The Ancients A Tale of Survival

Training

"Keep your hands up and elbows in!"

Mỷrἇ winced as Ştårbrîghţ whacked Jåcóbӱ up the side of the head with the wooden sticks that they were practicing with.  They had been at it for over an hour and Ştårbrîghţseemed to be getting the best of Jåcóbӱ.  Jåcóbӱ stumbled back as Ştårbrîghţhit him hard on the thigh.

"Move your feet boy!  You will be dead before sunrise if your enemies ever get a hold of you."

"I'm trying," Jåcóbӱ panted as he struggled to regain his feet.

"Try harder!"

Mỷrἇ watched as Ştårbrîghţ knocked Jåcóbӱ off his feet.  Jåcóbӱ landed on his back.  His breath left him in a whoosh.  Mỷrἇ held her hands up to her mouth as Ştårbrîghţ walked up and planted a foot in the middle of Jåcóbӱ's chest.  Jåcóbӱ lay with arms splayed.  Mỷrἇ gasped when Jåcóbӱ kicked his right leg up and kneed Ştårbrîghţ in the butt so hard that Ştårbrîghţ went stumbling forward.  Jåcóbӱ leapt to his feet and knocked Ştårbrîghţ's stick out of his hand. 

Ştårbrîghţ held up his hands in surrender.  Jåcóbӱ stepped back and lowered his stick.  Ştårbrîghţ stepped forward and clapped Jåcóbӱ on the shoulder.  "Good son.  You are improving."

Jåcóbӱ gave a weary smile before he plopped down next to Mỷrἇ.   Jåcóbӱwearily leaned against Mỷrἇ.  Jåcóbӱ took the carved bowl of water that Mỷrἇ handed him.  Mỷrἇ turned her stunning green eyes on Ştårbrîghţ.  She studied him closely before she spoke in a voice that betrayed her age.

"When am I going to learn?"

Ştårbrîghţ sat down on the ground across from them and accepted the water that Jåcóbӱ handed him.  He drained the bowl of water and set the bowl down before he spoke.  "I have yet to decide what you are to learn.  Your brother will be your main protector."  Ştårbrîghţ held up a hand as son as Mỷrἇ opened her mouth.  "I'm not finished yet daughter.  Your brother is your protector, but he won't always be with you.  You do not have the strength to wield a sword like your brother.  I have been thinking of teaching you how to fight with a dagger and use a bow and arrow.  I will teach you how to strike fast and to shoot accurately."

Mỷrἇ gave a sharp nod of her head.  "I would like that very much."

Ştårbrîghţ held up a finger.  "You strength will lie in distance and stealth.  Watch over your brother while he fights.  Pick off his enemies as he flees back to where you are.  Strike from a distance.  Hide in the shadows.  Stab quickly and then disappear.  Will you be able to do this?"

"Yes," Mỷrἇ said with determination.

A smile spread across Ştårbrîghţ's face.  He nodded in satisfaction as he lounged back against the ground.  "Tomorrow I will show you have to make a bow and some arrows.  We will use a carved knife until you are comfortable with the feel of the knife."

"Can you tell us another story of our Father?"

Ştårbrîghţ was quiet as he pondered the story he would tell.  "Dárkmëre was about your age Jåcóbӱ."

Jåcóbӱ and Mỷrἇ listened in rapt attention as Ştårbrîghţ told them a story of the first battle that he and Dárkmëre participated in.  He wove a tale of adventure and intrigue.  His stories made you feel as if you were really there.  As they fell asleep that night the siblings dreamed of their father and both wished that they could have known him longer.  The sorrow in their hearts gave away to blissful sleep.