13th Day of Spring, 505 AV
"Your father never saw the purpose in combat." The elder soldier spoke with a husky tone, his rasped throat torn from an old scar. "But you're my responsibility, whelp, so you'll do well to defend yourself."
The falls were magnificent. The quiet hue of the vibrant waters was a sight so awesome that poets dreamed of such inspiration. Set beneath an afternoon sky of blue, the sun left a cascade of brilliance for all to behold, polite in its offerings to the denizens below. When one compared the glorious day to the cool, swift breezes that shook the budding trees and renewed natural spirit it was as if the gods had blessed this land with a celestial nature. Birds called for mates in a beautiful chorus, set against the fresh smells that spring brought in its wake. Such an image could satisfying artists to come for many a century with a myriad of colors and scenes that could still any mind.
Rhuryc did not have time to marvel. A lesser form next to his uncle, the young boy made for a queer spectacle. His clothing was dirty, ruined from the trek, and his hair was all a mess, long enough to hide the stubble that dotted his chin and block his vision. For a moment he wished that the man had not come on this trip. Surely his purpose was not one Rhuryc would enjoy, marred as it would be in lessons and, worst of all, pain. Physical stress that the boy had come to hate, if not fear. Already he knew what was in store. The imposing man that had accompanied Rhuryc had already produced two wooden shields and a set of dull, iron blades. Training, as Tristan put it, was his ticket out of a normal life. A mundane life. A life that Rhuryc very much did not mind.
"Come on, then. Tyveth does not want his chosen sitting on their asses." Tristan spoke with the typical irritation in his voice. He tossed one of the blades to Rhuryc and followed it with a shield, the result of which ended in a loud clatter and a grumble from the teenager.
"Really? Chosen by Tyveth? I didn't think you brought any ale with you, uncle." Rhuryc quipped with his own attitude. A remark that he would soon regret. The man smirked and raised his weapons just as soon as Rhuryc had armed himself. The action that followed took the boy by surprise. Stationed as was he was on the side of the pool's shore, up a bit of distance on a few rocks, he figured he was safe. How wrong he was. A sudden flurry of movement from Tristan caused Rhuryc to panic and in the course of the next few seconds he felt a shield slam into his own, the force knocking him off his feat and sending him tumbling into the water.
"Boy, I will teach you respect whether you like it or not." Tristan spat.