Magic and Sword

Chapter Two

     After all my friends went first it was finally my turn. "Hwoo, okay shake it off." I get up and start walking for my sword but then a massive head rush hits the inside of my skull and sends me to my knees. After a second or two I can stand again, then grab my sword. I hastily walk towards the opening entrance and the sun beams down on me, blinding for a second as my eyes adjust.

"Are you ready." The trainer says. "Yes!" I shout, starting to regret having to get up off the chair. The trainer slowly circles moving closer by the step, then he makes a quick swipe towards my left leg. I dart back as quick as possible, yet doing so has its toll of throbbing in my head. The trainer continues to quickly strike in and out one after the other and with showing no signs of exhaustion. At that point my head feels like molten lava swishing around so I take a swing at his right shoulder but he parried easily, so again I strike for his left shin and once more he side steps.

We were taught to use our surroundings to our advantage, I looked hastily around for anything that might help yet there was nothing. I bounced back wavering a bit then dreading myself, and in one last attempt I go to swing overhead hoping to catch him off guard. I lurch forwards and then I stumble and trip, trying to catch myself I momentarily let go of my sword only to re-grip it mid air therefore smashing my fingers and landing face first in the sand with an agonizing pain erupting from my neck and skull.

I slowly rise but only to see the trainers sword pointed to my neck. "I lost again, you win." I mumble. He lowers the sword and I drag my pathetic self out of the arena. I sit on the top of a barrel attempting to recuperate from the experience, " I never would have lost if it wasn't for that STUPID ROCK!" I shout.

"Griping about the incident won't do anything for you, just so you know" mutters Vander. "Yeah I know that, but I don't see you being any help." I grouch. I try and lean my head on something but it flares up and burns if I rest it against anything.

Angelica arrived with a cold cloth, "I dipped it in the river to cool it I hope it helps some." She says. "Thank you, I don't mean to have you go out of your way to help me." I say graciously. "It's okay I want to help." She says. I gingerly take the cloth and rest it on my forehead only to move it a minute later to the back of my neck.

A blinding pain struck me but I tried not to show it. "We should go now." I suggest. I go and put my sword up on the rack of fine steel swords some gilded and some decorated with engravings. I slowly drag my feet over to the rest of the group Aaron and Vander holding me up by my arms, just so I don't fall over again.

We walk back to the castle and stop in the hallway, I grip the railing as I take a break for a second. I continue up the rest of the way by myself, stopping multiple times on the way up. I practically fall into the room and then walk over to the bed only to fall over and crash asleep.

The next day I get up with a spring in my step for the reason of today being absolutely fabulous as well as the day we pick our guilds and finally graduate from the extremely depressing castle. I saunter over to Aaron and Vanders beds and rip their blankets off with blinding speed. "Hey!" They shout. I throw them back on there heads, " get up you dolts." I chuckle.

After breakfast in the dining hall we head to the throne room. The Scholar speaks up, "You all have gathered here to celebrate this tremendous event of finishing your current training and will begin new training amongst the guild of your choice. After that if you fail your training there, the punishment and how detrimental it is will be determined by your guild leader."

Next he went through everyone one at a time being careful to catch everyone, then he came to me. "Which guild would you like, there are five to choose from as your new home, refuge, and training. The Brigade, Rangers of the North, The Cardinal, Clairvoyance of the Twelve, and Mechaneers of Magic.

I walk outside, the sun beaming down on me as I continue to glance back and forth as I pace in between some wooden posts. Where are they I thought, content with finally sitting down on an empty crate. My friends finally came around the bend and I heard them crunching the leaves under foot. "So, which ones did you guys choose." My eyes dart over to the blue cloth in Aaron's hands as well as Vanders. The brigade I thought, " you said you wouldn't join the military forces on the front lines." I mumble "Well I or we I guess changed our minds, we want to serve to help hold back and push these monsters away.

I shoot a sharp look at Vander, then move to Angelica and Maeve. "What about you guys?" I ask in a little lighter tone almost letting my voice crack. "I joined the Clairvoyance of the Twelve and Maeve is with the Rangers now." Angelica says sounding alone and lost. "What about you." She says looking dead into my eyes. "I'm in the Rangers guild as well." I say very quietly hoping she misunderstands or mishears me.

"Alright then, guess everyone is in a pair of some sort but me that's okay I'll just go it alone." She growls, as she strafes away making a bee line straight for the castle. Probably going up to her room I guess. "Well we better get going. We need to pack up our stuff so tomorrow we can finally exit the castle and leave this drab place of musty food and dirty water." I say with confidence. "Yeah your probably right," the others say in agreement all equally worried about Angelica but not saying a word about it.