Franklyn sat for a moment in silence. He then lifted his head, “Indeed, I must not shy away from my choices,”“That’s a good man,”“So where is Alex these days?”“We all inhabit a farm a good way from here, the work is hard, but we’ve never strayed from a good day’s labor,”“A farm? Perhaps I could be of help?”“Of course, but you’ll have to be accepted by the owner,”“Either way,” said Scarlett, “I’m sure Alex would like to know you’re alive,”“Then I shall travel there when Ruby is well enough,”“Would you prefer us to stay as she recovers?”“No, I would not sully your journey with worry,”“It is no trouble,”“Again, I must decline, you two enjoy yourselves, I will take care of Ruby,”“We shall be in town a while anyway, so call on us if you need anything,”“I shall, it is truly wonderful to see you again.”James and Scarlett left the stables and walked through the rain as she reminisced her childhood memories. She led him to her old house now occupied by another family. She told

James charged with a powerful lunge. Alex parried his thrust and thought he had an opening, but James twisted out of the path of the blade by mere inches. He fell off balance, rolled and stood again in one swift motion. Neither man had had this much fun in a while. It was good practice and Alex was impressed by James ’s speed and increased prowess with a blade. The battle raged on with more and more stalemates as each man swung, ducked, kicked and blocked over and over in a perfect dance of combat.After many minutes, James misjudged however and Alex struck him on the shoulder. James gave a yelp of pain and rubbed the spot. He stretched for the next round and held up his sword. This time James was on the attack giving fast flurried swipes that Alex narrowly blocked until he too erred and James struck him on the side.The score now tied each smirked and switched the swords to their dominant hands. “Truly sir” James bantered, “You are weak without a shield to cower behind,”“

There was a snap of a twig and Franklyn turned to see what was approaching. A man with an eyepatch suddenly appeared from behind a tree. Franklyn reached for his halberd. “Who are you?” he asked,“I am a poor wanderer,” the man said putting up his hands, “I apologize for startling you, but I smelt your meal and couldn’t help myself,”Ruby gave him a look over. He had blonde hair held up by a headband. His right eye was covered by the patch. He wore a cloak, but she could make out a metal breastplate underneath.“I must ask you to remove your cloak and weapons,” Franklyn ordered. The man obliged and removed his cloak. On his back was a shield that once he removed it Franklyn relaxed. “That’s Alex ’s shield!” Isabelle gasped. Franklyn took another look and noticed the same. He again lifted his weapon to the man.“Alex ?” the man asked, “You know Alex Tolbert ?”“We do, how do you have his shield?” Ruby asked,“This is not the shield of Alex , it is mine, I am a former knight of Korryn

“We weren’t training; we were enjoying a good fight one warrior to another. Even with his disability I would trust Isaac’s battle skill with my life, just as I trust yours,”“Odd to hear a compliment about your least attended student,”“I have no doubt about your skills James , I’ve fought you with a blade and combat is no stranger to you,”“And what about them?” James motioned to the guards and other students,“They are inexperienced in real battle, but they learn well.”James nodded. “At least Ruby’s getting the hang of it.”They both looked in her direction. She was fighting one of the guards and continued to pummel him with her sword. “Then again, compared to you that man has the grace of newborn calf.”James bid farewell and headed off. Alex continued to instruct the class until the sun began to set. He returned home to Bayle and a cooked meal awaiting him. Isabelle also sat at the table. “I hope you don’t mind, I invited her for dinner,” Bayle said, “She is always welcome i

Alex and Claude clashed again. “You fool, what makes you think you can win against the Knights of Omega!” Claude laughed between blows,“What makes you?” Alex retorted as he kicked Claude back and swung for the shoulder. The sword contacted the armor plating, leaving a sharp dent. Claude returned with a strike to Alex . Alex raised his shield to block the blow and the two fighters took a moment to find an opening. Alex quickly dodged an incoming knight crashing to the ground before him. Isaac was then at his side. “I told you commander,” he said, “They are not as we were,” Isaac then stared at Claude, “We are legend.”Claude now angry swung furiously at Alex . Both he and Isaac worked in unison to block and strike. Many of the hits were to Claude’s armor, but eventually Alex pierced him under the arm between the plating. Claude dropped his shield and Isaac sliced at his side scoring a hit.Claude dropped to his knees and clutched at the wound. Blood began to drip through his gaun