Chapter 139: Changing the Knighthood
Since there weren’t any apprentices left having to do night watch duties, they were all in the practice yard in the morning and the dining hall for breakfast each day.
Irene was agonizing over when Sir Gunnar would tell the others about his decision. Whenever she spoke to Leif about why she had to do so many tasks for the knight, she never said specifically why. Even though he didn’t ask, she still felt like a liar. Since Felix was insistent on not talking to her, she didn’t want to lose her other friend.
For an entire two weeks, Irene had been following Sir Gunnar through most of his tasks each day. She would do everything he asked of her to the best of her abilities. However, oftentimes, he sent her back to her regular duties with the others. They were beginning outdoor duties soon and her help out there would be best used.
Except, just as everyone was finishing their bowls of porridge and dried fruits, Sir Gunnar stood in the dining hall next to the thick wooden door that kept all the heat in the large room.
He wasn’t letting anyone leave just yet.
"Iro," he called to the girl. "Come over here."
She felt unbelievably scrutinized as she was called on by the knight and she had a feeling she knew what it was about. Regardless, she walked forward confidently, nothing decipherable from her expression. She bowed her head to the knight and he placed a hand on her shoulder.
He then directed her to look out towards the others and she continued with a confident facade, hoping that no one could see through her outward armor.
"I have chosen Iro Litharion as my apprentice," he stated. "It is time we get the knighthood more organized. By the time the snow thaws, I feel we will have quite a few tests ahead of us. I have also implored the other knights in the order to choose apprentices for themselves as well. The goal is by the end of next spring, to have a knighthood where there isn’t an apprentice or knight without someone constantly guarding their back. We will succeed if we further unify ourselves."