Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

It was with fortune and perhaps Gods blessing that Jacques reacted in time or the lad would have been skewered right through the eye. The shield was raised and the wooden tip of Fridericks lance struck it with an explosive sound, the wood not shattering but splintering along its length with a great crack as it struck the face of his shield that Jacques held. He felt the counter-force against his side and arm but felt much lighter as Wingfoot bore him rapidly past the fallen esquire. He raised his lance in hand and wheeled his horse about when it slowed to a trot, returning to gaze down at the squire as Jacques began to curse at him. He didnt say a word as he rode up, Jacques unleashing a howling rebuke upon him. The flung sword didnt even land near to him and his horse and he paid it no mind. Strangely enough, despite his fierce defense that she was not , Jacques certainly sounded like a prissy, indignant lady who got a spray of mud upon her silk slippers. Maybe it should have been a vase he was throwing at an ungracious husband. Very slowly he approached and used his thumb to nudge his helm up an inch, to let the sun in his eyes more. For a moment he did indeed think it had been a girl he had ridden down so ruthlessly and not a squire who was supposed to be drilled and trained for war. This most certainly was not a game. First time knocked on your ass, huh? I felt as much for mine. Friderick simply responded in a calm and collected tone. Jacques had said a lot about taking his anger out on a certain her . Despite the lance of resentment and fury at the boys audacity to bring up his personal affairs, he kept it very controlled. To show an emotional response would prove the boy correct. He chose to ignore it. Yet you sound very much like miss lady fancy britches. In fact, have I mistook you for my squire? Have you seen him? Small lad, slender like a stick, who was supposed to be training to be a knight. Surely no idiot squire would see this reaction as being suitable to war, where no one is going to help you up or heed your belly-aching. So stow it where it belongs. Friderick lectured the boy firmly. All the boy needed was blood splatter across his face and torso and then someone could actually take him for a man. A true warrior. Frightening. He suddenly chuckled at the image in his mind. This is good though. Stay angry. Anger helps in a fight, if you can control it. Dont let it control you though or youll end up doing something rash. Or end up being predictable. Or not expecting the unexpected, as you have shown now. Then he went serious. Or offending the wrong person you shouldnt be so offending. So consider that and your words next time, Esquire Lancaster. He finished off with a warning. No, he couldnt help it. Jacques touched a nerve by referencing Lady Auriane. Do it again and this training could become ten times worse. He moved to wheel his mount around, returning to his starting point. Again! And hold the shield high! Work those scrawny muscles, boy! Friderick called aloud as he went back. For a long time, that was their training, just the two of them. Sometimes other knights and squires came by, watching a moment and snickering whenever Friderick rode Jacques down. Then they would go and sit around their campsite, lounging and relaxing. But not Friderick. Never Friderick. Every moment of rest was draining to ones vigour and talent. It needed to be constant, consistent, repeating over and over again until the muscles reacted on instinct and memory alone, needing no command from the mind. That was his style of learning. Jacques didnt get no rest. No, he made the boy hold the shield up and endure the hits and build up his endurance, while the other lads his age laughed and drank and ate. But Friderick admired the boys resolve. Heck, he would even be impressed if the boy did him up one and stepped aside when he charged, making him mess completely like an idiot. Perhaps the boy showed some competence after all. But finally Friderick called the session to an end. He felt prepared. And he felt Jacques learned what it was like to play defense against a mounted warrior, if he had been paying attention that is. Surely he would have learned timing and predictability of mounted charges. We eat. And then we train with sword and shield. You got one hour to rest. We go until the sun sets then rest will be well earned by then. Friderick told Jacques as they returned to their camp, a small group of colourful tents set among many other groups of visiting knights and squires and retainers. There were two circles, one of the knights sitting together, another for the squires, which Jacques was shoved too. At least Fabien left him alone and some of the other squires even attempted friendly conversation with Jacques. Again, only Friderick wanted to keep the rigor going. None of the other knights were pushing their squires to do so. One might think Friderick was torturing Jacques with the constant activity and work.