3 The Ideal Knight

Everyone knew that he was cursed. He knew that too. He couldn't breathe without hurting, he heard things no one else did, and he saw things that weren't there. The Gods had cursed him, they whispered. That a cursed star had fallen on his father's farm when he was born, granting them great wealth but cursing him with ill health.

Star cursed they called him. When they thought his father wasn't listening. His Ma called him blessed, but he didn't feel particularly blessed. He wasn't like the other boys in the village. Luke was smart and agreeable, and he helped Aunt Serra with her chores so often. It was easy to know why Aunt Serra loved him so much. He'd be a big true knight, they said. Uncle Toman worked as a castle guard and knew the Lord Commander. It would be easy for him.

He wanted to be a knight too. But he couldn't.

His Ma and Pa loved him too, he knew that. But he wanted to do more to help them out.

But he couldn't. Couldn't even help Pa carry the tools back from the farm without falling into fits of angry coughs. Couldn't help grinding the barley for the Ale without feeling dizzy. Couldn't go with Pa to the castle on the seventh day to help sell Ma's Ale. Couldn't help the men work the fields either.

Septon Mattheus said he wasn't cursed. He was a kind man and helped his Pa so very much. He was kind to everybody in the village.

"Caelum! You're falling behind!" He heard Luke call for him. "Stop moping! She'll catch us otherwise!"

"Right!" He called back "I'm almost there!"

"The Dark Sorceress Meredith will be looking for us by the river" Luke whispered as he finally caught up to the older boy, a big grin clear on his face. "So, Ser Starborn, where shall we set up our ambush?"

Despite himself, Caelum's heart started pumping "We can lay and wait by the broken crossing! She'll never expect us there!"

The older boy ruffled Caelum's hair "As you say, Ser Knight! We shall vanquish the evil sorceress and cleanse the kingdom from her evil magicks! To the tower!" He pointed his wooden stick to the east, looking as gallant as a knight would look.

Luke would make a perfect Knight.

They slowly made their way across the short field, towards the gentle river that flowed west. He loved coming here. Especially with Luke and Meredith.

It was quiet, away from the whispers of the village.

"Prepare your sword, Ser Starborn" He heard Luke say, his tone hardening "I fear the foul sorceress has scried out our plan."

Oh no! They were going to get caught before they were ready. But a knight faces all challenges head-on. He could do this.

From behind the giant bushes by the flowing stream, she emerged. The evil sorceress with her staff in hand, her foul magicks helping her turn the ambush they were setting around on them, no doubt.

She cackled, her brown hair bouncing and swaying in the wind, as she caught sight of them "Thought to set an ambush for me, did you? Thought you'd catch me unawares! Not today! I am the Greatest Witch in the Seven Kingdoms. You lowly hedge knights are no match for me!"

"Be careful, Ser Starborn. Her mud cakes are vile magicks. If she slings them at you run." He said as he prepared to swing at the evil witch "And remember to close your mouth!"

"There is nowhere to run, warrior!" She replied throwing the sludgy ball of mud at them. Terror filled Caelum's heart as saw that it was coming right at him "My magicks will show you no mercy!"

He dodged and made to run for the broken tower, from where he could aid Ser Luke in battling the evil witch.

"Make haste for the tower, Ser Starborn! I will hold her off." He heard Luke say, "Find the staff of destiny inside, with it we can lay waste to her magicks at last!"

Another ball came for him as he ran as best as he could for the broken door in the abandoned tower of the crossing.

He could hear the evil witch laughing as she fought with the Gallant knight, as he finally reached the tower and its safety.

Before he could make his way up the tower, his lungs felt like they caught fire, as bouts of cough escaped his throat.

'Not again!' he thought furiously as he worked hard to get them under control 'They'll stop if they hear me like this!'

With tremendous effort, he calmed his breathing down and controlled his coughs till it was down to just some soreness in his throat, and itchiness in his lungs.

Steeling his nerves, he began to climb the rotten old steps in the tower, to where the Staff of Destiny awaited him.

'I can do this!' he affirmed in his mind. 'I am Ser Caelum Starborn. Ser Luke the Gallant is counting on me!'

With measured steps, as he fought to control his breathing, he made his way up the short broken tower.

The view from the top was magnificent. The morning sun shone brightly unto vast stretches of the green lands of the Reach. The flowers around the large fields bloomed under its welcoming rays. And the river glistened amber like it was made of pure golden honey.

He loved coming to the river.

In the corner of the top of the tower, lay the staff that beckoned him. Long, wooden, with flowing ridges. It was imposing. Larger than him in truth.

And it was heavy too. He lifted the heavy staff with tremendous strength with one hand, his wooden sword in the other, and looked down at the two figures battling beneath the tower.

"At last!" he cried. He felt triumphant, he had done it "Surrender, evil witch! I have the staff of Destiny now! Your magicks are of no use to you anymore."

Meredith had a look of horror on her face, as she staggered away from the tower, the gallant knight's sword pointed at her throat "No! I surrender! I surrender! Do not use that staff, please!"

"Well, Ser Luke. Looks like the foul sorceress has surrendered. Sieze her staff. And throw the mud cakes in the river." He commanded in as powerful a voice as he could muster. Then he scrunched his nose "They stink"

Luke chuckled as he bowed slightly "As you say, Lord Commander! Come witch, you have lost. Your evil will terrorize the land no more!"

As the boy moved to collect the staff from her, Caelum felt the wood of the floor beneath him groan ominously, and before he could react it gave in as he plummeted down the two stories of the tower to the bottom floor.

Dimly he heard Meredith scream "Caelum! Oh no!"

The posts that held the floor up as support had broken away too and he missed them just narrowly as he fell.

He was scared, the ground was coming up too quickly. He would die. He didn't want to die. The staff and sword he had been playing with still clutched tightly in his hands, he closed his eyes and prayed to the Gods desperately.

And then, within the next moment, he felt himself touch the ground. No pain. As though he had been a feather. His heart hammered in his chest.

Coughs poured out of his mouth; his chest felt like it was on fire. His throat felt sore, and constricted again as his breathing became more erratic and gasping.

Strong hands grasped him and made him sit. Another pair rubbed at his back as Meredith whispered "Thank the Gods, you're unhurt. Breathe, Caelum. Slowly." She repeated.

Again, with tremendous will and force, he controlled his breathing again. Taking steady long breaths between the coughs. Willing the pain away as much as he could.

"At least there is no blood." He heard Luke say.

"Luke!" Meredith admonished, "That is what you're worried about?"

"I mean the coughs!" Luke replied hurriedly "I'm glad he's unhurt from the fall. And he's no longer bleeding from the coughs, which means he is getting better."

Reluctantly, Meredith agreed.

"Well, that's enough adventure today, I should think." Luke declared, at last, trying to bring some levity. "The evil witch was caught, and the evil vanquished. Ser Starborn's legend grows yet again!"

"Yes, you should clean up in the river. Septon Mattheus will tan your hide if you go for your lessons dirty again." Meredith said as she helped Caelum to his feet. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. It's okay, I didn't hurt. Felt like I was light as a feather in truth." He admitted chuckling a little, and scratching his dark hair.

Meredith searched the young boy's stormy blue eyes for deception, and finding none nodded relieved "Go on then, get cleaned up. I'll ready your clothes. It's almost noon, and Septon Mattheus will want you early at the Sept, you don't want to be late."

"Awww," Caelum whined slightly, his pain forgotten as he dreaded the lessons the Septon had in store for him.

"I should be off too. My father's taking me to the castle." Luke said at length when they reached the banks of the river. "Ser Vortimer Crane wants me early today."

"You will make a brilliant knight!" Caelum declared as Meredith helped unstring the knots on his tunic, and then his face fell "But, then you won't have time to play with us.

The older boy kneeled in front of him "Hey, don't worry. I'll still play with you as often as possible. And who knows, once I become a knight, I'll take you on as my squire. If you promise to get better for your Ma."

"You will?" Caelum asked shyly.

"Of course! I promise. But you must promise that you will try your best to get better." He said smiling "Will you?"

"I promise! I will be the most gallant knight of the seven kingdoms!" he declared.

Meredith chuckled slightly as she finally managed to unlace the knots on his tunics, and removed the dirty cloth from his torso "Ser Starborne, the smelliest knight of them all! Come then Ser Starborne, into the river with you unless you're okay with that title!"

"Why you!" Caelum shouted, as his face reddened under her teasing. Once he was only in his breeches he huffed past her and plunged into the river, making sure to splash the older girl of three and ten with as much water as he could.

He would become the most noble of knights. He would fight this curse, and soar higher than it limited him to. And show everyone who called him a curse that he was not one.

After the day's adventure, as Luke took his leave for the castle where he worked as a page for the master-at-arms of the castle, Meredith helped Caelum clean up by the river. Amidst the gentle splashing, Caelum's heart wavered between doubt and hope.

Could he, sick that he was, truly aspire to knighthood?

Yet, the warmth of the sun and Meredith's encouraging smile kindled a small flame of hope within him. Cleaned up, both him and Meredith slowly returned to the village.

Dreading the boring lessons that Septon Mattheus has in store for him, he bid goodbye to Meredith as Aunt Marna greeted her at the door of her inn.

"Mum! I'm home!" Meredith said as she gave her a hug.

"Ugh, you're dirty, Mary!" The old woman wrinkled her nose "And drenched! Get cleaned up, Jerren needs your help in the kitchens. The midday rush will be here soon."

Aunt Marna worked the Mander Hills Inn, with her son and daughter, Jerren and Meredith.

"I wouldn't have been drenched, if some little rascal didn't dirty all my clothes!" Meredith huffed.

Her mother chuckled amusedly, her eyes twinkling as she smiled at the younger boy.

"Off with you, lad. You don't want to be late for the lessons. Your Ma will worry otherwise." She said, guiding him away from the wroth girl "Study well, dear!"

Chuckling, and laughing quietly to himself, he bid her goodbye and made his way toward his boring lessons.

"Playing knight again, were you?" Septon Mattheus was waiting for him at the door. The greying old man chuckled as he led him into the small sept, and to his Solar within.

The Sept was beautiful. Seven figures representing the Gods welcomed him within, their eyes kind and merciful. The sept was thankfully empty, as most of the village milled about their business.

The Old Septon handed him some parchment. It was a boring lesson on the history of the Seven Kingdoms, and the Legend of House Gardener and Tyrell. "Your father and his brothers loved to play Knight too. Never took to his lessons well, your father, found them dull. You're like your uncles in that regard, they too found them dull but at least they learned."

They sat in the old man's solar, where he took his lessons. It was a shabby room, lit dimly by the fires, from the open window. The window gave a clear view into the Sept attached outside. It was generally peaceful inside, the stone statues of the Seven granted a serene calm and safety that was found nowhere else in the village.

"Did you know my father well, when he was young?" He found himself asking.

The kind old Septon chuckled, scratching his short grey stubble. His eyes twinkled as he spoke "Know him? I practically raised the lad. Thick as thieves they were, playing Knight throughout the village, running ramshod all over. Gave a terrible time to your Grandpa."

He knew his uncles had been knights that travelled the Kingdoms, while his Pa took care of the farm. They had lost their lives as heroes in the War of the Nine Penny Kings.

The old man saddened a little "Alas, the war robbed you of their joy. They would have loved you in truth." He shook his head, breaking his reverie "Tell me, Caelum. What are the qualities of a Good Knight?"

Caelum had memorized the oaths of a knight by heart. As practice for when he took those oaths himself. "In the name of the Warrior, a knight must be brave. In the name of the Father, knights must be Just. In the name of the Mother, Knights must defend the young and innocent, and in the name of the maid…"

"They must protect all women. You know the oath well." The Septon said, smiling amusedly at him "But what does that mean to you."

Caelum tried to think. The Oath was sacred, it was what it was. Something that was to be followed if he wanted to be a knight and live like a respectable person.

The septon chuckled, as he headed to the window that looked into the sept. "Justice, it is the aspect of the Father. To be Just is to be fair, to hold the scales between your own desires and the needs of others. Bravery, the aspect of the Warrior, is not only about facing your foes in battle but also about facing your own fears. To defend the innocent, in the name of the Mother, means more than just physical protection; it's about ensuring safety, offering comfort, and fostering growth. And to protect all women, as the Maiden asks, extends to honoring their choices, their strengths, and their contributions. Each aspect is a guide, not just a rule, shaping you into a knight worthy of the title, in action and heart."

The virtues of Justice, Bravery, Protection, and Honor were not just lofty ideals meant for those born to knighthood; they were principles that anyone could live by, including himself.

"True valor lay not in the glory of battle but in the quiet strength to face each day with a heart full of hope and a will to do good." The septon said, gazing out the window at the imposing figures of the Gods.

The Septon turned back from the window, his gaze settling on Caelum with a mixture of fondness and seriousness. "So, being a knight isn't just about the strength of your arm or the sharpness of your sword. It's about the strength of your character, your willingness to do what's right, even when it's the hardest path to follow. Remember, my boy, the truest strength lies within."

Caelum didn't know what to say.

"But there is more. Those are but four of the virtues our Gods have made sacred." He said, as his gaze turned stern "I know the words the village whispers behind you. They hurt don't they?"

Caelum nodded, his throat tight with unspoken emotions.

"Yes," he admitted, the word barely a whisper. "It feels like no matter what I do, I'll always be... cursed."

The Septon's gaze softened. "Being different isn't a curse, Caelum. It's a challenge, one you are already mastering. The Seven have also taught us about Mercy, Generosity, Nobility, Faith, and Hope. These virtues are just as important. Mercy shows us to be kind, even to those who harm us. Generosity teaches us to give, expecting nothing in return. Nobility isn't about birthright; it's about acting with dignity and honor. Faith is trusting in the Seven, in the good in this world, and in yourself. And Hope... Hope is perhaps the most powerful of all. It's believing in a brighter tomorrow, even in the darkest of times."

The Septon leaned forward, placing a hand on Caelum's shoulder. "You, Caelum Starborn, are filled with these virtues, more than you realize. You may never be a Knight. But that shouldn't stop you. You can still be good, still be of service to your mother and father, and to your Lord. And if the Gods do smile at you once more, as they did them on their farm, then you'll have the chance to do even greater things. Remember, greatness doesn't come from titles or swords; it comes from our actions and the choices we make every day."

Caelum looked up, the uncertainty that had clouded his eyes beginning to clear. "But how can I prove myself if I'm not strong enough if I'm always... so weak?"

"The strongest metal is forged in the hottest fire, Caelum. Your trials, your struggles, they're not burdens; they're opportunities to grow stronger, to become more resilient. And being different? That's your fire. Use it to forge your path, to show kindness, courage, and integrity. That will be your proof." He said, "You continue to work the farm, bring pride to your Ma, and that will be enough. You don't need to face the world to earn respect, to show that you're good. All you need to do is to make your Ma proud and it will be enough."

Caelum's heart swelled with a mix of hope and determination. "I will, Septon. I'll be more than what they whisper. I'll be someone they respect, not for my might but for my heart."

"And that, my boy, will make you greater than any knight." The Septon's voice was firm, his belief in Caelum unwavering. "Now, let's return to our lessons. There's much to learn, lessons of valor, chivalry and knightly conduct can wait."

With a nod, Caelum turned back to his studies, the words of the Septon igniting a spark within him. He might face challenges, but he would not be defined by them. Mayhap he could be a knight in spirit if not in title.

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Olenna Tyrell huffed as she swirled the glass in her hand.

The feast looked like it was going to be delicious, and the Sept of Baelor was lavishly adorned for the night. The large pie was yet to be brought in, and the banquet promised to be exquisite, awaiting the grand pie's entrance.

Meanwhile, the nobility of the realm mingled, engaging in their usual intrigues and offering overzealous congratulations to the royal newlyweds, each word heavier with insincerity than the last.

It was everything she liked about court, and

But the splendor of the setting did nothing to lift her mood.

The wedding of Prince Rheagar to the Dornish was inevitable, she knew. Elia Martell was beautiful enough, fit for the role as any maiden of proper standing would be.

At least it wasn't Cersei Lannister. The King had truly burnt all bridges there as thoroughly as he could.

Sad for the lion that shat Gold, but better for House Tyrell.

But a royal wedding did not mean she had to sit and take the subtle jabs thrown at the expense of House Tyrell with no reply.

"No sword at your hip still, I see Lord Tyrell." Prince Oberyn remarked sly swirling the wine in his cup. "What was it called again? Wisteria I believe?"

Her poor son blustered and slightly reddened at the remark.

House Tyrell had paid a handsome sum to scores of smiths from all over the seven kingdoms to forge the sword, but the damned rock would not suffer even a scar to its surface in truth.

"Yes, well. Dawn is truly a testament to house Dayne's ancestral talent in smithing." Her son replied eventually "If it truly is made of star metal that is."

She hoped she did not need to intervene. They did not need to cause offence to the eventual queen's family so soon after the wedding.

"I see that you do in fact have your own thorns" Thankfully the Dornish prince did not seem offended at all, by the amusement clear in her eyes "Though if Arthur hears that remark, I wager he'd come seeking retribution for his honor, Lord or no."

"If he does, at least I will finally get my chance to see Dawn up close at last and compare the make of the sword to that of the star that fell in my back garden." The tension had finally bled, and Mace seemed to be back in his element.

She was proud of him. Slow that he could be sometimes, he shined best in the formalities of courtly proceedings. These verbal spars were not his best quality, yet he managed admirably.

They were joined eventually by the newest Princess of the realm.

"Oberyn, tell me you're not annoying the lords of our realm" She said as she approached the silver prince of the realm, by her side.

Prince Oberyn's smile widened "Good brother! Please tell my dear sister that I am merely making friends."

Rhaegar smiled amusedly "Elia, worry not. Oberyn must simply be ensuring our guests feel the warmth of Dornish hospitality."

"Besides," he continued with a light chuckle, "it's a rare feast that isn't enlivened by a bit of spirited conversation, wouldn't you agree?"

"Spirited conversation, I am sure." Elia chuckled wryly, she shook her head then "The pie is almost here, brother. I want you by my side, as we cut it open."

And yes, she could see as the servants carried a large metal encase plate and placed it at the center of the table.

"See, Doran is already there," Elia said as she took her brother's hand and headed to complete the night's ceremony.

"Mother, will you stay with Willas and Garlan?" Mace asked worried as he prepared to join the festivities, "Arryk and Erryk will be more than enough to guard them, but my heart would be calmer if you were with them tonight."

She smiled and nodded, this was the perfect chance to wrap some poor servant away from everyone else and gather some more gossip of the red keep.

"Of course, Mace. Come children, we can go chase down the grape juice from the servants." She replied as she herded her dear boys away from the party that would no doubt soon devolve into a mess when the bedding began.

"But Gran! I wanted to see the birdies!" Garlan whined as he looked forlornly as the covering of the pie was removed showcasing a delicate cage holding beautiful live songbirds, tallows, and all the other feathered avians one could find.

"There will be a better view from afar, the birds won't stay there all the time." She ensured "Plus, it will seem better with a tankard of fruit juice in hand."

Sufficiently bribed, she led the boys a little ways away from the rest of the ceremony roping a fidgety serving girl of five and ten to stay behind as her chosen source of city gossip.

Getting the poor girl drunk was easy enough to loosen her lips, some convincing and honeyed concern was all it took for her to accept the offered wine.

The tale she wove on the other hand was another matter.

Red priests sighted at court. The smell of burnt flesh in the dragon pit. She refused to name the King at all, fear truly etched on her face.

It painted a dark picture, one she no doubt had to work around. It was no secret that their once charming king was now growing paranoid. Looking at shadows and finding enemies where there were none. The defiance of Duskendale and house Darklyn's treachery no doubt fueling it to greater heights.

It was a mess. One she hoped didn't come to bite House Tyrell in the future should they continue to show loyalty to the Royal family as they were. But there was nothing to it, hopefully madness will take the King, and Prince Rhaegar will succeed the Iron Throne as soon as fate allowed.

The Gods flip a coin when a Targaryen is born, madness was writ for the King, likely not for the Prince.

Princess Elia and Prince Rhaegar cut the pie and released the colorful birds, the bards began the song for the bedding to begin.

The celebration gained a new rowdy fervor as the lords and ladies clamored for the royals singing heartily.

"The Queen took off her sandal, the King took off His crown" They sang.

She hoped that the rumors were all that they were. House Tyrell was loyal to the Iron throne, and so they would remain.

Her little boys marveled at the truly delightful spectacle beside her, but Olenna's mood plummeted even further.

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Caelum returned to the farm, having finished his lessons with the Septon as quickly as he could. He saw in the distance, his father readying the tools to build a new wooden boundary for their farm, after the old fence had withered away.

"Papa," he began, his voice steady despite the lingering tightness in his chest. "I want to help in the fields today."

His father turned to him not surprised, but a little weary all the same. "Caelum, you know you don't have to. The air's still cool, and I wouldn't want you—"

"I insist," the boy of just four, almost five name days cut in, a determined glint in his eye. "I may not be strong like my uncles but I can do this, I have to try. Please."

The older man studied his son for a long moment, in the end, he nodded, a reluctant smile breaking through. "Alright, but at the first sign of a cough, you're coming back inside. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Caelum replied, the promise swelling in his chest like a banner unfurled against the wind.

Together, they made their way to the fields, the afternoon earth warm underfoot. Caelum took to the simpler tasks, his movements measured and careful to avoid overexertion. Yet, even as he worked, a question, as persistent as the weeds they pulled, gnawed at him.

"Pa," he said, during a brief respite under the shade of the large oak beside their barn, "do you think... could I ever be a knight, like my uncles?"

His father's hands stilled, and he looked at Caelum, really looked at him, as if seeing not just the boy before him but the man he might become. "Caelum," he started, his voice tinged with a sadness borne of love and harsh truths, "your uncles were born into a world of steel and glory, but that path... it's fraught with dangers, hardships you—"

"But I've learned from Septon Mattheus," Caelum interjected, his voice rising with the tide of his conviction. "He says being a knight isn't just about battles and bravery. It's about character, about being just, and kind, and protecting those who can't protect themselves. I... I believe I can be that, even if I'm not strong."

"Caelum, my star," his father continued, a softness entering his voice as he reached out to place a hand on Caelum's shoulder, grounding him. "Your heart is perhaps the bravest I know, and your spirit, the kindest. It's true, being a knight is about more than just strength of arms .... it's about the strength of character. And in that, you are already much closer to knighthood than many who bear the title."

He paused, glancing towards the horizon where the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. "But knighthood... it's also a life of service, of sacrifice. It demands more than just the willingness to do good .... it demands everything of you, sometimes even the ultimate price. Can you live with that? Can you give that?"

Caelum felt the weight of his father's words, the gravity of the life he dreamed of. He knew the stories, the songs sung of knights and their valorous deeds, but he also knew the tales less told ... of loss, of the heavy burden carried in the name of honor and duty.

Caelum took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air fill his lungs, mixing with the warmth of his resolve. "I've thought about it a lot, Pa. About the sacrifices and the service. I know it won't be easy, and I know it might cost me everything. But if I can stand up for just one person, make a difference in just one life, wouldn't it be worth it? I will have proved to the village that I am not a curse, Septon Mattheus says that the greatest deeds often come from the humblest beginnings."

He paused, gathering his thoughts, his eyes reflecting the determination that had taken root within him. "And... I made a promise to Luke. He said he'd take me as his squire, if he becomes a knight and if I can get stronger. It's a promise I intend to keep, not just to him but to myself."

His father's expression softened, the lines of worry and contemplation easing as he listened to his son's words. It was clear that Caelum's determination was not born of fleeting whims but of deep-seated conviction and a desire to forge his own path.

"Caelum, my star, you are not a curse. Never say that. You were a blessing that the Gods have given to me and your Ma. Your courage and your will to do good in the face of your own challenges... " his father said, his voice laden with emotion. "If this is your dream, and you hold it so dearly, then I have no right to stand in your way. But becoming a knight, it's a long and perilous journey, one that will test you in ways you can't yet imagine. I lost my brothers on this path….."

He looked out towards the fields, their work for the day nearing its end, the shadows growing longer with the setting sun. "If in three years, you have grown stronger, if you have worked hard and still hold this dream close to your heart, then I will do everything in my power to help you become a squire. Whether it's with Luke, if he has become a knight, or with another who sees the strength and valor in your heart."

Caelum's eyes shone with a mixture of gratitude and renewed purpose. "Thank you, Papa. I won't let you down. I'll work hard, every day. I'll get stronger, and I'll show everyone that my spirit is as strong as any knight's."

His father pulled him into a hug, a silent pledge of support and belief in his son's dreams. "I know you will, Caelum. You've already shown me the strength of your heart. Just remember, it's not the sword that makes the knight, but the courage and the honor within. Stay true to yourself, and you'll find your path."

As they parted, the last light of the day fading into twilight, Caelum felt a sense of purpose like never before. He would get better, he already was. He no longer bled when he coughed, and he could control his breathing much better than before.

His Ma no longer worried as much as she used to. He would become a true knight. The most noble of them all.

He was not cursed, nay. The Gods had given him a blessing in the form of this challenge, one he will fight, be better, and grow stronger by it.

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