Pete
Now that it's summer, the training grounds have because a hellish environment where few to none find themselves. The open area surrounded by white walls allows the sun to obliterate any form of life and turned the once flourishing area into a sandbox. The air is dry and filled with dust, causing excruciating pain for any whom inhale it. This has the knights redrawn from training so most can only be found in taverns, drinking the day away. Yet there was no silence on the desert like terrain, one could here sighing and groaning combined with muzzled blows hitting a straw object. The sweat on Pete's skin had turned to mud with the dry dust flying around. Finally, when his lungs are about to collapse and his hands have gone numb from the heat, does he allow himself to sit down next to the wall. A muffled conversation can be heard in the distance: "Finally the pushover has sat himself down." "Couldn't he just collapse, we'd be better off that way." "Can't believe we're pretending to practise just because he's making the high-ups believe it's possible in this weather." Pete seems unaware of the people sitting on the opposite side, his ears pounding and all his focus goes to the sweet feeling of water touching his throat. “Ah, sweet refreshment, how much I have earned you after exposing my strength to these fine recruits.” He says to the sun. In two days time, the yearly trial will be held which has two categories: The first being to recruit new people into the army, those who pass, are allowed to train on the army training grounds for one year. There they will receive training from veteran knights and be able to practise on their own. These veterans will take note of anyone worthy which will increase your chances of becoming a knight. The second category is for those who have been training for a year, to show that they are now worthy of joining the ranks. They will have to complete certain trials with success, which will be a huge event that everyone in the capitol comes to watch. If someone received a recommendation from a veteran, they are allowed to start at the second trial, with multiple recommendations one can skip that many trials, there being 10 in total. It is expected that everyone receives at least one recommendation in their year of training, therefor the first trial is a crooked, impossible challenge meant to discourage any whom lay eyes upon it. It comes as no surprise, that talent isn't all they look for when recruiting for new knights. Your family and status make a big difference, if one does not have such an advantage, you'd better be liked be a veteran knight.
The night before the trial, Pete is found in a downtown tavern, close to where he grew up. Yet no encouragement or kind words awaited him here, poverty had taken it's toll on the people, as well as his parents whom perished while he was training near the palace. Most of his siblings have joined other families through marriage or in exchange for all sorts of labor. Pete's return brings shallow memories of what once was, but no meaningful words are exchanged between those present. In the corner lies a lute, awaiting it's death as it gets buried under the dust, but it seems to attract Pete's attention. "Ah, that lute came from your old home, after your siblings sold the house, this lute was left here in case a bard came by. You can take it if you like." Says the tavern owner as he rinses his glasses. A strange feeling overcomes Pete, in just hours time, he is to perform at the trials with shield and sword. Yet here he stands, drawn to a lute, and it's not even that he cares for it emotionally. For some reason, he just wants to gently pull it's strings and through his heart out, but he can't. The owners sighs as he sees Pete's confusing. "Just take it, you can always gift it to someone else." The excuse seems to have convinced him enough to finally pick it up and blow some dust off of it. Charmed by his new possession, he leaves the tavern and makes his way back to the training area, where he sleeps in the bunkers which are provided for the recruits without a place to sleep.
As the morning rises, Pete is up with the sun and has already started his warming-up. Yesterdays lute seems to have slipped his mind as his full focus is on todays trial. After entering the ring he looks up to the crowd going wild with enthusiasm and it reminds him of his own excitement as a child when he first laid eyes upon knights returning from war. His memories have to wait though, as everyone is assigned to the trial they have to start at. “You have to start at the first trial? Why even bother showing up, you’re wasting everyone’s time!” Pete looks at the drunkard talking to him. “Of course I start at the first trial, with such a talent as me, you want the crowd to see me shine in full glory. Defeating a black bear as a group is easy, alone is the signature of a true knight! They simply wanted to show me off this year.” Pete boasts as he takes a pose and wipes his hair back. The others just laugh and go to their trial, awaiting it’s start. Each trial only starts as the one before it is ready because they have to show teamwork and also dual each other. Pete readies himself for the first trial as the crowd sheers him on. However, Pete seems unaware of the fact that they are sheering for his death, instead of his success. He firmly holds his sword and shield and uses a brief second to double check that he is really doing this alone. It doesn’t discourage him though, as he believes that he can truly pull it off. He’s painfully aware of the fact that this bear is much stronger than him, yet his agility and cunningness exceed the bear. By making use of the uneven terrain to evade and dust particles to slow it down, slowly the beast and it’s black fur are starting to feel the effects of the scorching summer. Pete sees his chance and provokes the bear with ear splitting bashing of his sword against his shield. Profusely sweating the bear makes his way towards Pete whom slashes his sword through the sand, causing the bar to go blind from the dust for a second. Using this opportunity, he leaps towards the bear and thrusts his sword into its heart. His actions are followed by a notable silence for a second of two, only for the crowd to then burst out into sheers for the never-seen-before actions of Pete. Even after the first trial, the crowd has little time to rest as Pete makes his way through the trials. Even as others make it as difficult as possible for him, tossing him aside or trying to wound him enough to get him thrown of the trials, Pete seems to have luck on his side and remains resilient. His last trial is a dual, where one must win at least two out of three matches. His opponents seems to not be daunted by his achievements as they realise he must be tired by now. After spending this long in the sun, barely having had a break in between, his feet must be swimming in his own sweat. They should have better been more cautious though, since above being tired, Pete is the most stubborn of all. With a firm grip of his sword he shoves his way through the duals, winning all three of them. His victories seem to only feed his obnoxious idea of self worth as he bows to the crowd as if they came to his personal show. Yet after completing all trials, the capitol has no other choice than to appoint him as knight under their army. Proud as Pete is, he’s quick to accept his first assignment as knight, saving a small town from a curse.
