Pride and Patience

A young squire stands firm as pride clashes within the knightly ranks.

The rain started just after dusk, soft at first, then steady enough to turn the road into a ribbon of mud. The patrol had made camp beneath a stand of crooked pines, their fire snapping and hissing as droplets fell through the needles above.

Jared was scraping mud from a saddle when raised voices drifted from the command tent.

“I corrected the course,” Sir Thomas was saying sharply. “We lost no men. No time worth mentioning.”

Sir Godfrey’s reply was calmer, but firmer than Jared had ever heard it. “That’s not the point.”

Jared tried not to listen, but the words carried.

“The point,” Sir Godfrey continued, “is that you dismissed him without thought. A squire’s duty is to learn, and to speak when he sees danger. If you silence that, you endanger us all.”

Sir Thomas stepped out of the tent, rain slicking his dark hair against his brow. He spotted Jared immediately.

“You think yourself clever now?” Sir Thomas asked, voice low.

Jared straightened despite the knot in his stomach. “No, sir.”

“You contradicted your superior.”

“I spoke what I believed true.”

Sir Thomas took a step closer. “Belief is not rank.”

Before the moment could sour further, Sir Godfrey emerged. “Enough,” he said. “The boy showed awareness. That is to his credit.”

Sir Thomas scoffed. “You coddle him.”

“I train him,” Sir Godfrey replied evenly.

Silence hung between them, thick as the rain. Finally, Sir Thomas turned away, issuing orders to double the watch.

Later, as Jared fed the horses, Sir Godfrey approached silently. “Courage doesn't roar,” he said. “It's quiet and steady. You did well.”

Jared nodded, though doubt still fluttered in his chest. He understood now that knighthood wasn’t only steel and banners. It was pride and temper and choices made in small moments.

Word Count: 299
Prompt: Write a story that includes the line: "That's not the point."
Written For: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
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