"When Ryle, a royal knight, stumbles upon a plot by the Queen to overthrow the King, he must choose between his loyalty to the crown and his sense of justice. As he assembles a secret unit of skilled warriors to stop the Queen and protect the kingdom, Ryle faces danger, political intrigue, and the challenge of coming to terms with his own beliefs. "The Soldier's Minute: Fall of Rosetta" is a gripping tale of dark fantasy, romance, and coming of age set in a medieval world where technology and magic collide. Join Ryle on his quest to save the kingdom in this action-packed and emotionally charged novel."
Chapter 1 Homecoming
Ryle stood outside the castle gates, still in disbelief that he was now a royal knight. He had just returned from a long and brutal war, and now he was being honored with one of the highest titles in the kingdom. He was proud, but also nervous. He had never been a fan of the royal court and all the political games that came with it, but he was duty-bound to serve the kingdom.
As he made his way into the castle courtyard, he was greeted by his boon companion, Stannis. Stannis was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a hearty laugh and a quick wit. He had been Ryle's friend for as long as he could remember and was always there to lighten the mood, even in the most serious of situations.
"Well, look at you!" Stannis exclaimed as he clapped Ryle on the back. "All dressed up in your shiny armor and fancy cloak. You look like you're ready to take on the world!"
Ryle rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Stannis. I was hoping to blend in a little more."
Stannis chuckled. "Blend in? You? That'll be the day. You're going to stick out like a sore thumb, my friend. But don't worry, I'll be right here to make sure you don't trip and fall on your face."
As they made their way through the castle, Stannis kept up a steady stream of jokes and quips, much to the amusement of the other knights and courtiers. Ryle couldn't help but smile, despite himself. He was grateful to have Stannis by his side as he navigated the treacherous waters of the royal court.
They finally reached the great hall, where King Edgard was holding court. Ryle straightened his spine and stepped forward, ready to take his place as a royal knight. As he entered the hall, he felt the weight of all eyes upon him. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to serve the kingdom with honor and distinction.
But before he could take another step, Stannis tripped over a stray flagstone and went tumbling to the ground. The entire hall erupted in laughter, and Ryle had to stifle a chuckle as he helped Stannis to his feet. He shook his head and whispered to his friend, "I guess some things never change."
King Edgard cleared his throat, bringing the room to attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present our newest royal knight, Ryle," he announced, gesturing towards Ryle.
Ryle stepped forward, bowing low in respect to the King. As he rose, he saw a flicker of amusement in Edgard's eyes, and he knew that the King had not missed Stannis's stumble.
"Sir Ryle," the King continued, "we welcome you to our court and are honored to have you serve as one of our finest knights. We have great need of brave and capable men like yourself in these troubled times."
Ryle nodded, acknowledging the King's words. He could feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders, and he was determined to live up to the King's faith in him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said. "I am honored to serve."
Edgard nodded and gestured for Ryle to rise. "Very well. I trust that Sir Stannis will be accompanying you in your duties?"
Stannis stepped forward, bowing low. "Of course, Your Majesty. I would not miss the opportunity to serve alongside my friend."
Edgard smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Very well, then. Sir Ryle, Sir Stannis, I charge you both with the task of maintaining order and protecting the kingdom. I have faith that you will serve with distinction."
With that, the audience was dismissed, and Ryle and Stannis made their way back to their quarters. As they walked, Stannis couldn't help but make a joke about his stumble in the great hall.
"Well, that could have gone better," he said, chuckling.
Ryle rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "At least you're taking it in stride. I'm sure the other knights will never let you forget it."
Stannis shrugged. "Let them try. I've got a thick skin. Besides, it's not the first time I've made a fool of myself, and it probably won't be the last."
Ryle knew that his life would soon be filled with intrigue and politics, but with Stannis's quick wit and humor, at least there would always be a bit of levity in the midst of it all. As they settled into their room, Ryle and Stannis began to discuss their duties and responsibilities as royal knights. Despite the weight of the task ahead, the two of them were determined to serve the kingdom to the best of their abilities.
"We've got to be on our toes, Ryle," Stannis said, his expression turning serious. "There's a lot of politics at play in the court, and we need to be careful who we trust."
Ryle nodded, his thoughts turning to the King's words about the troubled times. He had a feeling that their duties as royal knights would be far from simple, but he was determined to see it through.
Together, Ryle and Stannis set off to explore the castle and get a lay of the land. They had a kingdom to protect, and they were ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
As Ryle and Stannis explored the castle, they were struck by its grandeur and beauty. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and tapestries, and the halls echoed with the sound of footsteps and hushed whispers. Despite the beauty, Ryle couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
As they passed by the throne room, they heard raised voices and the sound of a commotion coming from inside. Curiosity getting the better of them, the two knights approached the door to see what was happening.
Peering inside, they saw Queen Luna and several of her royal knights in a heated discussion with King Edgard and Crown Prince Chrysler Vance. The Queen's face was red with anger, and she was shouting at the King, her voice ringing through the room.
Ryle and Stannis exchanged a look, both realizing that something was seriously amiss. The Queen's behavior was out of line, and it was clear that there was tension between the two rulers.
As they continued on their tour of the castle, Ryle and Stannis couldn't help but wonder what was going on. They had both fought in the recent war, and they had seen the horrors of battle and the dangers that threatened the kingdom. It seemed that, even in the heart of the castle, danger was lurking around every corner.
The two knights made a silent vow to be vigilant and protect the kingdom, no matter what. They may have just arrived at the court, but they were already starting to sense that the road ahead would be a long and difficult one.
Chapter 1 Homecoming
09/02/2023
Chapter 2 A New Assignment
09/02/2023
Other books by Marcus Hale
More