How to become king Arthur

Chapter 7 : The first and last class

I stood in the courtyard on time that Tuesday. I had left a little early, not wanting to be late but Bolvier wasn't there yet. I should have stayed a little longer with Tristram. I was surprised how well we got along, despite the age difference. Even though I had only known him for a few days, I enjoyed his company immensely. He was better at me when it came to battle strategies but he said that was to be expected. He had grown up in a castle, surrounded by it for his entire life.

I fiddled with my sword and checked the sun. Bolvier should have been there. It was odd he was late, could he have been at a meeting? A few minutes passed and I began to consider leaving when someone said my name with a gruff voice from behind me.

"Arthur!" Bolvier commanded, "Swords are not for show boy, keep it sheathed when not in use." I nodded and put my sword away. "Do you know the parts of the sword?"

"Umm, the blade and handle?" I asked uncertainly.

"I would have expected more from you. How about the parts of the scabbard?"

"The scabbard?" I was fairly sure it was the thing on my waist but I couldn't be sure.

"It's what you put your sword in," he sighed. I nodded but my confidence had been dumped like a bowl of water.

"I'm afraid I don't know all the parts of it," I mumbled.

"The top of your scabbard is called the locket and the bottom piece is the chape," he said, pointing them out. Then he pulled his sword and pointed to where he was holding it.

"Parts if the hilt, the large round piece at the bottom is the pommel. Where you rest your hand is the grip. This is the guard," he said running his fingers along the flat piece that ran perpendicular to the blade. I nodded, "The blade has two edges, the middle is the fuller. The bump is the central ridge and the point as you may have guessed is called the point." He had me repeat them back to him a few times until he was sure I wouldn't forget.

"Now," Bolvier began, "Draw your sword before you challenge someone, it will save you time and give you an advantage. This next point will be important for you, challenge people with care Arthur. Don't be so reckless in battle or sparing, assess the situation. Be crafty, be smart and understand what you're up against.

"You like attacking but don't be afraid of playing defensive. It's important for someone as small as you to let them tire themselves out before giving up your energy too. Once they are tired, you attack. Also, look before you act Arthur, be sure of what you're doing before you do it! Remain calm and relaxed while fighting, that is important. Always keep in control and let the battle flow. Does all that make sense?"

I nodded, feeling dazed at all the information I had just received. It was a real knock in the head that I didn't know everything.

"Good," Bolvier said approvingly, "How old are you Arthur?"

"Ten," I said, liking the sound of my name.

"Well little boy, age doesn't matter to me, let's put you to the test." I noticed he had already drawn his sword, well at least he wasn't a hypocrite.

Needless to say I lost against the man but it left me fuming. He chuckled a the anger that burned in my face as I lost yet again.

"May I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Sure," I said, trying to keep the anger out of my voice.

"What do you fight for?" he asked. I thought instantly of what I told my brothers.

"I want to fight for those I love," I said. To my surprise he laughed. "What's funny about that?" I huffed.

"Well it's blatantly obvious that's not the case," he chuckled.

"What do you mean?" I asked, offended.

"You have brothers Arthur, all of which who are here and I haven't seen you speak to any of them once. You don't appear to have any friends other than Tristram whom you have just met. You are angry with something and it causes you to have nothing to fight for," he said. I opened my mouth and then closed it, at a loss for words. "If I may, it appears as though you have come here to prove your skill. Which you have but so do many others, it will not drive you through battle. You have proved your worth, now find something to fight for."

"I'd fight for my father," I put in. Bolvier chuckled.

"Go to your brothers, see what they say," he said. "Before you go to battle, find a purpose to fight. You are dismissed."

At first the ideas that Bolvier put in my head seemed preposterous but I soon came to realize that it was true. I was really just running on the fact that I was the underdog.

I saved Lance for last, since it was really him I needed to apologize to. I knocked carefully at the door and glanced around to make sure no one was around. For some odd reason I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. It wasn't a feeling I was used to. My eyes scanned the hallway but no one was around. I had to assume it was just the odd feeling of apologizing that was making me imagine things.

"Ara?" Lance asked, snapping me from my thoughts.

"Lance!" I exclaimed nervously. "Uh, I guess I just wanted to apologize. I see now that you only want to protect me, so I'm sorry." There was a moment of silence.

"Well this is a day I thought I'd never see," he said, smiling, "My little pig headed sister, apologizing." I bit my lip and was surprised as he pulled me into a hug. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," I said, hugging him back. "I've apologized to the others as well."

"How about Paul?" he asked as he stepped back. I froze, feeling myself falter.

"I don't think I'm ready to see him yet," I said quietly.

"Get ready soon. You can't live too long without the person who you grew up with." I nodded.

"I will, just not quite yet," I explained. "I need to do it right." Footsteps came from down the hallway and Lance smiled down at me.

"Well, I suppose I'll see you soon then," he said. I nodded and smiled before leaving down the hall.

I felt surprisingly light as I left that night. It felt good to forgive, as though I was no longer a prisoner of anger. I decided it was how captives felt after they had again been set free.