The Pool And The Pedestal (Book 2)

by Daniel McHugh

  The recruits shot glances at one another. Nobody moved. Cefiz jumped from behind a column on the lower level.

  “I’ll do it.” stated the lieutenant as he eyed his countrymen. “You can’t learn if you’re unwilling to face humiliation now and again.”

  Cefiz walked over to a rack near the training grounds and retrieved a short sword and small shield. The recruits around Granu backed away, clearing an area for the pair. Granu smiled at the Zodrian.

  “Please attack me with full vigor.” stated Granu. “I promise to keep all accidental woundings to a level less than mortal.”

  Cefiz smiled in return then rushed the giant. Immediately the pike flashed up and met Cefiz’s shield with a loud clang. The Zodrian stumbled to the side, but quickly recovered and hacked at the pike with his blade. Granu retreated slightly and raised his pike in defense. Cefiz readied himself for another charge.

  “Many look upon the pike as a thrusting weapon.” huffed Granu. “However, ...”

  Cefiz raised his shield and charged in hard once more. This time however, Granu hooked the edge of the Zodrians shield with the curve of the pike’s barb and twisted the handle of his weapon. The barb locked onto the shield’s edge. Granu tore hard on the pike handle and the shield ripped from Cefiz’s grasp, falling to the ground with a loud clang.

  “...it has many applications during battle.” continued Granu. “I’ve just exposed my opponent and turned the advantage of this match heavily in my favor.”

  Cefiz raised his sword and bowed to the Keltaran as a small cheer rose from the recruits. The Zodrian lieutenant bent over and retrieved his shield.

  “Excellent.” stated Cefiz. “Again?”

  Granu narrowed his eyes and smiled.

  “If you wish.” said the giant cautiously.

  Once again the Zodrian rushed on his opponent. This time however, Cefiz made a concerted effort to keep the barb of the pike squarely centered in his shield. Granu toyed with the Zodrian as he jabbed the long pole toward Cefiz.

  “If you find yourself too focused on the steel head of the pike you will never advance for a kill.” stated Granu offhandedly. “Your attention becomes too focused away from your opponents body and you have very little opportunity to attack there.”

  In response to the comment, Cefiz slammed the pike head away with the shield and hacked toward Granu. The giant defended himself and smiled.

  “But if you lose focus on the barb.” smiled Granu. “You may fall victim to it.”

  With a loud snap the barb once again locked on the edge of the shield. However, Cefiz spun wildly and ripped his entire body away from Granu. The Zodrian wedged his arm solidly in the shield’s strap. The shield pulled hard on the barb and the pike handle ripped free from Granu’s grasp. Cefiz shook the shield and the pike clattered to the ground. Granu stood empty handed.

  “Also, always remember that an opponent’s strengths may hold weaknesses he is unaware of.” heaved Cefiz to the recruits. “I believe the advantage is now mine.”

  Granu led a roar of approval from the group as Cefiz exchanged bows with the giant. Granu strolled over to the lieutenant and threw his arm around Cefiz’s shoulder.

  “Confidence is your ally. Overconfidence your doom.” said Granu. “It appears I wasn’t here to give a lesson but to be given one.”

  The group cheered once more and crowded around the pair. Questions on technique arose from all around. Cefiz and Granu looked to one another and began to demonstrate different techniques to the recruits. Brelg looked to his son.

  “Walk with me, lad.” said Brelg. “These men are in good hands.”

  Brelg began a slow walk around the yard. As the pair passed different training stations, the recruits working there halted and saluted the old sergeant.

  “I’ll never get used to that.” stated Kael.

  “What?” questioned his father.

  “That salute. I mean, all these men under your command. It’s ... foreign.” said Kael.

  Brelg smiled.

  “I must admit, my first few days back it felt strange. However, I’ve had men under my command throughout our years in Kelky. Add a few more and it makes no difference.”

  “A few more!” scoffed Kael. “There are hundreds housed here father.”

  “Kael, you do me a disservice. Is it so inconceivable to you that your father was once a leader of men?”

  “Well,....no. I’ve seen you in the village. Men always deferred to your judgment on important matters.” said Kael. “I’ve even seen you lead the militia, but this is different. This is the Guard. This is war with the Ulrog!”

  “Kael, once a man commits to leading others, he doesn’t forget how. The ability isn’t something you just stumble upon. You must be born with a certain ... character. Then you must work on it. Believe me, a young leader makes many a mistake as he grows in his leadership. Sometimes those mistakes cost lives.”

  “But how do you live with that?” interrupted Kael. “Every decision you make could bring death upon your fellow Guardsmen. That’s ...that’s just too much responsibility.”

  “We live with the failures of leadership because we must.” said Brelg. “Understand Kael. Someone must step to the front. Someone has to be in the vanguard or we are all lost. If a leader cannot shrug aside a failure, he is ultimately doomed.”

  “I... I don’t think I could live with a mistake that cost someone their life.” said Kael shaking his head.

  Brelg frowned and looked into his son’s eyes.

  “I know you could.” stated Brelg confidently. “Since the early days, I’ve known you would be a man of great character. Your mother saw to that. You may have spent the last few weeks questioning who you are, but never forget that your mother and I taught you right from wrong. One of the proudest accomplishments of my life is raising two men of unquestioned character. When your time comes, you’ll know what path to choose and you’ll be an exceptional leader of men.”

  Kael smiled at his father and the pair embraced. It was then that Kael decided to seek Ader on the rooftop above.

  The Seraph stood leaning against the same trio of chimney pipes as Kael stepped onto the roof of the Hold. Ader stared past the turrets and towers of Zodra toward the northern horizon. As Kael approached, the Seraph smiled and turned to face the boy.

  “What have you decided?” asked Ader.

  “I wish to know more about myself.” said Kael. “I wish to know more of what I can do.”

  “What you can do is almost limitless.” said Ader. “but what you ultimately accomplish will be tempered by your frame of mind and how much you strive in your endeavors.”

  “I’ll work very hard.” said Kael.

  “I don’t doubt that for a moment.” replied Ader. “but you must also focus on your work, not just toil at it. You must agree to see it through.”

  “I agree to focus my thoughts on my training and to see it through.” stated Kael confidently.

  “Excellent.” said Ader. “Then we shall begin. And the best places to begin are the places you’ve already stumbled upon. Do you see that pair of recruits walking patrol on the northern rooftop?”

  “Those two men?” said Kael as he nodded toward the pair.

  “Yes.” said Ader. “They are currently holding a conversation concerning us. I want you to close your eyes for a moment. When we first begin to use our spirit, it is easier with no distractions such as sight or sound.”

  Kael obeyed and shut his eyes.

  “Now.” said Ader soothingly. “Allow yourself to get reacquainted.”

  Kael furrowed his brow.

  “With whom?” questioned the boy.

  “Why with the spiritual side of Kael Brelgson, of course.” laughed Ader.

  Kael frowned.

  “Allow yourself to get in touch with Kael. “ said Ader resuming the soothing tone. “The detached part of you that makes decisions. The part that feels emotions.”

  Kael complied. He let his mind wander. To feel. He though
t about himself. The Kael on the inside. The Kael he tended to forget about when he wandered in selfish, petty delusions. This was the Kael he liked. The confident lad who traded with tinkers on the streets of Kelky, always convinced that he made a successful transaction. This Kael ran “The King’s Service” when his father traveled away on business. The Kael never intimidated by much older, more worldly tenants when it came time to settle their accounts. Kael connected with himself, and feelings of content and self worth flooded the boy.

  “Now,” whispered Ader. “As you’ve done a thousand times before. Reach out with your consciousness. Search for the men on the far side of the Hold.”

  Kael’s consciousness had already left him. It floated across the void. Drifted toward the pair.

  “...he’s definitely as powerful as the old man. I’m sure of it. Jani told me the boy swatted an entire unit down like one of us would a fly.” said the first recruit.

  “Jani! What does Jani know?!” scoffed his counterpart.

  “Jani was there! Master Granu broke his shin.” replied the first recruit “I’ve gone twice to see ‘im in the infirmary. He said he was plenty scared of the Keltaran, but the boy is the one who made ‘im claw his way down the hallway.”

  “But he’s just a lad!”

  “A lad with power!” said the first recruit. “Jani said the boy’s hands were ablaze with a blue flame, a livin’ flame. The lad controlled the flame like some dog on a lead.”

  “That’s power.” agreed his compatriot.

  “That’s not the half of it.” said the first recruit. “Jani said the boy’s eyes glowed with the blue flame, as if it were livin’ inside ‘im.”

  “I’m just glad they’re on our side. I wouldn’t....”

  “Pull yourself back in, Kael.” interrupted Ader. “ Bring yourself back.”

  Kael felt himself leave the men and retreat back into his body. He slowly opened his eyes.

  “I’m sure you’ve done that many times before, Kael.” stated Ader. “But to stumble upon something is much different than calling upon a skill when needed. In Kelky, when you were calm and not distracted, you were able to ..... ’listen in’ we shall call it .... on events and discussions where you were not present.

  What I hope to teach you is to call upon this skill at will, no matter what is going on around you. You must be able to use a skill even under great duress.”

  Kael nodded in understanding.

  “Additionally, you must detach yourself from the things you hear that are irrelevant to your mission.” continued Ader. “I don’t care if I discover the blacksmith rendezvouses with the cooper’s wife. It isn’t for me to judge the blacksmith. I forget these tidbits as quickly as I learn them. I do, however, care if the blacksmith sells forged weapons to a group of ne’er do wells.

  Also, as I told you before, this particular skill afforded us is not to be abused. Quite often people don’t speak the truth when they’re in the presence of others. Any man capable of hearing all that is said about him in the course of his life is a man destined for heartache. Use this talent wisely, Kael, for if called upon in the wrong situations, it can lead to pain.”

  Once again Kael nodded in agreement.

  “I suggest you spend some time practicing from the rooftop. Choose people or events at random from the Hold or the streets below and attempt to join them. After you’ve honed your skill through repetition, we’ll add the wrinkle of distraction to the mix and see how you focus.”

  Ader patted the boy on the back and moved to the stairs. Just before he stepped over their edge, the Seraph turned.

  “I must say, my boy.” began Ader. “I’m very pleased you’ve decided to take instruction.”

  Ader smiled one last time then descended the stairs.

  Kael spent the latter part of the day moving about the rooftop and listening in on various conversations in the Hold. At first it was rather exciting, however, the task soon became rather tedious. The minutiae of daily events in the Hold was rather dull. Kael assumed he would be listening in on exciting conversations concerning secret troop maneuvers and battle plans. The reality revolved more around cleaning the chamber pots of the General Staff and the mucking of the underground stables. When he had enough, Kael retreated to his cell.

  A few moments after he laid down on his bunk, someone knocked upon his door. Kael sat up.

  “Who is it?” called the Southlander.

  “Granu.” came the deep reply.

  “Come in.” answered Kael throwing his legs over the edge of the bunk.

  The giant opened the door and stepped into the room.

  “I thought I might find you here.” smiled the giant pleasantly.

  “You thought?” humphed Kael. “Or you knew.”

  “I knew.” he frowned. “But I must protest your attitude, Kael. King Leinor gave me a task in the halls of Luxlor and it is my duty to carry out my pledge to the best of my abilities. If you didn’t want the protection, why did you accept it?”

  Kael looked to the floor in shame.

  “You’re right, Granu.” apologized Kael. “I’ve been rather unreasonable lately. You saved my life, yet I still find fault with the situation. I’m sorry.”

  “No apology needed, son of Brelg.” said Granu solemnly. “However, I do believe you must assess your life and make some changes. I’m not your father, but lying in bed all morning cannot be helpful.”

  “It’s not.” replied Kael. “And I’ve decided I must change. I’ve agreed to allow Ader to train me.”

  “Excellent!” exclaimed Granu. “Spiritual and mental training provides one with clarity and purpose.”

  “We could all use a little of that.” laughed Kael.

  “That’s for certain, Southlander. I myself grow lax.” said the giant. “But recent events refocus my vision. I join your father in training the Zodrian Guard.”

  “You do?” replied Kael.

  Granu smiled.

  “I’m not a child, Kael. I’m well aware that all here have witnessed my presence in the training yard.”

  “Uh, ...sorry.” stammered Kael.

  “I am also aware that your father feels he somehow manipulated me into such action.” continued Granu. “It’s true that the thought of actually partaking in the exercises hadn’t occurred to me until Brelg presented me with his shocking ineptitude with the long-handled pike. However, the ruse of your father was nothing compared to what called to my heart.

  These militia are men, Kael. Brothers at the foot of our Creator. Whether they die at the hands of Ulrog while they struggle in the name of Avra, or at the hands of Keltaran doesn’t matter. What matters is the cause they are fighting for. A cause we share in common.

  I am Keltaran by birth, but a soldier in the army of Avra in spirit. The latter must take precedence over the former. “

  “Well said.” came a voice from the doorway.

  Kael turned his head to see Cefiz leaning against the door post.

  “From what I’ve seen on the training yard,” continued Cefiz. “I would join you in whatever army you chose.”

  Granu bowed to the lieutenant. Cefiz moved into the room and Kael noticed a difference in his old friend. The round faced cook of “The King’s Service” had a harder edge to his features. Cefiz’s face lost the hint of a second chin, and the cook carried himself more confidently. Kael was immediately reminded of the movement and demeanor of Manfir.

  “And I you, Master Cefiz.” said Granu. “The rust on your training was but a dusting on the surface. Your skills remain intact.”

  Cefiz turned to Kael.

  “We’ve taken to bolstering one another’s confidence, the giant and I.” laughed Cefiz. “It keeps us from acknowledging our.... limitations as we grow old.”

  Kael and Granu smiled at the lieutenant.

  “The boy trains as well.” stated Granu.

  “How so?” asked Cefiz.

  “I’m training under Lord Ader’s tutelage.” replied Kael.

  Ce
fiz frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Kael.

  “I’ve always known this day, like so many others I both feared and anticipated for you, would eventually come.” said Cefiz. “It’s.... unsettling.”

  Kael furrowed his brow. He felt that he finally broke through his depression and taken a step in the right direction, but now to receive this resistance was disheartening.

  “Why?” questioned Kael.

  Cefiz hesitated, attempting to find the words.

  “From this day forward, you are no longer the boy I helped raise.” said Cefiz. “From this day forward you are a man. A man like no other.”

  “We are all men like no other, Master Cefiz.” interrupted Granu.

  Cefiz turned to the giant and nodded agreement.

  “Whether Kael decided to become an innkeeper or rancher, he is a man like no other, and Avra looks upon him as such.” continued Granu. “ The weight of a man’s burden changes nothing concerning his importance to Avra.”

  “I strive to keep Kael a boy.” frowned Cefiz. “But time won’t allow it.”

  The lieutenant turned to Kael.

  “Just remember this old cook when you are Lord Kael.” smiled Cefiz.

  “I highly doubt I’ll ever be called that.” said Kael rising. “And by the way, which one of you is on duty?”

  The pair looked at one another in confusion. Kael feigned an exasperated expression.

  “Which one is supposed to be watching me?” explained the boy.

  Granu smiled and nodded toward Cefiz.

  “I suppose Cefiz here.” said Granu. “I’m sure that is why he arrived at this cell door.”

  “That’s true.” smiled Cefiz. “It’s my time.”

  “Excellent.” said Kael. “Then I’m happy to inform you that I’m hungry and wish to go to the dining hall. Perhaps we could scrounge up some food for ourselves.”

  Granu frowned.

  “All those hours I stood hungry on the rooftop above and you don’t feel the pangs of your appetite until now!” exclaimed the giant. “The hand of Avra can sometimes be cruel to his most devoted servants!””