Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

More heavy steps followed and Friderick marched onto the training ground just as the other squires were fleeing, several casting dark glances his way. Their knights would learn soon enough of what happened here. The Baron was fully armoured and unhappy, despite what he had just witnessed. Jacques had defended himself, this time against armed opponents rather than some hapless tavern wench and Friderick was starting to wonder if he had to deal with a temper rather than a timidity in his new squire. Still, despite the skill Jacques had showed, he wasnt pleased with the result or how it was handled. He looked hard at Jacques as he came onto the sands, standing several paces apart. He picked up the broken hilt of the wooden sword that Jacques had severed, looking at it. A clean stroke right through. Someone knew their form and posture. It seems the entire debacle of being clumsy and stumbling had been a ploy. Why did that give him hope? Here he might have a squire who indeed spent every waking moment of their young life wanting to be a knight and taking it seriously, someone with developed fighting and battle instincts. Someone who could assist him in the jousts and lists of the tournaments to come. God, was he getting every analysis of this boy wrong in the first day he had met Jacques? You think this solves the problem, huh? He asked aloud, turning the severed hilt in his hands. The wood was smooth where Jacques had sliced right through, running his finger along it. Lets not even mention how you used a steel blade against a wooden one in what was supposed to be a training exercise. Did you never play with the other boys in your fancy castle, little lord? He rolled his eyes. You should have taken the beating but at least youll be in the pack. Now youre going to be an outsider and they are going to wage war on you every day and every night. And you wont always have that shiny sword. What are you going to do then? Friderick asked. Jacques might have skill. He certainly didnt seem to have a brain. And no one liked people who tattled either. Fabien wouldnt tell his knight, Sir Theoto of Austreburg. He would seek out his own personal vengeance. And it annoyed Friderick even more now, since he will have to deal with the aftermath of whatever was done to Jacques. Though he had a steel sword at his side, Friderick twirled the broken wooden blade in his hand and began to pace. It was evident what was next. He was going to try Jacques and his skill now, while at the same disadvantage as those boys, using wood, and a broken blade, against Jacques and his actual sword. Come on then, lets see what you really got, against a real opponent. Friderick said with a grin. This should be easy. My blade is broken and my armour makes me slow. Can you take me down? If you do, Ill knight you on the spot and you can go home. He even offered. But he had no intentions of losing. Or even going easy. Friderick had killed men in battle before. And he continued the art in the near-death experience they called jousting and melee tournaments, where they pretended to try and kill one another. Just to goad Jacques, Friderick dug the toe of his boot into the sand and kicked upwards, sending a spray of sand all over the younger boy. He waited for the boys attacked, silent and watchful, upright and rigid. He didnt give any advice on combat. Jacques seemed to know enough. Truthfully he probably just needed experience, real experience, and not this game of pussyfooting and dance. Though, Jacques did move pretty gracefully, as if he had dancing lessons before. It was only a trace hint in his mind, wondering if Jacques was simply still boyish as he rose to manhood orif there was something more effeminate. After this, youre going to apologize to Esquire Duverger. I dont have time for your petty grudge fights. Friderick added just to add further coercing.