Slime Knight Part 2

Sir Matthew knew of man's distrust towards other monsters. But in Glesni's case the townspeople paid little heed. In times long before, the lord's ancestors have, intermingled with a prominent lizard girl warrior tribe, and the two groups have been close ever since.

Glesni was in awe, and a little frightened. In her young life a few people or a few dozen travelers passing by was not a big deal. But seeing so many men and monsters, living as slowly or as noisily as they desire, was a startling sensation. In her panic Glesni was practically forcing herself into Sir Matthew's armor.

"Glesni, there's no need to be afraid. They won't harm you. And while on the subject please remove yourself from inside my armor, it's unsightly."

"But, Sir Matthew”

"It is improper for a woman to forcibly enter a knight's armor without his permission; such is the ways of wenches and lesser folk. And I know you are neither."

"O, Okay" said Glesni gloomily.

"I will still permit you to cling onto me, as long as you refrain from entering my armor" said Sir Matthew, admittedly a bit guilty in upsetting a lady, even if it was warranted.

"T, thank you! Sir Matthew!" said Glesni in an effort to exclaim her joy.

Sir Matthew proceeded to show Glesni every important place he could think of. The pubs to collect information of the latest news, the castle guard who protect the town from invasion, and the last, but perhaps most vital, at least to Sir Matthew was the knights’ training grounds, where the future guardians of the land train with seasoned veterans in hopes that they too will achieve knighthood.

Glesni was in awe. The trainees practicing weaponry, the knight captains instructing horseback warfare, graduates sparring in a rhythmic dance of blades, it all had her in a trance.

"Now that we have you a little accustomed with your new hometown, I have a little request to ask of you Glesni."

"What, is it?” inquired Glesni.

"What do you think of knights?"

"I, think they're, strong."

"Would you like to become one Glesni?"

In an action that was uncharacteristic of Glesni, she pulled herself from Sir Matthew, and spouted these words.

"Yes! Please let me become a knight!"

"Bold words Glesni, but simply asking to become isn't enough. You'll have to prove it like I have when I was a squire. Come, we'll have you apprenticed soon enough."

"Yes! Sir Matthew!"

"You no longer need to shout."

"Yes, Sir Matthew."

The two made their way to the main halls to begin Glesni's path to knighthood. With a stylish sign here, a scribble there, and a simple vow, Glesni was now a squire.

"Glesni, as a page you are required to follow the orders of your superiors. You may not understand why this has anything to do with knighthood at first, but when you are older it will all become clear to you. But first let's head home. We have a few weeks before you start training; I wish to teach you manners personally."

All the while Glesni nodded eagerly.

In the comfort of their own abode, Sir Matthew attempted to teach Glesni the very basics of manners.     He set a plate with a fowl on top with a knife beside it.

"Glesni, pick up the knife."

"Yes Sir Matthew."

"Good, from now on if you wish to eat, always bring your knife with you. Now Glesni, show me how you normally eat."

At first hesitant, Glesni started to bend over the table in an attempt to swallow her meal whole.

"NO!"

"Ah!" blurted Glesni who was so startled she fell off her chair.

"Glesni, a lady should never eat in such a way, much less a knight. If you are so eager for a meal, refrain yourself."

"But, Sir Matthew, you told me to-"

"I only asked to see where we need to improve. Other lords, including your future captains would act much more harshly over a display such as that."

"Then, what should I do?"

"First take your knife and pick apart the fowl at the joints."

Glesni then held the knife in her hands and began to saw off a leg.

"Well done Glesni, no need to be hasty, just keep at it like you're doing. Now pick the food off the knife and eat."

Glesni then proceeded to eat the piece of fowl bones and all.

"Normally I'd lay the bones off the plate but I find this acceptable. But for your case, seeing that you are translucent like mist, covering yourself with your hands would be recommended."

"Sir Matthew, why do, I have to do, all this, to eat?"

"Etiquette, Glesni. You wouldn't want to be considered a slob now would you?"

"No?"

"Then do not question further. We still have much to learn."

The days passed with Glesni attempting to remember the most minute of actions, then forgetting right after being told what to do. If there was a few consolations, one was she did slowly retain basic mannerisms, the other was her enthusiasm for combat.

Sir Matthew held his wooden sword and shield in a relaxed grip.

"Show me what you can do."

"Yes Sir Matthew!" cried Glesni as she charged towards Matthew.

Glesni attempted to thrust at her mentor, only for him to sidestep out of her way. Glesni stumbled from her momentum just as quickly

“You should do better than that.”

Glesni responded by turning around for another go, swinging her sword in wide, exaggerated arcs.

“Sir Matthew you shall fall!”

“Bold words Glesni, you’re even starting to speak more clearly. Now if you want to make me fall all you have to do is this” Sir Matthew demonstrated by grabbing her sword and pushing Glesni on her back.

Glesni smiled in a wide grin, distorted her body, and pulled herself onto Sir Matthew’s arm.

“You mean like this?” Glesni said heartily as she pushed downward as hard as she can. Sir Matthew in his surprise can only be in shock as this little girl forced him to kiss dirt.

“Ha ha, well done Glesni, using your talents to throw me off guard. Now let’s see if you can defend as well as you can strike.”

Sir Matthew swung hard at Glesni who had difficulty deflecting the blows. The first broke her fragile guard; the second flung her sword aside and the third an overhead strike to her gelatinous temple.  Glesni could only raise her arms over her head with her eyes closed in fear. In a moment she gathered the courage to look at her tutor, who simply tapped Glesni on the head with his sword.

“Glesni, you don’t have to be afraid. I wouldn’t harm you.”

Glesni, who was happy for a brief moment, turned her head down.

“Come now, what’s wrong?”

“I was scared. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay to be scared. Everyone is scared of something at one point in their life. What’s important is to overcome that fear.” Glesni was unconvinced, still holding herself in shame.

“I guess you leave me no choice Glesni. If you’re not going to stop moping, I might have to wring it out of you.” Sir Matthew then picked up Glesni and started to spin around.

Glesni in an instant was in a giggling fit, overcome by the new sensation of excitement.

“I believe that we had enough for today. Let us have dinner.”

“Wait!”

“What is it Glesni? Would you prefer to train some more?”

Glesni hurried to pick up her sword.

“I can still fight!”

“Very well if you insist”, chuckled Sir Matthew, readying his sword.

“Just don’t blame if you start feeling more sullen.”