The village of Glimmerdeep. Situated in the western parts of the Kingdom of Duratril.
The people here live a quiet life, though occasionally there are monster raids. Most of the time, this is nothing the local militia can't handle.
When larger threats emerge from the deep forest word is sent to the Guild of Glaives. Then it is decided if normal troops will suffice or specially trained Glaives are needed.
The Glaives speak to the imagination of many a young boy and girl.
Glimmerdeep has a reputation with the Glaives, because it is home to a blacksmith of peerless skill.
The man, a third generation blacksmith, jokingly states that the spirit of his ancestors guides his hammer.
So, when a threat does emerge, and Glaives are needed, those that show up tend to commission weapons with the blacksmith.
The man, called Willard, became a father a few years ago, a boy and a girl. The boy being a year senior to his sister. So a lot of the Glaives have seen the little boy race around the smithy, peppering them with questions about everything and anything.
Ever since one of the Glaives mentioned to Willard that he should let the local Sanctuary teach his children to read; if only to make sure he doesn't hurt himself in the workshop; both Kaelen and his sister, Alyssa, have been diligent students.
The priestess that guides the Sanctuary even mentioned to Willard and Clarice that Kaelen is a rather serious boy for his age, and little Alyssa is as smart as they come. They will keep an eye on her as she grows up.
Time passes steadily in Glimmerdeep and occasionally a commission from a Glaive comes the family's way.
The year that Kaelen turns twelve, the Baron himself pays a visit to the smithy. Willard is to make a short blade for the Baron's son. Apparently to celebrate his coming of age, as the Baronet turns sixteen.
Kaelen, a sturdy boy, due to the work he does in the workshop, is oiling the blade his father finished.
Word has reached them that the new Guard Captain, Misha Tarrel, is coming to town later that day. Some of the veteran guards are showing her around the Barony and they will pick the blade en route.
Willard and Kaelen are busy in the workshop as three men walk in. One of them is wearing a badge of the Guild of Glaives, but Willard feels that something is off.
He places himself in front of his son as he addresses the men.
"Good day, masters, how may I be of assistance?"
The man with the badge looks at Willard and his son, noticing the scabbard and shortsword.
"I've heard that you can find decent swords in this backwater. I see you have one up."
Willard smiles and states that this particular sword is not up for sale.
The man narrows his eyes. "My coin's not good enough, smith?"
Willard, a gentle man due to the fact he was already more powerful in frame than most, raises his hands.
"Peace, man. The sword is spoken for. I can always make you one. No need to get all riled up."
The man, however, seems unwilling to listen to reason. His two associates join him, looming behind his back.
Willard, suddenly keenly aware that should trouble arise, he is outnumbered. And his son is here as well…
Suddenly, one of the thugs lashes out with his fist. Willard did not see it in time.
Kaelen did.
The boy catches the thug's fist with the pommel of the blade. Flesh and bone are no match for the steel and the thug howls out in pain.Time…stretches. The man with the guild badge draws a dagger and strikes at Kaelen.
For Kaelen, this seems to be achingly slow.
Actually, if he does this…
He unsheathes the blade and strikes; not at the man, but at the dagger.
With a flick the dagger is sent spinning.
Then Kaelen positions himself in such a way that he blocks their way, protecting his father.
A voice rings out. The Baron's guards have arrived. The first man's cry had alerted them to make haste.
The men are arrested and Willard delivers the blade to the captain. She seems to be mulling something over.
"Master Willard, a word if you will. Has your boy received any formal training? In swordplay, I mean."
Willard looks at the woman incredulously and answers in the negative.
"Strange. Because when we walked into your shop, your boy was in the Apprentice stance of "Azur Blade", called Single Azur style. And his stance was perfect."
Willard, not knowing what to say, stammers an apology.
"Nono, master smith. Nothing is amiss. I just didn't expect to see it, that's all."
Years pass, and while she doesn't approach Kaelen, Willard does notice that Captain Tarrel keeps an eye on his son whenever she is in the village.
Sixteen, Kaelen thinks to himself. Sixteen now. I will be counted amongst the adult men this year.
His sister, fifteen now, kept teasing him about it. How he already was as serious as an old man and now he was an old man. He smiles. She is afraid he will leave on an apprenticeship in another village. And won't see him again.
But this evening, he promised her, they will go together to the midsummer dance.
As the evening approaches the Baronet rides into town, flanked by two guards.
The Baronet, twenty years old now, has a less than stellar reputation in the barony. Thinking his station and Blood put him in a position where he could do what he wanted, with whomever he wanted.
Stories went that some fathers in the barony were out for his blood, but didn't dare to move against him.
Nobility was a Divine Mandate, after all.
The evening passed by too quickly for Kaelen and Alyssa, but he promised their mother they wouldn't make it too late.
Walking over the main village road, suddenly a voice came from the tavern terrace.
Kaelen's heart sank. He had seen the horses. And the voice was unmistakably the Baronet's.
"You there, girl. Get over here now."
Kaelen felt his sister tense up. She was considered, even at her age, to be a great beauty throughout the Barony. Chance favored them in never having met the Baronet before. Chance, Kaelen thought, was having a night of…
"Ignore him. We can always say we didn't hear him." He whispered to Alyssa.
But the guards were already moving towards them.
"Here now, lad. The Baronet wants to have a word with yer sis."
The guard was already reaching towards Alyssa, but Kaelen grabbed him by the wrist.
The gauntleted fist of the guard rose to strike at Kaelen; but he knew, somehow, how to respond.
His foot hooked behind the guard's foot, he threw a vicious elbow at the guard's face. Caught beneath his chin, the force of the blow sent the guard flying and he crashed in a heap on the floor.
Silence…
What did I do…
Captain Tarrel, present for the midsummer fest, but always keeping an eye on Kaelen, saw his form.
An apprentice-level Invest, followed by a strike, of the "Decisive Fist" school?
How very strange…no matter. Intervene before it escalates, girl.
She moved with the few guards also present for the fest. De-escalated the scene. Kaelen seemed to be in shock…strange boy. There will be trouble, if the Baron his idiot son gets his way…
The girl is crying. So young…
She accompanies the siblings to their parents.
The following morning, Captain Tarrel was talking to Willard and Clarice. As Kaelen entered the kitchen, he noticed his mother had been crying. Father had his stoic face on, so he was worried.
Captain Tarrel, never a woman to pull punches, upon seeing Kaelen immediately started talking.
"Congratulations, lad. Your enlistment in the Militia is to be commended. You will be sent to Fort Stonehold. You will report to sergeant Gael-Ra, an old friend of mine. The patrol departs tomorrow, so say your goodbyes to whomever you feel the need to."
I stare at her. "What?" Not my most elegant comeback, I know. But my mind was still fogged up.
Captain Tarrel sighed. "Listen, Kaelen. Yesterday evening, you knocked out one of the Baronet's thugs. They will take offense. I can keep them away from your sister, since she is still a minor. But you, well, you will be treated as an adult in this matter. So, the safest thing is to send you away. And joining the Militia gives you some protection. Stonehold is about as far as you can get without crossing the border into the Wild Lands."
So, that's it then.
My sister's fear turned out to be warranted. Just not in the way she, or anyone suspected.
The rest of the day passes in a haze. Father gives me a gift, a shortsword he made for me. A simple, solid blade. Mother is fighting back her tears. Alyssa gives me a hug and whispers to be safe.
And that I am her hero, regardless of what they say.
The following morning, as the patrol gathers on the Village Green, Captain Tarrel calls me one last time.
She hands me a bundle of correspondence for the Fort and a personal letter for Sergeant Gael-Ra.
"Kaelen, back when you were younger, I saw something in you that I shouldn't have seen in a twelve year old. At first I assumed it was sleeping talent. That is why I kept an eye on you for all these years. I myself dabble in 'Azur Blade', but I'm not a school graduate. But the other night, I saw 'Decisive Fist' in your stance. And that… as far as I know, Kaelen… no one's ever demonstrated mastery of two Schools before. Maybe the Elder Races know of precedents…"
I give her a confused look. She was talking about Schools of War. If you have the talent and skill, you could attend one. Most of the higher members of the Guild of Glaives were graduates, as higher military and some Noble houses. But, as far as I heard, only one school is ever attended. Something about Martial Spirits or some such.
I don't know…all I know is that I really don't want to be here.
But, it's been decided.
So, off to Fort Stonehold.