Knight School
Oliver was training to be a knight at K.I.T. Academy, a boarding school for knights-in-training. Each session was 3 months and you could go home on holidays and weekends, depending on where you live, But no one gets the summer off. Real knights are at work all day, everyday.
Written by: Olivia Migliorisi
BACKSTORY
“Ha! Ha!” Cried Oliver during his fencing practice. When Oliver went to look at K.I.T. Academy for the first time, he did not want to go. It looked fun and all, but boys started their knight training at age 6, and even with all the fun activities like fencing and archery, Oliver was not sure he wanted to be away from his family for so long. He was unsure but he decided to try it anyway. Just a few weeks later, Oliver knew it was the best decision he had ever made!
MONTH ONE
His first day at K.I.T Academy, Oliver was all alone at breakfast and free time, but at his first fencing lesson, the teacher, a knight, paired everyone up and Oliver was paired up with another knight-in-training named James. There were three groups. Novice, proficient, and expert. Oliver and James were naturals and were automatically placed in the proficient with a few other kids, but most of them were placed in novice. No one was placed in expert.
Next they had archery, and after that, riding. Oliver and James were placed together in archery to, but in riding they were separated. Even though they were both the same level, novice, one knight could not teach all of the 50 students, so they were split up into 5 groups. Oliver was put in three and James in two. They missed each other but also made new friends. James made friends with a boy in his group named Max. Oliver made friends with two boys named Charlie and Tim.
After Riding was lunch. There was chicken and roast beef and turkey and so many vegetables like carrots and broccoli. The knights-in-training were required to have at least one helping of meat and one helping of vegetables, but they were welcome to have as much as they wanted. The boys were allowed to choose heir own seats, so Oliver and James decided to sit together with their new friends. All happy together, it was time to eat. After that, there were the two afternoon classes and free period. Then it was to bed.
Bedtime was at sunset but the knights-in-training went up early tonight to get settled and unpack. It was a rush for the top bunks, as everyone wanted them. “SILENCE!” Yelled the knight in charge. “THIS IS NO WAY FOR FUTURE KNIGHTS TO ACT!” That quieted everyone down. “You five in the back there! You did not join the rush. You five acted like real knights, so you will get the first pick of beds. Oliver, James, Max, Charlie, and Tim finally decided the arrangements after 20 minutes of arguing. Oliver and James would share a bunk. Oliver on the top and James on the bottom. On the bunk to the left, Tim would be on the top, with Charlie on the bottom. On the single next Timothy and Charlie, is where Max would sleep. After that, the boys started unpacking and Alexander, the head knight asked some questions to see who would get their choice of beds. The first one was ‘What time do nights go to bed?’ The first guess was George’s. “At 4?” He asked. He was wrong. Each knight had one chance. If they got it wrong, they had to go to the other side of the room until the next the next question was asked and Alexander said they could return. If they returned before that and were caught, they would not be allowed to answer any more questions. They would get only the last bed remaining, whether that was the one they wanted or not. The next guess of midnight was made by Liam, who was also wrong. It took another 6 more guesses before Jonathan made the correct guess of ‘sunset’. This kept going on with other questions until finally, all the beds were filled.
MONTH TWO
Oliver was starting to get used to the going to sleep at sunset and waking up at dawn. Being away from his family too. He was making new friends and was learning and progressing so much! He really enjoyed K.I.T. Academy, even if they were really strict. Oliver had always wanted to learn how to be a knight, and now he was. It was certainly not the best way to live, considering they got up and started the day so early, but it was worth it to be a knight.
Maybe one day he could even serve aside James in a far away kingdom, ruled by a queen and a king, who had beautiful daughter who spend all day in the garden playing with animals, just like in the stories! And Sir Oliver would be the brave knight who defeated the terrifying fire breathing dragon who was-
Oliver was snapped out his daydreams by Jason shaking him. Class had ended and it was their turn to serve the King and Queen. Every day bunkmates would get a task that they had to do together. Today it was Oliver and Jason who would serve the royal family lunch and dinner, so they headed up to the kitchen. These tasks were meant to improve obedience and humility.
After that, Alexander called an assembly, so all of the knights-in-training gathered in the courtyard.
“We have a new knight, his name is Jake. Who will be responsible for him?”
“I will!” Shouted Oliver.
“Well, do you have room in your room?”
“Well, no but-”
“Then you cannot be responsible for him.”
“But why?”
“Because you cannot take care of him if he is in a different room!”
“But why not?!”
“BECAUSE I SAID SO! Who has room? Out of this entire school, no one has room?! Very well. You are all dismissed. Please continue your daily routine.” As Oliver tried to sneak out, Alexander caught him. Everyone except YOU Krinston!” “Hey,” whispered Jason. “You put up a good fight.”
“The rule of K.I.T. Academy is to never talk back to your superiors.” Alexander told Oliver. “I understand you were exited, but arguing is not allowed. Now, since no one has room, I have decided to let Jake stay with you, in four weeks.” “But why?” Asked Oliver.
“Because you and Jason will be confined to your room for arguing.”
“But why Jason? What did he do?”
“Tsk tsk tsk. Arguing again? I can make it five weeks if you want.”
“Ill go tell him”
MONTH THREE, WE ARE FREE
“Well, we are finally free!” Cried Oliver
“Yes!” cried James “You know, I heard they are having a celebration where we can try out all of our skills, and they will have some cookies and juice too!”
“Awesome! I have not had anything sweet to drink in MONTHS!” Oliver exclaimed. Come on, Its time for breakfast!
That night, there was lights and music. The first event was a jousting match. Then fencing. Then food. Then Dancing. Then awards! Jason participated in jousting with Max. Then Oliver and Timothy fenced as Charlie danced.
After they ate, it was time for awards. Oliver was awarded best fencer, Jason was the best jouster, and other awards were handed out to everyone else.
When Oliver’s mom came to pick him up the next morning, Oliver did not want to go home. He was having to much fun with all his new friends. He was definitely coming back next year!