“Duel of Stoneheart’s”

The grand halls of Stoneheart estate filled with life; they were filled with the chatter of guests. But outside in the courtyard, paved with polished stone, the air crackled with a different kind of energy: one of brewing conflict.

The young figures stood face to face, and tension was thick between them. Around them, a small circle of attendants and a few servants watched.

Reginald calmly said, "What are you doing here, my son?"

Saaransh turned, his black eyes meeting the golden and intimidating eyes of his father.

Reginald stood tall at the entrance of the palace; it was his father, Reginald Stoneheart, a man of unwavering composure. His presence alone demanded attention.

Though his tone was neutral, it was void of anger and contained great authority and pressure.

Reginald was firm: "I expected you and your sister to be inside, attending to your cousins, and yet here you are fighting with this. Uh? Who are you, kid?"

Aldric became frustrated at his words. "I am Aldric Stoneheart, uncle," he said.

Reginald replied, "Oh, so you are Aldric. Well, moving on to the topic."

Saaransh met his father's gaze. "Good morning, father."

There was no guilt in his eyes; it was just a simple statement of fact.

"It was just a friendly spar between me and Aldric. You see, my dear cousin Aldric wanted to test himself against me. He believes that he is the strongest among us, so I simply accepted his challenge."

Aldric became furious. "You were the one who provoked me first!"

Saaransh calmly replied, "I just spoke as I normally do."

Aldric clenched his fists, his face burning with anger. Though they were both of the same age both were seven years old Aldric's temper flared.

Unlike Saaransh's cold demeanor, everything Saaransh said sounded like an insult to Aldric.

He gritted his teeth. "You little"

Reginald said, "Enough!"

His voice was calm but absolute. The moment he spoke,

the courtyard fell silent. "Both of you, inside. You can settle this properly in the training grounds."

Aldric exhaled sharply, glaring at Saaransh.

Saaransh smirked. "Now, that is what I wanted to hear."

Aldric was determined. "I am going to beat you and show you who among us carries the Stoneheart will!"

Without another word, they made their way inside.

The smell of smoldering incense and newly polished wood wafted through the main hall as Saaransh strode in, his footsteps slow.

The mansion was magnificent, flanked by massive stone pillars, flags bearing the family crest, and ornate chandeliers suspended from the ceiling.

Even though he had lived there all his life, he still enjoyed its quiet, looming presence. As he entered the sitting room, he saw his mother, Selene Stoneheart.

She was sitting elegantly on an ornate couch, drinking her morning tea, her presence as majestic as ever.

Her beauty was stunning, but what caught the eye most was the calm wisdom in her eyes. She looked up as Saaransh entered, a gentle smile on her lips.

Saaransh whispered, "Mother."

He leaned forward, holding her gently. She stroked his dark hair with her hand, a tender gesture she had done since he was a baby.

Selene patted Saaransh affectionately. "Saaransh, I hear your cousins have come."

Saaransh replied to her politely, "Yes, Mother. I met them, though Aldric well, Aldric is still as arrogant as ever."

Selene laughed lightly, putting down her cup. Smiling, she said, "Saaransh, he is only seven years old, just like you. Not everyone is like you."

Saaransh drew back slightly, his face unreadable. He replied to her coolly, "I just spoke as always, but he was upset and challenged me to a spar."

Selene raised her eyebrow. "Oh? So you and he are going to duel?"

Saaransh replied, "Yes, Mother."

Selene looked at him for a moment before putting a light hand on his shoulder. "Then do well, my son. Win if you must, but it is alright even if you lose."

Saaransh smiled sardonically. He said confidently, "I won't lose."

With that, Saaransh and Selene went to the training grounds. The wide open space was lined with racks of weapons loaded with spears of all lengths, their shiny shafts reflecting the sunlight.

A platform of stone lay in the center, a consecrated area where the skill of spear use had been tested by generations of Stonehearts.

Attendants and relatives had already come, waiting for the duel to begin. Others whispered among themselves, speculating who would be the winner.

Aldric was already in the ring, rolling his shoulders, his eyes burning with competitive fire. In his hands, he gripped a training spear, its wooden shaft balanced yet firm.

Saaransh stepped forward, taking his own spear from the rack with practiced ease, spinning it once in his hand before stepping onto the platform.

Aldric grinned, "Are you ready to lose, Saaransh?"

Saaransh simply smirked, "Ready when you are, brother."

The duel was about to begin. As the two boys faced each other, a trainer stepped forward to judge the match.

The trainer cleared his throat, "The rules are simple: There should be no lethal strikes, no leaving the ring, and no underhanded tricks, understood?"

Saaransh and Aldric both nodded in unison, gripping their spears.

The trainer raised his hands, "Begin!"

Aldric wasted no time. He lunged forward at Saaransh, his spear thrusting straight for Saaransh's chest. Saaransh, however, didn't move at least, not in the way Aldric expected.

A subtle shift of his feet, a slight tilt of his body, and Aldric's strike pierced nothing but air.

Thud

Aldric barely had time to react before Saaransh's spear flicked upward, tapping against Aldric's exposed wrist. It was not a hard hit at all, but it was precise.

Saaransh gave a warning to Aldric. A murmur ran through the audience.

Aldric attacked again, this time swinging the spear in a wide arc meant to strike Saaransh's ribs.

Saaransh ducked; his movements were smooth as butter and controlled. His spear lashed out not meant to attack, but to redirect Aldric's weapon mid swing.

It threw him off balance.

Aldric stumbled slightly but recovered, frustration clear in his expression.

He gritted his teeth, "Stop dodging and fight me properly!"

Saaransh calmly replied, "I am fighting properly. You're just so weak."

Aldric, in frustration, kept spinning his spear with both hands and bringing it down in a powerful overhead strike.

Saaransh sighed. Then, with a single fluid motion, he stepped forward, his spear striking Aldric's shaft at just the right angle to knock it off course.

The force sent Aldric staggering, and before he could recover, Saaransh's spear pressed lightly against Aldric's throat.

There was nothing but silence among the people.

The trainer announced, "The Winner is Saaransh!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

Aldric's face burned with humiliation, his fists clenched at his sides.

Aldric whispered to himself, "No."

Saaransh lowered his spear, looking down at him. Saaransh said softly, "Do you understand now, brother?"

Aldric's glare was filled with frustration, but before he could respond to Saaransh, a sudden, heavy presence filled the training grounds a new arrival, one that made the murmurs stop entirely.

Everyone turned to look, and there was someone standing at the entrance, watching with an unreadable expression.