The Arcane Trickster

CHAPTER 6 - SPARING PT2

-” Hey get up, this time let's attack from different sides.” Reynald had a determined look on his face.

Asahel got up and held his dagger again, he focused on Derwyn and nodded towards Reynald. The two dashed once again, Reynald on the left and Asahel on the right, as they approached Derwyn Reynald thrust his sword.

Asahel was completely focused on Derwyn movements, he knew that he was faster than the two of them, so he needed to react as soon as he moved. Derwyn's stick moved fast towards Reynald's sword, Asahel took the chance and tried to slash towards Derwyn belly.

Reynald was smiling as he saw the stick coming from his sword, he put even more strength in his thrust wanting to break it, yet to his surprise, when the stick hit the side of his sword the stick didn't break, which made even more incredulous was the Derwyn parried his thrust, sending Reynald sword towards Asahel.

Asahel was in the middle of his attack when he saw Reynald's sword closing on him, fear washed over his face instantly, and he stopped his attack and rolled back. Derwyn laughed again, the kids were seriously too bad at fighting.

Reynald who restored his control over the sword took distance and waited for Asahel to get up again. Asahel was still pale, the feeling of fear as he saw the sword closing on him still vivid on his mind, but, deep down he felt something strange.

A strange feeling was bubbling inside Asahel, while afraid he was enjoying the fight, determined to win the spar he steeled his gaze, Derwyn could feel the determination of the two youths, which only made him more eager to completely shatter their confidence.

With newfound determination to win this, Asahel took the lead and charged toward Derwyn, he ran directly to his chest, Derwyn was surprised by the bravery of the young man and by his stupidity too.

Asahel was a thief and a scout, his classes weren't suited for the frontlines, charging like wouldn't accomplish anything to them. Derwyn gazed at them with a hint of anger in his eyes.

Derwyn dashed towards the two, this was the first time he took the initiative to attack in the spar, Asahel was taken aback when he saw Derwyn coming towards him and tried to stop, but, before he could do anything Derwyn kicked his stomach and sent him flying away.

Reynald saw Asahel flying past him and with fear swung his sword towards his uncle, who held the blade with his hands and thrust his stick towards Reynald's chest. The thrust was fast and made Reynald drop his sword in pain.

He wanted to complain that his uncle was taking this too seriously when he saw his foot approaching him. Reynald too was sent flying by Derwyn's kick. Asahel was seriously regretting joining the spar when he heard a loud noise.

He looked behind him only to see Reynald lying on the ground, the kick he received was way stronger it seemed. Asahel was about to get up, but, his breathing was still rough from the impact.

-” Hey what the two of you are doing? Especially you Asahel, running towards me like that? Don't you understand your classes yet?” Derwyn looked angry, the two youths were blessed with good classes, yet, they didn't put any effort into improving, this made him completely furious. “ If you guys keep like this it's better for us to end this here, and the two of you forget to enter the army or join my escort group.”

Derwyn scolding made Asahel ashamed, he hated to disappoint people who had expectations of him. Asahel clenched his fist and got up, he looked at Reynald and screamed. -” HEY GET UP! YOU WANTED THIS, LET'S GO!”

Reynald was lying on the floor sobbing when Asahel screamed at him, he wanted to keep laying there, so he completely ignored him.

-” HEY! WHAT TYPE OF KNIGHT ARE YOU? JUST BECAUSE YOU GOT HIT YOU GAVE UP?” Asahel screams made Reynald bitter.

-” SHUT UP! What can we do? we can't win against him.” Reynald screamed at first, but he was ashamed of being such a coward and lowered his tone.

-” Just get up, I have a plan, but you need to follow it.” Asahel began to calm down as he saw Reynald sobbing.

-” A plan? How can we win against him?” Reynald was calming down as Asahel stopped screaming.

-” We just need to touch him right? If we cant do at least that we really should give up on being awakened.” Derwyn's words hit Asahel hard, he knew that he and Reynald were doing something seriously wrong.

-” But, every time we get closer to him we beat up.” Reynald's confidence was shattered, Derwyn was thinking that he was gone too far, yet, Asahel kept telling Reynald to get up.

-” If you give up now, you will never become a knight. I don't know why I thought a coward like you could become one.” Asahel's provocations were working, Reynald got up, however, fear still lingered in his eyes.

-” What should we do? If I get beat up like that one more time I’m giving up, I don't care if uncle doesn't accept me in his group.” Reynald was emotional as got up.

-” Just follow my lead and don't run towards him, keep distance and use the thrust movement he taught you.” Asahel approached Derwyn slowly as he ordered Reynald.

Reynald nodded and followed Asahel, the two slowly moved towards Derwyn, when they were about five meters from him Asahel stopped walking towards him and began circling him. Derwyn watched the two youths with interest, it looked like clarity finally came to Asahel.

-” What should we do? Don't tell me that your plan is just walking around in circles?” Reynald was cirlcing Derwyn from the oposite side of Asahel.

-” Keep calm and don't rush, if you want just use your thrust, we need to bait him.” Asahel calmly explained, his mind was completely focused on Derwyns legs.