Following a series of failures, Lynden found Cecil coming back with the armaments.
"Perfect, thanks." Lynden said, inspecting the chainmail. He took his share of the burden and helped him to Isabel's house.
After realizing he was missing large pieces, Lynden contemplated scrapping it, but dinner was ready, so he decided he would keep the pieces together... for now.
The meal was great, much better cooked than when he raided the pantry. Now the was much more centered and had a normal appetite. He refused to drink his wine until after the night's affairs were settled. He ate and talked, but all the while he would glance out the window to the evening. Everyone was waiting on him, but he would continue to take small bites from his plate. Once the rapping on the door sounded through the house, Lynden smiled and leaned back. Finally.
Glarriva came in, and he and the other squires would rise, maybe salute. Lynden just smiled and gestured to an open chair.
"Sorry that I didn't say she was coming. I figured you would think the house too unfit or too conscious that she was coming to let us stay here."
Lynden sat quietly, then waited a moment to begin. Trying to gather the right words.
"So..." He started, rather in-eloquently. "This is the story of what happened. It's strange, outlandish, and a bit crazy. But every word is true..."
"The final trail to become a knight is to be marooned in the wilderness, and make your way back to the barracks using everything you've learned, all within five days. Like the others here, I was left in an unfamiliar location. The first day, I made camp and caught a meal. That night, I charted my location relatively to the stars, and by daybreak, I was heading directly to the barracks. Along the way, I noticed a fire in the forest. I was going to leave it be, but I heard crying. I climbed a tree, jumped over the fire, and saw the boy holding a pack, with a burnt corpse nearby..." He paused, and looked towards the boy and then his mother.
"I pulled the boy away from the fire, and I continued to the barracks. Shortly after, he screamed that I let him down. When I did, he went through the pack and pulled out a small orange crystal. As it turns out, the boy was possessed by a fire elemental, like his father before him. In the pack was a dagger, and when I drew it, a blade formed and then caught fire. The elemental seemed surprised I could draw it. So much so that she left the boy, and formed the crystal to the sword. From the dagger, she could communicate to me. She said she possessed the man, and was using him to come to the forest, so that they could track down her sister. They are both cursed and bound to a weapon. Seeing how a man had lost his life, and who knows how much time, I agreed to take the elemental to her sister. She was reunited with the dagger, and it caused a power surge resulting in the tragedy. Wither she wanted it or not I'm still not sure. Not trusting the child on his own, I carried the boy."
He paused, had a sip of water, then continued. "The sister was located nearby, in a cave. Turns out, it's a ogres lair. I was tired, and fatigued, and hadn't eaten much. I didn't know the danger of the cave, else I wouldn't have brought your son. I saved the elemental from the ogre, twice, and burnt up my arms in the process. She at first was unable her magic, but she then killed the ogre with her own dagger, saving me and the boy. We continued on, and my strength was fading. Her sister was trapped in a shield. A lightening elemental, she said, and she was more sensible than her sister. They called me master, but I said I had no intention of being their master, and that I only brought them together so no one else would die. They thanked me, and apparently I set them free, because they disappeared, leaving the red blade and shield in their wake. When I inspected the sword, it caught fire, and drew energy from me. My only remaining energy. I passed out, and when I awoke, your son had woken up and was scared of his environment. Rightfully so. He fled further in and I went after him. I found him in the corner crying, and I let him be, and sat with him. That's when my brothers found me, still fatigued."
He took another sip, and looked toward his brothers. "The dragon had attacked the barracks and killed our mentors. The sword is strengthen by anger. When the dragon came, I activated the sword, but my energy was low and I ended up burning out. The shield seems to cool to the touch, and the dragon's fire was ineffective against it. The rest... Well, I'm sure you can guess it. I passed out out because I drew too much from myself. I wasn't strong enough to use the sword, and now it seems I'm unable to use it again. But I still have a chance..." He said, his eyes wild. "The shield still stops fire. In fact, a fire sword verses a dragon is stupid anyways. I can still fight this small dragon. The scales on the back of it's head are still forming right? Perfect, then if I get in close, I can kill it. I'm not done with it yet. Not by a long shot. Kill my mentors, deny me my knighthood, and terrorize a village and city of my people. No... heh heh... I will destroy this dragon with my own hands."