Mister Sejus’s in quoting the Code he had learned by heart when he first became a knight.
“Serve the King in truth, justice, and honor. Offer compassion to the weak, the destitute, the widowed, and the poor. Live for the King, and serve others without cause for personal gain. Never abandon a fellow knight in battle or in peril. Equip, train, and prepare for battle against the forces of the Dark Knight. Serve the King and faint not in the day of battle. Use not the sword to seek selfish gain, but rather to execute justice and the will of the King. Be merciful, loyal, courageous, faithful, and noble, but above all, be ye humble before the King and before men. Let your words be always spoken in truth.”
Dalton stood and turned to look at Mister Sejus. “I understand—and believe. As with Nedehaven, I now see how it is impossible to fully serve the King without the Code.”
“Yes,” Mister Sejus nodded.
“You have taught me so much.” Dalton gazed at the man as if he had just wiped the fog from a window and seen him anew. “Teach me more…
Master
Sejus.”
SIR DALTON, KNIGHT OF THE PRINCE
Dalton put aside his misconceptions of Master Sejus and freed his mind to accept the powerful teachings of his new mentor. Per Master Sejus’s instruction, Dalton meticulously polished the handle of the sword and discovered the ornate and intricate mark of the King in its pommel.
Master Sejus made a final inspection of the beautiful weapon. “Still some work to do on the edges, but it is a magnificent piece.”
“I had no idea that such a superbly crafted sword was beneath the rust and tarnish,” Dalton said.
“Even the treasures of a king are oft neglected, but it does not diminish their value.” Master Sejus handed the sword to Dalton. “It is yours now.”
“But my labor is my payment to you for your help and kindness,” Dalton protested.
“Help and kindness are not such if they are purchased,” Master Sejus said as he went to the pile of rubble at the back of his cave.
“Besides, how could one’s labor ever repay the saving of a life? Therefore they are a gift—both your life and the sword.”
“Thank you. I shall wield it with skill and not let it break as before.”
Just then Master Sejus pulled another old sword from the rubble and held it before him. “Let us make sure of that,” he said with a smile. “Follow me.”
Dalton followed Master Sejus out of the cave and into a shallow green valley not far away. They faced each other with swords ready. Dalton guarded his mind against the notion that Master Sejus would be an easy spar.
“Remember what I taught you about your stances, and we shall proceed from there.”
After just two quick engagements, Dalton quickly came to understand that Master Sejus’s words of instruction were girded up by a complete mastery of his sword. Their swords clanged in the arena of the valley, and Dalton became a student of a true master. By day’s end, Dalton hardly dared to speak, for today had revealed the silliness of his prior thoughts and words.
As they walked back to the cave, Dalton followed behind and stared at the strong shoulders of his master. He wondered how he could have ever thought this man was feeble and old. There were moments in their training earlier that Dalton saw glimpses of superiority he had never seen in the hands and movements of any other swordsman.
Dalton spent the rest of the evening in quiet contemplation. That night he lay down on the blankets on the cave floor, silently offering the cot back to his mentor.
When morning came, Dalton rose up solemn, with eyes downcast.
“What is on your mind, young knight?” Master Sejus asked as they ate breakfast.
Dalton briefly looked at Master Sejus and then down to his tin plate.
“I am sorry, Master Sejus. I have played the fool and did not knowhow great a man you were.” He lifted his gaze to the penetrating blue eyes of his mentor. “Please forgive me.”
Master Sejus leaned
“Serve the King in truth, justice, and honor. Offer compassion to the weak, the destitute, the widowed, and the poor. Live for the King, and serve others without cause for personal gain. Never abandon a fellow knight in battle or in peril. Equip, train, and prepare for battle against the forces of the Dark Knight. Serve the King and faint not in the day of battle. Use not the sword to seek selfish gain, but rather to execute justice and the will of the King. Be merciful, loyal, courageous, faithful, and noble, but above all, be ye humble before the King and before men. Let your words be always spoken in truth.”
Dalton stood and turned to look at Mister Sejus. “I understand—and believe. As with Nedehaven, I now see how it is impossible to fully serve the King without the Code.”
“Yes,” Mister Sejus nodded.
“You have taught me so much.” Dalton gazed at the man as if he had just wiped the fog from a window and seen him anew. “Teach me more…
Master
Sejus.”
SIR DALTON, KNIGHT OF THE PRINCE
Dalton put aside his misconceptions of Master Sejus and freed his mind to accept the powerful teachings of his new mentor. Per Master Sejus’s instruction, Dalton meticulously polished the handle of the sword and discovered the ornate and intricate mark of the King in its pommel.
Master Sejus made a final inspection of the beautiful weapon. “Still some work to do on the edges, but it is a magnificent piece.”
“I had no idea that such a superbly crafted sword was beneath the rust and tarnish,” Dalton said.
“Even the treasures of a king are oft neglected, but it does not diminish their value.” Master Sejus handed the sword to Dalton. “It is yours now.”
“But my labor is my payment to you for your help and kindness,” Dalton protested.
“Help and kindness are not such if they are purchased,” Master Sejus said as he went to the pile of rubble at the back of his cave.
“Besides, how could one’s labor ever repay the saving of a life? Therefore they are a gift—both your life and the sword.”
“Thank you. I shall wield it with skill and not let it break as before.”
Just then Master Sejus pulled another old sword from the rubble and held it before him. “Let us make sure of that,” he said with a smile. “Follow me.”
Dalton followed Master Sejus out of the cave and into a shallow green valley not far away. They faced each other with swords ready. Dalton guarded his mind against the notion that Master Sejus would be an easy spar.
“Remember what I taught you about your stances, and we shall proceed from there.”
After just two quick engagements, Dalton quickly came to understand that Master Sejus’s words of instruction were girded up by a complete mastery of his sword. Their swords clanged in the arena of the valley, and Dalton became a student of a true master. By day’s end, Dalton hardly dared to speak, for today had revealed the silliness of his prior thoughts and words.
As they walked back to the cave, Dalton followed behind and stared at the strong shoulders of his master. He wondered how he could have ever thought this man was feeble and old. There were moments in their training earlier that Dalton saw glimpses of superiority he had never seen in the hands and movements of any other swordsman.
Dalton spent the rest of the evening in quiet contemplation. That night he lay down on the blankets on the cave floor, silently offering the cot back to his mentor.
When morning came, Dalton rose up solemn, with eyes downcast.
“What is on your mind, young knight?” Master Sejus asked as they ate breakfast.
Dalton briefly looked at Master Sejus and then down to his tin plate.
“I am sorry, Master Sejus. I have played the fool and did not knowhow great a man you were.” He lifted his gaze to the penetrating blue eyes of his mentor. “Please forgive me.”
Master Sejus leaned
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