by Tony Roberts
Faer got to her feet slowly. Her back was agony. She straightened and thought that was not a wise move. Shards of pain shot through her. Seltonas opened the other shutters and then went to the middle of the room. “I suppose you’ll want another break.” He said it in such a manner as to make it sound like an insult.
“No.”
“No, what?”
“Master,” she said through clenched teeth. “Must have annoyed you, me taking one of them out.”
“Not particularly. I was pleased in fact; taught them not to be so smug. A sharp lesson for them.”
“So what use is it teaching them to use air to detect people with?”
Seltonas walked around her. “They are assassins. This school employs some for missions kings or nobles pay us for. It helps keep this place in money.”
“I thought this school used blades for noble means. Nothing much noble in assassins, is there?”
Seltonas folded his arms. “Search deep down inside yourself; do you really think assassins are not of use? Dark elves use them all the time.”
Faer regarded her tutor. “I’m not just a dark elf, Master; I’m also human.”
“True, but I’m not interested in your human side. Humans are as common as fleas on a dog’s hide. Nothing out of the ordinary about humans. I wouldn’t waste my time on any of them. No, it’s your dark elf side I’m interested in, and only that.”
“So you are interested in me, then. Do you goad me to try to bring my elf side to the fore, or are you just insufferable as a matter of course?”
Seltonas looked at her for a moment, then snorted. “You are disrespectful. I shall punish you for that. You will address me as Master, no matter what.”
“Yes, Master. So, are you normally insufferable, Master?”
“By Thirwelath, you’re pushing your luck! Want more punishment?”
“I’m a dark elf; you said so yourself. We’re supposed to thrive on punishment, aren’t we? So go ahead, Master, punish me. I might get to enjoy it.” She smiled at him.
Seltonas looked confused for a moment, then he grunted in amusement. “For the first time you’ve actually said something I find funny.”
“Oh? Master, your mask is slipping.” She continued smiling.
“Initiate, remember your place. Don’t try anything with me, it will not work. I will punish you but not in the way you might wish.”
“Of course, Master.”
Seltonas walked to one end of the room and sat down. “Now we’ve touched on your unusual abilities, and hopefully shown you that they are of no use to you here, we now go to the everyday tiresome moves. Stance!”
She picked up her sword and stood ready, facing him.
“You are not holding a flag on coronation day; you are about to face a bigger opponent who wants to cut your head off. Now try, and I know this may be beyond you, but please try and look as if you’re being serious.”
Faer gave him an unamused look and imagined Seltonas was an enemy and how she would face him. She bent her legs slightly and pushed her sword out further from her face.
“Better, but you need a more balanced stance. The most important part of any fight is balance. You have to push through your feet into the ground; this gives you purchase, thrust, the ability to avoid an enemy’s strike and so on.” He approached, his own sword-stick dangling loosely in his hand. “Your right leg, for example, is far too bent.” He whacked it.
“Ow!”
“Straighten it slightly. Hmm, better. So, feel the floor beneath your foot. Now, you will be able to push through it to move suddenly or transfer your weight to the other foot without slipping or any loss in time. Often, the difference between two opponents is a mere fraction of a heartbeat. You gain such moments by having better balance.”
“Your bottom.” Whack!
“Ow!” Faer glared at her tutor.
“Your bottom looks too big in that stance. Tuck it in, make it less of a target. You are in combat, not on a date.”
“Ooh, you’re not being very complimentary, Master.”
Seltonas raised an eyebrow. “You want compliments? Very well; you look great as an easy target, Initiate.”
Faer concentrated, then sniggered, then tried to stop, but burst out laughing. She sat down and laughed and laughed until her stomach could take no more. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she wiped them away. She was still chuckling as she got to her feet.
Seltonas was glaring at her. “I am trying to make you into a warrior, not a court jester.”
“Sorry, Master. Tension. It’s been a little overwhelming this morning.” She drew in a deep breath and tried to feel as balanced as possible. She looked over her tutor’s shoulder.
“You’d be best looking at me when I address you, Initiate.”
“Sorry Master, but I think I’ll laugh if I look at your face.” She smirked.
Seltonas sucked in a deep breath. “I think your excruciating efforts at witticisms should be best saved until you look in a mirror. I do not appreciate your dark elf humour. You’re in enough trouble as it is without wading any deeper into the mire.”
“Master.”
“Very well. Now, I am about to strike. Defend yourself.”
Whack! “Ow!”
“Wake up, Initiate!”
Whack! “Ouch!”
And so it went on.
THIRTEEN
At least she remembered to take her knife to lunch. Her bottom was tender and she gingerly sat down. The others were all there and looked at her in sympathy. “Old Grumpy giving you a hard time?”
Faer nodded. “He’s dangerous with that wooden sword. I think every muscle I have has been whacked.”
Limkel gave her a look on consolation and looked across at Pappis. “We had a fun morning, dodging swinging weights. Poor Pappis here got a right old thump on the neck; thought his teeth were going to come out.”
“Felt like it. At least I got attention from Quenia here,” he grinned at the red-headed girl.
Quenia smiled briefly, then sent a challenging look at Faer. Faer looked away. She really didn’t want to get into any imagined love tug with another woman. “Been a little heavy on the fragrances, Faer?” she asked. “It smells like a noblewoman’s bedroom.”
“Oh, does it?” she sniffed herself. “Thought it was alright.”
“Smells alright to me too,” Limkel observed, “and I’m next to her. What you say, Pappis?”
Pappis glanced at Quenia who gave him a look that could have shrivelled him on the spot. Limkel grinned and looked at Faer who looked wildly at Pappis. “Oh, probably a little too much,” Pappis said, winking at Faer with the eye furthest away from Quenia.
Quenia looked a little mollified and gave Faer a triumphant look. Faer lowered her head. The lunch was a bread and soup course. At the end Blademaster Territus stood and rapped his glass to get attention. “Two matters have arisen this morning. Both concern the same person. Our new initiate is from this moment on to be known as Dark Blade, so please cease addressing her by her old name. Secondly, Initiate Dark Blade is to report to my office immediately after lunch. Dismissed.”
“Wow, Faer – uh, Blade? Alright to call you that?” Limkel asked.
Faer, or Blade, nodded.
“Blade – I like that. Wow you must have ticked off Seltonas; being summoned to the boss’s office means trouble. What did you do?”
She stood up as the assembly began to file out. “I think I must have said something disrespectful.”
“Oh in that case you’ll be for it; they’re keen on discipline here. Mouthing off will get you in deep trouble. Good luck,” he said and left. Pappis gave her a wink again; Quenia laughed in her face and Grange ruffled her hair. “Good girl,” he rumbled and followed the others out.
Faer rearranged her hair, took a deep breath and went out into the afternoon sun. Blademaster Territus passed her and beckoned to the girl. Faer dutifully followed. There was no sign of Seltonas. In the Blademaster’s office once more, F
aer idly looked at the collection of books, trying to read the titles.
“Interested in books, Dark Blade?”
“Oh, yes, Master. I never had much chance to read in my childhood, just a few old messages washed up on shore from time to time that fascinated me.”
“Be that as it may, I have received a poor report from Swordmaster Seltonas concerning your conduct this morning. You know we cannot tolerate disrespect from any student here.”
Faer looked at the grey-haired man. “I know – I’m sorry Master. I suppose I was still upset from the dark elf side of me being summoned.”
“That’s what I suggested to Seltonas. He had complained about you answering him back. Keep silent, but if you must speak, please do so with respect. I will not be able to keep on defending you. Seltonas believes you are a risk to the males here.”
“Master? What?”
Territus leaned back. “You know, until I saw your other side, I did not believe such stories. But I did see something that made me think you could be a problem to the male students here. We do not want any incidents. The students are here to learn, and to become adept swordsmen – or women. Our reputation is such that people expect former students of Kaltinar to be experts. Should a student be too distracted by one of the other students, it could affect their studies. You understand what I’m trying to say, Dark Blade?”
Faer thought for a moment. “Are you asking me not to get romantically involved with anyone, Master?”
Territus inclined his head. “I would rather ask than have to order.”
She sighed and looked at the ceiling. “It’s always something, Master. I never asked to be like this – in fact I would so prefer to have been a full human. I would not have endured all these years of hatred from the villagers. I would now probably be with a man beginning a family, happily cooking meals for my man when he comes back from catching fish in the sea.” She bit her bottom lip. “You know, it’s not that long since my mother died, and since then I’ve seemed to have been pushed from one place to another, not being able to settle down anywhere. Not even here; I’m not liked by some, again because of what I am. I never wanted to be heiress to the throne of Keria, Blademaster. It’s laughable isn’t it, me! I mean look at me! Queen of the dark elves? Me? I can’t even hold a sword right.” She burst into tears.
Territus sighed. He looked up to the ceiling. “Oh to heck with it,” and got up, going round his desk, he put his arms round her. Next moment she was crushing his tunic and bawling her eyes out into his best outfit. He held her close and waited till the sobs had died down. He held her at arm’s length and regarded her. “Better?”
“Mmm,” she nodded. “Master. Thank you.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I think I’m still missing mother. I’ll try to be a good student, Master, I’ll really try. I don’t know if I’ll be any good though. I think Swordmaster Seltonas is worried I’ll spoil his reputation of producing great swordsmen.”
“That’s not quite the story, but maybe one of the reasons.” The Blademaster sat back down. “I don’t want to hear of any more spats between the two of you, though. He is your Master, superior and teacher. Even though you might want to scream and rant and rave, please save it until you get to your room.”
Faer nodded. Then she had a thought. “He said the school here is funded well. Do you have a place where valuables are stored?”
Territus became a little cautious. “Why do you ask?”
“Master – I have two items I need to hide away. Uh – they are valuable.”
“Oh? And what may these be, Initiate Dark Blade?”
She produced her knife and sliced the hem of her jacket. Two objects dropped into her hand and she placed them on the desk. Territus’ eyes widened. He stared in disbelief for a moment, then looked up at her.
“Where did you get these?”
“An adventure on the way here. Ruins. Some nest a great bird had. I know what they are, the thing is can you store them for me, Master?”
Territus sucked on his lower lip. “The ruby isn’t much of a problem, but this veinstone… its beyond valuable.”
“Can you – turn it into coins?”
“You would trust the school to broker them for you?”
Faer shrugged. “I won’t need the funds while I’m here, but I’ll need money once I leave. If you turn it into coin I will have something to live off for a while.”
The Blademaster scratched his head. “Do you know what banks do? Yes? Well, we have banks around the world we trade with and use. I can disperse funds from these in various places for you. If a large pot of money suddenly turns up in one place, people start asking questions. A veinstone can only be sold in a few places without question, and these are in shady places. We will do what we can; I have many merchant contacts. It is necessary in our position, I’m sure you appreciate that. I will set up an account for you and no matter where you are in the world, you’ll have access to the funds you deposit. And believe me, they will be substantial. You could fund a war with these.”
“So I am led to believe.” She looked at him. “Oh, don’t go thinking I’m going to hire a load of soldiers to invade Keria. I’d rather leave it to someone else; but I need funds to help track down what happened to father. Do you know what he did after leaving here?”
Territus shook his head. “Perhaps one day you’ll learn of that. In the meantime I’ll bank these and get our agents to convert these as appropriate. You do know don’t you, there’ll be commission fees and agent fees.”
“For the school?”
“Amongst others, yes.”
“Well, in that case enjoy the new money.” She smiled hesitantly. “At least I’ve been of some use then.”
“Thank you Dark Blade. Maybe you might find more treasure in the future? So – best you get to Swordmaster Seltonas sooner rather than later, since you don’t want to invoke any more displeasure.”
“Yes, Master.” She turned and walked out. Territus shook his head, then poked and prodded the gems. Odd how things come about.
It was after dinner that Faer took Limkel aside. “Can you show me where everything is? I really don’t know my way round here and if someone asks me to go here or fetch something from there I won’t know.”
Limkel nodded, taking her by the arm. “Well let’s see.” He stood on the grassy practice area. He turned her to the left. “Now over there is the water supply. Well goes down a hundred feet. Actually its part of an underground spring. Tunnels down there and people go there to bathe. Great fun. Best in winter when we’re freezing our bits off and the water is warm. We can go there if you like. You got a drying cloth and bathing outfit?”
She shook her head.
“Alright, get them from the launderette.” He pointed to a collection of buildings next to the well. “Storehouse for outdoor items like the winches and ropes, rails and so on. Blacksmith’s next to that. Always got the forge going, that’s what makes the banging noise. There’s the stables with the horses.” He then nodded to the semi-circular array of doors ahead of them. “Accommodation of the students you know. To the right the offices, library, halls and indoor practice areas. Lots of rooms, don’t know where half of them are or what they have in them. To the right; laundrette, armoury, exit to the road.”
“What do you do for fun here?”
“Fun? Aw, this is a school. We aren’t allowed to enjoy ourselves. Actually people sneak into other people’s rooms at night for, y’know.”
“I can guess. Anyone get caught?”
“Oh yes, they put guards on duty after a few occasions a few years back, so I’m told. They stopped it when they found the guards joining in too. Think the school tries to pretend it doesn’t take place now.”
Faer snorted. “It seems to happen an awful lot.” She decided to confide in the boy. “I’ve been especially banned for doing anything like that.”
“Eh? How come?”
She saw a bench to the left and led him over to it. A few guards p
assed by and they exchanged smiles or nods. Sitting down, Faer thought about how to best put it into words. “I’m part dark elf, and they are apparently very – good at that sort of thing. So much so they make slaves out of people, especially humans. They take humans prisoner, seduce them, and then the humans never want to escape.” She shrugged. “They worry I might have some of that skill, so they’ve asked me not to do it while I’m here.”
Limkel whistled. “Wow. You mean you could be a mind blowing experience at sex?”
“Possibly – I don’t know.”
“Love to find out.”
Faer shot him a really severe look.
Limkel flapped his hands. “Didn’t mean to make it sound that bad, Blade, honest.”
She put her head in her hands and looked at the ground. “Limkel – you could well end up being my slave, not wanting to do anything other than obey my every wish, following me around and that sort of thing. They’d throw both of us out of the school. I can’t afford to have that happen to me.”
“But you don’t know that’ll happen for sure. Why don’t you test it out on someone?”
“Limkel! You’re playing with someone’s life,” she looked at him sharply. “That’s never a good thing. And I can tell you I’d get fed up with someone following me around like some love-struck idiot. No, it’s best I don’t. I’m telling you this so you understand if I turn you down. You seem keen on me and I don’t know whether it’s because you just like me or you actually want to tumble with me. Or both. I don’t know; I’ve not had much experience with boys.”
Limkel nodded. “Alright, since you’ve been honest with me, both Pappis and me really like you. We were talking about it today. You’re a cracking good looking girl. So naturally we got to talking about you.”
“Oh heck – what about Quenia? She’ll go mad if she finds out.”