There were rarely days of turmoil in the Kingdom of Aquitani. Wars were fought and won by the valiant fierce hearted people who lived there, led by their royal family to victory time and time again. It was not without hardship, but Nino often felt that it held more blessings than curses. Perhaps he was just optimistic, but it was hard not to be. He had had more than his fair share of blessings in a very short time.

It was high morning in late summer when his aching feet felt the firm path of a cobbled road again. His simple shoes were nearly worn through without the benefit of a horse all this way, but he had been determined. Now after nearly a month of a travel he was here… he could only hope his arrival would not go overlooked.

Despite his exhaustion Nino continued to move forward, shifting the weight of his pack and nervously adjusting his appearance. There wasn't much he could do to improve the threadbare farmhand garb he wore but he tried, picking at dried… who knew what it could be that had stained the left pant leg. The hard leather and cold metal of his simple scabbard tapped at his knuckles as he did, and he found some reassurance in it. The sword sold him apart… it named him as more than just a farmhand. He could fight, he HAD fought. Its why he was here.

Nino looked up from his nervous picking, swallowing nervously as he followed the path to see two well-armed guards standing watch on either side of the city's main entrance. They stood tall and serious, their armor well-made and their postures practiced as they went about their business. They stopped carts and travelers, asking questions and allowing them entrance, keeping a careful eye. Maybe that's where they'd put him. Guard duty. Made sense, everything was a form of guard duty in the… well, the guard. But the entrance, perhaps they'd put him there, or was that too important? It was a very important job, what if someone dangerous tried to sneak in? Then again is was impossible to gauge everyone's intentions, so a difficult one as well. Likely too important… maybe a smaller door. A less important door.

He'd probably be guarding a storehouse, actually. He couldn't help but huff a bit bitterly as he looked over the two men on watch, forced to slow as they spoke with everyone ahead of him also seeking to gain entrance. Look at these guys. Lanky, snide, shallow faced noble boys, likely got in because of name and title. Not like him, he earned it. He was rewarded with it. But he was no one, no grand family name, just someone who fought well and with everything he had. They all said that the royal family was fair and kind, that skill was rewarded over name. But still, it could be to appease the public… he'd probably guard a storehouse somewhere. Pride be damned if he didn't guard the shit out of that store house though.

He moved slowly with the line, looking over the established guards and becoming less and less impressed by the second, though he couldn't let that show. He didn't know them, maybe they had earned it too, but probably not.

It had been two months ago now when he had intervened in something that wasn't his business. He had acted on instinct, grabbing a weapon and charging off to aide a passing nobleman caught in a raid. He had never met the nobleman before in his life or even seen him, but the circumstance compelled them to fight together and as equals. One was not above the other, though their class would never say as much. In the moment they fought to survive, and against all odds, they had won.

So here he had been rewarded. An elevation in class that most people in their life would never have the chance to see. Because he did the right thing and he did it well… his entire life might be different.

The passing son of a great leader had thanked him so profusely for his help and held his skill so highly that maybe he shouldn't have been surprise when he suddenly suggested that he earn a place in the guard, but he had been regardless. That kind of thing was rare, beyond rare. A good portion of the kingdom viewed it as blasphemy, always rubbed the wrong way whenever the royal family would reward someone with the honor. However, he had assured him it was possible, saying he held enough weight in the royal home to at least have it considered.

Nino had honestly thought the guy was full of it, he seemed nice enough certainly, but rich people just didn't do poor people like that favors regardless of any kind of life saving. But he couldn't deny that he had come this far on faith that he had meant it…

If he could really become situated as a guard in the royal city everything would be different. He'd have a wage, a proper living that wasn't dictated by the seasons or subject to bandits or raiders. He'd have authority, and a way to actually send money home to his family. And he'd be able to protect people.

Nino had been assured that the nobleman would be waiting for him in the castle town, that his place had already been secured, but it didn't feel real yet. He had some kind of hope though, looking again at the two unimpressive guys now checking through the bags of the woman directly in front of him. He didn't need a grand place, just any place, any job. He'd guard the mid-town, he'd guard the prison cells. Just anything stable enough to support his family through the winter. If these guys could do it he certainly could.

Nino stood up a little straighter as the woman in front of him was allowed through the gate, and he found himself under the direct attention of the two guards whose position he envied. He was being a little petty, sure, but some part of him knew they looked at him and saw a farmhand. He wanted them to see that he was just as good as they were, birthrights be damned.

The taller of the two guards stepped forward, his expression bored at first but sharpening as he looked at the poor farmer traveling on his own. He didn't hold himself like a farmer, but he was clearly used to physical labor. The guard first noticed the careful challenge in the boy's expression, and then he noticed the sword.

"What have you got there then?" the tallest guard asked, taking the hilt of his spear and tapping somewhat rudely at the scabbard on the boy's hip.

"A sword," Nino answered simply, intending to leave it at that before looking at the gate before him and seeming to reconsider being flippant. "I came from a long way away, it would have been stupid to try and go that far without protection."

The tallest guard nodded a bit in acknowledgement, but the second spoke up with a mean hearted chuckle.

"You sure you know how to use it son? Wouldn't have done you any good if you swung it like a woodcutter's axe."

The second guard thought he was pretty funny, laughing loudly at his own joke even though the first seemed to realize that they were being rude at this point when Nino visibly squirmed at the insult. The tallest guard cut in, looking briefly through Nino's pack without asking before saying, "You're all clear son. Head on through, but if you unsheathe that weapon within the city walls you'll be cut down, understand? We won't take it from you, but threaten anyone with it and you'll be jailed at best."

"Yes sir I understand," Nino answered quickly, shooting a glare at the more pathetic of the two who was still chuckling to himself before settling the weight of his pack again. He stepped between the guards as they turned their attention to a traveling merchants cart behind him, and even though he was somewhat annoyed he still felt a spark of excitement as he was allowed to approach the gate. There wasn't anyone in his way anymore.

His pace quickened and he hurried to cross the threshold, sidestepping through the opening in the heavy wooden doors. And just like that a wave of sound reached him, and he was walking along the cobbled main road of Aquitani's largest city.

He couldn't help the breathless laugh that escaped him, moving even faster now as he looked around excitedly. He made it a handful of steps before he was suddenly wading through a thick crowd, and the sound of his laugh was lost in the sounds of the city.

Merchants stood by large overflowing carts of goods, parked about anywhere there was a free space on the city's main and thus most trafficked road. People of every class and color rifled through purses and counted their coins in chattering groups as they looked over the cloths, spices, medicines and tools for sale all around them. Chickens screeched from their cages, bakers sold families their daily supplies of bread, children darted after stray dogs scrounging for scraps, horses milled uncomfortably through the throngs of people and carts. It was more crowded and lively then anything Nino had ever seen, and he loved it instantly.

"Travelers welcome here!"

"You look like you know a good sword when you see one sir, come look at my wares!"

"A whole brood of chickens for sale young man, the perfect thing for getting settled!"

The merchants called out for his attention as he loitered for a moment absorbing his surroundings so he was quick to deny them, picking up the pace to escape their line of sight. He barely had enough for even one night at an inn he couldn't afford to be talked into buying anything they had.

He hurried further down the road, quickly jumping to the side to avoid an agitated horse and dodging down a side street, laughing aloud as he got lost between the tall reaching homes and businesses around him.

He had lived his entire life in a village of a hundred people, maybe even less. This was nothing like that, nothing like anything he had ever experienced.

So in the building heat of a high summer morning, Nino Lahiffe made his way through the winding roads and bustling life of the city, heading ever towards the distant image of the castle of the royal family.

"Your majesty, as a sign of good will from my father I had been asked to make my way to your kingdom where I may be of service to you in your court, but as I told you when I first arrived I would not have made it alive if I had not been helped by a valiant citizen of one of your outer territories. He charged in without seeking reward and he fought with great skill and calm, attributes that, if I understand correctly, you hold in high regard for your personal guard. This is the man I spoke of, and I present him with complete confidence."

Nino could not see much from his position, and while his bravery was being applauded he fought to keep his hands from shaking. He locked his eyes to the deep crimson carpet he knelt on, desperately trying to remember every ounce of etiquette he had ever been taught in his life. Anything he had however could only be applied to the head of a household, he had absolutely no idea how to behave here. Throughout the weeks it took to travel here he had never once entertained the notion of standing in the throne room. He had expected to be presented at most to the head of the guard, to a Captain or a something similar, tested to see if he should join. He had never once believed he would find himself kneeling before the throne, losing his wits at the feet of the king.

As much as he owed Adrien everything in that moment he also had a fair string of profanities for him that he kept silent for fear of death.

He hadn't signed up for this! What if he said the wrong thing?! What if he disrespected him?! What was being asked of him here, he thought he was guarding a door, why was the king involved?!

Nino kept his place, his eyes never straying past Adrien's well-kept boots. This is what he got for saving a rich boy in the woods, he did this to himself.

His thoughts twisted and panicked as Adrien continued to detail exactly what had happened, embellishing a few things in Nino's favor, he noticed. However, all thought stopped dead when Adrien fell silent and the King spoke again.

"You make it all sound so impressive," the king chuckled, the sound of it deep and… personable. "You certainly owe this young man your life, but I'm impressed you would go to such lengths to see him honored."

There was a short silence where no one spoke, the king posing a question without even having to ask it. Nino had to admit… he had wondered it too. He didn't know him, nothing past a few days of offering him a place to stay and a helping hand through the raid. Yet here was this nobleman again, doing his damnedest to follow through on his word for a farmhand he could have just as easily dismissed. And here was Nino, who had trusted him enough to follow his lead.

Nino's head turned slightly to listen as Adrien spoke again, and when he dared to look up he saw that he was looking at him, smiling kindly. He looked down to him, not down at him.

"I know it seems unusual your majesty, but you're right, I owe him my life." Adrien spared Nino another moments glance before smiling and looking away, smoothing his elegant courtroom clothing with a single hand before continuing as he addressed the king. He stood tall and confidently, and in that moment Nino admired him.

"My father is a powerful man with an expansive guard of his own. I was raised on the idea of the deserving and the undeserving as I was taught to one day inherit what he owned, and there were ways that things were always done. The noble families would train their sons to fight, and they would serve the guard. And the strongest sons of the strongest families would be named Knights, always. It didn't matter if they were cruel or selfish, it mattered that they were loyal. I never had the confidence to contradict my father, but I can say now that I always believed that was wrong. I had no place to say this, I knew nothing of command, but then I heard about your kingdom sire."

"I heard rumors of your way of rewarding the deserving, and the attributes you looked for in your own guards. Your value on bravery, loyalty, skill and calm made your armies stronger than your most fearsome enemies. And it was in this kingdom alone that it was possible to be deserving of the right to the royal crest without being born to it. It was possible that someone who worked hard enough, fought hard enough, and lived with enough virtue could be a knight, regardless of where they came from."

Adrien looked down again and saw that Nino had affixed his gaze to the floor, absorbing his words and unsure of what to do with them. The King was watching the commoner kneeling before him, listening to his valued member of court. So Adrien continued.

"It is still rare, even here, for a citizen to earn a place in the castle, and it is true that I have never known this man before. But when I saw him fight your majesty I thought of all that you strive to uphold in your fine kingdom. He reminded me of its virtues and what really sets this land apart from kingdoms like my fathers. We fought together as equals, and it did not feel out of place. The fact that I have gone this far to see my promise to him through should speak to how much I believe this. I know it may seem odd to you sire, but I can say with absolute confidence that I have never seen someone more deserving of a chance to prove himself in my life. All I ask is that you give him one."

The throne room fell quiet, and after a moment the king looked back to Adrien, analyzing the young man as he stood before him. What he saw was someone of noble birth defending someone of humble standings, putting aside what class said they should be and saying what he believed to be right. To see the son of Gabriel defy everything his father must have taught him about what every person was worth… the king could not help but feel hope.

Nino was terrified and confused and grateful and- a thousand things. He didn't deserve Adrien's faith or praise, he didn't deserve an opportunity like this, but god he wanted it. He wanted to deserve it so badly. He wanted to prove himself to everyone, to Adrien, to the king, to the guards at the gate. He wanted it, he wanted to deserve it.

He knelt there on the crimson carpet and tried desperately to steady his breathing, but it caught in his throat as the king suddenly spoke again.

"Young man, you may stand."

Nino swallowed, fear climbing in his chest but he forced himself to obey, understanding now that the king's word was law. He had to abide by it absolutely. Even though he was terrified he slowly rose, and looked into the king's face for the first time.

He was an older man with dark skin and a heavy dark beard, his eyes a light brown and surrounded with laugh lines. He was solidly built and sitting forward on his throne, an elegantly carved darkwood chair inlaid with gold and designs of polished amber. He was a man who commanded great power, and though his visage was kind he also exuded the expectation of respect. In a moments observation Nino was struck by the openness of his expression, the King observing him now but not looking down upon him.

He was standing before a king, yet he wasn't made to feel inferior. The elder man's position in the room was held because others respected him, not because he felt he deserved it…

It left him in awe.

The king surprised the two young men by standing, stepping away from his throne and standing at the edge of the dais his throne rested upon. Out of instinct both the noble and the commoner bowed their heads, showing their respect as Nino was regarded. The king waited, until hesitantly the farm hand raised his head again, unsure of what he was expected to do. When the king met his eyes, he smiled.

He gestured towards Adrien with a nod, the weight of his crown remaining fixed in place as he addressed Nino directly once again.

"Adrien Agreste is a very respected member of my court, sent here to learn from our practices by his father, who is an important ally. I believe it shows how much he has learned that he was able to see so clearly the values of my kingdom in you before he had even arrived to properly take his place. And now that you stand before me… I must say, that Adrien's judgement has not swayed."

Nino stiffened in surprise, his heart hammering in his chest as he saw Adrien grin from the corner of his eye. The king chuckled kindly.

"I can see it in your face that you are more surprised than any of us to be standing here. You are humble as well, it would seem. What is your name?"

Nino swallowed again, taking the extra moment to ensure his voice would not shake before answering. "Nino Lahiffe, sire."

The king nodded, presumably having already been told but wanting to hear him speak nonetheless.

"I would like to ask you personally, then." The king leveled him with another gaze, wanting to be looking in the eye as he was answered. "Do you believe you deserve to be honored with a place in the guard, title-less though you are?"

Nino hesitated, aware that Adrien was watching him just as intently as the king. He was locked in to his gaze and he could feel his knees shaking, but he had to answer. The king had asked him a question.

"No sire," he answered after a moment, fighting to keep his voice strong as he said, "But I can swear to you that should I be in your service, I would do everything I could to earn it."

There was a heavy silence that followed his words, and internally he panicked that he had spoken too strongly or said something wrong, but he had no idea what else he could say. It was what he believed. He wanted to earn it, he wanted to deserve it, and he would work tirelessly until he had.

The silence stretched on and he did not look away from the King, struck again by the man's power as he stood before his throne, the chamber soaked in heavy summer light and the ghosts of a thousand defining moments for this kingdom.

Executions had been ordered from exactly where he stood, honors bestowed and heroes knighted. And for Nino, this held as much weight as any of those moments. Because this was his moment.

Nino watched as the king smiled down at him and felt his heart leap in hope when the king finally spoke again.

"Then I should think, young man, that you deserve your chance to prove yourself. With as highly as you are being held I believe you would be wasted in the city guard, no… I shall like to see what you achieve myself. So you will stay within the castle.

At Adrien's recommendation you will be given a place among the Royal Guard."