"My family owned a stable, and I learned to ride horses when I was eight," you say. "I often had fun pretending to be a knight, wielding a mop against a target drawn on a haystack, but the training grew more serious with age. I 't have experience with anything except the lance, however."
The Queen ponders for a few seconds. "You will probably become a good light lancer. Very well, you may enroll with the thirty-first light cavalry regiment," she says with finality. "They are currently training here in the capital, so you chose a good time to join. The guards will give you your equipment and show you the way."
You make a deep bow. "Many thanks, your majesty," you say, as you turn to follow the men who brought you here. A quick visit to the tanner, blacksmith, and stable you fitted with everything you need. You can't help but think about how cool it is; you are actually joining the light cavalry! Then you feel the weight of the lance, and suddenly it isn't as cool anymore.
Half an hour and a walk through the capital sees you in front of a fenced off field, with a couple tracks that remind you of jousts. Men and women are practicing everywhere, either on foot with saber or on horseback with lance. You can hear constant thwacks as wooden weapons hit home, and the occasional yelp or cry as someone scores a point in a spar.
The castle guards bring you to a man who looks to be in his mid- to late-forties, who is currently teaching a woman how to predict a swipe. At a word he turns, and you see a massive scar going from the bottom of his left eye to the right corner of his mouth. His eyes are excited yet wise, and his short dull brown hair barely pokes out of his scalp. His beard is unkempt, and when he grins you notice several teeth missing.
"And what have we here?" he says in a deep throaty voice. "A new recruit ready to become part of the cavalry? Always a good sign to see new faces - it means that there're people crazy as we are!"
"We'll be leaving then," says one of the castle guards. He looks stiff as ever, but his eyes betray his amusement.
"Of course! You don't think I can handle a new recruit? You should know - why, when you came to me you couldn't hold your sword steady! Let alone use it to-"
"We'll be going then." The guard turns and hurries away, the other soon following suit. Turning your attention back to the old man, you find a wide grin display across his somewhat rowdy features. The old man was poking fun at what was presumably one of his former pupils. You could tell you were going to like having him as an instructor.
"Greetings there young 'un! My name's Helix Thorne, former company commander of the thirty-first light cavalry regiment, now instructor of all new cavalry recruits. Have you got any belongings?"
You nod, and emphasize it by shaking the knapsack you have hanging over your shoulder. Not much, just a few clothes and sone personal items, just enough to make you feel comfortable.
"Then you should head over to the barracks and settle in a bit, find a place to put your stuff, and come on back so we can get started. On the other hand, if you want to pet that off for a bit, you can watch these trainees practice for a bit. Have to say, they're right good for recruits, and you look like an observant one. You should be able to pick up a few things by watching."
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