I Will Be the Greatest Knight

Early morning practices and another tired day.

The Commander had gotten used to a lingering tiredness behind his eyes as he went through each day. No matter what he did, he couldn't seem to get as much sleep as he wanted to even when he did have the opportunity.

If he held still for too long, he was certain he could nod off. It was an impossible situation because at times he did have to sit at a desk when he would rather be running around with the knighthood or patrolling the hills over the beautiful valley he was now allowed to call home.

And, boy, was it beautiful.

Henry stood in his bedroom, one that was larger than any home he had ever lived in while growing up. His dark eyes went along the windows that looked towards the southeastern end of the valley. He could see the ancient wall segment from where he stood.

He already knew it was going to be a beautiful day despite the sun having only just kissed the horizon. The days there weren't too hot. About now in Hydrogia, it would be almost painful to have to stay outside all day and his skin would get unbelievably dark.

He had just gotten into a tunic and work pants so that he could join the practices. It was the best way to wake himself up in the morning.

His leather boots echoed across the floor as he made it off of the expansive woven area rug and onto the polished wood that made up the floor in his room. He was now facing the windows that looked northwest and he saw that his second and third in command were already out on the practice yard.

The windows to his room were kept open at night because he liked to sleep in cool air, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. However, he saw the two giving each other trouble as they always did until the pretend conflict escalated to Irene pulling out one of the practice swords she had been organizing for apprentices and pointing it at Felix.

They sparred for a moment, and Henry had to get away from the window.

He had never read into their interactions before accidentally overhearing their conversation, but he couldn't help allowing his mind to wander. Would it be nice to have a woman at his side so adept with a blade? The Princess he was used to didn't prefer to do much if she didn't have to. She seemed energetic only when she was jumping to conclusions about Henry's intentions.

The man shook his head at himself.

It was time to stop these thoughts. Going down them could only lead to self-destruction.

He soon joined Irene and Felix who both bowed their heads at him upon arrival. Perhaps one day they would all be on a first-name basis. Only Felix had given him that permission so far.

Irene observed the man as he came into the practice yard. There were already a couple of apprentices warming up but it wasn't time for practice just yet.

He seemed the same as always and she didn't detect the exhaustion he was feeling. Perhaps one day she would better understand his baseline so she could be a better help to him and know when he needed them to cover for him without having to be ordered.

"Good morning, Commander," she greeted and bowed her head, hoping to push forward with her plan of making him feel like the order he presided over found him as beloved as the Knights of Hydrogia. While they hadn't been through what the others had together, she wanted him to see that one day they would all know what it was like to save each other's lives.

However, she didn't know that his prior and untrue assumption was at the forefront of his thoughts. He was navigating a way to get closer to her while also not offending his second in command, who he had been building a relationship with for a long time.

"Good morning, dame," the Commander greeted in response. "Please, pay me no mind. I wanted to attend the practice so that I could wake up this morning."

Irene silently regarded the man, wondering if his candle had gone out in the early morning as it usually did. There was a silent wish she could ask him about it, but she knew that it was too soon to barrel forward.

"Of course," Felix responded. "Let us line up then."

He addressed the apprentices and a few knights who had filtered into the practice yard. They seemed tired but determined. A few apprentices were a bit nervous that their Duke was joining them but they tried to hold their swords with confidence so that their true feelings wouldn't be detected. After all, being able to understand someone on an emotional level could be key to taking them down.

The practice went on as usual beginning with drills and finishing with sparring. As expected of who was supposed to be one of the greatest knights in all of the land, the Commander kept up with th energetic youngsters. When they got to sparring, he gained the upper hand easily and it showed the apprentices that they still had much to learn before their swords could be considered an extension of themselves rather than merely a tool they were using.

Even the knights who went against him were eventually bested. They were forced to come to terms with the fact that Commander Henry had been chosen for a reason—even if the specific reason was unknown.

It started becoming more usual to see the Commander going out to practices in the morning and it was certainly reflecting in the apprentices determination. The few days he didn't attend, they seemed to be sad that they couldn't test their growing talents against him.

On a particularly hot day, everyone had their sleeves rolled and glistening foreheads on display as they finished up practices. They were more than ready to get to their breakfast because all the energy had been burned out of them.

Perhaps the most surprising part was the way that the Commander never seemed to break a sweat. Even Irene had noticed as much. Fortunately, it was Felix who addressed it.

"All this work and you're not even sweating, Commander," the knight complimented his superior as he wiped the back of his wrist against his forehead. "As usual, you make it seem so effortless, and your sword is certainly one of the heavier ones that I've had the pleasure of handling.

Irene had been gathering swords from the apprentices as they left the yard, and she had to nod in agreement.

"It is quite impressive," she admitted.

Henry looked between the two knights before relenting.

"I don't think it's hot outside," he admitted. "This is nothing compared to the summers in the south. I can only dread how cold I will be when winter arrives. Already, I've been told that the snow will be a true test of whether or not I will last in the north."

As if he had a choice, he realized. The King had put him in his position and he was determined to outlast expectations.

"You will adjust," Felix assured the man. "After all, you should have seen how the dame handled winters when we were all apprentices. Everyone had a mutual understanding that she was to be closest to the hearth in tents or the fires while camping outside. The way she dramatically tossed and turned, I'm surprised she survived."

"Oh, please," Irene objected with a roll of her eyes. "Move on so I don't also have to hear exaggerations on whether or not I ever asked for anyone's help during these times."

"I won't burden the Commander with all of your complaints," Felix quipped. "Perhaps he would start feeling sorry for you."

Irene held out her hand for the Commander's practice sword and gently took it when he handed it off.

"Please don't feel sorry for me, Commander," she requested. "Felix exaggerates stories as he sees fit."

"You have proven yourself enough to me, my lady," he responded lightly, still trying not to get between the teasing.

It was satisfying enough for Irene so she took the swords to the fortified shed and closed everything in once she assured it was all accounted for.

The three were the last outside, and breakfast went on as usual. Only afterwards did Irene need to go down to the armory with a few apprentices and Felix and Henry had to discuss something that was sent to them through letter.

"Shall we head to my study?" the Commander asked his second in command.

"Absolutely," Felix responded easily.

The day truly started after that with all the knights and apprentices in various corners of the Duke's Tower and the valley itself. A few knights were even out in the duchy, ensuring that their presence was felt by all the subjects of this region.

After Felix and Commander Henry concluded their meeting, Felix realized his Commander was lingering a bit as if there was something else he wanted to ask.

His curiosities finally came to a head.

"Please don't think anything of my questioning," the Commander began. "You two have never given me a reason to doubt you. I merely want to ask if you and Lady Irene are romantically involved in some way."