Knighted: Redemption

Chapter 1

Welbourogh. The busy, lively land of the humans. Magic flows through the realm, where almost every animal utilizes it. Most use it for everyday tasks, such as cleaning the clothes, or cooking food. But, there are people who have stronger, more powerful magic within them. There are offensive magics, defensive magics, and supporting magics these people utilize. The kingdoms uses these magic users to their advantage, and leaves them to attend their armies, or be the royal families bodyguards. Most are ruthless warriors, fighting for the benefit of their kingdom. But now, Welbourogh was in need of some new warriors, a new generation of knights to fight for the humans. These knights were known as the Knights of the Holy Realm. Five of the greatest mages and fighters competed for a spot on the team. And, before the King of the humans, King Wilson, gathered the people in the capital of Welbourogh, he held a training day. And that day was today.

Raymond's alarm clock went off, and he hit the snooze button. Raymond threw the sheets on his bed to the side, and got to his feet. He went to throw on his best-looking clothes, and then sleepily walked into the kitchen. His roommate, Jude, was in the kitchen waiting for Raymond, already cooking breakfast. "Sit," Jude said, as he was scrambling some eggs, "I'm almost done."

With that, Raymond took a seat at the table in their 3-room apartment. It was quite small, with two rooms branching off the main room, which was the biggest. Raymond and Jude's room were the two smaller rooms, and the larger room was their living room, kitchen, and dining room all in one. Jude gave Raymond his plate of breakfast, which consisted of some bacon strips, scrambled eggs, and a piece of toast. Raymond quickly ate his food, and then checked the time on the clock. 10:06. They still had time to make it for the 10:30 testing. "Okay Jude, if we wanna make it, we gotta go" said Raymond, pushing in his chair, then placing his dish in the sink. "Now."

"One step ahead of you." Jude said, already at the door, ready to go. And with that, the two of them headed out the door, and went to the training grounds.

As they approached the door to the training grounds, Raymond could see people were already inside, practicing. And, to Raymond's dismay, they had to show their skills with a sword. Raymond was more skilled with two lighter weapons, like two daggers. It was easier for him to move the two weapons, and attack quicker and more efficiently. Swords were just too long and heavy for him, and it wasn't as good to just have one weapon. Jude, obviously preferred swords, as he was grinning like a boy on Christmas Day, seeing all his presents under the tree. Jude casually strode into the training grounds, while Raymond hesitated before entering. Now, Raymond had a chance to get a good look inside the grounds.

The floor consisted of sand, which he assumed was to easily show liquids that spilled onto the floor. There were about 50 other people practicing or doing nothing. Some were working on weapon skills, others practicing their magical abilities, and some just sitting, waiting for the trials to begin. As soon as Raymond got a grip on his surroundings, he strode over to one of the barrels that held the training swords, and he picked one up. Jude was already practicing, so Raymond just started waving the sword around, kind of just passing the time.

After a couple minutes of that, a trumpet blared over the swords clashing, and King Wilson strode over to a makeshift throne, positioned on the top of some stone steps. He sat down, and the wooden doors at the front of the grounds closed. The trials were beginning.