where many apprentices practiced with wooden swords.
A team of eight boys wearing black tunics embroidered with the silver symbol of the dragon were running around the track. Two other teams, the gold team wearing the black marks of the boar, and the white team wearing the mark of the lion, practiced with wooden swords on the grass. The space was large and Jonas doubted he could throw a rock across the field.
Jonas could see one boy, taller than the rest, sprinting far ahead of his other teammates on the track. His strides were long and fluid and he slowly pulled away from his panting teammates. The runner seemed very relaxed and his movements were effortless. Jonas then turned his attention to the rest of the training grounds.
“This is the practice field,” Sal continued. “There will usually be two to three teams here at a time practicing sword work, hand-to-hand combat, and endurance training. A large part of your training will be conditioning, both for your lungs and your muscles.” Sal walked them across the dusty track.
“Allindrian said that it was important to train your body first if you want to be a great swordsman,” replied Jonas.
“The Blade Singer? You talked with her?” Sal asked, stopping and looking at him curiously.
“Well, yes, we traveled with her and Master Landon’s caravan. We met with them on the road from Tarsis, that is how we ended up here,” Jonas said, unsure if he should say more.
Sal, looking at the boys, obviously wanted to ask more. “Sometime I would like to hear this story. Did you get a chance to see her fight?” he asked, continuing to move forward.
“We did. Our caravan was attacked by boargs,” Jonas added.
Sal stopped again, looking at Jonas incredulously. Fil and Jonas looked at each other wondering if they had told too much. “Boargs, you say?” Sal continued skeptically.
“Yes, boargs. Our entire town was destroyed by the beasts. We left to come here,” Fil replied, a hint of anger in his voice as the memory of the carnage crept back into his mind.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I did not mean to bring up ill thoughts. Did either of you get a chance to bring justice to their killers?”
“We both fought,” replied Jonas lamely, not sure of what else to say.
“But we still seek justice, which is why we are here,” interjected Fil.
“I see,” said Sal, “I hope that someday you get that chance. What was the Blade Singer like?” Sal asked, unable to hide his excitement.
“Incredible. She was so fast, moving from one boarg to another, her blade spinning in a blur. And it really makes a singing noise when she fights. It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” Jonas replied with equal enthusiasm, thinking back to that night in the field.
“Count yourselves lucky, apprentices. There are not many who can say they met a Blade Singer let alone fought next to one. They are very rare and unmatched in swordsmanship. I hope that someday I may have the chance to witness one in combat,” Sal said as he moved to the training field.
The boys on the field were paired off, practicing various strikes, poses, and ripostes, some of which Jonas recognized from what Allindrian had taught them. These boys were more advanced however, which made sense to Jonas considering that they had been training for many months.
A man wearing a light blue tunic and gray breeches faced them as they neared. He carried a long wooden sword and smiled as they approached. The man was lean and strong and his unshaven face was hard, like granite, with one long scar across his cheek.
“Sal, how’s that bruise I gave you?” the man asked.
Sal laughed heartily, shaking hands with the man in the warrior’s grip. “Not bad, Master Morgan, but I’ve been practicing the counter and you won’t bait me again.”
“We shall have to test your confidence soon,” he replied, still smiling. Then he looked at Jonas and Fil and his smile disappeared. “Two new recruits I see. My name is Master Morgan and I will be your weapons instructor for the next two years. At that point, if you have shown promise, then you may be moved up to the advanced classes taught by Master Borum.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. My name is Fil Tanrey.”
“And I am Jonas Kanrene. We are very glad to be here.”
“Very good. Now I have work to do. I will see you both with your group tomorrow.” He