Donner and Thalia: Satisfaction is Demanded (Episode 3)

Chapter 4

4.

Donner was fast asleep in the stiff, and just a bit too short bottom bunk, his bandaged hand hanging off the side of his bed as his thin sheet bunched up by his chest. His eyes shot open as he was rattled awake by Sir Jacques of the Merciful blade bashing his sword against his shield.

"Squires up!" he called out as Donner jumped out of his bed. "First thing first, we start every day with a lap around the castle, get your clothes on, come now, come now," Jacques said as he continued to bash weapon to shield as he made his way through the barracks. Donner quickly changed into his regular ware and lined up outside the barracks with the other Squires. Lance had somehow gotten there before him and took what he thought was his rightful place at the front of the line.

Jacques stood before the line of young men, looking them over. "Every day in your training begins with a lap around the castle, we expect you to be done before the second bell. After your morning workout is completed today, you will meet with your Knights for personal training," he said, standing there looking over the boys, "Well what are you waiting for, you have your orders," he raised his hands, wondering why the boys weren't moving yet.

Before Donner could react, Lance had already broken into a sprint towards the castle. Donner was second to rush to the orders, then followed by the rest of the squires. Donner pumped his feet to try to catch up, no, pass Lace, as they made their way around the giant castle. Lance looked over his shoulder and saw Donner fast approaching him. Now is not the time for pacing himself, he thought as he put all his force in his step, rushing forward, growing the lead over Donner more with each step.

Donner pumped his legs as hard as he could, each step gaining inch after precious inch against Lance. By sheer force of will, he came up next to Lance, running beat for beat with Black Chain's squire. They said nothing and tried to pretend the other wasn't there as they made their way around the castle, a line of other squires following them.

As the two ran head to head, Sir Jacques on horseback came up beside them. "Trying to quest for glory already, I see," he laughed, "No glory in being a squire, only duty, something you two will need to learn," he said as he whipped his horse and rushed ahead of the two around the side of the castle. At the gate, he waited. Donner and Lance both jumped for the finish line arms reached out, hitting the ground at the same time, covering the same distance. They took deep, panting breaths as they rolled over and got to their feet.

"Good run," Lance said, laying on the ground with that same fake smile he carried after their duel.

"We're going to do this every day," Donner grinned as he rose to his feet, "Maybe we should start keeping score," he reached his bandaged arm out to Lance to help him up.

"Sound's good," Lance said grunting as he took Donner's hand and pulled himself up, "This was a tie, counting our duel, it's one-naught to me,"

"Bend off," Donner said, still catching his breath.

"Hope you two didn't waste all your energy, still a whole day of training to get through," Jacques said as he dismounted his horse. The other boys made their way to the castle gates soon after. With all the squires there, Jacques called them all around him.

"Gentlemen, you've started a great journey, for honor and for our Island. Listen to your Knights, learn from them, and in your own way, teach them," he smiled. "The relationship of a Knight and his Squire is a road that goes two ways. A good squire teaches his Knight just as much as he learns. You are not merely a steward to your Knight, but a trusted confidant, and a friend. Now, gentlemen, your Knights," Jacques held his arm out, and over the hill came charging over a dozen horses. The brave Knights of Kinleath who had decided to take squires this training season. At the head of them was none other than Sir Theodore himself. Close behind him was Maelor of the Black Chain. The appeared to be racing just as hard as Donner and Lance had when they were running around the castle.