Days passed, each one beginning the same. The sun rose over Draven Keep, and Kael trained under his father's sharp eye.
He swung the wooden sword until his arms burned. He balanced on posts until his legs shook. He ran the length of the courtyard again and again, sweat dripping down his face. Every night he fell into bed exhausted, his body aching—but his spirit stronger.
"Good," Duke Lucien would say each evening, though his eyes were always serious. "You are growing. But do not forget—discipline is greater than strength."
Kael held on to those words, even when he was tired.
But one morning, the Duke stood in full armor at the gates of the keep. His sword shone in the pale light. Soldiers gathered, banners snapping in the wind.
"Father? Where are you going?" Kael asked, running to him.
Lucien knelt and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. His voice was calm, but his eyes were distant.
"There is trouble beyond the borders. I must fight. Be strong, Kael. Train hard. I will return."
Kael's chest tightened. "But… what if you don't?"
Lucien's firm grip steadied him. "A knight always keeps his promise. Trust me, my son."
With that, he mounted his horse and rode out, soldiers following like a steel tide. Kael stood there until the last banner vanished.
That night, Kael could not sleep. His mother, Lady Evelyne, came to his side, sitting on his bed. She stroked his hair gently, her smile faint but warm.
"Don't worry, Kael," she whispered. "Your father has faced countless battles. He will come back to us."
Kael nodded, though his heart was heavy.
Days turned into weeks. Kael kept training, but something gnawed at him. His strikes grew sharper, his endurance longer, yet he felt… stuck.
One evening, Maverick the cat jumped onto the training dummy, flicking his tail. His golden eyes gleamed.
"Little knight, if you stay here, you'll never grow truly strong."
Kael frowned. "What do you mean? Father trains me every day!"
Maverick yawned. "Your father is gone, and this courtyard is too small for your spark. If you want real strength, come with me—into the mountains. That is where you'll find what you need."
Kael's heart raced. The mountains? Dangerous, wild… but exciting.
He ran to his mother at once. "Mother, please! Maverick says I must go to the mountains to train. I'll become stronger there!"
Lady Evelyne's face went pale. "No, Kael. Absolutely not. The mountains are too dangerous. You're still just a boy."
"But Mother!" Kael begged. "If I stay here, I'll never be strong enough. What if Father needs me one day?"
Her eyes trembled. For a long time she said nothing, only looking at her son. At last, she sighed.
"…Very well. If this is your choice, I will not stop you. But promise me, Kael—promise me you'll come back to me safe."
"I promise, Mother." His voice was firm.
That night, she packed food, dried meats, and warm clothes into a small satchel. When it was time to leave, she hugged him tightly, her hands shaking.
"My little Kael," she whispered, "no matter how strong you become, never lose your heart."
He hugged her back, eyes stinging. "I won't, Mother."
With Maverick perched on his shoulder, Kael stepped beyond the gates of Draven Keep. The world outside stretched wide and full of mystery.
The boy who would one day be known as the Blood Knight took his first step into the unknown.