The Adventures of the HMS Harlot

Part 4: Roy Nightingale, Pilot

Eldon needs to keep his guard up. We also need to work his footwork more. I was hoping to start training him on pirouettes and offensive parries by now, but I think his own boots are a greater threat than an opponent's sword at this point. I suppose I wasn't much better at his age, but he doesn't have to know it.

He's persistent, if nothing else. Hasn't asked once for a break during our sessions.

I must not be going hard enough on him.

I wonder what a soldier he would have made, if he were given the same opportunities I had, a real go at an officer's training; fencing, strategy, real school. Not a day goes by where I take for granted the education I received, and I suppose doing what I can for Eldon is going to have to be my way of paying it forward.

Not that education is a total panacea. Otto is one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, and it didn't make slugging him feel any less euphoric. I think that might be one of the best feelings I've ever experienced actually. He crossed the line, and he knew it. He was groping for buttons to push and he found the one labeled "Quality Time with Rowena".

I think the whole incident may have even improved our relationship. I even made it a point to search him out and talk things over.

"We're not school children, we don't need to let our rivalry, our opposing ideologies and pasts boil over into...further unpleasantness".

"Easy for the guy who threw the sucker punch to say,"he replied through a fairly impressive fat lip. In fact, I could barely contain my pride at my own work.

"You threw the first punch, and you know your blow landed harder than mine. Don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you. The last thing we need now is infighting, Gods know we have more than enough on our plate."

"I'll warrant you that. But don't think that this little heart to heart can mend every bridge or broken lip, as sweet as it is."

"The thought never crossed my mind. I enjoy our back and forth too thoroughly. I just mean I'll ease up on the 'ex-armada bullshit' for the time being."

"Aren't we becoming gracious? Stop now or I'll start to blush. I suppose I shouldn't think this means you actually trust me."

I couldn't help but laugh a little. "I don't trust you half as far as I can throw you; but since you've never actually slipped up in front of me, I'm happy keeping my nagging suspicion to myself."

"I can almost respect that."

"Now I'm the one going red. I won't be surprised when you take off the sheep's mask and take a bow as the wolf I know you are, but until then it does us no good tearing at each other's throats openly while we're working together."

His smile was not a pleasant thing to behold and not just because of the state I had left his face in. He said something under his breath in his native tongue that I didn't catch, and telescoped his hand.

I think I'll start giving Eldon some reading assignments to go along with the physical exercise.

The mind has to be as sharp as the blade, words cut deeper than steel.

Roy Nightingale