Despite his claims, Cendric had insisted on going back to Lakeside Inn. "Rest up first, and I'll tell you what you need to know, tommorow." He said. So the morning after, they finally got to talk.

"Can swear to me on your honor as Knight, that you are not a spy sent by Earl Yvorwick to watch over me?" Leondre regarded his cousin with suspicion.

"Listen whelp, for the last time I'm not an agent sent by your Uncle. The Old Bastard doesn't even know you are here" —[Hell, he doesn't know I'm here either.]—"So stop asking."

They had left the inn at noon, and were walking towards the Adventures Guild since.

"Swear it then, Cendric."

"Do you honestly believe a few words are enough to make me trustworthy?"

"...I–I believe if one is to become reputable, they must keep to their word."

"Word. What, not honor this time?" Cendric said mockingly.

"Honor is not mere words Cendric. Honor is your character, it's how you live by. Its a spirit of obligation I plan to follow by being honest, and living in the service of others."

"A slave then, surely you jest?" Cendric burst out laughing.

Leondre scrunched his nose. "Slavery is illegal, lest you forget." He pointed at the lamplighter standing atop the ladder, replacing a broken lantern. "And I mean someone like him, who traverses the town, lighting the lampposts, so can people walk the streets at night."

Cendric held out an arm, bringing them to a halt "This is the place."

A sign hung from a low-rise, wood, and plaster, dwelling. The entrance was squeezed between two other buildings, and reminiscent of a farmhouse. Even where they stood, dozens of boisterous voices could be heard coming from inside.

Cendric tapped his head. "Repeat the plan to me one more time whelp."

"We are from out of town looking for work, to continue our journey. You're an knight-errant whose accepted me from the academy, as a squire." Leondre said.

"Seems, you can listen."

"Cendric, why the need for all the pretenses?"

"News of your knighthood has probably spread like wild fire now. At least this way as a squire, none of our fully fledged brothers can challenge you."

"But will they not go after you instead?"

"Who said anything about taking up their challenges? I won't accept any duels unless they force me." Cendric replied as he pushed the stall.

Inside, it was much larger than Leondre had expected. There was a staircase leading to another floor above. Below, the main interior was split into three open sections. In the center was a tavern, dotted with several tables and battered chairs full of customers. A bar was built into a wall, right next to the kitchen, where servers were bustling in and out, carrying food and empty dishes. Left to the tavern, was a mid-sized sandbox, where training dummys were freely being abused.

To the rightmost side of the mainhall, sporting two wooden beams for an entrance, was the third section. At the front, a counter manned by three clerks, nearly encompassed half of the area. Already, several loosely made lines had been formed up. Many of the adventurers held slips of paper taken from a billboard close by.

The duo headed over to the counter, slipping in line. Leondre, with Cendric's terrifyingly skilled knife work, had cut out the Royal Academys emblem. Now he finely dressed school boy, with a hole in his coat. A fact Leondre tried not to mull over, it was hard enough he stood out of place. A couple rough looking adventurers had been eyeing him lately.

The teen glanced at the brown haired man beside him. Cendric had his eyes partially closed, he seemed at ease in the chaotic atmosphere and rustic surroundings. Leondre had mixed feeling about him. He was suprised how well he gotten familiar with the man.

[Is this how people normally become friends? Or maybe because we are related, I'm being a bit more open to him.]

Family of course, played a big part in nobility. Back at the academy, many a group of friends were often related one way or another, to each other. Groups based on your families political faction, and marriage alliances were also prevalent.

But Leondre didn't like how Cendric dodged or ignored some of his questions. And he was still skeptical about their meeting purely being by chance.

[I didn't know he existed. Yet, he was able to recognize a cousin he's never met? That doesn't make sense.]

"...Quit daydreaming, we are next whelp." Cendrics voice broke Leondres train of thought.

"Please, stop calling me that." Leondre muttered, following Cendric to the counter.

A balding man in a very short sleeved, cloth jacket covering him to just below his waist. Pushed up his glasses with one hand, combing his beard with the other, as he spoke.

"Can't say I've seen you two before, if you're newcomers, plate or card will do."

"We aren't registered with any adventuring guild," Cendric motioned to Leondre, pulling out his leather pouch, "My squire and I were hoping to join."

The clerk dropped his comb as he got up, leaving momentarily. He returned with several papers and two slightly curved, copper plates.

"Sign your name here, and here. Doesn't have to a real one, just something that's not complete rubbish. Had this one idiot write, "Yerr Mother". Didn't laugh much we when actually put that under his name."

A pen was thoughtfully placed to the side.

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Cendric went first, scribbling away in sloppy handwriting. Then Leondre, the pen danced within his hand, leaving an elegant trail of fine lines.

"Leondre vae Karrath and," the clerk adjusted his glasses, "–Ser Cendric Morrister." He looked at the two new members intently.

Cendric swiftly kicked Leondre. "Yes! These are our names." Leondre said through clenched teeth.

"Perfect, prick your fingers here. Place your thumb onto the paper," The clerk pushed the copper plates,"then the ID plate, and wait here."

"ID plate?" Leondre repeated quizzically

"Identification—"

"He means how it works." Cendric added before Leondre could clarify.

"Hell if I know. We give it to a Holy Maiden on payroll, and she does the rest." The clerk shuffled the paperwork, promptly snatching the copper plates as he left.

Cendric turned to his companion. "Leondre vae Karrath...really?"

"It's the surname I used entering the academy. Alot better than, Morrister."

"Seven hell's! Where was this Leondre, when that fine dandy from the tavern approached you?" Seeing Leondres burning cheeks, Cendric continued, "I asked the All-Mother herself, 'Why waste such blessed looks?'. This whelp has yet to sheath his sword."

Leondre frowned. "Sheath my sword? Inexperienced I am, but not untrained. My blade is sheathed right now, until I can replace it anyway."

[Mithra. He's too innocent.] Cendric rubbed his head. They weren't going to have that conversation right now.

Thankfully the clerk had arrived in time, handing the cousin duo their plates. The thumbprints left from where they imprinted their blood, had become a permanent mark.

Brown eyes regarded sea green irises. They were Copper-ranked adventurers now.

Cendric patted Leondres head, smiling warmly. "Now then squire, pay the nice gentleman our registration fees. I shall be awaiting outside."

--------

Leondre stood counting coins, as he watched Cendric disappear behind the stall. [If he really needs me to pay for him, it is not a problem.]

The code of Chivalry called for charity to those less fortunate. His father also had allocated him a sizeable yearly allowance.

"Do you have change for a crown—" The Leondre looked up from his purse, it was mostly filled with crowns. "actually just keep the change, it's a hassle lugging this purse everywhere."

Farewells said, Leondre was turning around the corner when a bony hand grabbed his shoulder.

"You!" It shrieked.

"Pardon?" Leondre found himself staring face to face with a lanky young man in a worn-out, leather padded tunic. Who couldn't have been a year or two older than him.

"How did you do it?" He exclaimed.

"Do what?"

Thin fingers dug into his shoulders as the lanky young pulled him closer, until they were standing a breadth apart. Leondre was tall for his age, but he was even taller.

"Talk to Sera!" He yelled, shaking Leondre like a madman.

"Yo–you, mean girl. From, uh the inn?" The world was spinning for Leondre as was he half dragged/thrown outside. Despite his lanky stature, the young man was able to pinn Leondre down as he viciously pummeled him.

Leondres savior came in the form of a man with mousey hair and brown eyes.

"That's my squire you've assaulted." Cendric spoke quitely to the lanky, young man currently in a chokehold.

"Your squire needs to stay away from—" A cold, sharp object pressed against his throat.

"My squire needs to stay from what exactly?" Cendric peered over the figure trembling beneath him.

"Sera." The young man whispered in defeat.

Cendrics face soured, he turned to Leondre who had finally gotten up. "Desk Girl?" The dagger pressed up against the young mans throat, disappeared.

"Yes, he's talking about Sera–here, grab my hand," Leondre bent down offering his hand to the person who had thrown him out moments ago. "May I ask for your name?" Leondre asked, helping the young man to his feet.

"Lannus." He said, brushing Leondre aside.

"Lannus, I give you my word there is nothing going on with us. Frankly, we just met. I don't have feelings for her in...That kind of way."

Leondre warmly offered his hand to the older boy.

"So are we good?"

Lannus grudgingly shook the other boys hand. "Yeah. We're good."

"—Sorry to interrupt, but Lannus still must be punished for his actions." Cendric said.

"Punished?" Both teens repeated at the same time.

"Yes, punished. He assaulted you—" Cendric jerked his thumb to Leondre,"—a squire, under my protection."

"But he forgave me!" Lannus protested.

"Indeed, I forgave him Ser Morrister." Leondre confirmed.

"Under. My. Protection. Since I take responsibility for my charge, I decide the punishment. Besides, this man attempted to take the life of a member of nobility—" Cendrics voice trailed off, but the implication was clear: if it wasn't in self defense, then the gallows awaited.

"Forgive me ser, bu–but, this isn't right." Leondre stammered.

"It doesn't need to be. He attacked you, and not for self defense. He's broken a Royal Decree, passed by His Majesty, The King!" Cendric snapped angrily.

[Damnit whelp, stop interferring with my plan.]

"However," He paused dramatically, "there is another way."

Lannus's ears perked up. "There is?"

"Yes. In two days time, under a full moon, my squire and I will set out into the ruins," Cendric looked at Lannus expectantly, "We happen to need a third member for our party."