Next Steps, Part VII

"OH, THAT'S TRUE. I DID CHOOSE HIM ALREADY, but I think everyone knows about that," Octavian rolled his eyes and Val nodded.

"It's that annoying boy that dad and the Captain took under their wing, Isn't it? So predictable," he spoke full of sarcasm.

"Asher is a great kid, very skilled for his age, and one of the youngest kids to become a Knight in the Empire's history," father spoke with a proud smile. "I and Thorin both taught him well," now he's overestimating himself.

Ash was taught by almost Sir Thorin alone. My father just gave him protection by announcing that he was his apprentice. But if he never had enough time for his children, imagine for his apprentice.

"You should be more like him, Tavian," brother got bright red in anger and both me and Val smiled at his reaction. "He always takes his duties seriously, is clever and skilled." Dad turned to meet his eyes, making it impossible for him to look away. "Maybe if you had spent more time with him, you would be as skillful in