The Heir of Kings

Chapter Five: Initiation

The day after, Aren and Aunt Pan left on their respective errands. Ronald and Relma were brought before their new instructor. He was a very tall and thin dwarf, which meant he was stockier than either of them, though he was shorter than Relma. His hair was white, but he had only a few wrinkles. His eyes were gray, and a sword of simple but sturdy make at his side that looked used a lot.

He eyed her carefully. "You are Relma, then?"

"Yes, Sir Argath. That is my name," said Relma.

"I knew your father," said Argath.

Relma blinked. "You did?"

"Yes," said Argath. "Hadleim and I were soldiers together in the campaigns against the satyrs. It was in the Black Marshes to the east. We fought many battles in the Black Watch. He was a good man, but we never got on well."

"May I ask why?" asked Relma.

Argath shrugged and adjusted his sword. "We had different views on how things should be. The usual sort of nonsense young men get up to. I rather wish we'd put those quarrels aside, though. I'm old now."

"You aren't that old," said Relma.

"Age is in the mind," said Argath. "I was raised by humans, so while I'm in my prime as a dwarf, I think of myself as old. Unfortunate, but the truth." He turned his gaze to Ronald. "You are Ronald, the youngest son of Fulsof, then?"

"Yes, sir," said Ronald. "I want to become a knight, like Sir Frederick."

"I don't think you do." mused Argath. "But Arengeth has his own designs for you, so you must. How much training have the two of you had?"

"I've had instruction in using arms in the Sheriff's militia," said Ronald. "So has Relma, though the weapons there were always small for her."

"Ah, very well," said Argath before pulling a shield off a weapon rack and tossing it to Relma. "Relma, I want you to take this shield and try to defend me as best you can."

"What-" began Relma as she slipped on the shield.

Then Argath came at her. One of his blows struck her shield and nearly knocked her flat. Again and again, he struck at her, and she could hardly keep on her feet. Finally, he stopped.

"Well, that is a problem," said Argath.

"What is it?" asked Relma.

"Well, you were taught by halflings. Being much smaller than us, halflings have a different way of fighting," said Argath. "You'll have to adapt your fighting style a bit. There needs to be more focus on standing firm and more on yielding and recovering. You will only do good trying to overpower your enemy by strength alone. Not with your build; you are no berserker like Tanith.

"I had a similar problem when training to be a knight. My build was thin for my race, so I needed more staying power. As a result, I learned to be more aggressive. Haldrenian Berserkang is a formidable technique if you have the rage for it.

"But only if you have the rage.

"Give the shield to your friend." Relma obeyed. "Ronald, same test."

Ronald faired far better. He was able to keep his stance properly beneath Argath's powerful blows. Finally, the white-haired dwarf stopped and sheathed his blade.

"Well, you've done better," he said. "That's to be expected, though. But, still, we only have a few halflings here besides Sir Frederick, and he's gone away on campaign.

"Now, for now, you are Steward Benarus's guest. However, it is best if you room with the other trainees. I will make arrangements for you to be moved to the dormitories."