The day after, Aren and Aunt Pan left on their respective errands. Ronald and Relma were brought before their new instructor. He was a very tall and thin dwarf, which ant he was stockier than either of them, though he was shorter than Relma. His hair was white, but he had only a few wrinkles. His eyes were gray, and a sword of simple but sturdy make at his side that looked used a lot.
He eyed her carefully. "You are Relma, then?"
"Yes, Sir Argath. That is my na," said Relma.
"I knew your father," said Argath.
Relma blinked. "You did?"
"Yes," said Argath. "Hadleim and I were soldiers together in the campaigns against the satyrs. It was in the Black Marshes to the east. We fought many battles in the Black Watch. He was a good man, but we never got on well."
"May I ask why?" asked Relma.
Argath shrugged and adjusted his sword. "We had different views on how things should be. The usual sort of nonsense young n get up to. I rather wish we'd put those quarrels aside, though. I'm old now."
"You aren't that old," said Relma.
"Age is in the mind," said Argath. "I was raised by humans, so while I'm in my pri as a dwarf, I think of myself as old. Unfortunate, but the truth." He turned his gaze to Ronald. "You are Ronald, the youngest son of Fulsof, then?"
"Yes, sir," said Ronald. "I want to beco a knight, like Sir Frederick."
"I don't think you do." mused Argath. "But Arengeth has his own designs for you, so you must. How much training have the two of you had?"
"I've had instruction in using arms in the Sheriff's militia," said Ronald. "So has Relma, though the weapons there were always small for her."
"Ah, very well," said Argath before pulling a shield off a weapon rack and tossing it to Relma. "Relma, I want you to take this shield and try to defend
as best you can."
"What-" began Relma as she slipped on the shield.
Then Argath ca at her. One of his blows struck her shield and nearly knocked her flat. Again and again, he struck at her, and she could hardly keep on her feet. Finally, he stopped.
"Well, that is a problem," said Argath.
"What is it?" asked Relma.
"Well, you were taught by halflings. Being much smaller than us, halflings have a different way of fighting," said Argath. "You'll have to adapt your fighting style a bit. There needs to be more focus on standing firm and more on yielding and recovering. You will only do good trying to overpower your enemy by strength alone. Not with your build; you are no berserker like Tanith.
"I had a similar problem when training to be a knight. My build was thin for my race, so I needed more staying power. As a result, I learned to be more aggressive. Haldrenian Berserkang is a formidable technique if you have the rage for it.
"But only if you have the rage.
"Give the shield to your friend." Relma obeyed. "Ronald, sa test."
Ronald faired far better. He was able to keep his stance properly beneath Argath's powerful blows. Finally, the white-haired dwarf stopped and sheathed his blade.
"Well, you've done better," he said. "That's to be expected, though. But, still, we only have a few halflings here besides Sir Frederick, and he's gone away on campaign.
"Now, for now, you are Steward Benarus's guest. However, it is best if you room with the other trainees. I will make arrangents for you to be moved to the dormitories."
"Must we?" asked Ronald.
"Of course," said Argath. "You'll have to face them sooner or later. Better sooner. Wait here, and I'll return."
And he left. They waited there for a while, unsure of what to do. Eventually, Argath returned. With him was a tall, black-haired girl a little older than Relma. She wore brown leather and had a confident air to her.
"Relma, Ronald, this is Estela Vortegex of Escor," said Argath. "I've asked her to get you both settled."
"Vortegex?" asked Relma, rembering the na. "Are you a Princess?"
"If we have to be technical, yes," said Estela. "The youngest daughter. Sent to make my way in the world and all that nonsense. Co on, I'll show you the way."
Estela led them through the halls. As they walked, she explained things. "First of all, you should know that we have a system here. Older squires are waited on by younger ones. Usually, in the mornings, they have to bring water for baths and other such nonsense.
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"You'll probably be expected to do the sa."
"Why is that?" asked Ronald.
Estela shrugged. "How should I know? I've never filled a tub in my life."
"Why not?" asked Relma.
"Well, the last ti soone of equal rank tried to command
to do anything, I refused. He tried to thrash
but wasn't nearly good enough for that," said Estela. "So he got together with three others and beat
down. I spent hours at the healer.
"As soon as I was ready, I ambushed him later and paid him back in kind. Then I found the ones who helped him and did the sa for them. Then he got together with so more of his friends. But I convinced so other squires to help , and there was a huge fight."
"And the Steward was alright with this?" asked Relma.
"No, of course not. I got a thrashing and went without anything but the most basic food for a week. And was confined to my quarters," said Estela with a smile. "But it was worth it. After that, everyone feared , and when people fear you, they don't try to ss with you."
"That doesn't seem a good way to gain respect," mused Relma.
"The Vortegex's have had to fight for our throne for decades. Ever since we beat the Gabriels and got rid of those blood-drinking De Chevlons," said Estela. "Though I hear they've made common cause of late.
"Did you know Argath trained Raynald De Chevlon? He says Raynald is even better at fighting than he is. Though I'm not sure, I believe it."
"I didn't know that," said Relma. "How good is Raynald?"
"So say even Anoa wouldn't be a match for him," said Estela. "Though I'll believe that when I see it. He killed sixteen trained nobles in two hours. Many of them were experienced mbers of the Fighters Guild of Antion.
"That was just how he signed a letter of resignation. He's incredible-
"I an, he's a bloodthirsty brute. Everything in House De Chevlon we had to get rid of in Escor. You keep bickering and treacherous nobles in line through fear."
"What about love?" asked Relma.
"Eh, love never stopped anyone from hurting anyone else. Just look at Gwendoven, Orson and Anoa," said Estela. "Supposedly, they had great love, and Anoa killed the other two.
"No, scaring people into obeying you is the way to go."
"Yes, but history is filled with people who conquered their fears," said Relma. "You've got to give people so other reason to support you, or you'll just paint a target on your back."
"That's where hostages co in," said Estela. "I think I like both of you. Neither of you will have to draw any water on my watch."
"Thank you, but I think I'll do the drawing all the sa," said Relma. "I don't want the others to think I believe myself above them."
"I think I'd best go with Relma," said Ronald.
At that mont, soone ca around the corner. She was a lanky girl with blonde hair. She wore two swords on either side of her belt. She held two buckets in both hands, which she threw at them.
Relma caught hers, while Ronald was hit in the face and landed hard.
"You," said the girl, looking at them with bloodshot eyes, "you're the idiots who co to train as squires, aren't you? The ones those charlatans pulled strings for."
"Aunt Pan and Aren are not charlatans-" began Relma.
"Yes, you're very naive; shut up," said the girl. "I'm Tanith Telus. I've killed dozens of Calishans. I've had my way with their won and put their children on stakes while their flaming villages burned. Take these buckets to the river and bring the water back."
"Feel like practicing what you preach?" asked Estela.
Relma hesitated. "Are you another squire?"
"No," scoffed Tanith. "I'm a knight of Estal. Now go."
Relma bowed quickly. "Of course."
And that was how their tour was abruptly interrupted by them having to run out to the river. It took them out of their way, and carrying the buckets was difficult, to say the least. As they lugged them onward, Ronald gripped the buckets.
"Relma, why did you have to make us go through this?" he asked. "This is a nightmare."
"Because getting special privileges makes other people jealous of you. When soone is jealous, it is much harder to gain their trust," said Relma. "We want to fit in, Ronald, not make a big show of how much better we are."
"Whatever you say," said Ronald. "But that Tanith girl didn't even tell us where to bring the water."
"She was probably just taking advantage of us," said Relma. "ssing with the new at."
"Then why did you agree?" asked Ronald.
"Because if you stand up to soone stronger than you, things only get worse," said Relma. "There is a ti and a place for all these things." Then she hesitated. In the distance, she saw a large group of armored n making for the black mountain.
"What is it, Relma?" asked Ronald.
Relma put down her water and rushed to them. "Wait, wait!"
They looked up. "What is it, lass?"
"You are heading to the Black Mountain," said Relma. "That's black dragon territory."
"We have no interest in dragons. I am Sir Edward De Cathe," said the man. "I seek to draw Lightning Trail in the skies above."
"Lightning Trail?" asked Relma.
"I'm surprised you have not heard the tale," said Edward. "It is said that Lightning Trail, the sword of Elranor, has been driven into the skies. He that reaches the peak of the Black Mountain and draws the blade from the sky will rule Harlenor Reunited."
"I know the story," said Relma. "Nobody has ever been able to draw Lightning Trail."
"There's always a first ti. And I have perford more than my share of great deeds," said Edward.
"I don't think it works that way," said Relma. "Or does it? Look, couldn't you delay your trip by a week or so? We're on the verge of war with Telix and Wrynncurth. If it cos to it, you could do a few more great deeds before making the journey. And it will probably be a lot safer when you make it then."
Edward hesitated. "...We have traveled for many months. I suppose I could wait a few days more. What is your na?"
"Relma Artorious," said Relma. "I'm a squire in the Stewards castle."
"My thanks for the advice," said Edward. "I shall do sothing about the woes of this land, and when it is liberated, I shall achieve my destiny."
"Very kind of you, sir," said Relma. "If you'll excuse , I must return to work."
When they got back to the gate, Tanith was waiting. She was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "You're late. Care to explain yourself."
"I'm sorry," said Relma. "A group of knights was about to charge off up the Black Mountain. I had to talk them out of it. If I hadn't, they'd have been devoured for sure."
"...Hmm, as excuses go, I've heard better," said Tanith. Then she grabbed both buckets and poured them into the ground. She did the sa for Ronald. "Anyway, enjoy your stay."
Then she walked off.
"It took us a long ti to get all that water," said Ronald, "and she just poured it all over the ground. What a vicious-" He cut off what he was about to say. "As if she's any better than us!"
"Let it pass, Ronald," said Relma.
Estela ca back. "Oh, I should ntion that Tanith enjoys tornting the servants. And even if you accepted my offer, I couldn't do anything about it.
"If she told
to move water, I'd do it. Now, should we continue the tour?"
"I'd appreciate that," said Relma.
So people were just unpleasant.
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