Part LXII

After that first encounter everything went downhill. The boy was looking suspiciously at Joel and the captain with the rest of the guards were more or less openly laughing. Joel didn't feel being treated seriously. He was wearing the same clothes as the rest of the guards yet during the first meeting one guy opend the door in front of Joel and let him in saying.

"Ladies first."

"Thank you."Joel smiled and decided to wait till he came up with any idea how to pay them back.

On the plus side was the fact that he had his own room and the food was good. End of benefits.

Today Joel was at the training grounds. Immediately his father came to his mind. There was a time that Joel trained like crazy hoping to fulfill father's expectations. He was good but in a sword fight he could only count on his agility as he wasn't as strong as all those big guys. Joel learned how to win but it wasn't the way father wanted him. Not in a clean way, like a real knight. It didn't help reminding father that there are many dead knights who fought clean.

Now he was just sitting on a bench watching men spar and waiting for his turn. They were good after all they were Michel's soldiers. A few of them were standing together and talking quietly. Still Joel managed to hear a few words, they were mocking him.

A tall black haired man approached Joel. It was the same guy who opened the door in front of Joel and called him "lady". So it's going to be him. Joel tilled his head and smiled brightly.

"We all need to train, so although I don't hit girls I seem to have no other choice."

Laughter behind Joel's back made him aware that everybody was listening and waiting for the show.

"I have no problems hitting a girl, I had a really nasty sister." Joel stood up and slowly followed the man. They both had light wooden sparring swords which was great as Joel was sure that with a real sword he would be clearly at a disadvantage.

"Have mercy on that girl Theo!"

"Don't kill her!"

Joel was standing still opposite to the man and waited for the signal to start. The man, Theo, as they called him, stood leisurely. He was a head taller and well built, so he will be slower. Joel watched him so full of himself.

"Begin!"

Joel threw the wooden sword directly at Theo who was too taken aback to dodge it so he got hit in his head. At the same time he darted at Theo and grabbed his collar, Joel turned his hips , placed his right leg behind Theo's right leg and using his own body as a leverage threw Theo on the ground. The man landed on his back with a loud thud. Joel didn't waste any second; he was immediately on top of the man with his dagger in his hand and in an instant held it at Theo's throat.

Theo blinked in surprise, everyone was speechless for a moment.

"How does it feel to be beaten by me?" Joel smiled as sweetly as he could.

"That was a filthy trick, knights don't fight like that!" Joel heard behind his back. He stood up and turned around looking all those men in the eyes.

"I'm not a knight. I fought many times and I've sent a few knights who fought properly to the grave. In the end gentlemen what really matters is who stays alive and who bites the dust." Jole hid his dagger back in his shoe. He untied his hair as few loose strands were distracting him. For a moment all the men were watching him with round eyes.

"Filthy mercenary without any honor." One of the men spit on the ground showing his disgust.

"Maybe but an alive one, honorable knight." Joel moved aside and with a big grin sat down on the bench. It felt good to kick that big man's ass.

Theo stood up too, he looked annoyed as hell. His teeth were clenched and so were his fists.

"You'll be sorry for this." He threatened Joel through his teeth.

"I'm shaken to the core from fear." Joel looked up at the towering man. Since he had enough of being looked down by all those guards Joel stood up and decided to push it even further.

"One stupid knight less it's not a problem so watch your back my proper knight." Well that was a bit over the top but Joel was pissed and had enough of the shitty treatment they were giving him.

The atmosphere didn't get any better, all of them were looking at Joel and he felt just like back than at the training grounds with his father.

"Hold your horses and get back to training." Captain decided to enter between them. At that very moment a young servant came running.

"Captain, a large group of men is approaching the mansion." The servant's cheeks were flushed and a slight panic was lurking through his eyes.

"Knight's get ready!" A strong voice immediately forced men to rush to the armory. Soon all the knights gathered immediately picking their armours. Joel wanted to come too but was stopped by one of them.

"This is a task for the knights, you are not one. Just as you said."

"Yet, I'm I guard and I don't think you are not in a position to refuse any man's power."

"You should go back to the little duke and the rest of the women." The captain responded, making the knights laugh.

Joel stopped, he felt the ridicule but decided to lay low. After all, he was here to protect Michel's son. That was his first and most important mission.

All the knights left the ground and Joel went straight to the mansion. He collected a few knives and took a sword, just in case. He was ready to hold his ground.