Chapter 6
Whitehill Orphanage: Head Office
Deon is in the office of Father James, while Lucien and Caleb are in the backyard playing with the children.
The office has a simple setup consisting of one table and chair, as well as two couches facing each other with a table in between them. Father James handed deon a drink, who sat on one of the couches and sat on the opposite couch facing deon
“I wanted to talk to you privately before you leave for the capital since I don’t know if we will meet again once you awaken and become a high knight,” Father James said
“I can still visit even if I become a high knight,” Deon replied, confident about passing his awakening ceremony.
“I would be happy for that, but it’s best that I give this to you now” Father James took a black ring from his pocket and put it on the table.
The black ring exudes an air of luxury with its smooth and glossy surface, resembling an expensive piece of jewelry. Its timeless and sophisticated design commands attention and leaves a striking impression that is sure to last.
“What is it?” Deon curiously asked
“I donk know. This ring was next to you when you were dropped off in the orphanage. Normally I would let the children keep the memento of their parent, but this black ring looks like expensive jewelry that I was worried that people might steal it from you, so I kept it safe until you were old enough,” Father James said with the same calm demeanor.
“Thank you, Father,” Deon said and took the ring with complicated emotions
Seeing Deon's complicated emotion, Father James consoled deon:
“Not all parents who abandon their children are bad people. Sometimes they are faced with some difficulties, and they think that leaving their children is the best solution for the children.
Of course, I don’t know your parents’ situation, and I also think that abandoning children is never an acceptable solution to these problems.
Children need their parents' love, support, and stability to grow into healthy and well-adjusted adults.
And I am so proud that you grew up to be a healthy and accomplished young man, and I am sure your parents would also be proud of you,”
Deon listened carefully to Father James but kept his eyes on the black ring in his hands, and after a few seconds, he clenched his hand and spoke: “Thank you, Father, but you are the only parent I know, and I am content with that.” as Deon grew more resolute with each passing word.
Upon hearing deon, Father James let out a sigh, experiencing a mixture of happiness and melancholy at the same time.
Father James never meant to replace the role of the parent. All he ever wanted was for the children to never be alone and feel loved and cared for like any child.
“You are a good kid.” Father James said, trying to hold his emotions down, wanting to appear a stable figure in front of deon, but he still felt his voice tremble. “Keep the keepsake, and maybe that will help you find your parents.”
Deon wasn’t interested in finding his “Real” parents but kept the keepsake because of Father James. As far as his concerned, the keepsake is a memento from Father James.
Deon knew he was being cold-hearted to his “Real” parents, and who knows, maybe Father James was right, and deon’s parents faced some difficulties that they had to abandon him.
But deon didn’t care. He never cared about what strangers thought of him, and in his mind, his “Real” parents were nothing more than a stranger.
After spending 20 minutes in the orphanage, the trio returned to the Whitehill estate. They didn’t want to risk being left out by the group.
Father James, Sister Reva, and the children waved goodbye to the three youths as they went their way, with the trio waving back.
Deon and Lucien regularly visit the orphanage whenever they have a day off. Despite spending most of their time at the institute, they consider the orphanage their home and would often offer their assistance in any way they can.
…
Whitehill Estate
Upon returning to the Whitehill estate, they were met with the sight of a large carriage parked at the entrance, surrounded by ten armed guards.
“Oh. are we about to depart?” Caleb asked
“You guys are back, and here I thought we would have to leave you guys behind,” a grade 10 apprentice knight said. “Go inside the estate. The butler is giving out the weapons to the apprentice knight.”
“Weapons? Why do we need weapons?” Lucien asked
“Of course, for our protection, in case we encounter any bandit… What? Are you going to wrestle them?” the grade 10 apprentice knight remark, mocking Lucien.
“How come the Whitehill family are giving us weapons? Shouldn’t we have our own?” Deon asked
“I don’t know about that one. From what I know, they’ve always given us weapons whenever we go to the capital with them. I think the institute and the Whitehill family have some agreements about it,” The grade 10 apprentice knight replied before ignoring the trio.
“Ohh, thanks,” Deon said, and the trio entered the estate.
As they arrived, the gate to the estate was wide open, and the guards did not stop them from entering the estate. The three individuals approached a man who appeared to be the butler and asked about the weapons.
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“Oh. You guys are late. Where have you guys been?... Never mind that. Follow me,” the butler spoke and led the trio into one of the boxes nearby and opened it, and inside was full of swords.
“Pick the ones you like. Just pick one, though,” The butler said before walking away, displaying no further concern for the three youths. He was too busy with the preparation for the travel and had no time wasting it on the late apprentice knights.
Caleb looked at the walking butler and asked his friends: “Aren’t they worried that we might start attacking people with these swords?”
“Please, the estate is heavily guarded right now. Even if you try to kill someone, all the guards would instantly surround you,” Lucien replied
"Let's choose our weapons first and talk later. We're already running behind schedule, and we can't afford to waste any more time." Deon spoke, not wanting Lucien and Caleb to get into another argument.
Lucien and Caleb nodded and started looking at the pile of swords to pick their weapons. Every sword has a sheath, making it hard for them to pick one by just looking.
Deon took one of the swords out of the sheath, allowing deon to inspect the sword. After a few swings, deon was able to test the weight of the sword.
Deon shook his head and picked another sword. He wanted a sword with the same weight and balance as his sword in his dreamscape, or at least close to it, especially since he might use it later.
But, alas, the swords in the box are almost identical, so deon has no choice but to pick the one even though it is quite different from his ideal sword.
‘I hope I won’t need to use this,’ Deon thought, still unsatisfied by the sword he got
“Do you think we will encounter bandits?” Caleb said worriedly as the three youths exchanged worrisome glances.
“If bandits do come, then let’s stick and fight together,” Deon replied, with the two nodding in approval.
Deon could be considered a person with a “Death and life Combat experience” with his constant battles in his dreamscape but is still worried since it might not translate to the waking world.
“Our group has 10+ armed guards, one knight, and ten apprentice knights. No bandit is stupid enough to fight with us, especially since we aren’t carrying any gold or treasures,” Lucien ponderingly said, making deon and Caleb somewhat relieved.
After getting their weapons, the trio returned to their position outside the estate and waited for Instructor Cain and the rest of their group.
The apprentice knights who arrived after the trio was given random swords by the butler since the butler had no more time to waste.
…
A few minutes later,
Instructor cain returned with many people from inside the estate. The instructor was politely talking to a fat middle age man in the middle of the crowd.
Deon and the others recognized the fat middle-aged man as the Baron of the Whitehall town and the family head of the Whitehall Family.
Beside the Baron is a young man. He walked with his head up with eyes looking down at everyone around him. The young man is around the same age as deon and others.
The young man entered the carriage with the people around him waving goodbye.
After the young man entered his carriage, Instructor cain went to one of the grade 10 apprentice knights and talked to him.
After a few exchanges, the instructor nodded satisfactorily before mounting his horse.
“Let’s move!” the instructor shouted, leading the group out of the town.
…
A few hours Later
“So, Where are we going first?” Caleb asked, bored out of his mind after riding horses for hours to no end
“We will make a stop at Aeston Village for the night,” Lucien replied. He had already studied the road path to the capital.
“Oh, When are we going to reach Aeston Village?” Caleb asked
“From Whitehill Town to Aeston Village, it takes around 10 hours of horse riding, so we will probably arrive there around 9 pm or so,” Lucien replied
“Seriously?” Caleb asked, quite surprised. “So we are just riding our horses for 10 hours? Damnit”
“Maybe you could use this time to practice your horse riding,” Lucien replied, trying to annoy Caleb, but it didn’t work since Caleb was in low morale and didn't feel like arguing with Lucien.
Deon sighed when he heard about the 10-hour horse ride they had to do, and that was only the first day of travel. There are four more days after that.
‘If only I could go to my dreamscape and operate my body from there,’ Deon thought and couldn’t help but look at the carriage in front of him
‘I wonder if I can hitch a ride on the roof?’ Deon amused himself, and before he could continue his thought, he heard a ballad song behind him
♪ I am a knight, with sword in hand, ♪
♪ Traveling across this ancient land, ♪
♪ My armor shining in the sun, ♪
♪ My horse galloping on the run. ♪
…
Deon looked behind him and saw a grade 10 apprentice knight singing, and other grade ten apprentice knights around him didn’t seem to mind.
…
♪ I travel far and wide, ♪
♪ On a journey to find, ♪
♪ The meaning of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the secrets of the divine. ♪
…
When the chorus dropped, the other grade 10 apprentice knight joined in and started singing.
Deon looked toward instructor cain and wanted to see if he would scold them, but to his surprise, the instructor didn’t mind the singing and seemed even to enjoy it.
…
♪ From castle to castle, ♪
♪ I ride, Over hills and valleys so wide, ♪
♪ I face many challenges on the way, ♪
♪ But I never falter. I never sway. ♪
…
Deon is familiar with the ballad song that the grade 10s were singing as it was a famous song that could be heard in any tavern and was especially famous in Whitehall town with the imperial knight institute nearby.
And the grade 10s’ sang it beautifully as any normal person can, and on this long trip, deon didn’t mind a distraction as his buttocks started to hurt, and want his mind off it.
…
♪ I travel far and wide, ♪
♪ On a journey to find, ♪
♪ The meaning of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the secrets of the divine. ♪
…
The song continued with more and more people joining in, and when the chorus came again, Caleb, beside deon, also started singing, joining the rest of the apprentice knights.
…
♪ In every village that I visit, ♪
♪ I am welcomed with honor and spirit, ♪
♪ They know my quest and my aim, ♪
♪ And they help me on my way, without any blame. ♪
…
After the third verse came, even the guards nearby the carriage also started joining in singing, making the whole travel group more cheerful than before
And it definitely stopped deon from thinking about his throbbing buttocks, and maybe, that’s why people sing during travel to distract themselves from their numb buttocks.
…
♪ I travel far and wide, ♪
♪ On a journey to find, ♪
♪ The meaning of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the secrets of the divine. ♪
…
‘Should I join in too?’ Deon thought, ‘Why do I feel like Caleb’s singing is making the song worse?’
…
♪ As I reach the end of my journey, ♪
♪ I know I have found the key, ♪
♪ To the greatness of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the glory of chivalry. ♪
…
‘Yeah, Caleb is definitely making the song worse,’ Deon thought as he listened carefully.
“Lucien, you should sing too,” Deon said to Lucien beside him.
“... Not interested,” Lucien said
…
♪ As I reach the end of my journey, ♪
♪ I know I have found the key, ♪
♪ To the greatness of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the glory of chivalry. ♪
…
‘Caleb is way into singing. Can’t he hear himself?’ Deon thought, ‘Is it rude to tell him to shut up? Now that I think about it, I never heard Caleb sing before.’
…
♪ I return home, a changed man, ♪
♪ With a new vision and a new plan, ♪
♪ To serve my kingdom and my king, ♪
♪ With the courage of a knight, and the heart of a king. ♪
…
When the last verse hit, deon was quite relieved that it was about to finish and won’t need to suffer anymore from Caleb’s singing.
‘Why isn’t Lucien complaining? He would usually tell Caleb off when Caleb does this kind of stuff,’ Deon thought and looked at Lucien and saw Lucien fidgeting in his horse and scratching his buttocks.
Seeing Lucien, Deon couldn’t help but laugh.
…
♪ As I reach the end of my journey, ♪
♪ I know I have found the key, ♪
♪ To the greatness of knighthood, ♪
♪ And the glory of chivalry. ♪
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Thought for Thoughts
* +Black Ring Acquired
* Is Caleb not good at singing? Or is it just deon?