The Name Of A Sorcerer

The Royal Hunt

By the time the evening bell echoed through the Red Keep, every recruit felt as though their bodies were about to fall apart.

Commander William had shown no mercy. They had run until their legs burned, practiced swordsmanship until their hands blistered, fired arrows until their shoulders ached, and sparred until they could barely lift their weapons.

When training was finally dismissed, the recruits poured into the dining hall like a flood. The smell of fresh bread and hot vegetable soup filled the air, and Armand, Colin, Samwell, and Podric found an empty table near the corner.

The four boys attacked their meals in silence, and for nearly a minute the only sounds were spoons scraping bowls and bread being torn apart.

Finally, Podric looked across the table and dipped a piece of bread into his soup. "So... what element are you?"

Armand stopped eating. Colin and Samwell looked up as well.

"We've seen you fight," Samwell said. "But none of us can figure it out. You don't use fire. You don't control water. You don't command the wind. And you're definitely not an earth mage."

Podric frowned. "So... what are you?"

Armand stared into his bowl. "I... I don't know."

The three boys exchanged confused looks. "You don't know?" Colin asked.

Armand slowly shook his head. "I've never understood it."

Silence settled over the table.

Armand looked from one friend to another. "If I tell you something... can I trust you?"

Without hesitation, Colin answered first. "You can."

Samwell nodded. "You have my word."

Podric crossed his arms. "You saved my life. I'll take your secrets to my grave."

Armand took a deep breath, then began. "I wasn't born with magic."

The others immediately stared.

"My village believed every child should awaken one of the four elements, but nothing ever happened to me." He spoke quietly. "My father hated me for it, and my four older brothers treated me like a servant. They trained every day to become knights, and I spent my days looking after sheep." He smiled bitterly. "I wasn't even allowed to touch a sword."

The boys listened without interrupting.

"One day the Red Keep came to recruit warriors, and I begged them to take me. They laughed, and my father threw me out." He looked down at his hands. "I wandered into the Forest of Dharkh searching for a missing sheep."

He told them everything — the monster, the desperate fight, the strange power awakening inside him, meeting Ashake, the mysterious words the elven druid had spoken, his journey to Ring, and sneaking into the training grounds. Every moment.

When he finally finished, the table remained completely silent.

Podric was the first to speak. "...That's unbelievable."

Samwell slowly nodded. "If anyone else told me that story I'd call them a liar."

Colin smiled. "But we saw your power. So... I believe you."

Samwell leaned closer. "Just be careful."

Armand looked at him. "Why?"

"Because people fear what they don't understand. They'll accept powerful magic. They'll even admire it. But something completely unknown... that frightens people."

Podric nodded. "If the wrong people find out, they might decide you're a danger."

Armand silently remembered the carriage driver calling him a monster. He understood exactly what they meant.

After a thoughtful silence, Podric looked at Colin. "My turn to ask a question."

The prince smiled. "Go ahead."

"Why are you even here? You could have the greatest swordsmen in the kingdom train you privately. You could sleep in the palace. You could eat better than all of us. You don't need this."

Colin's smile slowly faded as he looked down at his untouched bread. "My mother... died giving birth to me."

The table became quiet.

"My father never blamed me. Not once. But he rarely speaks to me, and he never really looks at me. I think... every time he sees me, he remembers losing her." Armand's heart sank.

"So I joined the Red Keep." Colin forced a smile. "I thought if I became a great knight, maybe... he'd finally be proud of me."

None of them laughed. None of them mocked him. Armand simply placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think he already is."

Colin looked at him. "You do?"

Armand nodded. "I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you. He just doesn't know how to show it."

Colin smiled quietly. "Thanks."

Samwell cleared his throat. "Well... I suppose it's my turn." He leaned back in his chair. "My family has served the Red Keep for generations. My father was a knight, my grandfather too, and I've wanted this since I could walk. If I become a knight, I'll be continuing our family's legacy."

Podric laughed. "That's a lot nobler than my reason."

Everyone looked at him.

"I joined because my father said if I didn't, he'd make me work on our farm until I was old." The table burst into laughter. "I hate farming. So... here I am."

Even Armand laughed until tears formed in his eyes.

At that exact moment the dining hall doors swung open, and Commander William entered. Every recruit immediately stood, and the hall fell silent.

William looked around the room. "For once you've all survived another day." A few recruits smiled. "Don't celebrate yet. You'll need your strength." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Eat well. Sleep early. Tomorrow... you will accompany His Majesty on the Royal Hunt."

For a heartbeat the hall was silent. Then a deafening roar erupted as cheers echoed off the stone walls.

William raised one hand. "Enough!" The hall immediately quieted. "You represent the Red Keep. Conduct yourselves accordingly." He turned toward the exit, and for just a few seconds his eyes rested on Armand. No words were spoken, yet there was something unusual in the commander's gaze — curiosity, perhaps even concern. Then he walked away.

The conversations immediately resumed.

Armand looked around the table. "What exactly is the Royal Hunt?"

Podric's eyes lit up. "It's the greatest event of the year."

Samwell nodded excitedly. "The King himself leads it. The Red Keep joins him, and so do the newest recruits."

Colin grinned. "We ride into the royal forests, hunt beasts, test our skill, and whoever brings down the largest animal earns the King's praise."

Podric chuckled. "And endless bragging rights."

Colin suddenly looked at Armand. "There's one difference for you. As Sir Cedric's squire, you'll be hunting beside him."

Podric sighed dramatically. "Lucky. I wish I were assigned to the greatest knight in the kingdom."

Armand smiled. He didn't care about winning or prizes. Tomorrow he would ride into the wild beside Sir Cedric, his friends, and the legendary Red Keep, and that thought alone filled him with excitement.

Long after the lamps in the barracks had been extinguished and every other recruit had fallen asleep, Armand remained awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking of only one thing: tomorrow his first Royal Hunt would begin.

Armand barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes he imagined the Royal Hunt — riding through ancient forests beside the legendary Red Keep, returning with a mighty beast slung over his shoulders.

By the time the first rays of sunlight slipped through the narrow windows of the underground barracks, he was already awake. Without wasting a moment he hurried to the bathhouse. The icy water shocked him fully awake, and he scrubbed away the dust of yesterday's training before dressing in the finest clothes he owned — the blue tunic Gwen had chosen for him beneath his squire's cloak.

He took one last look at himself, then smiled. Today was going to be unforgettable.

Sir Cedric's quarters occupied one of the upper towers overlooking the training grounds. Armand knocked gently. "Enter."

He stepped inside to a room that was neat and practical. Maps covered one wall, weapons rested upon polished racks, and several hunting trophies decorated the stone fireplace. Roland stood behind Cedric, tightening the straps of the knight's brilliant crimson armor, which gleamed in the morning light.

Roland noticed Armand first. "He's here."

Cedric turned and a warm smile spread across his face. "Armand."

The young squire bowed. "Sir."

Cedric gestured for him to stand. "No need for all that. You've earned more respect than you realize."

Cedric studied him for a moment. "I never properly thanked you."

Armand looked confused. "For what, Sir?"

"The Border of Warkh." Cedric's expression became serious. "You saved my life. You saved every knight stationed there, and you saved these young fools as well." He chuckled softly. "I've faced monsters for over twenty years. I've never seen anything like what you did."

Armand lowered his eyes. "I only acted because everyone was in danger."

"Exactly." Cedric placed a hand on his shoulder. "Never lose that heart." He stepped back. "Now... I've decided something."

Armand looked up.

"You don't have to spend today's hunt following me."

Armand blinked. "But... I'm your squire."

"You are. But you're also a boy. This is your first Royal Hunt. Go. Hunt with your friends. Make memories. You'll have plenty of years to polish my armor."

Relief spread across Armand's face. "Thank you, Sir!"

Cedric laughed. "I expect a good story when we return."

Behind him, Roland silently tightened another buckle, his lips pressed into a thin line. The frown on his face made his feelings obvious, and he clearly disagreed with Cedric's decision. Armand noticed, but chose to ignore it. He bowed once more before leaving the tower.

The palace corridors bustled with servants carrying supplies for the hunt, and as Armand rounded a corner —

Thud!

He bumped into someone. "Oh!" A bundle of neatly folded fabrics slipped from delicate hands and scattered across the floor. "I'm so sorry!" Armand knelt to help, then froze. "Gwen?"

She looked up, and her face immediately brightened. "Armand!" Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around him. "I've missed you."

Armand laughed. "I've only been gone a few days."

"It felt longer." She stepped back with a smile. "I've been hearing stories. That you saved Sir Cedric, and Prince Colin, and fought a monster in Warkh." She looked at him proudly. "I knew you would do amazing things."

Armand rubbed the back of his neck. "I've mostly just been getting into trouble."

She giggled. "I don't believe that."

Together they gathered the scattered fabrics. When the last piece was folded, Gwen held them against her chest. "I should get going. The royal household is very busy today." She leaned forward, then softly kissed Armand's cheek. "Good luck on today's hunt."

Before he realized what he was doing — "Gwen."

She stopped and turned around. "Yes?"

Armand's heart pounded. "I... I think I like you."

For a heartbeat neither of them spoke, and a rosy blush spread across Gwen's cheeks. She smiled shyly. "I think... I like you too, Armand."

Before he could answer, she turned and hurried down the corridor, trying — and failing — to hide her smile.

Armand stood frozen, then he started smiling. A smile so wide his cheeks began to hurt.

When he reached the training grounds, Colin, Samwell, and Podric were already waiting. The moment they saw him, Podric narrowed his eyes. "Why are you smiling like that?"

Armand quickly composed himself. "No reason."

Samwell laughed. "I don't believe you."

Colin studied him for a second, then snapped his fingers. "A girl."

Armand's ears turned red. "Shut up."

The three boys burst into laughter. "We're right! We're definitely right!"

"I said shut up!"

Even Armand couldn't stop himself from laughing.

Their celebration ended as a horn echoed across the training grounds. Commander William rode into the yard atop a massive black warhorse, and his polished armor shone beneath the morning sun. Every recruit immediately formed ranks.

"Move out!"

The gates opened, and hundreds of recruits marched behind the commander. They crossed the bustling streets of the Capital in perfect formation while people lined both sides of the roads. Children waved excitedly, merchants paused their work, and old veterans saluted the Red Keep.

Armand looked around in amazement. Only months ago he had been a shepherd no one respected. Now the people cheered as he marched among the kingdom's future knights, and pride filled his chest.

Soon the palace gates came into view. King MacGil was already waiting, mounted upon a magnificent white stallion and wearing the finest suit of armor Armand had ever seen. Silver dragon scales were engraved across its surface, and a crimson cloak flowed behind him. Beside the King stood Princess Liora in an elegant emerald riding outfit. Her long golden hair danced gently in the morning breeze, and she truly was beautiful.

Yet to Armand she wasn't as beautiful as Gwen.

Almost as if sensing his thoughts, Liora looked directly at him. Their eyes met, and she offered him a warm smile. Embarrassed, Armand quickly looked away.

King MacGil raised his hand. "My brave knights. My loyal recruits. Today we honor a tradition older than this kingdom itself. The Royal Hunt is not merely about bringing home the greatest prize. It is about courage, discipline, and respect for the creatures that share these lands with us. Hunt with honor. Return with pride."

The horns sounded once more, and the great procession moved. The King led from the front, behind him rode the legendary knights of the Red Keep in their gleaming crimson armor, and the recruits followed behind on foot, filled with excitement.

Hours later they reached the great royal forest. Commander William blew another horn. "Spread out!"

Immediately, groups separated into different directions. Armand stayed with Colin, Samwell, and Podric as they wandered beneath towering ancient trees. Hours passed, and they found nothing larger than rabbits and deer.

Podric groaned. "We're going to lose."

Samwell laughed. "Keep looking."

As they pushed through a patch of tall grass, Armand suddenly stopped. "Wait."

"What is it?" Colin asked.

"I heard something." He carefully parted the grass, and nestled beneath the roots of a great oak lay a massive direwolf. Its silver fur was stained with blood, its breathing was shallow, and curled tightly against its body were two tiny newborn pups — one with snow-white fur, the other as black as midnight.

Armand slowly knelt beside them. The mother looked at him, and there was no fear in her tired eyes, only exhaustion. She gave a weak whimper, and Armand understood: she was dying.

Footsteps approached behind him, and a veteran knight emerged from the trees. He quietly observed the scene before smiling faintly. "A rare sight."

Armand looked back. "I think we should help her."

The old knight slowly shook his head. "It is too late." He pointed toward the two pups. "But she has given you something far greater."

Armand frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The mother is making her final choice. When a direwolf dies after allowing someone near her young, she has accepted that person as their guardian."

Armand immediately protested. "But I only found them by chance."

The old knight smiled knowingly. "No. You did not find them. They found you. And now... they are yours."

Podric crouched beside him, grinning. "Don't worry. We'll help you raise them."

Colin gently scratched the white pup behind its tiny ears. "It already likes you."

Samwell smiled. "I've never even seen a direwolf before."

Carefully, Armand lifted the two newborn pups. They were unbelievably small. The white one yawned before curling against his chest, and the black one immediately climbed into the leather hunting pouch hanging across his shoulder. As soon as they touched him, Armand felt something strange — a connection, deep and ancient, almost as though their hearts recognized one another.

He looked back toward the mother. She had stopped breathing.

The old knight bowed his head respectfully. "May the forest remember her."

After a quiet moment, he looked toward the trees. "Come. The hunt continues."

Armand gently adjusted the pouch holding the sleeping pups. With one last glance at their mother, he rose to his feet. Then, together with his friends, he disappeared deeper into the ancient forest.