Aleck alone held the shining sword Ethen had given him in that dim alleyway of the slums. The weight of disappointment pressed down upon his shoulders, and he considered the sword more a burden than the weapon of the hero he had once dreamed. He looked around the small streets, lined by ramshackle shacks, trash, and general despair. The sounds of distant activity were muted, tinged with a somber stillness. The knight who had escorted him had left without a word, abandoning him to his fate.

Ethen's words echoed in his mind: "Find Anna. She'll take care of you."

He had heard of Anna before—a rigid, retired knight with a reputation for sternness, yet rumored to have a soft spot for children. She had trained the legendary Sword of the North, a name that carried weight and prestige. But what use would a woman like her have for a failure like him? The uncertainty gnawed at him as he took a hesitant step forward, his eyes scanning the alley, searching for some direction.

A voice, sharp and cutting like a blade, pierced the silence, startling him. He whipped around, his heart racing, only to see a frail, elderly woman standing behind him. How had she gotten there? He hadn't heard a thing.

The woman was bent, but unyielding, fragility written all over her, yet she had an air of authority that was undeniable. Her cracked spectacles made her eyes seem to have a piercing gaze that seemed to pierce through him. She looked like she hadn't eaten in days, yet there was something commanding about the way she stood—that demanded respect.

"No need to keep an eye out for me, boy," she said, her voice rough but with a hint of amusement. "The fact that you didn't notice I was standing here says it all—you've been skipping training, haven't you?"

Aleck felt a flush of embarrassment, but he didn't say anything. Her gaze landed on the sword in his hands, and for a moment, a fleeting smile curled at the edge of her mouth. "Well, well. Looks like Ethen's playing favorites again."

Aleck held his grip on the hilt but said nothing. She wasn't waiting for a response and, without another word, motioned for him to follow.

“Come on, boy,” she said, turning and beginning to walk down the alley. “Your new home isn’t much, but it’s all you’ve got now. Unless you’ve got some other brilliant idea.”

Aleck hesitated for a moment, then followed her, his footsteps tentative. They walked for five minutes along narrow alleys, the air heavy with the stench of decay. The buildings around them were falling apart, their wooden frames sagging. They finally arrived in a small, dilapidated hotel. The sign above the door hung askew barely visible in the dim light of the street. Aleck felt something settle in his chest as he looked at the place. He was starting all over from here?

"No need to worry," Anna said and pushed the door open, taking a glance back at him. "We don't have customers anyway."

Her voice was flat, but there was weariness in her eyes, as though the weight of the world had settled on her shoulders. Aleck stepped inside, and the smell of old wood and stale air greeted him. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting flickering light on the worn interior. She led him down a narrow hall to a small room at the end. The floorboards creaked underfoot.

Inside, the room was sparse. The bed was tiny, barely big enough for one, and the table looked as if it had seen better days. Anna turned to face him, her expression hardening as she spoke.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Starting tomorrow, you'll be working as staff here," she said. "As you can see, this place is a little rundown, and you'll need to earn your keep. Clean, serve, do whatever's necessary. If you want to survive, you'll need to pull your weight.

Aleck nodded in silence, struggling to keep his discomfort in check. This wasn't what he had imagined. He had trained for something greater, but now, here he was—just trying to get by.

"Yes, ma'am," he muttered.

Anna's eyes softened for a moment, but the hardness quickly returned. "One more thing," she added, her voice cautious. "If anyone here asks you to duel, don't do it."

Aleck blinked, confused. "Why?"

She sighed deeply, her eyes flickering with something between regret and concern. "These people have lost their way. They still think they're knights, still cling to the idea of honor and pride. But you're not one of them. Don't let them pull you into their foolishness.

Aleck didn’t answer. It was hard to imagine these people, living in the shadows of a fallen kingdom, still holding on to ideals that no longer seemed relevant. Still, part of him couldn’t help but feel a flicker of respect for their stubbornness.

Anna turned toward the door, her voice cutting through his thoughts. “Get some rest. It’s late, and you’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

The door creaked shut behind her as she left, and Aleck went over to the bed. The thin blanket barely covered him, but he wrapped it around himself. He couldn't sleep. His fingers closed around the hilt of the sword Ethen had given him; the weight was familiar, grounding. The moonlight streamed through the cracked window, casting long shadows on the walls.

Aleck gazed at the sky through the narrow pane of glass. His dream, the one that Ethen had believed in, the one that had seemed so close at the orphanage, now felt so far away as the stars. But he couldn't forget it. He couldn't give up. Holding his sword close to him, he finally closed his eyes, drifting into restless sleep as the wind outside whispered softly through the cracks of the room.

Aleck woke up before dawn, the sun coming through the thin curtains. He stretched his muscles, feeling them protest against the new bed, and rubbed his eyes. It was quiet in the room, except for the faint murmur of voices that drifted up from the common room below. He felt curious and got out of bed to see what was happening.

As he stepped into the hallway, he saw Anna talking with a young man by the door. The man was tall, muscular, and carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone used to physical confrontation. His voice was steady and assured, and Aleck couldn't help but notice the sword at his side.

When Anna noticed Aleck, she waved him over. Though hesitant, Aleck had no choice but to approach.

"Ah, there you are, Aleck," Anna said to the man beside her, "This is Brad, my son. And a mercenary. Not to brag, but he's one of the best talents the kingdom has seen."

Brad smirked and waved his hand dismissively. "Again with the 'mom' thing? I'm not as special as she says.

Aleck stood there with all this uncertainty. As the thoughts were still drenching his mind he suddenly saw Brad turning his grin to him.

"So that's all of us assembled," said Brad with this strong smile, "that settles it, let's have a duel, son".

Aleck blinked in awe: "Duel? What on earth do you mean?

Don't be such a fool, Aleck," Anna cried out. "He's half the reason I warned you not to accept duels. And don't call him young, you're 21 yourself, young man."

Aleck's eyes were stretched wide as he tried to process everything. He opened his mouth to respond but Anna cut him off again.

"Ah, and Aleck," she said more calmly, "I've enrolled you in the school. You'll go there and finish your education. You'll need that for identification if you're going to get a job. Trust me."

Aleck stood there, speechless for a moment. A duel? A school? The weight of it all was almost too much to comprehend, but Anna's words settled within him. Education. A chance at a real future. Before he could form any response, Brad clapped him on the shoulder.

"No worries," Brad said with a grin. "I'll take you there today. And I want to talk to you, too."

Aleck did not know what to make of it all. His head was spinning with the new information, but he had no choice but to follow. His life had taken a turn he hadn't expected, and though he had no clear idea where it would lead, for the first time, there was a glimmer of hope. A chance to carve out a future, however uncertain it may be.