Henry was out on the castle grounds, practicing his fencing skills when General Graten walked by. “Typical,” he said dismissively when he saw Henry. “You always lunge in too early.”
Henry straightened himself. “How do you know?” he said. “I was fencing against the air.”
“It doesn’t matter who your opponent is,” said General Graten. “Anyone can see that’s no way to comport yourself. You’ve got all the bravery of your father, all right, but just like him you lack common sense. It’s a wonder you’ve survived as long as you have. I suppose it’s been other people taking care of you and keeping you out of trouble. First your uncles, then Robert, and then King Carlyle. If you didn’t have all this help, I would have caught and killed you a long time ago.”
Henry laughed. “Very brave talk. Says the man who came into the forest with a whole army. When your soldiers captured us, you weren’t even around.”
“There you go again. You’re always thinking about bravery. But you were supposed to be a king, remember? The throne was supposed to be yours. You made that speech to all the assembled nobles.”
“So?”
“So kings don’t fight battles by themselves. Kings use their armies. But you were never any good at inspiring or leading other people. You only ever cared about your own bravery.”
“Did you come out here just to taunt me?”
“I came out to enjoy the air. And then I found you floundering out here by accident.”
“Alright then,” said Henry. “Pick up one of those swords. Show me your skill.”
“We’ve been over this before, Sir Henry,” said Graten. “Remember when we crossed swords in the castle hallway that night? I disarmed you and had you at my mercy.”
“You got lucky.”
“Oh for the love of…” General Graten picked up one of the swords. “Alright, if I manage to disarm you a second time, then we both agree in advance that it is not luck. Agreed, sir Henry?”
“Agreed, General.”
“Okay then, engarde!” They fenced back and forth together. At first, Henry was more cautious than he had been the night in the castle hallway. But gradually, as they fought more and more, he began to grow careless. When Graten started to take a few steps backwards, Henry stepped forward recklessly to press his advantage. And then within seconds, General Graten was able to disarm him. All it took was a quick sudden flick of his wrist, and Henry’s sword went clattering to the ground.
“Human, you shouldn’t have lunged forward like that,” came a voice. “You left your side completely unguarded.”
Both Henry and General Graten looked to see where the voice was coming from, and saw two white fluffy rabbits hopping by their feet.
“And what does a rabbit know about how to handle a sword?” said General Graten with contempt. “Get out of here and don’t waste my time with your rabbit advice.”
The rabbit howled with rage. “I am a mighty dragon, who has only been transformed into a rabbit by the treachery of this castle’s sorcerer. And I assure you, when I return to my natural dragon form, I will remember this insult you have given me, and I will tear your flesh to pieces.”
General Graten kicked the rabbit, sending it flying a few yards and then landing on the ground. Both rabbits scurried to hide behind the bushes after the kick,
“Easy General,” said Henry. “Not so hard or you’ll injure them. Their hearts may be dragons still, but their bodies are weak and tender like a rabbit.”
“The beast should curb its tongue,” said General Graten. “I will not be spoken to by rabbits, be they dragons or not.”
The rabbits scurried away, one of them yelling, “We shall remember this, human.”
After watching the rabbits run away, Henry turned to Graten. “Are you not worried? They really do have the souls of dragons, you know. If the spell is reversed, they could return to their bodies.”
“But who would reverse their spell? No one in their right mind wants to set dragons loose in this forest. No, it seems likely they shall retain their present form for quite some time. And if they are to be turned to rabbits, then they must learn a rabbit’s humility. Or my boot will teach them.”
“But you are not the master of this castle. And they are the guests of the king.”
“Then let the King himself chastise me if he sees fit, but I’ll not be rebuked by mere rabbits, even if they are dragons. Pick up your sword again, Sir Henry.”
“Alas General, there is no further need. I yield to you the point. It was not luck that allowed you to disarm me that night. You are the superior swordsman, and I am a clumsy oaf.”
“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere. That’s lesson number 1. Pick up your sword, and this time don’t let me bait you into lunging forward so recklessly.” Henry looked suspiciously at Graten. “If we are to be fighting the monsters together, then I’ll train you up just like one of my soldiers,” General Graten said. “Pick up your sword again.”
No comments:
Post a Comment