Thread: Squire's Secret (Benny and Gunner)

Friderick wasnt sated with Jacques explanation of events. They had surrounded him. Had they done anything? Only one boy had, though he offered up a fair challenge. Yet still that wasnt the problem. He was thinking he was starting to get a grasp on this boy he had been sent. Talented, graceful, aggressive by all accounts, and intelligent. Overall, a smart ass. Great . But a smart ass was better than a dumb ass, as the old saying went among soldiers. He put it down as arrogance, typical in young nobles. Friderick ought to know. He used to be one. Humiliation might indeed be what happened, though with no other witnesses and intended by the master as a lesson to learn, it need not exist at all. Friderick didnt meet any of the strokes or strikes by Jacques during the first moment of their dance, knowing too full he was useless with a chopped sword. Yet Jacques held back in his assaults, no doubt fearing what his sharp steel blade might accomplish even against his chainmail and armour. The boys caution was his downfall, as Friderick would not have begrudged Jacques any serious harm to the Baron. He accepted the danger, he had to deal with it. That was what knights agreed to in their perilous lives. But Jacques refusal to press home an advantage was another problem to be addressed. It might have been cruel in that Friderick gave no clarity of these lessons but he also had to understand he could not hold Jacques hand. That had to be made evident as soon as possible and for the lad to show initiative on his own. In a change of pace, Friderick simply dropped his blade and stepped forwards to meet one of Jacques pulled strikes. He clamped his gloved hand down around the blade at the apex of its reach when it had lost the momentum of its thrust and held it tight, while he stepped towards Jacques. His other hand grabbed the boy by his throat and in a great heave threw him back onto the sands. His boot stomped down on the blade and his other heaved onto the chest of Jacques, hundreds of pound of flesh, muscle, and metal bearing down on him. Friderick leaned down with a grim expression. What you did was shed the blood of a young noble with your blade. I dont care if it was a drop. Thats enough to bring a charge about on you before a higher authority. What would your high minded father think of that? Friderick said, moving his boot to crush on Jacques hand to make him release the blade and then he kicked it aside. He got off the boy. So youre going to apologize to Esquire Duverger. You clearly think you know enough, something. But you know nothing, got it? When you rise from these sands, youre going to rise a boy who knows he knows nothing. And youre going to shut up, listen, observe, and learn. Forget anything you think you know about this sort of business. He stepped aside and picked up the sword Jacques had been using. No doubt he brought it from home or where else did he get it? Im keeping this, until you know how to use it and behave properly with one. Friderick stuck it into his belt and pointed at the cut wooden blade he had dropped. Thats your responsibility to replace. He looked hard on the boy. Is that understood, Esquire Lancaster? Friderick asked. He didnt want any questions from the boy. Simply understanding. And if he didnt, he better put on his thinking cap if he had one and figure it out. Now fetch my shield. Were going to work on your endurance. Friderick said, drawing his own longsword, gleaming in the morning sunlight. His shield was kite shaped, with an iron boss set in the middle and a strap behind to wound ones forearm through. It was heavy however, of a metal base layered with wood, painted with the checkered pattern of Baron Alnerwicks House and family, rimmed with red. There were dents from arrow strikes and the piercing of crossbow bolts upon its surface. But the heaviness was there to teach. Sure one could heft it up to deflect a strike but how many times could one do so in an hour, a day, before their arm tired and failed? That was what Jacques would learn first. Endurance and muscle training. Hold it high. It should cover to just below your groin up to your nose. I know its heavy but thats good for you. Hold it up, or Ill smack you upside your head with the flat of my sword. And then maybe youll understand why you should not do such things lightly. Friderick instructed, twirling his sword in casual expertise, ready to give Jacques and the shield a thrashing for the better part of a hour.