Completed Enter: The Squire! (Richard)

[Arkale]

Arkale listened to his Squire in silence. He knew that most Squires became such because their parents were Knights before them, but Richard made a very good point: this was not reason enough to devote your life to the order and discipline it required to become a Syliran Knight. Arkale respected his choice and his answer. It was not all too different from Arkale's own reasons for becoming a Knight. "I joined the Knights to better myself as well, but not only to better, but to become something more than another civilian... You see, I grew up in Zeltiva and studied under my father for my entire childhood. When I was about 19 Winters old, my father paid for me to attend the university. I learned alot, but at the same time, I learned nothing. Reading a book and listening to lectures can only do so much...after a certain point you need to get out there and experience life...other wise it will pass you by." A forelorn look wandered into his eyes as he spoke. He appriciated his Squire's desire to learn, and looked forward to teaching him everything he knew, as well as learning from the boy. Arkale had learned that teachers were not by any means the only ones that needed to learn a thing or two, and more often than not, they learned from the very people they intended to teach. "If you keep that attitude, you will go far in the Syliran Knights. Brining knowledge to the table always has its boons." Arkale smiled, for his goal was also similar. Learning came with the responsibility to pass on that learning to others. He wanted to venture far into Mizahar and experience as much as he could, so that one day he may return, share the Knowledge with the Knights, and better serve the Windoak because of it. OOCLets do a simple time lapse. Maybe write something real quick about Rich going to change, and jump to the stallion. We will Arkale did the same.

[Richard Burke]

OOCOk, sounds like a plan

Richard pondered what Arkale had said as he peeled off his plate mail. It never seemed like it took a long time, to take it off. But that was only because Richard always became introspective, and thoughtful during this time. It was like a sacred ritual, taking each piece off, inspecting it, cleaning it, and putting in on a rack. It took upwards of 10 quiet minutes to complete this knightly ritual. Richard did some basic stretches, hoping to beat the stiffness that he knew would be coming soon. Arkale had raised some valid points, and Richard was sure it was going to be a profitable venture.

As Richard left the dormitories he was still thoughtful, wondering about Zeltiva, and the possibilities the university held. Though he had never uttered a word to anyone, he had a burning desire to learn magic. He remembered reading about many different type, some of them sounded too dangerous, but the one that interested him the most was shielding. But, he decided to wait, to tell any of this secret desires to Arkale.

Richard made his way quietly to the Rearing Stallion, he rarely made conversation with any of the people of ran across, it wasn’t an arrogance sort of thing, he just never had anything in common with many of the people of the city. The city was bustling, people running too and fro, but the Stallion itself was rather empty. A few people had stopped in to get lunch, so Richard grabbed a spot by the fire.

He motioned for a mug of pale ale, and 2 lunches, it was the least he could do if Arkale was going to order. It would take sometime before the food would reach their table, and he hoped Arkale would be here by then. He sipped on his ale, he was still a lightweight, even after all these years.

[Arkale]

Arkale pushed through the doors of the Rearing Stallion, sans plate armor as well. It took a moment for him to locate Richard, and he wasted no time making his way to the table the Squire had secured. As he sat down, he reached in his coinpurse and pulled out a single gold-rimmed Miza and a set of silver-rimmed ones as well. He did a quick calculation of the price involved: 2 silver-rims apiece for the beers, then 5 silver-rims apiece the the meals the Knight assumed the Squire had already ordered. Making a grand total of 1 Gold-Rimmed Miza and 4 Silver-Rimmed Miza. He placed the coins on the table and took a seat. He hefted the mug and took a rather deep pull from the amber contents. So much better than Kelp Beer... No matter how many times he drank beer or ale he could not get over how much better it tasted than the brew back from his home town. "The first thing I need to know is how much you like to learn, and how fast you are at picking things up."

[Richard Burke]

It took a moment for Richard to notice Arkale, no one looked the same while wearing plate mail. Richard say Arkale get out his purse, and he almost said that he was making a joke- but the coins were spirited away before he could speak. The ale was good as usual, even if he could never chug the stuff.

Arkale posed an interesting question, no knight had ever asked him “how much”- they usual would say “This much”, or some similar command. Richard thought about it between small drinks of his pale ale. “I would like to learn the history of this land, and other lands, and the magics, and energies that grow, and hinder them.” He almost regretted mentioning the word ‘magic’. Richard was still not sure this man’s stance on it. Some people are fearful, and aggressive towards magic, and the users themselves.

”I also would like to master the shield, and sword, so I can protect Syliras.” He did indeed feel the need to protect his homeland, many terrors lurked the seemingly calm lands around the city, and the thousands of acres of farm land that were in the knights’ charge.

[Arkale]

The Knight smiled when he learned his Squire wanted to learn magic. Arkale knew the concept of voiding, and in fact was quite talented at it, though he didn't find a very combat effective use for it yet. He also knew Auristics, the art of seeing and reading auras. It was something he learned a while back and thought it might serve him well as a Knight. "I encourage the pursuit of magic, in fact, I myself know the arts of Voiding and Auristics. Both a very useful, but my knowledge doesn't extend past those two schools." He hoped the boy would learn Reimancy or Shielding, maybe both, but that was just Arkale projecting his wished on his Squire, after all, he wanted the boy to find his own way in the Knighthood. It was when Richard brought up protecting his city that Arkale put down his mug. He thought a minute, and was completely unfazed when the barmaid brought two plates of food and placed them on the table. The Knight looked long and hard at Richard, forming his words carefully. "Richard, take what I am about to say to heart, and never forget it... A Knight does not defend his city with sword and shield." Arkale paused, reached over and jabbed a finger at Richard's chest, "A true Knight defends what he loves with his heart. Purity, Justice, Faith, Honor, Loyalty, Courage, and Resolve; these are the virtues of a Knight, and they will do more for you in life than skill with sword and shield." His amber eyes were somber and deep. Within their depths swirled passion, and the belief that those words were the perfect description of a perfect Knight and the core of the Knighthood. Of course, this was not to say that Richard was foolish in choosing to study weapons, after all, what was a Knight without his sword? Then again it is better to ask, what was a Knight without heart? A soldier; a remorseless killing machine that fought for himself and no one else.

[Richard Burke]

OOCSorry about the late reply, Been busy.

Arkale raised a valid point, one that would shape the young squire for the rest of his life. Richard thought briefly on it, while drinking his pale ale. “I actually have very little experience with magic.” Richard started- he couldn’t think of anything to say to Arkale’s statement. “I’ve read a little about it in many of the books I’ve read.” He paused, thinking back to all the books he has read.

“I don’t remember reading anything about aurisitics, but shielding really interests me. I cant imagine there would be anything more terrifying that fighting a reimancer with naught but your sword and wit.” He paused, taking another sip of ale. “If you’d be willing to teach me, I would like to learn more about auristics, it sounds useful.”

“I’ll have to work on my shield work too,” said Richard, almost as a joke- nodding back to their fight.

[Arkale]

Arkale chuckled and picked back up his drink, drawing deep from its amber depths. He listened as the boy spoke, explaining what he wanted to learn, and Arkale was more than happy when he asked for teaching in Auristics. "You know, I considered shielding for a while, but decided to go with Auristics when it came down to it." Arkale explained, thinking back to his early days. "I've never really taken to using a shield, but you seem to be partial to it....any reason why? Arkale was genuinely curious about why his Squire seemed to be rather attached to shields, though he couldn't just fire question after question at the boy...

[Richard Burke]

No one had ever asked “why?” about his aptitude with the shield, though Richard knew the reason, it was one he wasn’t sure if others would understand. “I don’t actually like striking my opponent.” He started, in between bites of the delicious home made food of the Rearing Stallion.

He didn’t like the feel of flesh beneath his sword, even if so far, he had only hit other people with wooden swords, “With a shield, I can wait” He seemed to lose himself in thought, he had never killed anything more than wildlife, on the rare occasion that he had been able to go.

“I only need to strike once,” he sighed silently, “I can wait for them to make a mistake, and end the fight swiftly.” He snapped out of it, and drank some more of his ale, trying to keep the silence from lasting too long he continued.

“Why are you partial to the long sword?” He asked earnest, the reasons behind aggressive, and offensive fighting was, not beyond his understanding, but beyond his experience, and morality.

[Arkale]

Why was he partial to the longsword? It was a valid question, after all Arkale had just questioned the boy's choice of equipment, why should any less be expected from him? "Well...its a rather long story to be sure...but when I was just thirteen years old, my Grandfather took me on a journey from my home of Zeltiva to Syliras. The Journey was long, and we spent every night camping beneath the star where he would tell me about my family's history, about animals and plants, about politics and other things, and more importantly he taught me about combat." The Knight paused a moment to reflect on the quest he had been on...so long ago now. Though throughout the years, the boy had never forgotten a single lesson his grandfather taught him. That adventure had set Arkale down a path he would not turn his back to, and what ultimatly what led him back to Syliras to join the Knights. "When he taught me to fight, the weapon he taught me, and that his father taught him was the longsword...it is the same weapon I will teach to my son, should the Windoak see fitting to bless me with the luck to have a son....though that is far off." Arkale smiled, obviously thinking of someone. "Short answer? You would say, family tradition." Tradition was important to a Knight, surely Richard knew that, after all, both his parents were Knights. Arkale's father had broken tradition, and it was up to Arkale to not only bring the Benaeford name back to it former meaning, but also add a new chapter to the family. Sure they were all hard working, with the sole exception his father, and they each provided something to the family, be it a farm, land, bloodline extension, or adventure, but Arkale wanted a bit more honor in his family, and if possible, he hoped the name Benaeford would be associated with the Syliran Knights for years to come.

[Richard Burke]

Richard rasied his half empty mug of ale, "to tradition." He called, audible above the soft noise in the tavern, so that every one could hear it, and join him in the libation. Then quietly he said "and to the Beneaford, and Burke families." he took a hearty swig from the mug.

"If you'll have me as your squire, I will follow you down your path." He was obviously slightly intoxicated, just enough where the pure truth of what he said would come to the surface. "It'll be a grand experiance."