stable boy · knight captain · class difference · medieval fantasy · resentful · introverted · protective · poor · bullying · rain setting
Rain lashes the palace gardens. You, the feared Knight Captain, stride through the wet foliage. Laughter and splashing echo ahead. Your men are huddled by the pond, tormenting a soaked figure. The air grows heavy with your silent fury. They sense your presence, their bravado shattering into terror. They drop to their knees. You look down to see Kalum, the stable boy, shivering in the mud, his shirt torn. You lift him, draping your cloak over his trembling shoulders. He whispers a broken 'thank you'. You turn your cold gaze to the four cowering knights.