The Mageknight

chapter 1

A boy, of age thirteen, walked down a dirt path that lead down the side of his father's farm. The boy's name was Jace. Jace was thin and short for his age. He had bronze skin, a petite face, bright green eyes and raven black hair that was always wild and untameable Also, quite notably, he had a peculiar mark on his forehead, small enough that it won't be noticed most of the time, but still quite large to hold a prominent figure on his face. He was walking down the path to the little farmhouse, where he and his father lived. His mother had died while he was quite young, and his father was the only family he had left. It was getting dark, as he finally reached the house door, and he opened it.

 His father was there, at the kitchen table setting it with dishes and plates and cutlery, so that they could eat, his father was a tall man, bronze-skinned and with a chiselled face. His eyes were a deep brown and his hair a coal-black. He was good-natured and always smiling. His name was Grenous Darwich, but Jace always called papa.

"Hello, nice to see you made it home for dinner." He smiled, greeting Jace as if they were friends. "You're in luck tonight. We've got hotpot and bread tonight the baker was kind enough to cut me a deal.""Thanks, Papa," Jace said, smiling back. He sat down at the table and started digging in his food. His father was also about to sit down when there was a knock on the front door. "Wait here, and finish your supper. I'll go see what it is." Said papa, walking towards the front door. 

As Jace continued eating, he heard the front door opening and Papa's voice exclaiming. "Sorin, long time no see, old friend." Then, Papa shouted. "Jace come here, I need you to meet someone!" Jace got up, leaving his dinner half-finished, and went to the door. There, standing almost a foot taller than his father, and wearing light chainmail armour and carrying a large sword in a scabbard that went around his back. The man was fair-skinned, and brown-haired, with the air of a veteran of war. When he looked at Jace, his eyes widened, but he recovered his posture almost as quickly. Jace's father said "this is Sorin, he and I go a long time back.," then turning back to Sorin, but including Jace in the conversation "Last I heard you had gotten your apprenticeship to a knight and moved away. What happened since then?"

Sorin said "well you know, I had my adventures and fun. I wanted to see you again, and I finally found out where you lived from an old wizard. Seems like you got quite a farm going on here""Yes, inherited it from my father." Said Papa"Well, I didn't come here just to see you. I've been looking for an apprentice, but I couldn't find one free boy in 3 leagues that would be fit for my job." Said Sorin, exasperated. "Your boy has potential in the field. I can see it in his eyes and hands. Is already apprenticed?""No." Said Papa "I've been having some trouble getting him an apprenticeship. No one is free. I'd be delighted to let you have him. There's no one I would trust more."

Sorin turned to Jace. "So? You okay with me being your new master?"

Jace had also been worried about his future for quite some time now. The Farm that they lived on would go to Jace's older brother, who was studying agriculture abroad, and Jace would be jobless. Only today he had enquired at all the businesses in the village about a mile from the farm with no luck. Getting an apprenticeship as a knight, from his father's childhood friend no less, was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Oh yes, I would be thankful for you to take me in," said Jace happily."Great, then we can leave now. Knighthood is very hard to achieve, and your already half a year late." Said Sorin enthusiastically.

"Now, wait a minute Sorin. "Said Papa chuckling. "I know you're anxious to get started with the boy, but let him have his dinner before he goes. Also, I must dig up the fees from somewhere.""Oh, no need for that." Said Sorin. "It would be my pleasure to take him. There's no need for fees. And of course, he can have his dinner before he goes. He is going to have to stay at my place anyways. I live too far away. He can come back on month ends."

"What, I would have to leave Papa?" said Jace"Don't worry, Jace. Your brother will be coming back soon." Said papa "Infect, you can meet him on your first-month end. He can help me on the farm with his new techniques he's learned. You go ahead and begin your knighthood. It's a good future for you, honestly. Now go and finish your dinner. I'll pack your bag.""Okay," said Jace sadly. He went back to his plate and finished the last few morsels that were left. In the meantime, Papa got a rucksack, filled with a water bottle a picture of them both, and some money, while Sorin waited patiently at the door.After Jace finished, he picked up the bag. Papa was talking to Sorin at the door. "Go on, take the money. It's for his equipment. I can't have you providing him with his sword as well." Papa was saying.

Sorin was refusing until finally. "Okay, but no more money. This is only for his equipment. Now come along Jace." He started to walk off."Bye Jace." Said Papa, smiling. "See you in a few weeks.""Bye Papa!" shouted Jace as he ran off behind Sorin, to begin his new life as a squire to the knight Sorin.