Ignite the Sun
Chapter 49: Duel

Chapter 49: Duel

Calen and Cassian were locked in a very familiar dance of steel - they’ve sparred so many times during the last few months that all of their fights were nearly identical, and the winner was usually decided by a single unexpected action or a sudden mistake.

Despite the completely different circumstances of this bout everything was exactly the same as always, Cal was looking for a clever way to get past his opponent’s guard, while Cass patiently tested and prodded to create an opening.

Faced with the steady tempo of the duel, they found themselves at liberty to talk:

"What do you think he meant when he said that the future of our training would depend on our duel?" Calen asked as their swords got stuck in a clinch.

Cassian clenched his teeth.

"I’m not sure, sometimes father says some weird stuff."

Because of the clashing blades their conversation wasn’t audible to anyone else in the arena, so the practices exchange continued.

"That’s an understatement, outside of direct orders your dad rarely says things directly." He snorted, parrying another measured blow.

"I don’t think he was talking about one of us winning though, he probably meant that we have to prove something during the fight."

A clear metalic sound resounded as the blades crossed mid-air.

"But what?"

"Father is a knight, and knights are strongz right? I think we have to show our strength by fighting to the fullest."

Calen frowned.

"Didn’t he just tell us that we shouldn’t overdo it?"

"It could have been a misdirection - besides, he can’t disqualify us both, can he?"

"I really hope you’re right about this..."

"Trust me."

Their blows became faster, stronger, more ferocious - they weren’t rehearsing a well known dance anymore, it was an actual combat, and a rather brutal one at that.

Soon enough bruises started forming on both of their bodies, and Cassian even had a small bleeding cut on his forearm. Just like the the raven-haired boy predicted, Vandrel made no move to stop them - he only quietly observed their exchange of blows.

With every slash they became bolder, more reckless in their attacks and defense, and the more hits they recieved, the more painful the duel.

And that pain managed to reignite the hate they held for each other, deep down Calen knew that being upset over something they both agreed to do was irrational, but he didn’t care - he wanted to hurt the person who hurt him, and judging by Cassian’s expression the feeling was mutual.

***

They were to focused on their duel to notice, but at some point their audience changed the behaviour. The once bored guards were now watching with interest, while the previously excited kids looked rather scared and confused.

Even Miss Berk felt like something was off - sir Vandrel clearly stated that the duel would end when one of them receives sufficient damage, and the boys were already severely wounded, just how much more damage they had to withstand before he would end the match?

Both boys seemed on the verge of collapsing, so it seemed like the fight was about to end anyway, one way or another.

***

Calen has completely lost his form by this point, and was just swinging his sword wildly at his opponent - Cassian tried to maintain some semblance of a proper technique, but he was failing miserably, with his movements becoming erratic and irregular.

Nothing remained of the two young sword prodigies, all that was left were two kids with metal sticks.

They bashed their weapons against each other until their muscles were screaming in pain.

But then, in a moment of brief clarity, Calen saw it - an opening.

He mustered all of his remaining strength into a single blow, and brought his blade upwards from the ground, hitting Cassian straight in a wrist.

The impact made his opponent drop the sword and fall backwards, leaving him completely defenceless.

Calen lifted his sword to... actually, what the hell was he doing?

He looked down at Cassian who looked just as terrible as he felt - bruised and battered, blood flowing from several cuts on his body.

"Are you going to finish the fight?" Vandrel asked quietly.

Calen froze.

"I..."

He thought about all the times Vassian pissed him off, about how they both agreed to do this, and how this was exactly the plan from the very beginning...

And then he thought about everything in between - their jokes, the little competitions they’ve had, and how much closer they’ve grown during the last few months.

He gripped his sword tighter, and the shook his head.

"No."

Vandrel’s face remained emotionless.

"No? Why is that?"

"Because... Because... It’s all so stupid!" He threw his sword to the ground. "Why are we supposed to fight like this? I don’t give a crap about impressing anyone, and neither of us cares about that stupid incident anymore!"

"Shut up Cal, just finish this." Cassian hissed.

"No, you shut up!" Calen glared at him, and then back at Vandrel. "I don’t care of you stop training me, I’m not going to..."

"I’m not going to hurt my friend anymore." He almost whispered the last part, feeling tears well up in his eyes.

The guard captain observed him in silence for a bit, before turning to one of the guards in the audience.

"Graham, fetch two red ones and maybe half a blue one if you could."

The young man gave a quick nod, and disappeared into one of the storage areas, only to emerge a minute later holding three small phials and a tea spoon.

Vandrel accepted the bottles silently and handed each of the boys a red one.

"Drink it." He ordered.

Calen uncorked the potion, and gulped down the contents - the liquid has a consistency of blood, but it tasted surprisingly refreshing and sweet.

When the last drop of disappeared into his mouth, his wounds glowed and started closing rapidly, leaving no sign that they were ever there.

Vandrel opened the plue phial, poured a few drops into the tea spoon, filling it to the brim, and offered it to Calen.

"Careful, this one is not as tasty."

He was right - it was one of the most sour things he has ever tasted, but it’s effects were undeniable. Calen’s drained body was suddenly full of energy, as if he just woke up from a full nights sleep.

After Vandrel administered the potions to both boys, he knelt and finally addressed the result of the duel:

"I’m proud of both of you."

That was NOT what Calen expected to hear - not in a million years. He directly opposed his teacher and said he doesn’t care about his lessons, since when was that something to be proud of?!

"You proved to me that you value each other more than your pride. A knight’s strength and image might be important, but in the end you can’t face everything alone. Real friendships are few and far between, so you should cherish those who stand by your side."

"... does that mean you’ll keep training us?" Cassian asked.

"Yes, we shall continue our lessons, albeit at a slower pace now that this farce is over."

"Shouldn’t we train just as much as before to keep in shape?"

"If you wish to get more exercise, you could always meet up with your friend and do something together to supplement our training."

Calen felt weird about being called Cassian’s friend, but not in a bad way - besides, he was the one to say it first, and there was no taking that back.

Vandrel stood up, and put his hand over his heart.

"I welcome you as my official disciples, may His sword clear your path."

***

"And that was pretty much it, although I learned a lot more details about the story as I got older." Calen admitted.

"Like what?"

"For example the fact that our ’secret’ chats and competitions were never actually a secret - sir Vandrel is a knighted warrior, and his senses are superhuman, there was never any chance for a two whispering kids to escape his hearing."

"Is that the reason he allowed the fight to continue? Because he knew what you were trying to do?"

"Yup, he just played along because he was fairly sure that one of us would snap eventually, and I did, so I guess he was right about that."

"I still don’t understand why he allowed two young children to learn so many swear words." Isara commented.

"From what he told me he wanted to stop us after our third large argument, but it just so happens that it was the one when Cassian opened up for the first time - you know, the one where he conviniently talked about his dead mom - so sir Vandrel decided to let us be in the name of "bonding" or something like that."

"Why are we talking about my father?"

Suddenly Cassian’s voice came from the entrance to the room.

"Cass!" Calen exclaimed. "I was just telling Ellie how much of a snivelling little shit you were back in the day."

"Just like you."

Calen grinned.

"Good to have you back."