Chapter 4

IV

It was a breezy summer morning. The first streaks of dawn crept inside Cedric’s room in the pages’ quarters. The chirp of birds outside stirred him and he sluggishly rolled over and slowly tried to wake himself. As he slowly opened his eyes a dark figure blocked his view of the window in front of him. Instantly his senses came to a staggering alert. He jolted himself fully awake and was about to reach for the dagger under his bed mattress when the figure spoke.

“Relax, it’s just me…”

Cedric rubbed his eyes and then his sight cleared to reveal Talan Stormwind seating by the window.

“M-master Talan! Uh-how did you-?”

“Get in? hmm, I have my ways. In any case, gear up and follow me.”

Without even the slightest hesitation Cedric bolted out of bed and started to suit up. Though he was still confused as to what is happening he obediently followed Talan outside into the Academy grounds.

“Do you always sleep in?” asked Talan once they were strolling down one of the paved walkways on the grounds.

“No sir, not really. You see, today is a holiday. We don’t have any official training or lessons during these times so we try and sleep in and get as much rest as we can.”

“I see, no wonder the place was quiet even after dawn.”

“On normal days we get up even before dawn and do our morning drills either here on the grounds or in the practice courts.” Cedric yawned.

“Interesting… I really should apologize for this abrupt invitation to accompany me this morning.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it sire, it’s an honor walking along side a person such as yourself.”

A chuckle escaped Talan.

“Drop the fancy curtsies; you don’t need to do that around me in these situations.”

“I’ll try and remember that sire.”

“I am very much interested in this facility known as the Azuria Knigts Academy. Want to tell me something about it?”

“What would you like to know?”

“Let’s start from the beginning, how was this academy founded?”

“If I remember correctly exactly 80 years ago, Azuria had a reformation within its armies. They wanted to have a solid foundation for the training of their knights instead of the crude way of drafting the people to fight in their wars.”

“Is the Knights Academy the only one of its kind in Kalen?”

“No sir, there are at least four other academies scattered across the Alroth continent, though I am unsure if Devall also has one.”

“Do these institutions interact with one another?”

“Yes, we hold events to get in touch with the other academies. In fact, there is a tournament coming up within a month, the Pentagon Cup.”

“And what is this Pentagon Cup all about?”

“Basically it’s like a friendly competition between the five academies. They participate in several fields of events. We have the ground duels with all manner of weapons, the mounted duels – jousting included, archery, running, and the team sports.”

“Are you joining these said competitions?”

“I haven’t thought about it. I’m not really outstanding when it comes to the sports but it would be nice to be a representative of Azuria.”

Talan didn’t say anything and just continued walking along the path. He then heard a noise coming from the halls.

“What is that?”

“Hmm? Oh, they must be using the practice courts.”

“I thought it was a holiday?”

“Some use the time to practice and hone their skills a little more.”

“Let’s drop by for a visit shall we?”

Before Cedric could answer Talan was already walking towards the courts. The courts took up three of the nine sections of the academy. Usually, physical training is done outdoors but during the wet and wintry seasons when instructors deem it too taxing to hold classes outside, they use the courts.

Today, they put out the soft mats on the floor; freestyle combat is the regimen today.

Cedric walked behind Talan as they surveyed the floor. Lads doing flips, jumps and some seem to be doing a sort of dance.

“Seems fun…” commented Talan.

Cedric did not reply and was quite fidgety.

There was a group gathered at one side of the courts. They seem to be huddled and spectating something occasionally cheering or jeering. Talan casually went over there.

“What’s wrong Cedric?” asked Talan as he noticed Cedric didn’t follow him to the group.

“N-nothing sir, it’s just that-”

“Well look who’s here…” a booming voice from the huddle.

The crowd parted revealing the speaker. He was a lad about the same year as Cedric but with a better built physique. He had his arms crossed and gave off an air of arrogance.

“If it isn’t chicken boy, how long has it been since you showed yer loser face around here?”

Talan looked over at Cedric who looked away.

“If I may ask, what did he do to be called chicken boy?”

“Heh, we got matched up once, all through out he just ran around avoiding my hits like a chicken.”

“I see, but did you actually managed to hit him?”

“Well I-uh…” the boy was stumped.

“So you didn’t… Now I wonder, if he is a chicken, maybe I should call you a turtle.” said Talan, a smirk on his face.

“Who do you think you are?! Think you can take me on?!”

“Well if Cedric managed to avoid you then I guess… well…” that smirk getting increasingly evil.

“How about you shut up and show me what you got then?”

The crowd was silent. The tension in the place was thick. Cedric kept on looking at Talan.

“Sir, you can’t-”

“Sure, let’s dance.” said Talan before Cedric could utter anymore.

“You seem new around here, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into.” said the boy, already pumping up to fight.

“Well, I’ll have that idea soon enough, may I know your name sir?”

“Leonard Seymour sire.” said the lad giving a mocking low bow. “And don’t worry, you don’t need to tell me your name, I already know what it is… Loser.”

A chorus of ooohs came from the crowd. Talan just smiled and nodded. The two then walked over to the center of the huddle. Cedric rushed over to see, worry clear on his face.

“Oooh your friend gonna get it now, ain’t no one as strong as Leo. You know it, I see you worryin a mile away.” said one of the people beside Cedric. His name was Chadwick a dark skinned youngster one year below Cedric.

“It’s not him I’m worrying about…” replied Cedric.

True, Leonard may be the top student when it comes to the physical drills and training but with what Cedric saw the first time he met Talan, and that thing at the stairway he was clearly worried as to what might happen to Leonard.

Chadwick looked at him quizzically but didn’t reply and just went back to watching the match that is about to transpire.

“I hope you know how to grapple-strike.” said Leonard circling around Talan, his hands out ready to take action.

“So that’s the dance step, fine by me.” and proceeded to circle as well.

BLAG!

In a matter of moments Talan had his back on the mat and Leonard standing over his head.

“How was that, Loser?” a smug look was on Leonard’s face.

“Not bad…” Talan got up and straightened himself out. “Continue…”

“Psh, looks like you really want to get hammered.”

And they locked arms and tried to sweep each others feet. Leonard then shifted to one side and then abruptly swung his body to the other side putting his foot under Talan who then tripped and was sent to the mat once more.

“Youch! Ced you’re friends getting a beating. Azuria is top on all ground combat tournies and Leo is the top dog of Azuria. Your friend got no chance at this.” exclaimed Chadwick.

Cedric almost didn’t hear what Chadwick said, he was looking intently at the two combatants.

In the next few rounds Talan was either sent to the mat or to his knees with grapple holds, submissions and various throws by Leonard. The crowd roared its approval.

“Had enough, Loser?!” asked Leonard.

“I’m still good, how about you?” replied Talan.

“He doesn’t know when to quit! It’s obvious Leonard is way above him.” declared one from the crowd.

Then why is Leonard the one that seems to be out of breath and one other thing… thought Cedric.

They were going for another round. Leonard rushed in with a foot sweep, but Talan simply stepped back to avoid Leonard’s foot. Shifting weight Talan then attempted to give a right straight to Leonard. He was about to connect when a voice came in from the back of the crowd.

“That’s enough Talan. Stop playing around.” Maya came along side Cedric.

“Looks like your baby sitter is calling for yah.” panted Leonard.

Talan didn’t answer but just smiled and straightened himself out.

Not even a sweat on Talan…thought Cedric.
Talan then walked towards Cedric and Maya. He gave a smirk to Cedric and followed Maya towards the exit.

“Yeah! That’s right! You go on home you loser!”

“Silence Leonard Seymour!” came the booming voice of their instructor Master Raimiri.

“Did you see that master? I beat the crap out of that new one.” said Leonard with arrogance in his tone.

“I saw everything youngin. And I shall tell you that you lost that match.”

Gasps came from the mob but only Leonard protested adamantly.

“Lost?! How in Malduvian’s name did I lose? Everyone saw he wasn’t able to lay a hand on me!”

“Are you sure about that page Seymour? Maybe you should check under your sweatshirt.”

Leonard gave him a questioning look and hesitantly followed his instructor’s request. Another round of gasps followed after. Leonards body was riddled with red markings, all of which target vital spots.

Along the halls Cedric couldn’t stop staring at Talan.

“You might burn a hole through my back with that stare of yours.” remarked Talan not even looking behind.

“Oh-I uh… It’s just… How did…” stammered Cedric.

“So you saw what I did to that young lad.”

“Yessir.”

“What did you do this time?” asked Maya.

“Relax, I didn’t harm the kid, just marked him.”

Maya narrowed here eyes towards Talan. He responded only with a big smile.

“How many marks were you able to see?” asked Talan turning to Cedric.

“My count was forty marks, sir.”

“That is pretty astounding, you hit it spot on.”

Cedric just gazed downwards. Maya just rolled her eyes and continued on.

“Where are we going anyways?” inquired Talan.

“Duke asked for an assembly, we are to meet at the grand hall.”

“Splendid. Cedric, why don’t you come along, this might be a good extracurricular for you on warfare strategies.”

“B-but we don’t study that till next year.”

“Never too early to start.” and Talan rested his hands on the lad’s shoulders and led him on.

When they entered the grand hall the other Blades were there. Duke was conversing with them and he glanced over his shoulders at the newcomers. He then dropped a gaze at Cedric then resumed his talk with the others.

“Is it really alright sir? I mean, this is all serious talks and such I might not be allowed to be anywhere near here.”

“I invited you so that means its alright.” said Talan and did not let go of Cedric to give him a chance to back out.

“All accounted for Duke.” reported Maya.

“Good, I was just about ready to assign your posts.”

“What’s the occasion?” asked Talan.

“We are taking a little excursion.” replied Duke

“Great, where to?”

“The other four academies of Alroth.”