I, Miles Prodeo,
was born the son of a blacksmith. As a child I was always unsure as
to way my mother named me as she did. It was as if she was trying to
set me apart from her and my father, as if she knew I was something
more than the son of a blacksmith. My mother died when I was four
years old. The warmth of her blood is as vivid to me now as it was
then. I have only had to experience that once more in life and I hope
never to have to again.
After mother's
death I worked harder at everything I did. Helping however I could at
my young age. I guess then I didn’t understand why I did the things
I did, but now I see that it was my inner desire never to see friends
get hurt. I can remember one time when I jumped into freezing cold
water to help keep one of the children from the village from
drowning—I almost drowned myself trying to help. When I went home I
thought my father was going yell at me for my clothes being wet
instead he embraced me and told me how proud he was of me and that
mother would have been proud too.
Two years later,
when I turned seven, my father sent me away from home. At first I
thought he was sending me away because I had done something wrong,
but after arriving at the Baron of Miltrova’s estate I knew I was
wrong. Father had seen that I had more potential than just a
blacksmith. The Baron was a kind and generous man. He was a servant
of Pelor and had served in the Templar Knights—though he was not
well known for his service. He was however known for his wisdom and
sagely advice. I can remember many people seeking him during the
seven years I spent at his estate. The time I spent there was to
teach me the traits of nobility and knighthood. The Baron spent many
hours teaching me about nobility, riding, care of horses, courtesy,
and even a little falconry—I was never very good at that. Whenever
I was not studying my trade, we talked about religion and life.
When my time with
the Baron of Miltrova ended I was made squire to a Royal Army Knight,
Sir Caedo Pravus. Sire Caedo was also a servant of Pelor, and
probably a close friend of the Baron, though I do not know for sure
even to this day. I was quickly able to learn and master everything
Sir Caedo taught me. I was a natural he would always say when it came
to my use of a sword. Unlike Sir Caedo I was never comfortable with
just my sword. I had an affinity for shield and sword over
devastating blows with the sword. I thought this as a sign of
weakness, but I can recall him speaking to another knight saying, “He
is one of the best lads I have ever known. His talent and skill
surpasses those I have trained in the past.” Hearing Sir Caedo
speak so highly of my skill put a fire under my feet to never make
him regret those words. The foundation of my honor as a knight was
built that day.
