Shadows of Honor: The Arcane Warrior

Chapter 3: Tests of Resolve

A few more weeks had gone by, and now summer was in full effect. The days had grown longer and hotter, and the training had intensified. Along with their morning exercises, each student was now required to maintain and carry their sword at their side throughout the day. At first, the extra five pounds seemed manageable, but as the day wore on and the exercises grew increasingly intense, the combination of the summer heat made the five pounds feel like twenty.

As Emile stood in formation on this sweltering summer morning, he noticed several students were missing. He had seen their bunks empty the night before but had thought nothing of it. He glanced to his right, seeing Gareth standing next to him, rubbing his eyes. Gareth noticed Emile's gaze and returned it with a tired smile.

"Late night?" Emile asked, smirking. "Sooner or later, you're going to have to tell me her name." He chuckled.

Gareth rolled his eyes. "If I tell you her name, you'll babble it to the entire barracks, and I really don't want that right now. We're taking things slow and just enjoying our time together, you know?" Gareth mumbled. "But... she wants to meet up for dinner tonight, and you're invited, I suppose. She... uh... has a friend, so it'll be like a double date?" His words trailed off as he spoke more quietly.

"A DOUBLE DATE?!" Emile blurted out, not realizing the volume of his outburst.

"Shush, you!" Gareth snapped. "Why don't you announce it to the entire Kingdom while you're at it? I don't think they heard you on the other side of Ascalon!"

Realizing that other people were beginning to look their way, Emile apologized, "Oh, right, sorry! But like, what do I wear? What do I do? I've never been on a date!"

Before Gareth could reply, they heard the familiar tone of Sir Richard bellowing out orders from the front of the formation.

"Good morning, recruits!" Sir Richard hollered as he began walking between the lines.

"Now that you all have a basic understanding of swordplay, today we're going to start understanding how combat works. It's easy to call yourself a swordsman when the air has no resistance or the target dummy can't fight back!" He exclaimed, watching the recruits' reactions.

He noticed some were excited to finally start sparring, but others clearly were not comfortable with their swords yet. He shook his head internally, knowing that those who did not adapt or overcome their shortcomings would never become Paladins or Knights. He continued moving through the formation, deep in thought, before stopping in front of Emile.

"Emile, you wish to be a Paladin one day, correct?" Sir Richard questioned.

Emile froze in terror. Even though Sir Richard had proven to be nothing but fair and a fantastic mentor, he still held an air of authority that sent shivers down Emile's spine.

"I, uh, yes, Sir, I do," he stuttered, shifting his feet awkwardly.

Sir Richard nodded before crossing his arms. "Perfect. Then you'll be my sparring partner today and will help me demonstrate the exercises this morning."

Emile, still frozen in terror, swallowed hard but felt as if nothing could go down before answering, "Yes, Sir Richard. It... it is my honor," he stumbled over his words before saluting Sir Richard.

Before long, Emile was standing at the front of the formation, his left side facing the other recruits. Sir Richard stood across from him, his right side facing the recruits.

"Everyone, watch and do as I say!" Sir Richard announced. "I will demonstrate a series of movements. Those of you with your left side facing me will follow my movements. Those of you with your right side will follow Emile. Mimic the speed I go at. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. The fewer mistakes we make, the sooner we all get to have lunch today."