Bab 18: Fear Me, Mortal
Murdoc was apparently too busy settling some petty grievances between neighbors to return to the library, so after leaving Mord and Rick to some inane argument over what sound glass flasks made when scratched, Gwen and Goleil made their way back to the training hall.
What 'petty grievances' were so severe they required the most powerful warlock in Redvale to attend to them, Goleil did not know, nor did he want to.
"So, what are we doing now?" Goleil asked.
"Training. When Lord Colm decreed you would have every resource open to you, he meant every resource. Including trainers. I have a bit of skill with the sword, so I'll be giving you some pointers." After hearing Goleil's voice, Gwen shivered. Hearing something that sounds like a demon was hard to get over.
"I don't use a sword, though if you want me to use one I can," Goleil said, tilting his head.
"I know. I mean, I'll be giving you the point of mine," Gwen said and grinned.
"That was intentionally misleading. But it sounded cool, so I'll forgive you."
"I know! I've always wanted to say that."
As they walked into the Praetorian Training Grounds, they could hear steel hitting wood and the grunts of strenuous exercise.
Goleil looked around and noticed that all the guards were men while Gwen was the only woman. He wasn't sure why. The Vrean Sun Guard had many of both.
"Follow me," She said, leading him towards the sparring arena. A few of the guards training with the wooden dummies stopped what they were doing and followed them once they saw where they were going.
"Heya Gwen, gonna kick some sense into another newbie?!" One rough-looking man said.
"We'll see. I've heard Goleil's pretty good. Someone get him a spear." She replied.
There was a rumble of whispers. There was someone that could challenge the strongest among them? Most of them were uneducated, and while they had heard of the Sun Guard from legends, they didn't know what the cloak of one looked like. Those that knew were very interested, it was the first time they got to see the Vrean amongst them, and they were not impressed. Other than the mask and golden eyes, he was not very physically imposing.
"Why's he got golden eyes? Unnatural..." One whispered.
"Why is he still here? Could something be happening?" Another whispered.
"Is she crazy? This guy looks like a scarecrow! I could probably beat him!"
One of the guards handed Goleil a heavy spear. He twirled it in his hand, handling it like a twig. He looked at the sharp blade and narrowed his eyes.
"Real weapons? Aren't you afraid of death?"
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Why should I be afraid? I've heard all about you and your brothers, but it seems they aren't all that. I mean, they're all dead aren't they? Supposedly the greatest warriors of all time, and yet they were put down like dogs along with your entire Kingdom. If you ask me, you're the worst of them all! How'd you survive anyway?! Did you run?! Besides, the arena has an enchantment. It will not allow harm to come to you if you're that afraid of losing."
Goleil's eyes narrowed and pointed his spear at Gwen.
"This guy's arrogance is getting on my nerves... I hope Gwen wipes the floor with him!" One whispered.
"Destroy this guy!"
A crowd was forming, all cheering for Gwen.
It was as if a fire was forming in the pit of his stomach, and he felt the familiar feeling of anger.
'Why am I angry? Because of stupid comments? I've suffered far worse and silenced them all. This is no different.' Goleil thought, but the anger grew. He felt power coursing through his veins that weren't there before he had drunk the locraf. He carefully observed Gwen, but she didn't move.
'I must be careful... there is no telling how much strength is hidden within these people if they have access to such a magical substance as locraf!'
Gwen cleared her throat, calming the clamoring crowd. "Come at me. I would like to gauge your strength."
Goleil nodded, and he heard a small voice in his head. It was as if a tiny ant were speaking to him but within his mind.
'Look at all these pathetic mortals... Look at them! They hold their breaths, just waiting! Waiting for you to fall, to fail!' Its voice carried a wave of rage and hatred. Goleil tried to resist, to control his emotions. But all he could see before him were the Krodians and Adal, those who had murdered his brothers and sisters. They looked at them and laughed, mocking his failure to protect even their memory.
'Well, I say, make them suffocate!'
Goleil's eyes became bloodshot as if he had been awake for days. His eyes remained golden, but his pupils were blood red.
Gwen was confused. Even after provoking him and issuing her challenge, he hadn't moved. Suddenly, it was as if the air was torn from her lungs, and he was suddenly in front of her, his boot trying to dig a crater in her sternum. Her breath hitched as she froze, his gaze locking her in place. As she stared into his eyes, she saw only rage. Those red pupils could see into her very soul and were disgusted with what they found.
She flew to the other end of the arena, but Gwen had been empowered by locraf as well. She slid across the floor, trying to gain traction on the smooth stone. She was sure her lungs were fractured and knew she would probably have a hole in her torso if she hadn't been wearing her standard guard armor. She looked down at her armor and saw a dent in it but didn't have time to assess further as she suddenly saw a shadow from above her.
She threw herself to the side and barely dodged the glaive as it slammed into the floor and left a long crack in the stone.
The crowd was now silent, stunned.
Goleil didn't let up; he rushed after Gwen as she rolled to her feet. He slashed across her body, trying to split her torso and legs as she blocked the strike with her sword.
Gwen grit her teeth as the blow sent shockwaves through her body and numbed her wrists.
'Damn it! I'm too slow to dodge properly, and a sword sucks at blocking! I have to do something before it's too late!'
She looked up, expecting Goleil to be in front of her after blocking his strike, but he was nowhere to be found. Her instincts screamed, and she whipped her head around to look behind her.
He was behind her, his glaive screaming towards her exposed heart.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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