Eindered

"One. Two. Excellent. Now parry! Very good, Eindered. Now thrust and defend. Excellent. You've been practicing."

"Of course, master. What kind of student would I be if I didn't practice," he replied countering his master's attack. Sweat dripped down his nose below the protective face mask. Fencing was hard work and took lots of skill and concentration, not to mention stamina. Compound the physical exertion with the warm summer weather and the none-too-light safety gear of his profession and it was lucky he hadn't passed out from heat exhaustion.

Eindered was no small man though he was agile and light on his feet, perfect for his trade. A little above average height, with a shock of blonde hair that was just barely long enough to pull into a ponytail, and a larger than average build, no one would've thought the man skilled with anything but a smith's hammer.

Fencing had been the young man's life since he was eleven years old. His father had sent him to the local master for training after their home had been attacked by bandits. Many of their valuables had been stolen, and his little sister Jorina had been killed. Ever since, it had been Eindered's quest and sole purpose to guard and protect those he loved and those who lacked the strength to do it themselves.

The young man took a defensive stance and prepared to riposte as his master came after him again. The manuever was successful, and Eindered scored a point. It was his fifth such point, and it effectively ended the practice match.

Eindered pulled off his mask and gratefully tossed it aside. He had felt like he would smother in it before the match was done. His breath was hard and his blonde hair was plastered to his head with sweat. "Am I getting any better, Master," he asked breathily.

"Much," he replied. "Keep it up and you'll be ready for your own students soon enough." The smaller man, Drevin by name, clouted his pupil on the shoulder. "Come with me, Eindered. There are some things we need to discuss."

The young man followed his master. His long legs made it easy to keep up. He took one step for every two Drevin took. Eindered smiled. Drevin had watched him grow up, and up, and up. No one could've guessed how big Eindered would've become. Granted his father was no small man, but the boy himself had been scrawny when he had begun his studies.

Eindered wondered what his master wanted to talk to him about. Perhaps he was finally to become a Chief Fencer. He was old enough after all and had been studying to attain that end. Fencing was not only the young man's occupation. It was his life. Eindered began to grow anxious as Drevin lead him into his office.

"Have a seat, Eindered," the dark haired man instructed as he took a seat behind his desk. After all being a Chief Fencer wasn't all just teaching a class. There was some paperwork involved as well.

Eindered set down his epee and took the seat offered him. He waited patiently for the Chief Fencer to speak. He was a man of respect after all. His father had raised him that way, and Drevin had drilled it into him further.

"You may not be aware of this, Eindered, but Mi'ihen Castle has a clutch in their Deep Caverns. Water Valeiski has laid five eggs. They already have two Aspirants, and they need three more. A Judge will be coming here later today. I think you should talk to him," Drevin began. He held up his hand when Eindered started to speak. "I'm not done yet. I know you have your heart on being a Chief Fencer. It's all you've talked about since you first came to me. However, you have talents that might be better suited to that of a Knight."

"Master, I appreciate the thought, but my purposes are best served as Chief Fencer. I want to be able to defend those in need. Haven't you told me that I have all the right skills to do that," Eindered protested.

"Yes, but I also know you have a great capacity to learn and a mind for strategy. I saw the way you handled some of those squabbles you got yourself into as a youngster. You cannot deny that you pulled off quite a few plans to save your hide." Drevin smiled at the memory.

"I had no other choice. I wasn't yet skilled enough to defend myself. I had to do something," he replied with a shrug.

"Indeed. I would also like to point out to you that should you pair a drak and become a Knight, you will be able to serve your purpose better. As a Knight, you will learn to defend with the aid of your drak and to serve a greater purpose on Icarus than just defending your own home and family. I don't want to see you stuck teaching and not making the most of your full potential. Please, talk to the Judge when he comes."

Eindered sighed heavily. Drevin was like a father to him and there was just no going against his wishes. The young man didn't have the heart to tell him no. "As you wish, Master, I will speak to him. Perhaps you are right and this is what I am meant for. We will see."

Later in the day, the Judge came as Drevin had told him, and as promised Eindered spoke to the Knight. His name was Gwaur, and he was paired with Ore Jaletha. The young man stood in awe of the Knight and his drak, and by the end of the conversation he was thoroughly convinced that he should go to Mi'ihen and see if perhaps being a Knight was the life for him as well.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Eindered has bonded Ore Okkina. Together they are going to train and learn to protect and defend those who are weaker than themselves. Look at how Okkina has grown. Now they are truly ready to take on the world.