Stand Short and Proud

by Billy Wong

  Patrick whistled. "That was a pretty flashy move, compared to the rest of his fighting style."

  "It was good timing," Meg admitted. "Oh well, being faster doesn't always make you more skilled. I just prefer the other guy's style, but it is what it is. I hope Christopher will be okay though. That was a nasty knockout."

  The triumphant fighter raised his arms while a couple others attended to Christopher. Some of the audience cheered, though many seemed more concerned like she was about the fallen pugilist. He wouldn't wake up in spite of his fellows trying to rouse him, and now an older man who might one of the fort's senior soldiers went to his side. "Excuse me," Baxter said, leaving Meg and Patrick's side presumably to help.

  "Such brutal strength," Dennis said, sounding timid.

  Meg gave a nonchalant wave. "It's impressive. But I would eat that elbow like candy."

  "In the interest of not drawing undue attention," Patrick reminded her, "it'd probably do not to brag too much, Mo-"

  "What are you calling me?!"

  "I mean, Meg."

  As Christopher started to stir, eyelids fluttering though they were still closed, the boy who beat him said, "Ha! Of all men under twenty in Plasbias, I am the strongest!"

  "Don't be tempted, Meg," Patrick whispered. "The official contest is over, and he did say men not people."

  She unclenched her fist. "Still, it would've been fun."

  A voice sounded from the right, unexpectedly female. She had assumed everyone here but her would be male, considering that seemed the case from what she saw so far. "Congratulations on your victory, Rich. But there'll be one more match for today." Meg looked. In front of a door in the fort's inner wall stood a figure, its size surprising given the voice that belonged to it—her. It was a young woman clad in black armor with long dark hair, the top of her head almost at a level with that of the door. She didn't have too bulky a figure, her upper body lean though fairly broad, but her height alone made her seem huge. The head of an immense axe jutted over her back. "I may be a shade too old for your criteria, but I hope you'll humor big sister Taryn with a display of your skills."

  "You want to fight me?" Rich raised his fists. As she strode closer, Meg confirmed she towered more than half a head over the boy who stood about six feet himself. "Of course I'll meet your challenge!"

  The tall woman took a swift step towards him, launched into a high kick. Her shin passed over his hand as he attempted too slow to guard and slammed into his skull. He reeled back on rubber legs, windmilling his arms to stay upright.

  Dennis stared in shock. "Did she just use a high kick as her opening move with no setup at all and actually land it?"

  "That's because she threw it faster than most people punch," Meg said. Quite interesting.

  Taryn stood impassively, waiting for Rich to recover. He steadied himself and burst forward with a overhand punch from far back. His fist thudded against her jaw as she neglected to try and dodge, but despite getting full extension and all his weight behind it, she didn't even move and just grinned. She answered with a flurry of punches that instantly had him scramble back forming a helmet with his arms around his head. He dove for a desperation takedown, only to find himself caught with his neck trapped under her arm. She gripped his belt with her free hand and pulled him into the air, flinging him over herself in a suplex. Still keeping her hold around his neck, she rolled backwards to straddle him and wrenched savagely. He tapped her side frantically in submission, no doubt feeling like his head threatened to pop off. She stood calmly off him while he writhed in anguish.

  "Wait Meg, what are you doing?" Patrick asked as she stepped forth, unable to help herself.

  She stomped in front of the towering woman, and muttering rose from the crowd. "That wasn't very fair! He was already tired from his previous fight, and more fights before that if I'm not mistaken. Kind of an opportunistic time to show him up, don't you think?"

  Taryn crossed her arms. "I was just demonstrating to everybody that you should never get too full of yourself—because no matter how strong you think you are, there's always someone stronger."

  "What about you," she snapped, "why don't take me on and see if you've met your match?"

  The giantess reached out and patted Meg's head to the sound of mass laughter. "You're challenging me? Are you sure you're in the right weight class for that?"

  She scowled, annoyed by the soldiers' mirth. "You're just a tall scrawny beanpole. I could just push your legs and you'd fall over."

  "I weigh two hundred thirty pounds on a skinny day. And didn't somebody much bigger than you just try that?"

  On closer inspection, her thighs did look pretty formidable, but Meg wasn't about to let reality stand in the way of her belief. "Well, he lacks technique. Skills pay the bills, not size. If it was me shooting on you-"

  Before she could say any more, Baxter walked between them. "Captain Taryn, please excuse this young lady. She has not been introduced to you, after all."

  She recoiled. "Captain? But you're barely older than me!" It would surprise her if Taryn was more than a year or so over twenty, if that.

  "Age and merit aren't the same thing," Baxter said. "The captain has more than proven herself in service to the kingdom, hence her deserved position."

  Meg looked helplessly at Patrick, who snickered. "Well, if this isn't awkward."

  "I suppose now is as good a time as any for you to get acquainted." Baxter gestured to her friend. "Patrick, you come forward too. This is Meg and Patrick, two experienced though young monster hunters interested in what our growing military has to offer. And this of course is Taryn, commanding officer of our humble outpost. I offered them the special deal we talked about before, but for a period of four months instead of six. Do you approve?"

  "If you see potential in them, I have no objection."

  "Sorry about my rash behavior," Meg said, extending her hand. Taryn took it, the length of the fingers closing around hers making her feel very small. "I thought you were just a big bully among the recruits. But that doesn't mean I entirely approve of you treating Rich so."

  Taryn smiled. "I didn't hurt him that bad. Stunned him a bit with my kick and didn't come close to breaking his neck with my crank, though it might've felt close. Besides, I did let him get a solid shot on me in return."

  "I guess, though it hardly affected you." She noticed the beginnings of bruising on soft skin now, though.

  "I'm used to taking a hit." The captain addressed the watching group. "Everyone, go eat!" She returned her attention to Meg and Patrick. "Not you. Since you missed the orientation I gave the other recruits, I'll catch you up now."

  The rest of the soldiers filed away into the door, many looking back at them before disappearing out of sight. Meg caught a glimpse of Dennis waving them goodbye. Left alone with Baxter and Taryn, Patrick asked, "So are we going to train alongside the others, even though we're probably more advanced than most of them?"

  "How advanced exactly are we talking?" Taryn regarded Meg curiously. "It takes some confidence for a little girl to step up to one my size, but I haven't actually seen you fight."

  "What do you say we test our arms against each other and measure it that way?"

  Patrick groaned. "Oh no, not this again."

  "Not at this time," Taryn said. "I don't feel like humoring you right now, so why don't you show off to Baxter instead?"

  Meg heard the scrape of a sword leaving its scabbard and looked to see the lieutenant with weapon in hand. "You mean..?"

  He pointed the blade at her. "Yes. Come, convince me of the skills you act so proud of."

  "My side still hurts a bit from an old wound. But I'll try not to disappoint." She ran at him, slashing rapidly with her smaller sword. He used the shield he had carried into the naga's cave to block and struck back. She dodged the strokes, trying to come up with a way around the protective bowl. Hmm, maybe from above... she jumped and tried to strike down past it, only for him to raise the rim higher and intercept her swi
ng. She jumped away from his return cut, spun aside from a lunging thrust and slapped his arm with the flat of her blade. "Would've wounded you there," she said.

  "Not really. That was a light tap, it wouldn't have penetrated my mail even with the edge."

  Meg smirked. "Your judgment is good. Then, I'd better step it up a notch!"

  She hammered at his guard like a whirlwind, twisting this way and that in exaggerated movements meant to throw him off though it hurt her flank. Still his defense remained tight, though she heard Taryn say, "Impressive." Her short reach probably made it easier for him to see her attacks coming. Timing a high slash from him, she ducked under with a sweeping kick at his legs. He leapt over it, but anticipating that she brought her sword up. The flat would have smacked the bottom of his foot hard, robbing him of his balance, but he kicked down first at it and knocked her blade downward.

  "Hey, that's cheap!" she spat in irritation while she leaned aside from a stab. "If I'd used the edge, do you think you could've gotten away with using your foot like that?"

  "Maybe not... but maybe so. The sole of my boot is reinforced with iron, so you wouldn't easily cut through it."

  "Tsk, fair enough. Still, don't think that's all I've got."

  He shrugged in carefree manner. "I can't imagine what I'd have to fear from a midget girl."

  "Oh, now you've done it. Prepare to be humiliated!" They exchanged more blows, breath coming faster and faster as their pace intensified. Their weapons locked after a heavy clash, Meg giving it her all to keep from being pushed back. Seeing him lean forward to glare down at her while they stood face to face, she got an idea. She kneed the bottom of his shield, knocking the top of it up into his chin.

  "Ack!" he cried, staggering back.

  She dashed after him. "I can take advantage of any mistake!" Still stunned from the surprise blow, he flailed his sword before him to keep her back. She evaded the wild strokes and swatted his hand with her blade, making him lose his grasp on his so that it tumbled away. He tried to hide behind the bowl of his shield. "Do you concede?"

  "Not yet, I still have-"

  "That's enough," Taryn said. "This is supposed to be a test of the new recruits, not a fight to the finish, and she's already more than exceeded expectations."

  Meg gave a twirl of her sword. "Does that mean I get to fight you next?"

  "No, it's your tall friend's turn now to prove his skills."

  Patrick frowned. "Wait, I'm not tall. I'm practically a manlet compared to you."

  "But compared to her..."

  "Can we stop with the small talk and get on with it?" Meg grumbled.

  "'Small' talk indeed."

  "Grr."

  Patrick hefted his poleaxe, but seemed to be taken off guard when Baxter immediately charged him. The lieutenant struck with both sword and shield, looking far more aggressive than when he fought Meg. Having experienced how capable the Free Fangs really were, he probably strove to avoid looking bad again. Patrick defended well though he didn't muster as much offense as she had, being continuously pushed back around the yard. However, Baxter proved unable to pin him down to put a definitive conclusion to the match, and after a while Taryn said, "Enough. Not quite on par with your friend, but still very good."

  He hunched over panting while Baxter sheathed his sword, then looked up with proud eyes. "I guess there are some competent warriors in Plasbias after all, if not enough to make much difference during the last invasion. So if we both impressed you, does that mean we can help instruct the other recruits or something instead of going through the same training?"

  Taryn took a moment to respond. "No. I have enough assistant instructors in Baxter and the other old hands, there aren't open spots for you. If you want to give extra help to your struggling peers, feel welcome to. Also, I hope you won't be too harsh on those less knowledgeable than you."

  Meg replied, "Of course, we're not bullies. But then what was that 'test' just now for?"

  "It's good to know what skills those under me have. When I have to pick soldiers to send on assignments, I'll keep it in mind."

  "What are we expected to do here anyway? Baxter already told us some things on the way, but I'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth."

  "Are you calling me a horse?" She flashed a reassuring smile. "It's pretty laid back around here. You'll spend most of your time training, keeping up maintenance of the fort, and just being ready to fight if called upon. On occasion when there are local troubles, we might have to send people out to help deal with them. You'll likely be among my first choices in that case given you're even better than most of our veterans."

  "Easy with the compliments," Baxter said. "You don't want to make them even more big headed."

  "I think they're seasoned enough not to let some earned praise go to their heads. Anyway, time to get ready for the next drill."

  Patrick gaped. "What? The others got to go eat, and we don't?"

  "Your sparring matches took up most of dinnertime, and we can't stop everything for two people." Taryn chuckled. "Besides, I'm sure being hardened fighters that you're used to such inconveniences."

  "It amuses you to give us a hard time, doesn't it?" Meg mumbled. "But I suppose we can just grab a bite later."

  Chapter 3

  When the soldiers returned from eating, making Meg's stomach growl jealously to see their satisfied faces, they engaged in a basic sword drill. She counted ten older men who walked around observing the youngsters and stepping in when appropriate, no doubt the veterans left here after most were assigned to help at newer outposts. While such beginner level techniques weren't really something she needed refreshment in, she did feel surprising nostalgia to swing the wooden practice blade the like of which she hadn't held in many years. It took her back to more innocent times, before she had traveled for weeks through grueling weather, endured devastating wounds and killed myriad creatures and a fair share of men. She wondered if any of the other youths here had a similar worldly background, and would be happy to share experiences with them. Maybe Christopher and Rich had seen their share given the skills they'd shown, though she knew not everyone who had gone through hardship developed fighting ability or vice versa.

  She and Patrick got through the drill with ease despite their hunger and having fought before, while some of the novices already looked winded. She imagined there had been other exercises before their arrival however, so it wasn't necessarily reflect as badly on them as it seemed. It would be interesting to know what physical standard recruits were held to though, if any. All volunteers able to hold a sword or spear would probably be welcome in actual war to defend the nation, but in peacetime she figured there should be some qualifications to serve in a standing army.

  "What do you think so far?" Patrick asked when they had finished and were told to head to the barracks for the night.

  "It seems okay, though we've yet to see how bedtime will go. I hope nobody bothers me too much for being a girl sleeping among them."

  "If they do, I'm sure they'll learn their lesson quickly."

  "Heh. Also, I still hope for a chance soon to test the arms of that tall beanpole."

  He gave her a bemused look. "If she's even more formidable than her lieutenant, she'd probably beat you."

  "Nah. The way she's built, all I have to do is push her legs and she'd fall over." They shared a laugh. "I wonder if we can sneak away to the kitchen and get something to eat? If not, we'll have to make do with the old rations in our packs."

  Before they got indoors as the soldiers ahead were taking their time, Rich came to their side. He had a huge knot on his head where Taryn kicked him, but at least walked steadily now. "You guys didn't eat, right?" He held out a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "I managed to grab some extra chicken and buns thinking you might not get a chance to. Sorry it won't be warm by now, but you want it?"

  She nodded eagerly, a tad surprised the boisterous youth would be so considerate. "Of course, we're more than used to eating cold food. Thanks for t
hinking of us, we appreciate it."

  "I saw that you were concerned for me after the fight, and figured I should pay you back." They made it into the fort, whose drab, bare interior walls much resembled the outside, and followed everyone towards their quarters while munching on their late meal. "What happened after we left, what took so long? Did you talk things out with the captain?"

  "We did. We also matched blades with the lieutenant, which took much longer."

  "How did it go?" His voice grew excited. "Did you actually beat him?"

  "They were just casual spars," Patrick said, "nobody beating anyone. But we held our own."

  "Even that sounds plenty impressive. You're no older than me, so you must have some great training."

  "Training? We have more than training, just look at all the scars Meg has."

  She glared at him while touching her face self-consciously. "I don't have that many scars! You have scars too, pretty boy."

  "Yeah, but I am as you say a boy." Well, there was that...

  "Anyway Rich, you showed some above average skills yourself. Anybody special train you?"

  They had reached the barracks by now, but instead of going inside stood by the door to the large room full of bunk beds and continued chatting. "No, I just fight a lot. I used to do it in the streets for money, since my mom was poor and we never had enough. Christopher is probably technically better trained than me, though I beat him."

  "That's like us. I'm from a family of warriors with five brothers so we had a lot of tussles growing up in addition to our formal training, and Pat here... well he doesn't like to talk about it, but suffice to say he was already well versed in combat before we started hunting monsters together."

  "Oh, that's what you did before coming here. Are you from Plasbias originally, or elsewhere?"