Miles Prodeo

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.

One the eve of my twentieth year I was released from my contract with Sir Caedo and entered into the Royal Army. Though my training as a knight had been completed my acceptance into the Royal Army Knights was not. I still had to prove myself to the order. Sir Caedo and I continued to serve together in many engagements and duties. The most memorable and important mission to me was the protection of the Viscountess of Rosewind. It had been reported that a small anti-government group was targeting the young Viscountess for assassination. We were not told the reason only that we were to protect her from harm. The Viscountess and I spent many hours talking and walking together through her gardens that spring. She had a deep love for roses and had every kind imaginable. Being with her became more than just my duty, it became my desire. I was in love, with Viscountess Ariana Chesna of Rosewind. I recall one conversation with her when we spoke of the difference between those of nobility and peasant birth. “There is no difference between us as humans. We both feel love, happiness, sadness, and anger. The only real difference is the money we are born with and how we are raised. My dear soldier, you would have made a great noble.” “I thank you for your kindness Viscountess, but I am not worthy of such praise. I am only a soldier with the army seeking to become a knight. I could never be that man you speak of.” I said this believing it and denying it at the same time. It was the only way I could think of how to answer her and I hoped she could see through my words and into my heart.

The month was long and soon the attempt was made at her life. Sir Caedo and I repelled them with little effort and leaving the Viscountess unharmed. Ariana and I continued to talk to each other after I had left. We wrote to each other as often as we could. It was my priority to always answer her letters the day I received them. We continued writing for two years. During that time I fought in several dire engagements that tested me to the depths of my potential. At one point my mentor, Sir Caedo, almost died. If I had not had to turned my head to dodge an arrow and see out of the corner of my eye an attack against Sir Caedo that he could not have seen coming. I jumped in the path of that barbarian repelling the attack with my shield. The shield broke under the strength of his attack and left a large gash in my armor. Two weeks after that battle I requested leave to go to Rosewind to have an audience with Ariana.

My love for Ariana was great and passionate. On my journey back to Rosewind I went over how I was going to ask her to marry me. I thought I shall take her out on a walk as we used to do and at the dais in the center of the garden I shall deliver a magnanimous speech proclaiming my love for her. She would be so moved that she could only say yes. But then, I thought no. No that is far too superfluous of an affair. I should as her bluntly while we dine. No, no. That has no sophistication or honor about it. When I arrived I still had not come up with a plan, but it did not matter. The sight of her angelic beauty and the light of her face was enough to move me right then and there. I fell to one knee as I kissed her hand, and then looked up into her emerald eyes and said, “I love you more than life itself, my dear Viscountess, and I know you love me. Marry me, Ariana.” I did not expect her reply to be as it was. “I love you as well; Miles, but you are a soldier of the army not of any special blood. It would take and act of god to allow, the King to approve of our union.” As she spoke she raise me from the ground and embrace me, and tears rolled gently down her cheeks. “Then let us try. We know we are to be together no matter what any King says. We are divined to be together.” We stood there in front of the carriage that had brought me to her estate for some time before we went inside. The next day we went off to the capital to make our petition to be married.

To be continued...