The sound of wooden training swords striking each other reflected in waves from the walls of the city guard barracks. The training ground in the Vizima Temple Quarter was filled with guards and junior cadets, watching and loudly cheering on the engaged warriors. It might seem like a fierce and equal fight between the two young men, but the truth is a bit more surprising. One of the fighters is Hugo, an eighteen-year-old cadet who in less than a month is to become a full-fledged guard, protecting the law in the capital, while his rival is only twelve-year-old Tyr, a blond kid with attentive green eyes, the son of a blacksmith from the outskirts. What's most surprising about this, however, is the boy's body size, which rivals Hugo's, and the strength and agility he displays.
(Captain of the Vizima Temple Quarter Guard, Ryzz)
''He's having fun again! Ahhh... I guess I'll have to reprimand young Tyr once again for playing with his opponent. On the training ground, he may experience something like this from time to time, but if it becomes a habit, one day it may cost him his life and it would be an unimaginable loss.''
Who would have thought that such a diamond came from the loins of an ordinary blacksmith, and was presented to me by a whore who insisted that I take him under my wing as a favor? I didn't mind, I could use the boy for minor paperwork, especially since his father invested a lot in his education so that he could at least know the basics of writing and reading and could deliver mail to appropriate places, all for free. In return, I only had to show the boy some sword fighting moves and how to defend himself. Win, win situation. It was two years ago, the boy was only ten years old, but already then, he was unnaturally developed and robust. He was about one hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty centimeters tall and had muscles that would make any man proud. While his overall height and weight may have been off, that wasn't what worried me. There is an old saying "as tall as a birch and as dumb as a goat" I was hoping Loona hadn't brought me another idiot that I would have to babysit. I already have too many of them among my subordinates. It didn't bother me, however, to label the boy based on his appearance alone: "Pretty. Too big for his age. Idiot."
I was wrong! I've never been so wrong in my life. I have been in the service of His Majesty Medell for five years, and in King Foltest's service for another sixteen, so I am an experienced old hand and I would not have achieved the rank of Captain of the Guard if I had not been able to judge people properly. After the first few hours, the boy destroyed my entire worldview, he turned out to be not only intelligent, but his personality as a whole attracted me to him very much.
''A diamond in the rough!'' I thought. With a mind as sharp as a knife, strength almost equal to that of an adult man, and charisma that immediately attracted my subordinates to him and other. And a pleasant and smooth personality… when he smiled, the barracks immediately became warmer, as if the sun shone through the clouds just to give hope and a little happiness in this world dominated by monsters and scum of every kind. I took him as my personal disciple, my first, and considering my advanced age, my last. I will do everything in my power to pass on all my knowledge to him, and maybe even my position if I live to retire.
''Enough of this fun, Tyr! Show some respect to Hugo and finish him off, maybe he will learn something from this and how many times have I told you that such an attitude during a fight could kill you one day!''
I see his face turn from relaxed to serious and his eyes focused, ''It won't be long before Hugo falls.'', I thought.
The sword held in his right hand draws a lightning arc, hitting Hugo's weapon, the force and momentum of the blow exposes his entire body, leaving his torso and head exposed and his arm along with the weapon raised up and numb. Tyr takes a quick lunge forward with his right leg, bends his body, bends his arm in half and attacks his stomach, hitting it with his elbow. Hugo bends like a piece of paper. Tyr shifts his weight to his right leg and pirouettes, tracing a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, stopping his wooden sword an inch from his opponent's neck. The crowd of watching companions cheers with delight.
I see my student lower his weapon and check that the future ranger is alright. Comforting him, telling him he fought well and giving him some advice. I'm not surprised by Hugo's reaction, even though he lost to a boy much younger than himself, he returns Tyr's kindness with a smile and thanks him for sparring. Everyone comes around, comforting and congratulating the competitors, patting their shoulders and laughing loudly.
I wish days like this would never end.
''Hugo! Good fight, you've come a long way from the little shit you were a few years ago, keep training and there won't be many people who can take you down, kudos.''
The boy smiles broadly and nods, accepting the compliment.
''Tyr! You little bastard, don't think that because you won you won't get punished. How many times have I told you not to underestimate your opponent and don't play around in a fight, even if it's just sparring, it might kill you one day. When will you get it stuck in your empty fucking head?!'' I shout sternly, even though I am bursting with pride.
''I know, uncle. I'm sorry, I just thought I could teach Hugo something.''
''Stop talking nonsense, bastard! You were showing off, and besides, I'm here to give tips!''
''Besides, I'm not your uncle, I'm your teacher!'' Even though I wanted to sound threatening and with authority I couldn't stop my own lips from showing a smile. ''Ahhh... the boy is like a son to me; I can't help it.'' I thought.
''You have been taking care of me for two years, captain. You are always there to support me and guide me, you are like family to me. I can't help it if I feel this way, and if you don't like it captain, that's too bad. You'll have to deal with it somehow, captain.'' he smiles broadly.
''Yes, Yes! And all the guards in the Vizima Temple Quarter are your brothers, and those in the Trade Quarter are milk drinkers and panickers. I've heard that somewhere before, you bastard!'' I replied, snorting mockingly, shaking my head with a smile.
''We love you too, Tyr!''
''You are like a sister to me!''
''And to me, like a little animal.''
Everyone that gathered started shouting and laughing.
''Shut your mouths, you ungrateful bastards!'' the boy shouted back, blushing.
Everyone burst into even more laughter.
''Apparently even the brightest and most talented teenager can show his age-appropriate, childish side sometimes.'' I laugh to myself.
''Okay, that's enough!'' I scream. I look at the moon floating in the sky, I didn't even notice when it got dark and young Tyr still has to go home…
''End of fun, go back to the barracks, end of training for today! Tyr! It's already getting dark; can you go home alone or should I send a few boys with you?!''
''We can hold your hand, princess!'' Someone shouted.
I see the boy looking at me, hoping that I won't embarrass him in front of others, sometimes I forget that he is stronger than most of them, but it doesn't change the fact that I worry about him.
''Thank you, Captain, I'll be fine. And what about you?'' He turns to the others.
''Next time I'll kick all of your asses!'' he shouts, which is met with laughter.
I walk up to my student, put my hand on his shoulder and speak seriously.
''Don't go near the river! I don't think I need to tell you that drowners like to go out at night. Don't stop anywhere and go straight home. You never know if some monster or bastard will want to attack you.'' Now that I lower my voice to a whisper and look around, Princess Adda, or rather a striga, is prowling and murdering in the area, we all have to be doubly careful.
When I mention Princess Adda, his eyes immediately light up, his face becomes serious and his voice grows stronger.
''One day I will remove that curse from her, master! you will be proud of me!''
''I know, my boy.'' I nod.
''But despite all your talent, I hope you never come within a thousand meters of her. There were many daredevils who claimed so and ended up willingly offering themselves to her as a buffet. As far as I'm concerned, the king should gather an army and kill this monster once and for all.'' However, I prefer to keep my opinion on this matter to myself. I'm in no hurry for the scaffold, I thought.
''Now go, Tyr, have a safe journey!''
''See you later, captain.'' he replies, turning on his heel and heading towards the merchant gate.