A nameless runt is given the opportunity of a lifetime when he is given a chance to escape the gallows and join a secluded legion of knights known as the Bulwarks. Not much is known about them from the outside, but the boy's savior suggests that it...
As I gained my consciousness I found myself in the middle of a mountain range. The mountains were not familiar to me and I was resting on the center of a stone circle. As I looked up I realized I wasn't alone. Not too far from me stood a knight on a cliff looking at me. They did not move or speak. The only kinetic element of their body was clothing they wore that blew in the gusts of wind. They did not have any colors signifying a legion or kingdom.
After a long silence between us the warden spoke, "Lies hide what's beyond the veil. Lies blur the vision. Lies cannot be left to fester. Find them."
The warden continued to repeat the phrase several times as I sat and watched him. No matter what I did the warden never acknowledged my existence nor did he respond to my calls. Out of nowhere another voice started calling out from beyond,
Suddenly I woke up again except this time I was in my actual room and leaning on the frame of my door was Dad who had his arms crossed over his chest. He looked at me in a curious expression as he lifted one eyebrow at me.
"Bad dream?" He questioned in a low sympathetic tone.
"Not necessarily..." I responded slowly.
"Get up Condor, we've gotta go get you your first set of armor."
"Really?!?"
"You know a squire without armor doesn't last long in a battle right?"
"What kind of question is that!"
I didn't even try to hide my excitement. I quickly got out of bed and got dressed before I met with my Dad at the great hall for breakfast.
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(Art by Mark Molnar)
In the hall I found him eating with both Mrs. Annora and Mrs. Adelaide. They appeared to be in the middle of a conversation before I had approached.
"Oh! Hello Condor! Come my boy, eat with us will you?" asked Mrs. Adelaide as she patted the open seat next to her. I heeded her request and sat down. She seemed to favor me over the rest of her pupils since I wasn't one to protest anything she asks of me.
Mrs. Annora shifted in her seat and just quietly ate her porridge while Mrs. Adelaide talked to Dad. It didn't take me long to figure out that Mrs. Annora was the same woman at the brigand raid after she joined the legion but I was somewhat grateful for her. She showed honor during that whole predicament when she could've just used me as a meat shield.
