The morning air drifted through the silent throne room. The sky glowed red and the sun redder. Crows flew by the arch windows, flying South, and slowly soaring away into the clouds. A pile of knights were lit in the crematory, a large spreading disease overtook a quarter of the men, and the rest were still a ill. Waiting for death to creep up on them.

Gage sat upon his throne next to Dixon. He shifted in his leather armor and slid his scabbard to the side to decrease the discomfort. The throne room lay empty and silent in front of them. The hard, stone thrones were uncomfortable and confining. Gage could only dream of the training field and battles. The silence was painful and unbearable. There was no action or exhilaration. Gage and Dixon sat in quietly on their thrones until Dixon finally spoke.

“What do you think we should do during this short morning?” Dixon asked him as he stared out the throne room doors. “I mean… our butts are going to hurt after a day's work just sitting here.”

He grinned at Gage at his own joke and stood. Dixon wore his leather armor and had a scabbard but no sword. Gage stood and approached him.

“Perchance sparing?” Gage suggested, praying for him to say yea. He turned to Dixon grinning at his joke. “Whatever you’d like brother.” The throne room stayed silent. Finally Dixon walked from his throne and wrapped his robe around himself. He strolled towards Gage.

“We shall go then,” he said. “Besides tis cold in here.”

“Yea, tis quite chilly,” Gage agreed. “Ahead to the barracks… you’re going to do well today brother.” Dixon let out a slight smile.

Gage followed him out of the chamber and into the main hall. The barracks stood outside next to the training fields. Several knights huddled outside the barracks with mail and armor on. A fat, plump legged man wobbled around in the training field, the straps of his chest armor were being strained, and his head cap was squeezing his large head. The fat man held his sword too low and walked awkwardly towards his opponent. The other knight was muscular and tall, a brawny fellow.

The powerful knight struck the fat man on the shoulder. He let out a loud cry and tumbled to his knees. “Hit him harder,” Hahm demanded loudly. “Hit him.”

Gage followed his brother into one of the barracks. It had shelves and barrels holding armor and swords, spears, and other weapons on one side. Beds and chests were on the other side for the knights.

Gage put on his mail, it was as light as a feather, and then his armor, which weighed much more. The mail made of weightless steel, but the armor was made of heavy titanium. He took up a sword, he felt proud as he walked out of the barrack with his armor on.

He walked to the middle of the training field as he put on his helm and closed the visor over with a cover. Dixon stood close behind him in his silver mail and glowing armor. The fat man now lay on the ground bleeding from the mouth as the brawny man beat him on the back. He let out a small whimper every time the knight struck him.

“What are you doing?” Gage asked angrily. “He’ll never stand if you continue to beat him.” The knight backed up, alarm on his face. He slid his sword back in his scabbard.

"Let him get up," Dixon ordered. "How can he ever fight if you won't give him a chance?"

“I'm sorry your grace,” he said quickly, respectfully and fearfully. Then bowed and backed off.

Gage leaned over and helped the fat man up. He steadied the man on his plump legs and then turned to Hahm. Hahm drew his sword, touching the tip of the blade to Gage’s chest. Gage leaned into it, not fearful.

“This is my ground,” Hahm spat. “Yours is the castle.”

“This is all my land,” Gage said. “I am the prince. You shall call me your grace.”

Hahm glared at him and put his sword back in his scabbard. Then turned. “Get this pig to the barracks,” he commanded. “Now.” Several knights dragged the fat man back to the barracks.

Gage drew his sword and stalked Hahm. He lifted his sword in an arch, striking the man’s sword, and sliding to his left.

The knight went to strike Gage’s right side, but he deflected, and struck Hahm in the low right. Gage stepped to the right and rose his sword high. Letting it come down on the knight’s ribs. He gasped and hunched over a little. Gage stepped to the left and slipped his blade under Hahm’s sword. Striking the knight in the knees and then lifted his blade to ram him in the head.

The knight stumbled over and fell onto his knee. Gage lifted his sword and clipped the knight in the helm. Then smacked him in the ribs again. Hahm fell onto his side fumbling with his sword. Gage lifted his sword and pierced the soil next to the knight’s head.

“The ham has been hooked,” he said feeling triumphant. The other knights laughed. “Next time, you better listen to me.” Hahm clumsily climbed to his feet in a fit of rage, scowling at Gage, he ripped his helmet off and threw it to the ground. Putting a huge dent in it. He looked at the rest of the knights in the yard embarrassed. His forehead wrinkles were dripping with blood and his hair matted with gore.

"Get out of my way," Hahm shouted in anger and shoved his way past the knights.

"Why you running away so quickly Hahm?" Gage teased.

“Next time, boy,” Hahm spat as he threw his sword at his feet and stomped off into a barrack. “Next time you won’t be so lucky.”

Dixon stepped into the field and took on two other knights. Gage watched, interested, as his brother stumbled around awkwardly and fell to the ground defeated. He was weak and couldn’t fight. Even being the eldest he wasn’t the fittest or the funniest. His hair was usually messy and he would always forget to trim his beard making him look grimy. Gage thought he was the better brother, he knew he was.

*

Gage stood in the barracks drenched in sweat. He stripped off his mail and meandered through the field towards the castle. “Here my lord,” a servant signaled for him to come. “Time to leave for the night is here.”

Gage followed the servant to his bedroom. The servant lit a candle and set it next to his bed. Gage slid into the sheets and sent the servant out. He lay in bed, watching the flame flicker, and slowly go out.

*