SWORD PLAY

by Yai-tzu Hin

"Del? Are you paying attention?" I jerked my head up and nodded quickly, hoping to fool the instructor. He eyed me for a moment, then let the matter drop as he went to correct Navarre's stance. I liked sword practice, although I could have done without Instructor Ronald. I thought about sticking my tongue out at him, but that would have been childish.

Sword practice came right after Battle Ethics at Master Kenmoor's School of Tactics and Defense, one of four such military academies in the kingdom. Wizards and mages had schools to learn their craft and so did military leaders. This particular academy was geared towards young males interested in serving in the King's army. Most of the boys here are between the ages of 14 and 18. I was 17 and was ranked number 3 in my age group. I felt it was a great accomplishment, although my father wouldn't. He'd never seen me as more than a failure. Well, I'd show him.

"Ok. I want everyone to break into pairs and try some actual combat. Use the techniques I have shown you. Please choose a partner near your size, I don't want to see anyone picking on someone smaller than you." Instructor Ronald called. Navarre glared then spoke.

"But sir, in a real battle we can't choose our opponent, so is shouldn't matter who we pair with." Navarre was a nice guy, who could be too practical for his own good. Even if he was right.

"As long as you are on my practice field you will do as I say! Is that clear?" Instructor Ronald roared. Navarre narrowed his eyes further and stepped back. Beaten, but not broken. I slipped over to him a friendly smile plastered on my face.

"Hey, Navarre, would you like to be my sparing partner?" I asked resting the wooden practice sword over my shoulder. He looked at me with amused light blue eyes.

"Sure Del. You're always fun to beat." I smiled broader exposing my teeth.

"As are you." With swords in ready position, we advanced. The clatter of wood meeting wood echoed throughout the yard. Navarre thrust forward and I parried to the left. Navarre was a fairly good swordsman as well as my friend. He'd make a great tactician, if he could get around the size problem. Like myself, he was short with a petit build. This made him a target for bullies when he was younger. Most people think that small means slow and scared, which it doesn't. Navarre was one of the quickest, most agile people I know, which is why I liked to spar with him. He's more of a challenge.

He beat me four out of seven bouts, which didn't bother me in the least. We were fairly equally matched and that made it more interesting. I was finally getting the upper hand in our current bout when Instructor Ronald called halt. Clapping his callused hands, he called us to attention.

"Students, as you know, there was a fire at the North Fork Tactics and Defense Academy. To aid our fellow students of military arts, Headmaster Kenmoor has invited the students here to finish out their schooling for the year. This means we will be doubling and tripling up in rooms." A loud groan escaped from the crowd. Instructor Ronald frowned. "But we should welcome them with open arms. They will be arriving in seven days, so we will be assigning extra chores." More groaning from the crowd. "And expect this campus to be in tip top shape by the time they arrive. Is that clear?"

"Yes Instructor Ronald." Fifty students chorused.

"Good. Dismissed!"

"I don't want another roommate." Navarre growled as I helped him rearrange his room. We were trying to figure out how to fit three cots into a small room that already had two.

"You and me both." I said sympathetically.

"I mean, I've been trying all year to get rid of Niles and here they go saddling me with another. I'll probably end up with some pansy who can't fight."

"Navarre. Come on, I mean Niles really isn't all that bad." He shot me a dirty look.

"The boy is a pervert. He thinks about sex almost as often as the morning dove coos. He sneaks into the village and flirts with all the dairymaids. Also, and I know this for a fact, that he's been banned from the Goddess' Temple for propositioning the virgins."

"Both the males and females?" I asked shocked that Niles would do such a thing.

"Only the females, that I know of. I wouldn't put it past him though." He replied shoving his cot against the far wall. I rolled my eyes. "So how are you handling this? I mean you've had your own room for most of the year."

"I'm fine." I told him. It was of course as lie. One in a growing list I'd been telling him. The truth was I didn't want a new roommate. It'd been hard enough getting rid of the old one. If it hadn't been for Orrin and his cooking skills, Charles never would have left. Leave it to my cousin to send biscuits laced with powdered root of whatever plant causes painful stomach cramps. I really should ask him what exactly he used and if any grows around the school. There are a few people I'd like to use it on. Like my new roommate for example. I began chewing my lip worriedly.

"Oh don't worry Del. I'm sure this guy will be better than the last." Navarre said in hopes of cheering me up. I didn't have the heart to tell him it wasn't working. The last thing I needed to make my complicated life even more complicated was to have another stranger sharing my room. There were too many things that could go wrong. I couldn't take the chance like I had with Charles. That jerk had snooped into all my belongings by the end of the first day. I think he even read some of my letters to Orrin and my Aunt Susanne. If he'd gotten to the ones I kept inside my mattress, I would have been dead. Thanks to Orrin, nothing happened. Although, if Orrin had properly followed instructions earlier, I wouldn't have worried then or be worrying now. When I next get my hands on that little cousin of….

"Del?"

"Yeah?"

"You're digging your nails into the shelving, you might want to stop." I released my death grip on the plank that served as a shelf and lifted it off its pegs. It was too low to the ground and we planned on putting the third cot right where it was. I slipped the board under Nile's cot. Navarre just shook his head at me.

"There are days I just worry about you." He muttered.

I wandered back to my room about half an hour later. Searching out one of the throwing knives that Aunt Susanne had sent as a birthday gift, I began to clean my nails. Presently there came a rap on my door.

"Del Pavnor." A voice I recognized Master Tun, the strategies professor, inquired from the hallway. Rolling off my bed, my bare feet met cold stone and I flinched, a shiver running up my spine.

"Coming." I called as I made my way across the floor. I opened the door to find Master Tun standing rigidly with every inch of his robes clean and neat. In his bony hands were a scroll and a quill.

"Del Pavnor, this is your new roommate, Ambrose Riesnar." Master Tun motioned to his right and a young man stepped into view. He was taller than me by a foot, with shoulder length blonde hair hanging loose as if it were some great hood. His eyes were dark brown and his skin had a caramel color to it. Instead of being broad like most of the men taller than I am, he had a more slender build.

"Ambrose Riesnar, I'd like you to meet your new roommate, Del Pavnor. If you have any questions, just refer them to him. I'm sure he'd be glad to help you out." Master Tun said ushering Ambrose into my, now our, room. Ambrose turned to face him and bowed.

"Thank you Master Tun." He said in a soft tenor voice. Master Tun nodded and left. I shut the door and turned to face my new roommate. He was placing his belongings on the empty cot against the wall. I stood my back against the door waiting. I wanted to use my father's "this is my place and we will go by my rules and everything will be fine" speech, but I couldn't. My mouth wouldn't open. I began to chew the bottom of my lip as I tried to think of how best to approach the topic of privacy and my stuff.

"Do you always stand by the door biting your lip when you meet someone?" Ambrose asked not looking up from his unpacking.

"No."

"I take it you're not happy having your room invaded, are you?"

"No." I told him flatly glad that he'd spoken first and not I. "I don't like sharing my room with others."

"My mother told me sharing was the polite and right thing to do. Didn't your mother teach you that?"

"Yes, but my mother didn't have to deal with roommates who went through their belongings and read their mail." I stated eyeing Ambrose through slightly narrowed eyes. "I do not tolerate that type of behavior."

"Ah, I see. Troubles with the last roommate." Ambrose pulled out a pair of breeches and snapped them out before refolding them. "Well, let me assure you that I abide by the rules my mother put before me. I will not go through your personal belongings nor read your mail." He turned to face me and held up his right hand. "I swear."

"Very well." I replied. "That is all I'm asking of you for the moment." Ambrose nodded. I walked back over to my cot, picked up my knife and returned to cleaning my nails. Ambrose continued to unpack. He was done within a half-hour, just in time for the supper bell to be rung. Together we left the room and I lead him through the maze of hallways to the mess hall. It was amazing I didn't loose him. Not that could have if I tried. One of his long strides equaled two of my quick ones. If he really became a nuisance, I'd just have to try something besides getting him turned around and completely lost. Maybe a frog in his bed. My brothers always used it on me. No, that was to simple and what if he wasn't afraid of frogs? I'd have to think of something else. Right now, I'd let him be.

That first night alone with Ambrose was stressful. I couldn't sleep. No matter what position I tried, they were all uncomfortable. It was like that my first few nights here, until I adjusted to the strangeness of the whole situation. I'd never shared a room before and Charles had snored. Thank goodness Ambrose didn't or I would have smothered him with my pillow. Well, just until he started to struggle, then I'd let him loose, I'm not as cold hearted as to kill him. Turning my thoughts away from the other cot, I concentrated on trying to sleep. I was still awake when the first rays of sunlight appeared through the tiny window in the room. They created a column of pale golden light in the center of the room. Looking through the light, I could see Ambrose curled up on his side in his cot. One hand was under the pillow; the other was resting by his cheek. Blonde hair spread out on the pillow creating a halo about his head. He looked so precious, like a prince under an evil enchantment. My eyes traveled from his face down the length of his body. Mentally I removed the covers and pictured his bare legs stretched out along the cot. Suddenly I snapped back to reality. What the hell had I just been doing? NO! That was wrong. Bad Del, no removing your new roommate's clothes no matter how cute you think he is, I told myself. Quickly I rolled over and closed my eyes. The morning bell would be ringing soon and I had classes I needed to be awake for.

I was out of the room before Ambrose awoke. I didn't see him at breakfast, which was fine with me. Navarre and Niles were sitting together looking as if they hadn't gotten much sleep either.

"Morning." I said sitting down across from Navarre.

"Morning. Goddess, you look as bad as I feel. You didn't get much sleep either?"

"Not for lack of trying." I told him looking bleakly at my mug of juice. It smelled funny; the cook really needed to make sure she was serving us juice and not wine. "I just couldn't sleep with another person in my room."

"At least your new roommate is quiet." Niles growled. "And I thought I was talkative. This new guy has me beat by a mile. He not only talks when he's awake, but when he's asleep too. I swear I was about ready to smother him with a pillow."

"I thought about doing that if Ambrose started snoring. Remember how Charles used to snore?" I said.

"Oh, yes. I don't think anyone on the floor got sleep when he started up." Navarre remembered spearing his meat with a knife. "I was so glad when he left."

"Yeah, we actually got to sleep." Niles muttered. "Do you think you could help us with Marcus, Del?" I yawned.

"If he gets too bad, sure." Niles smiled and dug into his breakfast. Somehow I managed to stomach mine. Whenever I don't get enough sleep, food never settles well with me. This morning's breakfast wasn't helping my poor innards at all. I poked a strange brownish lump with my spoon. No way was I going to eat that.

Morning classes weren't much better than breakfast. I felt tired and now my stomach was growling because I'd barely eaten. Still it was better than throwing up. The North Fork Academy students were intermingled amongst us. It took me a few minutes to spot Ambrose. He was sitting at a bench in the third row. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he was hunched over taking notes. After two very boring lectures, we were released to Instructor Ronald and Instructor Perrigan for battle field training. The class was divided in two and switched off which days they spent with which instructor. It was my day to spend working with Instructor Perrigan on archery and ballistics. I have always liked archery. Ever since I was six and got a hold of my older brother Arthur's slingshot. I spent most of the day firing berries at passing servants. They didn't call me the little demon for nothing. What does one expect when you have six older brothers? My mother was always horrified that I got my clothes dirty, I was her little baby and supposed to stay tidy. My father normally screamed, ranted or just hung his head when he found out about my latest escapade.

"Del, I want you to pair up with Ambrose Riesner please." Instructor Perrigan said.

"W-What?" I stammered. I whipped my head around and noticed Ambrose and several other boys I didn't recognize coming towards us. Navarre glanced at me.

"Del. You should probably shut your mouth. It's as wide open as a trout's." I clamped my mouth closed and threw death glares at Instructor Perrigan. What was that man thinking? Just because I was rooming with him didn't mean I wanted to be paired up with him during class! As long as he stayed out of my way, he'd be fine. Stupid Instructor. "You don't like him?" Navarre whispered. I ground my teeth. "Has he done something to upset you?"

"His being in my space upsets me." I snarled. Navarre backed up and stared at me funny. I didn't care; my mind was focussed on Ambrose Riesner. He wore no expression on his face as he walked up to me and I plastered the same look on mine.

"Ambrose, Del is going to be your partner for today. We're going to learn how to use catapults." Instructor Perrigan almost purred when he said the word 'catapult'. There was a certain gleam in his eyes that made most sane people frightened of him. He had been at too many sieges I decided. "Now Navarre, I want you and Marcus." I saw Navarre wince at Marcus' name. "To work with Del and Ambrose on the far catapult over there. Now hop to it men!"

"He's off his rocker again." Navarre stated before turning to the boy with mustard yellow hair and hazel eyes, which must be Marcus. "Don't worry you get used to it."

Despite being teamed up with the world's most talkative person, Navarre and Niles had NOT been lying about that part, the class went smoothly. Instructor Perrigan was so pleased with us that he was even thinking about having a mock siege. Ambrose didn't cause me too much irritation as he stayed on his side of the catapult and I stayed on mine. He didn't say much throughout the class except to ask Marcus to kindly refrain from talking while he was aiming. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

I hated going into the water. I should restate that. I hated going into the water with males. About three weeks after the North Fork Academy students arrived, the instructors called for a day off from classes to recuperate. This meant we all had a free day to do as we pleased. Since it was late spring and the weather was very warm for that time of year, most of the boys decided to go down to lake shore and do some swimming. Our campus is located near the edge of a small lake nestled in amongst the foothills to the Great Mountain Range. There is a forest where we have our scouting and terrain classes when the weather permits old Master Hoggins to walk. He broke both his legs falling off a horse when he was a scout in the King's Army years ago. Now he has arthritis in both and can barely walk when it's cold or rainy.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Navarre had asked me, worry written across his face. "Most of the school is going." I shook my head for the sixth time.

"No thank you."

"Why not?" Niles demanded.

"Because I'd like to keep my clothes on, thank you very much." I told him. Niles frowned.

"But swimming in the nude is a Kenmoor tradition." He whined. Navarre put his hand on Niles' shoulder.

"If Del doesn't want to swim, then he doesn't want to swim. We shouldn't push him."

"Thank you Navarre." I said. Niles sulked a bit. "Listen, I have some letters to catch up on and then maybe I'll come down for a while." Niles' mood brightened immediately. Navarre even smiled. They nodded and left my room, shutting the door behind them. I sighed. There is just something about swimming in the nude with a bunch of boys that does weird things to me. I always turn bright red. I'd done it the first time I'd gone swimming. The older boys had taken us to a very secluded part of the lake, stripped and dove in. I was shaking in fear already, that I didn't notice other things as I watched them play in the cold water. Their bodies glistening and taunt. By the time I finally got in the water, I was too embarrassed to do anything but sit there. It was one of the worst experiences in my life. One I decided I never wanted to repeat again. So, now I sat reading the latest letter Orrin had sent me, talking about how my father was being his usual self doing things to annoy the hell out of my aunt. Aunt Susanne has never liked my father. I don't think she's ever forgiven him for marrying her sister. She thinks things should be done one way and my father balks and turns about to do them another. Then he switched topics and started talking about his search.

"I went through the library again, Del. I couldn't find that book. I think it accidentally went to Aunt Ceciela's when she stopped by last month. I know, I know. Find that book or you'll take my head off with a sword. Don't worry, I'll find it and undo what I did before your father finds out. Goddess, if we have to tell him. I don't think the Goddess or the God can help us."

I sighed loudly and flopped down on my cot. Great, the book was missing. This was not good news. I stared across the room at Ambrose's empty cot. He was probably out with the rest of the boys down at the lake. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about how nice it would be to be sitting down at the lakeshore watching him swim. It was a very cold lake after all and I'd be so very hot after sitting in the sun watching him, that I'd just have to join him in the water. Without clothing, there would be no barrier…Whoa! Wait. My eyes snapped open and I sat up so quickly that the blood to my head traveled in reverse. My vision swam for a moment before drifting back to normal. Shit! I was doing it again. NO. No, no, no, no, no. I would not picture my roommate like that. Yes he was handsome. In fact he was one of the handsomest men I'd ever met, but that did not mean he was interested in me. This wasn't the first time this had happened since Ambrose had entered my life. I needed to stop daydreaming about him that way. Besides, even if he liked me too, it wouldn't matter in a month or two everyone would leave and I'd have to go home. Yes, wouldn't my father love that. Here Dad, this is the guy I met at an all boys military academy. I'd like to continue seeing him if you don't mind. My father would go through the roof and probably have him executed. My father had a very large ax he kept over the fireplace in the sitting room.

Shaking all thoughts about Ambrose out of my head, I decided that it was time I penned a letter to Orrin in hopes that the next letter would bring good news. I was just signing my name when the door opened and Ambrose walked in. He was dry, which meant he hadn't been out swimming. We stared at each other for a moment, then I dropped my head back over the letter and began to fold it up.

"I thought you'd be out with your friends." He said as he walked over to his cot.

"No, I had some mail to catch up on." I replied shifting through the drawers of the desk searching for the wax to seal the letter.

"You write a lot to your cousin and aunt." My eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

"Why don't you write to your parents?" he asked me. I found a stick of wax and the seal I always used. It was one Orrin had bought just for the two of us. It was our special seal so that no one in the family knew whom the letters were from. It was our way of being able to send secret messages back and forth.

"Because I don't. How did you know I only write to my aunt and cousin?" I asked accusingly. I heard him shift.

"I was talking with Niles and he mentioned it. I didn't mean to pry, your personal life is your personal life." I lit a candle.

"Do you want to know why I don't write to my parents?"

"I admit I'm curious." Ambrose said. I took a deep breath. I hadn't even told Navarre the real reason I didn't write to my parents. I'd made some lame excuse about having a fight with my father and that I route all my letters to my mother through my aunt.

"My parents don't know I'm here. They think I'm at a refinement academy learning how to be proper. My Aunt Susanne is the one who penned the letter of enrollment for me. Only she and Orrin know I'm here."

"You mean you haven't contacted your parents in months? Aren't they worried about you?" I snorted.

"Hardly. I'm the youngest child, my father doesn't think I'm of much use except for finding a good marriage. How would you like that hanging over your head?"

"A refinement academy? Aren't those places mainly for girls?"

"And boys of noble families who are to be made into courtiers." I told him. I sealed the letter and blew out the candle. "Don't even ask how much land my father owns, I can never remember." I got up, letter in hand and wandered over to my cot. Dropping myself onto its stiff mattress I watched Ambrose attentively. He was the only person I had told the truth to at this entire school. Why had I done it? Why did I feel I could trust him with that tidbit of information? Maybe because love is blind and trusting.

We sat for a few minutes in silence before he spoke again.

"So that is why you don't talk about your parents. I'm surprised you told me as much as you did. A refinement school? You? No, I could never picture you there. I mean after seeing you're swordplay, I would think that you would make an excellent city guard or something. You're small, fast and sneaky. It's no wonder I've been beaten by you."

"Although strength does count." I pointed out. "I always have problems against people stronger than I am."

"Still." Ambrose continued. He shook his head. "Since we're sharing truths, maybe it is time I admitted something." He suddenly looked very embarrassed and I could see the red creeping into his cheeks.

"Ambrose?" I inquired wondering what could possibly be causing this.

"I'm not like the other boys." His voice was almost a whisper. "I don't like to skip into town and look at the dairymaids." I could feel a lump forming in my throat. My mouth was going dry and my palms were sweating. Suddenly I felt a pang of hope surging up from the depths of my soul. "I prefer, um, how do I put this? Del, we've been rooming together for three weeks and even though you've been cold, mean and rude at times, you are still one of the nicest looking guys around here." My heart nearly caved in upon itself in shock.

"You like guys?" I said it more as a question than a statement. He numbly nodded his head. I nearly ran over and hugged him in delight. "You like me?" I was praying I'd heard him right.

"I shouldn't have told you." Ambrose growled. "Now I've done it. You're going to back away in terror once the shock wears off. That's what happened last time." I swallowed hard.

"No."

"I thought with all the rumors about the reasons you don't go swimming with everyone and how your eyes keep following me…"

"Ambrose."

"What?" he asked jerking his head up.

"It's okay. I know what rumors say about me. I've had to deal with it since I first came here." I slowly got off my cot. I moved towards him. Ambrose looked up at me with wide eyes. "Since we're confessing, I'd like to state that you are one of the handsomest men I've ever had the pleasure to be near." Despite my steady steps, I was quaking with fear inside. Fear of the unknown. I didn't know what was going to come next, nor did I care. Ambrose said he liked me that was all I needed for now. I came to a halt in front of him. He reached up nervously with his hand and ran his fingers along my jaw line. I didn't flinch, but stood perfectly still as he stroked my cheek. Closing my eyes, savoring the caress I felt as if I were under a spell. Ambrose rose and his hand slipped under my chin. I lifted my head. Opening my eyes, I stared into his, which held such longing, as I'd never seen. He leaned down and our lips met. I didn't resist, but gave back as much as he gave. I slid my arms around him and pulled him closer. Our kiss deepened. I felt him wrap his arms about me and my heart leapt for joy.

Suddenly there was a loud rap on our door. Immediately we parted, lest the intruder caught us. It wasn't proper for boys to be kissing. Biting my bottom lip, I quickly strode to the door. Ambrose sat back down on his cot. I could feel my cheeks were flushed and I hoped that no one would notice. Please let it only be an instructor, I pleaded with the higher forces. Throwing open the door, I fixed my best scowl on the person.

"What do you want?" I practically snarled. "Can't someone write a letter in peace?" A young lad dressed in the livery of my aunt stepped back.

"I-I'm sorry. I was told to deliver this to Del Pavnor personally." He stammered. "Are you Del Pavnor?"

"Yes, I am." I said in a more even tone. No sense in making this poor kid suffer. He couldn't be much older than Niles. What was so important that Aunt Susanne would send one of her messengers directly to see me? I thanked the boy, then ducked back inside to grab my letter to Orrin. I told him to deliver it to Orrin. He smiled, bowed and left quickly.

I closed the door and opened the letter. I must have gone sheet white because the next thing I knew Ambrose was by my side.