Kratz

10

"Challenge me mud," Ellis demanded. Bas looked above him to see Ellis and Viktor, another older boy, standing over him. They blocked the sunlight, shading their faces quite well.

    "You call me mud?" asked Bas, grinning into the light. Ellis chuckled and set a hand on Bas' shoulder.

    "I envy ending your lead," he nodded proudly. His eyes were hard to read but Bas believed he had little honor.

    "You are disagreeable," Bas frowned. Ellis tilted his head.

    "How do you mean?"

    "I suppose it could be that you envy challenging me only to steal my lead."

    "Challenge me," Ellis glared. Bas looked at the ground for a moment before a wonderful idea popped into his head. Like a blooming flower he lifted his head and lit up. Excitement pulsed from his bright blue eyes.

    "Make it fair. Match my lead then I will agree," Bas suggested. Ellis and Viktor laughed hysterically, almost falling over on each other. Then Ellis nodded, making his curls bounce on his forehead playfully.

"Fine. Once my fifth victory is claimed, we will duel then."

Bas enjoyed the idea. In fact, he looked forward to it. He knew Ellis was a fine opponent and would make for a good partner. But Ellis was much older and often held younger boys in lower regard. Challenging Bas wasn't about beating on a younger boy though. It was jealousy. A younger boy had won more times than Ellis. Although the boys were unaware of how they were judged, winning more matches seemed the likely answer in their eyes. Truly Jarin hardly cared. Their fates would be decided when they fought actual patrolmen in year six. Still Jarin remained intent with their training and growth.

The following day Ellis would face his fifth opponent. It was a younger boy who hardly stood a chance. Ellis held little mercy and finished the match with a deep cut. A thin stream of blood gushed from the boy's side. Several other boys had to grab him and put some cloth over the wound. His victory meant Bas would face him.

Following the final duel of the day, Bas and Ellis both walked over to Jarin. Their commander stood in the same position nearly every day, and all day. A few paces from the ledge and facing the large area. When they greeted him Jarin was surprised.

"Is this a rebellion?" Jarin asked. Bas raised an eyebrow while Ellis pretended to laugh.

"Of course not commander," Ellis smiled.

"If it were, I'd have a great deal of concern. You have both become considerably stronger, and have proven to be quite skilled," Jarin nodded.

"We share a request with you, commander," Ellis said.

"What is your request?"

"We wish to duel sir."

"Tomorrow I suppose," Jarin pursed his lips, then he left his position. Ellis looked down at Bas and grinned mischievously.

"Tomorrow mud," he whispered, then walked away. After being left alone Bas felt slightly nervous. Perhaps he had misjudged Ellis as an easy opponent. Beating him would have to take a lot more.

The following day the boys all gathered after dawn for their duels. First focusing on learning a new combat move by Jarin. When he finished his lesson, he commanded them to line up on the wall. Ellis and Bas both heard their names and stepped forward as Jarin made his speech. Then they walked to the weapons pile. Bas, as always, grabbed two short swords. Ellis picked up a regular sword and a shield. Although it was not a weapon, Jarin had offered several up in place of a blade.