I Will Be the Greatest Knight
Chapter 59: First White Out

Chapter 59: First White Out

Anyone who grew up in the northern region knew what winter had in store for them.

After going to sleep with a heavy grey sky and no sign of the moon peeking through, they knew that the next morning everyone would wake up to a new world. The excitement made it hard for Irene to settle that night, but it didn’t stop her from rising quickly the following morning.

Normally she would have topped off the wood at her stove, but that day she ran straight for the window and threw the thick curtains open.

Having only just woken up, she had to squint at first. The sky was still cloudy but the whiteness everywhere was intense after being in a dark room.

She noticed she couldn’t even see the mountains as her eyes went further and further. This was the winter they had been promised.

Despite the cold, it made her feel warm.

She finally put more wood onto the stove, vowing to remember to get more from the Duke’s Tower. After doing the usual morning routine of washing her face, teeth, and hair, she then pulled on her layer of clothing starting with underclothes, tunic and pants, surcoat, armor, and cloak. Her belt was put on over that with her belt already attached and she was ready to go.

As she looked around her room, making sure that everything was as it should be, Irene escaped to the hallway and bounded down the stairs. Other apprentices were already out of their barracks while a few others were just leaving—the same as her.

The moment she was out of the barracks, she was shocked to see others walking forward with the snow up to their ankles already. The excitement to run through took her over and she managed to move quickly even though each step required a bit of a hop.

Gunnar was where he normally was since the days had gotten colder. He would warm himself up before the apprentices and swing his sword a few times to get his energy out and his mind focused.

Only when his sword was sheathed did the apprentices greet him and he returned their greetings with one of his own.

"Warm ups will look different than usual," he explained. "I have already brought out wooden shovels from the shed. You will take turns clearing the practice yard until it’s completely finished. We have four shovels and twelve of you. Get going. Last four to get shovels will help with breakfast."

Some sighed but Irene was eager to get her hands on a shovel first.

The apprentice she faced on the first day who unfairly knocked her over was sure to speak up as he sometimes did. She began to realize that Sir Gunnar didn’t like the child’s attitude and Irene could understand why.

"Why on Earth are we meant to do slave’s work?" the boy asked. "Even in winter, my parents would hire someone for it."

"Perhaps that’s why your chin—" and neck are one and the same! Felix wanted to say, but he was cut off by a sharp "shh!" from Sir Gunnar.

"We can’t practice very well if the yard is covered in a blanket of snow," Gunnar responded easily, not even slightly affected by the kid’s words.

All the spoiled apprentice could do was scoff before he crossed his arms and waited at the side for the others who had claimed the shovels already to finish their turn.

Shoveling snow became a competitive sport. At times, apprentices would start at the same time and be satisfied only when they beat the person next to them in their path forward. They were required to do one towards the barracks and one back before passing off the shovel to the next.

Irene was next to Leif and even though he awkwardly stared at first, the competitive spirit was heavy between them. They rushed to one end shouting insults at one another. When they started their path back, she grumbled when her shovel caught a rock and she nearly flew over the handle if it weren’t for how tall it was compared to her.

"Ugh!" she shouted in frustration. "I will get you next time!"

Leif only smiled at her and shrugged. His nose was red but he seemed awfully happy to put Irene in her place yet again.

However, her sword skills were improving and, he didn’t want to admit that she could practically take him down if they had to spar. His pride wouldn’t let him believe someone shorter and softer would overtake his strength just like that.

The rest of practice went on as usual except for the snow surrounding them on all sides. By the time they were finished, the apprentices were without their cloaks since their hearts were racing and warmth rose to the surface of their skin.

Once the practice yard was cleaned of wooden swords and dummies, that meant it was time for breakfast and the apprentices all rushed to get inside.

Irene was happy to be able to eat first and not have to help with breakfast, but she sort of enjoyed having to help because she was able to get a moment with Agnes—the only one in the place who knew her secret.

The older girl would often ask her how she was, skirting around what she truly wanted to say. Irene was appreciative and was able to rub it in Felix’s face when he wasn’t with Agnes but she was allowed to be.

That day, she noticed that he didn’t grab a shovel and had to do breakfast duty on purpose.

The apprentices ate quickly and they were onto the next tasks. Some had outdoor duties which only meant going to the stables to manage the horses and nothing much more than that. The indoor duties had to finish their lessons that they were assigned weeks before—even earlier than the goblin attack in the evening.

There was only one time in the day when they could burn off energy as much as they wanted to, but Sir Gunnar made sure that the apprentices were all keeping their minds working.

It also finally meant that they were able to present their findings on their assigned monsters and beasts.

They were randomly chosen and Felix would go first that day. However, Irene found that she would be going next and she was immediately full of dread.

She couldn’t remember if she had always despised speaking in front of others or if it was only because she was having to hide who she truly was.

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