A Dream of Knights
The morning sun peeked through the thatched roof of Thomas's tiny home. He was already awake, watching dust motes dance in the golden light. At twelve years old, Thomas had big dreams that didn't match his small village life.
"Thomas! The chickens need feeding!" his mother called from outside.
With a sigh, Thomas rolled off his straw mattress. But even daily chores couldn't dampen his spirits today. The knights were coming to the village.
The Kingdom's finest warriors would parade through their humble streets, their armor gleaming like captured sunlight.
Thomas rushed through his morning tasks, spilling grain as he hurried to feed the chickens. His younger sister Grace giggled at his excitement.
"You're going to trip over your own feet!" she teased.
"At least I won't trip over my dreams," Thomas shot back with a grin. "Today could be different. Today could change everything."
His father looked up from mending a wooden fence. "Son, we're simple folk. Best keep your head out of the clouds and your hands in the soil."
But Thomas couldn't help it. Every time he saw knights ride past, his heart soared like an eagle. Their mighty horses, their shining swords, their noble bearing - it all called to something deep inside him.
Medieval Fun Fact: Knights started training as young as seven years old! They began as pages, then became squires, before finally earning their knighthood.
The ground began to rumble. Thomas heard it first - the steady drumbeat of hooves approaching the village. "They're coming!" he shouted, running toward the main road.
A dozen knights thundered into view, their banners snapping in the wind. Leading them was Sir Roland, the most famous knight in all the kingdom. His armor gleamed like polished moonlight, and his white horse pranced proudly beneath him.
Thomas couldn't help himself. He stepped forward, right into their path.
"Hold!" Sir Roland called, raising his hand. The entire procession came to a halt. "Young man, what drives you to such boldness?"
Thomas's heart hammered in his chest, but he stood tall. "My lord, I wish to become a knight."
A murmur rippled through the watching villagers. Sir Roland's eyes twinkled beneath his helm.
"And what makes you think you're worthy of knighthood, boy?"
Thomas squared his shoulders. "I may be poor, sir, but I'm strong and true. I learn quick, work hard, and never give up. Give me a chance to prove myself."
Sir Roland studied him for a long moment. Then, to everyone's amazement, he smiled.
"There's fire in you, lad. Real fire." He turned to one of his companions. "What say you, Sir William? Could your household use another squire?"
Sir William nodded thoughtfully. "We lost young Richard to fever last month. The position is open."
Thomas's heart nearly burst with joy as Sir Roland addressed him again.
"Pack your things, boy. If your parents agree, you'll return with us to begin your training." He raised an eyebrow. "But remember - the path to knighthood is long and hard. Are you certain you're ready?"
"I've been ready my whole life, sir," Thomas replied, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
️ And so began Thomas's journey from peasant boy to squire, the first step on his path to becoming a knight. But the greatest challenges - and adventures - still lay ahead.
That evening, as Thomas packed his few belongings, his mother wiped tears from her eyes while his father stood quiet and proud.
"Remember who you are," his father said finally, pulling Thomas into a rough embrace. "You may wear fine clothes someday, but never forget where you came from."
Grace hugged his legs. "Will you come back to visit?"
"Of course I will," Thomas promised, ruffling her hair. "And when I do, I'll be riding my own horse, wearing my own armor."
As the sun set, Thomas took one last look at his childhood home. Tomorrow, he would ride out with the knights, leaving behind everything he'd ever known. Fear and excitement battled in his chest, but his determination burned brighter than both.
His dream was finally beginning.The Path of Steel
Dawn broke over the castle walls as Thomas stood shivering in the training yard. His new home was nothing like his old village. Stone towers reached toward the sky like giant fingers, and flags snapped in the morning wind.
"Stand straight, boy!" Sir William barked. "A slouching squire makes for a poor knight."
Thomas quickly straightened his back. He had been at the castle for three days now, and everything was different. Even his clothes had changed - he now wore a simple tunic with the castle's colors.
Training Fact: Squires had to learn more than just fighting! They also learned manners, how to read, and how to take care of horses.
Another squire, Robert, stood next to Thomas. Robert came from a rich family and had fancy clothes. But right now, they were both equally dirty from training.
"Today," Sir William announced, "you learn the sword." ️
Thomas's heart jumped with excitement. But his joy faded when Sir William handed him a wooden practice sword instead of a real one.
"But sir," Thomas started to say.
"You think you're ready for steel?" Sir William laughed. "Let's see you master wood first."
Robert snickered, but Thomas held his head high. He gripped the wooden sword just like Sir William showed them.
The morning passed in a blur of swinging arms and aching muscles. Thomas's hands grew blisters, then the blisters popped. Still, he didn't stop.
"You're stubborn," Robert said during their water break. "I'll give you that."
Thomas wiped sweat from his face. "I have to be. I'm not going back to feeding chickens."
Robert studied him for a moment. "Want to practice together after dinner? My father taught me some moves."
Thomas smiled. Maybe he had found his first friend here.
Days turned into weeks. Thomas learned to:
Ride horses without falling off
Clean armor until it shined
Fight with sword and shield
Read simple words and numbers
Follow the knights' code of honor
Each night, Thomas fell into bed tired but happy. His muscles grew stronger. His movements became smoother. Even Sir William started to nod with approval.
One morning, something special happened. Sir Roland visited the training yard.
"Show me what you've learned," he called to the squires.
Thomas's heart pounded. This was his chance! He and Robert stepped forward for their practice fight.
️ The wooden swords clacked together like angry trees. Thomas remembered everything he'd learned. Keep your feet moving. Watch your opponent's eyes. Stay balanced.
Robert was good, but Thomas was better. With a quick twist, he knocked Robert's sword away.
Sir Roland clapped. "Well done, farm boy! You've proven me right about that fire in your belly."
Thomas beamed with pride. Later, Robert clapped him on the shoulder.
"Not bad for a chicken farmer," Robert teased. But his smile was friendly.
That night, Thomas wrote a letter home:
Dear Mother, Father, and Grace,
I miss you, but I'm doing well. Today I won my first practice fight! The training is hard, but I'm getting stronger every day. Sir William says I might be ready for a real sword soon.
Grace, I haven't forgotten my promise. Someday I'll ride home in armor that shines like the sun.
Love,
Thomas
As Thomas got ready for bed, he heard trumpets blowing from the castle walls. Something was happening. The castle burst into activity like a kicked anthill.
Sir William rushed into the squires' quarters. His face was serious.
"War is coming, boys," he announced. "Our training must speed up. The kingdom needs every sword it can get."
Thomas and Robert looked at each other with wide eyes. Their real test was about to begin.Echoes of War
The castle buzzed like an angry beehive. Thomas watched from the training yard as knights rushed back and forth across the courtyard. Their armor clinked and clanged with each hurried step.
"What's happening?" Thomas whispered to Robert.
"Raiders from the north," Robert replied. "They've crossed the border with a huge army." ️
Sir William marched into the yard, his face grim. "Squires! Gather round."
Important News: The kingdom is under attack! All knights and squires must prepare for battle.
Thomas's heart thumped against his ribs as Sir William spoke. "The king needs every able fighter. Even squires must answer the call."
"But we're not ready!" someone called out.
"You're more ready than you think," Sir William said firmly. "Thomas, step forward."
Thomas walked up on shaky legs. Sir William pulled something from behind his back - a real sword! ⚔️
"You've earned this," Sir William said. "All of you will receive your weapons today."
The sword felt heavy in Thomas's hands. Sunlight danced along its sharp edge. This wasn't a practice weapon - this was real.
That afternoon, Thomas wrote what might be his last letter home:
Dearest Family,
I'm going to war. Please don't worry. My training has made me strong. I promise to make you proud.
Grace - keep watching the road. Your brother will return.
Love always,
Thomas
The next days were a blur of activity. The squires learned:
How to march in formation
Battle signals and commands
Setting up camp quickly
Caring for weapons and armor
Basic battle tactics
"Scared?" Robert asked one night as they polished their armor.
Thomas nodded. "Only a fool wouldn't be. But I'm ready."
"Me too," Robert smiled. "We'll watch each other's backs."
Finally, the day came. Hundreds of soldiers gathered in the castle courtyard. Horses stamped their feet. Armor gleamed. Weapons rattled.
Sir Roland rode up on his massive war horse. "Today we march to defend our homes! Are you with me?"
The answering roar shook the castle walls. Thomas shouted with them, his voice strong and sure.
The great gates opened. Trumpets blared. The army began to move.
Thomas took one last look at the castle. Three months ago, he'd arrived as a farmer's son. Now he marched out as a warrior.
The first day's march was long and hard. Thomas's armor felt heavier with each step. But he didn't complain. He remembered Sir William's lessons about endurance.
That evening, while setting up camp, Sir Roland called Thomas to his tent.
"I have a special task for you," Sir Roland said. "You'll be part of my personal guard during the battle."
Thomas's eyes widened. "But sir, I'm just a squire!"
"You're more than that," Sir Roland smiled. "You have something rare - a true warrior's heart."
Later, by the campfire, Robert nudged Thomas. "Look there." He pointed north.
In the distance, tiny orange dots flickered against the dark sky - enemy campfires. Thomas gripped his sword handle.
"Remember your training," Sir William said, appearing behind them. "Remember who you fight for."
Thomas thought of his family, of Grace watching the road. He thought of the castle that had become his second home.
A scout galloped into camp, bringing news that made everyone sit up straight: "The enemy army moves! They'll reach us by noon tomorrow!"
Thomas lay down in his tent that night, but sleep wouldn't come. Tomorrow would bring his first real battle. His hand found the sword beside him, gripping it tight.
In the darkness, he whispered the knight's code Sir William had taught them: "Courage in battle. Honor in victory. Mercy in triumph."
The words gave him strength. Whatever tomorrow brought, he would face it as a warrior should.Stones and Steel
Dawn painted the sky blood-red as Thomas stared at the massive stone fortress ahead. Its gray walls stretched toward the clouds like giant fingers.
"That's Stone Haven," Sir Roland announced. "The raiders have taken it. Our job is to take it back."
Thomas swallowed hard. The fortress looked unbeatable.
The Castle's Defenses: Thick stone walls, deep moat, iron-bound gates, and archer towers that could rain arrows on attackers.
"How do we fight something so big?" Robert whispered.
Sir William smiled. "With our minds first, then our strength."
The army set up camp just out of arrow range. Thomas helped build something he'd never seen before - a trebuchet. It was like a giant slingshot made of wood.
"Watch this," Sir Roland said. The trebuchet's arm swung up with a mighty WHOOSH! A huge rock sailed through the air and crashed against the castle wall.
Thomas gasped. "That's amazing!"
"That's siege warfare, lad."
Days passed slowly. The army built more siege weapons:
Trebuchets for throwing rocks
Battering rams to break gates
Tall towers to climb walls
Tunnels to go under walls
Ladders to scale walls
Thomas worked harder than ever. His hands grew rough with blisters, but he didn't mind. Each stone they threw, each beam...
[Content restricted to members only]