I had just been promoted to become one of the castle knights for lord Belhaven. As a simple soldier of his lordship for the last few years, this would be the first time I would find myself within the impressive walls of Lord Belhaven’s castle.

Looking back just a few years ago, I could have never imagined where I would be today.

One of the senior guards was giving me a tour of the inside of the castle. Normally due to my social standing I would not be allowed within these walls. But as a knight my job was now to keep the family of Lord Belhaven safe. 

We were walking across the courtyard, I couldn't help but notice the iron bars on the windows of the bottom floor facing the inner courtyard. 

I couldn't help but shudder at the thought, it was very likely that most of those people were completely innocent and that the punishment of their crimes would be far too great for the actions that they had done. Though I chose not share these thoughts with the senior guard. Staying quiet as it was not my place to question the authority of his lordship.

After a few minutes and through winding half-lit corridors we finally made it to my abode. There's nothing much behind the creaking old door; a single bed with simple bed sheets as well as a chest for personal effects. 

The senior guard left me to unpack the little belongings that I had brought with me to the castle. I was now left to my own thoughts for the first time since arriving at the castle. I did not have many belongings, in fact I had not much of anything to my name. I had travelled for most of my adult life doing odd jobs until I finally stumbled upon the opportunity to become a soldier. For a few years I was a simple soldier by trade, not caring much for who I fought for but rather what I could gain from it. That is until the opportunity arose where I could become a knight for a lord which paid well enough for me to settle down and have a quiet normal life of my own.   

It will take time for me to have enough money to buy my own home. This humble room inside the castle would do for now. I had been to far off places across the country and further on. There were many things beyond my own comprehension but yet I found it hard to believe that anything natural or earthbound was punishable by death. 

If one were to believe in the words of God, or those chosen to speak for him, that any and all creations of his were intentional and made to perfection by his hand, then why was this one of many exceptions? Not just magic, but many other arts and urges.

I shook my head, not wanting to delve too deeply in those thoughts. I began to put away the few belongings I had brought with me, closing the simple chest behind me. 

Perhaps I would never truly know the ins and outs of the delicate political climate of my country and perhaps it was best to keep it that way. After all, I am but a simple knight.