*The following chapter is in Godfrey's POV*

The year 997

Midday, the sun shone brighter than any other time of the day. "Here we are." Cedric, my older brother said. His flowing hair, a reflection of the bright sun, went down across his shoulders, and his height was a stout average, standing a slight bit taller than his Hanoverian horse.

"This is where we'll practice from today on out." Cedric tied his freak of a nature horse to the tree. I followed shortly after with my horse.

"Perhaps one day you can get a better horse, like mine. Ain't that right, Basilisk?" He patted his horse.

"Well, I've got no problem with Horsey."

Horsey, my inaugural steed, stood at an average height, yet still towered over me during our first meeting.

"If he's what you want then, I've got no rebuttal. Now, let's begin." He stood parallel to me, a wooden sword in his right hand, his left hand behind his back.

I let out a chuckle and hurried over to my saddlebag to fetch my wooden sword. It was roughly the length of my forearm, making it protrude from the bag.

Running as fast as I could, I immediately got back in front of my older brother, extremely excited for this lesson-more than anything else, at that.

"Position yourself, Godfrey."

This wasn't the first lesson I'd received, just the first one outside of the village even if it was only on the outskirts.

"Like this?" I squared my legs, slightly twisting my body, holding the sword with both my hands.

"You've improved, little brother. Most kids your age wouldn't even have the patience to stand still. Though, I've told you before…you must figure out your own stance."

With a change in stance, he placed his left hand on the sword's hilt. His right arm pulled back, as though to hurl the sword forward. "You can copy me all you want, but it won't make you as skilled as I am. Now, make your move."

At first, I used to charge him, which usually left me finding myself on my back.

'This time will be different.' I swore.

With trembling hands, I made my way over to Cedric, my steps slow and measured. Nerves churned in my gut, but the thrill of the moment was even greater.

Again and again, I thrust my sword forward, only to be met with the impenetrable barrier of my brother's weapon. Each jab brought me closer to victory, but also closer to defeat - one misstep could mean the end of my fun.

"Focus, Godfrey, focus!"

My wooden sword clanged against his steel one with each clash, the sound ringing out through the air. As the fight wore on, I could feel my emotions getting the best of me. "I am!" I cried out, my frustration mounting.

In a split second, I thought I saw an opening - my brother's hand reaching toward my chest. But before I could capitalize on the opportunity, I found myself lifted off the ground, flung into the air with shocking force.

The cry that escaped my lips was involuntary, the result of a sudden jolt of pain in my head. I had been so intently focused on my opponent's upper body that I hadn't anticipated the lightning-quick sweep that sent me tumbling to the ground.

"Oh, come on Godfrey, you can do better than that! Remember, the sword isn't my only weapon."

"Forgive me, Cedric," I rubbed the back of my head, my wooden sword broken before me. "You're just too good. And don't forget, now you have to buy me an actual sword!"

"Very well, very well." Cedric chuckled. "And you needn't dwell too much on the battle. I have a feeling that one day, you'll become a distinguished knight. After all, my younger brother has to surpass his elder brother." He extended his hand to help me up.

"Alright then!" I cheerfully said, accepting his help. Of course, he is my older brother, so why wouldn't I?

As time goes by, the recollection of the incident fades away, but there is one thing that will always remain etched in my mind: that cursed image. When I stood at the crest of the hill, I witnessed the carnage that befell my village.

"B-BROTHER, LOOK!" I exclaimed, pointing towards the village. My village-it was a quaint village that lay beside the misty sea in the county of Norfolk. At that time, I was nothing more than a soft, small child, just twelve years old.

"What the…" Cedric looked upon the sight, his face bewildered. "Godfrey, go get Anne and Oliver!"

And that was it. The last time I felt like I saw my real brother. Upon telling me that, he went to a tree we practiced near, picked up his real sword, and mounted his horse.

It was frightening, yet I knew I couldn't let my family down. So I too ran to gather my horse, and as I got on top of it, I looked down, no sword in front of me.

A broken wooden sword, but not a real sword.

I grabbed the lower half of the wooden sword. Anything was better than nothing. Even today, I still recall the sensation in my legs, as if thousands of needles were pricking them and causing them to tremble uncontrollably.

"Mother!" I called out. "Anne!"

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As I roamed the village and headed for my house, I witnessed my countrymen getting slaughtered, like animals. Mercilessly!

Going as fast as the horse could go, we turned the corner, and before I noticed it, I was on the ground.

"GAHHH!" I screamed. The horse had been struck with an arrow, falling and landing on my leg. The pain felt almost unbearable, but I knew what I had to do.

My leg twisted in pain as I attempted to force it out from under the horse. "Horsey, please move!"

"Look what we have here brothers. A child." One of the Vikings stated, two nearby Vikings looked at him.

"Such a kid was riding a horse at that speed? Truly wonderful." The largest Dane said, the smallest viking on his left responding. "It is. However, we shan't let this cub grow. We must get rid of future problems."

"Fine," The largest Dane sighed in disappointment. "I guess you're right."

'If only I could move Horsey off of me!' I thought. 'I'd kill them!'

"Oho~look at that angry face. It's unfortunate you're of English blood. You'd have made a mighty fine Dane."

"Damn you!" I cursed them, my leg still trapped, yet I noticed something. My wooden sword had fallen only a few feet next to me.

Understanding my situation, I deepened my abhor look, my brows burrowing. "Ptoooh!" I spit on the largest Dane. "You damn-!" He rubbed his eyes.

'Now!'

With all my strength, I pushed off Horsey, squeezing my leg out from under and grabbing the sword. It was difficult, but I managed to sustain standing up whilst pointing my half-broken sword at the Danes.

"You little shit." He had cleared his vision, although his eyes were now bloodshot with anger.

His sword slid free of its scabbard with a metallic hiss, and I felt a knot form in my stomach as he began to advance. Each footfall felt like a hammer blow, and my entire body was seized by an overwhelming sense of fear and helplessness.

However, as he raised his sword to strike, he halted. If I thought his steps shook the ground, then what was to come was a full-on earthquake, as if the ground was about to split before me.

And to my surprise, the warriors of my kingdom had arrived.

"FOR WESSEX!!!!!" Tons of Calvary men roared, striking many of the Vikings immediately.

'My countrymen…'

Without warning, the mounted warriors rode past me, their swords flashing in the light as they cut down the furious Viking with ruthless precision. The other two attackers beat a hasty retreat, leaving me alone in the wake of the carnage.

With a final contemptuous glance at the fallen Viking, I raised my shattered sword high, putting every ounce of strength I had left into the crushing blows that ended his life. As I rained down blows upon the deceased Viking, his tainted blood sprayed across my face. When I finally finished, my hands were steady once again.

"May your soul burn in the fires of damnation," I spat, before turning to leave the scene of the wicked.

"Mother…Anne." I ran down the grassy road, a limp in both my legs. I may have escaped those two vikings, but the chaos continued. And we weren't the winning side.

The sounds of horses and men falling, the clanging of swords and shields, the whistle of arrows, and the crackling of flames created a cacophony of terror that echoed through the village, punctuated by the desperate cries of my countrymen being slaughtered.

"Please be safe!" I sprinted as fast as I could, praying that my humble abode would not be among those devoured by the raging inferno.

As I reached my house, it had indeed fallen victim to the pits of Hell.

"Mother! Anne!" I called out; preparing myself to recover them from under the rubble.

"Halt!" The commanding voice rang out, its shadow engulfing mine. I swiveled my head, and there I beheld a man on a majestic, ivory-colored steed, its mane cascading down to its cheeks.

On the other hand, the man had a color that completely contrasted his horse, a jet black armor covering him from head to toe, only his fingers showing skin.

"Is this your house?"

"Y-yes."

"Well, then I'm happy to say your family is safe. My men have escorted them away from the village. And it's time we also leave?"

"My family is safe? Really?" I glanced toward the destroyed house.

"Yes." He nodded. "Now please, let me take you to them." He put his hand out.

"I…understand." I groaned, getting ready to grab his hand. "Thank you for saving my fam-"

As I stood frozen in place, a voice I knew all too well called out to me from behind. I turned to see my brother, Cedric, sitting atop his Hanoverian horse like a king upon his throne. The horse was a magnificent creature, with a tall and regal bearing that commanded respect.

"Cedric! Where did you go?!"

"I've been helping to repel the Vikings. However, I fear we must leave."

"As do I." The previous knight said.

"Lucan." Cedric greeted the man on the horse. 'So that's his name?' I thought.

"Cedric." He nodded back. "I ensured your family's safety. You know what that means, right?"

"Hmm, yeah, thank you. As for the promise I made…" he pointed outwards, a singular viking on a horse headed towards us. "Let's put it on hold."

He faced me, getting off of Basilisk, and handing his rope to me. "He's yours. For now." He chuckled.

"What?… Cedric, what do you mean?"

"You've noticed it too. Haven't you, Lucan."

"Yeah," he sighed. "Those damn archers waiting to ambush us. Looks like one of us will have to stop that man. But if you go down this road, how will you keep your promise?"

"This kid." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "Apologies in advance, Godfrey."

"Just what is going on?" I inquired, the man on the horse getting closer,

"Hmm. I've already waited years for your help. How can I trust this kid even if he is your brother? I need strength, Cedric."

"We really don't have time for this. Godfrey, leave now." He hurriedly put me on Basilisk. "That Viking, he won't stop till he catches us."

"Then we can make him stop!" I yelled.

"Godfrey! Look at him! He is better than all of us! Now go, get out of here!" He smacked the behind of Basilisk, a loud neigh in response as we began the run uphill.

With a swift smack to the hindquarters of his mount, Cedric spurred the horse forward, Lucan and I starting our climb up the hill.

"Ced!-" I tried to speak but had to grab hold of the reins.

'No! No! No! No!' I inwardly cursed.

The unknown man had reached Cedric, a mere few feet away, his ax high.

CLANG!

Cedric blocked the blow, still falling to the ground. "Trying to save those dear to you…?" The man chuckled.

Cedric took a deep breath and steadied himself. "I'm not giving up," he declared. "Watch closely." He swung his sword with precision, but the Viking was ready and blocked his attack. Cedric knew he had to act fast. 'Think, Cedric, think,' he thought to himself. Then, he saw his opportunity. He ducked and struck the horse with all his might.

The Viking tumbled towards the ground, yet he regained himself immediately, readying his ax.

"Lucan!" I shouted, the both of us already a quarter of the mile away. "We need to go back!"

"Sorry, kid." The helmet made it even harder to understand him. "But, your brother gave us this opportunity. Let's not waste it!"

'Damn you!'

CLANG!

Cedric's sword had clashed with the Viking. "Come on! Is this the extent of a knight of England?!" The viking laughed.

"Of…course not." Cedric's breath began to run rampant. "I'll show you how strong of a knight I am."

"Good! Khahaha!"

At this point, I was now half a mile away at the top of the hill, but I could still see their little figures fighting.

Cedric's final stand.

*************

Two hours later

The county of Suffolk

It didn't take long, but we had eventually got to what was considered a safepoint if a retreat was needed. It was needed. The soldiers panicked, while I remained in a house with Lucan.

"Sir, the commander is dead!" A man in armor yelped, his armor the same as the rest outside, their silver plate armor with red clothing underneath.

"It was them again wasn't it?"

"Y-Yes…it was. They've done nothing, but annihilate all the coastal villages."

"Remind me…what was the name of the second under command."

"That'd be the infamous Bjørne, sir."

'So that's his name.' I thought, holding myself upon the wall.

"I'll kill you…Bjørne!"