Page 2 of Honorable Convictions
“Has the room stopped spinning?”
“Some minutes ago,” Mitchell confessed. Rolling his shoulders, his body swiftly adapted further to the spell. Minutes ago, standing was an impossibility and now he was growing confident that he’d pull it off. “Are there benefits to certain rooms, VK Ruarc?”
“They all have the same layout and furniture, but their locations vary. If it were me, I’d want the one closest to the dining hall.”
“When does training start today, VK Ruarc?”
The Venerable Knight shook his head. “You have three days to adjust to your resurrection. Some of your symptoms are going to come and go, and everyone reacts differently. The Arch Lich will cast his spell five more times to give us a fallen knight class of six people. All of you are going to get your asses kicked for eight weeks, and we want to make sure you’re physically able to handle it.”
Although it was disappointing not to begin immediately, Mitchell understood that not everyone would handle their resurrection as gracefully as he did. Once again he grasped the cot, and a rush of adrenaline flowed into his veins. Getting to his feet, he lifted his chin and was proud he’d managed to stand without assistance. No one would regret bringing Mitchell Brooks to life, and he was going to make the most of his training. The lowly title of rank one didn’t please him, and with hard work he’d remedy it. His mission set, he ignored the slight queasiness in his belly.
“I am ready to select my room, VK Ruarc,” Mitchell stated. “My sincerest thanks to you again, Arch Lich, for this opportunity. Benton, I also appreciate your assistance this morning.”
“The greatest joy in my life is getting to resurrect the men and women of the Order of the Fallen Knights,” the Arch Lich answered. “I look forward to seeing you again and hearing of your successes in training and beyond.”
“Arch Lich, I plan on being the best.”
“Good luck, FK1 Brooks,” Benton remarked. “Fallen knights are nearly as dedicated as sentinels, so I do not doubt that you will meet your goal.”
“You really can’t get through a conversation without bringing up the way you think sentinels are superior to everyone, can you?” the Arch Lich asked his sentinel. Although each necromancer had a single sentinel, the Arch Lich had been granted two, but the reasons behind it were unknown. Mitchell briefly wondered when he’d get the opportunity to meet the second man whose task it was to keep the Fate-born leader safe.
“I can only speak the truth,” Benton retorted.
“Don’t mind him—he can’t help being a pain,” the Arch Lich told Mitchell.
“I have to say, he’s not nearly as annoying as Baxter,” VK Ruarc said. The information built into Mitchell’s brain was becoming more easily accessible as he continued to adjust, and that allowed him to correctly place the name Baxter as the Arch Lich’s other trained killer.
For the first time, the sentinel’s reaction was exaggerated as he rolled his blue eyes. “Why must you speak his name in front of me?”
“Since I doubt FK1 Brooks is the least bit interested in your ongoing rivalry with a sentinel you’ve never met, I suggest we allow him to find his room so I can resurrect another of his training class. He might enjoy having some company besides a bookworm necromancer and an irritating sentinel,” the Arch Lich stated.
“You failed to mention me, but I’m wonderful company,” VK Ruarc interjected, then gave his full attention to Mitchell. “You ready to go?”
“I am, VK Ruarc.”
Following VK Ruarc out into the hall without any struggle, Mitchell could tell his walking speed wasn’t normal yet and was grateful his superior didn’t remark on it. The door shut behind them, and as he stood there for a moment at the behest of VK Ruarc to make sure he was okay, a bit of dark smoke slipped under it. The Arch Lich was busy casting his resurrection spell again.
“Do you want to see every dorm or pick one based on location?”
“VK Ruarc, I understand the value in being closest to the dining hall.”
“Smart. I’ll take you straight there.”
A second later, Mitchell’s spine snapped straight as a man turned the corner. Broad shoulders, dark hair, and serious blue eyes, he strode toward them at a fast clip. The hardness in his expression turned to a warm smile. “Good morning.”
“Reverent Knight, good morning to you. I am Fallen Knight, Rank One Mitchell Brooks. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve you.”
“Have no doubt you are well-suited for the job, FK1 Brooks. I assume VK Ruarc is taking you to the room closest to the food?” Reverent Knight Drystan Kempe asked.
“I thought it wise to be able to easily replenish so I can excel in training, Reverent Knight.”
The ruler of the fallen knights offered a solemn nod. “I want you to spend the next three days relaxing. You’ll need to be well-rested and ready to go when training starts. It won’t be easy and if it does seem that way, then you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. Your scores and aptitude will determine your assignment, so it’s important that you give it everything.”
“I have every intention of challenging myself fully, RK Kempe.”
“Good, but for now, put your feet up, and breakfast will be served in about two hours.”
They said farewell to the Reverent Knight, and Mitchell was led to the space he’d call home for the next eight weeks. Once VK Ruarc took off with a wave and one of his friendly smiles, Mitchell allowed himself to take a seat on the bed closest to the door. His plan was to do exactly as he was told, and he had every intention of being sure he had the highest scores of any recruit in his class. It was an honorable goal, and Mitchell looked forward to not only reaching it but exceeding his lofty expectations.
