Daemones {demons}

"The scenario is as presented: Your army has less than three hundred men while your opponents have over a thousand. The terrain is the dessert and there are sand dunes everywhere. The enemy has cavalry and weapons you cannot compete with. If there was a possibility of winning this war, how would you do it?" Madame Kenna asked Arya with a composed face.

Arya though over the scenario she had been presented with as best as she could. The tests to be admitted into the army had begun today starting with the test of knowledge. Across the room other knights and high ranking officials were seated with students as they were also being presented with scenarios they needed to navigate through. Arya made sure to go over the scenario once again in her head and she began plotting her plan.

The students had been provided parchments and ink if they wished to draw out the scene in order clarify their points and Arya used that to her advantage. She drew out the terrain before asking Madame Kenna if it was similar to the problem. She merely nodded and let Arya continue what she was doing. Arya drew the troops next and she estimated how the enemy would have placed their warriors.

She didn't know the exact location but in a real battle most of the time one didn't know the true position of their enemies anyway. Once Arya had drawn out what she had envisioned, she was able to gain a better understanding of where the best place would be to attack from.

After mulling over her strategy for a few more moments she spoke. "The smartest thing to do in this instance would be to place archers on the mountain top. It would be much easier to attack from the top and the archers would be able to take down people as well as their horses. The rest of the troops would be placed on the ground with the horses out at front and people filled within the ranks. You would make sure that the horses kicked sand towards the enemy, blinding them but also not allowing them to get a good look at the numbers. This way the archers would also be able to hide from any other people that would attack them. Another strategy that you could imply is making the sand around the hills weak as by pouring water. It would stop the opposing army in their tracks as they would get stuck in the soft sand."

Arya looked up at Madame Kenna to see her reaction to the purposed idea is she was satisfied to see a smile. "I must say Arya, I'm impressed. Your tactics were extremely similar to what I would have done if I were in the situation. You may be good at battling but you're a tactician as well. Nowadays it's rare to have both those qualities in the same person. It will serve you well."

"Thank you Madame," Arya said humbly.

Madame Kenna nodded. "You have passed. Now it's time for the dueling portion which will take place in the southern arena."

Arya got up and as she was about to leave Madame Kenna called her once more. "Do not disappoint me. I have taught you everything that you need to be successful-remember that."

"I will." Arya vowed and she walked across the hallway.

She could see Silvia and Yasmin from the corner of her eye, it seemed as though they will still going through their scenarios. As she was about to exit the hall, her gaze met Aaron's and he gave her a small smile.

Arya returned it.

Things between her and Aaron were calm and sometimes it just helped Arya knowing that she had someone she could lean on. Arya cupped her hands over her eyes as she made her way out of the manor.

There were knights training on the manor grounds and Arya made sure to avoid them as much as possible. Most of the knights had not been welcoming of the academy students and Arya had a hunch she knew why. These knights had trained much longer and harder than the academy students and they had been allowed to join the armed forces only after taking various difficult test. On the other hand the students only had to pass three test and they were automatically in the armed forces. It was simple. They didn't like the fact that the students who were much younger than them were being treated as equals.

It made them feel inferior.

Arya spotted the training facility in the corner and she could see Sir Samuel talking to the knights that stood there. She approached the group and greeted Sir Samuel.

"I see you passed the first test. Didn't expect anything less from you," he said with a smile.

Sir Samuel was sporting battle armour but his hair had been opened and it was flowing with the wind.

"Am I to face you?" Arya asked.

Sir Samuel shook his head. "Good heavens no. If you tried I highly doubt that you would last very long against me," the last words had a teasing tilt to his voice.

Arya shrugged her shoulder in a casual manner. "We would have to see. I have had the honour of holding pretty well against Lady Zelie, Madame Kenna, and Sir Alexander. We could always add your name to the list."

"As much as I would like that, today is not that day." He clapped the knight he was talking to on the back before he started walking away. At the last moment he turned around and addressed Arya. "Udo is your opponent today. I have matters to attend to but if I finish early I would love to see your fight."

He waved at her before he disappeared in one of the other tents. Arya bowed before the knight to signal her respect. "Please to meet you Sir Udo."

The man was taller than Arya. She was by no means short but the man towered over her 5'9 frame. Arya knew even before the match began that it was not going to be easy.

"Have you brought your weapon of choice?" he asked in a gruff voice.

Arya pointed towards Anaz which was still in its sheath hanging from her waist.

"Very well, the rules for the match are simple. If you are able to get me to drop my weapon or have me in a position that would have been a fatal blow, you win." Sir Udo explained.

Arya nodded indicating that she had understood the rules. The two of them both stepped back in order to allow for more space between the two of them. Another knight came to stand before them and she had a flag in her hand.

She waved the flag down to indicate that the match had begun.

Arya eyes Sir Udo wearily waiting for him to make the first move. She didn't know what his strengths and weakness were so she wanted to take a few moments of the battle to be able to assess them clearly and then formulate a strategy to defeat him.

A few moments later Sir Udo attacked first thrusting his sword towards her right hip. Arya blocked the move and he jumped back quickly. Based on the first blow Arya was able to see that his right hand was the dominant one and he was fairly fast.

The next few attacks were once again from Sir Udo and all Arya could do was step away or block his attacks. She had been pushed to the defense and she didn't like it. However, Arya knew that she could not afford to be sloppy and eventually she would be able to find a way to get past Sir Udo defenses.

A few moments later Arya was able to get her chance. She had seen Sir Udo's attacking pattern since he had been the one most attacking her and she had been able to get a good sense of what he would do next. So, when he thrusted his sword at her caves, she was ready.

Arya stepped out of the way and with lighting speed she swung down her blade at Sir Udo's. The blades clashed together and she could see the Sir Udo was struggling to keep the sword off the ground. He knew as well as she did that it would mean game over.

Both of their wills clashed against one another. For Sir Udo's his pride and honour were on the line meanwhile for Arya it was a lifetime opportunity she may never receive again. For a brief second Arya glanced at the position she was in and her mind lit up like a lightbulb.

She had an insane idea and it might just work.

Arya jumped onto Anaz and she struggled to keep her balance on the blade. Sir Udo was surprised and Arya knew he wouldn't be able to hold the weight of her sword and her body for much longer.

She was proved to be right when a while later, his sword slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground.

Arya had won.

A brief smile made its appearance on her lips but it was as quickly gone soon after. She stood a respectful distance away from Sir Udo and awaited his next instructions.

His face was hidden under a curtain of hair but when he looked up; Arya saw respect in his eyes.

He bowed to her in admiration. "Congratulations Arya Ernest. You have passed the second test of being able to wield a weapon. There is only one thing that stands in your way of becoming a knight; the survival test."

He pointed to the other corner of the camp and told her she would find a healer there. She would receive further instructions upon her arrival. Arya nodded and made her way towards the healer. When she looked back, she could see that many of the students had arrived from their first test and they seemed to be facing off knights.

Arya could make out Yasmin's curly black hair as well as Silvia's fiery red one. She also saw Jennica, Walter and Damien. The only person she didn't see was Aaron.

Arya's heart filled with dread. Was it possibly that Aaron had failed the first examination?

She shook her head trying to escape the thoughts. It was possible but highly unlikely. Aaron had a brilliant mind and she knew it first-hand. If she had placed bets on anybody, it would have easily been Aaron.

Instead Arya tried focusing on all the medical knowledge that she had. That is all that stood in her way of becoming a knight. It was so close that Arya could almost feel it but she also knew that this was not the time to be getting cocky.

When Arya arrived at the location, she saw a short mousy haired healer standing next to a table of herbs. Beside her was Aaron's familiar frame. He had heard her footsteps so when she approached he gave her a crocked grin.

"I almost thought your battle wouldn't end."

Arya gave him a confused glance. "You were there?"

He nodded. "My battle wrapped up before yours and I wasn't able to stay and watch."

Arya was actually surprised that she had not noticed Aaron's present. It meant that she had been too absorbed with her battle and hadn't paid any heed to her surroundings. She needed to be aware at all times, instincts and awareness was one of the few things that helped a solider live.

"Enough chit chat," the healer snapped at the two of them.

Arya was taken back by her attitude but didn't say anything.

The healer handed her a list, "Find all the things written on this parchment. When you do, you have thirty minutes to brew an antidote. Successfully complete this task and you will officially be named a Kalvarian Knight."

Arya took the list and scanned it to see the first item, Ashwagandha. She and Aaron worked silently as they went to gather the items on the list but they worked side by side when preparing their antidotes. Although she had started after Aaron, the two of them finished their preparations at the same time.

Aaron and Arya both stood stiffly as the healer came to inspect their table as well as the antidote. Arya held in her breath as the healer dipped her finger into Arya's potion and licked it. She awaited her fate impatiently.

The healer sighed heavily before speaking. "Congratulations to both of you. You have passed all three tests successfully and are now official knight in the armed forces of Kalvaria..."

She continued saying some more words but Arya had stopped listening. She turned to Aaron a smile lighting her lips. "We passed!"

Aaron looked overjoyed as well. He pulled her in for a hug. "We actually did it. We are actually knights. It seems so surreal."

And then he took Arya's face into his hands and kissed her. Arya was momentarily shocked before she kissed him back. It had been too long since they had last kissed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him even closer. It was a deep kiss and it reflected the joys that they both were experiencing.

A wolf whistle broke them apart. Arya turned around to see the source of the noise and her cheeks turned a slight pink when she saw Sir Samuel, Lady Zelie, and Prince Zander all waiting for them.

"I don't think I have ever seen Arya blush." Lady Zelie commented.

Aaron laughed while Arya hid behind his shoulder trying to avoid their gaze. Sir Samuel was now her general and she didn't want to be seen making out with someone right before his eyes!

Prince Zander congratulated the two of them and Sir Samuel and Lady Zelie joined him. Arya couldn't help but be overjoyed as she enjoyed her victory with some of the most important people in her life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arya walked across the camp trying to look for Aaron and the others. She had lost them in the crowd after the naming ceremony. The knights were all in a festive mood and Arya could barely get through them as they were laughing and drinking ale. Arya was almost certain that half of them were drink as they were walking erratically.

As Arya avoided bumping into another drunken knight she heard a familiar voice.

"He wants me to marry Walter! Do you know how stupid that is?" Jennica's voice rang out.

Although Arya did not condone eavesdropping she couldn't help but stop in her track to hear more of the conversation. It seemed as though she would finally find out what was wrong with Jennica.

"That is very peculiar. Did he tell you the man he chose?" Walter asked her.

Arya couldn't hear anything so she could only assume that Jennica had made a silent gesture.

"I ran away before he could pressure me into doing anything else. Honestly he didn't even want me to come to the camp and fight in the war which is ridiculous. Contrary to the popular beliefs of everyone, I love my country and I would proudly defend it." Jennica explained.

"He must have his reasons." Walter reasoned. "He loves you."

"That man may love me but he has a hard time showing it." Jennica said bitterly.

There was silence for a few more minutes and Arya peeked out of her hiding spot to see what was happening. Walter had engulfed Jennica in a hug and her head rested on his shoulders. Arya had never seen Jennica let down her guard like that. Clearly Walter was someone very special to her.

"Listen to me Jennica, ever since your mother's death the Earl had simply become more protective of you. He doesn't want you to get harmed. It would kill him." Walter said softly.

"You know what kills me right now? Being treated like a baby. Worse of all was that Arya heard the conversation between us."

Arya had to strain her ears to make sure that Jennica had mentioned her. Had that night in Caydeh really affect Jennica?

Walter let out a low laugh. "When are you going to let that girl go? She hasn't done anything to harm you."

"Exactly," Jennica said venomously. Her tone then became softer. "She's just naturally brilliant in everything. Lady Zelie loves her, my father loves her, The King loves her, heck the entire country loves her."

Arya was shocked. Their conversation had just moved from Jennica's family life to talk about her.

Walter sighed. "You may be jealous of her..."

"Jealous?" Jennica almost spat those words out. "I'm just irritated that she doesn't have to try so hard in everything."

Arya shook her head. It wasn't true. Although people did assume that of her, she had worked hard to get where she was today.

"That's not true." Walter's voice spoke up. "She may be loved but she is also feared. Just by looking at her you could tell that she was all alone. Now she has people around her like Aaron and her friends but she was lonely for a very long time. Jennica no matter what you say, you can't say that she doesn't work hard. If she's good at using weapons it's she spent hours of her time outside school to hone her skills. If she knows Kalvarian history it's because she read numerous books until her eyes bled. You say that you don't like her but I know you Jennica. She is one of the few people you respect in this world."

Arya was taken back by Walters's words and confession. She had never though that someone actually noticed what she was like before she had met all the people in her life. Walter was more perceptive than she had originally believed. She also couldn't believe that Jennica admired her. She had done of terrible job of showing it but Arya now understood Jennica better than she had before. Her cunning remarks had been a defense mechanism as if she had been scared to let down her guard in front of Arya.

Arya left her hiding spot and continue looking for the others. She no longer needed to eavesdrop on Walter and Jennica's conversation. She had learned a lot and hopefully it would help her deal with Jennica in the future. Arya found Aaron a few moments later and she was surprised to see him sitting with the other knights as opposed to Damien and the others.

Arya approached the fire consciously not aware if she should make her presence known or not. She was saved from the trouble when Aaron's eyes lifted from the fire to meet her own. He patted the ground next to where he was seated and Arya joined him embracing the warmth he provided. He smelt like burnt wood and that was probably because he had helped build the fire.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hi," Aaron muttered in her ear. He readjusted his position so that he now had his arms around her instead.

Arya leaned into his chest. "Where are the others?"

Aaron shrugged his shoulders. "I couldn't find them. They were probably off doing something stupid anyways."

Arya nodded but didn't say anything. As if sense her mood Aaron asked her if she was okay. Arya gave him a small smile to show that everything was fine. It seemed as though Aaron wanted to push the subject but decided to drop it when he saw the sadness in her eyes. Arya was still replying the conversation she had heard about Jennica.

A lot of things had made sense to Arya and it felt as though a veil had been lifted from her eyes allowing her to see clearly.

"Gather around, its story time kids." One of the knights said to Arya and Aaron.

Arya exchanged a confused glance with Aaron but he shrugged his shoulder indicating that he didn't know what they were talking about either. By now more than half the camp had come to listen to the story. She turned to her right and saw Yasmin and Silvia take a seat next to her. Damien and Walter came soon after as well and to Arya's surprise, Jennica took a seat next to them as well.

Yasmin and Silvia looked as surprise as she did as they both cocked their eyebrows in her direction but Arya motioned for them to drop the subject.

"Do you what the story is going to be about?" Silvia whispered in her ear.

Arya shook her head. "Nope, but I'm hoping it's a good one."

The knight who was telling the story coughed lightly in order to get everyone's attention. "Today's story is going to be about one of the most celebrated knights in Kalvarian History."

"Come on James we all know the story of Sir Lancelot." One of the other knights interrupted.

There was laughed among the group and maybe got up to leave. The silver haired story teller shot the knight whom had spoken a deathly glare. "Tonight's story is going to be about Sir Letholdus Henderson."

Arya felt Aarons' body freeze beside her. She slipped her hand through his before whispering in his ear. "We can leave if you want."

He shook his head. "I want to know more about my father. I only learned snippets from books and this could be a chance to get the whole truth."

Arya nodded and once again relaxed into Aaron's body. If she was going to be completely honest, she was curious about Aaron's father as well. She had wanted to learn more about the knight and she was finally being presented with an opportunity to do so.

"I've heard that name before." Silvia whispered to Yasmin but Arya heard her. She didn't mention that Sir Letholdus was Aaron's father because it wasn't her secret to tell.

"Sir Letholdus was the Captain of the Guard before Sir Samuel took the post." James began. "He was in charge of ensuring the protection of the royal family but in particular Prince Zander Pierce Breckenridge."

Arya shared a looked with Aaron. She had never known that the Prince and Aaron had shared a connection prior to the academy.

"Prince Zander was born five minutes earlier than Princess Zelie and therefore he was the Heir of the throne. Sir Letholdus was put in charge of the young prince because he was known to cause trouble in his childhood."

"He still does." Another knight cut in.

The crowd laughed but Arya could not join them. She wanted to know the rest of the story.

"Sir Letholdus tried the best he could to convert Prince Zander's mischievousness into his training. In some parts he succeeded as the young prince became one of the best fighters in the country. Only a few his age posed a real threat to him, one being his own sister Princess Zelie."

Arya had never heard this side of the story. It was becoming increasingly interesting. She was able to learn more about the Prince and the Princess as well especially when they were younger.

"Princess Zelie had been trained by one of the most formidable female knights, Lady Kenna. The rivalry between the two became even greater when Sir Alexander took over as Prince Zander's mentor. He was Lady Kenna's cousin and the two shared a long history which was transferred to their trainees." James paused for a moment before he took a sip of water from the canteen beside him.

"Meanwhile Sir Letholdus had been relieved of his duties and he became taking orders from the King himself. Some of the most dangerous missions were carried out by Sir Letholdus. He had a cunning mind and was able to squeeze the kingdom out of trouble. Many believed his greatness to be genetic and thought he was a descendant of Sir Lancelot himself."

Arya took the information in. On some level it did make sense. Not only was Sir Letholdus a legend, but his son also had similar qualities. Arya was very tempted to ask Aaron if the story teller had been telling the truth but she held her tongue.

"All was well until one day, Sir Letholdus was found dead in his chambers. It seemed impossible. One of the greatest warriors had fallen in his own chamber. He had been assassinated but nobody knew how. The King himself looked into the case but found it to be a dead end. Until this day, nobody knows who killed the brilliant knight but many dare to try and find out. It is an incomplete story, waiting to be completed." James concluded.

Almost everyone got up from the campfire at this time but Arya stayed behind with Aaron. She glanced into his eyes and saw the flicker of silver still there.

"They didn't tell me all of this." He whispered. "All I knew was that he died. The cause was always unknown."

Arya took his hand into her own before she began rubbing soothing patterns. She couldn't come and slay the demons for Aaron, he would have to do it on his own but she could be there and support him just like he had for her. And so for the remainder of the night, Arya stayed by Aaron giving him the support and strength he needed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oops this  became a bit longer than I expected. I even had to cut a scene from here. Arya is officially a knight now! We also got to see the dynamic between Walter and Jennica. In addition we learned some back story about Aaron's father. So what are your thought? It's been a good Friday as hepburnettes featured Heir of the Sword in her promo. I also had the honor of receiving a beautiful cover from the seventhstar. Please remember to vote as well:)