Progress

Three and a half months has passed since the incident. Prioress Emmina despite her objection continued to watch over Simon in his travels in the land of dawn. She is going to continue to do so until Simon is qualified for the contract that is prepared for him. The day of the purging may be far but he has to be prepared for it. During his training he lost a lot of pounds to exercising, conditioning and training with the help of Ivuku agents in the Moniyan Empire. These agents have infiltrated their ranks.

After a training session with the captain of the guards Simon who was catching his breath went to a nearby tree to take a shade. "I can use a shade!" He said and leans towards the tree.

Emmina tried to reprimand him but was interfered by the captain who was impressed by his progress. "From the looks of it he can defend himself against a lowly peasant."

"Indeed true, but alas! I do not think he can take on at least five of your knights..." She said disappointingly.

"You have to be at least easy on him. He is still green, there's a limit in how much strain a person can take." The captain said.

"He will take on three of your knights! I shall observe his progress right here after his small break. Make sure that he can beat the three or he will have nothing to eat." The Prioress Emmina ordered the captain and sat under three tree nearby.

The captain of the guards sighed and complied with her request and call the attention of Simon who was resting under the tree. Simon rushed towards the captain and was briefed of the training session that they will do.

"I am to fight against three of your knights?" Simon asked surprisingly.

"Yes and you have to disarm them with your weapon of choice." The captain said and selected three of his knights to face Simon.

"This is bad..." Simon said with his palm in his face.

"There's no need for you to look so troubled. You have been trained intensively for months and have survived. Remember what I have told you and you will triumph!" The captain confident on his abilities had said.

"The fight shall begin shortly, the losers will have no supper for the night!" The Prioress Emmina said and the four went to select their weapons.

On the weapons rack there were a variety that Simon can choose from from daggers to broadswords to javelin, great axes and lances. Knowing of his skill he could have used broadsword and shield which is perfect if he is fighting against a group of experienced fighters. Not confident with his skill with the sword he chose a different weapon which is easy for him to use.

"Are you sure you wish to use that weapon?" The Captain of the Knights asked.

"Whenever they are ready!" Simon said confidently brandishing his spear with his arms.

"Such an interesting choice." The Prioress Emmina intrigued with his choice said.

"Spears, a weapon that is perfect for novices. That is what he is thinking in picking the choice of his weapon. From a layman's perspective a good choice." The Captain replied.

"Fighters on the center!" A sergeant said signalling for the fight to start. "Go!"

The fight then began, the knights began to encircle him waiting for an opportunity to strike. Simon with his spear did not move an inch waited for any of the three to make a move. All of a sudden one of the knights behind him launches an attack aiming at his back. Simon quickly responded by deflecting the attack with the shaft of his spear. Seeing the improvement of his reflexes both the Prioress and the Captain were impressed on his progress. His training indeed has paid off and proved that Simon is indeed not just a quick learner but also a talented fighter.

The fight continues with Simon dodges and parries the attacks of his attackers. He calculated his moves in order to get out of encirclement which he did. The three knights were already outside of their range and the distance favors him. The three knights decided to rush to him at once. In response Simon side steps and trips one of the knights with the opposite end of his spear. With one down he feints and then stabs one of the knights in his back with the blunted tip of his spear. One knight is out he has two left to worry about.

"Indeed his skills have improved, he can defend himself against lowly opponents." The Prioress leaves after seeing Simon's progress.

"Such spoilsport!" The Captain said and stops the fight. "You have progressed greatly!"

"The lady, did she leave?" Simon asked wondering where the Prioress went.

"Yes, she was happy of your progress lately. She does not want to show it!" The Captain reassured and invited him to eat.