For Honor: Council of Caminus

New Beginnings

(Art by AlynSpiller)

Ashfeld: 6 years before the advent of Apollyon...

The prison was cold, damp, and had a sense of eeriness so pervasive that the shadows sometimes seemed to be whispering in conspiracy. I had to rot in those cells for 3 days, awaiting a verdict that was most likely going to be a death sentence. I know what I had done and to be honest the only thing I regret is not being smart enough or fast enough to get away.

The only thing that kept my mind off of the sense of dread was the occasional passing of a prison guard crunching their boots along the cobblestone floor as they made their rounds. I sometimes watched them as they passed by and a few times even tried to spark a conversation. But alas my attempts were in vain. I only wish that this god forsaken place had more light than just the tiny window blocked by bars and the sparsely used torches placed throughout the halls.

While I was contemplating my misfortune I suddenly hear the creaking of a large door and then hear a conversation from what sounded like two men. They were too far to clearly hear what they were talking about but from the sound of clanking armor I assumed that one of them was a knight. I knew what they were here for. I was the only prisoner on this cell block and they had entered the closest door to my cell.

Despite my hard life I did not want it to end. My fears began to grow as I saw the approaching torchlight from the right of my cell. The talking grew louder but it was drowned out by my heart that was pounding in my chest as loud as a war drum. My hearing was filled and my vision was clouded with tears of regret. Then I saw him. A warden and the guard who was patrolling my cell block were standing in front of my cell.

(Mysterious warden)

"Is this the one?" asked the warden.

"Yes sir, this one fits your parameters as per requested." The guard responded.

"Good... Open it."

"Sir I'm not sur-"

"I said open it. I know what I am doing."

The guard then obliged the warden's request. The warden then walked and knelt down in front me.
"Tell me kid, how old are you?"

"14 s-s-sir." I responded wearily.
"Do you have a name?"

I shook my head.

"Interesting..."

Slowly, the warden then rose to his feet and faced the guard.
"As of now this boy is under my custody," claimed the warden.

"Sir! You must understand that this boy is a thief and must pay for his cri-."

Before he could finish the warden shoved a small bag into the guard's hands. The two then exchanged a moment of silence. The guard cautiously opened the bag and was soon had the expression shock. He then looked at the knight and yelled,
"Sir! You surely jest!"

"Surely we can overlook the petty crime of a small boy can't we?" The warden inquired.

The guard was silent for a moment before he responded,
"Uhh, OF COURSE! Just a simple misdeed! I'm sure you'll straighten the boy out!"

"Smart man! Now go buy something nice for your spouse!"

The warden then patted the guard on the back before turning back to me.
"Get up kid, you're coming with me."

I had no idea what was going on but all I knew that this was way better than the gallows...

The warden and I eventually exited the prison and entered the city. As we left I was greeted by the warm glow of the sun. Its piercing rays warming my body and very soul. As we walked though the streets I watched as people went along with their lives. I saw kids playing, knights talking to the local citizens, traders along the streets showing their wares, and the occasional farmers bringing their crops from outside the city. For the most part the city looked... happy...

We eventually passed through alleys that I remembered sleeping in when I was way younger. I suddenly snapped back to reality as I turn to the warden who's name I still did not know. Of course, I was still a bit apprehensive about the whole situation so I was too scared to ask him anything.

I continued to silently follow him until he turned his head toward a bakery and saw the chef pull out a fresh batch of bread from his brick oven. As I traced his sight and noticed the bakery myself my mouth began to water.

The knight then turned to me and inquired,
"Are you hungry? I can see drool on your face."

I nodded my head after wiping my mouth. He then walked up to the baker and bought to pieces of bread and handed me one. We then sat on a bench and began to eat. As I sunk my teeth into the bread I savored every bite. This was way better than anything I every ate before, which now that I think of it wasn't much since I usually ate stale bread or rats that I caught in the alleys.

As we were eating I looked at the warden and studied his features. He had deep brown eyes seemed to be guided by an inquisitive mind, short brown hair with tiny hints of silver, a stubble that was accompanied by a bushy mustache that nestled under his nose. His most notable feature was a long scar that ran down from his right cheekbone to his jawline.

He eventually glanced at me and I quickly averted my gaze from him. He was the first to speak.
"Tell me kid. What did you do that got you in so much trouble? And don't be scared to answer, I won't be mad..."

"I, um, was caught stealing a dagger from a peacekeeper."

The warden nearly choked on his bread.
"HUH?!?!"

I stared at the cobblestone road to avoid seeing his disappointment.

"Your one gutsy little fella ain't ya?"
The warden said in a shocked yet excited tone.

"Tell me, how did you get caught?"

"I tried to sell it but got caught by a law bringer who knew the peacekeeper."

"To think that you got the sleight of hand to pick pocket a peacekeeper. I bet she'd kill you if she knew where we were."

"I really hope not."

"Don't worry, no one is gonna lay a hand on you. I promise."

At this point I was growing more comfortable around the warden who seemed be honestly interested in my story. I soon enough got enough confidence to ask him questions.

"Ummm sir, what do you plan on doing with me?"

"That is for you to decide..."

I looked at him with confusion and he noticed this and quickly followed up his statement.
"I'm giving you a choice, make an honest living here or wherever you want... or come with me and as my student I will make you a knight."

Out all of things he could have said this was the one thing I never would have expected to come out of his mouth.

"But why would you want a criminal as your apprentice?!"

"In my eyes, hunger is not a crime, you were only trying to handle the cards you were dealt... So what is your answer?"

For the first time of my life I had two choices that weren't between a rock and a hard place. We sat there for what felt like an eon as I mulled over my options. When it came down to it, I knew that if I chose freedom I'd be right back where I started. A thief, no more and no less.

But if I decided to follow him then they'd be a chance I could make something of myself.
In the end I said to him, "If I'm going to go with you sir then could you give me your name?"

"Of course, my name is Reginald Daubeny."

I suppose today was for new beginnings...