Chapter 6: Chapter 6
(Sword Training)
Reskeme rummaged around his room, checking boards and trying to pry them off with his fingers. Most of the boards were solid, but one had an obvious wiggle. Reskeme dug his fingers around the rough board excitedly. Maybe he could actually hide the scroll and his last coin? He wiggled the board back and forth, back and forth. The board creaked and groaned as he strained to move it.
Being impatient, Reskeme tried moving the board too fast. Gripping the board hard, straining, his hand slipped, slamming his knuckles on the wall. Ouch! Reskeme yelled, waving his hand. Shaking the pain from his hand, Reskeme eyed his enemy, taking a new line of attack. One minute later and after leaning into the wiggling, the stupid plank came off unexpectedly fast.
The plank frapped Reskeme right on the forehead, "Ouch! Shit!" He cursed. Reskeme mumbled Plank two Reskeme zero. After the plank attacked him, it was easier to remove the second and last metal spike holding it on. He was running out of patients at the stupid plank. But Reskemes determination gave victory, and he was able to pry the small nails out of the wall.
Yes! Reskeme shouted, remembering he needed some lock picks. Reskeme wondered if he could file down the nails and make a wrench and pick with them. Surely It was possible as the spikes were long and thin. There was a gap between the wall with dust, Reskeme would need to wipe down where he wanted to put the scroll.
Reskeme cleaned the floor for the little hiding spot with his washrag. After all, that was what it was for, right? After giving it a good once over, he decided it was good enough, and gently placed his copper and scroll inside. Reskeme placed the wall plank back into the gap on the wall and smacked it with his hand to set the nails so the board didn't look so obvious.
Now, with the important things out of the way, Reskeme could finally get some sleep. The morning would be another hard one. Today was a tough day, but he had discovered a lot. Besides the nerve-wracking parts, it excited Reskeme for the morning. Not dying was at the top of his list after all. With getting stronger, maybe he could eat every day? Crawling into his sack with a groan, he shut his eyes. Reskeme had pleasant dreams, with visions of bread steaming, cheese melted on top. Maybe even meat would soon be possible?
Reskeme woke up, his body aching as he lay in bed listening, wondering what woke him up. A door down the hall closed loudly with a Bang!...Bang! Followed by the second bang with someone who was cursing loudly as they walked away. He waited for the steps to fade before he got out of his cotton sac. Reskeme had no desire to attract the attention of someone who was in a foul mood.
Deciding He needed to go to the training yard, Reskeme double-checked his treasure. Making sure the board was tightly fastened before exiting the room. Reskeme left down the hall, taking the opposite hall as the one towards the kitchen. Promising himself something nice bread later, he stopped in front of the training yard sign. He winced when he walked but it wasn't so bad., Reskeme smiled, he actually had magic. If he could learn to use it, life would get better he just knew it.
He entered the open air, breathing deeply, eyeing the blue sky. The sun was still not over the horizon, as Terrance was Just arriving on the field for another day of training. All the students including were already in the field lounging around in separate corners. When the trainer entered the hall, all the four boys including him and the 2 girls got to their feet. Reskeme assumed that when the trainer was around, slacking off was a bad idea.
"Fall inline! The other students, two boys and two girls got in a straight line in front of the trainer followed by Reskeme," Terrance shouted.
"Today is a special day of the week, it is duelling day. We are competing with the students of Rufus. To decide who gets a mission that was posted by the guild master. Do not worry if you are not in first place. There will be another mission posted tomorrow. Only the top four of you have a chance of going on a mission to make some money." said Terrance puffing out his chest.
"If you think that is unfair, your right. Life is unfair, live with it. You will fight each other one on one in a duel style until there are two people remaining. The last two students will fight later in a team fight against two of the students of Rufus." said Terrance.
Around him, the two larger boys were grinning and were eying up their competition. While the others were trying not to look like they were concerned. Reskeme smiled widely his heart raced.
Quiet! Terrance shouted over the chatting of the students.
"Go get your weapon and return to the line I will choose you at random." said Terrance
Reskeme grasped his long staff. After all the students got there chosen weapon, Reskeme swallowed hard. He was against two of the boys who had swords, the last one was using what could only represent a hammer.
One girl was using two small swords, and the other had a long spear. Each person held their weapon casually, like they had done this before. Some looked like they were eager for the fight and stood tall. While the others, the slackers of the group. Restlessly shuffled, eyeing their competition.
Terrance called over the two tallest boys, "Hey! You two come over here."
The boys walked over and stopped in front of Terrance.
"You two are a part of the first group. Go practice in the corner. The first mission is yours if you beat Rufuses best team. The Older boys grinned, jogging to the corner, the slapped each other on the back. Reskeme thought the other student would be angry. But the two girls and the remaining boy were actually smiling now.
Get ready! The four of you are doing two matches each. If you win both matches or even one win one loss, you can do another match to decide who is the winner." said Terrance.
"You two" Terrance said, pointing at Trisha who carried two swords and then pointing at Reskeme. Reskemes heart skipped a beat, he gripped his staff.
Trisha sauntered to the ring. Reskeme walked after her. To the ring, his palms were sweating, but he didn't want to show weakness. " Go Trisha Go! Kick that demon's ass, show him not to mess with you." shouted the other girl.
" Thanks Eliya, I will." said Trisha grinning back at her. Reskeme wondered what it was like to have friends?
Shaking his head, Reskeme put both hands on his Naginata. Spreading his feet, hoping the girl couldn't see his shaking hands. Trisha eyed up Reskeme. It was not the look a woman gives a man. It was the look of a cat eyeing a mouse, waiting to pounce.
" You know the rules, don't go full force with headshots, only surrendering and getting nocked out of the circle will lose you the fight. Anyone who breaks the rules, Josh, will be punished." Shouted Terrance. Reskeme breathed deeply, watching Trishas swords as they swung lazily around.
"Ready! goo!" Terrance shouted.
Trisha instantly propelled off her back foot causing sand to fly, leaning into the swing she brought around her left a sword. Reskeme saw her hesitation to strike. It must be a fake. With a step to the side and back, the swing missed. Her second sword darted forward like an arrow in a lung.
Trisha miscalculated the fake and now had to commit to a lunge. Propelling herself forward with her back foot, she tried to stab Reskeme in the side. Reskeme gasped, brushing her thrust aside and swinging the butt end of his staff towards her chest. Trishas eyes bulged.
The butt end of his spear clipped her side. Yes, he thought. She had fallen for his trap. Trisha quickly recovered and stepped back. Meanwhile, Reskeme was cheering in his head. He had actually hit her? Trisha grinned as she saw the look on his face. She ran in with a swing towards his leg and chest. Smack! Reskeme blocked one sword, but the second struck his leg. Reskeme grimaced, maybe he shouldn't celebrate before he actually won.
Trisha wasn't letting him get ready. He stagger as she slashed for his legs and chest. This time he blocked the first one while stepping back from the second one. Trisha changing strategies, propelling off the heels of her feet, diving in for a lunge. The pesky woman stayed in close, making Reskemes long staff hard to use. Close to his chest, Reskeme didn't notice that the lunge was the feint and moved his staff to deflect.
Reskeme fell off balance as she let her sword get pushed to the side. Trisha forced the butt end of his spear to the side with her left sword. Reskeme staggered his weapon out of position as Trishas sword slammed into his side again.
Reskeme winced, damn she is fast, he thought. He panted, cradling his throbbing side. Groaning, he shook out his arms, monitoring the young woman. Trisha gasped for breath, her curly black hair tied behind her head. Trisha circled, but Reskeme didn't mind. She was clearly more experienced in fighting.
Reskeme took the attack, using his long-range weapon to thrust at her side. Which was easily blocked by her left sword? She tried to move in his guard, but this time he wasn't allowing it. Making her step back with a sweep towards her legs, forcing her to block by leaning down with her right short sword.
Reskeme would thrust at Trisha, she would block with one sword and move in to stab or slash with the other. Reskeme would sweep his staff, forcing her back. She was gasping for breath now; it was clearly his advantage.Reskemes hands were sweaty and he could feel his clothes sticking to him. The bruises were not helping him either. Trisha was no better as she had slowed considerably, but clearly would not give up the fight.
Reskemes staff dipped with fatigue. The damn thing was getting heavy, he thought. This was what his opponent was waiting for. She lunged, deflecting his Naginata with a lot of force, throwing Reskeme off balance. He leaned back, but his staff was way out of position. Reskeme retreated, taking three steps back to block. Trisha would not let him go. She charges, slashing at his leg with a meaty smack! His heart fell as a halfhearted swing at her chest deflected.
The spectators watching in awe as the two combatants had what they could only call an epic beat down. Both fighters were laying traps and countering each other's traps. They weren't very good at fighting, but their speed and tactics made the duel impressive even to Terrance.
Reskeme tripped as his leg screamed with pain. The blunder cost him. Trisha jumped forward and was now in his range, forcing him to block and only use his shaft. She swung towards his left leg. He cursed and lifted his foot to step back, Trisha grinned at this. Reskeme swallowed, oh crap. She jumped forward and body-slammed him.
That is when her body slam came in to throw him onto his back. Reskeme groaned and stared up at the morning sky, wondering if this is how every fight would go. All of his energy, his body drenched in sweat and aching.
He gasped for air. The scuffle of boots on sand and Trisha's face appeared above him, grinning. To Reskemes surprise, she held out her hand. Reskeme took the hand, groaning while he was pulled to his feet. Well, a loss was a loss. He would beat her next time.
"Damn you hit hard I'm going to have bruises for a week." Reskeme said,
Thanks, and you got me good with that faint of yours. It was a good hit." said Trisha, smiling. Reskeme laughed and smiled back at her. She took a step back with a grimace. Oh, right, Reskeme remembered, he looked like a monster.
" Maybe I should smile while we are fighting? If it makes you uncomfortable." said Reskeme laughing.
" That actually might work. Im sorry, I did not mean to offend you." said Trisha flushing in embarrassment.
" It is ok, thanks for the fight. I learned a lot." said Reskeme.
" You are weird, who thanks someone for beating them up?" said Trisha.
"Not to bad, your fighting style sucks, your tricks were useful. But poorly done. You need to learn spear forms to learn to thrust and to swing that thing properly. Also, you need to remember that is a slashing weapon. Twice where a slash with the spear into a thrust could get you a hit." Lectured Terrance.
" It is not my fault I have never done it before." said Reskeme scowling.
" Also, your footwork is garbage. You allowed Trisha to get the advantage at least four times in that fight because you were standing still. You have a Naginata, not a dagger. Keep her at the range of your weapon." said Terrance, glaring at Reskeme.
Reskeme wasn't mad at the Trainers' words. He was excited finally, something he could work on improving his fighting.
" Not to mention, you only used half of what your weapon can do. It's not a spear, it is a Naginata use it like one." said Terrance. The Trainer was in his element and wasn't letting anything pass. Reskeme flushed at the harsh words or the trainer.
The gruff Trainer turned to Trisha "And you!" Her face went red as Terrance described how she had fallen for not one but two feints in the fight.
Getting in the reach of a spearman is of most importance. You did that well. And throwing your opponent off guard to knock him over was a good move. Reskeme got some hits on you and you got hits on him." said Terrance, frowning.
Seeing their smiles, the trainer Scowled.
"Why are you smiling? If you were using actual weapons, you both would have gotten severe cuts. And without healing magic, you may have died!" Terrance shouted.
" Don't worry, I will reward both of your performances with double the training later." said Terrance grinning.
"Get out of the way. Up next we have the other Two Eliya versus Josh." said Terrance.
Trisha and Reskeme moved over to the side to watch the match of the next two fighters. The boy looked cocky in Reskemes opinion. And The girl held her staff casually in two hands.
Reskeme asked Trisha, "Who do you think is going to win?"
Trisha looked over at the two in the ring.
"Eliya is definitely going to win." She replied with complete confidants.
"If she gets hit by that hammer, she will not get back up."Reskeme said.
"Eliya is fast and good with a spear. Her skill and footwork are definitely better than mine."Trisha said. Reskeme yawned. Reskeme got some water from the water barrel, The cold water was refreshing and made him a shiver as it cooled him down. Reskeme came back just in time for Terrance to shout Goo. Reskeme was excited maybe he could learn something from watching Eliya.
The fight was one-sided Eliya was good! Reskeme thought. The mace wielder charged her like a bull with an overhead swing. Eliya stepped to the side, dodging the hit easily, and gave a quick thrust. Josh had swung with all his might and was thrown off balance. The point of the spear jabbed Josh right in the side, causing him to gasp in pain.
Reskeme swallowed, it was his turn next to fight Eliya. Damn, he hoped she didn't hate him. Or he was going to be a walking bruise.
" Trisha, any advice so I do not get my ass kicked by Eliya? said Reskeme laughing nervously.
" Hmm, you could give up? Or, run and hide." Trisha said smirking.
" Now that is not helpful advice at all." said Reskeme grimacing.
" If you be nice and give her a compliment, she might not hit you to many times." said Trisha whispering.
Eliya swung the butt of the spear and hit Josh on the ribs. Spinning the spear and swinging the butt end behind joshes knee, with a painful sounding frap. Josh cried out as he fell flat on his back. Eliya seeing her opening moved forward and brought her weapon down with a loud smack on his chest! Reskeme cringed. Eliya put her spear at thrashing Josh's throat, forcing him to give up.
Reskeme stared in shock before turning to Trisha.
"She kicked that boy's ass. Will compliments really work?" Asked Reskeme.
"Told you she would, Josh made Eliya angry. Let this be a lesson, do not make her angry." said Trisha.
" Right, thanks for the advice." said Reskeme, swallowing hard.
Terrance stormed towards Josh. Then yelled spittle shooting out of his mouth. How Josh was so obvious with his attack, he should have just told her what he was going to do. After that followed insults about the boys' lineage and that a donkey had better footwork.
Josh's eyes watered. He was holding his bruised arm and glaring at Eliya with hate.
"Training you is a waste of my time, you forget everything I teach you when you fight! It has been weeks of training. And when you finally get the chance for a fight, the first thing you do is put your head down and charge." Shouted Terrance.
With a sigh Terrance said, "Alright Trisha you are up against Josh, Eliya you are fighting Reskeme. Reskeme knew without a doubt that he was going to experience pain today. That lady was brutal and efficient with her fighting, Reskeme just hoped she wasn't that ruthless to everyone. Reskeme waved at Eliya as she approached the two. Eliya's smile turned to a frown as she glanced at Reskeme, then back to Trisha.
"I love your fighting style, you are fantastic." said Reskeme hoping the compliment would help. His stomach turned when she frowned, brows furrowing at the compliment.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone