staying
awhile. ”
Captain
Madder stood, sweeping the sweat off of his body, giving Cade a
considering look. “ You ’ re welcome in
these yards anytime, Cade. A good fight, aye, always a good chance
to hone my own skills. I thought I had broken you of those fancy
flips though. You ’ ve got
them back, and then some. ”
Cade cocked
his head, a smile playing about his lips. “ Yes, and it was that which led to
your downfall, my friend. ”
“ Mmm, I
noticed when I ate dirt. Good way to pop up in
someone ’ s defence, with out
the risky blade work … perhaps
I was wrong. But heavy armour affords more … I ’ ll
think about it. And if you ’ re staying perhaps you would consider taking on a
knight ’ s duties, teach some
pages, or take on a squire. ”
Cade turned
back to the waiting boys. All, even
Llew ’ s, faces alight with
awe. He silently took back his things, strapping his blades back
into place, giving nods of thanks. He did not put his shirt or coat
back on but folded them neatly over his arm. Captain Madder
addressed the squires.
“ Right
squires, seems you ’ ve had a
bit of fun, go have your lunches now.
I ’ m ruddy
starvin ’ . Remember, a
soldier eats when a soldier can! Tomorrow morning I expect a
breakdown of the fight you have just witnessed, techniques used,
and why I lost! Don ’ t worry,
boys, you won ’ t hurt my
feelings! If you do well I ’ ll teach the feint I used. Go! You want to join me in the
mess, Cade? I know there ’ s
many ’ ll be glad to see you.
And there is a pretty little lad works in the baths now,
I ’ ll introduce you,
eh? ”
Captain Madder tipped a wink, his scar
twisting the gesture into a grimace. Like ghosts most of the
squires had disappeared, two rather disgruntled first years being
left to tidy the area. The crowd was breaking up too, servants
rushing off too neglected tasks, soldiers standing in knots
chatting or heading toward the mess hall to join the others.
“ I told you,
isn ’ t he amazing. That
jump! ” Lantana beamed at her
compatriots.
Gos was still
staring after them, talking over his shoulder. “ And did you hear?
He ’ s going to be teaching
us. ”
Llew
frowned. “ He
didn ’ t say he definitely
would, Captain Madder said teach a page, or take on a
squire. ”
Holver
started laughing, capering about, grabbing
Llew ’ s sleeve. “ But he
won ’ t! Holm was telling me
about it in the summer! Knights don ’ t really like taking on others squires, they usually train
a few of their own pages, then choose the best amongst them. Not
all squires have knights, some get places with captains and such,
and the Lord General always takes on about four, but some
don ’ t even have a mentor!
So, he ’ ll start with pages!
He ’ ll start with
us! ”
Llew pulled
his sleeve away, lest his lace get ripped, but he did smile at
Holver ’ s antics. He clapped
him on the shoulder, as he had seen Cade do, and started off toward
the main hall to get his own lunch, the others following. He
expected Lantana to look pleased, being
Cade ’ s own cousin would
guarantee her a place, but she didn ’ t. She looked pensive. Maybe it really was all open. He had
heard his father make noises about him serving as page and squire
to the Lord General, but surely he could talk to him. If Cade was
as good as all the rumours, the best, then surely it would suit to
have the Prince Heir trained by the best?
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Ten of Wands
Llew swept his sodden locks out of his eyes
and heaved a great sigh. He placed his wooden sword in the barrel
and got out of the way of the other pages shuffling behind him. His
hands were covered in bruises and scrapes. One particular graze
covered the back of his right hand, his sword hand, it was still
seeping blood and his little finger was stiff and swollen. He
rubbed it carefully, scowling at it.
Training had
started with the coming of the frosts and all too quickly his
dreams of glory had been dashed.
awhile. ”
Captain
Madder stood, sweeping the sweat off of his body, giving Cade a
considering look. “ You ’ re welcome in
these yards anytime, Cade. A good fight, aye, always a good chance
to hone my own skills. I thought I had broken you of those fancy
flips though. You ’ ve got
them back, and then some. ”
Cade cocked
his head, a smile playing about his lips. “ Yes, and it was that which led to
your downfall, my friend. ”
“ Mmm, I
noticed when I ate dirt. Good way to pop up in
someone ’ s defence, with out
the risky blade work … perhaps
I was wrong. But heavy armour affords more … I ’ ll
think about it. And if you ’ re staying perhaps you would consider taking on a
knight ’ s duties, teach some
pages, or take on a squire. ”
Cade turned
back to the waiting boys. All, even
Llew ’ s, faces alight with
awe. He silently took back his things, strapping his blades back
into place, giving nods of thanks. He did not put his shirt or coat
back on but folded them neatly over his arm. Captain Madder
addressed the squires.
“ Right
squires, seems you ’ ve had a
bit of fun, go have your lunches now.
I ’ m ruddy
starvin ’ . Remember, a
soldier eats when a soldier can! Tomorrow morning I expect a
breakdown of the fight you have just witnessed, techniques used,
and why I lost! Don ’ t worry,
boys, you won ’ t hurt my
feelings! If you do well I ’ ll teach the feint I used. Go! You want to join me in the
mess, Cade? I know there ’ s
many ’ ll be glad to see you.
And there is a pretty little lad works in the baths now,
I ’ ll introduce you,
eh? ”
Captain Madder tipped a wink, his scar
twisting the gesture into a grimace. Like ghosts most of the
squires had disappeared, two rather disgruntled first years being
left to tidy the area. The crowd was breaking up too, servants
rushing off too neglected tasks, soldiers standing in knots
chatting or heading toward the mess hall to join the others.
“ I told you,
isn ’ t he amazing. That
jump! ” Lantana beamed at her
compatriots.
Gos was still
staring after them, talking over his shoulder. “ And did you hear?
He ’ s going to be teaching
us. ”
Llew
frowned. “ He
didn ’ t say he definitely
would, Captain Madder said teach a page, or take on a
squire. ”
Holver
started laughing, capering about, grabbing
Llew ’ s sleeve. “ But he
won ’ t! Holm was telling me
about it in the summer! Knights don ’ t really like taking on others squires, they usually train
a few of their own pages, then choose the best amongst them. Not
all squires have knights, some get places with captains and such,
and the Lord General always takes on about four, but some
don ’ t even have a mentor!
So, he ’ ll start with pages!
He ’ ll start with
us! ”
Llew pulled
his sleeve away, lest his lace get ripped, but he did smile at
Holver ’ s antics. He clapped
him on the shoulder, as he had seen Cade do, and started off toward
the main hall to get his own lunch, the others following. He
expected Lantana to look pleased, being
Cade ’ s own cousin would
guarantee her a place, but she didn ’ t. She looked pensive. Maybe it really was all open. He had
heard his father make noises about him serving as page and squire
to the Lord General, but surely he could talk to him. If Cade was
as good as all the rumours, the best, then surely it would suit to
have the Prince Heir trained by the best?
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Ten of Wands
Llew swept his sodden locks out of his eyes
and heaved a great sigh. He placed his wooden sword in the barrel
and got out of the way of the other pages shuffling behind him. His
hands were covered in bruises and scrapes. One particular graze
covered the back of his right hand, his sword hand, it was still
seeping blood and his little finger was stiff and swollen. He
rubbed it carefully, scowling at it.
Training had
started with the coming of the frosts and all too quickly his
dreams of glory had been dashed.
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