#kicker

The one that got away…

However, a lot of the comments were very positive too. I was pleasantly surprised by that. No idea if the kicker just deletes hate comments but I definitely saw a slight move in the right direction!

And for the last post of April Fool's Day, we have yet another new model of the Omnitrix Negotiator, the Jones Series!

(The april fools is that he's an asshole)

Giants release kicker Younghoe Koo.

Could have been because of this in Week 13 🤔 He said the ball moved or something 👇

Horace had always dreamt of becoming a knight. Ideally, he wanted to be stationed in Redmont Fief, under Baron Arald’s command. His respect for the knight had grown over the years. Not only did the Baron wield his sword like a true knight, he also held the code high. He looked after those in need, helped where he could and was interested in the wellbeing of his people.

Although he initially was more focused on the fighting and the fame that came along with it, Horace quickly learnt there was more to knighthood. Friendship, the brotherhood among the knights and the many adventurous he went on.

Yet, if he had to name one part of his whole apprenticeship that touched his soul the most, it was the day that he was taken to the stables.

“Watch where you walk, cadets!” Master Ulf warned. “Those horses don’t care the slightest if they stamp on the ground or your toes!”

Part of the Battleschool training was horse riding. The first years all got to borrow a horse from the Baron’s stable. The horses weren’t young and not in active service, but they were still vital and strong enough to help the young apprentices.

Now that the first year’s assessments were over, and a smaller group of apprentices had made it to the second year, it was time that they got their own horse.

Horace was standing next to his classmates; seven in total. From the twenty that had started the previous year, only eight had made it to the next year. Some had fallen out early in the first year, others didn’t make it through the exams.

“Cadets, at ease!” Sir Rodney spoke to the row of boys. Immediately, they all stood with their arms behind their backs, their legs slightly spread.

“Thank you, Battlemaster,” Master Ulf said, directing himself to the cadets. “Today marks an important day for each of you. As you all know, a knight is nothing without a good horse. In times of war, we rely on them completely; both to help us win as well as to get ourselves into safety. In other times, they are a companion, and we need to take good care of them. Last year, you learnt the basics of horse riding. From this year on, you will start practicing the different strategies on the battlefield. For that, you need a horse that is strong and young. That’s why each of you will need a steed.”

A slight rumour arose from the cadets. For once, Sir Rodney let them go on for a moment. He remembered all too the first time he got his own steed.

“That’ll be enough now,” he said after a minute. “Each of your families has paid an amount to cover the costs. Once you’ve been given your steed, make sure to send a letter home to thank them.”

A knot formed in Horace’s stomach. He had always pestered Will for not having a family name, but he was now painfully reminded that just a family name wasn’t enough. Unlike the other students, he didn’t have living family around. And if each family had to pay for the steed, then there was no use for him to be here.

A stableboy came their way, whispering something into Master Ulf’s ear. The Stablemaster nodded that he had understood.

“Follow me now, cadets. It’s time for you meet your new companion.”

The cadets followed him and Sir Rodney, with Horace closing the queue. They were led to a meadow, separating the horses from the others. There were seven in total, Horace noted.

“Each of you, come forward and tell me your name. A stableboy will go with you to get your horse and show where to stall it.”

Horace watched as each of his classmates were sent to a steed, accompanied by a stableboy. He kept his head high, not wanting to show the pain that was forming in his chest.

When the last cadet was led away, Sir Rodney and Master Ulf turned to him.

“That does leave us with one problem,” the Stable Master said. “You have no family who paid, so by that, I can’t give you a horse.”

Horace slowly lowered his gaze. If he couldn’t get a horse, it would be very difficult to be a knight. Or, he thought with horror, perhaps he would be nothing more than an infantry soldier. But that would mean he had to leave the Battleschool, because most of those men were farmers.

“Good thing that you have a guardian who will pay in your place.”

It took some time for Horace to understand what the Battlemaster was saying. He looked up at the man, both surprise and confusion in his eyes.

“Later,” was all he said, after which Master Ulf took over.

“Unlike the others, there are more options for you to choose from. But those horses are standing in a different meadow.”

The man guided Horace away from the Battlemaster until their stood still next to a meadow. In there, he saw three horses. One grey, another bay and the third black with white socks.

“These three are meant for knights who possess a certain skill not many have. Your mentors have seen that skill in you and, upon informing the Baron, they made the conclusion that you should be given a horse that matches that skill.”

Horace didn’t know what to say to that. He did feel a glow in his chest that warmed his body. It wasn’t just some praise, he realised.

“Choose wisely,” Master Ulf said and then nudged him towards the horses.

Horace took a few steps until he reached the meadow. He climbed over the fence and headed to the bay coated horse.

“Hello, buddy,” he said, his hand stretched out.

The horse looked at him, then stomped forward and ran away from him.

Horace had fallen onto the ground, his eyes wide in shock. He suddenly understood the fear that people normally had when seeing a steed.

“Again!” Master Ulf called after him.

Horace got up and walked to the horse, but it stood on his hind legs. His front legs were up in the air and Horace made the quick conclusion that the horse didn’t like him.

“Perhaps that one then,” he mumbled to himself.

The grey coated horse was standing in a relaxed way, one hind leg lifted slightly. His ears were forward, his eye turned to the cadet.

That was a good sign, Horace thought as he came closer. He let the horse smell his hand before approaching any closer.

When nothing happened, the apprentice took another step forward and tried to pet his neck. That’s when the horse suddenly changed his mind.

Within a second, his ears were down on his head, and he showed his teeth.

“Get away!”

Master Ulf was already climbing over the fence to scare the horse away and protect Horace from being bitten and slung around.

But before he could, someone else came to his aid.

The black horse came running to Horace, kicking the grey horse away. He then stayed around the boy, his brown eye looking at him.

“I think it’s clear which horse shall be yours.” Master Ulf stopped next to them, watching the horse move to inspect him. “He doesn’t have a name yet, though.”

Horace felt the horse nudge his nose into his shoulder. He looked up and petted the soft nose. A bit hesitant at first, but when the horse didn’t pull his head away, Horace moved to pet his neck.

“Kicker,” the cadet said. The horse reacted to the name, lifting his head, ears forward. Then let out a neigh, stomping his hoof on the ground.