The morning sun hung high overhead in the village of Elaris, casting long shadows over what had become the open fields utilized as the training grounds within the village. A largish patch of land past the village square, the open fields were bordered by a simple wooden fence, with substantial oak trees providing shade all along its edges. From long years of tramping, spots in the grass had been trodden down, and a shallow brook across the far end where dripping students after a hard running could get some relief for their exertions. On one side stood wooden silhouettes and poles with wooden blades, javelins, and bucklers used in training by young people dwelling in the village.
Before him paced Master Garrick, swordmaster of the village-a towering figure of a man over fifty, grizzled and worn, with lines etched into his weathered face that spoke to many battles remembered and not quite recalled. His sharp blue eyes swept across the children's assembly, his gaze as quick as any sword he wielded in his youth. There were rumors circulating about his past. Some said he was a soldier in the army of the Valaris Kingdom, but for some unknown dark reason, he retired to Elaris. Now, he spent his days training the village youth in combat techniques.
"Form up!" Garrick shouted, and the children, including Kai and Lia, scrambled into position, holding their wooden swords tightly.
Kai stood to the side, his dark hair clinging to his forehead, already drenched with sweat. His eyes were focused, his body steady. Today's the day, he thought, his familiar excitement at competition buzzing through him. A few strides away, Lia stretched her arms overhead, her green eyes dancing with anticipation. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she looked as lively as ever. But today they weren't facing each other. Each had their own rival to contend with, adding a spark of excitement to the day's training.
"Listen up!" barked Garrick, his voice cutting through the din. "Today's lesson isn't just about swinging a stick. It's about strategy, focus, and discipline. Do you think you have what it takes to wield a real sword one day? If you can't even hold your ground in practice, you've got no business dreaming of battle!"
Kai glanced out across the field, where Toran, one of the older boys, was already spinning his wooden sword with much more show than skill. Toran had made it his aim to challenge Kai at every opportunity, always boasting about his future as the best swordsman in all of Valaris.
'He thinks he can intimidate me,' Kai mused, but he does not realize that strength alone won't win the day.
On the opposite side, Lia watched her rival: a wiry girl named Sera who was known for quick reflexes and a sharp tongue. Sera had been trying to outdo Lia in every exercise; today, she looked intent on doing the same with their sparring session.
"Pair off!" Garrick's voice cut through again, and the children moved to find their partners. Kai stepped forward to face Toran, who grinned smugly as he hefted his wooden sword.
"Ready to lose again, farm boy?" Toran sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance.
Kai smirked, adjusting his grip on the hilt. "We'll see."
On the other side of the field, Lia stood across from Sera, who grinned at her with a challenging glint. "You may be fast, but you'll need more than that today."
Lia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Bring it on."
Garrick watched with sharp eyes, his arms crossed as the children raised their swords. "Begin!"
Toran lunged first, swinging wildly with brute strength. Kai sidestepped the attack easily, using his lighter frame to his advantage. He raised his sword in order to catch Toran's following blow and the wooden blades rang out with a loud thudding clanging, clanging. Stay Calm, he told himself: This guy is big and in-your-face stupid, all brawn with no brains: Kai focused in tighter on Toran This time the attack came round again this time shifting his weight down for the undercut tapping into his side with his flat blade blade.
Toran stumbled with embarrassment, reddening: "Lucky shot.".
Kai only smiled and readied himself for the next round. If you are prepared, it is not luck, he thought, steeling himself.
Meanwhile, Lia spun around Sera's next thrust using agility to keep her rival off balance. I can't let her get inside my head, Lia thought as her competitive spirit ignited. Sera was fast, but Lia was faster. The two girls moved in a dance of swordplay, their wooden blades clacking together in rapid succession. Lia laughed as she dodged another swipe, always staying just a step ahead of her opponent.
"You're holding back, Kai!" Toran snarled, irritation bleeding into his voice as yet another of his powerful swings was blocked. "Fight me!"
"I am," Kai replied coolly, his gray eyes on his opponent. Every step counts. I have to outsmart him. He waited for the perfect moment, measuring his paces. When Toran launched at him again, Kai sidestepped and struck Toran's side with a mere touch, making the onlookers gasp.
Lia was a blur as she darted in and out of Sera's strike, her movements fluid and precise as she danced across the grassy field. "Slowpoke!" she taunted, grinning.
Sera narrowed her eyes. She lunged again, only to be sidestepped by Lia, who lightened her touch on Sera's wrist, forcing the princess to drop her sword. "Too slow!" Lia laughed, retreating and allowing Sera to scramble to reacquire her sword.
Garrick nodded encouragingly at the pairs, though his voice was still gruff. "Good. But don't get cocky, any of you. A real fight's nothing like this."
More purpose, the wooden swords of the children clashed as the training session lengthened. The grounds resounded with a resolute practice, heavy air heavy with sweat and earth smell. All the while, the village of Elaris plodded on with its daily routine, for farmers worked in the fields that surrounded it and the far-off murmurings of the village square bustled with activity.
"Enough!" Garrick's voice cut the air once again. "Round up!"
The little warriors, heaving and winded, unsheathed their swords and approached the swordmaster. Garrick threaded through them, straightening stances and muttering gruff words of encouragement. When he finally came to Kai and Toran, his sharp gaze narrowed ever so slightly.
"You're getting better," he said, giving them both a hard look. "But remember, there's always more to learn. One mistake in battle, and it's over."
Toran mumbled something under his breath, still smarting from his loss, while Kai nodded, absorbing the lesson. One mistake could cost me everything, he reflected, feeling the weight of Garrick's words settle in.
Across the field, Garrick gave Lia and Sera a similar critique. "You're fast," he said to Lia, "but speed alone won't win you a fight. Keep sharpening your instincts."
Lia nodded eagerly, her energy undiminished despite the long session. "I'll keep that in mind," she replied, determination sparking in her eyes.
At the closing of the session, little warriors return the wooden swords back into racks and head back toward the village. But this time, there is achievement that hung in the air. Kai looked over at Lia, and they smiled at one another as if they already knew tomorrow would bring things much harder than these.