“Eiden wake up!”

“Wake up or you're going to be late you oaf.”

Opening his eyes, Eiden glanced at his sister,Amelia who kept shaking him vigorously even though she was well aware he had woken up. He wondered why she was so excited before the realisation hit him.

“Oh shit! I'm going to be late.” Springing up from his bed with agility, he ran towards the bathroom as his voice echoed through the room.

“Amelia, why didn't you wake me up earlier.”

Pouting as she watched him scurry to the shower speechlessly, she roared in indignation; “It's not my fault you went out and got drunk last night, y'know.” Walking out of his room, she went ahead to serve breakfast on the dining as she muttered;

“The nerve of this boy, reprimanding me after I dragged his ass into bed last night, I ought to starve him.”

Then she spun dramatically as she crossed the serving ladle across her forehead and leaned on the table in a exaggerated manner and cried;

“But alas, I've been cursed to be a good sister by the heavens, this burden is a heavy one to bear!”

……..

Eiden stared at his reflection in the mirror as he finished brushing his teeth. A youth with dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes followed by a hint of a moustache growing beneath his nose was staring back at him Grinning as flicked his short hair backwards, he said with an arrogant tone.

“Ah…. What a handsome devil. I'm sure all the ladies will be swooning at your presence today. Tsk tsk…. It is sad that this young master has to break so many hearts. The fate of a handsome man is so tiresome….”

Bursting into laughter at his impeccable performance, he slipped out of his clothes that reeked of beer and began showering.

The atmosphere in the house would seem weird to anyone who wasn't aware of the events of the day and it's significance to the two siblings. Eiden lived in the kingdom of Ashbourne; a name given to it for the peculiar ash coloured snow that fell year round.

Ashbourne had been at war with its neighbouring kingdom- Springfield, for generations. The root of their conflict had been lost to the annals of time, but every few decades, fights would break out between kingdoms lasting for years before being stopped abruptly stopping; both sides retreating to recuperate on their losses. Ashbourne had its fair share of victories and losses, with the most recent battle ending in their victory.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Eiden was a newly appointed knight, part of a batch reserved for defending garrisons, rather than being on the battlefield, due to their lack of combat experience….. As fate would have it, Eiden was sent to pass a message to a commander on the battlefield, having been chosen for his exceptional fighting prowess and intelligence among his peers at the Knight Academy.

On his way back to the garrison, he stumbled on a shocking scene, a wounded enemy all on his own. Cursing whatever stupid bravery moved him, he captured the wounded soldier of the enemy troops.

Lo and behold, he had captured the general of the enemy troops, decimating the morale of the Springfield soldiers and scoring a resounding victory for Ashbourne. This had been three months ago, after being celebrated as a hero, he was dismissed and instructed by his platoon commander that the king had recommended him to the temple for a bestowal.

A bestowal was a sacred ritual, one of the most important rituals observed in Ashbourne. It was a blessing granted by a high ranking official of the temple.

Usually granted to knights and important personnel of the kingdom,it enhanced an individual's physical attributes and in some cases, unlocked special abilities known as ‘Gifts’.

Gifts were rare as only One in Ten people unlocked them. There was a theory that anyone had the potential to awaken gifts,but very few were talented enough….

Every gifted knight was at the rank of Templar, but not every Templar was gifted. This showed that being a gifted was a status so revered, even a squire would be promoted. Gifted were also conferred noble titles based on the meritocracy of their service if they weren't already of noble birth.

Immediately he was done showering; Eiden quickly donned his leather armour and sheated his sword which he hung on the wall above his bed's headrest.

‘ ~Sigh~ I seriously hope I get a better armour, I haven't even been to any battle and gets it's already deteriorated…’

Done with his dress up, he walked into the dining area for their home where Amelia was already sat with breakfast served.

“Looking sharp soldier. Are you ready for your big day.”

“Aye captain!”, he responded with a salute. Quickly taking his seat, he saw that Amelia had prepared a simple breakfast, consisting of- bread, cheese and smoked ham, a delicacy. Eating so fast that it seemed like he inhaled it, he stood and cleared the dishes with Amelia before storming off.

“You had better not be late young lady.”

“Get going you oaf.. Of course I'm not going to be late.”

Snorting as he ran through the streets of dirt, he muttered a curse about how polite he was when he was twelve. As he made his way from the commoners section of the city, the dirt road slowly gave way to cobbled stone. Taking two left's immediately after he passed the blacksmith's forge, he arrived at the garrison. Greeting the guards who congratulated him once more on his bestowal ceremony,he made his way to the stables where he found his trusted steed- Charon….

Charon had a Gray coat and an ash-coloured mane and tail. It was of a popular breed of war horses called the charger, known for their adaptability. They weren't as strong as destroyers or as fast as courses but it's adaptability and temperament were suitable for battle where there were countless unforeseen variables.