The old knight knelt, head down with both hands on his swords hilt, trying to catch his breath. His hair, once a brilliant red, now mostly gray, was matted down with sweat. The exertion from sparring with the young squires had left him winded. He shook his head, spraying the three trainees. They looked on, not knowing if they should lend a hand. They had attacked their weapons-master as he had ordered, with all their might, but John, the oldest of the three had gotten carried away, had taken the fight beyond sparring. It had taken much to keep from seriously injuring the young man.

The old knight slowly regained his breath and began to rise to his full six plus feet. As he raised, he thought how he once could have taken on twice as many without breaking a sweat, let alone losing his breath.

His green eye’s, still clear and keen, met those of his attackers. Their faces showed a mixture of fear and anxiety. He noticed their weapons lay upon the ground, a mistake of the young and inexperienced. His own so much a part of him as to be an extension to his right arm. He’d have to teach them never to disarm themselves.

He lifted his sword, bouncing the flat of the blade on his left palm. His blank stare began to unnerve his trainees, they knew not what to do or say. He then began to smile, still bouncing the blade, hoping the message was clear, it was not, they merely began to smile back in relief, probably believing they had pleased their old task master. In fact they had. They had put up a valiant fight before he had beaten them back, even if the big one had lost his focus, but the weapons upon the ground! This he had to unlearn them. His smile changed to sneer as he raised his sword and ran at them yelling at the top of his lungs!

"Never!" He swiped at them. "Never drop your weapon unless you are ready to die!" another powerful slice, this one close enough to leave a small cut on the leather armor on the slowest of the three. That one now found new strength in his stride!

This he continued until he had gotten each with a good swat. Once, he might have smiled as he watched them limp to retrieve their weapons, but that was long ago. Too many battles fought, too many friends lost, and far too many deaths caused by inexperience. No, he would not smile, he only hoped they would remember this lesson. They could not afford the luxury of mistakes. They were here for one reason and one reason alone, to learn to fight and survive, so that others may live. This they had heard countless times since their arrival. He only hoped that one day, sooner than later, they took it to heart.

Evening came and found the old knight sleepless. Tomorrow would be the first test of his latest batch of squires, a fortnights patrol along the border. It had been quiet for many months, but he knew that could change at any time.

His mind raced over every practice session, every drill and command given and not followed exactly. There was a time when he would have looked forward to such a trip and not cared the outcome, only the adventure mattered. Shaking his head to clear away the nagging doubts, he quickly dressed and went for a walk along the parapets.

He enjoyed the night air as he looked upon the stars. How could one look upon them and not feel a part of something greater. He wondered if there was another such as he somewhere, standing alone, and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

In the distance he heard the changing of the guard, soon he would wake his young charges and take them into danger. Was it they, he wondered, or himself, that caused his worry.

He was broken out of his thought by the crashing of pans in the kitchen, the cooks were prepared the morning meal. No time left to worry now, the dawn will bring what it brings.

As the morning sun peeked over the eastern mountains, it found the old knight and his charges riding towards the southern border, a densely wooded area. Here he would teach them ranger skills he hoped would save their lives if needed.

The squires joked with excitement. It had taken them six months of hard training to get to this day, and they intended to enjoy it! The old knight began to feel their confidence; maybe there was nothing to worry about. It would be another full day after this before they reached their patrol zone, he might as well enjoy it, and of course, use the time to discuss tactics. Waste not, want not.

The evening of the next day brought them to the edge of the forest and the area they were to patrol for the next fortnight. They would make camp outside the forest and await the patrol they were to replace. From this point on, the young squires would be treated as seasoned knights. This was not a pleasure trip.

He set them about making camp as he made a quick ride around the area looking for any sign they were not alone. The patrol they currently awaited, would not have come through this area yet, therefore, anything about would most likely be unfriendly.

After a meal and further instructions on why they were here, and what he expected of them, he set the watch at two-hour intervals. They might as well get used to it now.