The Meaning of Knighthood

Henry blinked a few times in an effort to make his eyes stop seeing the illusion in front of him.

As his eyes became more clear, he saw the three older knights standing off to the side with amused looks on their faces.

Alix cleared his throat and Henry widened his eyes in understanding.

Reality set in and he sprung up despite how heavy his body felt. He immediately bowed on the ground at the angel's feet, realizing immediately she was the princess.

"F-forgive me, your highness," Henry managed to say to the floor. "I have only just woken up."

The position made the fresh wound in his side ache. He had to sit back on his knees and he grabbed his side with a gloved hand.

"I-I'm sorry," he said.

The princess laughed, tossing her hair as she did so. It was the most beautiful noise he had ever heard in his life.

"Stop apologizing," she said. "I'm congratulating you for your win, regardless of how unconventional it was."

Henry's eyes widened and he gained the courage to meet her vivid green orbs.

Time started going in slow motion when she offered her hand to him. He had to look from her hand to her face in disbelief and she raised an eyebrow at him, daring him to turn down her gesture.

Doing just as he saw the winning knight do, he removed his glove and took her hand in his. He kissed the back of her hand with the softest kiss of his life. He acted like doing it harder was going to break it.

The smell of flowers met his nose and he immediately pulled back, feeling unworthy of this gesture.

It took all of his courage to utter, "Thank you for your generosity, princess."

"I look forward to seeing you compete next time as a knight," she said with a pleased smile and her hand brushed against her lips thoughtfully, the satin sleeve of her dress falling down to her elbow.

Henry had to look away as more of her pristine pale skin was presented to him.

It seemed she wanted to say something else, but one of the many attendants by the door interrupted.

"Princess Marie, it's time to go."

She gave Henry an approving nod before turning and walking out the door.

Before she was out of earshot, he heard her say, "He's sweet."

It felt like the room got darker as she left it.

Henry's chin dropped to his chest and he continued holding the wound on the lower part of his left ribs. He could feel blood already oozing out of the bandage.

Maximus walked forward and pat Henry on the shoulder.

"Get back on the cot. You're bleeding again," he said. "I'll have to wrap it tighter if you're going to move around."

Henry could only nod and do as he was told, laying down in the bed.

Despite the pain he was feeling, he couldn't stop thinking about the princess.

His thoughts had taken a negative turn, however. Being in her presence only made him realize just how unattainable someone like that was to him. He'd probably never be able to be around a noblewoman again in his life.

Maximus looked up from what he was doing as he wrapped cloth around Henry's waist.

"Why do you look so grim?" he asked. "No one would believe you've just won a competition."

"I'm just in pain," Henry lied. "I've been through many things, but never a poisoning."

Trenton still wasn't in a joking mood and stepped forward with his arms crossed.

"Are you feeling like the healer missed some poison?" he asked, worry evident in his voice. "I'll call him back here."

Henry waved his hands, being sure to mind Maximus's work.

"There's no poison left," he assured the older man. "It's just that where I come from it's rare to survive a poisoning. You can't find healers out there."

The three knights tended to avoid this subject altogether, but it was impossible to not address it considering the words Polter had been throwing around about peasantry.

All three of them exchanged serious expressions.

Surprisingly, it was Alix who spoke up first.

"Take no heed to anything he said," the blonde-haired knight said in a stern voice. "Knighthood doesn't care whether you're prince or pauper. Let your actions speak for you and only that can determine your worthiness."

Maximus and Trenton nodded in agreement.

"With your lack of experience, you still made it to the final round," Maximus said. "That in itself is an impressive feat."

Silence fell over the room as Henry absorbed their words. From the beginning, they never seemed bothered by his status as a peasant. Knights were required to have a different view of the world it seemed.

"I'm not satisfied with winning like this," Henry admitted.

"Working as an apprentice will assure that you receive proper training," Trenton explained. "In the future, you can compete when you've gained more skill."

As he spoke, Trenton walked forward and handed Henry the onyx blade. He had forgotten about it entirely after being stabbed. He sheathed the blade in the leather sheath at his side.

Once Henry was wrapped in a more secure bandage and his armor had been replaced on his body, the group was able to leave the arena.

The sun was low in the sky and dusk was soon approaching. For peasants, it was a sign that bedtime was coming. They rose with the sun and slept with the moon. There was no other way when they relied heavily on sunlight for their work.

The streets were crowded with everyone trying to leave the arena at once. Henry and the knights had to huddle together in order to not get separated.

He noticed the knights staying close to his injured side so it wouldn't get bumped into by someone in the crowd.

As they made it into the brick street, Henry heard someone yell.

"It's him!"

He stopped and looked around, wondering what kind of important person was out in the crowd.

However, many eyes were glued on him and he began to get nervous.

"It is him!" Trenton yelled. "The winner of the apprentice's bracket!"

More cheering erupted and Henry felt his ears get hot at the attention.

He figured they were going to take him back to his home outside the walls, but it was clearly not their intention.

The group pushed their way through and found a pub mostly full of knights. It was wooden on the inside and outside and everyone sat on stools in the large open space.

It seemed there was an empty table already there as if waiting for their arrival.

"Have a drink!"

A stranger yelled at Henry.

"I'll buy the winner's round!"

Another yelled.

The knights first asked for food which Henry felt he was able to eat easily having not eaten a bite since breakfast.

The evening took a turn when beer was brought to their table.