Ch-10

When I turned sixteen, we were staying at an inn near Dryden, celebrating after successfully completing a guard duty. But Edric and I weren't the only ones in a festive mood. Over the past year, three other Hedge Knights had joined us—old friends of Edric's, men with whom he shared a lot of history. Their names were Ser Oliver, Ser William, and Ser Noah, all in their mid-thirties. Ser Oliver and Ser William were the second sons of minor lords, while Ser Noah had been raised by a Hedge Knight himself. Together, they formed a kind of loose brotherhood on the road.

It was through their company that I learned more about Edric. He rarely spoke of his past, but in the company of his old friends, stories naturally came out. I learned that Edric had fought for Robert Baratheon during the rebellion and had lost many close friends in that bloody conflict. It explained a lot about him, his reluctance to chase fame or accept land from lords. He preferred freedom to any form of servitude, no matter how gilded.

On this particular evening, the four knights were in high spirits, swapping tales and laughing loudly over mugs of ale. I was only half-listening until I heard my name.

"Hey, Edric," Oliver slurred, wiping foam from his lips. "When are you planning to make Arthur a knight? The lad spars against the four of us every day and wins more often than not. If you'd told me that a year ago, I would've laughed in your face."

William nodded in agreement. "He's got a horse and armor just as good as any knight. What's holding you back?"

Edric, the drunkest of them all, suddenly stood up. His chair scraped against the floor, drawing the attention of the whole inn. "You know what? You're right," he declared, draining his tankard and slamming it onto the table. "Arthur, kneel."

I sat frozen, staring at him. Was this really happening?

"Kneel, lad," he said again, wobbling on his feet. "I'll make you a knight right here, right now."

The noise of the tavern died down as people realized what was happening. All eyes were on us.

I stood up slowly, shaking my head. "Ser Edric, with all due respect, you're drunk. It wouldn't be right to knight me like this—not for you, and not for me."

There was a collective intake of breath. But Edric only laughed, waving me off.

I continued, "I'm going to my room. If you still feel the same way in the morning, I'll be ready then."

He grinned, raising his mug to me as I walked off. "Fine. We'll do it later then."

As I lay down to sleep, anger flickered through me. I had trained with Edric for years, and this was no way to be made a knight. But I knew he meant well, so I let it go. Tomorrow, we'd have a proper conversation.

The next morning, I woke early and headed to the stables to prepare our horses for travel. Edric found me there, looking a little worse for wear.

"Morning," I said, adjusting the saddle on his horse.

"Yeah, morning," he replied, his voice sheepish. "Arthur, about last night—I'm sorry. You don't deserve to be knighted like that, not after all the hard work you've put in."

I stayed silent, letting him continue.

"The truth is, I've been thinking about this for months. You're ready. You've been more than capable in all our tasks, and when it comes to swordsmanship, I haven't had anything left to teach you since you were eleven."

I turned to face him, his words sinking in.

"I want to make you a knight," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "It would be an honor for me."

It was hard to keep the smile off my face. "Thank you, Ser Edric. It would be an honor for me as well."

"Kneel," he said, drawing his sword.

I glanced around at the straw-covered ground, littered with horse dung. "Shouldn't we do this in the inn instead?"

Edric burst out laughing, clapping me on the back. "Yeah, that's probably a better idea."

As we made our way to the inn, Golden swooped down from the sky, landing gracefully on my shoulder. The eagle had been out hunting, but it seemed he wanted to witness this moment too.

Inside the inn, Ser Oliver, Ser William, and Ser Noah were already seated, enjoying breakfast. They looked up as we entered, and Edric raised his voice, commanding attention.

"Everyone, listen up! You're about to witness something you'll tell your grandchildren about. Today, the best swordsman in Westeros is about to be knighted."

The entire inn fell silent as Edric turned to me. "Arthur Waters, kneel."

I knelt before him, feeling the weight of the moment. Edric unsheathed his sword and rested it on my right shoulder.

"Arthur Waters, do you swear, before the eyes of gods and men, to defend the helpless, to protect women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, and to face all dangers, no matter how hard or humble the task?"

"I swear," I said, my voice steady.

Edric moved the sword to my left shoulder, brushing past Golden's wing. "Then rise, Ser Arthur Waters."

I stood, feeling the weight of knighthood settle on my shoulders. Edric's eyes were filled with pride as he pulled me into a hug. The other knights crowded around, clapping me on the back and congratulating me.

Oliver raised his mug, shouting, "A round of ale for everyone, courtesy of the new knight!"

The inn erupted in cheers, and even though it was still early in the morning, no one seemed to mind drinking. For me, it was a moment I would never forget. I had been knighted by a man I deeply respected.