Dralin

Chapter 12

“By the Gods, man, how could you let an eleven-year-old girl beat you so easily?” Commander Gilron Coodmur asked the stunned recruit who was sitting on his behind in the hard dirt.  The warmth of a late spring day caused sweat to bead on their foreheads.  They were in a practice yard for new recruits and the young man being spoken to had just joined the Guard.

Gilron was doing inspections and had come over to see how the lanky girl was doing.  Pelya had been helping Sergeant Bava test and train young men and women who were in basic training.  The man on the ground was a cocky sort of a person who thought he was better than anyone else, so Bava had placed him against Pelya to teach him a lesson in humility.

Now all the new trainees in their practice leathers were standing around to listen.  Pelya shook her head as she stood over the man with one hand on her hip and a look of contempt on her face.  The flat blade of the wooden sword was resting on her right shoulder.  The commander studied her for a minute.  “Why are you staring at him in such a manner, lass?”

It startled Pelya and she stood straight, resting the tip of the sword on the ground in front of her.  Commander Coodmur was someone she respected and loved.  The thought that he might be upset with her sent a jolt of panic through her nerves.  Ignoring the man’s groaning, she answered, “He did terribly, Sir.  His form was bad, his balance was nonexistent, and he was overconfident.  It was almost as though he’s never held a sword before.”  Her sapphire eyes flashed in disdain as she shook her head, flinging her ponytail to the side.  Unlike most of the guards who kept their hair to the shoulders, she let hers grow to the middle of the back.

“Well now, that’s probably because he hasn’t held a sword before.”  Mirth danced behind the sternness in Gilron’s eyes.  Shock crossed her lightly tanned face while she considered the concept.  “Few people are raised with a sword in their hands like you.  Fewer still have your talent and . . . umm . . . intensity, shall we say?”  His chuckling grew into a rumbling laugh.  A few other recruits joined in half-heartedly, not sure whether or not they were allowed to laugh.

Pelya’s face reddened because of the laughter aimed at her, but she considered his words seriously.  The thought that anyone would grow up without learning how to use a sword seemed foreign to her.  Ever since she could remember, a sword had been part of her life.  Theoretically, she knew that other people in the world lived in nice houses and never used one, but it didn’t seem real to her.

The commander had stopped laughing and was helping the man back to his feet.  Gilron looked closely at Pelya.  “I’m serious about the words, but you don’t have to take it so gravely, lass.”

She took all things regarding weaponry very seriously.  Looking at the commander, she saw the humor dancing across his eyes.  “Are you jesting me?” she asked suspiciously.  “Has he truly never used a sword before?”

“Nay, lass.  You have an amazing amount of skill, talent and knowledge, but you’re very naïve about the world.  Most of these recruits come here without experience.  As you know, it’s our job to train them so they can survive within the guard.”  He stood tall and his tone became serious, taking his familiar air of command.  “Everybody’s path in life is different.  You and your father hate it when people say that you are disadvantaged for being raised in the Guard.  Why would you judge someone else’s abilities?”  His manner changed to disappointment.  “You are an amazing person, but you’re still a child and I’ll not have you looking down your nose on anyone.  Is that clear, Pelya?”

She felt her face heat in mortification and lowered her head.  “Yes Sir.”

“Keep your head up,” he commanded.  She snapped her chin up in the air, but her jaw was set firmly in an attempt to control her emotions.  Pelya’s least favorite thing in the world was being reprimanded.  Gilron put a gentle hand on her shoulder.  “You’re young, only eleven.  Even at such a young age, you’re better with hand-to-hand combat and the sword than many adults, but there’s still a lot left to learn about life.”