Watching a Battle

Callie and Rich bow to each other before stepping back to draw their weapons. The referee, a three blue striped knight, calls out, "Go." The two only begin by side stepping. Circling each other, testing the options. They have fought each other before.

There's a tenseness watching them circle. I notice Callie's first arc of her sword. She's quick to move in and get it within reach, but Rich parries it away. His quick sidestep increases the benefit of being a leftie. The sword moves in to Callie, but she uses a downstrike twisting her body to leverage away from the hit. Once the sword is pushed aside, she moves her weapon back into position.

Rich dodges the hit. Almost as if this was been done before. Someone cheers from the other side of the room. Rich must have watchers too. He tries to jab with his sword, but misses completely. Callie has no trouble getting her sword before his neck while standing behind him. He must've miss-stepped that last move. "Give."

"What was that?" Callie steps back offering him a bow while placing her weapon away.

"I tried something I saw Chance do." Rich rubs his face. "That wasn't how he ended up."

"Unless it was Hydrangea. She always trips him up somewhere."

"I think he does it on purpose." Rich looks to us. "Friends?"

"Let's call them that." Callie offers a grin.

Rich laughs. "Thanks for the match. I'll keep practicing."

"We can do the hit attempts again later. Strike for strike. See what is best used for a countermove."

"That would be great." Rich nods before walking over to his crowd. They look excited for him.

Callie reaches us without any sweat pouring off her. "We've traded blows weekly now."

"Since you were allowed to." Daniel says. He looks to the rest of us. "I was a week late compared to her. Rich beats me normally. I didn't touch a sword until I got here."

"Just used various other means to build the right muscle and skill." Callie shrugs. "You'll see him master the bow course. It's really impressive." Daniel looks aside. "So, what did you think?"

"He'd beat me." Jessica leans back sighing. "I was allowed to train against dummies not people until I got here. I look forward to sparring with everyone."

"You'll want to find a few who'll do weekly sparring matches. You can join us for the one offs later. Just need to pass out of strike test."

"Almost there. I should finish today. I'll ask Hydrangea to test me tonight or tomorrow. Which ever works for her better." Jessica grins.

I look at Ryan. He nods. Not that we're shocked, but it's still a lot to be ready this quickly.

"We should double check our chore lists for the coming week." Daniel thinks it over. "I might be cleaning the arena actually."

"We've been together... Think they're going have me for repairs here as well?" Callie watches Daniel shrug. "One day we'll be doing different things. I look forward to it."

"Aw, Callie. Don't you enjoy spending time with me?" He reaches out. She dodges him. He only sighs as a response. "These guys should find out what jobs they were assigned."

"And make sure you are allotted everything properly. You'll need three weeks training in any chore section." Callie explains waving us out of the arena.

A yell has us stop before heading to the information room. Scanning doesn't show us who or what is going on. Probably not a smart move, but we head for the yelling.

It gets clearer as we get closer. "Stop treating them like special forces." Is that Chance?

"I am doing my job as trainer. Why did you refuse to take a last name?" Hydrangea?

We get into sight of the two continuing the shouting match. About us? We are Hydrangea's group after all.

It ends almost abruptly. Chance sees us. His eyes widen as he loudly says, "A pleasure to see you Lords and Ladies."

Hydrangea spins to face us, blood draining from her face. "Hello, everyone." Her words aren't very confident or loud.

Jessica steps forward. She offers a quick bow. "I would like to take the sword strike test either tonight or tomorrow. I'm confident."

"Okay. Yes. Sounds great." Hydrangea looks between Jessica and Chance. "We'll... Meet tomorrow morning for breakfast. After you've eaten you can take the test. If anyone wishes to, I can agree then as well."

I rub the back of my head. "I don't think I'll succeed, but I guess I could try." Ryan shakes his head. He won't even try. I'll just probably fail. But it's a piece of paper I'm trying to cut. Won't hurt to get an idea of what I should be doing.

"Then tomorrow." Hydrangea offers a wave to us before walking off. Chance stares at us for a moment before chasing her down.

"What was that?" Callie reviews each of us once the two are out of sight. "Hydrangea and Chance are friends."

"Yeah." Ryan sighs. "I think there's more going on than we know about."

"That's accurate." Callie Hellsgate chuckles. "You should be well aware of the purpose of the knights. We are the true sword of the king."

I think of the meaning to that. As crown prince it was expected I'd reach red stripes early in my life here. My father reached three reds by the time he was twenty. In only five years. We're given more opportunities though. With a lower chance of loss. I know what I'm facing. "It won't be just casual monsters we're facing."

"No." Daniel slaps my back. "I'll suggest Hydrangea is your best option for trainer, Your Highness."

"Don't call me that." I growl out. "I'm Just Thomas."

"Or we can all you Thomas. That's what friends do." Jessica says watching the direction Hydrangea went. "We are missing details though." She looks at me. "Why don't we try penning a few letters tonight as well. We can combine notes in the morning."

"Sounds good." Who would give me any details though? My parents have always been hiding things from me. Odin is gone and just knocked my head instead of give me useful answers. "I think as much as I didn't want to earn leader status... I need it."

"No pressure." Daniel offers a light tap. "We'll meet you for breakfast. I'm going to see if I have any connection points. I was just back home after all." He offers a smirk to Ryan and Callie before walking off. Callie growls at Daniel before walking off in a different direction.

"I really don't get that." Jessica touches the hilt of her sword. "Maybe a few more attempts with sword strikes will help. Did you even get your hundred in for each type?"

"I've tried every type. No one is counting. I may manage." I shrug. I don't think I will. But I can't not. If I fail, I just keep going. If I succeed, I move on to the next step. I'll be more serious about practicing, but I also know striking the air won't mean as much as sparring would.

"Let's go."

"I'm gonna hit up the library instead. Good luck, though." Ryan holds up his hands.

That's fine. He's not rushing the strikes. Small steps forward. We need to keep going. Before whatever is being blocked from me ends up showing up before me. There is always more.