Kingdom of Graniel: Chapter 6
“Absolutely not. This is no place for little girls, go back inside.” Harry and Claire heard as they were walking through the courtyard talking.
Ciara and a man Harry did not recognize were arguing a short ways away, near a weapon rack. It did not take a genius to figure out what was going on. Ciara wanted to train, and the man was against it.
“I think that is the castle's master of arms.” Claire offered, sensing Harry's thought.
“I see.” Harry replied, heading over to them.
“Maybe it is better if you don't interfere.” Claire suggested.
“I would never interfere.” Harry replied, still heading towards the pair, causing Claire to shake her head.
“You don't want to train with him anyways Ciara.” Harry interjected.
“Why would that be?” The master of arms demanded.
“I have been in battle with the soldiers you have trained. I was not impressed. Clearly you are inept at your duties.” Harry insulted.
“How dare you! I am Thomas Daue, I have been the Master of Arms for Hanover castle for twenty years. I am quite skilled at my job.” Thomas shot.
“Not from what I have seen. By all means, let us spare, and you can prove me wrong.”
“Gladly.” Thomas said red faced. Drawing his training sword he motioned to the weapon rack. “By all means, select whatever weapon you would like.”
“No need.” Harry mocked. “I am quite content taking yours.”
“Ha.” Thomas laughed, as he squared off.
The sparring match did not last long. Thomas swung with his sword, Harry ducked it with ease. Stepping in towards Harry, Thomas thrust his sword. Side stepping it, Harry grabbed Thomas by the wrist with one hand, and above the elbow with the other. Pivoting in, Harry then threw Thomas over his shoulder.
Twisting Thomas' arm, Harry pried the sword away, before pulling on the arm to flip his opponent over onto his stomach. Pressing the dulled blade against the side of Thomas' neck, Harry spoke with an eerie calm. “You just lost.”
“How dare you!” Thomas spat as he scrambled to his feet. “I will not be embarrassed like this!”
“Than you should have fought better.” Harry insulted.
Failing to come up with a response. Thomas stormed off, practically leaving craters with each foot step.
“That was impressive.” Ciara complimented. “You can train me.”
“Alright.” Harry agreed.
Ciara beamed at that. Running over to the weapon rack, she quickly pulled a sword off the rack and squared off against Harry.
“A single, one hand sword and no shield?” Harry asked.
“Well yea, I can't wield a two hand.” Ciara replied.
“Understandable. But what about your offhand. If you are using a single one handed sword, you'll be more effective with either a shield or a second weapon.” Harry inquired.
“Shields are too heavy and bulky for me.” Ciara admitted. “What should I use as a second weapon?”
“Generally, offhand weapons are smaller and lighter than your main hand, used for quicker attacks.” Harry stated.
After thinking for a minute, Ciara went back to the weapon rack. Grabbing a second sword, before heading back and squaring off against Harry. He just eyed her for a minute, before his gaze fell back towards the weapon rack.
“Those swords are probably too long for you, but I don't see shorter ones on the rack, so it will have to do for now.” Harry spoke, squaring off against Ciara.
“You are only using a single one handed sword, and no shield?” Ciara asked, confused.
“Yes.” Harry answered.
Without bothering to answer, Ciara charged in. Swinging hard with the sword in her right hand, she went for the winning blow with her first move. Deflecting her blade, Harry threw a knee into her stomach, forcing her to double over, as all the air left her body. As she dropped to all fours, Harry pressed his sword to her neck, signalling that she had lost.
“Short shallow breaths.” Harry instructed as he stepped away to reset. “Slowly build to deeper breaths.”
Even with instruction from Harry, it took Ciara a bit of time to regain her breath. After she was able to breathe right again, she shot Harry daggers with her eyes, before snapping at him.
“I thought men didn't hit ladies like that!” she said.
“Are you a lady?” Harry asked. “You were holding swords, so I thought you were a soldier. Maybe you should head back inside and pick up a sewing needle then.”
Snarling, Ciara charged again. As Harry prepared for her attack, Claire had charged in. Grabbing Ciara by the throat, Claire slammed her to the ground. Ciara once again had the wind knocked out of her, causing her to release her swords. Grabbing one of her swords, Claire pressed it to her opponents throat.
“You forgot the first rule of combat. Pay attention for other hostiles.” Claire scolded.
Ciara knocked the sword away seething, as she reached up and grabbed Claire by the throat. Without blinking Claire pulled a knife out of her belt. Ciara's face went white as the sharp blade was put to her neck. The girl who a second ago was blinded with rage, was now frozen with fear.
“If you attack with anger you will lose every time. Check you emotions if you don't want to die in combat.” Claire instructed.
“That's enough.” Harry ordered.
Nodding, Claire got off of Ciara and allowed her to get up. Ciara tentatively got up, still working to catch her breath. Picking her swords up, she looked to Harry, then to Claire and back again before speaking slowly.
“How am I suppose to beat someone who is better trained and that much stronger than I am?” She asked.
“By using your head.” Harry answered. “Before we started you pointed out that I was only carrying a single one handed sword. You knew that, yet you made no effort to attack from my off side. You charged straight into me and put all of your strength into a single swing. With your stature, you are not going to win with force, you are going to win with speed and agility.”
“But I don't think I can beat you.” Ciara muttered.
“I have been his friend and comrade for almost six years. We have sparred many times, and I have never once beaten him.” Claire interjected.
“Never?” Ciara asked, surprised.
“Never.” Claire confirmed. “When you train and spar, it's not about whether you win or lose, you are simply looking to improve.”
“What is going on here?” Amphion asked, coming back with the Thomas.
“Sparring match. I figure in two or three sessions she should be ready to replace your Master of Arms.” Harry explained.
“See what I mean?” Thomas spat.
“I will not have my Master of Arms insulted like that.” Amphion cut in.
“Well than he should do his job better.” Harry insulted. “If he was adequate at it, I wouldn't need to be here.”
“That's not funny.” Amphion shot.
“I wasn't joking.” Harry answered. “Although if you had kept your word and sent me home, I wouldn't have been here to insult him.”
“My mages are working on it. In the mean time you will refrain from discrediting my captains and commanders.” Amphion ordered.
“They discredit themselves. I'm just the catalyst that demonstrates it.” Harry said.
“Are we going to have a problem?” Amphion asked.
“Not if you keep your inept captains and commanders away from me.” Harry demanded.
“Fine. They will stay away from you, and you will stay away from them. Also I do not want my daughter training to fight.” Amphion ordered.
“Agreed on the first order. As for you daughter not training, she is going to whether or not I'm involved.” Harry replied.
“While you are in my castle, you will follow my orders.” Amphion shot, as he turned and left.
“I told you not to interfere.” Claire said after Amphion was out of earshot.
“And I told you, I never interfere.” Harry explained.
“So what do you call that?” Claire asked.
“Groundwork.” Harry replied.
“So you can't train me anymore?” Ciara asked disappointingly.
“Why not?” Harry questioned.
“My father said you're not allowed.” Ciara said.
“Your father does not fall within the chain of command I swore to obey.” Harry replied.
They continued to spar for a couple of hours, before Claire gave Harry a nod. Ending the training session, Harry cleaned off the training swords and returned them to the rack.
“Got somewhere you need to be?” Ciara asked, disappointed he cut the session short.
“The shift change for the dungeon is about to happen, I would like to speak to the enemy commander.” Harry answered.
“Why didn't you say so. Let's go.” Ciara replied.
“I'll have an easier time sneaking in with fewer people.” Harry suggested.
“Sneaking?” Ciara asked. “I am a Lady of house Hanover. I will order the guard to let you in.”
Looking to Claire who just shrugged, Harry and Claire followed Ciara to the dungeon. Approaching the door where the enemy combatants were being kept, the guard straightened up, as he opened his mouth to order them to stop.
“Captain Harry would like to speak to the enemy commander, open the door for him.” Ciara ordered.
“I'm not suppose to let anyone in.” The guard hedged.
“As Lady of house Hanover, I order you to open the door for Harry,” Ciara demanded.
“Of course, Lady Ciara.” The guard replied after a short delay, unused to Ciara pulling rank.
Unlocking the door, He pushed it open for Harry. As Harry entered the cell block, the door latched behind him, as Ciara, Claire and the guard all watched the door. As Harry proceeded through the cells, looking for the face of the enemy commander, he heard a voice.
“I assume it’s me you are looking for?” A man asked from a cell near the back.
As Harry approached the cell, he recognized the man as the enemy commander. In the smallest cell, at the back of the dungeon, the only one with a cell to himself. Approaching the cell, Harry spoke to the prisoner.
“Aye. My name is Harry, I am the captain of a small team that helped to defend the castle.” Harry introduced.
“I see. It was your weapons we faced during the battle. They seemed, foreign to me.” The man suggested. “I am commander Odert.”
“You are correct. We were brought here by their mages from another world.” Harry acknowledged, “I was hoping you might speak with me a bit.”
“Well not like I have anywhere to be. What is on your mind?” Asked Odert.
“I am not of this world. Things like magic, real magic, is foreign to me. Hanover's mages have told me they can send us home, but have continued to stall. Is it possible for us to be sent home?” Harry asked directly.
“Magic is not my specialty, my men wage warfare with steel and iron. That being said, based on my limited understanding, it should be possible.” Odert answered. “Having doubts about Hanover's word?”
“Just wanted to ensure he wasn't outright lying. Why did you attack the castle?” Harry asked.
“You came from another world, and defended a castle for the man who brought you here, and you didn't bother to ask?” Odert asked.
“I am a soldier. I was taught to identify an enemy and eliminate them without question. That is what I did. Now the battle is over, and I am curious.” Harry replied.
“For nine years my men have wandered as mercenaries. Lords and Ladies would fire us as soon as they no longer needed us. Luxuries like a warm castle to sleep in and safety of walls was out of our reach for us. We wanted a place to call our own. A home for my men. Hanover's castle was the perfect target, inexperienced warriors and a commander who had never seen combat. Should have been an easy victory. Except you showed up.” Odert answered.
“So you weren't hired by anyone? You attacked for your own benefit?” Harry interrogated.
Odert smiled at that. “I've played politics more times than I care to count. Your subtle, I will give you that. To answer your question, the real one you are asking, not the one you proffered, no there is no lords hiring or backing us, that you could rely on as an ally.”
“Never said I was looking for one.” Harry replied.
“No, you specifically didn't say you were.” Odert smiled. “That being said, Hanover has enemies, you just have to find them.”
“You seem to know more than you are letting on.” Harry suggested.
“Perhaps. I have no obligation to tell you anymore, however.” Odert replied.
“What do you want?” Harry asked.
“What are you willing to offer?” Odert replied. “Iron bars are cold.”
“I can't get you out of here.” Harry responded.
“I attacked a lords castle, and lost the battle.” Odert replied. “My life is forfeit. I can live with that. My men, however, were following orders. Those who remain should be allowed to live. They can either be exiled from the castle to fend for themselves, or be enlisted, as Hanover would prefer.”
“Amphion and I do not see eye to eye.” Harry replied. “I can not promise anything. If you talk to me, I will do what I can to sway him.”
“I suppose that is all I can ask.” Odert agreed. “Hanover's name is not feared, and they have burnt allies before. They were essentially isolated from the Lords around here. While I can not say categorically who is an enemy and who is neutral to them, I would suggest they have more than one outright enemy from the surrounding lords.”
“I see. Thank you for your time.” Harry acknowledged, receiving a nod back form Odert as he left.
***********************************************************************
Read the entire story as it's released on my Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/grimfalcon746
