The Last Swordsman

by Benjamin Corman

  The lot of them laughed but did as the small man had instructed. The group dispersed, though they all knew they’d meet up again tomorrow. It had become a routine. One that for Nikolis had become very important. It was familiar – it made him feel comfortable.

  “I hear another Lord is paying his liege a visit,” Jak said as he and Nikolis made their way down a keep hall.

  “Really? I heard nothing of it.” Jak always seemed to get the gossip first. Nikolis wasn’t sure whether it was because he was in the right place at the right time, or if it was that he was simply better at eavesdropping. “Who? When?”

  Jak shook his head. “I’m not sure, that’s all I’ve heard as of yet. But supplies are moving from the cellar, and things are being prepared.”

  Nikolis hadn’t noticed any of that. He was lost in thought about it as he rounded a corner, and so didn’t even notice a pair of girls coming in the opposite direction. He bumped into the foremost of them and managed to knock her off her feet.

  He bent down immediately and helped her up, then bowed and averted his eyes when he saw her face. “I apologize, My Lady. Forgive my clumsiness.”

  The face of Karlene Ryland had a small flush of color to it, as Nikolis looked up. “I-I’m sorry,” he stammered, again. Waves of auburn hair framed her face, and almond eyes regarded him. The pink of her lips, her delicate mouth, the spray of freckles across the bridge of her nose; they were all so beautiful. He knew it now – boyish reluctance no longer hindered his thoughts.

  “It was an honest mistake,” Ellie Arbor, the girl beside her, said. She had brown hair, straight cut at her forehead and shoulders. Not the elegance of Karlene. She elbowed her friend, who had been staring off, in the ribs.

  “Yes, no harm,” said Karlene. She was looking at Nikolis, and he at her. Their eyes met. He averted his gaze.

  “Come, Karry,” Ellie said. “Come on.”

  “Yes,” Karlene said, as if waking from a dream. “Yes, in the future I would suggest you watch yourself, sir. Watch where you are going.”

  Nikolis’ heart sunk. He lowered his head and let his shoulders drop. “Yes, My Lady.”

  “Yes, well good day to you.”

  “Good day,” said Nikolis, followed quickly by Jak.

  Karlene started to move off with Ellie. “Good day,” she said, looking back at him. Not at the two of them, not at Jak, but at Nikolis. There was the slightest of smiles on her face. As the two girls rounded the corner at the end of the hall, he thought he heard giggles. Am I imaging things?

  Jak arched an eyebrow. “What was that all about?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “Oh, nuthin’,” said Jak, and Nikolis was relieved that he did not push the issue any further.

  As the weeks passed his strength grew, and Nikolis got back to his training. He carried about sacks of grain to strengthen his arms, ran through the hoops on the ground with great nimbleness, and worked his sword with whoever would challenge him. He even started to spar with Andrew Dubrey on occasion. Though the man was much taller, and more skilled, Nikolis learned more from him than he ever would from his peers. He had already bested most of them, and they provided little challenge.

  “Keep it high,” Andrew would say, as they moved about in a circle. “Don’t let it drop. Easier to bring your blade down to meet your foe, than to heft it up. Always at the ready, always up.”

  Andrew would train with Kelson as well, and he often took the two of them aside. He would spar against one of them or watch them spar with each other. Always giving encouragement, always giving the most insightful criticism.

  Arthur Drennen often circled about as they trained, hands clutched behind his back, nodding his approval or shaking his head in disappointment. Nikolis saw less and less of the man now, as he spent his time with a new generation of nobles’ children and future soldiers and guardsmen. But, sooner or later, especially when Nikolis was at the sword, he would appear and put his own thoughts in.

  With the exception of Kelson, who he thought he was getting to know better, the boys continued to resent the fact that someone of such low birth was among them, never mind that he appeared to be their better at the blade.

  Since his encounter with Erad, Nikolis was now more wary of any attacks that might come unexpected. More than once he noted that several of the boys carried knives at their waists or in their boots. Not the simple tool that any man in Highkeep might wear, but larger, deadlier weapons. He wondered at them and kept his distance, ever on the lookout for the attack least likely.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Kelson Greene stood before him, grinning from ear to ear. “So, what do you think?”

  “What will we do?” Nikolis asked, an old shiver of nervousness running up his spine. He looked about the emptying practice yard.

  Kelson had asked him to come along into town after sundown, with a few of the other boys for a “bit of fun.” Nikolis wasn’t supposed to leave the keep after dark. In fact, none of the trainees were. They woke, slept, and even ate, on a regimented schedule now. With this also came less and less time to devote to personal affairs.

  He barely had time to see Jak, Raife, or Garley anymore, and even Evar and Lirk were always busy on patrol. Lorre Ryland, who he had exchanged a friendly word with every once in a while, was now gone. He had left on an expedition to the east more than a year ago, and no one had heard from him since. Even though he wanted to speak to Karlene when he happened upon her in the keep, he found himself avoiding her, walking in the opposite direction. So Kelson’s offer, though surprising, intrigued him, despite his reservations.

  “We’re not supposed to be out after dark,” Nikolis reminded him. Something about the situation seemed awfully wrong.

  Kelson chuckled and waved a hand in the air. “Never mind that. We won’t get caught.” The words came as if from someone who didn’t have to worry about such things. The son of a wealthy merchant likely saw little in the way of scolding.

  “What’ll we do?” asked Nikolis, curiosity and his desire for acceptance clouding his better judgment.

  As Kelson was about to respond, Drennen walked by shooting them both a questioning glance. Kelson coughed into his hand. “Don’t worry.” His smile returned to his face after the master had passed. “Just meet us by the western wall. You know, where it’s all cracked and falling apart?”

  Nikolis nodded. He had seen the spot many times, playing in the yard with his friends or when his training took him to running to increase his endurance.

  “Alright,” said Kelson, as he turned to leave. He turned back when he was only a few steps away and added, “Oh, and bring two bits.”

  “Two bits?”

  Kelson smiled and nodded as he turned and started toward the castle. What in the world could I need two bits for? That wouldn’t even buy a mug of ale at a local tavern.

  Nikolis went back to his room and sat down on his pallet in thought. He watched as the sun left the sky and the night came, bringing a cool breeze that wafted into his tower room. He went over to his clothes chest and lifted the lid. He rummaged through a pile of ragged undershirts and produced two small, copper coins. He put them on the mattress of his pallet as he searched for something suitable to wear.

  The moon rose high and bright in the sky as Nikolis wondered to himself why he did such stupid things. But despite those thoughts he found himself walking across the yard, wearing the darkest tunic and breeches he could find.

  When he got to the aforementioned spot, he found Erland, Brien, and Jaleb already waiting. Erland gave him an odd look, but then Kelson came running up with a grin on his face and Erland put a finger to his lips to silence them. They moved toward the wall without making a sound, going to where the wall met the castle foundation. Erland crouched down and began to feel about the stones. After a few moments of searching he started to pull at a large chunk of rock, mortar flaking away with its movement.

  After a few of these were moved away, a small hole was formed in the wall and Er
land was scurrying inside. Brien and Jaleb went next, and then Kelson was motioning Nikolis forward. He went down and scrambled into the hole, the smell of freshly turned earth filling his nose. He had to crawl forward a few feet, but soon found himself crouching in a small hovel.

  All about was stone, hewn and mortared. They appeared to be inside the castle foundation, sitting on a small ledge. Kelson appeared in the enclosure, though Nikolis could barely make anything out in the darkness. Erland led the way down a small tunnel, and the other boys followed, crawling along. After a few moments the smell of water became apparent, and not long after they came to an iron grate in the midst of a small aquatic channel.

  Erland got down into the water, pinched his nose closed and disappeared into the depths. Brien and Jaleb went next, without a moment’s hesitation. When Nikolis turned in question to Kelson, the boy only nodded and motioned for Nikolis to follow.

  The cold, dark water crept up his body as he lowered himself into it. He had expected his feet to find purchase on the channel floor, but they didn’t. However far away the bottom was, it was beyond his reach.

  So, taking in a deep breath, he mustered his courage and plunged under.

  He felt along the iron bars of the grate ahead, using them to push himself downward, downward. As he was about to give up on where the other boys had disappeared to, he felt a sizeable gap in the bars. He pushed himself forward and started to squeeze through the opening.

  Halfway through he got stuck, and began pushing and squirming, trying to force his way inside. Panic took a hold of him. Panic that only got worse when he felt something grasp his leg. A hundred fears assaulted his mind as he imagined his supply of air quickly running out.

  Rational thoughts finally took over, however, as he realized that the something was pushing him, trying to help him through. It didn’t take much to realize it had to be Kelson, coming up behind him. With this aid he managed to get through the bars, and entered into a small, subterranean tunnel. He pulled himself along the close walls before finally emerging into a larger body of water. Kicking legs and reaching with his hands, he pushed for the surface.

  When he finally emerged into the open air he gasped deeply, sucking in air. All about was darkness, but he noted a glimmer of moonlight ahead. He made his way toward it, down what was revealed to be an arched tunnel of stone. From the sound of it, Kelson had emerged behind him. When the pair reached the end of the tunnel, they were outside the castle walls.

  They had come out into the moat that encircled the keep. The other boys were crawling up onto a grassy bank beyond it, and Kelson and Nikolis followed them. When they were all standing on firm ground again, the other boys produced oiled sacks from within their clothing and began to retrieve shirts and breeches from within. They shrugged off their wet clothing and started to change.

  When Kelson saw Nikolis standing there unmoving, he smiled and said, “Didn’t I tell you to bring a change of clothes?” Nikolis shook his head, to which Kelson grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

  When the other boys were done changing, the group made their way through the scattered forest that edged away from the castle. Nikolis had to wrap his arms about his body to try and generate some heat, shivering as they went.

  Within moments the town came in to view below them. Most of it was in a quiet hush, dark and almost unrecognizable. However, the lights of several windows and torches were visible through the gloom of night, and the faint sound of music could be heard. Erland lead them down a small hill, and soon they were hurrying across cobblestone streets, winding their way around tall buildings bathed in shadow.

  Several torches were lit, set high on posts along the main streets. A pair of guards passed them by, holding their long spears across their shoulders. The boys managed to duck behind the corner of a tall building and the men paid them little mind. They continued their trek toward the center of town, finally stopping at a small, wooden structure.

  It was squat and long and light was streaming out of the half-drawn shutters. Nikolis could hear the fast plucking of a stringed instrument and a tinny bang kept rhythm as someone sang a loud, boisterous song. He could barely make out the words, not for any lack of hearing, but because the singer sounded as if he was well into his cups. Nikolis saw a red-faced man with a thick beard, belting out the tune, a mug of ale sloshing about in one hand, and a pot that he was banging against a table, in the other.

  Erland motioned them to wait, then opened the large wooden door and entered, dragging it shut behind him. Nikolis went back to the window and stood as tall as he could. He watched the older boy enter the room and make his way toward the bar. There, a skinny man stood wiping out a mug and talking to two women standing beside him. Their faces were plastered with creams and powders of all kinds, their bodices so tight, and necklines so short, that their breasts were practically spilling out of them. Nikolis stood frozen, shocked at the sight, until Kelson came behind him, took a look, and grinned.

  Erland approached and stood at the bar. The innkeeper looked toward him as if called and made his way over. Erland leaned in and the two began to converse. The young noble produced a silver coin from within his tunic and showed it to the innkeeper. The skinny man took it, looked it over, and then nodded back toward the entrance.

  When Erland left the tavern, he was grinning. “Only took a sovereign,” he said, closing the door behind him again. “Come on now, round back. Have your bits ready.”

  Nikolis felt the weight of the two copper coins in his hand as they made their way around the building. He kept wondering what he was getting himself into this time. They stopped in front of a small wooden shack attached to the rear of the building and halted. Erland went up to the door and turned back. “I’m first since I went through the lot of the trouble. Stay here and keep watch.” He then added with a grin, “Don’t knock unless the guard’s about. You’ll all have your turn.” Erland opened the door and then swung it shut behind him.

  Nikolis thought he saw a pale figure lying on a pallet in the darkness beyond, before the door was closed, but he couldn’t be sure. Minutes passed and no one said anything. Brien stood clenching his fists at his side, while Jaleb pressed his two coins together with an annoying scrape. Kelson only grinned and paced back and forth. A rocking noise sounded from inside and the sound of heavy breathing.

  After not too much time has passed, Erland came out with a sigh, and sat against the wall of a building across from the shack. Brien immediately marched in and shut the door behind him. Similar noises came and Nikolis even thought he heard sobbing at one point, though it wasn’t a feminine sound. Brien exited wiping his eyes and holding up his trousers, and then it was Kelson’s turn to go.

  The sound of breathing was loudest then, and in moments Kelson was exiting with a grin that nearly split his face. Jaleb motioned for Nikolis to enter, but he shook his head. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what was going on in there, and he might as well let Jaleb go first. The other boy seemed rather nervous about the prospect, but after Erland cursed at him he finally mustered up the courage to enter. Nikolis could only imagine what was horrible enough to get the other boy that worried. A few moments after he heard a small gasp, Jaleb exited the shack and there was no one else left to go.

  Kelson cocked his head at the door, and Nikolis made his way toward it. He looked back at his companions as he stepped up to the shack. Erland still sat against a wall looking rather tired, while tall Brien sat with his head down, his large shoulders hunched, not saying anything. Kelson had his arms crossed and was still grinning, and Jaleb looked like he was having trouble breathing. What horror lay within, that had affected them all so much? Nikolis put his hand to the door latch and entered.

  When he closed the door behind him, he could barely make anything out in the darkness. Only the smallest amount of light entered in from cracks in the wall boards, and that was from the moon outside. The air felt heavy in the small enclosure. Nikolis had no idea what was happening or what to do. He couldn
’t see a thing.

  A candle was lit without warning, and before Nikolis stood a short, skinny girl, wearing not a stitch of clothing. She was facing away from him and he couldn’t help but study the smooth skin of her back below tousled hair, and the curves of her bottom. Her legs and arms were as thin as a child’s and her feet were bare. A strange feeling started to rise up in him, and he couldn’t look away. He felt he should, something seemed terribly wrong about it, indecent, but he couldn’t bring himself to turn.

  The girl turned about and gasped, putting a hand to her chest. “Oh! I thought he was the last,” said a small voice. “The innkeep did say five, but so much time seemed to pass. Perhaps I fell asleep? I can’t remember.”

  Nikolis heard none of it. He was too busy studying her small breasts and tracing the line down the flat of her stomach. The bones of her hips stuck out prominently and nestled between her legs he saw a spot of dark, brown hair.

  The girl moved over to the pallet and lay down. When he didn’t follow, she propped herself up on an elbow and shot him a confused look. “Well?” she said. “Shall we?”

  Nikolis couldn’t move. Despite the fact that he felt entranced, he still had not the slightest idea what was going on. “Come on,” she said. “Come over here.”

  Without knowing why, he moved over to the pallet, staring down at the naked form below him. When he didn’t make a move, she shook her head. “Trouble like the tall one? I can help.”

  Deft fingers had his breeches unlaced in seconds and then her hand was grasping him. Again, he felt as if something were entirely wrong with the whole situation, but while his mind said to stop, his body wouldn’t move. The girl leaned up and licked her lips, moving toward him. Nikolis shook his head and tried to push her away. But the girl kept coming. “I-I can’t–” He tried to push her away, but couldn’t move her, so he started to move backward. With his breeches loose he stumbled in his rush and went crashing against the wall.

  Nikolis looked up to see the girl wipe glistening lips. She eyed his breeches. “You don’t really know what to do with that thing, do you?”