“I don’t know why I had to get up so early, David,” Theresa grumbled as we walked through the entrance to the practice yard. “I thought we’d stay in bed and, well, you know…”

  I grinned and glanced over at Allira, who was grinning as well.

  “You know you can just say ‘sex,’ right?” Allira teased.

  “I’m not supposed to speak like that in public, dear sister. No matter how much I want to talk about that book Aria gave me,” she replied, trying not to smirk.

  “Oh, you dirty-minded wife of mine…” I said in mock scolding, pulling her into a quick side hug as we walked.

  “I still say Aria is the worst,” Theresa muttered.

  Allira burst into laughter. “Aria lives to tease and love. But Seraphina? She’s the one who has you all beat.”

  “What? Sweet Seraphina?” Theresa blinked, clearly surprised.

  “You really don’t know the real Seraphina,” I said, shaking my head as we approached the training grounds where the soldiers were already waiting.

  Allira stepped forward, her voice sharp and clear. “So, you’ve all survived to this point. To finish our time together, we’ll be focusing on two-handed sword training. For that, I’m turning things over to my husband, Earl Robertson. This is his preferred weapon.”

  She took a short step aside, then looked over the group. “You’ve done well so far. Today’s method is slower but requires more discipline and strength to master.”

  A few of the soldiers were watching her closely, but more eyes were on the woman behind her. Allira smiled, knowing full well they were staring at her sister.

  “And now, I’m taking the Princess out for a late breakfast,” she added.

  I stepped up beside her, giving her shoulder a quick pat before taking over.

  “All right. Everyone, grab a two-handed practice sword and form up in rows,” I instructed. I caught a glimpse of Allira and Theresa heading off, while Allyson remained nearby, quietly observing as always. I retrieved my own practice blade and returned to the center of the yard as the soldiers formed ranks.

  “Now, lift your swords and hold them parallel to the ground, like this,” I said, raising mine to demonstrate. “Feel the weight. Up until now, you’ve used one-handed swords, light, quick, and efficient. These are heavier, slower, and not often favored by frontline soldiers…”

  I watched their expressions. Many were already red-faced, arms straining. Some dropped their swords after a few seconds. Then more followed. I held mine steady, unaffected. Eventually, only five remained holding the blade. Even they struggled. I stifled a yawn. One by one, they gave in.

  I switched to a one-handed grip. “Sergeant, good job, you were the last one standing. Now, everyone, put your blades down for a moment and loosen up.”

  I rolled my shoulders, demonstrating.

  “That weight you just felt? That’s what you’re working against. Pick up your blades again. We’re going to go through some basic slashes. Watch closely.”

  I demonstrated a controlled diagonal cut.

  “Use your shoulders and hips; it’s a full-body motion. Alternate each slash from one shoulder to the other. Twenty repetitions.”

  I counted them off as they worked through the motions.

  “My own sword, Emberline, is a two-handed blade, and I use these same strikes. It’s powerful when used correctly. You gain leverage and striking force, but lose some agility. However, with practice, that disadvantage shrinks.”

  After nearly an hour of drills, I called for a break. The group was clearly worn out.

  [DING]

  175 XP Sword Fighting Gain

  1,675 XP to next Class Level

  Congradulations

  [Level Up – Sword Fighting – Level 52]

  12,375 XP to next Skill Level

  [DING]

  125 XP Sensi – Swordmanship Gain

  1,675 XP to next Skill Level

  Congradulations

  [Level Up – Sensi – Swordmanship – Level 10]

  2,145 XP to next Skill Level

  “What do you think of the weapon so far?” I asked.

  “It’s too much for me,” one soldier admitted.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “That’s fair,” I said. “Now, return your swords to the rack and get your one-handed weapons.”

  I noticed General Kitch approaching.

  “Now, I’m going to demonstrate how these two-handed techniques can be used against one-handed sword users. Sergeant Barrett. Lieutenant Burns. Up front, please.”

  They stepped forward.

  “I chose you, Sergeant, for your strength, and you, Lieutenant, for your speed. You’ll attack me together, while I defend only using this.” I lifted the practice two-handed sword, showing what weapon I planned to use. I bowed. They returned the gesture.

  I lifted the heavy practice blade into a high guard. The moment they came at me, I dropped it, using the flat to deflect both blows and shove them back. With a quick step, I struck Barrett with the flat side of the blade, knocking him sideways into Burns. The collision dropped them both, and I spun the sword back around, stopping the tip just at Barrett’s throat.

  Gasps echoed from the group.

  I withdrew and extended my hand to help him up.

  “Good effort. As you saw, the sword itself becomes your shield if needed. Any questions?”

  None came. They were still stunned. I can see that they had questions, but didn’t know what to ask.

  “Then that’s it for today. Remember, train often. You can never train too much.”

  I stood back as they slowly dispersed to return their weapons.

  General Kitch stepped up beside me. “Creative use of the blade. A battering ram technique?”

  “Learned it years ago. It’s crude, but effective against multiple opponents,” I said, shaking his offered hand.

  “You’ve got a strong group here, General. With effort, they could be excellent.”

  “Thank you, Earl. I heard you selected two for the royal posting?”

  “Yes. General Robertson and I both agreed on our selections. Captain Davies and Lieutenant Woods.” I called the two who approached and saluted. “These two will be assigned to Princess Theresa’s personal guard,” I told him.

  General Kitch turned to the women. “You realize the responsibility that comes with this post? Protecting the Princess of Eldros is no small task.”

  “Yes, sir,” they answered in perfect unison.

  Behind us, I saw Allira and Theresa approaching.

  Theresa reached for my arm and looked the two over. “So, these are the ones meant to protect me?”

  General Kitch, Captain Davies, and Lieutenant Woods all bowed.

  “Yes, love. Meet Captain Rebecca Davies and Lieutenant Lydia Woods,” I said, gesturing to each.

  “Hmm. They’re pretty,” she said, giving me a sly smirk. “We all know what happens to pretty women.” They both looked at each other in mild confusion.

  “Have they taken the oath yet?”

  “Not yet. I waited until you were here, in case either had any objections,” I said. I looked at the two women. “Captain? Lieutenant? Any objections?”

  They both looked at me and each other and said no. Both of them knelt and pleaded an oath of silence regarding what they might see or hear during their posting. Allira, Theresa, and I agreed to their wording, and that was done.

  “I stand before Stellaria and give my word.

  During my time as a royal guard, I will see, hear, and witness matters meant only for the throne.

  I will keep those matters close, speak of them to no one, and protect them as I protect the crown.

  I will not reveal what is entrusted to my watch, whether in peace or in danger.

  I will act with loyalty, discipline, and honor, and I will hold this oath for as long as my duty binds me.

  By the light of Stellaria, I pledge this truth.”

  A bright light surrounded the two officers when they concluded their oath. I watched it all unfold before me. Interesting.

  “Now that is done, Davies and Woods, come with me, we need to get some paperwork done," Kitch said.

  "Oh, be at the tower garden at nine tomorrow, all packed. We will be leaving as early as tomorrow night," I said, to which they agreed.

  _____________________

  Captain Rebecca Davies

  I tried to keep up with General Kitch, but every step hurt. Earl Robertson had put us through hell in training, and my shoulders ached so much I could barely lift my arms. I had no idea how the man kept going. I finally lifted my eyes from the ground and saw the command building ahead.

  Lydia and I followed the General inside. He led us straight to his office and pointed to two chairs.

  “Sit,” he said. We did.

  “So. You’ve been selected as the personal guards to the Princess.” He leaned back and studied us. “If I’m blunt, you’ll see some strange things with the Earl and his family. I spent a week with that man, and I’m still trying to figure out what I lived through.”

  He sat, pulled out a sheet of paper, and started writing.

  “General, if I may,” I said. “What did the Princess mean when she mentioned what happens to pretty women?”

  “Oh, that.” He looked up. “Call it engineering magic.”

  “I’ve never heard of engineering magic, sir. What is it?” Lydia asked.

  “When you figure it out, let me know. Should take a year or two.” He laughed.

  “Engineers?” I asked. “They’re gone. Aren’t they?”

  “Captain, you’ve been practicing swordsmanship with one all week. From what I saw, he can do more, and what he’s taught you is nothing compared to what’s coming. I haven’t seen what that man can do if he really lets go…” I watched the General shuffle through some papers, pull a folder from the stack, and continue. “Okay, the Princess’s official wedding is this summer. You’ll both be back in town then. I expect you’ll have mastered swordsmanship by then.”

  “Level thirty? Sir, seven levels in six months? That’s impossible,” Lydia said.

  “If you keep training and learn from the Earl, General Robertson, and even Captain Robertson, you might surprise yourselves.”

  “Captain Robertson?” I asked. That was new.

  “You haven’t met her. Captain Veronica Robertson. Sixth wife of the Earl. Very talented fire mage.”

  Six wives. I almost said it out loud.

  “Sir, if it isn’t too much, what exactly are we walking into?” Lydia asked.

  “Well,” he paused, placing his clasped hands on the desk. “There’s the Earl himself, who is an engineer. His first wife is Seraphina. I don’t know much about her, but I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. I saw what she did to one mage, and he didn’t last long… Also, she’s pregnant. You’ve met General Allira Robertson, the second wife. The third is Marlena, a high mage…a water mage, I believe… Word is she’s more than she appears. Fourth is Aria Robertson, a Royal Earth Mage. Fifth is the Princess. Sixth is, as I said, Captain Robertson.”

  He paused, then added, “I watched the Earl, Allira, Marlena, and Aria stand against twenty-three trolls. He killed over a dozen of them himself. The other three each took down one.”

  “Twelve trolls by himself?” Lydia asked. “The same monster that historically took a dozen soldiers and still cost us lives?”

  “Yes. Those same ugly things. So you can see why I expect level thirty to be possible. He has ways of pulling off the unexpected.”

  Lydia and I shared a look. Neither of us understood what we were about to face.

  “Is that why we had to take the oath?” I asked.

  “It’s a start,” he said, sliding two forms across the desk. “Sign these. They acknowledge your new positions. Your pay from now until your guard duty ends will come from the Earl.”

  I read the page. It’s a straightforward transfer to the Princess’s royal guard. It appears that our commanding officer will be General Allira Robertson, but we must honor the Princess’s requests unless they conflict with her safety or the General’s standing orders.

  “Does this explain why the Earl gave us ten gold coins each for new uniforms?” I asked.

  “Ten? Well, he has the money. Get the uniforms. Look sharp.”

  I handed my paperwork back. Lydia finished hers and did the same. The General stood.

  “As the Earl requested, be at the Tower Garden at nine tomorrow morning. Do not be late. Officers, you have a bright future. Protect the Princess. Send me weekly and as-needed updates.”

  He shook our hands. We stood, saluted, and he returned it before sinking back into his work.

  Outside, Lydia asked, “What now?”

  “I’m going to shower, get dressed, and see my folks. After that, I guess I’ll pack.”

  “Well, I’m coming with you to see your parents, and go from there,” she said.