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Once upon a time, there was a family that lived in a castle in the field. They lived in the castle because their family was very special. Once every generation, a child would be born with a magical flame that was much different than any Bearer's. They can help tend to crops, forge tools to build with, and heal any hurt. Because this magic is so helpful, anyone with it is put in charge of the land, so that they can make the world better.
The family that lived in the castle was made of a mother and a father. The father's father had the special flame, so the mother and the father made their family in the castle in hopes that their children would have the flame, too. One day, they decided to have a baby. It took a very long time, but eventually, they were given a son. The son was very special, but he did not have the special flame that the mother and father were hoping for.
"I'm afraid," said the father one day, when their son was still small. "I don't want our son to worry about finding the magic in his own children."
"Don't worry!" said the mother. "We'll have another baby, and everything will be alright."
When the son reached his fifth nameday, his mother and father told him a secret. They were going to have another baby! This was very important to the son. He was very lonely. There were no other children in the castle for him to play with! Another child would be the best friend that he needed.
The baby came on the longest day of the year. This was very good luck. The magical flame does best on warm days with a lot of sun, and the father's father returned to the Founder's Hall on the same day many years ago. The mother and the father thought that it was very lucky, but they could not be sure until the tests were finished.
The son was excited to see his baby brother. They met before the tests were given, though not for very long. The tests shouldn't be done with anyone else in the room. The son waited very patiently for the results.
But then, something strange happened one night. His baby brother was crying harder than he ever had before. Nobody seemed to hear it! The son knew what he had to do. He climbed out of bed to learn what was happening and help his baby brother.
When he got to the baby's room, he was very surprised! The baby had been born ill, and was getting very sick in his cradle. He had to save him! Carefully, the son lifted the baby out of the cradle and held him very close. He rubbed the baby's back and sang gentle songs to him.
It worked! The baby calmed down! Something even more special happened, too. The baby had gotten out of his swaddle, and was holding a very small feather. The feather was very warm, like a little healing flame. He didn't need the test! The baby had the special flame!
The brother was very proud of his baby brother. He knew from the beginning that the baby was special, because he loved him more than anything else. Still, he also knew that having the special flame was very important, and it could be very scary. He didn't want his baby brother to have to do it all on his own!
"Let me help you," he told his brother as he curled up with him in the chair of his bedroom. "I'll become your knight and take care of you. No matter what happens, I will always be at your side."
The next morning, the boy began his training as a squire.
He became the First Shield just after his fifteenth nameday and he and his brother lived happily ever after.