by Owen Black
At the north and south ends of the enormous arena were several small buildings, including some that were bustling with activity. Along the western wall were various targets used for archery in addition to several wooden structures that appeared to be used for striking exercises. Along the eastern wall, on either side of the doors that they had entered, were numerous benches, some filled with spectators or participants wielding a wide assortment of weapons. The ground in the center of the arena was packed dirt, clearly trampled smooth from frequent use.
Avryn led Thane to the right where they spotted an open bench and sat down. Avryn patted Thane on his leg and pointed to a tall, sturdy man who had emerged from a nearby building. His thick brown hair was neatly combed and his attire well cared for. He was clearly aware of his audience.
“That’s the Head Trainer, Urso,” Avryn stated. “He organizes the activities and calls out the arena participants each day.”
Thane squinted while he looked the man over. “So is he the best fighter?”
“He can certainly hold his own with a staff. The trick is finding what style of weapon best suits you. When that happens, anyone can become a skilled fighter if they so choose.”
“So a sword suits you best?”
“That it does my boy,” Avryn replied while patting the hilt of his sword. “However it’s metal which leads to complications of another kind.” He reached over and ruffled Thane’s hair with his hand. “You will learn about these things in time.”
“I want to use a sword like you.”
Avryn hesitated and then said, “Honestly, there are far more effective weapons that you could master.” He pulled the sword from its sheath and looked the blade over as he continued, “Although a well sharpened sword makes for an extremely effective weapon, they are quite heavy and obviously you cannot morph while attached to one. That is the main reason that weapons made from metal are not the first choice we turn to.” He smiled as he returned his sword to its scabbard. “I learned to not grow too attached to my swords over the years. I have had to leave many fine blades behind.”
A confused look formed on Thane’s face that conflicted with his nod of understanding.
Together they watched as the man that Avryn had identified as Urso walked to the center of the arena. While they waited Avryn added, “When I was young, we did not spend much time practicing the art of fighting.” A pained look formed on his face. “I wish we had.”
Urso looked over the collection of people who were scattered along the benches and waved in the direction of a few. He then spotted Avryn and Thane and a large smile quickly formed on his lips. He waved his arms above his head and the spectators instantly fell quiet.
“Good Morning!” Urso roared, his deep voice echoing around the arena. “It seems we have a new pupil today!”
Thane blushed as laughter spilled out and numerous heads turned his way.
Avryn raised a hand to hush Urso, a man not known for his candor.
Ignoring Avryn’s wish the trainer then yelled, “Young man, come on out here!” He motioned for Thane to join him in the center of the arena.
Thane hesitated, not sure of what to do.
“Oh come on lad,” Urso roared. “We won’t make you fight just yet.”
Thane looked to Avryn for guidance.
“It’s alright,” Avryn said. “Go on out there. We might as well get this over with.”
Reluctantly, Thane made his way out to the center of the arena. When he drew near, Urso put a hand on each of Thane’s shoulders and spun him around to face the onlookers. Suddenly the boy wished he had gone to school after all.
With the exception of his father, the crowd seemed to be amused by his presence. Thane nervously scanned the faces that peered at him and sweat began to form on his brow.
“Care to tell us your name young fellow?” Urso asked with a grin. Everyone, including Urso, knew the answer already.
“Th…Thane,” he replied quietly, his nerves clearly rattled. “My name is Thane, sir.” Flustered, he then pointed to his father and added, “My father is Avryn, the King.” Thane closed his eyes and frowned. Oh that was bright.
Urso immediately burst into laughter and was joined by an assortment of clapping and cheers from the crowd. Thane’s face turned bright red.
“I see!” the trainer proclaimed. “So your father is our King? This is certainly good to know!” He laughed again but this time the response from the crowd was a bit subdued.
Urso then looked over at Avryn. The glare he received back spoke volumes. Although the people had declared Avryn to be their King, he himself had never warmed to the title. Avryn preferred to think of himself as a commoner and Urso had knowingly touched a sensitive topic.
After clearing his throat Urso continued, “Well my boy, would you like to see a match today?”
Thane began to reply but then hesitated and looked over at his father. Avryn smiled and nodded in acceptance. Thane then turned to Urso, “I would sir. Yes please.”
“Well, alright then. Excellent! Who would you like to start us off today?”
Thane looked up at the trainer, puzzled. He then peered over the crowd and searched the countless faces around him. A few even pleaded with their hands to be selected. With Avryn present, there was no lack of willing participants.
Expecting the worst, Avryn groaned and covered his eyes.
With a grin Thane turned to Urso, “My father?”
Urso chuckled and held out his hand toward Avryn, “Well, how about it? Do you feel like a duel today?”
Avryn closed his eyes and wished he could revise the events that had led to this moment. He then sighed, stood up and tossed a stern look at Thane who begged forgiveness with his eyes. Avryn then walked to the center of the arena and stood beside his son.
“Splendid!” Urso declared before turning his attention back to the crowd. “Now, who would like to duel Avryn this fine day?”
Thane looked out at the blank faces of the once boisterous crowd that had instantly fallen eerily silent.
Urso frowned and pleaded once more for a volunteer. “Come now, surely one of you is up to the challenge?”
A soft murmur began to spill forth from the onlookers that had grown restless. Suddenly a man yelled from somewhere in the crowd. “Why don’t you do it?”
Laughter erupted.
Urso stood up straight and collected his thoughts as he tried his best to recover from the outburst. He was clearly rattled.
“Fair enough,” he then snorted defiantly. “Why not?”
Avryn looked over at the trainer and bowed his head slightly, accepting the duel. He then turned to Thane and pointed to a hefty middle-aged woman with long brown hair that was seated alone on a bench in the front. “Go sit by that woman, her name is Enid. She is Urso’s wife and will help fill you in.”
The woman smiled when Avryn waved to her.
Thane looked up at his father and nodded as he began walking toward the woman. He stopped and turned back. “Father?”
“Yes Thane?”
“Good luck. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. Run along now. Go sit with Enid.”
Thane ran to the woman and greeted her with one of his best smiles while Avryn and Urso separated and prepared to duel.
“Good morning,” Thane said when he approached the woman. “I was told to come sit with you.”
“Absolutely!” she replied. “This is my lucky day.” She motioned to the empty spot on the bench beside her. “Come here, sit down. I won’t bite.”
Her smile was warm and Thane immediately felt comfortable. He blushed a bit and plopped down next to her with eyes ablaze with excitement.
“I take it this is your first time visiting the training grounds?” the woman asked.
“Yes ma’am. It is.”
“Well then I shall do my best to help get you more familiar with things around here.” She directed the boy to Urso as he walked to a building along the south wall. She squinted and watche
d him enter then added, “Most likely he is going for his staff. He almost always uses his staff.”
“I have never seen him fight anyone,” Thane said as he looked out at his father who was stretching his arms above his head.
“Well then you will most likely remember this day for some time. This is a special treat for all of us. Avryn doesn’t fight very often.”
Thane watched as Urso emerged from the building wielding a tall, finely carved staff. It appeared very sturdy and almost as tall as the man holding it. He could make out an ornate carving of some kind at one end.
“Is that your house?” Thane asked. “Do you live here?”
Enid laughed. “Oh my goodness no. I get enough of this place as it is! That’s his shop. Urso is a woodsmith.” She pointed to an assortment of bows and spears that lined the outside wall of the shop. “The little building next to his shop belongs to Epo. He is the fletcher.”
Enid noticed the confused look on Thane’s face and added, “He makes arrows.”
“Oh.”
Enid then pointed to two larger shops at the north end of the arena. “Those buildings belong to Guderian and Joli, they are the blacksmiths. Well, Guderian is anyway. Joli dabbles in everything she can get her hands on actually.”
The crowd grew quiet when Urso raised his staff above his head, capturing their attention. He motioned to a small, heavy-set man standing to Thane’s left who was holding a pair of large and clearly patched-together padded coats. The man ran out to the center of the arena and handed the makeshift armor to Urso and Avryn.
Enid leaned over to Thane. “There is Epo now. He helps prepare for the fights. The coats provide a bit of protection, but not much.”
Thane watched as Epo helped the men into the thin armor. They were bulky and neither man looked particularly comfortable wearing them. Epo then helped Avryn tie the hilt of his sword to its sheath.
“Why is he doing that?” Thane asked.
“Oh yes! That’s for protection. We don’t want Avryn slicing up my husband now do we?” She shook her head and looked in the direction of a man who was wearing a splint on one leg. “Sometimes they get a bit carried away.”
“Is your husband good?” Thane asked bluntly.
“Well, he has never lost.”
Thane tossed a blank stare back at Enid and then glanced out at his father who suddenly seemed mortal. “Oh.”
Enid noted the worried look and then said, “Neither has your father.”
Thane smiled.
In the middle of the arena the men finished their preparations and then Urso bowed towards Avryn who returned the gesture.
“To three Avryn?” Urso asked loudly for all to hear.
“To three it is,” Avryn replied.
The men then slowly backed up from one another to a distance of about twenty feet.
“They will fight to three hits, or near-hits,” Enid whispered to Thane. “If they have an open shot and stop without striking, that still counts as a hit.” She smiled then added, “That saves a few broken ribs.”
Thane looked over the onlookers, noting the stillness that had fallen over the arena. The fight was starting. His blood began to race.
Without hesitation, Urso twirled the massive staff in his right hand and walked toward Avryn with his left arm outstretched as if feeling his way through darkness. Avryn did not advance, but stood in place, as he waved his bulky blade from side to side. It was clear that he was not comfortable with the weight the sheath added.
Thane’s excitement grew when Urso drew closer to his father. Avryn was still focused on his sword, paying little attention to his advancing opponent. Suddenly Urso lurched forward, spun around full-circle and swung his staff at Avryn who quickly blocked with the padded blade but the force almost knocked him off of his feet.
Avryn regained his balance and backed up as Urso moved in once more. Again Urso struck at Avryn who blocked the forceful blow, this time plummeting to the ground in a heap. Urso jumped at his fallen opponent with his staff above his head and lowered it near Avryn’s back as he was standing up. He stopped just before striking. Thane sighed as the spectators clapped in approval.
Avryn stood up and dusted himself off and then nodded towards Urso. “You are going to knock my arm out of its socket with those blows my friend.”
Urso laughed proudly while he backed away from Avryn, preparing for the next round.
The two men bowed to one another and then began to approach the other once more. Thane noted that Avryn seemed a bit more focused, perhaps due to his bruised posterior.
Urso pointed his staff towards Avryn as they drew together, seeming to bait him for a strike. Avryn grinned and tapped the outstretched staff with his padded sword while the men circled one another. Suddenly Urso jabbed at Avryn, sending him leaping back in defense.
Thane shook his head and frowned.
Urso then raked his staff from side to side, each time pushing Avryn back away from him. The crowd awed as Avryn nearly tripped when he jumped to avoid a blow.
Suddenly, as Urso’s staff passed through the air in front of him, Avryn leapt to the ground and rolled forward, stopping short of Urso’s belly where the tip of his sword now pointed. An assortment of astonished cries spilled forth from the crowd, followed by a rain of applause. Thane yelled and clapped for his father.
“I didn’t realize you were so limber!” Urso declared as he backed away.
Avryn chuckled as he stood up and brushed himself off once again. The two men separated and prepared for the next round.
Thane shifted in his seat and looked at Enid who smiled back at him.
Without warning Urso then emitted a loud yell and charged with his staff held high above his head. Avryn quickly darted to the left and spun to dodge the advance. With a quick swing his sword stopped at Urso’s back, stirring another round of cheers from the spectators.
Thane yelled out at his father who replied with a wink. Urso shook his head in disbelief. He had rushed the attack.
The next round quickly began and a look of determination covered Urso’s face. He slowly crept toward Avryn with the staff to his side, grasped firmly with both hands. Avryn in turn advanced, realizing he was one hit from victory.
They parried for a bit and lightly tapped weapons as they circled one another. Thane wiggled to the edge of his bench, bursting with excitement. “Get him Father!” he yelled.
Startled, Avryn glanced over at Thane and momentarily took his eyes from his opponent while a few laughs spilled forth from the crowd.
Spotting an opening Urso quickly planted the base of his staff in the ground between them and, using it for leverage, leapt towards his opponent. His feet struck Avryn squarely in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. It was a powerful blow and the boisterous crowd replied with awe, clearly not approving of the hit.
Enid muttered quietly to herself, “Oh my.”
Urso took a step back and looked down at Avryn, apparently equally shocked by his actions. The trainer then glanced at the crowd, aware of the lack of applause. He reached out a hand to his fallen opponent.
Avryn grimaced a bit while he regained his bearings. He then smiled and accepted Urso’s hand and climbed to his feet. When they separated Avryn surprisingly clapped his hands in approval of the strike. The crowd responded with a cheer.
Enid breathed a sigh of relief while the men backed away in preparation for the final round. “I don’t think he meant to do that,” she assured quietly. “Certainly not.”
Avryn backed up a few steps when Urso transferred the staff to his right and again approached with his left outstretched. Without warning, Avryn suddenly charged forward.
As they drew near, Urso struck at Avryn with his staff but the King quickly countered by deflecting the weapon upward with a mighty blow. The power of the impact sent the staff high and quickly Avryn tossed his sword forward where it landed behind Urso. In one spectacular instant, Avryn transformed into a sturdy brown ram with large coiled ho
rns, jumped forward and struck Urso squarely in the chest, sending the trainer flying back several feet where he landed with a thud.
The powerful ram then leapt forward, transformed mid-flight back into Avryn and quickly reached for the blade. Within an instant he was standing above Urso, holding the blade to his throat.
A thunderous applause rang forth from the crowd. Thane yelled proudly while Avryn stood up and offered his hand to help Urso to his feet.
Ignoring the gesture, Urso suddenly transformed into a massive brown bear and emitted a deafening roar that forced Avryn to back away. An awkward stillness fell over the arena as the beast and Avryn stared at one another, frozen.
Seconds later Urso transformed back into his human form and relief washed over the crowd. He shook his head and bowed to Avryn, clearly ashamed by his lack of control. Avryn paused and then walked up and patted Urso on the shoulder while whispering something that only the trainer could hear. The men then shared a jovial handshake.
“Come on now,” Enid said to Thane before motioning toward the men. “Let’s go keep the peace.”
***
The morning hours passed by quickly and the sights that had filled Thane’s eyes were more than his imagination could have predicted. He had hardly spoken a word to his father since the fight, only listened as Avryn introduced him to new friends and taught him about an aspect of his world that he was destined to explore.
They sat alone at a table in the dimly lit tavern of the training grounds while they anxiously awaited the afternoon meal. The building was small and capable of holding twenty or so aside from the kitchen staff, and the air was filled with appetizing smells that made his stomach growl. It had been an exciting morning but he was starved.
“Having fun?” Avryn asked with a smile.
“Oh yes!” Thane replied after a brief delay, his attention captivated by his surroundings. “This is much better than schoolwork.”
“Well, tomorrow it’s back to class for you I’m afraid. We can’t make this a routine. Not yet anyway.”
