The IRE of Winter

Chapter 18: FIRE UNDER THE RAIN Part 1

'Agility and footwork, never underestimate your opponent,' the King jabbed and I blocked his sword with mine. He towered over me pushing me down for surrender but I side stepped and redirected his sword left. 'Good,' he said.

'I had the best teacher.' We slowly circled each other preparing for the next blow. 'I wonder why your son hasn't inherited your teaching style. He was quite terrible, his mood changes more often than the seasons - a very unpredictable elf.'

'You flatter me so much, child. You don't flatter your opponent you should mock and insult him instead.'i

'I wouldn't want to insult a king.'

'You must practice saying insults vaurg. Haven't the Dwarf taught you how to mock an elf? Say something that would upset me.' He thrust his sword and I swung mine to deflect it, I was unsuccessful. He spun, knocked me down by nipping my arm and blocking my right foot. This is no stick if I'd be careless next time, I will surely lose my head.

This is the last day of training and I'm no match to his skills, I will never be. I didn't expect to hit him the slightest but I'm thankful that I know how to wield a sword now, properly the least.

'You are one cursed ugly elf,' I hissed with sarcasm as I stood. 'Yield and I may spare you my mercy.'

'Not impressive.' The King lunged and I dodged. Determined I returned his aggresiveness, again and again and we danced to the music of two metal clashing.

'You...are a king in your imagination, you disgust me,' I swung my sword side to side catching his pace as he stepped backward.

'Lousy!'

'I'll have your head on a pike, your heart on a platter and I'll drink your blood as my wine,' I tried to sound sarcastic but it was just too...not me. 'Pathetic king, your incompetence is pitiful, your queen is the most unlucky Elf that has ever lived.'

A strong blow landed on my right shoulder, he used the haft of his sword to knock me down. I moaned defeated on the floor. 'You're quite doing well, vaurg, surprisingly. Let's stop now before I kill you,' he said with sarcasm.

I was panting and so was he.

I laid on the floor laughing. I dared! 'That was quick, I think I just crossed the line, my insulting skills are getting better as it seems. I'll keep practicing.'

'Oh, yes. Yes it is.' He tucked his sword on the weapon rack and motioned to the table then he quenched his thirst with a glass of wine. 'Your chance of survival has increased a little, five days isn't enough to master a sword but you learn fast. Still you're no match for a well trained orc.'

'My Lord, if the Black Rider turns out to be someone...

'Why bother asking the same question? Stop uttering nonsense, child you know you will get the same answers from me.'

I stood and picked up my sword, then motioned to the weapon rack to return it. 'Why are you so threatened by someone who might be trying to help you? Forgive me if I ask, but you don't even know him. What if that dragon was not the same as the dragon you once fought? What if they mean no harm?'

The King moved towards me frowning, he's not very happy at all. 'Do not tell me of good dragons, Safirah. I have fought one. I have felt the fire from its lungs...' he bent over and slowly a burn surfaced on his left cheek. The fire consumed the muscles in his face, burning the flesh from his cheekbone down his chin. 'DO NOT... ASK THE SAME QUESTION AGAIN,' he hissed.