Korhien.
‘You don’t lack for heart, lad,’ Korhien said. ‘I am not so sure about your wisdom but your courage is impressive.’
He indicated a stand which contained a suit of padded armour just like the others were wearing. Tyrion smiled at his mistake, strode over and laced it up. He did not need to be shown how. It was as if he was born knowing how to tie the stays in the correct way. When this was complete he returned to the circle.
Korhien said, ‘Atharis! You shall spar with Prince Tyrion.’
‘As you wish, sir,’ said a blond haired, good looking elf, stepping forward into the practice circle. He was not as tall as Tyrion, but he was well-muscled and lithe. His nose had been broken and not badly set, and his mouth had a cruel twist to it. He looked as if he took this whole thing very seriously.
‘I shall try not to hurt you,’ he said in a very low voice. His tone implied that he meant to do exactly the opposite of what he said.
‘That’s very kind of you,’ said Tyrion. He moved more slowly and clumsily than he normally would. He saw Atharis sneer, as Tyrion deliberately held the practice blade incorrectly. ‘I shall endeavour to do the same.’
‘Begin,’ said Korhien.
Within three strokes, Tyrion had put Atharis on his back. The other student seemed very slow to Tyrion and his moves very predictable. Korhien looked at him from the corner of his eye.
‘As you can see, Prince Tyrion is not quite as simple as he chooses to appear,’ he said.
Korhien strode forward into the circle and spoke to the watching group of students. ‘In case you are in any doubt, Prince Tyrion has exceptional gifts. You would do well not to underestimate him as Atharis did. There is a lesson here about combat in general. Don’t judge your foe by what you are told about him. Don’t judge him by his appearance. Don’t judge him by what he says about himself. Judge him by how he fights against you. You might live longer if you do.’
He gestured for Tyrion to leave the circle and join the other students. Tyrion did so, helping Atharis up as he went. The other elf grinned at him ruefully.
‘You are all here to learn to fight,’ said Korhien. ‘I am taking time to teach you. There are not so many elves that we can afford to lose any. Bear that in mind. Every asur life lost is a terrible blow to our people and we can ill afford such losses. It is your duty to see that you live. It is your duty to see that you are fit and that you are capable. It is your duty to learn from your mistakes and master your weapons. All of you, and I include the gifted Prince Tyrion in this statement, have a good deal to learn, but you have the time to learn it, and learn it you shall. I intend to see to that.’
‘Still giving that same old speech, Korhien,’ said a mocking voice from under the colonnaded arches.
‘Why not, Prince Iltharis? It is a good one and there is truth in it.’ Korhien did not seem to mind the mockery.
Tyrion studied Prince Iltharis as he came into view. He was a tall, slender elf, dark-haired and fair-skinned with piercing grey eyes and a languid manner. He was garbed in a very elaborate, scholarly fashion. He carried a bunch of scrolls negligently under one arm.
He sauntered over to inspect the students, smiled and bowed to Korhien. ‘Indeed it is, and who can disagree with the sentiment?’
‘I sense that you do.’
‘Not in the slightest, my dear fellow – I just wish you would express them less pompously and with slightly more originality.’
‘I see you are determined to undermine my authority with my students, Iltharis.’
‘You were doing that quite well enough without my help, Korhien. I am surprised that they could keep from laughing at you.’
Tyrion was surprised that an elf as fierce as Korhien would put up with this banter, but he saw that the White Lion was not put out by it in the least, in fact appeared to enjoy it.
‘Perhaps you would care to instruct them instead.’
‘I am not in the least suited to being a teacher of weapons,’ said Iltharis. ‘Poetry or history are more my forte. When it comes to teaching, anyway.’
‘That is something we can both agree upon, my friend. Perhaps you would care to leave me to