The Court of the Swan

Chapter 2 The Dark Eye Part 1

Lachlan tightened his jaw as he braced for the next barrage of parries. The Spear Yard was filled with the sound of wooden swords clacking together and metal blades ringing against shields. The sun was not yet risen, but in the east, the sky turned an ever lighter shade of blue as day slowly chased away night. Dawn was his favorite time of the day, or it was on most days. Not today. Today he had woken up angry, and now he practiced angry. Drake eyed him sideways from where he faced against a seasoned older knight, feeling Lachlan's heated anger through the crisp morning air. 

Lachlan's opponent was his cousin Hayden. Slightly shorter than he, Hayden Gage was his Mother's sister's only son among a handful of sisters. His perpetual playmate when he'd been a boy, he now remained his constant dueling partner. But where Lachlan was brown-haired and blue-eyed like all Drimirs, Hayden was dark blonde with hazel-brown eyes. He had a dimpled chin and was the only male that Lachlan had ever heard women describing as having 'such full lips.' And as usual they were moving.

Hayden wielded his sword, moved his feet and talked nonstop with the casualness that could easily trick someone into complacency. Normally they would banter back and forth, and this often helped Lachlan sink into the lesson, like stretching his back after waking up. But this morning, it served solely to irk. 

He gritted his teeth to keep from telling Hayden to go find a well and drown himself in it. Hayden's chuckling at his own crass jokes told him that his cousin was quite blissfully unaware of Lachlan's mood or simply didn't care. Both were possible. Or he was aware and was hoping to trip him up. Whatever the case, Lachlan knew the dribble of words wouldn't end until he made it end.

"You missed quite the celebration," Hayden quipped. "Aunt Phedra had quite an assortment of candied apples, even a few plums, to choose from. Tragically, I was only allowed to lay eyes on them. Completely unfair, if you ask me. As a good cousin, I should surely have been able to steal a peck or two. I'd have generously given my preferences as to who's the better kisser." Hayden laughed again. He knew damned well that Lachlan's Mother would never have let him get a mule-cart anywhere near a one of them. Hayden's reputation was known the breadth of the Citadel. 

A solid series of jabs from Hayden reminded Lachlan what they were actually there for. It tested his strong arm and then his backhand in quick succession.

He tried to concentrate on getting a lick in of his own before answering. "I saw them. Pretty faces in pretty dresses all.  Squirming in their seats, all wanting me to take a look. I wasn't in the mood." Just like now.

"I cannot understand you, at all." Hayden said as he jumped in for a second attack. Lachlan deflected it with more than his usual ferocity. "Drake told me how he and Raynor found you finally." So he had known Lachlan would have been pissy and was using it. Hayden continued, "All the way up in the Tower of Midnight, during a night of dancing and feasting? Scepter-sake, how can we even be related?"

Don't even comment. Lachlan aimed higher, where Hayden's shoulder met neck, striking out and then striking again. Hayden blocked him, but that's what Lachlan wanted. As Lachlan's sword arced out, he cut it mid-strike and aimed it down hard at Hayden's hip instead of his waist. The wooden practice sword hit its target with more force than even Lachlan had intended. Hayden yelled out in pain and fell backwards.

"Shards, Drimir! What in the Great Bells is wrong with you!" Hayden rubbed at his hip. Then he stuck out his hand, waiting for Lachlan to pull him up.

Lachlan hesitated, but then obliged. Helping him to his feet, Lachlan mumbled, "Sorry, I guess I should have dueled with someone else." 

Hayden glanced to Drake where he was just finishing off his opponent and then back to Lachlan. He shook his head, "Not worth the trouble, mate. Brothers fight, that's what they do." 

"I don't care if he's my brother!" Just like his sword-strike, his words erupted louder than he'd meant to. 

And right over the noise of the fighting. Those practicing turned to stare at Lachlan. 

Drake let his sword arm fall and turned towards him, his breath steaming in the morning air. "You want to do this here, brother? You really want to fight? Star-kisser versus the Scepter? I'll take that bet." He strode over, his gait a trifle too exaggerated. The other young men, squires and newly-made knights whooped in excitement while the more experienced looked on with keen interest. Apparently a brawl between brothers was welcome entertainment for all. The Swordmaster stepped back and folded his arms, signaling permission.

Lachlan tapped the visor on his helm, letting it fall into place. He lowered his shoulders and steadied his balance, feeling his weight through the balls of his feet, stepping left, then right, then left again. 

Hayden leaned in behind Lachlan, "Keep the fight close. He does better when he can strike, retreat and strike again."

Lachlan nodded, knowing Hayden was right. Drake was fast, faster than either of them. Only Raynor was his match, so Lachlan would be disadvantaged from the start. But Lachlan was not about to let himself get bested now that the whole blasted Yard was watching.

They circled each other, both giving a wide berth. Drake stretched his sword arm out and twirled the blade to his right and then to his left. Show off.  

But those watching clearly enjoyed the showmanship.

"Nice lead in, Drake. Gonna make quick work of little brother."

"C'mon, we want to see you nick those smooth baby cheeks."

"Lachlan, you're close to earning your spurs. Prove it!"

Lachlan did his best to ignore the men. Lachlan knew he couldn't wait. He darted in, striking high like he had with Hayden. Drake blocked it easily, whipping his body around and answered with a volley of his own. He gave three quick strikes to Lachlan's chest, his left shoulder, his right thigh. Lachlan was forced backwards barely getting his blade in to answer each time. 

They moved around the yard, his brother pressing him. Another lightning quick jab. Lachlan was too slow. The block was only partial. His right forearm erupted in pain as the training sword made contact. Drake didn't wait. He took advantage of the pain and landed another sharp hit.

Lachlan was once again just a hair too slow, and this time Drake's sword hit squarely against the side of his left knee. The pain made Lachlan buckle and his sword flew from his hand as he hit the ground. Drake's long legs meant he was right there before Lachlan could react.

He felt the thick wooden blade against his helm. The clash of the two made his ears ring and his teeth close in on his tongue. He tasted blood as a chorus of whoops claimed a victor. And just like that, the fight had ended. A perfect morning. 

But then he heard his older brother Raynor's voice and knew it was just about to get better.

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