A Knight's Path (The Path of Cinder Book 1) Read online

  Then they moved to an actual classroom where they learned about the structure of the military and where the Knights fit into it. It was dull and Warren continued to pick at himself until lunch. After that they moved onto something that made Warren feel better. Strength training. For a few hours they lifted weights and Warren was second only to Skorri. Alden fell into the middle of the group but didn’t seem to mind.

  The day ended with dinner and showers. Reginald sneered at Warren and the others as much as possible, except for Elise it seemed. He reserved hungry looks for her which made her brother bristle. But Warren thought his first day was just the first of many, many long days.

  Chapter 10 Break In Routine

  Alden formed a daily routine by his fourth morning. He would get up early and dress and head down to the kitchens to talk to the staff and help. They had started off as being stiff and tense in his presence but eventually a few started to relax. The majority still seemed uncomfortable but Alden knew they would accept him in time. A few minutes before seven the thin boy would head back to his room to wake his partner and make sure they were up on top of the Wall five minutes early.

  The Wall had a wonderful view the young man hadn’t been able to appreciate the first day because of the fog. He could look out and see High Town on one side and the Market on another side. On some days the site of the opulent districts frustrated him as he thought about the conditions some of his friends at home had lived in. His family was successful compared to most when it came to farming. They were still poor miserable wretches compared to the sums of money the bastards down in High Town had. Not to mention some of the fancier shops in the market sold goods that cost four times what his made in a year. The view itself was still beautiful though.

  The run remained mostly the same but the first day was the only day Warren fell to one knee. Every other day he stayed upright and kept moving the whole distance. Alden would finish his run and then head back and keep pace with his larger companion. Offering encouragement when he was at the end of his strength.

  The large boy slid ahead of his peers with little effort in the classroom and Alden caught up and sat in the middle of the class. But he was still moving forward and understanding more and more of the material. Warren helped him learn the more complicated lessons like battle tactics and the conditional clauses of when they outranked whom and in what regards and what authority they had and who could order them around. Knights might be equal to each other in their eyes, but the army didn’t recognize a Paladin and Bastion as equals.

  Warren became a titan in the weight room, rivaled only by Skorri. Alden worked but it was impossible to keep up with his partner. He would get stronger though, just like Warren would lose weight and build his endurance. They ran every day because a mission wouldn’t wait because they were worn out. They had to be able to get up and move at a moment’s notice, even if they had just ran three miles in full armor an hour ago. Alden knew that Sergeant Hunter had a point although it was hard not to be irritated with the man after a hard run.

  The sixth day was the day the routine broke. Alden and Warren made their way into the shower room and drifted into adjacent stalls and started to scrub off the sweat of the day. Alden would change into another uniform after. There was a laundry hamper in the shower room and somehow they knew which uniforms belonged to who because they would show up the next day on their beds cleaned.

  Alden scrubbed out his hair then shut the water off and closed his eyes, trying to relax his aching muscles when he heard the outer curtain of his stall swish. Green eyes rolled and he said, “Already occupied. Bounce down one.”

  Alden’s eyes snapped open as a voice he recognized spoke, “I know.”

  The green eyed teen spun as Blackfeather swung a bag stuffed with something down towards Alden’s head. The young man’s sudden spin made the heavy wad of material thud onto Alden’s shoulder. The young man grit his teeth and felt the air rush out of him as Hawkes punched him in the stomach. Anger flared and Alden grit his teeth as he sucked in a breath through the pain and hit back. The green eyed teen punched Hawkes in the face and made the wealthy boy’s head snap backwards. Reginald shoved Alden’s chest and smashed the bag of material across Alden’s face. The assaulted teen’s head jerk sideways and he lunged forward but Reginald punched him in the face again making Alden stumble back into the wall. The teen grit his teeth as he was punched in the stomach again and then punched in the mouth again. Alden felt his nose break as he was hit again and then Blackfeather planted a right hook across his face knocking a tooth out. Alden surged forward again, shoving Blackfeather away from him and making the blue eyed teen fall. Hawkes grabbed Alden’s hair and slammed his head down, bashing Alden’s forehead against his knee.

  Alden fell back against the wall, blood running down his chin. Reginald kicked him in the side and laughed, “I told you to leave, hick. We won’t be as gentle next time.”

  Blackfeather and his friend left snickering, leaving Alden sitting on the floor. The young man spit blood before he felt the aching hole where a molar had been knocked out with his tongue. His head felt like it was full of cotton and he could hear a ringing sound. Alden reached up and touched his broken nose and jerked it sideways with a hiss. It would still be crooked but they hadn’t shattered it, just broke the tip. He would have a scar along the ridge of his nose. His ribs felt bruised but not broken. Alden spit again and sighed, he would recover with enough time.

  Warren’s voice broke through Alden’s fog of pain, “Alden? What happened?”

  The thin boy felt a surge of anger, his partner, a six and a half foot tall giant, had just stood there while he was beaten senseless? And he wanted to know what happened? Alden spit again before he snapped, “I got the shit kicked outta me no thanks to you.”

  Warren was silent for a minute before he answered, his voice filled with regret, “I’m sorry.”

  Alden’s only reply was a grunt as he stood back up. He winced as he moved and turned the hot water back on, washing the drying blood off his face. His nose had almost stopped bleeding already but the young man had to spit a third time as the hole where his tooth had been flooded his mouth with blood again. Alden jammed his tongue into the opening even though it made his aching jaw flood with pain. The next few days were going to be even longer ones.

  Chapter 11 Broken Bonds

  Warren’s thoughts kept drifting to the sounds of the assault on Alden he had heard the muffled thuds and sharp cracks as the three had fought but it was a two on one fight. The thin boy hadn’t stood a chance by himself but Warren had stood there and listened to it happen. He was big and strong and he could have helped, could have at least tried to help.

  The large teen rolled over in his bed as he listened to the sound of Alden’s heavy snoring. The thin youth hadn’t said anything all evening and his green eyes seemed to be dark and brooding. Warren knew that Alden was angry, very angry, with him and the husky teen didn’t blame him for it. It was a long time before Warren fell asleep.

  The next morning came too soon and Warren woke up to a boot being tossed into his bed. The large teen let out a grunt on impact as he felt the pain. The thinner boy in the room snapped with a thick, slurred voice, “Get up. I’m heading to the Wall.”

  Warren heard the door snap shut as he climbed out of bed. Alden was still mad which was understandable. The big teen sighed and got dressed and ready to face the dreary day. The sky was grey and it kept spitting down rain on the cold recruits. Warren found Alden in the back of the group and sidled up beside him, hoping the skinny teen would calm down as the day wore on.

  Warren saw his partner clearly for the first time. His right eye was black and swollen and his nose had set crooked. The thin teen had a gash over his right eye brow and another gash on the bridge of his nose. His lip had been split and it looked like his whole jaw was tender. Reginald seemed surprised to see the pair there but wiped the lo
ok off of his face with a smirk as he surveyed Alden’s injuries. Skorri looked at Alden and then Reginald and back to the thin teen.

  Skorri pointed at himself, punched his fist into his palm and then gestured toward Reginald. Warren saw his partner shake his head and mouth the word “no”. Skorri shrugged and turned back to his partner. Alden kept clenching his fists and Warren would see his head tilt towards Reginald every few seconds before snapping back straight ahead. The large boy wondered what was running through the smaller teen’s mind.

  The rain started coming down harder as Elise and Enzo arrived, the last to show. Elise saw Alden and her eyes widened but Warren shook his head and she took her place in the group. Enzo studied the injuries and then stood by his sister. A moment later Malcolm arrived and he surveyed the trainees, eyes settling on Alden.

  The Sergeant frowned and asked, “What happened to you, Flint?”

  Alden snorted, “Decided gravity needed a quick test while I was walkin’ down the stairs.”

  Malcolm glared at the teen and said, “Go ahead and be a smart ass. Get running. Missions don’t wait because of the weather.”

  The group started to move through the rain. Warren could see Alden ahead of him,dropping back further then normal but he still kept within the top four of the class. Warren lagged behind after they turned around. He was improving and he made it further then before but he still had to work to get where he needed to be. Alden didn’t come back today though. Warren shook off his injured feeling at the reminder of Alden’s anger and finished his run. His partner moved into the Wall before they usually did.Alden was staying near Skorri and John today. Warren sighed and followed the three, catching up to them a moment later.

  Lunch was a stony affair and eaten with their usual companions. Warren sat by Alden’s side as always but the thin teen didn’t say anything to him. He talked to others and Warren did as well but the pair didn’t say anything to each other. The large youth resigned himself to this treatment and accepted it. The group traveled to class together as they always did and then to the weight room. Skorri and Warren worked together, being the only pair who could match each other in strength.

  Skorri grunted as he worked, “What happened to your friend?”

  Warren’s face formed a sullen smile as he replied, “Blackfeather and Hawkes ambushed him in the showers last night.”

  The blonde youth continued to pump the heavy iron bar and a few seconds later he asked, “That don’t tell me why he’s pissed with you, friend.”

  The husky teen looked down at his feet as shame filled him and he mumbled, “I could have stopped it but I froze. I have never been in a fight before and I heard them jump him. I had no idea what to do and I froze.”

  Skorri set the bar back in its rack and turned to face Warren, “Listen. My dad told me a man will freeze the first time he’s confronted with a choice to truly put his neck on the block for a friend. The second time he’ll make a choice and that’ll tell you what kind of man he is. Don’t beat yourself up too much but next time, make sure you act.”

  Warren turned Skorri’s words over in his head for a minute before answering, “Thank you. I will do better. I will act on what I think is right.”

  Skorri shook his head and stood, motioning for Warren to take his place, “You don’t do what you think is right, friend. You gotta act by what’s in your heart. A man acts best when he feels what he’s doing is right. Not when he thinks he’s right but when he feels it. Do you understand me?”

  The husky teen lifted the heavy bar from its rack as he considered Skorri’s words and he finally answered, “I think I do. It is kind of like what they taught us about someone defending their home. That person is going to fight harder because they have something to protect.”

  The blonde youth grinned, “Something like that.”

  Warren started to sweat with exertion as he thought about everything his friend had told him. Sure, Alden was angry and that was understandable but Warren would make it up to him somehow or other. That much the husky youth knew for certain.

  Chapter 12 Shattered Steel

  Malcolm rushed down the stairs causing a racket as he barreled towards the meeting room. It was odd that the Captain had called for him to be in full armor, especially on a day off for a meeting but the Knight didn’t question his superiors. Malcolm arrived in the meeting room at nine as he was told and found Knight Captain Fox waiting on him. Four other Knights were present including Paladin Booker, Bastion Cole, and a Corporal Malcolm thought was named Solace. Fox motioned towards the last chair.

  The Sergeant sat down as his brain ground away, wondering why the others were all here as well. He had assumed the meeting would be about the recruits but things must be much more serious then he had thought. Fox took in a deep breath and said, “As of today Corporal Solace will be promoted to Inquisitor.”

  Malcolm’s mind froze at the title and he managed to stammer out, “Inquisitor? Why do, why does the Guard need an Inquisitor?”

  Fox shot a glare over at the Sergeant and he answered, “I was getting to that, Sergeant. The reason I have reinstated the Inquisition is because late last night Corporal Rogers was found murdered within the wall. He was in uniform but not in his armor. The Corporal was stabbed twice and from the Inquisitor’s findings it appears that there wasn’t a struggle and that the Corporal was stabbed from the front. Based on that I feel I can safely say that we have a traitor amongst us.

  “The Inquisition will be the fastest way to perform an investigation into the betrayal. This could be a simple case of someone having a problem with the Corporal. Or it could be someone who has developed a grudge against the order or a the Royal Family. You are all my delegates to your branches of the Guard. The Inquisitor outranks all Knights except for myself and the Bastions when a member of Royal Family is present. Bastion Cole, make sure all your Knights are on alert and ready. We can’t afford to let any harm befall a member of the King’s family. Understood?”

  The serious Jessica Cole bowed her head, “Of course, sir.”

  The Captain turned to the Paladin, “Booker, bring in a few Paladins, those experienced with espionage and night operations. They’re going to be patrolling the Wall after the sun goes down.”

  The Paladin nodded his head solemnly, “It will be done.”

  Fox turned his attention to Malcolm, “Don’t let the Cadets know about this but have your Sergeants keep an eye on them. Rogers wouldn’t have his guard up around trainees and it could be one of them. Double check the conscripted soldiers from the Army.”

  Malcolm bobbed his head, “Understood, sir.”

  Fox waved a hand, “Dismissed. Inquisitor Solace, a word.”

  Malcolm rose and left the room, wondering who the killer could be.

  Chapter 13 A Day Away

  To everyone,

  I’m doing alright here. I don’t know if they told you or not but I got transferred out of the Army and into the Royal Guard. It’s been a few weeks now and nothing has really happened. Everyone is friendly enough, Sergeants get a little worked up once in a while but that’s to be expected. The food is good and I’m eating enough so you don’t have to worry about that, Mom.

  With love,

  Alden.

  Alden folded the paper in half and tucked it away into an envelope. He hadn’t mentioned how Reginald had attacked him two weeks ago mainly because the young man didn’t want his family to worry. The green eyed teen rose to his feet and stretched as he turned towards his bed. The other half of the room was empty leaving Alden feeling more relaxed then normal. He wasn’t truly angry with Warren but he still felt a resentment towards the larger man. Who let their friend get the snot beat out of them while they sat idly by and let it happen?

  Alden shook the thought away and fell onto his bed. Tomorrow they had a day off at last and the trainees had been given five crowns ea
ch. More money then he had ever held in his life and he had earned it in a month. The Royal Guard were the best soldiers of the Kingdom and they would earn ten crowns a month once they were full fledged Knights. Warren had seemed surprised by the amount as well but for the opposite reason. He had expected more but in the end he shrugged it aside and thought that someone doesn’t expect much when they were a public servant. The thinner of the pair had felt a flash of anger at the careless way Warren dismissed the money. It was what many people could make in a whole year.

  The young man made a mental note to put one of his crowns in the envelope in the morning and to seal it. He closed his eyes and relaxed. Tomorrow would be an excellent day. Some fresh clothes to wear besides the uniforms he was provided, food not from a cafeteria. Alden fell asleep with a smile on his face.

  The next morning arrived and Alden tossed on his clean uniform, grabbed his letter and left the room. Warren could wake up whenever he decided to get around to it. The large boy had lost some weight over the past few weeks and Alden had seen him heading back up to the wall after the others were finished. He could keep up with the others and was stronger then Skorri now. There was no doubt that Warren was determined to do better.

  As the green eyed boy thought of the blonde giant Skorri appeared ahead of him and offered a wide grin, “Alden, there you are. John and I were just heading down into the Market. I figured you’d be tagging along though.”

  Alden smiled back, “I was plannin’ on it. I reckon Warren can get up at his own time.”