"DIE!!!"  The shout seemed to echo off of all the walls in the courtyard.  The sound of clashing steel ricocheted all over the castle.  One hit after another after another.  A flock of pigeons flew off, startled at the commotion.
    "You're improving you blasted whelp!" one of the two men shouted, straining as the other forced his sword down upon his.  They were alone in the courtyard, there were no crowds cheering on the mighty duel.  Nothing to witness their fight but the racks of chipped and rusted weaponry that lined the courtyard.  The sun shone brightly, it had been a lovely day.  Not a cloud in sight.
    "It's more likely that you're just getting old!"  Another sharp clang echoed off the courtyard walls.  A soft breeze began to blow in as a flock of geese flew overhead, honking and squawking as they went along their way.  It was autumn, and it was beginning to get colder.

    "OLD?!?  I'm not old, just experienced!" he said, swinging his sword hard left, only to be blocked by the other man's.
    "If this is the product of experience, then maybe I should stop practicing," Garalt groaned, pushing Kullvox away from him, "I might actually improve!"  Kullvox began to chuckle and charged the younger Garalt.
    "Boy," Kullvox' sword met Garalt's, "you..."  Kullvox was interrupted by the sound of clapping.  The two stood up and turned to see their king applauding them.  They immediately sheathed their weapons and bowed.
    "Excellent!   Marvelous!  Very entertaining"  King Ulmerad spoke happily.  Garalt had always idolized his king.  Ulmerad was a strong man, especially for being as old as he was.  He watched as a soft breeze blew through his monarch's silver hair.  "Please, stand," Ulmerad motioned for them to get up.
    "Sire," Kullvox spoke, "I did not know you were watching."   

    "Oh, I always take great interest in our new knights' progress."  Garalt remembered how only two weeks ago he'd been knighted.  His whole family was there, nay, almost the whole kingdom had come out to see the new knights.  There were three in all, but a knighting only occurred once a year, so it was followed by a great feast in the new knights' honor.  This time there had been twenty five squires who had been tested for knighthood.  Garalt finished third.
    "My p..progress Sire?"  Garalt spoke nervously.  Kullvox couldn't help but smile.
    "It's coming along quite well, I must say,"  Ulmerad said proudly, resting his hand on Garalt's shoulder.
    "T..thank you Sire, thank you very much," Garalt attempted to bow to his king, but Ulmerad's hand prevented it.  What strength he had in him, to hold someone up with just one arm.