But what if it had happened differently? The sun beat steadily down on the young mans head. Absently he drew a hand across his brow, wiping away the sweat beading on his skin. He was growing impatient, but the long sought after sounds of a traveler approaching made him grin in anticipation. Finally, the moment hed been waiting so long for! He would make his name one way or another. And with a name for himself would come fame, gold, glory ... And women! He griped his sword and crouched behind the boulder, waiting for the right moment to pounce. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The old man made his way slowly along the road. The sun was hot and he was in no particular hurry this day. His eyes narrowed slightly and shifted to the sides. Something was amiss. He focused on the boulder to his right and a small sigh escaped past his lips. It had been shaping up to be such a fine day. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The boy burst from his hiding place, no doubt nearly giving the old man a heart attack in the process. Halt! he cried, his hand firmly upon the hilt of his sword. Theres no point in resisting, old man. Ill be relieving you of your burdens now. He smirked at the easy prey before him. *This should be over quickly* he thought. His smirk faltered, however when the old man spoke. Listen up, boy and listen well, the man spoke in a strong, ringing voice. Assuming, that is, that there is anything between your ears. If you go down this road, there will be blood and death and it wont be my own. I dont plan on meeting my maker today. Do you? The boys resolve wavered at the steel in the old mans voice, but he stood his ground. The man continued. You see nothing but an old man, an easy target but your eyes desceve you lad. True, I may not have the same dashing good looks I possesed in my youth - women rarely fall at my feet anymore. With this, the corners of his own mouth quirked up a notch. But if you have any desire to see the sun rise on the morrow, you would be wise to turn your back on this today. The boys eyes narrowed and the smirk dissapeared alltogether, replaced with a scowl. I wont back down from a fight, especially not from one with the likes of you! Id be a laughing stock, and rightly so! You think so? You count on your youthful legs and back to carry you through this, but its brains you need, boy. Smarts, cunning, experience. You need to understand your opponent; how he thinks, how hell react. Tell me, how well do you know me? Have I reacted the way youve been expecting so far? The boy scoffed and crouched slightly, his easy bravado shifting into a more serious pose. *Old bastard, thinks to play me for a fool, but Ill call his bluff!* he thought darkly to himself. The old man nodded slightly. Good lad, finally starting to take this a little more seriously. Youth can take you far in this world, but it can also get you killed quicker than you can blink if youre not careful. Your muscles may be strong, but they lack endourance. Can you fight all day in the blazing heat and half way through the night only to rise scant hours later to turn around and do it again? No. he chuckled. The look on your face betrays you. His eyes turned suddenly cold and the small smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. I shed my first blood before your mother shed hers bringing you into this world, and I will cause yours to flow if you persue me in this, boy. This is my second warning to you and I do not suffer fools lightly. Leave this place; perhaps not with your pride, but with your life. The boys eyes narrowed at the sting to his pride and he let out a shreek as he yanked his sword free and charged the man. The hiss of steel met his ears as the old man drew his own blade in responce and easily parried the boys first clumsy blow. The boy ran past him, but quickly turned and blocked the hit that would have severed him in half. He found his footing and glared at the old man. *Pull yourself together. You let him get inside your head. You know better than that, idiot! Now finish him!* This time he was more cautious and slowly circled the man, looking for an opening. He found it difficult to keep his focus when the man was so obvioulsy mocking him with his easy posture. He was daring him to strike again and the boy suddenly felt cold sweat break out on the back of his neck. Perhaps he really had bitten off more than he could chew. Nothing for it now but to see this through to the finish. He fainted to the right then struck left, only to find the mans sword already there to block him. Suddenly his blade was spinning he almost dropped it, but managed - somehow - to hold on. He blocked a blow ment to releave his sholders of the burden of his head and he lunged forward, trying to knock the old man off balance. It felt instead as if he had run into a wall. Instinct told him to back up the way he had come, but instead he rolled around the mans side and fell to the ground as he did. As he rolled clear, he caught a glimpse of the sword that would have sliced through his back if he had retreated. This was not proving to be the easy kill he had anticipated. Continuing his roll, he came up on his knees and sprang quickly to his feet, facing his opponent. The old man looked at him intently. Not bad, boy. Not good, mind you, but not bad. With that, he lunged, quick as a serpent and drove his sword through the boys soft belly. Young eyes widened in shock, pain and despair seeping into them in degrees. As quick as the thrust had driven through him, the sword was just as quickly gone and the boy fells to his knees; hands groping at the wound. He looked up at the man standing over him. The mans strong voice falling around him, filling his head. I told you to walk away. A whimper escaped the boy and the man sighed. Dont make me change my mind, lad. Its only a flesh wound, pull yourself together. The youth started quizzically at the hand extended to help him rise. I-I dont understand. I thought- That I was going to kill you? I was. He sighed again. Maybe Im going soft, or perhaps Im just a sentimental old fool; but you remind me of myself when I was just starting out. And you do seem to have at least a hint of potential. Just need someone to wring it out of you. Congratulations boy, you just completed your first lesson: Never underestimate your opponent. Think boy, Ive been at this game for a long time now, I wouldnt be where I am today if I wasnt very good. Now come, lets get you patched up and into town to see a healer. Quit your bellyaching, youll live. For today at least.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 01:57:27 +0000
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