Chapter 1 - A band of Knights

In far north lay vast stretches of mountains, valleys, and forests; nature in all its beauty. A desolate place, sparsely populated but rich with nature's bounty. No sane man would dwell too deep in these parts, at least not alone.

A score of cavalry rode through one such valley on a dirt road disturbing the serenity along the path with thundering horse hooves and occasional loud yelling of men riding them.

"How long, master?" Yelled Eric with a flushed face to a robust man riding ahead of him.

"Patience lad, your knighthood won't run away even if we arrive late beyond the full moon" replied the man black haired fare-looking, with slight irritation in his voice, haggard-faced due to a long journey or maybe due to constant harassment by his beloved squire.

"He will need Luna's blessing when knighted, after all, it is once in a lifetime work" pitched in another man riding beside Eric's master, with slight joy in his voice, gloating over, much to his mate's annoyance.

"Hell won't break loose, Vidar! even if we miss the night, he will still ascend to knighthood with or without night shine" Eric's master retorted back to the giant man with brown hair, with an even more irritated tone while scratching his slightly scabbed chin looking for some comfort.

"My arse had enough of this beast and I am sure he had enough of mine too, Magnius." Sir Vidar grunted to Eric's master, fatigue overwhelming his usual tardiness. All accompanying men yelled in unison agreeing with Sir Vidar and all the beast grunted as if they felt the same.

"Sir Richard would you be kind enough to tell us where we are in this forsaken forest, I have not traveled so far north in ages." Sir Magnius asked looking to his right, after failing to recall anything of significance, ignoring much of Vidar's lament.

Sir Richard, a man with rich blonde hair and dark eyes, middle in age said "William knows these parts better Sire." pointing to his companion, who had similar features as him; his cousin.

Sir William nodded and replied "We have crossed Blainburry hills and are treading in the forest along its northern slope. From here we will need to cross a nearby creek northeast to reach Fallen Knight's grave, ahead of there lies our reach."

"It will take half a day, Sire, we will reach around midnight," stated Sir Richard as he figured the journey that still laid ahead of them.

"Hmm, we alight near the creek let our beast get some water and hay, some mead and bread in our guts then we ride north till we reach The Hold." Sir Magnius declared while reining his beast as it neighed in excitement as if it understood rest was near.

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"Finally I can move my legs. I swear this beast doesn't like me and you made us rush the whole morning without rest, the best way to get tired " As Sir Vidar glared at his horse while complaining.

Magnius's face darkened upon hearing that. "If only you had not insisted on hunting that Ursid by death-or-glory, having to chase that bleeding beast for a whole day, not the most fruitful way."

"Hmph, you wanted to score with that fire lance of yours, not very brave; you people from down south just carry baffling things. A fire lance is meant for a ship, not land." Vidar scorned his friend's action.

Magnius huffed "You northern brutes only know force!! What do you understand bout good weaponry."

"And you southerners only know fancy!!! A good Ruthril axe can cleave your ships in half" Vidar shot back.

Looking at them bickering Sir William and Sir Richard gave each other a helpless smile.

'They are on it again.' Eric's head ached as he sighed 'How are they even knights'. "Master I hear flowing water ahead." Eric tried to distract them.

Magnius noticed the creek ahead and finally stopped arguing and gave orders to his first sergeant "Moren take some men and scout around."

"Cedoric you take 2 men and go up north along the creek, search for any trails and paths, see if we are going the right way. Also, Use your head don't be like your brute master." Magnius said again to a young man’s black-haired chiseled face fare complexion just like himself; signs that he was from the south too.

"Yes uncle," replied Cedoric with a chuckle as he signaled men behind him to follow.

"You damned kid I am your master see if you get knighted anytime soon hmph." Sir Vidar scolded his escaping squire.

Gaining chuckles from around, Sir Vidar huffed and thought 'see if I don't kick his arse in training.'

The group light camped near creekside to rest and eat. A bonfire was set up to cook previously hunted hares. The last barrel of ale and some dried-up bread loaves brought from the last civilized village. Yes, last civilized since then the group had come across many abandoned settlements.

Moren and Cedoric joined in a while to have their fill.

"Anything noteworthy?" Sir Magnius inquired both returning men.

"Nothing much, ahead north same dirt road continues," Cedoric replied

"Same, nothing too crucial Sire. These parts see Winter moose, I noticed some marking up north a bit, I assume this creek is a water source for them." Moren explained.

"Hmm round up, fill your water skins and see your beast tended we move as soon as possible." Sir Magnius declared.

"Moose makes a good game," muttered Sir Vidar.

"Noway we going for a hunt right now, we have a destination to reach and we are behind time." Nagged Sir Magnius.

"Tch, I know let's move on. My nephew seems anxious" grunted Sir Vidar as he felt slight loss.

"Huh, young master Eric is your kin?" Sir Richard seemed puzzled.

"Distant one, but yes, his grandmother was a Highlander." Sir Vidar answered.

"Yes, uncle Vidar is my late grandmother's nephew." Eric finally spoke after being ignored the whole journey, while tending his unkept silver-gray hair.

Sir William nodded "Eric is a north Highlander name indeed."

"Yes, my grandmother late Lady Embla Osborn Talerion gave me this name." Eric agreed.

"House Talerion, that silver head, makes you a royal kin then?" Sir Richard asked with interest.

"Yes, House Talerion is one of the three adalkins," Eric answered.

"That makes you the grandson of Templar Knight Lord Elfric Talerion?"As Sir Richard asked as he figured something.

"He is, you have met Lord Talerion before?" Sir Magnius answered and inquired.

"Indeed many years back during Hamund's conflict, I was just knighted back then," replied Sir Richard with the reminiscent look.

Sir William smiled "Lord Talerion finally got someone to carry his legacy."

"Heh, you badmouthing Count of Tale," smirked Sir Vidar.

"I only mean good wishes. I am sure Lord Elric would have made a great Knight." Sir William visibly sweated a bit.

"Indeed he is a great warrior, but he has a House to lead and a court to frequent." Sir Vidar followed, praising his cousin.

In nobility, the first sons or only sons typically inherited the mantle and only the rest of the sons joined knighthood or military. But Knights leading their Houses was not uncommon. Lord Elfric years ago, joined Templars leaving his responsibilities as Count of Tale to his young son Elric. Count still to this date hates his father for leaving him and his mother alone.

The rest of the journey was pretty uneventful with such small conversations, as the group crossed the forest and came to a clearing as the sun met the horizon.