“General Trum” Tenkay said shocked. “What do we owe the pleasure?”
“When I send a summons people come or people die” Trum barked.
“Are you threatening Lord Hopkins?” Tenkay asked.
“Are you challenging me?” Trum said as he reached back to grab one of his hilts. “We can end this right now”.
“I am just asking a question General” Tenkay said as he backed away.
“And who are you to question me?” Trum said as he stepped closer to Tenkay.
“No one sir” Tenkay stammered.
“Then what makes you think you have the right to question me?” Trum said growling.
“I just wanted to know if there was going to be a change in leadership” Tenkay said as he walked backwards. “That affects my job here within the Sullied, the Honorable Lord Alan Hopkins gave me this position. If he is no longer here then I do not know what my plans should be”.
“Your plans is whatever I tell you they are” Trum snapped.
“Understood Sir” Tenkay replied.
Trum eyed Tenkay then walked into the building, he was sure Tenkay would run to his master and let the man know that Trum was in the area. Trum looked around and could see various students running to and from classes. Trum remembered Hopkins calling them Hopefuls and was amazed at the disrespect he was being shown. They should have recognized their leader was in the building and dropped to a knee, instead they were moving around like nothing special was happening. Trum was heading towards where he believed Hopkins was located and heard the sound of swords clashing. Hopkins could wait, Trum could get his point across better at the weapons training, it would let everyone know who ran things.
“Where is Hopkins” Trum said as he walked up to the weapons instructor. The man was instructing a big man that looked to have promise if he could be turned. Trum thought the weapons instructor was named Jack, whether that was his first name or last name Turm didn't know or care.
“I am in the middle of a lesson” the weapons instructor said without turning around.
Trum pulled both his blades quickly as he grabbed the instructor by his shoulder and spun him around. The man’s eyes widened as Trum placed the tip of his sword underneath the man’s chin and was sure to draw a little blood.
“I don't care what you are doing” Trum said in a low voice. “I hope this was worth your worthless life weapons instructor. Now draw your blade so I can take your life, your death will be a lesson for them all” Trum finished as he backed up to give the man space and twirled his blades. Trum knew he was not the strongest of the Unarmored, if he was just using his gift to get by than he would be a decent swordsman instead of the master he was. Extremely gifted or not, Trum had two blood swords with him. Trum might not have the pure power a lot of Unarmored had to boost his blade’s performance, but Trump leveled the playing field with knowledge. Trum came from a family of swordmasters, every Barron knew how to properly make a sword so it would be balanced and free from defects. Most Unarmored learned basic smithing and made their blades, the only reason theirs were serviceable was because of the added magic. The two blades Trum carried would have been worth a lot without using his blood, with the blood they were almost priceless. Trum had nearly killed himself twice to make the blades, they were a bright red and easily visible. The blades had been put through test after test, against similar sized weapons his blades were on a level by themselves. The weapons instructor was a competent man, he had some skill with the blade but Trum knew he did not have enough power to make a real blood sword. Sure he could try to kill himself like Trum did, even after the blood loss his would only be stuck with a pink weapon that was on the same tier with a regular sword made by a master. None of these new Sullied had power levels that bothered him. Weak Unarmored had to really focus to keep their little tendril attached to their target, a lot of moving around made it difficult but Trum had no desire to run around like a deadeye archer was after him. He wanted the weapons instructor to use his meager power and discover it was not enough.
“My Lord!” the weapons instructor said as he dropped to his hands and knees and looked down at the dirt. “Hopefuls get down on the ground, this is General Trum Barron, right hand of the Warlord himself.
The action took Trum by surprise, he expected to be fighting the man. Instead the weapons instructor behaved like he should have, this left Trum in a bad spot. He couldn't outright kill the man, well he could kill the man but if would prove nothing. Trum would be seen as someone who killed an unarmed prone man and the students would not respect him any more than they did now. In fact Trum might lose a lot of respect, people would say the poor man he killed made a small accident and Trum flew into a rage and killed him.
“Get up” Trum said reluctantly as he put his blades away. “What is your name and what have you been teaching these students about becoming Sullied?”
“I am Sam Jackson Milord” the weapons instructor replied. “My place is not to teach anything other than weapons practice”.
“And you teach all by yourself?” Trum asked.
“No Milord” Jackson replied. “In his graciousness the Honorable Alan Hopkins gave me help to teach everyone”.
“And is this instructor worthy to teach future Sullied?” Trum asked.
“I don't need your seal of approval” said a voice from behind Trum. The man who spoke already had a sword out and had a sneer on his face like Trum was no one special.
“Really” Trum said as he walked up to the taller man. “What is your name?”
“Frank Bertino” the man replied. “And you are Trum Barron, I am not calling you lord. The only person who gets that respect from me is the Honorable Alan Hopkins or perhaps Telrin Fallow”.
“Is that a fact?” Trum said and smiled as he looked down to Bertino’s hand and saw the man had his palm resting on the hilt.
“That is a fact and if you want to do something about it, now is the time” Bertino replied as he withdrew his blade.
“I think you are exactly the person I was looking for Bertino” Trum said with a smile. “Jackson who is your most promising student here?”
“Hopeful Ezra Milord” Jackson replied unsure.
“Well Bertino it looks like I am going to give you a great gift” Turm began. “I am going to let you fight whoever Ezra is to the death. If you win I am going to pretend you never spoke to me, if you lose you will already be dead and my point will be proven”.
“I am not fighting anyone for you coward” Bertino said and leveled his sword at Trum.
Trum ducked quickly and could see Bertino try to strike him as he hit the flat of the blade with one hand and pulled out one of his swords with the other hand. Bertino changed the angle of his blade and attacked again, the blade left a deep gouge in the breast plate Trum was wearing but the move gave Trum the time to pull out both of his blades. Trum went into his basic attack, many men tried fighting with two blades because they thought it made them look cool. Trum fought with the dual blades because he was a true master. His red blades bit into Bertino’s sword and left slight cuts all along the man’s forearms and legs. Bertino was decent with the blade but Trum judged his skill to be right below that of a master. Bertino blocked the death dealing blows Trum was striking with but often found himself cut by secondary blows, that was the problem with the gift Trum knew. The gift could tell you what the intentions of your opponent were, stopping those intentions though was another matter entirely. Trum liked to think of it as a charging bull, everyone knows a charging bull wants to close distance and gore you. Knowing a bull is coming for you and outrunning it are two different things, not to mention stopping it from goring you. Trum found it easier to read body language with his eyes instead of using his power, battle had its own story and he thought he could read it better than anyone. Bertino was just trying to keep Trum off of him, Trum smiled when he noticed the worry in the man’s eyes. The fight couldn't last much longer, Bertino had a decent weapon but big chunks started being tak
en out of it and soon the sword would break entirely. When that happened the fight was all but over, Bertino sensed it as well and tried to go on the attack. Trum timed his attack well and cut the sword into two pieces right at the hilt. Bertino backed away as Trum sheathed his swords.
“Now I think I remember someone telling me if I wanted to do something about their attitude to make a move” Trum laughed. “I think your head would make a great paper weight on my desk Bertino. I gave you a chance at keeping your life but I think I will change the deal. I am going to have you fight five students I pick to the death. One fight after another, if you win you walk free. Jackson line up your five best students here”.
Trum watched as Jackson looked around nervously and pointed to five scared men. They looked decent enough but only two of them looked like they had any decent experience with a sword. The rest would probably die but Trum’s point would be made. Hopkins would have to deal with the loss of potential students and an instructor. If Hopkins ignored him again Trum would come down and make sure even more people died. Bertino though needed to be taught a lesson and Trum thought he knew how to even the playing field.
“What is your name?” Trum said as he looked at the first hopeful.
“Harris Milord” the student said shaking in fear.
“What town are you from Harris?” Trum asked.
“Maine” Harris replied. “It is near Talarian”.
“Talarian” Trum said as the name seemed familiar. “Are you related to David Harris, the former scribe for the enlightened?”
“David Harris is my father” the student replied. “My name is D.D.”.
“Well D.D., you are going to be the fifth person Mr. Bertino fights” Trum smiled. “He will fight you to the death using whatever style or weapons you want”.
“I want daggers then” the biggest of the students spoke. “If I have to fight him I want to do it with daggers”.
“You wait your turn” Trum said looking the warrior over. He was a big blond man with a scar over his eye, it was the student Jackson was working with with Trum approached him. If this Ezra was his best fighter, Trum would save him to fight third.
“I am injured though” Bertino complained as he looked down at his arms.
“Your problem, not mine” Trum smiled then turned towards a student that was eyeing him angrily. The student was probably a true believer of whatever Hopkins was teaching these people, his fanaticism would end soon enough.
“You there giving me the stink eye” Trum said and smiled. “You grab a sword and fight this man or I will cut you down right now”.
The man was in the middle of an angry reply when Bertino snatched a sword from Jackson and ran the man through the back when he wasn't paying attention. The stupid student slid off of Bertino’s sword with a look of shock in his eyes. Trum smiled and waved at the dying man then turned his attention back towards Bertino.
“Looks like you have won your first duel” Trum replied. “Your precious Hopkins cannot save any of you from my wrath. Student which weapon do you wish to fight Bertino with?”
“A sword and shield” a red haired student replied as he turned quickly to face Bertino and already had his weapon out in case Bertino tried to sneak attack him. Trum looked over at the big student who handed the redhead a shield. Bertino went on the attack quickly and sustained three more cuts but beheaded the student. The fight wasn't fair, Bertino knew where his opponent would strike at and the man wasn’t an Unarmored or particularly skilled. The dead student though had managed three decent hits that had to hobble Bertino, the next fight should be real interesting. His opponent Ezra was bigger than Bertino and looked to be in great shape. Bertino would have to close distance in a knife fight which left him at an disadvantage, his opponent had reach and strength. Trum looked at Ezra who pulled out two long daggers, he tossed Bertino one then went into a fighting stance.
“Fight” Trum said as Bertino closed distance and went for a strike. Ezra moved out of the way and returned the strike, Bertino ducked it and went to cut Ezra’s forearm. Ezra moved it away and landed a punch to Bertino’s side which he partly blocked and followed it with another dagger strike. Bertino blocked it but now he was close to the bigger man, Ezra dropped his dagger and grabbed Bertino’s weapon hand. Bertino tried struggling away but could not block the knees Ezra were delivering despite knowing the blows were coming. The big student delivered knees and punches with the off hand, Bertino was taking a terrible beating and eventually dropped his dagger and fell to the ground. Ezra picked up the blade and buried it deep in Bertino’s chest, the blow would hurt but Trum didn't think it would be fatal. Ezra missed the lungs and the heart, Trum didn't know if it was done purposely but decided to act dumb. Bertino would never question him again and the new students knew nothing could save them from him.
“Tell Hopkins I want him in my office tomorrow morning as soon as the sun comes up” Trum said looking at Jackson. “Or I will be back down here tomorrow afternoon and I will not be merciful”.
CHAPTER 10
Ezra looked over at the advanced students and did not see Alex. Ezra had been here for three months now and couldn't hold his skills back any longer and was the top student in his class. Both Mistress Wallace and Lord Jackson spent more time with him and were trying their hardest to make him buy into Lord Hopkins. Ezra had still not seen the man but that was the least of his worries, something big was about to happen and the school seemed tense. The fact Ezra had not seen Alex or Celeste made things even worse. Ever since Trum Barron showed up, the training had gotten a lot harder. Lord Jackson worked their bodies a lot more than he did their minds and every Hopeful received a Turned who helped them practice the blade. The Turned who helped Ezra was named Shelia, she was the same woman who he saw when he first tried out to become a Hopeful. She was now bald and thought she was better than what she really was at the blade, she was nothing but a novice with an unfair advantage. Trum Barron would kill her easily Ezra thought, but Barron was an idiot for underestimating this group.
“Are you ready” Shelia said looking at Ezra. Ezra had beaten the woman practically every time they sparred but let the fight go on long enough so questions wouldn't be asked. After Ezra had nearly killed Lord Bertino people knew he had skill, to lose to a Turned such as Shelia would have people asking questions.
“I am ready” Ezra said as he noticed more Turned entering the sparring area. Ezra watched as two bald figures started walking over towards him, Ezra thought it was weird until the female spoke.
“Let me train him” Celeste said as she looked at Ezra. Ezra was shocked to see her, now she looked like any other Turned instead of the beauty he once knew. He would need to ask her how she became a Turned but put it out of his mind as he looked at the man she had walked over with. It was Alex, gone were his throwing knives and in their place was a sword. Ezra wasn’t stupid, he was sure Alex still had them on his body somewhere, to the naked eye thought they were hidden.
“Find your own playmate” Shelia said looking over at Celeste.
“I want to teach this one” Alex said. “You two find somewhere else to be”.
Ezra saw the women look at Alex then leave, Ezra still could not see any obvious signs of rank between them but figured Alex must have had considerable clout. Ezra checked Alex out using his gift, Alex appeared to him like the rest of the Turned. Alex had undergone some kind of action that left him with the powers of the Unarmored.
“Over towards the corner” Alex said gesturing towards an empty area.
“How?” Ezra asked.
“Things are happening fast farm boy” Alex replied. “The Honorable Alan Hopkins is asking for a revolution”.
“Not you too” Ezra replied. “Have you forgot why we are here? We are here to kill Sullied, not revere them”.
“We are here to kill Trum Barron” Alex said angrily. “Not the Honorable Alan Hopkins”.
“You are seriously one of them now” Ezra said shocked.
“I w
ill protect the Honorable Alan Hopkins with my life” Alex replied.
“How were you changed?” Ezra asked.
“I can tell you” Alex said with some hesitation. “I can tell you”.
“You are scaring me Alex” Ezra said as he backed away.
“Things were done to make me this way” Alex said slowly as if he was unsure he should say anything. “Only the people they judged to be true believers are brought before the Honorable Alan Hopkins, once there all undergo a trial of faith. If you truly believe in him, then he will gift you with power”.
“How is the power given?” Ezra asked.
“The Honorable Alan Hopkins has a mutation on his power” Alex replied. “It is similar to making a blood sword, except his blood is given to you to drink. When you are finished ingesting it, you are cut so your blood will flow. The Honorable Alan Hopkins will use a bone needle and tubing made from catgut and pump a little of his blood into your veins. Sickness overtakes you then, unconsciousness will follow for a day. When you awake you are reborn, just being near the Honorable Alan Hopkins will make you happy. I cannot explain it, but you cannot stand to hear anyone talk bad about him and you will defend him with your life. If he asks something of you, you must obey. If all of us seem weird to you, now you know the reason. I am amazed I can tell you this, I was sworn to secrecy not to discuss anything with outsiders”.
“I am in the school though” Ezra replied.
“I think my brain must realize that” Alex replied. “I am also supposed to tell him of any plot to harm him and try to kill any attackers”.
“Well I am not after Hopkins” Ezra replied. “We are supposed to be after Trum Barron”.
“We are planning on attacking Barron” Alex replied. “There are more of us than there are of the Sullied. We call ourselves the Dex now, only in secret though. To everyone else we are the Sullied, you have noticed we all dress the same with little variation?”
The Blood Blade Page 9
