Chapter 7 Part 2: A Student's Progress

Xavos stepped back, and was gratified as Therizen advanced, not allowing his opponent time to recover from his failed assault. So the lad had been listening to his instructions. Perhaps the time had come to see just how well the young acolyte had been listening.

The Arch Paladin caught the second strike aimed for his side which was well given, but after sparring in the circle since before sun up even the acolytes were beginning to flag, their breath coming in ragged gasps. Xavos sprang like a snake on the mouse pushing away his own fatigued muscles. This was why men blessed with strength trained, and more than all others.

Even those with the blessing could become fatigued. No matter the power of your muscle once it was fatigued even a toddler could block the strike. That was the danger for men of the brotherhood. Pride. No mortal, or even immortal in physical form, was invincible, and even the smallest stone thrown at the right time could fell an unprepared giant.

Xavos locked his pupil’s practice sword with the hilt of his own as he lunged, raising both wooden blades in a rush. The Paladin’s plan was to knock the boy silly with his hilt which would have been dangerous with normal men, but the acolytes like their Paladin teacher were blessed and far more durable. However, Xavos felt his instincts scream danger into his mind. By the Almighty beard did his pupil just bait him into a lunge with a honey trap in the form of a false weak strike?

Allowing his body to act without thought, Xavos released his left hand from the pommel of his sword lashing out faster than the eye could see. This lowered the power of his guard strike which would’ve allowed the youngster to slow the lunge enough to save his brains if his head had stayed static in the exchange. The movement that had triggered the Arch Paladin’s battle energy became evident as Therizen’s play became clear to his teacher.

The boy had feigned exhaustion since Therizen had energy to spare allowing him to duck under the raised guard of his opponent. If the Paladin had allowed for the full momentum of his charge his acolyte would have used the impetus of the lunge to slide his sword out from the guard lock, and whirl around to strike at his teacher’s backside.

A move only possible by briefly breaking his stance to show his back to his opponent which is why he never saw Xavos’s fist slamming into his face. The boy went sprawling onto the deck, but managed to throw his blade up in an attempt to stay in the bout.

Pride swelled through Xavos’ being flowing up through his chest and threatening his countenance with tears. The Paladin had never taught a more capable crop of students. At this rate one of these lot may actually get the better of their sword master in the near future. Too many students would have allowed the match to end once they hit the floor. Therizen had allowed himself a final chance to catch his opponent as he came for the finishing blow. A move that very well could save his life in true combat. Antain and Thoral’s man had exceeded all expectations. None-the-less Xavos wasn’t ready to have these upstarts beat the Arch Paladin of Man quite yet.

Knocking the practice sword aside, Xavos then battered down Therizen’s leg as it went to kick for his teacher’s groin. The Paladin delivered a blow to the boy's solar plexes driving the wind from his breast then sat unceremoniously on his acolyte’s chest pinning him to the deck below panting for breath.

These whelps didn’t need to know their ever aging teacher needed a moment to regain his own strength. Sparring with these acolytes had been more taxing than expected. They hadn’t had a chance to risk an injury during training while battling for the fate of the Races of Light. The wars had been cruel, but they had made these boys into beasts on the battlefield that even tried a veteran as experienced as Xavos.

“Either I’m getting old and slow, or you lot will actually be Paladins one day. Might be both,” Xavos barked, and then laughed through his own wheezing breath. Therizen was in significantly more discomfort, but air was making a ponderous path to his lungs despite the weight of his teacher pressing down on his lungs.

Cheers went up from the other acolytes who had paused in their sparring to see the outcome of the unexpected bout. Xavos stood, and pulled Therizen up with him. Best get the teaching out of the way before too much celebration carried his acolytes’ attention for a time.

“Therizen, what did you do wrong?”

“I broke my stance, and my view of my opponent my Arch… I mean Boss.” Therizen got out between deep breaths while sweat dripped from his bruised face.

“Good,” Xavos said with gravity,” However, without the risk of branking stance you would have never gotten so close to besting your teacher. Let that be a lesson my lads. Until you understand the purpose behind the fundamentals and stances you will never master throwing those rules to the wolves to catch even masters on the back foot. War, battle, and even sparring is unforgiving. The rules give us structure. The rules were made by generations of war, but as the good word does speak there is a time for everything. The difference between the veteran and the dead is feeling and knowing when to follow the stance, and when to throw sand in your opponent's face. Now be gone young whelps, you're dismissed.”

Xavos slapped Therizen’s back then let Antain and Thoral swoop in to assault the boy with congratulations and enough thumping to lay him out on the deck without support. The lad didn’t mind. Therizen’s face was alight with joy at knowing he’d been the first to make the Arch Paladin apply himself while sparring amongst his peers. He was a legend in his little world, and seeing such youthful displays on the young man’s countenance brought a rueful smile to Xavos’ grim face. They were but youth in the end, their laughter a defiance against the dark they’d survived. It was good to see they still had the fire and joy of boys their age even after the struggle of destruction, and loss of so much of what they loved.

“My Arch Paladin,” Micath’s voice brought the Paladin’s mind screaming back to reality with a start,” There is a message from Bolane on the Isle.” Ah yes, the world was still bled, and much would be asked of both these young acolytes and their teacher before long.

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