Origins Of Valour

Chapter IV-I Didn't Ask To Be Attacked

The next few days pass in a similar manner. Learning the histories of the kingdom and magic, slowly reading my way through the stack of books Lloyd had set out for me. Even worse than the ever growing pile of books though, was the social and etiquette training. Lloyd made me practice for hours. Some things were simple, like knowing which fork to eat with at which time and to stand up straight and hold my head high. Others were more challenging, like having to memorize how to greet guests. Which guests to greet first based on their status, and how to greet each guest based on their status. It was a pain, and completely dull. In a word, life had become monotonous. Lloyd and I spent just about every day following the same routine, the only differences being an occasional trip into the rest of the city. Lloyd insisting that we wear disguises so we could more easily slip past the guards. When in the lower city we wouldn't do much, mostly a lot of walking. Lloyd would occasionally stop at some old library, but always come out with a saddened expression on his face. "Why do you keep going in those old shops? Don't you already have a copy of just about every book in the kingdom?" He continues walking, turning around and walking backwards to face me as he spoke. "As you said, I have 'just about' every book, but there might still be some I don't have." He faces forward again and doesn't speak until were back to the castle. And as most days usually end, so does today, in the same dull and monotonous fashion.

A few days later, fate decided to change things up a bit with my routine. And when I say that, I mean that I got separated from Lloyd out in the city. Everything would have been fine if I hadn't made a few wrong turns trying to get back to the castle. As my luck would have had it, I ran into a bunch of thugs. Mind you, these were not your average back-alley, school dropouts. These were actual trained magic users, and I, having no real experience with magic, was viewed as easy pickings. They took just about anything they saw of value off of me, a few coins in my pocket really, and beat me to unconsciousness. I came to a few hours later as the sun was setting, and the air had grown chill. Sitting up gingerly, wincing when I discovered a new bruise or cut. I try and stand, only to fall over from the pain of what I can safely assume is a broken ankle. I heave myself up, putting all my weight on a nearby crate. The wood beneath my hands feels slightly damp, like these boxes had been left here to rot. I'm thankful when I discover that breaking off a piece to use as a crutch was an easy feat. With my makeshift crutch situated under my arm, I manage to hobble my way back toward the castle. I'm soaked in sweat and out of breath by the time I reach the front gate, and luck was on my side this time as I was soon found by the guards.