Glyph

Chapter 18

Despite their not-so-long-ago enmity, Dirk spent the rest of the training session with Falen.

They were the two best fighters in the squad despite their difference in tactics. Falen enjoyed using mostly strength to batter down his opponent.  He only used offense, never going on defense unless forced to, even to conserve strength.

Dirk favored a less aggressive strategy. He would test his opponents offense and defense before committing to any type of serious attack. Despite Dirk's more flexible style, sometimes Falen was able to score a win through sheer endurance.

Panting, Falen slowly advanced on Dirk, sword held high.

Eyes narrowed against the glare of the sun, Dirk retreated at the same speed. 

Suddenly, viciously, Falen let a downward sweep fall upon Dirk. Expecting the blow, Dirk dodged to the side, striking hard at Falen's side.

Falen gasped as the wood slapped hard against his stomach and the breath was knocked from his lungs.

"Good fight, Dirk," he said.

"You, too," Dirk replied, breathing heavily.

Jus at that moment, Sergeant Bridds' voice rang out across the practice field. "16th squad, form up!"

"Good timing," Dirk commented to Cordan as they walked toward Bridds, stowing their weapons in one of the barrels along the way.

 Cordan chuckled. "Yeah, it was. By the way, you really gave that guy a fight. He didn't expect that."

Dirk shrugged. "I guess not. I don't see why he didn't. He's seen me practice," he said breezily. He threw his shoulders back.

Cordan shoved him away. "Yeah, maybe that's why he didn't expect it."

Dirk laughed. "Good one. Anyway, I'm just glad there's no hard feelings."

When they formed up, Sergeant Bridds gave his announcement. "Troops, it is now time for the archery lesson. Snips, if you will please come forward."

An old man idling near one of the weapon barrels came forward. "Alright, please go and retrieve your usual bows from the storage building." He gestured toward a low stone building.

Bridds stepped forward quickly and whispered something in his ear.

"Eh?," said Snips, leaning towards him. "Oh." He turned to face the men again. "I just been informed there's a buncha newbies in here. So I guess I'll have to take this step by step."

Clearing his throat, he sauntered off to the storage building.

Glancing at one another, the squad followed him.

"Okay, regulars, feel free to shut your ears. Newbies, listen up. There are bows in here. Take one and bring it back to me......."

Dirk tuned him out. Sitting on the grass, he began pulling up fistfuls of turf and shredding them while he stared at Cirhic.

He's so small, he thought as Cirhic stumbled around with an obviously too large bow. How could someone put him in the army?

He was interrupted from his reflection by Cordan, who sat heavily on the grass beside him.

"Aaah," he said, stretching out on the lawn like a cat basking in the sun. "This is the life, eh Dirk? Sitting while we watch Snips jaw some newbie's ear off about proper bow length."

Dirk grunted noncommittally.

Cordan sat up. "Hey," he said. "What's wrong?"

Dirk ripped up another fistful of grass. "Nothing. It's just..." He nodded at Cirhic.