A sound of light rainfall had ringed into the ears of Alsop as he checked his window for a sign of the time of day. Had he overslept? The merchants of the flocked market streets near Alsop's home had still not set up for their busy parading and Mary was absent from the bed. Alsop was slightly curious but thought nothing of her disappearance and the empty streets, as he presumed the weather was a key factor. After a quick run-through of his morning routine, he made his way downstairs, where a note on the table received a small glimmer of light through the window.

'I've gone to the Festival of Fruit with Anne, so I won't be around to wish you the best for your long day but have a good day! I love you!

- M'

"Love you." Alsop had muttered, quietly beneath his breath.

He quickly finished through his breakfast and rushed out the door, as he relentlessly made his way to the Royal Guard. His eager mind pictured a meeting with his new mentor, Captain Alister Sinclair. Alsop was confined to his feet to get to the Royal Guard, as he had lacked the luxury of being able to ride on a horse-drawn carriage. This meant that he was obliged to begrudgingly battle through the rainfall of the misty and moody morning. Alsop had reached the entrance of the Royal Guard soon enough though, where Axel stared at him with a pitiful set of eyes.

"Alsop! Come on in quickly." Axel hurriedly ushered him into the warmth of the Royal Guard. "I'm sorry. I came by earlier, but nobody seemed to open the door." He said as he cleaned his friend up slightly.

"It's no problem. I was asleep and Mary has gone out." Said Alsop.

"Horrible weather out there, I suppose it's a good thing you're not on the tasks board today." Said Axel.

"Heh, that would be because I have a mentor." Said Alsop, his lips pursed smugly together in sweet satisfaction.

"Really? You? A mentor? Who is it?" Axel asked intensely.

"One of the captains, Captain Sinclair." Said Alsop.

"Oh, I see. That's good." Said Axel, his mind lingering in thought.

"It's a captain, of course, it's good!" Squealed Alsop in excitement.

"It's just that, my mentor is General Rose." Said Axel, quite unwillingly.

Before Alsop could have the chance to reply, a looming figure placed their hand upon Axel's shoulder firmly and greeted him. This was the aforementioned General Isaac Rose, son of the legendary Indominus Rose and privileged leader of all the knights in Bournington. Although his appearance came off as a similar age to that of Alsop and Axel, his true age was well within his mid-twenties. His hair had taken centre stage for him, as it was a well-maintained coat of red which slightly undermined his equally appealing eyes. A shade of dark brown, the pair had a prominence of fire within them which sparked a tone upon the general's aura. The general was definitively ruthless and cold to the core.

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He had been standing close to the burning embers of Axel's happiness in genuine interest, and this was a saddening sight for Alsop. His heart had plunged into a small locked away feeling of his, envy. Envy provoked his heart to swell, full of emotions that shimmered across his body, and one of these had been bittersweet sadness simmering the cups of his eyes.

"Now then, shall we get going, Axel Astrix?" Asked Isaac.

"Oh yes, I suppose so. Alsop, I guess I'll catch you another time?" Said Axel, his cheeks slightly red.

"Alsop?" Isaac had sharply turned his attention ahead of him. "You're the knight that can't use magic, Alsop Dusseldorf? Am I correct? I am correct, yes?" Isaac asked, his icy eyes indenting harshly into Alsop's smaller, softer pair.

"Yes, that is me, sir." Replied Alsop, fearfully.

The next few seconds had felt like a never-ending plunge into purgatory for Alsop and Axel, as the general quietly cast his eye over Alsop - thinking hard. Suddenly turning to himself, the general lightly signalled for Axel's follow, pulling him away to the soaked streets of the city.

"Goodbye Alsop. I hope we can be good friends in good time." He said, his hand in the air signalling his final farewell.

"How wicked! Axel is lucky to be with him." Said Alsop, his eyes fiery, but swollen slightly with water.

"Alsop Dusseldorf then, I presume? How do you do?" Chuckled a man that had lingered behind him for some time.

This was Captain Alister Sinclair, one of three captains for the city. He was aged and it showed, for he had the early signs of grey hairs strobed across his once young black hair. His age contrasted his light blue eyes, as they seemed young, energetic and ambitious. He may have been older than most, but he was a captain to fear - and not undermine - because of his strong, affirming build. He slanted a smile to his face when he had caught Alsop's attention patiently. This smile had been sweet and sincere, giving Alsop a feeling that someone had given him an actual amount of respect.

"I am Alister Sinclair, the captain that will be mentoring you. You seem surprised, what's the matter with you?" He asked, with his head tilted in confusion.

"Oh, haha, I'm sorry. Yes, I am Alsop, your follower, sir." Said Alsop, his mind broken from a prior silent trance of awe.

"Enough with the formality, you must call me Alister." The Captain laughed.

"If I must, then I will do so." Said Alsop.

"Like our friend, the general, we too have a job we must attend to." Alister said as he began leading the way with Alsop instinctively following beside him.

"Where is our job today, Alister?" Asked Alsop.

"Today, I'm sure you know, is the Festival of Fruit. There is a ball being held at the Royal Hall, so we must protect the new king." Alister's final words had fallen out quite reluctantly.

"The new king!?" Alsop exclaimed.

"The King, yes. My job as a captain is not only to assist the general, but it is to also protect the King at all times." Said Alister, his fist clenched firmly as he looked onwards.

Alsop followed after his mentor tentatively with a watchful eye as he was unsure of Alister's presence - was he a friend or a foe? The two slowly made their way to the ball, but they were walking to the destination, instead of riding there in luxury as General Rose and Axel had.