The Traitor's Wish

3. The Swan's Guard

The Traitor's Wish
Chapter 3
The Swan's Guard

The palace had been abuzz with activity ever since the recruits arrived. Merging them in with the other guards was David job. This only happened every few years, and the Charming King enjoyed the sweat and soreness of training. It made him feel less like a ruler and more like a hard working, loyal soldier. Each day, the boys worked in the morning with the king making his rounds and checking each one of them. Before lunch was the combat training, and often the heat had them sweating even before they began.

David knew his way around a sword fight. He was a challenging opponent for all of them, but after working with them for awhile already, back when he was choosing recruits, he's learned which ones to watch out for. And that is how he chose the Patrol Guards. It is a known fact that the General of Patrols is the highest and most trusted soldier in his regiment. This group had had an obvious choice.

The determining fight was between Kade Jones and Hughs Dane. Most of the men had been average with a sword, but Kade clearly had experience. It intrigued David from the very moment he watched him fight, and even to this last one.

Dane was nervous, but determined- a good quality in a soldier. He took his stance and prepared to attack, steeping out hardly on his left foot. Jones had a rather graceful tactic, that happened to be deadly. He observed the lumbering moves of Dane and then leaped to his right foot, spinning away from the slice of his opponent's sword. With a flick of his wrist, Kade played out the movement without injuring him, but if the fight had been real, his opponent would be cold and dead on the floor.

David stared at the shining sword, lost in thought. He stroked his chin and raised a finger, motioning to Lancelot. "Try a round with him." He said calmly, curious to the out come. Never before had he watched a new recruit take on his best guard.

It started quickly, both men moved in the blink of an eye, light on their feet as they dodged each other's swing. Swords clashed and the onlookers watched with wide eyes, while Kade held his own against the experienced soldier. The General's sword came down quickly to Kade's neck, but he swung under it, raising his own sword and simply knocking down the opponent's with one move. Lancelot's sword fell to the ground.

He raised his hands in defeat as he stared down the end of Kade's sword. The young recruit had a different air about him when he fought. It was exhilarating, yes, but he took the fights quite seriously because he knew if it were real, he would be desperately protecting the things he cared for.

Lancelot finally let out a chuckle and stuck his hand out to shake the lad's. He took it with a respectful nod.

"Where'd you learn to fight like that, son?" David asked with a calculating stare.

"King Richard's Navy, sir." He answered with respect for the King. His game surely was working, and it was all because of the skill of his lies.

"What brought you here?"

"King Richard's brother, the prince began raising taxes, sir. I respectfully disagreed with that, finished my time and traveled here on a merchant's ship." He explained to the men around him.

All he received was a few nods. The King turned, lost in thought as he headed up the path to the palace. "We're done for today." He called out.

Kade worried his cover had been blown. He looked too young to be fighting this well. The last name could pass as unlucky, a solider stuck with the name of a pirate, and hopefully he had been careful enough so the King would not recognize him, but the stress was overwhelming even for him.

"Nice work soldier." He felt a pat on the back and turned to see Lancelot. "Don't worry about the King. He's probably wondering if it's lawful for you to take my place." He said with a hearty chuckle and bright smile. "You did put up quite a fight. I'm glad your on our side."