He grins.
“Well, luckily I have you to be insufferably observant.” I roll my eyes at him as he lets out a low chuckle.
“Drills?” he asks me.
I nod, already heading to the yard.
“Swords up,” Kael calls, his voice carrying easily. “Remember, one mistake can cost you your life.”
He walks up and down, watching the knights train.
I take my place at the edge of the yard, arms folded, watching. The sun is high in the sky now, catching on helmets and armour.
There is a familiar comfort in watching the young knights train, seeing those who want to better themselves, push themselves to be the greatest they can be.
But then there are always those who think themselves better than the rest.
Cocky.
Arrogant.
Ironically, I was one of them.
The arrogance I probably still have. But now it’s earned.
I am the best there is.
No doubt.
But it didn’t come for free.
“Blade up Armstrong, your left flank is wide open,” I say to the newest knight in front of me.
“Respectfully, sir. I move too fast for them to even get near me,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me and glancing around at his peers. A few of the others laugh. Someone mutters something about luck.
I tilt my head at him, arms behind my back. “Too fast?”
“Yes, sir."
“How fast?”
He shrugs, rolling his shoulders. “Fast enough, faster than most."
The laughter grows.
I step closer now, lowering my voice.
“Fast enough to see the strike?” I ask.
“Yes, sir.”
“To hear it?”
“Yes.”
“To feel it?”
