The Prince of Warwood and The Rise of the Chosen

by J. Noel Clinton

Xavier looked up at Drew. “Thanks for that,” he whispered.

  “Anytime. Besides, it’s my fault Jonas is targeting you.” Drew shrugged. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s not your fault Jonas is a jackass. Forget about it.”

  The older boy snickered. “Well, just let me know if he bothers you anymore. You can sit next to me and Seth if you want.”

  “Is there room for Garrett?” Xavier asked.

  “Sure,” Drew agreed, waving Garrett over to them.

  Following math class, Xavier wandered into the cafeteria with Drew, Seth, and Garrett and paused inside the doorway to search for the rest of his friends.

  “Move it, Prince of Pissants,” Jonas spat, shoving Xavier out of his way and he fell hard to the linoleum floor.

  There was a blur of action as Drew turned, tackled Jonas to the floor, and repeatedly pounded him. One of Jonas’ friends, a boy Xavier recognized from the Dark Army, started to pull Drew off of him, but Seth intercepted him.

  “He’s a big boy. Let him fight his own battles,” he hissed, yanking the other boy away from Drew.

  “What on Earth is going on?” Headmaster Spencer blared, moving quickly toward the ruckus. “Andrew Hardcastle! Jonas McKnight! Break it up!”

  The boys didn’t seem to hear him and continued to wrestle around on the floor until Michael bullied between them and tossed Andrew off of Jonas. Xavier was impressed by his uncle’s strength, and the crowd of children watching the ruckus groaned with appreciation.

  “I said, break it up!” Michael shouted loudly. “Now, what is going on here?”

  “He started it, Headmaster!” Jonas spat. “Xavier fell over his own feet and Drew just attacked me!”

  “That’s bullshit!” Andrew shouted.

  “Andrew! Watch your language!”

  “Well, it is,” Drew responded, his voice slightly calmer. “He put his slimy hands on the prince and knocked him to the floor for no reason other than to mess with him. Ask them!” Drew told him, gesturing to the others.

  Michael looked at Xavier and Garrett expectantly.

  “It’s true, Headmaster Spencer. I saw Jonas do it,” Garrett responded.

  “Liar!” Jonas spat.

  “All right! That’s enough. Mr. McKnight, you will come with me to my office. Mr. Hardcastle, get some lunch, but I want to see you during break,” Michael ordered.

  “Yes, sir,” Drew replied meekly.

  Michael Spencer turned and with Jonas’ arm clutched in his hand, led him out of the cafeteria.

  “Thanks, Drew,” Xavier whispered as they made their way to the growing lunch line. “I hope you don’t get into too much trouble because of it.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’re mates, right? I stick up for my friends,” the older boy told him before moving into line with Seth.

  “Xavier! Xavier! Wait up!”

  He turned as Daniel fought his way toward him through the crowded cafeteria.

  “Hey, Daniel.”

  “Did you see that?” he blurted in awe. “My dad tossed that big kid like he was a feather!”

  “Yeah, I saw,” Xavier noted, humoring the smaller boy.

  “Boy, he’s really strong!” Daniel continued, following Xavier into line for food.

  “Yeah, he is,” he answered.

  “Dad said you were sick yesterday. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine, Daniel,” he responded, eying Garrett, who stifled a snicker.

  Daniel’s eyes settled on Garrett. “Oh, hi, Garrett.”

  “Hey, Daniel. How’s it going?” he responded with a smile.

  “Great!” Daniel chirped before turning his attention back to Xavier. “Hey Xavier, whatcha doing after school today? Do you want to come to my house and play?” he asked eagerly.

  Garrett didn’t even attempt to smother his laughter this time and Xavier gave his friend a quick warning jab to the ribs. “Ah well, I can’t. I sort of have plans with Robbie.”

  “Oh. What are you guys going to do? Can I come?”

  “Not this time, Daniel. It’s a...well... it’s sort of a date,” he told the smaller boy.

  “Oh,” he replied, looking like a wounded puppy.

  “Sorry, cousin,” he added patting the younger boy’s shoulder. Feeling sorry for the little guy, he continued without thinking, “Maybe Robbie wouldn’t mind stopping by afterwards though. Would that be okay?”

  Daniel grinned, his entire face lighting up. “Yeah, that would be great! Thanks!”

  Chapter 18: Special Treatment

  Following lunch, Xavier walked with dread to his next class. After all the catastrophes involving his abilities in the past four weeks, he desperately wanted to avoid using his powers whenever and wherever possible, but this would be problematic in his afternoon empowerment classes, where he was not only expected to conjure his abilities, but also to control them.

  Unfortunately, Xavier’s first empowerment class would be telepathy with his father. He was scared to death to even think about what would happen if he conjured the ability after yesterday, but he didn’t have much of a choice. He either had to summon his telepathy during the lesson, or he would face his father’s wrath. Contemplating his choices, Xavier moseyed down the hall before finally concluding that refusing to use his abilities and facing a row with the king would be the lesser of two evils. With a shaky breath, he entered the small classroom that had been reserved for their lesson. His father was already there. He stood staring out the window at the flowering courtyard.

  Without turning, Jeremiah called, “Hello, son.”

  “Hey,” Xavier began grumpily.

  Jeremiah turned and pinned him with a puzzled look. “Why are you worried about doing this lesson, son?”

  Xavier felt the coolness in his bones too late.

  “Dad! God! Do we have to start the moment I walk through the door?” he spat.

  “Do you think Fox LeMasters will give you time to prepare?”

  “Of course not! I’m not an idiot! Geez! But this is only our third lesson, and you’re my dad, not Fox! Don’t be such a…a…tosser,” he blurted. He wasn’t sure what a tosser was, but he recalled Court calling Drew that once when he was bossing him around.

  “If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re intentionally starting an argument with me. Now, why would you want to do something like that?” his father’s face was calm and passive, but the edge in his voice contradicted his composed exterior.

  “I don’t know! Maybe it’s because you’re an irritating...”

  “Do NOT finish that sentence, young man,” the king barked. “Now, sit.” He pointed to the chair in front of him.

  Xavier immediately complied. He wasn’t so sure he had it in him to intentionally start a fight with his father after yesterday.

  “Why would you want to fight with me?” he asked.

  “Shit!” Xavier thought bitterly. “Who says I wanted a...”

  “You did, son. Okay, what’s going on?” he asked, sitting across from him.

  “Nothing,” he mumbled.

  “Xavier,” Jeremiah warned.

  “I just don’t feel like having a telepathy lesson after spending all day with my head ready to explode. I’m not sure how well I’d do after that.”

  “You’ll do the best you can, Xavier,” his father told him patiently.

  “But, Dad...” He knew that he had to give his father a bit of truth in order to get out of the lesson. “I haven’t been able to connect with my telepathy since my illness yesterday!”

  “What?” Jeremiah hissed softly. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sure it’s just temporary like the last time I got sick, but I just can’t do it right now,” he told him.

  After a long moment of studying him, the king gave him a small smile and nodded. “You’re probably right. Let’s cancel your lessons for today. Be ready to go tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Dad,” he sighed.

  For the most part, the rest of the d
ay went well. His empowerment teachers didn’t expect much from him his first day back to class. So Xavier entered the last class of the day feeling pretty confident that he would make it through the entire day without having to conjure a single power. After all, he wouldn’t be required to make use of his powers in fencing class, right?

  “Good afternoon class!” Ephraim bellowed jovially. “I’m sorry our class had to be cancelled yesterday, but an emergency required my immediate attention.”

  Xavier’s face ignited as he shifted uncomfortably. No one had to tell him that he had been Ephraim’s emergency.

  “So let me give you an idea of what my plans are for fencing class this term,” he stated.

  “Sir Hardcastle? Why are we still taking fencing lessons when William LeMasters is dead? Isn’t the whole Dark King and Dark Army thing over with now?” a year five student asked.

  “Well,” Ephraim sighed as he hoisted himself up to sit on the end of a table. “Your parents may not want you to know this, but the coming war will not be fought just by your parents. You have a right to know. The Dark King is not dead! William LeMasters was never the Dark King. It has always been his son, Fox LeMasters.”

  There was a sudden burst of murmuring from the class. Ephraim held up his hand for silence.

  “Now, Fox is only seventeen but he grows stronger each day, and one day, he will come for our kingdom. He will come for King Wells and Prince Xavier. We must be prepared to do our part to protect our kings, our kingdom, and our families,” Ephraim stated, pausing to allow the news to sink in. “Now, are you ready to continue with your training?”

  “Yes, sir!” the group chanted, and Ephraim smiled.

  “But, sir. If the Dark King still exists, then where is the Chosen. I mean, He’s the one who’s supposed to stop the Dark King and save us from the dark rule. Is he a coward or something? Is that why we have to do all the work for him?” Jonas asked somewhat smugly.

  Ephraim’s eyes burrowed into the older boy. “Mr. McKnight, the Chosen could be a child and not ready to take on the burden of his destiny. So until he is properly trained and ready for the responsibilities of his role, he will remain anonymous.”

  “Wait, you mean, you know who the Chosen is, and he’s a kid here at the Academy?”

  “I didn’t say I knew who he was, Jonas. I was simply giving you a hypothetical reason for your accusation. Even if I did know the identity of the Chosen, I couldn’t answer your question.” Ephraim turned to the rest of the class as he continued, “Besides, it’s our duty as Warwoodians to do our part to protect the kingdom. Understand?”

  The class nodded enthusiastically, several glaring at Jonas, clearly disgruntled.

  “Now, during this term we will continue to perfect our fencing techniques and work on integrating empowerments during sword battles. With that said, before you leave here today, you must get a medical release form from me for your parents to sign.”

  “Medical release?” a girl asked, shaken. “Why do we need medical releases?”

  The general smiled reassuringly. “It’s nothing to fret over. It’s just a precaution. Now, are you ready to get started?”

  The group nodded again, less enthusiastically.

  “Good. In today’s lesson we’ll be reviewing and practicing a skill we learned while at King’s Mountain: using an electro force as part of a carefully orchestrated sword fight. So, everyone pair up and put on your protective gear.”

  As the group quickly paired up, Drew moved to stand next to Xavier. “Want to be partners?” he asked.

  “Yeah...”

  “Sorry, Andrew. You need to partner up with Jonas. I’m Xavier’s partner. I have orders to train him personally,” Ephraim told his son.

  “Orders?” Xavier gasped.

  He nodded. “Yes, young sire. As future king, you must have impeccable fighting techniques. You’ll only learn that by training with a skilled, experienced swordsman.” Ephraim smiled and bowed playfully.

  “Great,” Xavier thought with sudden panic. “How can I possibly avoid using my powers if I’m partnered up with General Hardcastle?”

  As Xavier slipped on his padded vest and helmet, Ephraim turned to the rest of the class and announced, “Before you get started, I’d like everyone to watch as Prince Xavier and I demonstrate. Xavier has had some experience with using this technique in real combat, so I want you to watch what he does and critique it. What does he do that is successful? What can he improve upon? Does he at any time over-extend himself or open his body up for a mortal wound? Understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” the group chimed together and moved to form a circle around the general and the prince.

  “Your sword, Your Highness,” Ephraim called, dutifully presenting Xavier with a sword.

  He took the sword with dread. He was going to make a fool of himself! He couldn’t use his electro force, and without it, Ephraim would surely pulverize him in front of the entire class.

  “En guarde!” Ephraim barked, getting into position.

  Xavier flipped his mask down and assumed his fighting stance.

  General Hardcastle immediately lunged, and Xavier stumbled backwards, off-balance.

  “Watch your balance, boy!” he barked, straightening and backing off to allow Xavier to regain his composure before assuming his battle stance. “En guarde!”

  Xavier inhaled deeply and prepared himself. Again, the general attacked first. He parried and countered the attack, but Ephraim batted away his sword as if it was nothing more than a chopstick.

  “Come on, Prince Wells. Use your electro force to stun me,” he hissed as he lunged again.

  He barely managed to defend himself and stammered, “But...I...I’m not allowed. I’ll get in trouble.”

  Ephraim withdrew from the attack and straightened, looking down at the boy, a bit confused.

  “Xavier, this is your training. You’re expected to use your powers.”

  “But what if I hurt someone?”

  “You won’t. I have blocking abilities. Now, give me a good fight worthy of a king, Your Highness!” the general finished sternly and readied himself to fight again.

  He hesitated. Would he be able to control the force once he conjured it? Would it even present itself? It appeared he didn’t have a choice but to try. Ephraim expected him to use it during their spar.

  “That puny thing couldn’t beat a flea in a wrestling match, let alone give General Hardcastle a good fight,” Jonas chortled to the boy next to him, who burst into laughter.

  Xavier felt hot anger surge through him and he turned back to Ephraim, determined to give him what he had asked for, “a good fight worthy of a king.”

  “Yes, sir,” he whispered, and this time, he attacked Ephraim.

  He initiated the attack with a simple lunge with his sword that Ephraim easily parried and countered. Xavier took a step backwards as the general came at him and managed to chop the general’s sword aside. To his relief, the electro force materialized without effort, and he pelted it at Ephraim, sending him staggering backwards. Xavier took advantage of the general’s loss of balance and swung his sword, but Ephraim was a superior swordsman. Before Xavier could complete his back swing, the general had his balance back, parried Xavier’s attack, spun, and with a move that could only have come with years of training, countered with an attack of his own. In the blink of an eye, Xavier found himself on his back with a sword hovering over his heart.

  Ephraim smiled and help him to his feet. “Not bad...but we’ve got a lot of work to do, Your Highness.” He bowed his head slightly in respect before turning to the class. “What did you see?”

  “A bloody awesome counter, sir,” Drew responded in awe, and the class joined in with a similar sentiment.

  Ephraim smiled and Xavier could tell he was pleased to have impressed his oldest son, but he continued firmly, “Thanks, but I meant about the prince.”

  Jonas spoke up next. “Xavier is a shitty swordsman, and it’s amazing he lived through his swo
rd fight with William LeMasters.”

  There were a few snickers at this, but the majority of the class simply glared at Jonas.

  “Mr. McKnight, can you reword your comment into something constructive so that we may have a specific area Prince Wells can work on?” the general asked stonily.

  Jonas faltered. He hadn’t intended on giving any real suggestions; he had only wanted to belittle Xavier. “Well...” he began, trying to come up with something, “well, he was off balance...at first.”

  “That’s right, but I’ve already pointed that out to him. Is there something else?” He continued.

  “I think he did bloody brilliant for a thirteen-year-old kid against a fully grown man,” Drew commented, winking at Xavier.

  “Yeah,” Seth Brown agreed. “But he needs to be less hesitant in using his abilities in battle. If he hesitates in a battle, he could die.”

  “Yes, excellent insight, Mr. Brown,” Ephraim responded. “Anyone else?”

  Xavier timidly raised his hand and Ephraim looked down at him in surprise. “Yes?”

  “I need to learn more fencing techniques. You’re obviously bigger and stronger. I need to learn ways to fight people with finesse since I can’t count on brute force,” Xavier commented.

  “Excellent suggestion, Xavier!” he stated with a grin and turned to the group. “All right, the rest of you get with your partner and give it a try. Remember to develop your blocking force before you begin, but keep in mind that in battle, conjuring a block isn’t always possible nor is it always effective. Okay, get started.” He turned back to Xavier. “All right sire. Let’s go over a couple of techniques that might help when fighting a stronger, bigger opponent.”

  For the remaining period, Ephraim showed him the moves and had him practice them several times. At dismissal, he gave the prince homework.

  “Now, I want you to practice these moves thoroughly at home tonight.” He grinned. “Try them out on your father. Then tomorrow, you and I will have another bout and see if you can stay on your feet longer.”

  “Yes, sir. But you know, I could surprise you tomorrow. You might be the one lying on the floor,” he ribbed.