The Friendship of the Maze

Chapter 8

Averi-

I yawned and sat up. I must have fallen asleep because it was morning already. I glanced over to Rennee's bed and was delightedly surprised that she was still there. When she noticed that I was awake she gave me one of her awkward smiles.

"Heading out?" I asked rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Yeah," she answered. "I was thinking of going to the market today." She attached her sword to her belt and continued, "What are your plans for the final day? You remember that tomorrow is the fight?"

"I do," I replied. The big day where I get to try my hand at slaughtering. Then changing my tone I added, "Would you mind if I go to the training grounds? The Guard Master offered to train me." I looked up hopeful.

"Yes, you may, just be careful." She sounded like my mother.

"I will." Standing up I hugged her. In the next few minutes, I prepared myself for the day. Rennee left to go buy a new sword. I can't find anything wrong with her old one, but she insisted that it was mandatory that she get a new sword. I didn't argue with her because as I have said before she has a sword.

Rennee-

When I left the inn I headed straight to the sword-smith shop. I felt a little guilty for lying to Averi about the sword but how else would I have been able to surprise her? I don't need a new sword but Averi does need one and before the games start. In the shop, I glanced around at all the swords but none were what I was hoping for. All the weapons that I saw were so ornate. Very good quality but way too decorated.

"Pardon me," I asked the main smith.

"Ya," the gruff big man said. I tried to hold my breath so as not to breathe in his smelly breath. Would it hurt to brush your teeth once a week?

"I don't mean to bother you but do you happen to have anything a little less ornate?" He thought for a bit then announced that he had a sword that was so plain that he didn't put it out. He thought it would never sell.

"May I see it?" He nodded and soon returned from the back of the shop with a broad double-edged sword with no jewels. I grabbed it from him and swung it around a few times. Then inspect the edge and handle. Perfect! The handle met the blade cleanly. The blade had no nicks or dings and the whole sword was equally balanced.

"I'll take it."

Averi-

"Excuse me, guardsman," I asked.

"Yes," replied he. It was the same guard as yesterday.

"May I be let in?"

He smiled, "You know that I can't let you in without permission." My shoulders drooped. Maybe the Guard Master didn't want me around after all. "But you do have permission." He stepped aside and motioned for me to pass.

"Thank you," I shouted as I ran to find the Guard Master. It didn't take long to find him. He was wearing the usual armor and sword that he wore last time.

He waved me over, "I am just going to the beginner training grounds. Would you like to accompany me?"

"Yes sir," I said with so much enthusiasm that the Guard-master chuckled a bit.

As we walked down the paved path he asked me, "So do you have experience with any weapon?" "Not really," I said flatly, "I know how to use a bow some and a friend of mine started teaching me the basics of swordsmanship."

"We'll use whatever you can do." The Guard Master took me past all the training courses, past all the sweaty men, past all the curious stares to a small brick building. I gave him a questioning look.