The Wandering Knight: Chapter 1

It had been seven years. Seven years to the day that Nathaniel had been training with Master Silas. He had grown up from the small eleven year old that wasn't able to stand up for himself to a tall brown hair, blue eyed man that had the confidence to stand up to anyone. But even with this important day for his training Nathaniel had no idea that it was an important day.

As he reached the crest of the hill he could finally see his masters hut. He had seen it so many times. Just like this, the late afternoons sun peaking out over the hut and his home town Tyr visible as he walked up. He had come up every day for seven years for these daily practices. It had almost become a ritual for him.

He reached the small shack and knocked on the door like always. Inside he could hear the grumbling of an old man. Along with some shuffling and the sound of a walking stick hitting the ground. And with a creak, the door opened revealing a short old man with bushy grey hair and a long beard holding a very worn walking stick. This was his Master, the Kingdom's old sword master Sir Silas of Tyr.

"Ahhh you're finally here. Took you long enough. I thought this might be the first day I am not bothered by you." said Silas with his gruff voice.

"Sorry Sir my responsibilities on the farm took longer than usual today. My father had me running additional errands in town even with my usual work. But I am here now, so what are we working on today?"

Sir Silas gestured to inside the hut and Nathaniel quickly moved inside going to his usual seating place across the room on a small chair in the corner.

"Well today is very special day. One that I have been waiting for for a long while. Do you know how long I have been training you?"

"I haven't the slightest idea Sir."

"Seven years, seven years to the day. I trained you from the shrimp you were crying and running away from the older boys to the man who most of the town would run and hide behind."

"That's not true Sir, most of the girls still don't go near me"

"Well that's your own damn fault you awkward fool."

"It's not my fault I have no idea how to speak to them!"

They both laughed. This type of banter was usual for them, albeit usually while training rather than sitting in the hut.

"Alright, it's time kid" With that said Master Silas got up from his seat and shuffled to a chest on the other side of the room. Opening the old chest and rustling about in it for a few seconds he emerged with a bundle of cloth.

"This is for you kid. It was meant to go to my son but as you know he passed away a long time ago. So it goes to the next best thing"

He handed the bundle of cloth to Nathaniel who quickly unwrapped it. Inside this old cloth was the most beautiful sword Nathaniel had ever seen. A blue gemstone at the base of the hilt. Gold engravings of flame covering the rest of the hilt and climbing up the base of the blade. On the blade something was engraved on both sides but Nathaniel couldn't read it. It seemed to be written in some sort of runes.

"A hero's legacy, that's what it says. I could see the confused look on your face. That's the name of the blade. Because the one thing a hero leaves behind is the memory of all that's they've done. Now I used this blade for many years it always served me well and I think in time you will see why."

"Sir, I don't know what to say. This is the greatest honor you could give me"

"It's not an honor kid, it's now your duty to carry on this legacy"

"I shall Sir"

"Now don't you want to go test it out make sure it to your liking?"

"Of course sir" And with that Nathaniel rushed out of the hut to practice with his new Sword. He practiced all the techniques he had been working to perfect in the recent months. The sword was just as perfect as he could imagine it.

And just like that the time flew by going from just some basic testing in the afternoon to realizing it was dusk.

"Alright Sir it is getting late I should be getting back home."

"Finally, get out of my hair so I can have my peace and quiet."

"Can do, can I come back tomorrow to practice some more?"

"Even if I say no, you'll show up"

"Yes I will"

"Then no you can't come back"

"See you tomorrow Sir"

"See you tomorrow kid"

Nathaniel marched down the hill his head a whirl with excitement about his gift and fatigue from training. This had been, probably, the best day of his life (closely followed by when he ALMOST got a date with his crush). But now he was ready to go and show his parents the gift Sir Silas had given him.

Half an hour later Nathaniel was back to his family's farm. Approaching from the road leading to town Nathaniel had a very clear view of his family's home. As he walked up he could see the light from the inside of his house and murmur of his parents, but decided to make a stop and swing by the stable. Walking into the small stable he could see what he wanted to immediately, his horse Phillip.

"Hey Phillip, look what I got today" Nathaniel said and then drew his sword from his scabbard. Even in the dull light the sword shown like the sun was still out.

"Maybe now me and you will be like those knights in stories, riding into battle on their trusty steed." He muttered while stroking his horses mane.

"Well I have to go buddy, we will go out tomorrow" He sheathed the sword, left the stable, and headed towards the house.

It was warm inside even for the end of summer. As soon as Nathaniel entered the house he saw he was late for dinner. Both his parents were already at the table sitting with a meal in front of them. Standing in the doorway Nathaniel knew he had messed up.

"You are late Nathaniel" Said his mother. Her tone was not angry but still firm. But taking a closer glance at her Nathaniel could see that she was hiding a smile.

"We have been waiting here for a while what do you have to say in your defense"

"Well, today Sir Silas gave me this" Nathaniel said drawing his sword. Again the sword shown like it was midday in the middle of summer. The engravings of flame looking like real flame as the shadows of fire danced on it.

"That is quite the gift. Last time we saw him he told us that he was gonna give you a new sword to replace the old one you have been using on the seventh anniversary of your training. But this is beyond anything I could dream up" Said his father.

"Well we can all admire your new gift after dinner so for now put that away and sit down before your dinner gets colder than it already is" Responded his mother.

With that Nathaniel put the sword in back in the sheath and set it by the door. Sitting down for dinner Nathaniel couldn't be happier. After dinner he and his family sat down and talked about the journey he had been on training with Sir Silas, all while admiring the beauty of A Hero's Legacy. Soon enough it was time for bed. Heading upstairs to his room Nathaniel was happy beyond belief excited to show his friend Nick his newly acquired weapon and learn more from Sir Silas. Looking out the window he could see some lights sitting on the town twinkling in the distance. It was beautiful. The town Tyr where he had grown up, gone to school, and made friends lay there like a diamond in the rough.

"Time for bed" Nathaniel thought. If he didn't get to bed early he would be late to do his morning chores and then be late to see Sir Silas again so it was best that he head to bed. He climbed into his small bed and like that he was asleep.

The night was hot. Too hot for how late it was in the summer. Nathaniel woke up sweating. The heat of summer always had given him some trouble sleeping. Nathaniel stood up and from his spot across the room he could see out the window. The town of Tyr on fire.