The Roads of Marceris Ch.6 (part 2)

        Isn’t this far enough? Lucian thought. “Where are we going Radi?”

        Radi jogged ahead with Lucian trailing not far behind; slowing his pace as he secured his sheath to his belt. He then came to a halt and waited for Lucian to reach him before drawing his blade. “Stay here,” he ordered.

        Lucian did as he was told and unsheathed his own sword. “How should we start?” He watched as Radi took several steps away and turned back towards him.

        Radi ignored Lucian and lowered himself to one knee. He closed his eyes and held his sword in front of his face and began to take deliberate, controlled breaths. 

        What is he doing? Lucian wondered. Several moments passed as Lucian stared curiously at his new instructor. “Um, Radi?”

        But Radi did not respond. He remained motionless and silent as Lucian looked on with confusion. At last he opened his eyes and lowered his weapon as he stood. He then addressed Lucian with an odd calmness in his voice. “Are you ready Lucian?”

        Lucian nodded. “I am, but what was that just now?”

        “What do you mean?”

        “Why were you so quiet just a moment ago?”

        “Oh, I was just clearing my thoughts. Father taught me to always focus my mind before every battle or training session. He said that a soldier who can’t separate their feelings or family from the task at hand is a liability on the battlefield.” He pointed at Lucian. “You should try it too. Close your eyes and concentrate only on what you are about to do. Forget everything else.”

        Lucian steeped back and took a knee. “Alright.” He closed his eyes and held his blade in front of him, just as Radi had shown him before. He tried to focus, but his mind was immediately flooded with uncertainty and doubt over his inexperience with a sword; and he was reminded of his reason for training altogether. Forget about Baldren? But he's the only reason I'm enlisting to begin with! His hands trembled as he tried to shake the memories of his brother. But his efforts were in vain as the rest of his family began to appear in his mind's eye. 

        Radi became perplexed at the sight of the sword wobbling in Lucian’s hands. “What’s wrong? Just focus.”

        But Lucian shunned away from Radi’s voice and winced as if he was somehow in pain.

        “Hey! Whatever it is Lucian...just forget it for now. Pull it together, let's go!”

        But Radi’s words were of no help to Lucian. Nothing he thought of allowed him to escape the final memories of his family. He grit his teeth and lowered his blade as feelings of regret and anger crept into his mind. “I, I can’t,” he said hesitantly.

        Radi's voice reflected impatience and disdain. “What do you mean you can't? Set it aside! We don’t have all day.” He approached Lucian and stood over him. “This should be the easiest part!” He set his blade in the grass and continued to speak short-tempered words despite them having no effect on Lucian's state of mind.

        Lucian found the task even more difficult as time went on. Images of his mother, father, and the Orika valley flashed through his mind. Please, please stop! Why is this happening now? Why? They're all gone, so why can't I...   

        Radi became more displeased with each passing second. “I can't train you unless you let me Lucian!” Disgusted and ready to give up, he made one last attempt to help his apprentice. He crouched beside Lucian and squeezed his right arm. “Pull it together Lucian! You can do this!”

        Lucian’s mind was instantly cleared. He became calm and began to breathe slowly through his nose. He didn't understand how it happened, but the memories of his past were washed away and replaced with the image of a single person. J-Juliana?

        Her soft voice echoed perfectly in his mind. “You can do this. I believe in you.” His expression no longer reflected any pain. Lucian shook Radi’s grip on his arm and held his sword still with both hands. He smiled as Juliana’s voice repeated itself his head. “You can do this. I believe in you. You can do this…” “Yes,” he whispered, “I can do this.”

        “That's right! Of course you can!” Radi said. “Just focus!” He picked up his blade and stood again. 

        Lucian rose to his feet a few moments later and opened his eyes. “Thank you Radi, I’m ready now.”

        Radi smiled and nodded, but his expression quickly changed to anger as he stepped forward and shoved Lucian with an open palm.

        Surprised, Lucian staggered back and nearly fell before regaining his balance.

        Radi shook his head. “I don’t know what you're carrying around in your head Lucian, but don’t ever let it interfere with your training again! Understand?”

        “Yes Radi...I understand. I’m sorry. I’m ready now.”

        “Huh? What was that?” Radi shouted. “I didn’t hear you!”

        “I said I’m ready!” Lucian yelled back.

        “Good! We'll start with some defensive techniques first. Hold your blade to the right and pay attention to my stance.”

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        Juliana reached the top of the hill and organized her study materials as she sat. She looked out into the field at Radi as he knelt in the distance. This should be far enough, she thought. I won’t be distracted here. She opened her study book and began to read, but soon lost interest after realizing she read the same section just two days before.

        She closed the book and set it aside. I should go back and read something else, but… She lay back on the hillside and listened to the sound of running water from the creek behind her. Her eyes gazed into the cloudless blue sky as a gentle breeze passed by. Today is too beautiful to be ignored like that. The feeling of the warm grass between her fingers reminded her of home.

        Juliana closed her eyes and reminisced about the life she left behind in Panelsca. It’s been too long since I’ve been able to rest like this. She began to daydream about her younger days, wondering how such simple times could be so far removed yet feel so familiar. She smiled and sighed as she recalled the sunny afternoons which she and Radi would play together. We were always so exhausted by sunset. Why couldn’t things just stay that way forever? She caught herself dozing off several times before sitting up to stay awake.

        Thinking of the farm reminded Juliana of the promise she made to write her parents. I won’t have much time tomorrow. I should write them now and mail it when we arrive. She set a piece of paper on the back cover of her book and dipped the quill into the ink vial. How should I start?

        After a brief moment of hesitation she put the feather to the page and began to describe their journey. She began with an account of their first day on the road, despite it being mostly uneventful. She mentioned her grandfather’s stories and Radi’s obsession with his draft notice, but convinced herself to omit the time she cried just after they departed. That would only worry them, she thought.

        It wasn’t long before Juliana filled an entire page describing just the first day. She turned the paper over and continued on, but stopped herself after she penned: “The next day we…” She tried to recall all of the second day’s events, but thought only of Dyne inviting Lucian to join them. He was just walking there along the road, and he didn’t even speak except to tell us he was headed for Melliark. And he lost his mother only six days ago…

        She dropped her quill in the grass. I can’t tell them that! I…  Wait, what can I tell them? She questioned what she could write while staying true to the promise she made to Lucian. Well, he looks like he may be even stronger than Radi, and he’s about the same height, and he… wait, no! What will they think if I describe him like that? I shouldn’t give them the wrong impression. She picked up the feather and passed it back and forth between her hands. Father would be furious if he knew I invited Lucian to stay with us. But, I’m not really lying if I don’t mention that. Am I? Perhaps it would be best if I didn’t mention him at all… 

        Juliana finally gathered her thoughts and put the quill to the page, but she was startled as a clash of steel broke the silence of the afternoon. She looked out into the meadow at Lucian and Radi, who seemed to have moved closer to her from where they began. Radi stood in exasperation with one hand on his forehead and his sword arm resting by his hip. Her gaze quickly turned to Lucian, who took a few steps to his right to retrieve his sword from the ground. 

        “Why didn’t you tell me you were left handed?” Radi shouted.

        Juliana leaned against the hill and covered her mouth as she laughed. Oh Radi, maybe this will finally teach you some patience! And hopefully even more respect for Father. The swords collided once again, and she looked back to the field to see her brother instructing Lucian. She could not hear what he said, but it was obvious that his visual examples were far more effective than the verbal explanations he gave before them.     

        She soon found herself laying on her side and observing the two men. Radi executed a series of three to four strikes which Lucian blocked with specific parries. Each attack pattern was preceded by verbal commands from Radi that Juliana could not fully hear. Lucian had little trouble defending against the blows, which prompted Radi to alternate the order of the attacks while gradually increasing their speed and frequency.

        Lucian adjusted quickly and maintained a strong guard while committing only a few errors on the final strikes. Radi was quick to point out Lucian’s rare mistakes, and he stressed the corresponding strike more and more until Lucian proved he could defend against it consistently.

        Despite her limited knowledge of swordplay, Juliana could see that Lucian already possessed a fair amount of skill in combat. He’s learning very quickly. She noted that his footwork was quite swift, but not as fast as Radi’s. Radi was right about him, he’ll be fine.

        Juliana continued to watch Lucian’s progression, wondering if he would be able to meet the challenges her brother presented to him. She began to feel excited for Lucian as he was soon able to block six strikes in rapid succession. Radi nodded his head in approval and increased the difficulty of the exercise by removing the verbal cues before the attack. Lucian was still able to deflect each swing by watching Radi’s movements closely, but Juliana noticed he was less confident without the verbal warnings before them. 

        Radi quickly became aware of Lucian’s new anxiety as well, and he performed a sudden feint with his sword that prompted Lucian to guard in the wrong direction. He then swung for the opening in Lucian’s stance and stopped his blade just inches short of Lucian’s side.       

        He did that on purpose! Juliana thought. Is he trying to embarrass him?

        Lucian froze for a moment and backed away as he guarded several seconds too late.

        Radi sheathed his sword and stood next to Lucian while whispering into his ear. He then took hold of Lucian’s left arm and slowly guided it from one side of his body to the other, halting the sword in the defending positions. Lucian nodded as Radi stepped back and drew his blade again.

        Juliana could not believe the amount of patience her brother displayed. He’s like a different person when he’s focused on sword training. Why can’t he be like that with everyone else? I could learn to fight too if he went slow enough and showed me how to hold--.

        Radi suddenly let out a frightening battle cry and unleashed a flurry of eight strikes which Lucian deflected perfectly.

        The sheer force and intensity behind each attack shocked Juliana. “M-Maybe not,” she said.

        Radi backed away and charged forward again with a varied eight-swing pattern. Lucian defended himself once again, and Radi rested for only a few breaths before continuing his relentless barrage of slashes and thrusts. 

        Juliana watched as Lucian stood confidently behind his sword and blocked each attack with a seemingly unbreakable guard. That’s amazing! How can he parry all of those attacks like that? His sword isn’t even being pushed back at all! Juliana could no longer contain her excitement, and she cheered for Lucian from the hillside. The men turned to the commotion as she clapped. “You’re incredible Lucian!”

        Lucian smiled at Juliana and nodded his head in appreciation, but Radi came over to him and drew his attention away from her. Radi made a dismissive gesture at Juliana and reengaged Lucian after instructing him to turn his back to her.

        Juliana smiled and looked down at her letter as the sound of the swords clashed together in rhythm. “The next day we met someone on the road, and Grandpa invited him to ride with us to Melliark. His name is Lucian…”