Thud.

Theo groaned, visibly frustrated as his sword hit the ground again. His silver armor - polished meticulously that morning - was now streaked with brown stains from repeated falls. Just as he reached to retrieve his weapon, Sir Benedict knocked it away once more, sending the squire sprawling on his backside. The impact jarred his teeth.

"How many times must I say this? You need to be quicker! Do you think an enemy will wait patiently for you to pick up your sword?" Benedict's low voice rumbled like distant thunder across the training yard. The older knight seized Theo's slender arm and hauled him to his feet. The squire wrenched free as soon as he stood, dusting off his tunic with a scowl.

"Yes, I know," Theo muttered, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. The afternoon sun glinted off his brown hair, now falling in disarray across his forehead.

"I mean it, boy," Benedict snarled with a gaze that could curdle milk. "You're short—"

Theo's brow furrowed in confusion.

"—you're skinny—"

Indignation replaced confusion as Theo crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "I'm not skinny! Look, I—"

He flexed an arm, but Benedict roughly nudged his shoulder, cutting him off. "That means you're quicker than most. Use that advantage. You hear me?"

Theo remained silent, staring into his master's unsettlingly pale blue eyes until Benedict finally turned to leave. "Try harder, boy."

"Try harder blah blah," Theo mimicked under his breath once the knight was out of earshot. He retrieved his sword and advanced on the wooden dummy with renewed determination. "Hah! What are you going to do now?" he whispered, pressing the tip against its neck with a triumphant smirk.

Faint footsteps on stone pulled him from his fantasy. Theo spun, sword still drawn, blade gleaming in the fading sunlight as he pointed it at the intruder. His eyes widened when he recognized the royal crest on the approaching figure's tunic.

"Your Highness?" the squire breathed, color draining from his face as he fumbled to sheathe his sword properly. "I didn't expect you to... I mean... I uh—"

His cheeks flushed crimson as he stood at attention, eyes darting everywhere but the prince's face. "Forgive me, my Prince. Is there anything I can do for you?"

The setting sun cast long shadows across the training yard as Theo waited, acutely aware of his disheveled appearance and the way his heart hammered against his ribs.