Chosen Part 1
Chosen
*Gem and Jimmy are 16
Joel is 29, Lizzy is 27*
Gem
The bones in my arms vibrated at the clash of our swords. Jimmy had been on edge all week; after passing the last of the page tests, we were officially Squires.
“No one is going to want me, Gem.” The frustration in his voice had just gotten thicker. I dodged a haphazard swing.
“They won't if you swing your blade like that.” I retorted. He groaned, blocking my blow.
“You’re not helping.” We matched block for strike as we moved around the empty training room.
“I’m helping you blow off steam Jimmy, and obviously it's needed.” The sound of the dull metal training swords filled the room as we concentrated on not killing each other.
“It's just so unfair!” he shouted, catching my sword and tossing it out of my hands. “You’ve got to have every knight in the kingdom lining up wanting to be your knight master. Hell, even Joren has gotten an offer.
I rolled my eyes at the mention of the bully.
“Please, I haven't gotten any offers yet, you’d be the first person I’d tell.” I said as I picked my blade back up. “One more round?” He nodded.
“It's just, who’s going to want me as their squire?” we got in the ready stance. I gave him a nod and lunged.
“Any knight with a brain.” he scoffed at my remark.
“Then where the hell are they?” he asked, making a wide sweep that I barely dodged. Most knights looking for squires were making their way from the Merd border. “Who’s going to want the knight from Belen.”
“Again, Jimmy.” I swung, catching his blade with mine he started pushing back, “trust me there’s a knight master out there for you.” I threw my arms up in an attempt to dislodge my blade. Someone walked into the training room, but I couldn't really make out who it was as Jimmy was blocking my way.
“I’m going to end up a squire for a desk knight. I’m never going to see combat.” In a last ditch attempt I threw my arm down which was the wrong move.
In one swift motion my sword was out of my hands, and I was on my back the wind knocked out of me.
“Shit Gem, I'm sorry.” Jimmy offered me his hand; I took it, and he pulled me to my feet.
“Don't apologize, I was… distracted.” I spared a second to glance at the newcomer. I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face as I locked eyes with Joel for a brief second.
“We should probably go get cleaned up.” Jimmy said, reaching for my sword.
“I'm definitely going to get cleaned up… you on the other hand have someone who wants to talk to you.” I pointed out gesturing to Joel. “Have fun.” I said, patting him on the shoulder before making my way out of the room through another door.
“Gem! What do you mean he wants to talk to me?” Jimmy asked, sounding distressed. I waved without glancing back.
“Don't worry! You’ll like this conversation.”
Keeping this from him for the past few days had been torture. The moment I became a page I knew that Joel couldn't be my knight master, something about it going against the proper tradition. Four years ago, I was hurt at that. But now? Joel being Jimmy's knight master was probably for the best. Having Joel be the sole person in charge of me did not sound appealing.
I couldn't help the smile that wouldn't shake off my face. Jimmy was so sure he wouldn't get a knight master, and now he was getting asked to be Joel's squire.
———————————————
Jimmy
“Again, Jimmy.” Gem swung trapping our blades together, out of instinct I started pushing back “trust me there’s a knight master out there for you.” She attempted to throw her arms up to dislodge the blade, but the few inches I had gained over the summer helped to give me the upper hand.
“I’m going to end up a squire for a desk knight. I’m never going to see combat.” I retorted, Gem swung her arms down, creating an opening that she probably didn't mean to make
In one swift motion I disarmed her, her sword scattering across the floor as she fell to her back. She sucked in a breath sharply.
“Shit Gem, I'm sorry.” I offered her my hand; she took it, and I pulled her up to her feet.
“Don't apologize, I was… distracted.” I nodded in understanding as I put the training sword into my belt
“We should probably go get cleaned up.” I said reaching for Gems sword and handing it to her.
“I'm definitely going to get cleaned up… you on the other hand have someone who wants to talk to you.” she said pointing behind me “Have fun.” she patted my shoulder before heading out through the doors to my left. I turned around to see Joel Annora of Ebbin, my sister's husband, and the next king of Ebbin.
“Gem! What do you mean he wants to talk to me?” I asked worriedly, hoping he wasn't paying too much attention to the fact that I just threw his sister on her back a second ago.
“Don't worry! You’ll like this conversation.” she said, waving without looking.
“Your Highness,” I said, bowing towards Joel.
“No need for the formalities James,” I gave him a look, what was he playing at?
“Jimmy sir, my friends call me Jimmy.” Joel nodded
“Alrighty then, Jimmy. I've got a few questions for you. Walk with me?” I nodded making my way over to Joel. We walked out the doors he just came through. Waking to the outside training yard.
“Sir… what is this about?” I asked after waking in silence for a good five minutes.
“I’d like you to be my Squire. If you have other offers that you’d rather take, I won't take any offence. It's your choice.” The crown prince of Ebbin was asking me to be his squire.
“Shouldn't you be asking Gem this?” I asked. We stopped walking and were standing under a tree next to the archery stalls.
“No, it's improper not to mention we but heads way too often for it to be a… mutually beneficial relationship.”
“You’re doing this for Lizzy then.” I accused. They had gotten engaged about six years ago and then got married two years ago.
“She doesn't actually know I'm asking you.” he confessed, “I'm asking because I think we could learn a lot from each other. Not because I owe anyone favors, or because someone asked me.”
“You don't want me.”
“You just knocked Gem flat on her ass. You did impeccably well on all four of your page tests. If you don't want me as a knight master you can just say so, but don't discredit your abilities.”
“It's not that it's just… I'd be honored to be your squire.”
“Great.” Joel said, clasping his hands together. “Don't worry we’ll work on the self-worth thing.” he gave me a wink.
“How in the world did you land my sister?” I muttered. That earned a laugh from Joel.
“I ask myself that every day. Let's go find her, tell her the good news.” He offered. I nodded still a bit shocked that Joel of all people would want me for a squire.
But hey, I wouldn't be a squire to a desk knight.