Post by Josh Dragelion on Nov 9, 2021 5:09:38 GMT
"I accept the burden...
 | Hyrule Castle has been far from peaceful as of late, with the coming battle in the Arbiter’s Grounds putting everyone on edge. But an offer gone wrong would lead to Sir Josh Dragelion stepping out of the barracks, with an enraged Knight-Captain Barrett Tethras storming after him. “You can’t just turn it down like that!” “Well, respectfully I just did.” “I don’t understand. This position is a huge honor, especially for someone your age, it’s almost unheard of. It’s a chance to serve Hyrule more than before, isn’t that what you wanted?” “Aye. But with all due respect, this isn’t the way for me.” “I don’t understand, boy. This is what every knight dreams of, this is what you trained for, right? To get to this point?” “You don’t know me, sir.” The Captain balled his hands into fists, trying to hide his anger, but it wasn’t working so well. “Apparently not. After all the capability you’ve shown, after taking charge at Eldin and at the Forest Temple, and you’re just going to throw that all away and be complacent? Throw away all my guidance?” That made Josh stop in his tracks. He had spoken calmly and respectfully this entire time, but that line? That changed his tune really quickly as he turned to face a man he had considered not just his superior, but something of a father figure. “Oh so THAT’S what all of this was? All this time I thought maybe you were helping me because you cared. But the only reason I even exist to you is because you saw me as the guy you could pass this gig to, I’m just a means to an end so you can retire, is that it?” Even Tethras was taken aback by Dragelion snapping at him, something he never did. He knew full well he had misspoken, but… “That’s not what I meant at all! Hendrik, I-“ “Hendrik? Do you not even remember my name?” The tension in the hallway was palpable. Josh was only growing angrier as the Knight-Captain realized the hole that he had dug. “Of course I do.” “You just called me Hendrik. My name is Josh.” “I know, Hendrik is… Is…” Silence. Josh let out a sigh, trying to regain himself. He didn’t know what was going on, but he had never seen the Captain like this. And he didn’t want to. He knew he hadn’t meant any harm. He didn’t understand this Hendrik thing, but… “Listen,” he spoke softly, calm once more. “Sir, I say this with all the utmost respect and admiration in the world. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve been a guiding hand that I didn’t know I have needed on my shoulder since I lost my father. You’ve been hard on me since I enlisted, but you’ve been fair and I know you’ve just been looking out for my safety. And knowing that you picked me, me of all people? Who has been a complete and utter pain in your bollocks for years? To be your successor? That trust means the world to me. But…” “But?” “I didn’t turn it down because I’m complacent per-se. Maybe years ago I would have taken this job in a heartbeat. But… I’ve learned something in my time here. A knight can’t ever forget why he took up the fight in the first place. And I took up this fight because Hyrule was in danger, and with it, my home. My family. Finally having a family again showed me how important that is. Ordon is important to me, as are its people and my family. And so long as the Royal Family protects Ordon, I will serve until my dying breath. But if I were to take this offer now… I would have to leave behind the very thing I swore to protect. I’d have to abandon the farm that I started with my fiancé, one of the last memories I have with her. Protecting Ordon, and thus protecting her, is why I enlisted to begin with, and during my time away to protect Hyrule… I wasn’t there when she needed me. I won’t sully her memory by forgetting why I’m here, and at the end of the day… I can’t consider myself a knight if I forget what brought me to the dance in the first place.” With that, the knight respectfully bowed his head.” “So… Please forgive my answer. I understand that tradition has typically been that the strongest knight leads the rest, and the fact you think I’m anywhere near that means a lot to me. But I’m just not that guy. And… Besides. There are knights more capable of fulfilling the role better than I. I’m better suited as a full-time field operative anyway. This is how I can best defend my people, and this is how I intend to see it through.” He saluted, then. “May Farore’s Wind guide your back, Knight-Captain.” Captain Tethras was left without much to say as Josh walked away then. Turning down the chance to start the training to later become Knight-Captain when he was ready, that wasn’t an easy thing to do. But he knew he couldn’t forget what was important. He had sworn on his knight’s honour to do the right thing when the time came. This was just one of many times to come. To be the Knight-Captain would carry great honour, respect and prestige. It would command the respect the respect of all Hyrule and grant him a world of glory. But that wasn’t him anymore. He didn’t seek that any longer. His desire was to protect his people, not his career interests. And someone had to be there when Ordon was in need. He had promised, after all. Sworn. And a man’s oath was his bond. |
That has been placed upon me."
TEMPLATE MADE BY MIDDY!
