handsome fellow who appeared to be around Emberly’s age. He had tan skin and deep brown eyes. He had a cheery expression on his face as he stopped in front of her. “Can I help you choose, sir?”

“Do you have any other options?” Emberly inquired.

“We have what you see out here,” Stefan admitted, “we do have one more, but we thought you’d might like to see…other options first.”

“Can I see the horse, please?” The stable boy nodded and rushed to get the horse.

At first sight, Emberly suspected that someone had slipped the poor horse some ale. The horse seemed to trip over everything. He continuously stumbled as he was led to where Emberly was standing. The horse, though obviously clumsy, held his head high in what could only be a demand of respect from each living creature in a hundred mile radius.

The horse was by no means the most beautiful horse there. He had a simple coat of black with splotches of white and a long, flowing white mane. Parts of the white hair fell into the horse dark eyes.

All the while as Emberly examined the horse, he could not stand completely still. It was as if the horse had some supremely important engagement he was late for, but didn’t want to be rude by just leaving. The horse was awkward, but Emberly loved him the instant her eyes fell on him.

“This one,” Emberly told Stefan, “this one’s mine.” Stefan raised a confused eyebrow.

“Are you sure, sir? He’s not exactly battlefield ready.”

“I’m certain,” Emberly replied. “And you can just call me Kyler.”

“Right,” Stefan uttered uneasily. “Well, Kyler, you get to choose the name. What’re you going to call ‘im.”

“Feste,” Emberly answered. “It means clumsy and foolish.”

“I think that’s quite fitting.”

Emberly climbed onto the horse’s saddle, directing the horse to follow the procession of boys and horses around the field. The horse did not move. Again, Emberly used the reins to direct Feste to follow the others. Again, nothing happened. Emberly groaned in frustration. “Come on!” she commanded. Still, the horse did nothing.

Around her, each of the first-years were already on their horses, all of whom immediately obeyed their squire. Even Arran, who had to be helped by five stable hands, was able to control his horse.

“Please, Feste,” pleaded Emberly. The horse stayed in his spot. “I-I’ll get the stable boys to give you an apple once we’re finished. Would you like that?” Emberly wasn’t sure if horses understood humans, but Feste, extremely slowly, followed the others. That was, at least, progress.

Of course, walking around in a giant circle was entirely too boring for Feste. Half-way through, he turned around, walking counter-clockwise to everyone else’s clockwise.

The surprise of the boys at this action fell into laughter. Not even Arran had this much trouble with his horse. In the back of her mind, Emberly wondered if she should return to the stables and demand another horse. She wasn’t going to do that though. She loved that horse already. He had more personality that most of the nobles she had met in her life.

“Squire Dern,” called Easton Weyst, “you’re going the wrong way.”

“Yes,” she replied, humor dancing in her words, “I’ve noticed. Thank you though!”

Emberly made no move to stop the horse. She was genuinely interested in what this horse was going to do. At one point, Feste, bored again with the giant circle, walk through the field in a diagonal motion. Of course, the horse, already extremely clumsy, swayed a little as he walked, forcing Emberly to wonder if the horse was going to fall over while he walked.

Feste rejoined the circle beside Prince William. The prince’s horse had a chestnut coat and a regal gleam in its eye. “Hello, Prince William,” Emberly greeted. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Why did you choose that ridiculous horse, Dern?” William wanted to know. “You’re training to be a knight, you don’t need a horse that can’t even walk the right way.” This voice was bitter with annoyance. Emberly’s own good mood fed off of the prince’s irritation.

“I like him, he’s got...a spirit.”

“He’s going to be the death of you and everyone around you,” William spat.

Emberly would have refuted this. She would have told the prince that he was wrong and that she would rather have a horse with personality than a boring chestnut one. But she wasn’t able to voice this. Feste, swaying as he did, grew too close to the prince’s voice, throwing all of them to the ground in a glorious representation of William’s exact words.

Emberly fell on top of the prince, noticing for the first time that Prince William had the most interesting eyes. They were grey. A deep, perfect grey. They stopped her in her tracks for a few moments until William croaked, “Dern!”

Blushing furiously, Emberly clambered to her feet. Feste was already standing up from his spot on the ground. He had a smirking look on his face as he met Emberly’s eyes. Sneaky horse.

When the riding time ended, Emberly asked the stable boys to give Feste two apples.

-----

The afternoon was again filled with lessons. Unlike the language lessons they were given the day before with Lady Elizabeth, these lessons were on war strategy. Apparently, the knights needed to think for themselves so that they can make an informed decision in any given situation.

The lessons themselves, with a man called Sir Roland, were dreadfully boring. The man spoke in monotone throughout his entire lecture, causing Emberly to question what would happen if she fell asleep during class.

Dinner was a blessed gift later that night. Again, Emberly arrived early in order to ensure she would not be the cause of a late dinner. Her stomach rumbled as she waited for the other squires to arrive. She wondered if she was allowed to visit the kitchens at any time she wished. She would have to ask Kyra later.

Emberly itched the back of her head in annoyance. The pins laid there to ensure her hair would not be seen for its true length. Still, the pins bore into her head. She wanted desperately to untangle her hair. She would have to wait until later, though. Dinner was first.

Eventually, and later than when it was supposed to start like Fred had told her, dinner began. It was because of Arran they were late. Sir Wylan gave the poor boy another day of cleaning the pots and pans in the kitchen. Arran, when he walked in, took the seat at the most remote part of the table.

Feeling sorry for her friend, Emberly stood from her place beside Creon Sofecles and taking her plate with her marched over to where Arran was sitting. Unfortunately, she had forgotten her cup of water. She turned too quickly, not realizing Prince William had been walking behind her with his plate. She crashed straight into the prince, covering him completely in his dinner.

Emberly winced as the plate crashed down to the floor. “Hello, Prince William,” greeted Emberly, her cheeks turning bright pink for a second time that day. “Fancy seeing you here.”

The prince just glared at her as bits of green beans fell from his white shirt, falling to the ground with a loud, splattering sound. Of all the people in the world, Emberly berated herself, it had to be the prince. Again.

Taking the prince’s silence as a command, Emberly retrieved her own plate of food and held it out to the prince. He took it without a word and strolled away. Emberly crashed down in the seat beside Arran, her cup now entirely forgotten.

“I know you don’t care for people who fawn over the prince,” Arran said conversationally, “but have you got a death wish?”

“Apparently,” she replied.

-----

It cannot be said for certain if Emberly’s actions that day were the direct result of what took place that evening. There are too many variables for that to be the case. Kyler, himself, could have insulted the prince before or maybe James had influenced the prince’s decision that night.

Regardless of the reason, Prince William, James Heczah, Keenan Taylar, and four other boys crept into Emberly’s room after she had fallen asleep. As it was still dark, they were unable to distinguish certain aspects of Emberly that separated her from the boys.

Without any hesitation, they gagged her mouth, threw a bag over her face, and pulled her off of the bed. By this time, Emberly was wide awake and trying to awaken Kyra. But her pleas were unheard. She struggled against the strength of the men around her. Too soon, she had tired herself out from the struggles. The boys tied her hands behind her back.

They threw her body onto a horse. She tried to push herself off, but her progress was quickly found out. As they galloped far away, she felt a hand on her back the entire time, keeping her firmly in place.

During the long, bumpy ride, Emberly played over the memory of the two men in the forest near Northem. What were they going to do to her? Had they learned the truth about her and this was the way they were going to persecute her for it?

After what seemed like hours, Emberly’s body dropped to the ground with a loud thud. In the distance, she could hear the sound of retreating horses.

She was all alone.