The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

The next morning, Eric awoke to a rooster crow. He didn’t move from his bed, merely covering his head with a pillow. He fell back to sleep in moments but awoke again to someone shaking his shoulder.

“Lord Eric, you must rise!” a voice called. “Time to go to Castle Scholar!”

Who dares disturb our rest? Clauwing said in Eric’s head.

Eric felt himself move, though he did not will it. His eyes opened, and his lips curled back to show his teeth as the covers fell off and a hawk’s cry escaped his mouth.

He saw Gerg the servant boy taking a step back in fright. Eric gaped and covered his mouth.

“Ah Panarus! That damn beast in me! Sorry!”

Eric quickly got out of bed and dressed. He put on the school robe he’d purchased yesterday at Silkas Robes. It was blue to match the stone of the structure, every student there would be wearing them. On the back it had the school symbol of a shining book. The robe hung open to reveal the tunic underneath. Eric put on a fresh red shirt, the same blue wool pants he’d brought yesterday, and the same brown boots he’d worn since coming here. Over his shoulder he carried the leather knapsack which he’d packed last night with Chosan’s help. According to Chosan, both the robe and knapsack were enchanted. The robe would keep his body a comfortable temperature whether it be cold or hot, while items placed in the knapsack weighed almost nothing. Eric had only his books, parchment, quill, and ink inside for now but there could much more soon.

Eric looked at the table in the center of the room where the belt holding his new sword and dagger sat. His shield was gone since he’d given it to Orvalor to be completed. The attempted robbery by the Dishonored was still fresh in his mind. It was unlikely that he would require weapons, but he didn’t want to be unprepared as he was yesterday.

“Perhaps I should bring these along to defend myself,” he wondered before walking over to them.

But Gerg shook his head. “Weapons aren’t allowed at Castle Scholar!”

Eric shrugged. He would have to rely on sorcery then. Hopefully his inner beast wouldn’t act up too much. They headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. To his surprise he found the table was almost empty. Chosan was there at least. He looked at Eric and laughed.

“Eric! There you are! You should have been up by that rooster calling! I’m supposed to be the lazy Yagaro around here!” Chosan chuckled.

Eric frowned, not exactly happy to be called lazy. He held his tongue though.

“Well, best remember to get up when you hear the rooster on days when you have school. Grab some food and follow me, we must make the trouble of a haste to not be late.”

Eric took a plateful of fruit, eggs, and toast with him. Chosan lead him to the stables where a carriage waited. As Eric saw the horses nearby, he heard squawks in his head.

Let’s get those horses! The opinicus said.

Eric felt it’s will start to flow through his body, like the blood flowing through his brain was lit aflame. Though it was slower than it had been the first time. He briefly considered suppressing his sorcery again, but after the encounter yesterday, he knew it would be better to have access to magic if needed. But how was he going to keep the beast from taking over and possessing him?

Hungry! Must hunt! Clauwing said.

Eric quickly took a bite of egg. It wasn’t meat but it sufficed to satisfy his hunger as well as that of the beast. The predatory desire to hunt faded, much to his relief. One problem though, the warmth of the food had faded since he’d not gotten up early enough.

“It seems I’ll be fine as long as I have meat or eggs,” Eric said as he sat down on the seat of the carriage across from Chosan.

“Sorry you have to live with that,” Chosan said.

“Not your fault,” Eric told him as he switched to some toast. “You didn’t make my inner beast become wild.”

“Not directly. But I did convince Margery to leave the kingdom. If you’d been raised here that beast inside you might be a tad more docile,” Chosan said.

“Well, I don’t blame you,” Eric told his uncle. “I’ll just have to do my best to keep this thing under control.”

Don’t call me a thing! Clauwing squawked in Eric’s head.

Chosan nodded to Eric’s response. “Well let’s hope you can make some friends today.”

“I’ve wanted to do that all my life,” Eric told him. “To meet boys my own age and do things with them.”

“Well, you won’t find many boys in Castle Scholar. Taro’s been recruiting all the lads he can, only noble boys are able to go there now. But there are a lot of pretty girls!” Chosan said with a grin.

“I suppose I wouldn’t mind making some girl friends as well,” Eric said.

“Careful now, if you get more than one girlfriend the others will be jealous!” Chosan joked.

“Hey I’m not looking for a girlfriend!” Eric said. “I mean girls that are friends but not girlfriends!”

“Oh, but surely you want a wife someday?” Chosan said.

Eric wanted to say no. But his thoughts went back to Ritara Greddy as well as the red head from yesterday, Karia, he couldn’t. Both of them were so beautiful. They’d at least gotten his heart interested. Especially Karia.

Chosan chuckled. “You’re still young. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of girlfriends, whether they be friends or more! Ritara seemed to like you at the party night before last.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Eric said. “She stomped off.”

“You did step on her feet quite a few times.”

“She’s pretty,” Eric admitted with another shrug. “But I’m not sure I like her.”

They were quiet the rest of the ride to Castle Scholar, the carriage doors were opened for Eric and Chosan. Eric stepped out and found himself in the area of the two large buildings he’d seen yesterday during the tour.

Most of the Presteegs as well as several young sorcerers from Soyagone approached them on horses, though Eric noticed that Omulus and Omaron were absent. Ahead, many young sorcerers made their way into the blue castle like building which served as the school. Flags bearing the shining book were hung on Castle Scholar’s Walls. As Chosan had mentioned, most of the students were girls. Only a few boys walked inside.

“I’d best get to my Potions Class,” Chosan said. “I shall see you later Eric! Oh! Here!” He drew from his robe a scroll of parchment and handed it to Eric, “Your schedule for today.”

Eric opened the scroll, “Hmm my first class is, music and entertainment with Helena Garlifa?”

Eric’s face scrunched up in confusion as he looked back at his uncle.

“Music is a mighty fun thing!” Chosan said. “I believe you could use a good deal of fun after what you’ve been through.”

“I’ve never played a musical instrument before though,” Eric told him.

“You will learn quickly I’m sure,” Chosan said then grinned. “Madam Garlifa is a good teacher. She’s only been here a few weeks now, but I’ve heard the students love her!”

Eric looked further down the schedule and read, “History, Casting, Lunch, Potions…”

“That’s with me!” Chosan said with a smile.

“Dueling,” Eric finished.

“Yes. You have fun, combative and intellectual classes,” Chosan said. “Now I must go! Rikal is in your music class, follow him.”

Eric looked at Rikal. The young Lend Hand stood before his father and grandfather who were addressing the rest of the children. Neither he or his twin were in their usual chainmail outfit today. Instead, both Bear Boys wore the school uniforms and tunics like Eric. Their little sister Myra stood by their side as they said goodbye to their family. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him and then walked over.

“We shall meet back here once your classes are done,” Vikal said to the entirety of them. “Those that don’t behave themselves will not have supper tonight.”

He looked at his son. “Rikal, you will have your first class with young Lord Eric. You will protect him in the event anyone attempts to do him ill. Understood?”

“Yes, father!” Rikal saluted before turning towards Eric as Myra reached him.

“Can you teach me again tonight?” she asked in a whisper.

Eric nodded and said, “Yes.”

“Myra! Get back here!” Vikal called to his daughter. “You go with the rest of the younger children not Lord Eric!”

Rikal and Myra passed each other, switching places with Myra next to her father and Rikal in front of Eric. They divided the children in groups. Rikal and Eric were the first to step into the large school. Eric’s mouth fell open as he saw the entry way was lit not by torches but by floating sparks of lights. It was almost as though the room were filled with stars.

Rikal lead Eric to the second floor which like the quarters of Soyagone consisted of long hallways filled with doors. Signs hung on the doors showing pictures that no doubt had to do with the things taught there. Eric didn’t know which way to go and likely would have spent a good deal of time looking for the music room. Fortunately, Rikal knew the way. They soon came to a door with a trumpet on the sign hanging from it. Rikal opened the door for Eric.

“Thank you,” Eric said.

The Lend Hand gave a toothy smile. Eric stepped inside the classroom and saw it was full of instruments, long tables, and girls. There wasn’t a single boy besides himself and Rikal. Looking around at the girls seated at the tables, Eric gasped as he recognized one sitting at the front. It was the fiery haired beauty with gold eyes that looked at Eric.

“Rikal!” a plump girl with short blonde hair next to the Karia waved.

“Belena! Hello!” Rikal said in a suddenly enthused voice.

The girl named Belena got to her feet. She was a fat girl in a bright purple dress. The purple attire and body build reminded Eric of Chosan. She walked up to Rikal and embraced him. Obviously the two were close friends, or perhaps more. He turned to the redhead, giving a sheepish smile.

“Uh-good morrow. Karia, isn’t it?”

“Eric Yagaro, you remembered me!” she said cheerfully.

“That’s Lord Eric to you girl!” Rikal reminded her.

“It’s alright Rikal,” Eric told the Lend Hand before asking Karia. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

She hesitated. “You want to sit with me?”

Eric shrugged. “Why not?”

“Oh, nothing it’s just I wouldn’t expect the heir of a wealthy family to want to sit near me. I’m merely a humble Peasant.” She gestured to the plain brown dress marking her as a lower class.

“I’m a noble,” Belena said as she sat back down. “And I sit near you all the time.”

“Your family is one of fine cooks, not a Lord,” Karia said.

“Well class doesn’t mean a thing to me,” Eric said as he took the other seat next to Karia. “We’re all people.”

“Glad to hear of it,” Belena said. “We do need to set a good example.”

A voice came from the front, “Good morrow class!”

Eric looked up and saw the speaker was a woman, a tiger woman. Her face and hands, the only parts not concealed by her dress, were covered in striped black and orange fur. Her eyes bright gold like Karia’s, and white fangs showed in her mouth. Eric felt a shudder run down his spine, the fangs reminding him of Corgo.

The Tiger Lady looked at him. “You must be Eric Yagaro.”

“Yes,” Eric said.

“Welcome. I am Helena Garlifa, please call me Madam. Very sorry to hear of your and Chosan’s loss.”

“You know my uncle?” Eric asked.

“Oh yes, he is quite charming.”

Charming? Eric thought. Well, Eric had to admit Chosan was doing his best to make him feel welcome. Though Eric wouldn’t mind if Chosan gave him a little more focus on combat training. He felt this music class was rather pointless but didn’t complain.

“Well class let us begin! Pick your instrument!” The tiger lady said.

The girls got to their feet and walked to the table in the side of the room. Eric and Rikal joined them, Eric looked over the instruments, unsure of which to take. Trumpets, drums, flutes, lutes.

“Not certain which to take?” Madam Garlifa asked as she approached him. “Have you used any before?”

“Nay,” Eric admitted.

“Pity. Ah well, tis never too late to learn,” the tiger teacher said. “Why don’t you try a harp for now?”

Eric shrugged, not really caring what instrument he chose. He picked up the stringed object from the table and ran his fingers through it. Rings from the cords echoed through the room, and Eric couldn’t help but give a small smile as he somehow played a decent tune. For the next while his ears filled with noise both pleasant and unpleasant.

When the class was over Madam Garlifa said to him, “Not bad for a first handling, keep practicing and you may be good enough to be a decent bard.”

Eric looked at the harp in his hands. He’d produced some nice sounds running his fingers through the strings. Still… this wasn’t going to be something he could use to defeat Corgo.

Then another sound suddenly filled his ears. A loud ringing sound seeming to come from above. It rang a few times.

Eric covered his ears, which had better hearing thanks to animal senses. “Arrgh! What kind of animal cry is that?”

Karia frowned at him, “Haven’t you ever heard a bell before?”

Eric shook his head. “I lived on an island jungle my whole life till now.”

The cry of the bell lasted only a few seconds. Eric picked up his bag and put the harp back with the other instruments before heading out the door. Rikal and Karia walked beside him.

“What class do you venture to now, Eric?” Karia asked.

Eric took out his schedule scroll. “History with Brother Bagaldan.”

“Oh, I do as well!” Karia beamed.

Rikal smiled. “That shall save me having to lead you to the next class and being late for my own, Lord Eric. Later cousin.”

The Lend Hand walked off, Karia led Eric to a door with an hourglass painted on it. The teacher, Bagaldan noticed Eric with a look of delight. “Ah good! I feared I might be the only man in all my class! You’re-

“Eric Yagaro, sir.” Eric said.

“Oh, you’re Derair’s son. And Margery’s!” Bagaldan said before chuckling. “The son of hero and a traitor.”

Eric frowned, “My mother wasn’t a traitor!”

“Perhaps but she has been named one,” Bagaldan pointed out. “I can only say what our books say, not whether they are true or not.”

Eric looked down at his desk. After a moment he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“I don’t think she was a traitor,” Karia whispered. “Even if she caused other people to die by living there had to be another way to prevent those losses than killing herself! I think she was right to fight for her own life, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Eric smiled at her in gratitude. At least not everyone thought ill of his mother. Before he could say anything however, Bagaldan spoke, “Well class it is time to show me what you have learned in this fortnight of reading. Please fill out an entire roll of parchment on the reign of Osakar II,” he looked at Eric. “As for you, feel free to step outside. You haven’t read anything of that time, have you?”

“Yes, I have!” Eric told him. “I know all about the time of King Osakar II.”

“Oh, you do, eh?” Bagaldan said. “All right, tell me about it on your scroll!”

Eric drew from his knapsack a roll of parchment and his new quill that he’d bought yesterday in the market.

When he and the class full of girls finished, Bagaldan looked at Eric’s roll first and read it to the class. “Well… hmmm. Impressive. Nine out of ten I’d say! Seems your mother didn’t neglect teaching you history. I must say is the first time I’ve ever had a student whose given me a full roll of parchment without attending a single class. Impressive.”

He moved on to Karia, looking at her scroll. “Ten out of ten Karia! I’d expect no less from the brightest girl here.”

“Thank you, sir,” she said with a smile before turning to Eric. “Well done, Eric. I like a boy that has brains rather than brawn. So many don’t even have any knowledge of how to read now.”

Eric smiled nervously at her remark, feeling as if his face was warming up. She liked him. Was that as friends or more? He scratched the desk a little bit.

“So…do you want to be friends?” Eric asked nervously.

“Oh… um… certainly!” she smiled.

Eric’s heart seemed to warm. Not with hatred but, happiness. His lips formed into the widest grin he’d had in days. This was the first friend he’d made in Sortar, the first girl he met in Sortar. Eric’s grin vanished slightly as he remembered something his mother had said the he had his nature sorcery test on Dragoran.

I’ll bet you fall for the first girl you meet in Sortar.

Eric looked at Karia as she gazed down at the book laying open on her desk. She was beautiful and seemed kind as well as smart. Good traits that Eric could admire so far. Next was Casting Class, which Eric was pleased to hear Karia had as well. That gave them three subjects together. Thankfully there were some boys in this class as well, which Eric was thrilled about, at least at first.

One of the boys was a beast man who’d transformed into a half animal that like Madam Garlifa. He had gold fur and an auburn mane covered his head where hair should have been, as well as set of whiskers on his cheeks. A lion beast sorcerer. The lion boy was also a noble like Eric who saw that he also wore a red shirt which bore a circle of white fangs around a letter C that had an arrow and a string behind it, clearly representing a hunting bow. Eric recognized the symbol as belonging to House Carnos, a family of beast sorcerer warriors that had slain many demons and earned a spot among the lesser nobility.

Eric hesitated to follow Karia as she sat down next to a group of girls. He was tempted to sit down with the group of boys at the other table. He’d been around girls all his life in the form of his mother and grandmother. But he didn’t want to be rude and leave his new friend’s side. There would be another time to speak with those boys. Maybe.

As he sat down, Eric heard them talking in the back.

“Who’s that? I’ve never seen him before,” the voice was a whisper, but Eric heard it clearly thanks to his beast sorcery.

“Don’t know,” another replied.

“He’s with the Yagaro family,” the third said. “I saw his headband. Must be the returned heir whose mother betrayed us.”

At the mention of his mother, Eric’s hand curled up into a fist. The warm happiness he’d had only an hour ago turning to a spark of anger.

“Oh right, she fought Corgo I heard. Stupid way to die, everyone knows fighting Corgo is a lost battle. Should have taken her own life and brought him down with her.”

The sparks of anger burned brighter in Eric who shook. He looked back at them.

“Well let’s hope she went to Panarus for fighting that selfish battle. She deserves it, caring more about dying with pride than saving lives. Hundreds will die because of her. Damn traitor survivor.”

Eric saw it was the lion boy who said that. He glared at him.

“You want to come and say that to my face?” Eric asked.

The lion boy looked at Eric in surprise, as if silently asking You heard us?

“My mother wasn’t a traitor!” Eric yelled.

“She served evil by living!” the lion boy countered. “She let Corgo escape now he will come and finish us off someday!”

“Not if we fight him!” Eric retorted.

“Ha! Everyone knows fighting Corgo is a lost battle!” the lion boy laughed. “Many of us can’t even move in his presence! If you can move your only option is to flee… you can’t kill him.”

“I can!” Eric stated. “Because I have this!”

He lit up a ball of red sorcery in his palm.

The lion boy growled. “So, you have some rare red sorcery! Doesn’t mean you can defeat Corgo!”

Now Eric growled.

Let’s get him. Clauwing said in Eric’s head.

For once, Eric agreed with his inner beast. He’d teach this lion boy a lesson for speaking ill of his mother. He began directing the ball toward him.

“Eric no!” Karia took hold of his arm. “Spell Master Geem!”

A sorcerer in a bright blue robe entered the room. He caught sight of the sorcery in Eric’s hand.

“Hey! What’s going on?”

“Morum was insulting his mother!” Karia said.

“No fighting in my classroom! Morum apologize to…” he gestured toward Eric.

“Eric Yagaro.”

“Eric Yagaro.” The sorcerer repeated.

The lion boy named Morum took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry. Your mother’s faults are not your own. I should not have spoken ill of her with you nearby.”

The words meant little to Eric. It would take a lot more for him to ever become friends with this one.

They worked on the core spells, which Eric knew already. Karia was also very gifted at them. The Spell Master smiled at her as she shot beams, massive balls, and produced a shining shield of orange core sorcery.

“Very good Miss Karia! You are very close to becoming a recognized sorceress! Come winter I’d say for certain!”

This caused the girl to beam. Eric demonstrated his own powers, displaying all of what he’d learned of core sorcery, such as the spikes, beams, shields, and balls at all their varying power levels.

“Well, you are also certainly skilled it seems young Lord Yagaro.” Geem said.

They then moved on to shapeshifting, which pleased Eric since he hadn’t been given the opportunity to work on that power yesterday during training. The students that didn’t possess that power naturally were lent rings or enchanted objects stored in a cabinet the Spell Master had to unlock with magic. Eric of course had no need to borrow one as he already had a ring with shapeshifting.

Unfortunately, his first attempt didn’t go well. When he tried a simple hair growing spell, he ended up growing his hair all the way to the floor, causing much of the class to laugh at him. Eric’s luck didn’t change by the time class was over. His hair was cut off above the neck back to his usual length before lunch started.

He went with Karia to the Dining Hall where they sat with her friend Belena at a circular table outside. With Belena were two other girls.

“You’ve already met Belena. This is Nedela and Linara.”

She gestured to each of them as she said their names. Nedela was the tallest and dirtiest of the girls, her dress stained at the bottom with dirt. Linara, a silver haired girl wore a wide grin across her face. Belena, the plump girl who was close with Rikal, passed some candy out.

“Where do you get this?” Eric asked as she handed him some.

“My parents make it. They run the Silver Plate Inn. Best place to sleep and eat in Sortar!” Belena said.

“And you get to eat there a lot, don’t you?” Linara poked the blonde’s tummy.

“Hey cut it out!” Belena said.

“Don’t tease her Linara,” Nedela said.

“So, what do your families do?” Eric asked.

“Mine are farmers. We manage the farm right outside your castle,” Nedela said. “Its hard work, but we earn a decent living.”

“My mother is a healer in the Peasant’s Peace Sector,” Karia said. “My father works at Nedela’s farm so we’ve known each other since we were little. Then we met Linara and Belena at Happy Hall.”

“Yes, my parents are both performers there so I’m planning to take over that business someday,” Linara said. “I want to make everyone in Sortar smile everyday.”

“So, we all just fell in together and became best friends,” Karia finished.

“Yes, best friends till the end!” Linara shouted with a wide smile as she put her arms around Belena and Nedela.

“Even if I get teased every so often for being the fat girl,” Belena frowned.

Linara giggled then looked at Eric.

“We all performed at your welcome party a few nights ago. Don’t suppose you’d recognize us out of costume. Did you enjoy it?”

Eric nodded as he recalled the event. “It was nice. I always liked reading plays when I was on Dragoran.”

“Ooh! Ooh! What play is your favorite?” Linara asked. She was certainly a talkative one.

“Oserus and Verida.”

“Ooh, we’re going to be performing that on stage tomorrow night! Are you going to come?”

Eric thought for a minute. He’d wanted to see that play for a long time. But who knew how long it was? Wouldn’t it be better if he spend that time training?

“I’m not sure,” Eric said. “Which parts are you all playing?”

“I’m going to be Verida,” Karia told them. “The girl Oserus fell in love with!”

“And I’m playing-” a cough escaped Belena’s mouth as she spoke, interrupting her.

“Are you alright Belena?” Karia asked in concern.

“I’m fine, just a cough.” Belena told them. “I’m playing Oserus.”

“But Oserus is a man!” Eric exclaimed.

“Yes, well we’ve had to play male roles for a long time,” Belena said. “Since so many of the boy sorcerers have been pulled out by Taro Volk, we’ve had to take their places in plays. Well, it should be a good romance right, Karia?”

“Yes,” Karia said.

Eric looked between Belena and Karia, who would be acting as lovers in a play. Belena smiled at Karia who looked a bit embarrassed. So, the two girls would be kissing each other. Eric felt weird at the thought of that but didn’t press the issue. It was only for the play after all.

“I bet you would prefer it was Rikal you were kissing right Belena?” Linara asked the plump girl with a grin.

“Well, it’s just a play after all,” Belena said.

They finished their lunch and soon had to part ways.

“Well, we hope to see you at the play tomorrow, Lord Eric. It was good meeting-” Belena was interrupted by a cough again.

“You aren’t well Belena!” Karia said in concern.

Belena sighed. “It seems not. I will have to see a healer. Oh, I hope this doesn’t affect my partaking in the play tomorrow.”

With lunch done, Eric looked around the school for the Potions classroom. He found it in the crafting building. The door had a picture of a vial on it. The bell rang again, forcing Eric to cover his ears for the fifth time today. He entered the classroom and found he was the first to have arrived. The room was filled with cauldrons on every table. Cabinets filled the sidewalls. In the center of the class was a large cauldron filled with water. Eric took a seat in the front and waited.

Soon other students began to gather, sitting at various tables and then Chosan came in. He saw Eric right away and smiled. “Ah mighty good to see you here at last! How went your other classes?”

“Alright,” Eric told him.

“Did you make any friends?” Chosan asked.

Eric nodded. “I think so. Remember that girl that stopped Taro from executing someone yesterday, Karia?”

Chosan smiled. “Yes of course, she is a good girl. Always trying to make people smile, and she’s very intelligent.”

A few minutes passed than Chosan started the lesson. Eric didn’t know which ingredient was which, his mother never taught him anything about potion making. By the time the class ended all the others were done with a bubbling blue potion in front of them, but Eric’s was a muddy brown.

“No need to fret, Eric. We’ll practice at home,” Chosan said.

Eric sighed but didn’t argue. He wanted to learn combat more than potions, that was more important to him by far. But potions could come in handy someday. He dumped the contents of his cauldron into the drain and walked out of the class, out of Castle Scholar entirely. It was time for his dueling class, and that took place in Rayzar’s Ring.

Eric walked toward the circular red arena and followed a few other boys he saw heading that direction. They lead him to the changing room where everyone put on their training clothes. Eric pulled the same leather armor he’d used for training yesterday from out of his enchanted knapsack. He put his Castle Scholar Robe and the clothes away. Many of the other students garbed themselves in the standard Rayzar’s Ring training gear, which consisted of white leather that covered the entire torso. The symbol of an open red circle like an actual ring was on the gambeson’s chest, and the gear also came with padded red pants, gloves, and a metal helmet.

Once dressed, Eric followed them to the arena which served as the ground for duels and other combat related events. Unlike the classrooms in Castle Scholar there were no tables or chairs. Some long benches on the sides could be used to sit on for resting. For the moment though, the students all stood in lines facing the teacher, whom Eric was surprised to see was a Soron Knight in black armor with weapon patterns on the chest. At his hip was a dagger with axe blades for the guard and a hammer head for the pommel. The executioner of Sortar was apparently also the Weapon Master that taught students to wield weapons.

“Eric Yagaro.”

Eric felt his lip curl. “Sir Weldar if I recall. I saw you yesterday, with Taro.”

The executioner looked down. “Aye, nasty business. It is my duty to carry justice out on those that commit crimes, as well as teach the way of arms to young warriors. But what Taro ordered me to do, execute a person taken as a child without swearing any oaths! That would not have been just!”

So, the relationship between Weldar and Taro was merely one of subordinates. Eric suddenly disliked the executioner a lot less. He didn’t blindly follow orders.

There was a huff nearby. Eric couldn’t identify the source.

“Tell me, have you had much experience in using weapons?” Weldar asked.

Eric nodded then proudly stated. “My mother taught me to wield a sword.”

“Your mother?” someone repeated with a laugh.

Eric looked around for the speaker. He saw a boy about his age, but a good deal taller. His own sleeveless training shirt displayed a pair of muscular arms. He wore a headband on his bald head. Like Eric he didn’t follow the standard uniform but had his own. He wore a yellow shirt with a familiar symbol on it. Two daggers touching at the pommels to form a letter V. Volk!

At the Volk boy’s side were two goblins and another human boy in a blue set of his own family sparring gear, seeing the symbols of the Conqueror’s boot and the Protectors shield over a woman, Eric recognized the Dominas family. The Volks and the Dominas, Eric had a feeling they were not going to be friends. The Volks had named his mother a traitor, and Margery said the Dominas family were not welcoming to the idea of female warriors.

“Your mother taught you wield a sword?” the largest boy asked with a voice that matched the huff from earlier. “Margery Yagaro? The mercenary whore who seduced Derair and let Corgo escape?”

Through his rage which began to heat up like a fire, Eric was smart enough to realize who this boy was.

“You’re related to Taro, aren’t you?”

The boy nodded. “Name’s Tarair. My father named me with both his name and your father’s. Derair was a great warrior, though I can’t see you possibly being one.”

“Yes. Taught to wield a sword by your traitor mother, were you?” The Dominas boy asked.

“My mother wasn’t a traitor!” Eric roared.

“Did she not live when she became of use to the enemy? Hundreds of people will die because she didn’t take her own life. The Yagaro’s are supposed to be protectors who sacrifice everything for the good of others!” Tarair said.

“Aye! Your mother was nothing more than a mercenary whore that seduced your father to get rich.” The Dominas boy added.

“Liar!” Eric shouted. “My mother was not a whore! She loved my father! She may have been a mercenary in her youth, but she was a true protector. And she did teach me to use a sword!”

The Dominas boy scoffed. “Woman can never be a man’s equal in combat. We are dominant! We have the superior strength!”

“That’s right! We are!” Tarair said as he raised his massive biceps.

“Excuse me!” the female goblin said. “I female, you say I weak!?”

“You aren’t human so that doesn’t apply to you Scerma!” the Dominas boy said. “You trade beauty for strength.”

Scerma growled. Eric couldn’t blame her since he’d called her ugly just now. She lunged at the Dominas boy and delivered a punch to his face.

“Ouch,” he said.

“Watch your mouth Matthon!” Scerma said as she showed her teeth.

“But your mother could never be an equal to a man, being human. Our women are delicate flowers and they should stay that way or they will be cut down. Anything she taught you will not be enough to beat me,” Tarair said.

Eric glared at him. “We’ll see about that. I challenge you to a duel!”

Before Tarair or any of his cronies could answer, Weldar laughed. “Well, well. Making yourself some rivals and tis not five minutes into class. I admire your spirit boy! But duels must wait until after the training!”

Eric seethed. He looked away from Tarair’s smirking face.

“First off, we shall start with practice. Now who wants to partner with young Yagaro here?” Weldar asked.

No one stepped forward. Eric heard some of them whispering.

“I shan’t be caught with the son of a traitor survivor.”

“He’s got a temper.”

Finally, someone said, “I go with him!”

From out of the crowd stepped a large white goblin. Eric recognized him as the one who’d come to his aid against the Dishonored yesterday.

“You!” Eric said.

“Me,” the goblin said with a nod. “Me name Dargin if you recall.”

“Right.” Eric nodded.

Weldar ordered them to gather weapons. Dargin led Eric to the side where many hung on the racks. “So, you been taught to use a sword?”

“Aye,” Eric answered. “And some other weapons.”

“Then why you not have one when you fight Dishonored?” Dargin asked.

“Didn’t think I’d have to bring it into the city,” Eric told him.

“A warrior can’t be without weapon,” Dargin said. “I always keep mine close.”

He pointed off to the corner where a long-shafted axe leaned against the wall. It was the same weapon that Dargin had used to fight off those Dishonored. The poleaxe.

“Well, maybe I should bring along at least a dagger wherever I go into the city,” Eric said as he looked over the line of training swords.

There were many of them in different lengths, all of which had red leather like Eric’s own blade at Soyagone. Eric inspected the weapons, there were short and arming swords, the single-handed ones that could be used with shields. Longswords meant for two hands, and massive greatswords as tall as Eric. The shortswords were too short for Eric’s taste, and the greatswords too big. He looked between the arming and longswords, uncertain which to take. He had more experience in using the long, but it was traditional for members of the Yagaro family to carry a shield as well as those marked them as protectors. He still needed to learn more of that. Now he could actually use a shield.

Eric shrugged and picked up an arming sword as well as a wooden shield from the racks. Dargin frowned as he watched Eric take the shield.

“You use blocker?” he asked.

“A shield? Well, it’s my family symbol,” Eric said.

The goblin shrugged. “Hmph. I prefer both hands on weapon.”

Dargin picked up a longsword, which Eric felt he could have wielded with one hand easily. They went out and practiced moves for a time. Dargin struck while Eric blocked and tried to counter. Having a shield boosted defense but slowed down his attack. Dargin struck at him with a grin. He struck hard, it could have caused a bruise if it had connected. At least it was slow enough that Eric managed to block it on his shield.

“Hey!” Eric yelled. “We’re not actually trying to hurt each other!”

Dargin’s grin faded. “Sorry, I bad at holding back. I try harder.”

They resumed, Dargin managed to go softer for a few hits, but then when Eric managed to thrust his wooden blade into him, the goblin growled and let out a flurry of blows. Eric blocked the first two but the third bypassed his shield and caught him on the head. The leather cushioned the worst of the force but it still caused Eric to grunt.

“Sorry!” Dargin apologized.

Eric sighed. He and Dargin continued to clash, at least that was the last time the goblin hit too hard.

Finally, the time came for dueling.

“I believe we had a challenge issued earlier!” Weldar called. “Eric Yagaro, Tarair Volk!”

Eric stepped toward the center of the ring, looking at his soon to be opponent. To his surprise, however, Tarair did not move. He stood right where he was.

“What’s the matter Volk?” Eric called. “Scared?”

“Nay!” Tarair said loudly. “I’m merely hesitant to cross blades with someone taught by a weak woman!”

Matthon Domanas chuckled. Eric seethed. Then heard a voice in his head.

Let’s get him. Clauwing said.

For the second time today, Eric agreed with his inner beast. This time, though, they had a chance.

Tarair shrugged. “Scelm, test him!”

The male goblin in Tarair’s group stepped forward. He was smaller than Dargin and not anywhere near as a muscular, with long ears that were almost rabbit like except for curing downwards. He dressed in the Ring’s dueling gambeson with some armor underneath and held a short sword which he spun around.

“Yes, Lord Tarair! You need not waste your time on him!” the smaller goblin said.

Eric frowned. “I have no interest in fighting you! My business is with Tarair!”

“You wish to challenge the great Lord Tarair? You must get past his future Lend Hand first!” Scelm said.

“Sorcerer Lords are allowed to let their underlings fight on their behalf here,” Weldar said. “If you wish to challenge Tarair you must prove yourself a worthy adversary.”

Eric growled, his animal instincts firing up. “Fine, if that’s how it has to be.”

He assumed his on-guard position and eyed Scelm, following his mother’s advice, looking at his opponent’s weapon and realizing their advantages. The shortsword didn’t have the same reach as Eric’s arming one, but it was much lighter and faster like the dagger. A skilled user would get in really close and focus on speed to overwhelm opponents. Eric was taller than the goblin, but that didn’t assure him victory. Goblins were known to have naturally fast reflexes and great strength. One advantage Eric had though, was his shield.

Scelm ran at him, he was fast! He ran and then jumped, swinging his sword. Eric barely managed to block the swift attack with his shield. Scelm followed it with a kick that caught Eric in the stomach. It didn’t have enough force to really hurt him, but it did push him back. Eric recovered just in time to see Scelm bring his sword up. He took a step back, stepping out of range of the small goblins attack and swung. The reach of his arming sword as well as the fact that Scelm lacked a shield left him open to Eric’s counterattack. Eric’s training blade hit Scelm. The pain enchantment took effect and the small goblin fell, his teeth grit in agony as he clutched his shoulder.

Eric then turned to Tarair who walked forward to meet him at last.

“I’ll take you down in one strike, traitor spawn.”

They glared into each other’s eyes. Sky blue into stone gray. Eric’s heart seemed to beat more rapidly as the son of the man who’d labeled his mother a traitor drew near. Today he’d get some revenge for that! If only by winning this battle he could make everyone see that Margery was not a traitor. She’d fought to destroy Corgo and prevent him from killing others, to protect these people. It wasn’t fair for her, just like it wasn’t fair that Taro Volk had nearly executed a person taken by the Demorians as a child.

As Tarair took his stand in front of Eric who was ready to attack, Weldar said, “Since you challenged Tarair he shall decide the terms.”

“Swords only,” Tarair said, lifting his. “No shields or magic. Whoever hits the other three times wins. That will be me of course! I’ll show you what a man can do when he is taught by another to use a sword. You won’t get a single hit on me.”

Eric’s anger faded somewhat and turned to nervousness as he dropped his shield and gripped his sword with both hands. The arming sword didn’t have enough of a handle for him to get a good grip with the second hand. It felt so clumsy. Tarair stood there smirking, keeping only a single hand on his blade.

“Fight!” Weldar called.

Eric charged at Tarair, they locked blades and pushed against each other. Tarair was strong, his body more muscular than Eric’s lean frame. Without even using his other hand, he forced Eric’s blade back, forcing Eric to break the lock. The Yagaro Heir stabbed at the stomach of the Volk, but the larger boy batted his blade aside and went on the offensive. Tarair was clearly very skilled with a blade. Not surprising considering the Volks followed the path of the Conqueror, devoting themselves utterly to martial prowess to crush their enemy. Still, Eric managed to fend off his blows. His mother had taught him that when facing someone of greater strength to wait, focus on blocking the attacks, and strike when a weakness was exposed.

Tarair brought his blade up high and swung horizontally at Eric’s neck. Eric ducked and stabbed once again. With his blade still swinging Tarair was unable to block. Eric caught him, Tarair grunted as the point made contact, his gray eyes widening in disbelief as he collapsed in silent agony.

“One point for Eric!” Weldar called. “Resume!”

Tarair quickly got up, his face showed shock that quickly turned to anger and determination to match Eric’s. He let out a cry as he brought his blade down from up high. When Eric raised his blade to block, Tarair kicked, catching Eric in the stomach and knocking him back just like Scelm had. Eric gasped for breath as the wind was knocked out of him. He’d barely taken his second before Tarair caught him on the shoulder.

Eric grunted as he put a hand on his twice kicked stomach, he could still feel both impressions. “You said only swords!”

“When you use a weapon of any kind, it becomes part of your entire body,” Tarair said, his smirk returning.

“And one for Tarair!” Weldar said.

Eric and Tarair began fighting harder, both glaring at each other as their blades banged each other. When Tarair stabbed, Eric stepped off to the side and struck landing the next blow, and Tarair got him after that. They were both at two, whoever got the last one would be the winner. Eric panted, slightly out of breath. Tarair’s blade nearly caught him on the shoulder. The Volk Heir was not breathing heavily like Eric, whose reflexes were slowing. He couldn’t block as well. He barely managed to defend against the next two strikes and staggered back, knowing he was going to lose soon.

Need help? Said the voice of his inner beast.

Eric grunted and put a hand to his head as the now familiar feeling of something moving through his head filled him.

“What’s the matter got a headache?” Tarair asked, lowering his blade. “A soldier must never stop fighting no matter how much pain he holds in his body.”

Eric made a desperate stab, Tarair moved his sword in a circular motion and wrestled Eric’s blade from his grasp. It flew off to the side, leaving Eric weaponless.

“You lose mercenary traitor spawn,” Tarair said with a grin as he pointed the tip at Eric’s throat.

Eric’s face twisted in pain along with his brain as the thing moving in there took control.

Oh no. You haven’t won yet.

Eric’s hands moved of their own accord, batting the blade aside. Then his foot came up and caught Tarair between the legs. The boy screamed and fell down, dropping his weapon as well.

As quickly as it came, the inner beast’s control over Eric’s body receded and he looked down on his defeated opponent. All around him the room filled with gasps.

“Unbelievable! He defeated Tarair after being disarmed!” someone said.

“Incredible! Maybe his mother was strong after all!”

“Maybe so but she is still a traitor! She lived when she’d become a threat to the kingdom!”

Eric barely heard the words around him as he gazed down at the larger boy who was still groaning and writhing. He was in pain, and although Eric hated this boy for being the son of Taro, he’d never wanted to put Tarair through that much pain.

I helped you win. You’re welcome. The voice of his inner beast said.

Eric had won with his own hands, but not of his own skill. This was no victory.

“Well done!” Weldar said. “You prove you are a capable warrior!”

Despite the applause and congratulations, Eric could not feel pride. He stepped out of the center of the ring crestfallen. As he did so he caught a glimpse of Matthon Dominas frowning at him.

“You could be a problem to the natural order.”

Eric looked at him. Matthon had not spoken it loud enough to be directed at Eric, but he’d been looking at him regardless and Eric had heard him thanks to his beast sorcery. Before he could say anything, Matthon turned around and began to walk away.

“Not bad,” Dargin said as he came up beside Eric.

Eric didn’t reply. He kept looking after the Dominas boy.

“What wrong? That not winners look.”

“I didn’t win,” Eric said, turning away from his current query. “My inner beast did.”

“Your inner beast?” Dargin asked. “You beast sorcerer?”

Eric nodded. “My beast side took over when I was about to lose and fought instead. That wasn’t my win.”

“Oh. Well perhaps you need practice more so you can win. I be glad to help.”

“Really?” Eric asked. “Well, how would you like to come to Soyagone with me after this?”

“I like!” Dargin said, grinning.