A Warrior's Path

"Here is your shield and sword Jem, you start training today."

It was Jeremiah's big day, today he could prove Richie is not the only man in the house.

"Follow me then lads."

The swordmaster led a band of children to the training grounds, the king had recently announced a competition, winner gets a golden sword, a horse and a week's ration of food.

The kingdom would profit from the tournament, both financially and economically.

"Alright then, pick your sparring partner."

A giant man-child twice Jeremiah's size matched up with him.

"I'm going to crush you between me buttcheeks." The children roared of laughter.

"He's too big, but I cannot lose hope. I must be agile and quick if I want to survive."

The giant child swung his sword, Jeremiah ducked down and managed to parry his strike. But the giant child barely moved an inch.

Up went his sword again and came down with furious pace, Jem held his shield up hoping to block him, instead the poor wooden shield couldn't bare the strength of the giant child and shattered to pieces.

This got the swordmasters attention, "Go on then keep fighting."

Jem kept tip toe-ing around his foe, dodging his every strike and even managing to strike him a few times.

"That's it, I must tire him out" He thought.

He ran around him in circles, unscathed. Soon one by one all the children stopped fighting and gathered around Jeremiah and the giant child.

With each missed blow from Jeremiah's foe a giant wave of roaring could be heard from the audience.

The giant child's actions had become slower, he was getting exhausted.

While all of this was going on, someone stepped onto the grounds. In a moment every child became quiet, the swordmaster bowed down. It was General Turner, Commander of the King's Guard.

But Jermeiah was not paying attention, he did not notice the audience was silent, he simply kept fighting.

Now the giant child had no more energy left, Jeremiah saw this opportunity and baited him by going closer, the child swung in vain and lost his balance. He fell to the ground and surrendered.

And just like that Jeremiah defeated the giant child.

"Bravo!" cried the audience.

Jeremiah then saw the General and recognized him. He bowed down, expecting a word of praise.

But the General simply looked at him, smirked and left the grounds.

"What a strange fellow" Jeremiah thought.