Graves (the beginning)

Swallowing the last morsel of food, Graves turns toward the servant, and with a smile says, "I guess we can't keep Sir Keiswell waiting. Please take me to him." Standing up he waits for the servant to take him to where he needs to be.

Graves follows the boy to the armory, where Sir Keiswell Lanogeise awaits him. The knight appears more at ease than during their first meeting; but it is clear that the dark curly haired knight is not entirely pleased to see you.

"You will do as I say, when I say it. Is that understood?" he asks. The knight doesn't wait for a response, just nods under the assumption that Graves consents. "We have been given a mission for the morrow. We are to accompany several guards and a trio of prisoners who are wanted for crimes in Markston; the chief port city of the Talmarks. We will rise early in the morning."

Sir Keiswell picks up a plain but well made sword, sheaths it in a scabbard, and hands it to Graves. "This is your blade now. You will learn to use it like your fist."

YOU HAVE GAINED A SWORD



A barrel chested, stout bellied bald man with a long black beard walks into the armory with a shield in his hands. He brings it to Sir Keiswell, who in turn hands it to you. "This will be your shield, you will learn to wear it like your skin."


YOU HAVE GAINED A SHIELD


"Explore the city," the knight tells; "or go to bed now. I don't care what you do with your time. But be at the Northern Gate by sun up."

Taking the scabbard and shield, Graves puts the sword at his side and shrug his shield to his back. Then he bows and thanks Sir Keiswell and walks to his room for a good night of sleep. Why did he go to bed instead of exploring, one might ask. Well He had figured he had seen enough of the city while living on the streets.

Waking up before dawn he got his clothes on and his shield and sword. He proceeded to walk down to the north gate.

The morning is cold enough for Graves to see his breath as he walks. The sky is dark and starless, the lights of the sky obscured by clouds.

Sir Keiswell sits horseback, awaiting your arrival. There is another horse at his side without a saddle. "You are prompt this morning, lad;" he says. "Much better than yesterday."

He looks up the road into the city. "The guards will be joining us soon," the knight says. "They, along with Sir Marcus KeFalin, his newly acquired squire, and three prisoners. We will outnumber the men we escort more than two to one."

"This is your horse," he says, holding the reigns out for the boy to take.

You have gained - one horse!

Graves takes the reigns from the knight and prepare himself to get on the horse.

This would be his first attempt at getting on, let alone riding, a horse; so he was a bit nervous. Steadying his breath, he sends up a prayer to whatever or whoever might be watching him, and Starts to mount the horse.

Getting on the right side of the horse Graves puts his right foot on the stirrup and attempts to swing himself on top of the horse. Landing in the saddle if it works.

Graves is able to launch himself up onto the saddle easily enough but finds that stopping his momentum to be far more difficult, he slides off of the other side of the horse to land on the cobbled stone ground, a bit of mud dirtying his clothes.

Sir Keiswell laughs. "Try it again, boy; this time take it slow."

With grim determination Graves repeats the same motions. Only this time taking it more slowly as the knight suggested.

Graves has successfully mounted his horse. As Sir Keiswell gives him a few pointers on what to do when they're actually riding (but before he gets to 'how to stop') they see a pair of horses coming their way, a knight on one and a young squire on the other.


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