26 I Can’t Hold A Sword

HAELAN'S POV

"You. ", Stellan pointed his sword at the man beside me. Atrius immediately walked up to Stellan and received the sword handed over to him by another knight. Then, the two men started the friendly sword fight. Stellan lifted his sword up with one hand, and attacked Atrius on different angles. Quick as a lightning, he aggressively lunged at the poor student. Atrius tirelessly blocked each jolt with his both hands on the sword, but everytime he missed, Stellan taps his steel armor. Struggling to stay on his feet, Atrius received one last blow from the Paladin as he fall back on the ground with the tip of the Stellan's blade on his neck. Everyone watched carefully, no movements and no sounds as Atrius catch his breath.

"I have killed you 16 times from that duel", Stellan said without a drop of sweat. Then he handed the sword to another knight and helped Atrius to stand back on his feet. "Look for a pair and practice a duel with a sword. I'll watch your footworks, stance and strategies", he said as he looked at everybody. Everyone paired up immediately. Jacomus convinced Atrius to become partners. Atrius seemed to be reluctant but, I know he can't refuse Jac. Normally, if Ottis was here, I'm sure he'll pick Jac, and I'd probably have Atrius. But today, I have nothing.

The knights handed the swords to each squire. In pairs, they all started to wield their swords and attack each other. The sparring was wild as the squires eventually mixed the spar with closed fist fighting. By the time a blade was being handed to me, I paused for a while and stared at it blankly.

I can't hold a sword.

In fact, I'm afraid to wield a blade. My mother told me, hurting someone might be the end of our healing ability.

I shouldn't hold one.

"Hey you rising Paladin! Let's partner up". Yiannis said as he threw an arm around my shoulder. I swallowed a lump seeing his face. I'm going to get stabbed today or get killed. "This is fun", he cheerfully said.

With a nervous laugh, I unsheathed the heavy sword nice and slow. Then, Yiannis suddenly jumped on me with his sharp and heavy sword. I lifted my blade and blocked his attack as I push him back. Then, he attacked me again aggressively, more jabs and jolts too excessively. I swung and side stepped as he attack, and parried his sword directly, then he moved back.

Avoiding to wield the sword for I might hurt him, I kept running swiftly in between men until I found a safe tactic. The chase was brief until I hopped on Jacomus' large back and twisted in the air. I threw my sword on Yiannis' hilt, surprising him made him lose his grip dropping his weapon. The lessons I learned from father in disarming came very handy today. Though if I am not too careful, I'll end up hurt or dead come what may.

As Yiannis was about to pick up his sword on the ground, I caught him offguard as I point at him the tip of my sword. He stopped and put his hands up, taking his defeat from my hands. As I put down my sword ending our sparring, Yiannis picked up his blade with yearning to stab me.

However, something unexpected took place. Stellan held Yiannis' blade with his bare hand and said, "Your swordplay is very poor. And now, you get to learn personally from me on how to use a blade without hurting yourself", Stellan said leaving Yiannis ultimately stunned. The Paladin pushed him away, then wiped his bleeding hand on his pants.

All along I thought Stellan will teach Yiannis. Yet, he held his sword against me. "Watch and learn", Stellan told Yiannis as the Paladin asked me to pick up a sword.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Picking up the sword again made my heart thump some more. 'Why me?', I thought.

We started to exchange jabs and jolts. He stayed at my pace, fast then slow. I guess he's testing how hard do I hit with the sword against his. My father told me that swordfighting is like a dance, you don't memorize the stance. He taught me the basics but not really so much for it's not something we should know and do as healer soul travelers. I may be quick on my feet but I will never be strong whennever I hit.

Then, Stellan parried my sword to the ground, hurting my wrist as I lose my grip. I felt my fingers tremble with cramps. Probably, it might be because of fear and this tiresome swordfighting.

"It is very disappointing. Hold your sword often, you need more practice", Stellan said as I watch his palm bleed. Practice? Even if it causes the death of me, I won't wield a blade again.

"Everyone! Get some rest, and some water. Then proceed to the tower stables at the back of Brandenburg", Stellan said as he leave the premises.

Immediately after our refreshments, we went to the stables as directed. My wrist have started to heal, however it took longer than usual. Around fifty men in heavy steel armor walked on the pathy to the tower stables, eager to see the next training activity with Stellan. The tower stables kept Brandenburg's stallions, such a large place for at least fifty quality horses.

A knight with freckled face and orange hair, with sculptured beard was waiting at the entrance of the stables. "Hear ye squires! I am Galanthe, and you are here to choose a horse to ride. Sir Stellan would like to see how well you drive and vault a colt", he gestured to let us in. "Come on now, quickly!", he said hurriedly.

I walked around to check the horses first, while everyone immediately pick their horse straight away. As my father said, the horses choose you, not the other way around. Growing up with horses, I know so much of them. Riding is not easy at first, until you get used to it. However, if your horse liked you at once, no difficulty of riding will take place. I stopped at the stable of a black Friesian horse. He was standing unmoved when our eyes met. I smiled at his blue eyes as I find him too familiar. "There's so many horses here, are you the one for me?", I asked. Then he snickered softly as he trudged forward making me brush his hair. "I thought so", I replied at the compliant horse.

"You cannot take him, this horse belongs to..", Galanthe was about to say something but he stopped. He looked confused as he was about to object, but then changed his mind and opened the gate instead. "All right. Are you sure you'll pick this horse?", he asked.

"Yes", I replied as I take the horse out. I once saw a Friesian horse in the woods, even cured him from his scars and wounds.

"He's Areon", Galanthe said as he pulled the saddles' straps. "He's moody but smart, so ride with him safely", he said.

We all hopped on our horses as we trot to the open grounds. Stellan was standing on a tree stump as he ordered to hand all squires with spears and ropes. "Now, take down anyone you can as you ride your horse. Everyone who falls down will get punishments.", Stellan said as everyone rode down the ground in all directions.

I whispered to Areon, "Please be kind and don't make me break my neck or fall on my back.". I noticed Areon is the strongest looking of all horses. He's most majestic looking in his dark hair and the only one with the bluest eyes. He galloped under a shade and kept me safe, isolated from the men, and far from the rumble. "Isn't this too safe, Areon?", I asked as I kick him once to run fast towards the men who seemed like in a battle.

Everytime a squire would run towards me, Atrius and Jac would block their spears. One by one the squires fell, pulling each other using ropes with slip noose on one end. A few attempted to noose Atrius, but thankfully, they failed. Others pushed each other with spears until the last fifteen of us remain. In a tight fight, about five squires worked together just to push down Jac.

Then, suddenly, they all turned spinning their noose and pointing their spears to Areon and me. Feeling threatened and agitated, Areon stood tall as he laid his ears flat showing his full set of teeth. He neighed so loud as he rise up from his hind legs before running towards the squires. I accidentally dropped the rope and spears on the ground because of my weakened hands.

All of a sudden, Areon went on a rampage. He kicked the horses with all his might, as he go wild in the training grounds while I held on tight. The others backed away from the crazy horse, who went outrageously mad overpowering the other stallions. I didn't know how to stop this horse, as I readied myself to jump out anytime.

A sharp whistle was heard. Then, at the sight of Stellan, Areon felt at ease. He suddenly stopped as he was calmed by the Paladin. "Calm down, Areon", he said as the horse gallop towards him. "That's all for today.", Stellan said as he held Areon's face.