by Thomas Adams
Several youth stopped their sparring to intercede and stop the Erling but he used his practice sword to hold them at bay while he got another kick into the smaller boy’s back. Then, as if from nowhere, Brandt was there. In a lightning fast maneuver Brandt struck and the Erling’s sword was gone and the Erling lay flat on his back. The Erling boy was seemingly stunned. He lay without moving while Brandt helped the younger smaller boy up and checked him over for injuries. The younger boy was grateful and thanked Brandt profusely all while keeping a sharp watch on the prostate Erling boy.
An adult Master arrived and broke up the gathering and got everyone back to their practice sessions. The Master then took the younger boy off with him. The Erling lay were he had fallen. One of the students appeared with a bucket and dumped water on the Erling’s head. Jeers and cheers rang out. The Erling youth sat up with a splutter and curse and his hands wiped the water from his face. His eyes moved up and found Brandt standing afore him. Words were exchanged but the Erling simply dragged himself to his feet and staggered off the square after the Master and the injured boy.
A low voice said next her, “A good leader knows the value of all men and women. He moves to maintain order and discipline without even thinking about it. He will be a good leader someday.” Yfiria jerked and turned. She saw the imposing towering form of Master Ivar standing slightly behind and to her side. She’d no idea how he’d managed to creep up on her.
She merely nodded in agreement while keeping her eyes on the grizzled Grand Master. He continued, “What is it you think we do here princess?”
She replied, “You train warriors.”
“Aye, we train warriors. But many times it is more than that. You just witnessed such an example. A real king knows injustice when he sees it and takes action to correct a subject’s fault while defending those less powerful. From the highest to the lowest, a leader will seek to protect them. Brandt will be such a king.
“We take the raw materials we are provided, the castoffs, the unwanted, the few that are actually willing and those forced here and bound by oath. We take them all and put them into the furnace,” Ivar pointed to the practice field, “The forge if you will. What comes from the forge? The best warriors in the world, the most sought after, the most skilled, and highly paid; from pit fighters and mercenaries to sailors, kriger-marines to captains and soldiers. We are emulated by many but all fall short.
“But, sometimes…sometimes it is about something more. Every so often a special person will come to our Halls, for example a king. And, a king must be more than a great warrior, more than a general, more than a ruler. A king who must accomplish the impossible against the unimaginable is even rarer. Such a king would need every possible advantage to win through to the end. Do you understand now what we are about here?”
She turned to face him and respond but he was already moving away. But, he suddenly paused and said over his shoulder, “Whoever wins his heart will be one lucky girl.” She was astonished by his statement. She quickly glanced out across the yard at Brandt and turned to Ivar again to scold him for his familiarity but he was gone. She closed her mouth, smiling she turned and continued to watch her promised. While she watched she thought hard about what Ivar had said. Maybe, harsh measures where needed to build warriors and leaders to fight for freedom and their very existence. Their enemy would not balk at such conditions, nor would they ever stop unless they were utterly destroyed. And, their enemy’s rule would be much worse. It would mean slavery and death for all living things.
Chapter 15
The Garden
SwordBreaker’s Story, Part II
Long I endured the innumerable wasted days of this world
My form bound and shaped by the Gods of old
Ceaseless rise and fall the kings in their towers
Shining armies mustered and arrayed to fight in wars bold
My name called again and again to bring them power
Tis my purpose to break the will, to buckle the line
Until the end of days and the end of time
Murderous bloody days of death I claim
Countless unknowns I have slain
Brotjnar
***
Kyrr finished his physical training session and headed to first meal. It was a strange repast, made so by Fridya’s frosty reception as he plunked down next to hear at the band’s table. Everyone else gave him strange looks or steered clear of him for some reason. He shrugged his shoulders and attacked his breakfast.
Later, as he walked back to his barracks, he ran into Yfellia. She said, “Good morning my lord. How are you today?”
He answered, “Very good Lady Yfellia, how are you and your mistress this morn?”
She favored him with a lovely smile and said, “We are well and hence the purpose of my encounter with you. I am to relay a message from the princess. She said your presence is requested once you are presentable, to walk with her in the garden.”
He said, “As she commands, Master Ivar said I was at her disposal for the next few days. I will be there presently.” He said goodbye and went to get cleaned up. He put on his courtly garb. His normal clothing was ragged and worn and not suitable for anything more than training. It was barely good enough for that anymore. After he was presentable he walked to the garden. There was only one garden in the High Fort and it was near the main Hall. Yfiria was seated by the only fountain in the tiny garden. It was raised level with the height of the outer curtain wall and abutted the wall and the Hall. Yfiria was looking out over the wall’s battlements at the valley below. The garden, such as it was, was flourishing. But, they would be not walking about it. It was just too small.
If at all possible, she seemed even lovelier than the night before. The greenery and sunshine suited her well. She looked like a dryad contentedly at home in her grove. Watching her while she was unaware of being observed sent a thrill through him. But, she seemed to be sad today. He wondered why. Yfiria glanced up suddenly as if he had called out to her and she gave him a smile. Kyrr was coming to realize that sad smile of hers was not a good thing. He wished he could banish it from her face forever.
She walked to one of the nearby benches and sat down. She patted the seat beside her and he joined her. Yfellia sat on the other side of the fountain with another lady. “We used to sit like this for hours at Talfur. Content, happy and totally ignorant of the coming peril.” Yfiria said with melancholy and a bit of longing. “I would tease you mercilessly when we were younger. I admit I was usually angry with you and didn’t know any better then. But, in the end you won me over.”
He nodded, unsure of how to respond to her recollections, ones he did not now share.
“Well. Did you dream of me last night?” she suddenly asked and it seemed her mood lifted as well.
He reddened up nicely and shrugged, “I am sure I did. I wish I could remember the details my lady. The dreams I know are real but I can’t remember much. The more I struggle the further the thoughts flee. And these things you tell me, I wish for both our sakes, I wish they would clear my mind and spark my memory. It is a curse not being able to remember. I so want to remember everything and to make you happy.”
“Oh Brandt,” she sighed softly. “You do make me happy.”
“Am I the cause of the sad smile I see so oft on your face? Is my condition such a burden to you? I want to banish it forever if I can. You should be happy.”
She shrugged and said, “It is a big part of it. But you weren’t supposed to see the sad side of me, only the happy. You were always such a sweet boy. You are a boy no longer that is for sure. You are handsome and strong and as big as a tree but you are still sweet. I am glad this place did not drive that out of you.
“I know you have struggled for a long time. You have been alone and you likely feel as if you were forgotten but that could not be further from the truth. I missed you every day after you left. You were always in my thoughts.”
He nodded. She spoke the truth. She was always
in his dreams he realized. Just under the surface of his conscious memory. She had kept him sane and going all those painful lonely years. Just the realization that there was one person out there thinking of him helped immensely.
He said, “At some level I knew there was someone out there watching over me and thinking of me, a true friend. I realize now it was you and I am very grateful. It was hard but knowing there was someone, well, it kept my hope alive.”
She smiled anew. It was not the same sad smile but one that lit up her face and joy shone from her eyes. They sat in contented silence for a few minutes watching the birds soar on the wind around the crags and towers. It was a lovely day. The garden was in pristine shape and the blooming flowers were fragrant. It was secluded and private and the noise from the students training in the yard was muted. She reached over and took up his hand again and slipped her fingers between his and sighed contentedly. Yfiria then turned and smiled shyly at him. There was a vulnerability and tentativeness in her eyes now.
She said, “I want you to know this Brandt, the only reason I came with my father was for a chance to see you, face to face, and to tell you something,” she paused, bit her lip and blushed prettily. “I love you Brandt. I had to come and tell you. And, your current circumstance, which I only recently was made aware of, does not change my feelings. I debated telling you this once I learned of your amnesia but I decided I must tell you.”
He was stunned, speechless. She rushed on, “I know, so much time has passed and there are these complications, but I have pondered it for some time. I mean you and me, us…for a very long time I have thought about it. I even discussed it with my mother. That was very awkward by the way. Talking to my mother about my feelings for you, I mean.
“So, here I am, we thought the time was right for me to come and talk to you about how I feel. I know this will be difficult for you to understand with your memory still impaired. However, I just had to tell you. We will be leaving sooner than you think and I...I just have to get my feelings in the open ere I go.”
He carefully watched her face, how was he to respond? He had met her just last evening, that he could remember, and she was already very dear to him but did he love her? There was definitely a deep connection and physical attraction between them. He didn’t doubt that. He wanted to love her and he hoped he would regain his memory one day and know his true original feelings for her. She deserved that.
Her proclamation warranted more than his silence. He said, “Princess, it is difficult for me to understand. You are right. I would say the words to you right now and it may or may not be true but I wouldn’t really know for sure.
“I would say the words just to rid your lovely face of that sad smile,” he said with great concern and gently touched his fingers to her cheek. His simple touch flooded Yfiria with warmth. Her blush deepened even further. He slid his rough calloused hand down and tenderly cupped her chin. It was an unseemly overt public display of affection but she did not stop him. From across the fountain, Yfellia shook her head but Yfiria pretended not to notice her. Her gaze locked with his.
He said, “If that is our path I would gladly accept it. In time I am sure I would love you. And, without knowing the past, after last night, I feel I may be falling in love with you now.”
Then he frowned and added, “But, right now, if I were to say those words, I don’t honestly know what they would mean. I would marry you tomorrow if it would make you happy. But, what would it mean? Again, I don’t know.
“I know some day I will remember. Blast it! This is not coming out right. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. Now, I canna honestly say what I remember or what is in my heart. However know this; I feel that in less than one full day, you have become the most treasured person in the world to me. I don’t know how or why but it is true.”
He took her hand in his again and his gaze dropped to their entwined fingers, “I ask that you don’t give up on me and give me more time. I pray to the gods they help me recover and that I don’t hurt you anymore than I already have. I think this burden is also much harder for you. You know what is lost while I can only guess. I am sorry for hurting you.”
It was a very sweet speech and she wiped a tear from her eye. “Spoken like a true prince. You have spoken honestly and from the heart. I will acquiesce to your demand my lord; you shall have my time, as much of it as you need. You already have my heart. But please, call me Yfiria.” she replied.
“Aye, about the names, you call me Brandt and my lord and a prince. What does it mean?”
She said gravely, “You don’t know? Truly?”
He shook his head. She grinned and said, “You are the only remaining heir to King Brandt I. You are his second son, the ‘Lost Prince’, taken two hundred years ago by Aravin for safe keeping. You are the ‘Rising Sun’ of the Prophecy.”
He was speechless. His jaw hung open in disbelief.
Her grin grew even bigger and she playfully nudged his shoulder with hers in a most un-princess like manner. “Shut your mouth Brandt ere you swallow a bug. I suppose someone should have told you. I guess Aravin didn’t get around to it yet. But, better me than Aravin. He would drag it out for an hour and leave you more confused than ere he started.”
He laughed and said, “How can this be possible? I am no king and I am surely not two hundred years old!”
“Archania and Talfur, Aravin is a Druid of course and he will have to explain all that. I can’t. Twelve years ago, in Ellorhim years, I was brought to live with Aravin, Ridynar and you in the Shadow Lands. But I sometimes returned to my home for visits and the like. But, time does not flow here the same as in the Shadow Lands. It moves differently. It is slowed somehow, maybe stretched is a better way to say it. Again, ask Aravin, he can explain it much better than I.”
He vaguely remembered something about a gray tinged land and a man named Ridynar. And, was this what his power was too, this archania? Should he tell her about it? Could she help teach him about it? She continued, “We were a family of sorts for quite a while, off and on for my part. There were others as well. Nurse Celia and Cook Thelma and Aravin had a few men around to run the castle as well.”
Just then Fridya walked into the garden. She saw them and headed over to their bench. She was not wearing a gown now. She stopped and bobbed a small curtsy to Yfiria. She was dressed for training and carried her wooden sword in her hands. She looked flushed and grumpy. Kyrr knew that look and thought to himself, here is trouble come knocking.
Yfiria said, “Lady Fridya, what a pleasant surprise. It is nice to finally meet you. I met your brothers and sisters in Kimera a fortnight ago. They told me all about you. I understand you train here at the Guild?”
“Your highness. I am in the same band as him.” she said stiffly, nodding at Kyrr.
“How wonderful, are you good with a sword as well?” Yfiria innocently asked.
Fridya said reluctantly, “Second only to him. Few are in the same class as Kyrr, his father’s blood no doubt.”
“Aye, his ancestry is hard to match. What brings you to us?”
“My father would speak with him.” Fridya said.
Kyrr noticed the tone of both women had grown very formal and cold. The ladies on the other side of the fountain were closely watching the exchange as well.
The princess said haughtily, “I will send Brandt once I am finished with him.” the emphasis on his name and her obvious higher position caused Fridya to flush.
She replied coldly, “As you wish your highness. I will inform my father.”
Fridya turned and strode from the garden. She was clearly upset.
Yfiria watched her go. She turned and said, “I admit I am very jealous of the shield maiden. The years Fridya and you have had together and the obvious attachment she has to you tears at my heart.”
Brandt carefully said, “We are just friends. She was my only friend here at the beginning.”
Yfiria nodded and murmured, “I sense Fridya and the Chancellor have their own
designs on you. It was a big secret Fridya’s family danced around back in Kimera. Last night Fridya was staring daggers at me and I can tell she likes you. She does not understand our past nor does she like us spending time together.”
Brandt shook his head, “No, no that canna be. I do not feel like that with her. She is like my sister.”
Yfiria took a moment then turned back to Brandt. She patted his hand and said, “Our time is so short Brandt. It is a shame really. I am just glad to see you again after so long.”
She reached up and pulled at a ratty string around his neck that was tucked into his nice new tunic. “What is this? It looks out of place with these nice clothes I made for you.”
“Oh, it is nothing really, the clothes are very nice. I appreciate you giving them to me.”
“What is it, you can’t tell me? Is it a secret, some tag or relic the Guild makes you wear?
“No, nothing like that. It is personal and a bit embarrassing is all,” he pulled on it and a small leather wallet popped free and landed in his hand. “I have had this for a long time now. It was with me when I arrived outside Tanic. I don’t know much about it but it helps me. I always keep it close.”
***
With great effort Yfiria smothered her emotions as she saw the wallet in his hand. Her wallet, the one she gave him before he left her and Talfur. He still had it and for whatever reason wore it next to his heart all the time. She struggled to hold back her tears and slowly reached for it. “May I?” she gently asked.
He nodded and she gently lifted it from his hand and opened it. The pressed flower, much worse from the passage of time and wear and tear, was still within. Its fragrance was faded though. Also inside was his mother’s necklace. She took out the necklace and immediately felt the archania. It was powerful magic she realized. She saw the chain was broken. That must be why he stopped wearing it around his neck and carried it in her wallet.
