Freely

CLANG! Raymnd’s sword clashed against the training dummy, his flowing movements getting faster and faster. SWOOSH! Raymnd was determined to become one of the strongest, fastest knights there was. As he trained, his thoughts wandered to the king. Raymnd ached to be accepted by the ruler of Fidem, King Justain. Though he would never speak it aloud, Raymnd wanted more than anything to become a close friend to the king, like a son to him. Raymnd slashed at the straw dummy harder and harder, his determination driving him. If he could finally be good enough—even though he didn’t know what good enough was—he might be able to impress the king. If, and only if, he could work hard enough to reach that point. Just then, Raymnd’s tired arm gave out and he dropped his sword. He sighed, then yelled, “I’ll never be good enough!” to no one except the dented armor and mangled post in front of him. Suddenly he heard a cough behind him and spun around to see Tye, the king’s steward. “The king requests your presence immediately. It’s urgent!” He motioned for Raymnd to follow. Raymnd tugged nervously at his gloves, but hope sparked in his eyes. "Maybe the king finally noticed how much I’ve been training," he thought. When Raymnd entered the marble throne room, King Justain stood up from his golden throne and smiled. Raymnd knelt, pressing his fist to his chest. “Why have you been training and working so hard?” asked the king. Raymnd didn’t know what to say. Was the king displeased with his progress? “My son.” The king’s words took Raymnd’s breath away. “I already love you. Don’t you know that the High Prince has already knighted you through his own efforts and sacrifice? Through Him, my love and acceptance are yours. There is nothing you need to do—ever—to earn your place in my kingdom. In fact, I view you as my own son.” The king opened his arms and embraced Raymnd. Tears of relief streamed down Raymnd’s face. All this time, all his work was unnecessary. Not only was he accepted as a knight, he was even loved as a son—freely—by