by Eric Smith
Three months had gone by since Arek’s conversation with the Strategos. Arek stood in the practice yard of the King’s castle, weighted wooden practice sword and shield in hand. His ribs ached from where Iridian had cracked them with his own sword moments before. Arek was getting better, of that there was no doubt, but he still knew that he had a long, long way to go yet.
He watched Iridian for an opening, for a sign that he was tiring, for a mistake in his footwork, for any weakness whatsoever. There were none. The man had perfect form. The only chance Arek had lay in the fact that he was faster and Arek knew it. Everyone knew that, since it was about the only way he could beat any of these men yet. He was faster with a sword than almost anyone he had ever fought or seen. The problem was that forty five year old Iridian knew it too.
Arek warily approached again and at four paces rushed forward attempting to catch Iridian off guard. The crack of sword on shield echoed through the practice yard as Arek struck again and again. High, low, low, high, punch with his shield. He was moving faster and faster, his sword becoming a blur, flowing from one strike into the next, slowly pushing Iridian back across the practice yard.
After several minutes of this Arek began to slow, Iridian stopped moving backwards and they stood toe to toe for a few more minutes trading blows. Then Iridian sidestepped an overhand swing by Arek and swung his shield slamming it into Arek’s shoulder. Arek careened backwards in an effort to stay standing and swung his sword in a wide arc to keep Iridian back. Iridian caught the sword with his own and pushed it out to the side, then with a flick of his wrist he brought it back slamming it into the right side of Arek’s head causing his helmet to spin halfway around covering his face, blinding him and sending him sprawling to his back in the middle of the yard.
Arek lay for a moment on the ground squeezing his eyes against the blinding pain in his head that seemed to mirror the pain in his ribs. Removing his helmet, Arek looked up at the smiling Iridian who held the tip of his sword a few inches from Arek’s face. He rubbed the side of his head and ran his fingers through his short brown hair feeling for blood. There was none.
“You’re getting better, Arek.”
“Tell that to my head.”
“You last far longer than you did when you first arrived here.” Iridian said as he tucked his practice sword under his arm and extended a hand to help Arek to his feet.
They walked to the well at the edge of the yard, drawing the bucket up Iridian gestured for Arek to have a drink. Arek drank deeply of the cool water, feeling it run down his throat. As he finished he heard footsteps on the stone behind him. Half turning he saw the Strategos standing, hands clasped behind his back and watching him. He saw the Strategos almost daily, either as he was speaking to the King or others, or sometimes just passing in the hall. But this was the first time he had spoken to the man since that day in his office months ago.
“Captain Kells, walk with me please.” Soloman stated.
“Yes Sir.” Arek said handing the bucket from the well back to Iridian. He set his shield and sword down to rest against the wall and sprinted to the left hand side, the subordinate side of the Strategos as Soloman turned and began to walk away at a leisurely pace.
They walked in silence for a time moving through the practice yard and past several other members of the Royal Guard who were sparring and practicing with various weapons.
Just when Arek began to wonder if the Strategos was going to say anything at all he stopped walking and turned to face Arek. The Strategos glanced around the yard, looking at the doorways, the windows and the other men who were outside.
Then his eyes locked on Arek’s. “You seem to be progressing well. I watched your last match and there were several moments when I thought you would get the upper hand.”
“Thank you Sir.” Arek said with a grin despite how nervous he was speaking to the Strategos.
Soloman continued to stare at Arek as if he were searching for something in the young Captain’s eyes. Then he spoke thus, “Captain, I am making a change to your usual duty assignment. I wanted to tell you personally so that I could assure you that this is in no way a punishment. Nor should you look at it as such, understood?”
“Yes Sir.” As if Arek wasn’t nervous enough a moment ago. Now he had no idea what to expect but he wasn’t sure that he was going to like it at all.
“You will be assigned exclusively to the King’s son effective immediately. I know that guarding a seven year old boy, whether or not he is the prince, is not the first choice that someone in your position would make. I must ask you not to question me as to why this is necessary though. Everything will become clear in time I’m afraid. That being said, are there any questions that you do have?”
Arek was stunned now. The Strategos was right. This was the least desirable assignment in the Royal Guard. Usually young Guardsmen like himself rotated through various positions in an effort to learn all the intricacies inherent in each. No matter what the Strategos said this definitely felt like a punishment.
“Sir . . . how long is I expected to perform in this capacity?”
For a moment it seemed as if the look in the Strategos’ eyes was one of pity, but it was quickly gone if it was there at all. “I’m afraid it may be a very long time, but I don’t think so, perhaps only a few years.”
A few years! Not a long time? Arek was certain that he must have done something wrong now but he remained silent. When it seemed clear that the Strategos was not going to say anything on his own accord Arek came to the position of attention and rendered a salute. “If that is all Sir, I will report to the Prince.”
Returning the Captain’s salute, the Strategos replied “That is all, Captain. Carry on.”
As he watched the retreating young guardsman make his way back across the yard to retrieve his practice equipment he could see that Arek’s shoulders were slumped as if in defeat. Ahhh! How I hate that I am forced to do this to him, the Strategos thought, but it could happen anytime now. I have NO choice!
