Page 15 of A Kingdom's Heart
This was the moment my father had trained me for. Every bruise, every scar, every dawn spent in the fields with a wooden sword led here.
The bell tolled across the courtyard.
Knights began to line up in pairs, the sound of their armor ringing with each step. I joined them, feeling the weight of the sword at my side and the faint pulse of pride in my chest.
The great doors of the hall opened, and light poured through.
We stepped inside.
The air smelled of incense and stone. The walls were draped with banners bearing the white rose of Elarion. At the far end of the hall, the king waited on his throne, the morning light burning against his crown.
My legs felt heavy, but I walked forward with the others. When my name was called, I stepped out of line and knelt before him. The stone was cool beneath my knees. I spoke the vows I had learned by heart, each word steady and clear.
The king drew his sword. The blade shone bright as he placed it against my shoulder.
“With this blade,” he said, his voice echoing through the hall, “I name you Sir William Alaricson, knight of Elarion. Serve with honor, with courage, and with faith.”
The sword lifted away. The hall went silent for a heartbeat before applause filled the air.
I rose slowly, my pulse still quick, the king’s voice still ringing in my ears.
It was done.
I was a knight.
CHAPTER SIX
WILLIAM
The afternoon sun hung high above the courtyard when I took my post at the main gate. The stone beneath my boots was warm, and the air carried the scent of the stables and the faint salt of the western wind.
A line of merchants waited to enter, their carts filled with grain and cloth. A few guards stood along the wall, their spears glinting in the light. I kept my eyes on the road ahead, watching for movement beyond the fields.
Footsteps approached behind me. I turned and saw the captain striding toward the gate, his armor catching the sun.
“Sir William,” he said, stopping beside me. “Where is the other guard?”
I frowned. “What other guard?”
He sighed, rubbing his temple. “There was supposed to be another man stationed here with you. Seems he’s decided to be anywhere but where he belongs.” He paused, then shook his head. “You know what, forget it.”
He looked out toward the road, his expression unreadable. “You did well this morning. The king was pleased. But being knighted is only the beginning. The real work starts now.”
I nodded. “What will my duties be?”
“For now, standard rotations. Guard shifts at the gates and along the walls. Tomorrow, I’ll have you report to the western post for inspection. After that, you’ll ride with another to the northern farms. There have been reports of unrest there, and I want a pair of steady eyes on it.”
“Yes, Captain.”
He studied me for a moment longer. “Good. You’ll learn quickly. You’ve got the look of a man who listens more than he talks. Keep it that way.”
“I will, sir.”
The captain gave a curt nod and turned to leave. His boots struck the stone in even rhythm, fading as he crossed the yard.
I stayed where I was, staring out through the open gates. The road stretched far into the fields, pale under the late sunlight. For a while, I simply watched the wind ripple through the grass and thought about nothing at all.
A voice broke the quiet behind me. “I hope I’m not late.”
