Coming War

Several weeks later.

"I heard a search was commenced to look for King Duncan's son, Malcolm."

"It seems so, sir," my butler said.

"Do you truly think a son would kill his own father?"

"I've heard other children have done worse. It is not uncommon for a power-hungry child to eliminate their father."

"There are rumors. The high nobles are gossiping per usual, and that information has trickled down. It has traveled mouth to mouth and now nestles in my ears; they say Malcolm has fled to England and seeks to bring an army to Scotland."

"May God have mercy, and let us collectively pray that doesn't happen. War is the last thing we need. We barely recovered from the war with Norway, now England? Scotland may never find peace again. Let us wish that King Macbeth's rule is benevolent and long-lasting."

When my trusted servant said those words, I couldn't agree with him. I could only mutter a sickly "yes."

"Should I train for the possibility of war?"

The techniques my father and instructor taught long ago were nothing but distant memories. I was dutiful in taking care of the estate, but I weakened my body when I empowered my mind.

"Pardon me, sir, but I must say, your diet is lacking, and you have become very lanky ever since you became the ruling Thane."

I looked at my thin arms, dainty hands, and weak legs. It was true; I've spent my time sitting down at a desk, hunched over piles of paper.

"It seems I must retrain myself."

"I could send servants to purchase food from the neighboring villages, and we can create a specialized diet for you."

"That will be splendid."

I awkwardly scratched my cheek and said, "It seems I must go under the tutelage of Wilhelm again."

"Yes, it seems so, sir."

Wilhelm was my old instructor, but I forewent my training after I became the Thane. In the end, Wilhelm became a guard of the property.

"I should purchase a strong sword as well. I will gather the family's funds to do so."

With those plans in mind, I prepared for the eventuality of war.

***

-!Thwack!-

-!Thwack!-

-!Thwack!-

"Gaah!! Bloody hell!!"

I dropped my wooden sword and clutched my right forearm. Even with the gambeson, the strike was still painful. If I were to look at my injury, I would probably see a red abrasion and raised skin. My flesh under the armor throbbed while Wilhelm admonished me.

"Young Master, it seems you have grown sluggish and lax."

The white-haired Wilhelm – a man in his late sixties – was towering over me. Even if I was young and full of vigor, my youthfulness was no match for his technique.

"It seems so, Teacher."

"Well, at least you remembered the basics. It's the more complex combinations that trouble you. One hundred repetitions!"

After that, I practiced one hundred false edge cuts. Then we practiced one technique that incorporated hand-to-hand combat with sword fighting: the long tail serpent. After that one, I practiced the full iron gate and the sword cross.

"That will be enough for today, young master."

"Thank you, Teacher," I said while panting. "For tomorrow, I will be unavailable. I must visit the merchant town and find an appropriate weapon."

"That may prove difficult. Other nobles must've thought the same. The good, well-made swords may be gone, young master."

I sighed and said, "I hadn't thought of that. How annoying. It'd be even more expensive if I had a sword commissioned."

I couldn't go today due to my work, so I would have to wait patiently.

"I'll see how it goes."