“Yay! I got more!” Peter cheered as the end of his hook twitched. The young man pulled his fishing line and put the new catch into a wicker basket.

“This is enough!” said Peter, while trying to light a fire to burn the fish. “The sun is almost high. Let’s eat! You don’t want to work starving, do you?” Peter asked Borin, his best friend.

Meanwhile, Borin was sitting by the river, holding his motionless fishing rod.

Although annoyed at not getting a single fish, Borin was to follow Peter. He scrubbed dry twigs to help start the fire. They then cooked the fish and ate fast.

“Here, eat more. Your big body will need more intake.” Peter shoved two cooked fish at his friend. Compared to Peter—and most people of his age—Borin was shorter and fatter.

Borin chuckled while snatching the fish. “Thanks. You understand me the most.”

The two teenagers have been close since they were both raised by Muriel, Peter’s biological mother. Borin himself did not know where his parents were, whether they were dead or alive.

Because his physique differed from Peter, whose eyes and hair was as black as soot, Borin—who had wavy blonde hair—had asked Muriel about his parents. However, the middle-aged woman only said that sixteen years ago, she found a baby by the river with a handkerchief. There was a name embroidered on one corner—Borin Halten.

That was all Borin knew.

After finishing the meal, the two of them walked towards the city gate. It was a large wooden door with a stone wall around it. There was a blue and white flag hung over there. It had an image of two swords and a crown. Below, there was an inscription.

“WELCOME TO PORTOS CITY, THE CAPITAL OF YANDELL ISLAND. THE KINGDOM OF ETHARDOS.”

It was the city where Peter and Borin lived. As the largest city on the Yandell island, Portos was vivacious. The sound of horse clopping and cart shrieking was combined with people chattering.

The day was bright and warm as the sun had risen from the horizon. Peter and Borin kept walking down the pavement with many multi-story wooden buildings belonging to wealthy merchants on the sides.

After several minutes, they arrive at the castle—the residence of the noble Fernier family. The two teenagers worked there every day. If Peter was a squire for a knight named Eric Donner, Borin was to serve Young Master Ramos Fernier.

After parting with Borin at the gate, Peter met Eric at his residence. It was a small stone building near the main castle. There was a small terrace with chairs and a table in front of the house. It was where Eric sat while reading a book.

“Good morning, Mr. Eric,” said Peter.

“Peter Cornell… you look peppy today,” said Eric with a smile.

“Thank you, Sir. This day seems to be great for me.” Peter smiled back at Eric. “So, anything I could do?”

“First thing, please prepare my meal.”

“Yes, sir,” said Peter as he put his hand on the forehead in a salute gesture. He then left for the kitchen while Eric smiled as he was pleased by Peter’s verve. Eric took a chair and sit while waiting for his squire to come back with his meal.

Not long after, Eric could smell something nice about to come. “Only one?” asked Eric as he saw Peter coming.

“Ya, I have eaten with Borin just now,” said Peter while placing food and drink for his knight on a table.

“Are you sure? This one looks delicious.” Eric stared at Peter with a smile.

“Sure. Thanks. I will just take the drink.” said Peter. He then sat next to Eric while taking a peek at the book Eric just read. It was a military strategy.

Not so interested, Peter threw his glance at the yard in front of him. As his thought started to wander, something intriguing popped up. Out of curiosity, he asked Eric, “Excuse me, if I may ask, why are you willing to make me a squire? Isn’t a knight aides teenagers from respectable families?”

“Your father was also an honorable man,” said Eric. “Go practice the moves I taught you yesterday. I’ll finish my meal first.”

Peter stepped into the yard and started training with his sword while Eric sat relaxedly as he watched Peter practice.

“Hold your sword stronger!” said Eric when Peter accidentally threw his sword.

After several minutes, Peter stopped for a moment to drink and rest. The wind blew gently, swaying leaves and grass as they make rustling sounds.

As both of them sit side by side, Peter asked again, “If my father is an honorable man, why does my mother have to live as a servant?”

“Hmm… people says he’s a traitor,” Eric replied as he stood up. “But I don’t believe that myself.” Eric took a wooden sword and get prepared to be a match for Peter. Both of them stood face to face.

“I know him well. He’s my best friend. That’s why I don’t believe he betrayed. Even now, I still have respect for him,” said Eric looking sharply at Peter and asked. “Are you ready?”

Peter nodded and tried to concentrate. But the statement he just heard made him easily lose focus.

Eric slashed, while Peter—being unfocused—move backward to dodge. But he tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground.

“Stay focused!” Eric scolded his squire.

“Sorry,” Peter smiled wryly while scratching his head.

Eric lent his hand to help Peter to his feet.

“Then what makes people accuse my father of being a traitor?”

“The evidence points to that. However, it wasn’t strong enough. Sometimes, your heart finds its own truth and makes you unable to believe anything else.”

“Then what do you believe about my father? What is your truth?”

“He was slandered… but I don’t have enough evidence to support it.” Eric got back to his stance and get ready to attack.

“Grasp your sword tighter!” Eric closed the conversation and asked Peter to focus more on his training.

***

Meanwhile, in a room in the castle, Borin prepared warm water in a wooden tub for his master. He heated water in a fireplace and mixed it with cold water until the temperature was right. Something he always did every day.

“Sir, the warm water is ready,” said Borin. He stood silently in the room’s corner while looking down. It was impolite for a lowly man like Borin to stare into his master’s eyes.

Young Master Ramos was a twenty-year-old young boy. His face was round, with a fairly large posture. His hair and eyes were dark brown.

Borin kept his head down, waiting for his young master’s reaction. In the meantime, Ramos just stood still, looking out the window. From there, he could see Peter practicing swordsmanship with Eric.

“Huh… what kind of move is that?” The noble youngster snorted and walked away. He ignored Borin, who remained silent since he didn’t know what to do.

Ramos went down the stone steps and out into the courtyard. He approached Eric while saying harshly, “Get out of the way, let me be his match!”

As the knight was required to obey the will of the young master, He handed over his wooden sword. Peter was surely annoyed, but he had no choice. He could only remain silent while holding his stance, waiting for the opponent to act first.

Ramos’s attack was strong and fast. Peter parried it swiftly, but his body staggered. The next attack came shortly after. Fortunately, Peter could still block. However, he clumsily lost grip on his sword. He was sure if Ramos attacked again, he would get some serious injury.

Luckily for Peter, Gideon Fernier—Ramos’s father and the most powerful man in Portos—came across just in time. “Stop it, Ramos! Don’t bother him!” His voice sounds firm and authoritative.

Ramos looked annoyed but dared not argue. He threw away his wooden sword and hurried away. “Next time I’ll beat you up!” the arrogant boy whispered in Peter’s ear, then walked back to his room. He scolded Borin when he found the bathwater had turned cold.

Meanwhile, Gideon approached Peter with a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Forgive his arrogant attitude.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Peter. He bowed in respect.

“I too was arrogant at that age. Power can be blinding. I hope time will change him for the better,” said Gideon. He then left Peter and Eric. The man walked down the courtyard with Arden Yabert, his counselor.

“Ramos is of age now. Who do you think is the right match for him?” asked Gideon to his advisors.

“King Agra has a daughter named Isabel. She is also of age. I think it would be good if you propose to the king for his daughter. This will strengthen the desirable relationship that has been established so far.”

“Hmm… makes sense.” Gideon seemed to agree with his advisor’s suggestion. “When is the right time to propose?”

“The condition of the country is currently safe. I think sooner is better.”

“All right. Then he will come with me to Kingsford. Incidentally, I plan to go there in a few days. The king invited some knights across the kingdom to take part in a tourney.”

“Pardon me, my lord. I think it would be unwise to take Ramos straight to the capital. With his rude and arrogant attitude, I fear the king will refuse this match.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“First, tell Ramos that you plan to propose to the king for Princess Isabel, but with one condition. He must change his attitude to be kinder. If he agrees, you can ask the king about this. I will make sure Ramos changes while you’re away. After everything is arranged, he may depart for Kingsford.”

“Good idea! I’m sure that boy will be interested in this arrangement.” Gideon was satisfied with his advisor’s suggestion. The two of them then went to ensure the readiness of the Portos knights, as they would take part in the royal tourney.

In the evening, Gideon gathered his family in the dining room. He intends to convey his plan according to Arden’s advice. “Tomorrow I’m going to Kingsford to attend the tourney and make a proposal to the king. I intend to match Princess Isabel for you,” said Gideon to his son.

“That’s great!” Ramos’s brown eyes sparkled. His smile grew wide while imagining the beauty of princess Isabel.

“But before that, you must change your attitude. You need to be kinder. Arden will help you change while I’m gone.”

“Okay, Dad. I can do it!” said Ramos, still with his smile. “This is awesome! I’m going to live in the capital with a beauty.”

“But remember, change your attitude first.” His mother—Mrs. Aileen Gillard—reemphasized his condition.

“Fine, Mother. I will treat Princess Isabel like this.” Ramos got up from his chair, bent down, and kissed the hand of his younger sister, Gladys.

Receiving such treatment from her brother, Gladys felt uncomfortable. With a sullen face, she withdrew her hand and placed it on top of her lap.

Gladys Fernier was the last child of the Fernier family. She had long wavy hair that was reddish brown. Her thin lips and cheeks made her such a beauty standard for girls in Portos.

“May I come to the capital too?” Gladys asked her parents. She was also interested in the glittering life in the capital city.

“No, Dad. A spoiled girl like her will only be a burden,” said Ramos. He was now back in his chair. Their brother-sister relationship wasn’t quite good because of their childish nature. If Ramos is arrogant and rude, Gladys is a whiny, spoiled princess.

“You just promised you’d be nice, didn’t you?” Aileen reminded her son, while Gladys looked at her brother in disgust.

Hearing his mother, Ramos could only be silent. He threw away his sight while his face showed displeasure.

“Okay, you can come with your brother when we’re done with everything.”

“Really?! Thank you, dad!” Gladys was so happy to hear Mr. Gideon’s answer. The girl smiled cheerfully. Although she preferred to go with his parents only, getting permission to go was fun enough for her.

***

After all the work was done, Peter and Borin returned to the servants’ quarters—a musty and damp underground hall. That’s where they used to eat and rest. Illumination from several torches and candles hit the stone walls, dimming the light. After waiting in line for a bowl of warm soup and a piece of hard bread, Peter sat down on the floor next to Borin.

“Why do you think your young master hates me so much?” asked Peter. He stared into his best friend’s brown eyes.

Borin shrugged and said, “He hates me too, you know?! He often scolds me because I stink, he also scolds me because I’m fat. Even when I’m silent, he still curses at me. Whatever I do or don’t do is always wrong for him.”

Hearing that, Peter felt a little luckier since he wasn’t Ramos’ servant.

“Seems like he hates everyone,” said Peter, taking conclusion.

“Have you heard? In a few days, Lord Gideon will go to the capital to set a match for our young master to the king’s daughter?” asked Borin.

“Oh really? How do you know?”

“Ramos is too excited. He can’t help but tell everyone. And I’m the one who is always near him.”

“It would be good if he stayed there, too. At least our suffering here would be less.” Peter smiled wryly. He sometimes feels jealous of the life of the nobles. It seemed luxurious and pleasant. The boy daydreamed and let his eyes wander across the room.

Peter suddenly froze to see a girl his age sitting across the room. Her face—lighted by the soft glow of the candles—was serene and soothing. Her brown hair was slightly visible behind the cream-colored veil.

“You know who she is?” Peter nudged Borin, who was so focused on his food.

“She’s Miss Gladys’s new maid.”

She is so beautiful, Peter talked to himself. There weren’t many pretty girls among the servants.

After finishing his food and washing his bowl, Peter wanted to approach the girl, but she had disappeared somewhere.

“Rest Peter,” said Mrs. Muriel to her son.

“Okay, ma’am.” Peter plopped down on the mat and crouched to the side. He tried to imagine what his father—whose death was still shrouded in a mist of mystery—was like. He—just like Eric—didn’t believe that his father was a traitor. At that moment, Peter was determined that one day he will unravel the mystery, clear his family name, and restore his life as a man of honor.