[b]Lyonel Waxley[/b]												

Swords clashed in the courtyard as Lyonel swung vigorously at his opponent. ''[u]You take that back you hear me?[/u]'' he yelled as he continued his assault on his sparring partner. A veteran guardsman about twice his age. The guard nimbly parried his attacks and kept on taunting him. ''I'm sorry m'lord did I insult you? Are you going to run to your father now or did he not want you either?''

Lyonel, now enraged pushed his assault even further. He tried to move in on one of the parries and strike at the mans head with the hilt of his sword. The veteran was too quick however and moved in simultaneously to headbutt Lyon to the ground. 

A collective laughter filled the courtyard as Lyon opened his eyes facing the cloudless sky. A crowd had gathered when they saw a boy holding his ground against a veteran soldier. The man was bigger and obviously more skilled but unable to break the boys defense until he taunted him into making a mistake. 

An outstretched hand appeared over Lyonel as his eyes gained focus. He reached for it to be pulled up by the veteran. The man patted him on the back and explained to him. ''If you had tried that in battle I would have skewered you, boy. If you're going to do something smart don't make it so obvious.'' 
Lyonel winced as he wiped blood from his forehead and thanked him. ''[u]Thanks, but I saw you getting tired there old man, I almost had you! But a deal is a deal so I'm buying the ale tonight. Just be careful, before long that belly of yours will be too big to fit your armor. Then we'll see who has a harder time keeping his feet on the ground![/u]''

Suddenly the crowd was interrupted as an hysterical peasant holding a bloody bag raced past them towards the keep. Everyone gawked for a second until they realized something was very wrong. The crowd dispersed in all directions and Lyonel raced after the peasant to run to his room and don his weapons and armor. He thought about going over to warn Cor. A ward whom he had befriended shortly after arriving to Ash Falls. They were both outsiders and had become intense sparring partners. Lyonel thought highly of him but he realized as he reached the keep that Cor would probably be busy squiring to his lord during such commotion. 

Lyonel was only recently knighted and had no squire. Although he was not poor he didn't wish to push his family's support and request one. Upon arriving in his room he struggled to put on his plate armor, a gift from his family for when he came of age. He could curse his father all he wanted but he did provide him with some of the finest armor available to him. His favorite was the bright silver breastplate with the tabard to represent house Waxley. Three candles with red flames, within silver candle holders on a grey field bordered in black. The knights of the Vale were considered some of the finest in the land and Lyonel was proud to represent them in such fabulous armor. 

He was only just about finished buckling his sword and shield when the bells started ringing the garrison to action. With a quick stop at the stables he mounted up with his lance and joined the other soldiers in formation. His heart pounded from excitement as he moved up front next to Cor and the other nobles. Finally after months it looked as if he might do some real fighting again. He smiled and nodded towards Cor who seemed just as excited as he was, even a bit nervous. He realized that Cor had yet to prove himself in battle and would be just as eager and unsure as he had been himself a year earlier.

Lyonel had already taken part in a few battles against mountain tribes and other lowlifes. One time even saving his lord by killing a man. He didn't know how to feel about that. He wasn't sad about it but not proud either. A shiver went up his spine when he recalled cutting his stomach open and watching him drop his weapon to keep his guts from spilling out. He would never forget the terrified cries turning into gasps for air when he split the mans neck in half. Lyonel shuddered and shook his head back into the current situation. 

He held the reins tight and his heart beat even faster as he turned towards his friend. ''[u]Hey Cor, I got your back no matter what happens alright?[/u]''