The weight of that particular axe in his hands was so familiar to Guerrique. Bloody Anne. He'd forged her himself this time, every small detail coming to him out of the mists of time.
He stood in front of a target dummy with that axe, and after a deep breath - and a mighty yell - he lunged for his target. A single swing cleaved it in two, and he found himself staring at the remains of the dummy in silent awe.
"I could introduce you, but it'll cost you."
Guerrique grinned crookedly at the younger knight. He was leaned against a stone wall, clad in his brand-new Heaven's Ward armour. Bloody Anne was strapped to his back, and the smaller duskwight that he was speaking to snorted laughter and shook her head.
"You get paid more than I do!" She exclaimed. "Come on, Gerry. Just this once!"
"How about this," Gerry crouched down a bit, grinning crookedly, and clapped a hand to the woman's shoulder. "You pass your trials and become a real knight, and I'll introduce you to the rest of the lads."
His friend's face lit up like a Starlight tree. "I'll do it! I'll pass with flying colours, I'll be the best knight to come out of the trial - I swear it!"
Marielle Cartier would indeed succeed in passing her trial. Guerrique would not get the opportunity to keep his promise.
Memories were returning in flickers. The weight of Bloody Anne in his hands made him recall some things here and there - the smoky smell of the Forgotten Knight, Grinnaux and Paulecrain goading him into just one more drink. Drunken singing, drunken brawls.
Vague recollection of when he was given the original Bloody Anne.
Blood and viscera exploding from a dragon that he cleaved in two. Heretics descending upon him with shouts and snarls.
Throwing a certain Duskwight over his shoulder when things got a bit too much at the Forgotten Knight and hauling her home to her uncle.
Guerrique halted his practice for the moment and stood still, panting. It would take a long time to remember everything, but he was at least comfortable with his name. He was Guerrique de Montrohain, and he was once a member of the Heaven's Ward.