Revenge

Chapter 11: Training

Jarl Thorald is nice enough to us, he takes the liberty to train the soldiers himself. Aesa and I are learning how to not tire as fast... by running up and down a hill. According to Jarl Thorald, staying in shape is critical to not fatiguing in combat. After those painful drills, we are headed back to the lodgings, where we met Ulfar inside the quartermasters area.

"Think you're special for being admitted by the Jarl himself, huh?"

"No, I don't." I replied, calmly

"You won't be so confident when you learn who's on top."

"Is that a threat, or a challenge? I'm up for either."

Ulfar's face turns redder

"I suppose it's both" Ulfar raises his fists

"You're not taking on Arnvir without me." Exclaims Aesa

I smile, Aesa doesn't have to help me. Ulfar takes off his jacket to reveal a fairly muscular body. Perhaps I do need Aesa's help.

"Jarl Thorald will be happy to see who wins, I'm sure." I comment arrogantly

The quartermaster, Harrison, comes in to intervene.

"Look here you two, don't bloody up the floor, or I'll make ye both shovel shit for a week! Go outside and sort this out. Heh... tell me who wins."

Harrison gives me a wink. I like how lax the rules are here, the Jarl supports us fighting each other. He claims it helps sort out our own problems instead of wasting his time, and is decent training. There are a couple of rules however, no sharp weapons, and no beating them while they are down. The quartermaster also told us to avoid major injuries.

"Let's get this over with" I say, still confidently

Promptly, the quartermaster hands us some wooden training swords

"I'm not fighting both of you, girls shouldn't even be able and be in the army."

I charge him and tackle him to the floor, I swing my training sword to his chest, but he blocks with his arm. I hear a crack. He gets up and towers over me, he heavily swings toward my ribcage, and I attempt to block but his attack crushes through, He's too strong. He swings again toward my ribcage, and I try to block again, but he feints mid attack, and hits my leg. I try and get back up, but before I can stumble up onto my now heavily injured leg, he swings again, this time towards my back. I black out from the pain.

I wake up with Aesa peering over me. She looked pretty worried. I could barely move my leg, and my ribcage feels like it's on fire.

"Ulfar beat you pretty hard" she remarks, with a smirk on her face

I could barely talk, I felt so weak.

"Wait 'till I beat him"

The quartermaster came in the room to check up on me. He manages most of the new recruits and levies, including supplies, lodgings, and health. He checks my leg, and unwraps my bandage to reveal a very bloodied and bruised wound. He splashes some liquid on it, and it stings my leg so bad I scream.

"Pfft, Man up"

"Shut up Aesa"