The Sun rose through the dark Skies, its soft beams lighting the kingdom. The first thing many people did after waking up was to go to the temple and give offerings like a leaf or a flower while some sang their prayers. Many knights who passed by the temple bowed to it once to show their respect before they continued walking. It was a special thing for them, for everyone. It had taught them everything they know. The blacksmiths frequently made a custom armour for warriors, some wanted a leaf pattern on the back of the armour while some wanted it on the front.
Some high ranked warriors wielded custom sword or custom bow, proud of their religion.
It was a normal day like any other when the warriors sparring in the training ground saw a new face, Devon. He was there to train, or that's what they thought. Devon was from a family of noble fighters, taught how to fight from a very young age.
He picked up a training sword before looking for a sparring partner. His eyes started scanning everyone there, from left to right before going left again, trying to spot someone who's free and can be his sparring partner.
William and his friends were just a distance away when they saw Devon, someone they hadn't seen before. They were happy that there was a new fighter who wanted to learn how to fight, not knowing who Devon truly was. They welcomed him with open arms, ready to help him improve.
William, his voice confident as he walked towards Devon:
"Hey, you look new. You here to learn more about fighting?"
Devon, looking at William, his face straight:
"...yea"
William, picking up a sword:
"Come on then, let's do 2 normal matches first to see how much you know."
Devon, scanned the sword in his hand before nodding:
"Sure."
Some other fighters watched the fight with curiosity, interested in knowing how much the new guy knows.
"Round 1 Begins!" Said one of the fighters.
William slashes at Devon first but Devon blocks it before dodging the next attack and slashing his sword at William's leg before following up with another attack, slashing the sword out of William's hand and William immediately raises his hands. William was frankly surprised, he didn't thought a new warrior would be this good. Maybe, it was just luck...
"Round 2 begins!" Said the same fighter
This time, Devon attacks first throwing his sword at William, hitting him near the shoulder. William countered by slashing his sword at Devon but Devon ducks under it before punching William hard in the face, making William fall on the ground...
William to himself:
"Huh, no way. I thought this is a new guy, not someone who is already this good in fighting... Who is this guy?"
As much as William was surprised, he was also happy that Devon was this good.
Some other fighters looked surprised by seeing Devon defeat William so easily. One of the more skilled fighter, Tham challenged Devon and Devon accepted it
Round 1 Begins!
Tham strikes first, slashing his sword at Devon but Devon leaps over it before punching Tham back. Tham strikes again but Devon swiftly kicks the sword out of his hand, disarming him and pointing his sword at Tham. Tham instead of giving up, gets on a defensive stance, his fists raised..
Devon looks at him before putting the sword down and raising his fists...
Many fighters look at him, shocked. He could have ended the duel easily but he chose to give him one more chance.
Tham charges at Devon but Devon sidesteps tk left and punches him back. Tham quickly composes himself before kicking Devon back and following up with a punch but Devon reacts quickly, dodging his kick by stepping to the left before punching him to the ground, winning yet another fight
Many fighters cheer for Devon. A new fighter just beat two known and strong fighters who were also experienced. Some look at Devon with envy while some look at him with curiosity and interest...
That day, Devon returns home. Unbeknown to him, he had made some enemies that day...
Devon slowly walked back home, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He stopped near The Surni River before sitting there, looking at the beautiful river and the sunset. Darkness conquered the skies, the sun that once shined now gone. Devon slowly got up when suddenly he heard somebody running and looks back to see a figure close up, swinging it's sword at Devon. Devon reacts quickly, getting out of the way. The sword stills grazed his left arm, leaving a mark. Before Devon could do anything else, the figure attacks again, swinging it's sword at Devon. Devon ducks down before punching the figure back but the figure composes quickly, kicking Devon back before following up with a punch, punching Devon to the ground. The figure attacks at Devon while he was still down, trying to end it. But, Devon rolls away just in time, staggering back to his feet quickly. Devon tries to look for something, anything that could help him kill. Just when figure charges at Devon, a dagger flies through the air, piercing into the figure's left leg, making the figure fall mid sprint. Devon quickly sprints at the figure, grabbing the sword from the ground before the figure could get up. The figure notices it and gets up, taking out a dagger, holding it in its right hand. Devon attacks at the figure, cutting its right hand off. The figure falls down, blood pouring from the cut as it starts screaming...
Just then, Devon looks for who helped him and sees a figure slowly walk towards him... It was Sarah, Devon's childhood friend. She was also part of The Noble Family, learning how to fight from a very young age, just like Devon.
Devon, still on guard:
"What are you doing here?"
Sarah, walking towards him:
"Was just checking on you since it was getting dark."
Devon, looking at the figure before looking back at her:
"I'm not a kid. You don't have to look out for me."
Sarah, sarcastic:
"Yeah, yeah. It's not like you would have survived without me."
Devon, frustrated:
"I had him. If you hadn't interfered, I would have still gotten this guy."
Sarah, looks at the figure, scanning for any logo:
"You always say that..."
Devon grabs the figure before walking:
"Let's go now. Let's give this guy to them. They can get information out of him."
Sarah follows behind, her eyes scanning for any threats...
They are a part of The Noble Family which has its own disadvantages. Mostly because they become primary targets for assassins and since Sarah and Devon were the youngest in the family, they get targeted the most.
Devon sees it as free practice round. That's why he never comes home early, always after dark.
Sarah knows that he can take care of himself but she still doesn't want him to take risks like these. One wrong move and he's dead...
As they walked, Sarah glanced at Devon, worried for him...
Devon kept walking, dragging the figure behind him, somewhat frustrated at Sarah. He knew she just wanted the best for him, that she cared for him just like he cared for her. But, it was too much. She knows he can take care of these assassins but she still shows up, thinking she's helping. But the only thing she's doing is ruining his free practice duel...
It was not the mistake of The Kingdom of Surani that assassins still existed. They can't do much to stop the assassins. He respected Surani and it's culture but not those who envy him and try to kill him...