Chapter 1 The Sacred Star

I held the sword in my hand, my heart pounded as I stood covered in dented armor. The smell of rust filled my nostrils as well as sweat and blood. I didn’t want this path and here I stood a Squire, my dreams crushed upon the hand of the king I now serve and will have to give my life too. I couldn’t stop shaking as I swallowed my throat dry and my opponent stood before me his form perfect, his red curly hair covering his hard green eyes. He showed nothing his face emotionless as he charged forward with a battle cry and I cowered in fear as I dropped my sword he was in mid-swing now as I went into grovel position and shouted “ I yield!” I looked up up at my brother his face disappointed as he put one arm on his hips and his sword rested on his shoulder. His green eyes looking into my brow ones as he let out a frustrated sigh and spoke his voice light like a bird

“ You need to defend your self Noah. If this was a real battle-” he didn’t even have to finish I knew the answer as I said

“ I would still get my head chopped off” he nodded as he held out a hand and helped me up. My heart still pounding like a raging lion trying to brake out of its cage as I tried to slow down my panicked breaths. As a familiar voice spoke and it didn’t sound happy

“ As always a disappointment Noah...”

I looked over to see my new Master, Sir Frederick of the House of Silver Feather. He was six years older than my older brother. He piercing blue eyes seemed to burn in my soul, his blonde hair tied neatly in a pony-tail a practice sword strapped to his side as he put on his gloves. He was tall and lead about six' five, broad shoulder and a muscular fit build. He walked over to me and grabbed me by the collar and shoved me to the ground as he said

“ combat practice with me for a week! How many times do I have to tell you Knights do not Yield!”

I was so tired as I wobbled to my feet, my brother helped me up his red hair smelled like honey as it brushed against my face, he was tall a few inches shorter than Sir. Frederick as he spoke

“ Frederick, let him rest. We been at this for weeks now” Frederick studied us and signed his face softened just a bit but his eyes still burned into me as he said “ Fine, go polish the armor and feed the horses. Don’t be late for supper...” he then turned and walked away from the training area and my brother gave a childish grin as he helped me walked to a stole and placed me on it to rest. He took of my armor and I was aching all over as he said

“ See, no one can say no to me not even the maids or his father”

I looked at him and smiled “ You're almost a knight...your ceremony is tomorrow..” as I looked at my hands. I felt like crying. The thought of the sudden change, as the over whelming depression washed over me again, I wanted to hold myself but I couldn’t as I cried. I didn’t want this and here I was miserable. Fighting with a sword, a weapon that shed blood and does harm to people. I never thought I would even come close to this path. Magic was my life, it was my passion and it was my gift. I was just beginning my training as a wizard. I wanted to be like Merlin. A true sorcerer to be feared and respected and here I am covered in welts, bruises dirt and cow crap crying in front of my oldest brother.

“ I'm sorry Lance,” I choked and I felt him give me a hug, his hair smelled really nice like our mothers. Lance gave me a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped my dirt covered tears and sat next to me then he spoke his voice as calm and gentle as ever

“ I understand, this is not your path Noah, anyone can see your not fit for combat let alone swordsmanship. This must be difficult for you. To be stripped from your Master of Magic and to be placed here in the lions den. A place you can never get good at and are forced to abide by the law of the knight. Which is why,” he paused for a moment fiddling with his hands not meeting my gaze I raised and eyebrow. I knew this look, he was doing the hesitant motion when he was trying to keep something a secret.

“ What Lance, tell me” he looked at me and gave a horrible fake laugh and shook his head and said

“ Nothing, Nothing” he was avoiding the question as he stood up and pretended to stretch, he was always a horrible liar.

“ I know your not telling me the truth Lance,” I said flatly. He let out a sigh and shook his head as he chuckled in defeat as he said

“ Alright I'll tell you, but you have to practice your swordsmanship and practice real hard because after dinner you will be coming with me to get a package.” I looked up a bit confused as I replied

“ Whats in the package?”

“ The book of Evonlia volumes 1-7” he said flatly. I looked at him wide eyes the whole thing coming to realization at what my brother was really doing and it was full out treason. He was going to continue my magic lessons in secret, with a book that was considered banned in the north. My brother was taking a huge risk getting them for me. I would be both be a Knight and a Wizard. I looked up at him dumb founded and he laughed

“ Hide them well, or off with my head!” He teased making a chomping motion with his hand. Without thinking I rushed up and hugged him, tears over welcoming me as I cried but I wasn't sad I was happy, I was grateful.

“ Now lets get to our chores before Fred comes back and starts yelling again” he said as I rubbed the tears off my face with his handkerchief.

~ ~ ~

The night air brushed against my face as I walked with Lance to our destination. It felt nice walking outside, the stars greeted us as we walked along the familiar path. Lance began to whistle a tone. A tone that was old and familiar to us as children, a song that was based on Lancelot and his erotic deeds when serving the mighty King Arthur. I looked up at Lance and noticed how red his hair was like a light flame blazing in the night sky. I wonder what I would do if he wasn’t their for me when they took me away from my training from Master Shawl. It was almost like yesterday the events that happened three weeks ago. When Sir. Frederick stormed in and grabbed me from my studies and into his house, his cold stare as he tossed a practice sword and worn our armor at me feet and told me to put them on in fight. Then Lance walked in and everything changed now he was going to be a Knight soon, he was going to gain his own apprentice and I would be alone.

“ Here we are” he said, startled I looked up to see and small little house. It looked like something you wouldn’t see in a fairy tail book. It was constructed nicely, the wood was smooth to touch, the door was hand carved in difficult designs. One window rested on the second floor where a dim light was visible and Lance knocked on the door. We didn’t have to wait long as a girl opened the door she looked about five. Her brown hair full of bouncy curls as she held up a large heavy package. Her night gown stood out as she looked up at Lance her face red as he took the package and rubbed her head like he did to me when I was her age.

“ Thank you Lucy” he said with a smiled. Lucy looked down at her feet and closed the door in a haste. I blinked as Lance put the package in his small bag he used to hunt small game when we lived in the outskirts of the city. He grinned at me and said

“ Another pretty girl dumb founded by my good looks” and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as we turned around and headed back for the my New Masters House Frederick. Lance looked up at the sky and stopped, I looked up as he pointed up at a star and spoke

“ That’s your star Noah,” I looked up at the star he was pointing at, the star shined brightly then the other stars.

“ They say that star was born the same time Merlin was Noah. Its a sacred star you know, said be able to lead anyone to safety, or,” he paused for a moment and I looked up at him. I always wanted to be like Lance, I was envious of him. Mother always praised him and Father always took him on hunts with his friends when I was little. Even now hes always captured everyone’s attention. I was always the one in the shadow. What ever I did was never enough.

“ It could lead you to a loved one Noah” he said to me his voice low now and then suddenly he hugged me, but it was a different hug. A hug that was tighter like he was going to go away, panic strikes me as I said his name and he let go and rubbed my head like he did the little girl.

“ Lets get going,” he said quickly his gaze leaving mind quickly.

“ Tomorrows a special day” he said as he walked on ahead of me, I wanted to ask him what was wrong but something told me to let it be. As we walked and I looked up ay my star my brothers words rang in my head

“ Its a sacred star you know, said be able to lead anyone to safety, or It could lead you to a loved one”

Something in my gut told me tomorrow wasn’t going to be a joyous day as everyone let on it to be.

Author's Note

What do you think?
Anything I need to fix or change?