by B. T. Narro
Reuben aggressively motioned as if he might tackle her. She reeled back with a startled gasp. Reuben stopped and laughed at her.
Her demeanor changed. She let go of her fear as she ran at him. I was hoping to see shock on Reuben’s face, but he appeared bored instead as he swiftly hopped to the side to avoid her predictable stab. He grabbed her hands from her side.
“No!” she yelled as she thrashed to get him off her, but he was much larger and stronger. He ripped the sword out of her grip at the same time that he tripped her over his foot.
“One point for me,” Reuben said as she hit the ground.
The fury dissolved from her small brown eyes as she glanced at Leon nervously. Her wild hair was already in disarray, as if she had been fighting for a lot longer. Or perhaps her hair had already been wild with scattered curls and I just hadn’t noticed it before. Remi had a way of blending in. Whether she wanted to or not, I didn’t know.
Aliana helped Remi up and said something too quiet for the rest of us to hear. Remi nodded.
Reuben offered her back the sword with a look as if she shouldn’t accept it. But she did with a spark in her eyes.
“Go again,” Leon said.
Reuben stood still this time, opening his hands in a taunting shrug. I cringed as Remi ran at him again. She held her sword down at her hips with both hands, making her attack just as obvious as before. She could only stab from here.
Reuben was quick. He dodged to the other side this time as she thrust her weapon at him. It seemed that she was expecting him to go the other way, missing quite far now. Reuben grabbed the hilt over her hands. They started to wrestle just like before. I could see him wrap his foot around behind her, ready to push her over again.
But this time she let him take the sword as she pulled one hand free and slammed her fist into his groin.
The three of us boys watching all let out a sound of pain as Reuben squeaked and doubled over. Even Leon was gritting his teeth as if he felt it. Remi pushed him over, grabbing the sword out of his weak grip as he went down.
The girls cheered. Remi moved the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her face, revealing a small grin. Reuben got to his feet as he huffed in anger. His hands went to his hips as he stood partially doubled over.
“That was an unlawful strike!” he complained and groaned at the same time. “No point.”
“He’s right,” Leon said. “You don’t strike one of your peers in the groin, Remi.”
“Aliana told me to.”
Aliana had her hand over her mouth as she was trying not to grin. She forced her lips flat. “I’m sorry, but it wasn’t mentioned in the rules.”
“Do you think I have to tell the boys not to strike any of you girls in the chest? I didn’t think it needed to be said. I’m disappointed in both of you, Aliana and Remi.”
Reuben appeared rightfully pissed off as he took an aggressive stance. “I’m ready.”
Remi didn’t seem to have any fight left in her, however, probably guilt taking over. “I’m sorry, Reuben.”
“You should give up,” he replied.
Her face hardened. “I won’t.”
“Reuben, take it easy,” I said lightly.
He ignored me, no big surprise. I looked at Leon, hoping he would say something to calm Reuben down.
“At least let them put on protective tunics,” I suggested, gesturing at the garments on the ground near Leon.
“Go,” Leon announced to my dismay.
Reuben was the aggressor this time. He charged at Remi. She swung at him hard enough to bruise his arm if it hit, but Reuben stopped short and let her miss. Then he lowered his shoulder and slammed his body into her.
Remi flew back before she landed with a face of pain.
“Ow,” she mumbled as she seemed to be holding in tears, her arms and shoulders tucked inward. She squirmed, the pain too much for her.
It hurt my heart to watch.
Aliana and Kataleya were quick to crouch over her to see if they could help. Eden, on the other hand, was yelling at Reuben. “What is wrong with you?”
“She’s the one who broke the rules, not me!”
“You’re fine, Remi,” Leon said indifferently. “Get up.”
She was sniffling as Aliana helped her up.
“Are you done?” Leon asked her.
She wiped her eyes. “No,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Don’t be foolish,” he said. “Any man with a sword would’ve at least earned one fair point against an unarmed opponent. Now imagine if you had been allowed to use fire? Reuben wouldn’t have had a chance. Just stick with what you know. You’re actually good with fire. You’re not with a sword.”
“I really think I can learn if I just had some time.”
“But we don’t!” Leon yelled. “How many times do I have to say it? We don’t have time!”
Remi looked furious, to my surprise. “I will get better!”
I offered, “What if she learns quicker than most men? Then we do have the time to teach her.”
“I do learn very fast,” she agreed.
Leon pulled his hands through his hair as he gritted his teeth and contained a scream to a loud groan. “You won’t let this go, will you?”
She shook her head.
“You say you learn fast? Come here then. Bring the sword.”
She jogged over to him. He turned her away from everyone else.
Leon spoke quietly but with aggressive emphasis, moving his shoulders and imitating a swing of a sword. I figured he was finally telling her how to use the weapon. Soon she was imitating him, but he shook his head and took hold of her arms to show her the proper stance.
After a long while, Reuben said, “This is ridiculous. She’s just going to lose again.”
“You’re starting to make me want to learn to fight as well,” Aliana told him.
“Kat, can you please explain to them that melee combat is for men, and all I’m trying to do is show her that? I obviously don’t want to hurt a girl.”
“You could have fooled me,” Kataleya replied.
His eyes widened in shock. “Even you are with them on this?” He shook his head at her.
“Yes, even me.”
“Even unarmed, I could beat the men,” he boasted. “So how do you expect Remi to compete?”
“You could even beat Jon?” Eden asked.
He looked at me with a flame in his eyes, but I challenged him with a raise of my eyebrows and the flame went out.
“Anyone who isn’t bigger than me. It is an easy win for someone of my skill.”
“I’ll fight you,” Michael said as he started toward one of the swords.
“Good,” Reuben replied as he stepped back.
Leon turned around. “What the hell is going on?”
“We’re going to—”
“Shut up and get back,” Leon interrupted Michael. “Go Remi. This is your last chance. First person to score one point wins.”
She held her sword more confidently this time as she faced Reuben.
“Fine,” he said with a shrug, then taunted her to come at him with a motion of his fingers.
I feared Remi might charge again, but she maintained her cool as she stepped toward him. He started to back away cautiously as he tried to figure out her attack, but she didn’t make it clear as she held her sword poised to either swing or stab.
Reuben finally stopped backing away and tried to find his way in. Remi backed up as she swung defensively to keep him away. He leaned back to avoid the blunt wooden tip and started to dart toward her, but she had not swung hard enough to lose her balance. She was ready to stab.
Reuben had fast reflexes, however, jumping back to avoid it at the last moment. He seemed to lose his hubris as he backed away again, his expression determined. She picked up her speed as she walked toward him, but she jumped back when he stepped toward her.
At least Remi didn’t swing a sword at his feint, but she did make it clear s
he was going to swing from her right side. Reuben tested her again, and this time she took the bait as she swung hard. She missed when he stopped short. It looked as if he would tackle her with his shoulder again, but she kicked quickly, striking him in the shin and causing him to stumble. Then she smacked him on his bottom, swinging the sword into him like a paddle. It knocked him flat on the ground, a puff of dirt wafting up around him.
We laughed. Reuben took a handful of dirt and threw it against the ground.
“That was lucky!” he yelled, red-faced.
“Does this mean I can learn sword?” Remi asked Leon.
“Yes, fine.”
Aliana said, “I would like to as well, but I think it’s better for me to practice with bow.”
“As a ranger? It shouldn’t even be a question,” Leon said.
“I’m fine without touching a sword,” Eden said. “I’ll leave it to Remi and the boys, unless you want to, Kataleya?”
“No, I’m happy training with water.”
Reuben went over and picked up a sword. “I challenge you to fight me fairly, Remi.”
“Everyone knows you would win,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I just want to learn, that’s all.”
“All right, the three of you daisies should be practicing.” Leon gestured for Aliana, Eden, and Kataleya to leave. “We’re far enough behind as it is.” He grumbled as he noticed Charlie raising his hand. “What is it?”
“Can I go?” Charlie asked.
“What do you mean can you go?”
“Can I leave?”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t want to waste time learning the sword.”
Leon looked bewildered, then enraged.
“Are you a coward?” he asked.
“That depends on what I’m facing,” Charlie said. I knew he wasn’t trying to be clever, but I wasn’t sure Leon knew that.
Our instructor swiped his hands down his face with a groan, then flung them out at us. “What am I supposed to do with a bunch of daisies?” He waited for an answer. “Come on! Because if you don’t know, I don’t either!”
Charlie was clearly uncomfortable as he glanced at Leon sideways. “So can I go?” he asked quieter this time.
“Are you a man?” Leon yelled.
“Yes.”
“Then you learn to fight with a sword! Oh, Airinold’s taint. What now?”
Leon was looking over my shoulder. I glanced back to see the krepp walking across the courtyard toward us. He had a swagger as he strolled…slowly.
We all turned to him, but he didn’t speak.
“Do you need something, Grufaeragar?” Leon asked. His tone wasn’t exactly polite, but it was probably as close as Leon could manage right now.
The krepp slowly made his way over without answering. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve assumed he enjoyed the attention of us all staring as he stuck out his chest and swayed with each step. Leon was muttering something to himself that I was glad I couldn’t make out.
Grufaeragar finally joined us in our half circle. The girls had remained, against Leon’s wishes, as we waited for the krepp to say something.
“Who is best?” he asked, loud and proud.
“Why?” Leon replied.
“I fight them. For honor!”
Eden seemed to have trouble keeping in her laugher as she held her hand over her mouth. I contained mine to a smile.
“We’re not fighting for honor,” Leon grumbled. “We’re training.”
“What is training?” Grufaeragar asked.
“Practicing,” I explained. “We’re learning.”
The krepp’s lizard face scrunched up. “I don’t understand. Humans train for shouting?”
“What are you saying?” Leon sounded as if he might explode.
I understood Grufaeragar’s question and gave answer, “No, we don’t train by shouting. We are just trying to figure something out.”
“What?” Now Grufaeragar seemed a little irritated. “Who fight me!”
“No one,” Leon said. “We are learning to fight.”
“You fight and you learn. No other way. Your strongest fight me now. He learn.”
“You really want to fight someone, Grufaeragar?” Leon tested.
“Yes!”
“Fine.” Leon snatched up one of the protective leather tunics next to him and started to put it on.
Grufaeragar let out a deep clucking sound that seemed to be a laugh. “What that? Child helper?”
“I don’t know what a child helper is. Are you ready?”
“I am ready.”
“The rules,” I interjected.
Leon cursed the rules. “Just don’t hit try to hit my head. Understand?”
“Yes,” the krepp said, picking up a practice sword.
Leon gestured for the krepp to come at him.
Grufaeragar charged. I had a flashback to the cantar rushing me, the sheer size of both enough to intimidate even the bravest men. Leon, however, stood his ground with confidence.
The krepp swung hard and deftly around the height of Leon’s shoulders. It was too powerful for Leon to hope to block, forcing him to duck under to avoid it. He tried to counter with his own stab, but the krepp was too fast. Grufaeragar swiped his weapon down to deflect the attack. He almost stabbed Leon in the shoulder as both swords came back up, but Leon pushed the wooden tip away with his weapon.
They swiped and prodded, but neither could gain the upper hand. I grew nervous at watching the force at which they attacked one another. This was not a friendly match. It would most likely end with one of them hurt.
Leon was a skilled swordsman, not quite as good as my father, but he could keep up with the stronger creature. Grufaeragar stepped back so he could put momentum into an overhead slash that seemed strong enough to give Leon a concussion if it hit. Leon fell backward to avoid it, shock in his eyes.
“I said no head strikes, you stupid beast!”
I wasn’t sure if the krepp didn’t understand Leon or didn’t care, but he swung his blade down at Leon’s midsection while he was on the ground. Leon rolled out of the way. He had to put his sword up to stop the next attack, but Grufaeragar’s strength was too much, batting Leon’s weapon out of his hand. The point was over, but the krepp didn’t seem interested in stopping the fight.
Leon was back on his feet but without a sword. Grufaeragar charged him as Leon pushed out his hands toward the krepp. A strong gust of wind forced my eyes shut. When I opened them again, Grufaeragar was tumbling backward.
The krepp looked confused as if thinking the wind itself had knocked him over. “What is that?” he asked.
“Was it not obvious enough?” Leon teased. “Maybe you’ll figure it out the second time.”
He blasted the krepp with wind again, rolling him backward. Grufaeragar dropped his sword as he slid and dug the claws of his hands into the dirt to stop himself. He started crawling against the wind toward Leon, who showed no fear as he walked up to Grufaeragar.
“You smell like a swamp,” Leon said. “You could use a bath.”
He pushed out his hands. A large jet of water shot into the krepp’s face. Grufaeragar started to scream in clear anger, but the water went into his mouth and turned the sound into gurgling. He lost his hold on the earth and rolled backward.
Leon was just pissing off the krepp more. I was too horrified to know how to de-escalate this. It never should’ve happened in the first place, but it was too late now.
“Stop! Stop!” the king was shouting as he ran in from behind us.
Leon’s chest heaved as he put an end to his water spell. “He made someone duel him,” Leon explained. “Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
The krepp pushed himself up and charged Leon.
“It’s over!” Leon said as he backed away and put his hands up.
The krepp jumped incredibly high and far, his enormous shadow falling over Leon before he came down on the instructor. Grufaeragar easily swept Leon
’s hands out of the way and wrapped his strong fingers around Leon’s neck.
“You lose now, cheat!” Grufaeragar yelled with the fury of an enraged beast. I doubted he would be able to see reason at this point.
I was running over by then. The last thing I wanted was to try to force the krepp off Leon, but something had to be done.
“Grufaeragar, the duel is over!” I said.
“Grufaeragar, get off of him!” the king yelled.
Leon tried to pry the krepp’s hands off of his neck, but Grufaeragar was far too strong. Leon started making a choking sound, but he looked more angry than afraid. He probably knew he could force the beast off with sorcery but didn’t want to cast again unless absolutely necessary.
I tried to nudge the krepp off using my shoulder, but he swung his elbow into my stomach with startling speed. I lost the wind from my lungs as I fell back and started to gasp for breath.
Leon stopped trying to fight the krepp physically and blasted him with wind again, but all it did was sit both of them upright. The krepp’s hand never left his throat. Now Leon started to panic as his face lost color.
Reuben rushed over with one of the training swords and started beating the krepp’s back with it, like trying to drive in a stake to hold down a tent. If it bothered the krepp even a little, he didn’t show it.
Everyone was screaming by then for Grufaeragar to get off Leon. I was still trying to breathe.
Reuben shifted and struck the krepp square in the back of his bald head. There was a GUNK sound, as if he had struck hollow wood.
The krepp yelled out in fury as he swiped at Reuben with the claws of his right foot. He moved so fast I hardly saw it happen. Reuben fell back with a dramatic scream, his hands over his bloodied leg with his pants torn around the gash.
The krepp then jumped on Reuben and got both hands around his neck. Reuben’s face turned white as he tried to scream.
Leon sat up coughing, clearly unable to do anything. I was still having trouble finding my own breath with a severe pain in my stomach. I stumbled over in hopes of helping anyway.
I grabbed the krepp by his shoulders. “It’s over, Grufaeragar!” I wheezed out as I pulled on him hard.