Chapter 1: Sparring Hurts
Sigon looked through his heavy honor guard helmet at his teacher Royand. He shook sweat from his eyes and took a swipe at Royand. The teacher blocked with a heavy shield that practically knocked Sigon's antique sword from his hand. Sigon rolled to the ground dodging his teacher's heavy axe. Sigon gripped both hands on the cord hilt and swung nearly flinging himself at his opponent because of the swords weight. Then his gaze caught Autumn sitting on a nearby bench writing in a pad with a freshly dipped quill. Her dark green dress swirled about her feet and the feather quill twirled gently under her emerald green eyes. Her hair clung to her cheeks and fell halfway down her back. Autumn's beauty disguised her danger. Sigon spotted her dagger in her sleeve and a magic amulet hidden in the folds of her dress that acted like extra pockets. The clatter of a wooden axe haft hitting metal knocked Sigon back to reality as he fell to the ground his armor beating him up on the way. Royand shook his head and left Sigon to find his way back to the barracks from the castle courtyard alone.
Autumn laughed as she walked over to Sigon. She put down the pad and quill and knelt beside him. "You know if you keep getting beaten like this you won't be able to protect me very well. Do you need any magic?" The young female high elf asked. Sigon pushed himself up and threw off his helmet shaking his head." I'm fine." Autumn wiped some dirt from Sigon's cheek with her dress hem. "You wood elves are so stubborn. Might as well be a human….. or a dwarf in your case." Sigon stood frowning. He stood a few inches shorter than Autumn. He crossed his arms. "Everyone knows that girls start growing when they're 100." Autumn laughed speaking in-between giggles. "But you're 125! You're a good 5 years older than me." Sigon shook his head and grabbed his gear while sheathing his greatsword. Autumn yelled after him, "I want my guard at dinner on time tonight!" Sigon nodded but all he could think of was Autumn golden blonde strands of hair and her order went through one ear and out the other.