Talon Academy

Chapter Sixteen

"Congratulations you two," Hamish said expressionlessly, "For once it was no longer a tie."

My head shot up in surprise. My breathing was still slightly ragged and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. A dull ache was drumming across my whole body. I glanced towards Roubin who shared my surprise.

We had spent the past two months unable to break the tie. So many laps run each time we had physical training yet neither was able to beat the other. Each time it tied I became more motivated and went out for a run almost every morning. Each time pushing myself harder and for longer.

I hope all my hard work had finally paid off.

"Who?" Roubin breathed, his chest falling and rising with each breath of air. It seemed we had both worked for this.

I looked at him with anticipation as he paused for a few seconds. I wanted to scream because my patience was running out.

Finally he spoke, "Roubin..."

My heart sank and a smirk broke onto Roubin's face.

Hamish continued, "...run faster next time. Liz just bet you by a whole second."

Stunned, I leapt into the air with pure happiness. I had finally done it. I let out a cry of joy as I bounced around. The annoyed frown on Roubin's face only made me feel happier and even Hamish had a faint smile because of my display of joy.

Hamish finally spoke, "Today we will not be doing the usual physical training."

I listened with excitement and my smile still remained unfaltering.

"I'm sure you both are aware of the upcoming winter tournament and, if you are able to reach the final stage, you get to enter the maze with a weapon of your choice. Both of you are extremely well trained without weapons now so it's time you begin using your weapon," as he explained he opened a pure white door that blended into the wall.

Weapons of all kinds were lined along the walls; most of them I didn't even recognise or know the name of. I gasped at the beauty of each one as well as the dangerousness.

I turned to Hamish, "Can't we hurt each other with these though?"

Nodding he answered, "You're right. That's why the Seers have specially enchanted the training rooms and the maze. In these areas you are unable to critically damage anyone or yourself when using a weapon, however that doesn't mean it's painless. I can guarantee you that each day you will be training with weapon, you will walk out with numerous bruises and small cuts; you just won't be critically damaged."

Bruises and small cuts didn't bother me too much now. My body was covered with them from all the physical training lessons I have had with Hamish and Roubin. I had become adjusted to the constant ache of the bruises and the sore muscles.

I trailed my hand along the flat side of the shiny blade of a dagger as Hamish continued to speak, "Today will be spent testing out different weapons to find the right one for you. The weapon you choose will become yours even though it is kept in here. Your weapon is as important as your element. Pick out a few weapons."

I looked at the rows in front of me in awe. There were awes, bows, spears, swords and many more that i didn't know of. I picked out a bow and held it in my arm for a few seconds. It felt too foreign in my hand and my body was unfamiliar with the movement used for firing an arrow. After a few seconds, I was still unable to grow comfortable with it so I placed it back on the shelf.

Moving further into the room, I stood in front of a range of different type of axes. I pulled out one and regretted it as soon as I did. The weight of it pulled my arms down and I hated it instantly. Placing it back, I frowned around the room. Roubin seemed to be in the same situation as me.

Hamish declared to us from the entrance, "It's not the size of the weapon or the sharpness that indicates it's worth. It's the wielder and how well they train with it. Go with the weapon you're comfortable with and the one that feels right; not the weapon that you think would do the most damage."

I reached the back of the room and glanced over the variety of swords. My eyes stopped in the bottom corner at a medium sized sword that was slightly curved near the top and the bottom section was thinner. Its blue hilt was beautifully designed with an intricate silver end-piece. I took it out and played with its weight. It didn't weigh too much and seemed well balanced. I enjoyed the feeling of it my arm but it felt slightly awkward at times.

Hamish spoke from behind me, "It's a twin sword. It isn't complete without its other half."

I noticed the identical sword resting against the wall and took it out. It had a matching light blue hilt and weighed the same. Together it felt comfortable and easy to move with. I liked the feeling of the twin swords in my hand and turned to Hamish with a smile.

I had found my weapon.

Later, Roubin and I were standing opposite each other with our weapons in hand. He had chosen a long sword that he seemed comfortable with. Hamish had told us basic movements to repeat with our specific weapon but we weren't to attack each other; yet.

With each swing my arms grew more tired and my body became more familiar with weight and length of the twin swords. Sometimes moving them both feeled easy while other movements felt awkward and more difficult. There was a smoothness in the swing of each sword that made me smile.

Roubin seemed to be handling the longsword really well as he repeated each movement. There was gracefulness in his body whenever he swung the sword, which made me jealous. I wish I could move that smoothly with all of my body as I used my swords.

Hamish had said that practise was the best way to become better with our weapons and that meant spending extra time to improve. It would be difficult to balance everything as well as practicing with weapons but I couldn't stop myself from asking for extra lessons after school.

There was a beauty in my weapon that I wanted to learn and understand. Hamish had said himself; the weapon's worth is determined by its wielder.