"That's correct, Fai...yes...hold it like this. Right hand forward, right foot forward. Keep the staff guarding your body, and tilt it up so it points at your opponent's eyes or throat." Ashura demonstrated the elementary stance and guard position with his own staff. Fai frowned in concentration and imitated him.

The staff was Fai's first weapon. His tutors had drilled him on fundamentals back in Luval once the weather had cleared enough, but Ashura wanted some playtime with his son. The holiday in the Southlands—for, despite its political purpose, Ashura had chosen to regard the visit as such, and kept kingdom business to a minimum—provided the perfect opportunity. The weather was warmer and, after that first day, had dried out. Like all strongholds in the Southlands, Castle Vasara had excellent training facilities, due to the need for strong armies on the border with Arimaspea.

So Ashura had taken Fai out to an open practice field, handed him a short child's staff and picked up a full-length one for himself, and begun to walk him through some basic forms. Fai had no power or even much control yet, and wouldn't for a few years, but his focus and hand-eye coordination were exceptional. He didn't often drop the weapon or smack himself with it as frequently as most beginners, although it did happen on occasion. Of course, once Fai started learning the more complex movements and spins, and had to start speeding everything up, it would be a different story. With rueful amusement, Ashura remembered all the times he had managed to hit himself in the head. The staff could be quite a contrary weapon if the wielder worked against its movements, rather than with it, and it often "got away" from students. In that respect it was not unlike magic.

"Excellent," Ashura said. "Now, to ward off a center attack from your opponent's right, bring your staff across to your left, like this. It will catch the attacker's weapon and slide it to your side. Not too far, just enough so the attack does not touch you. Then, while your opponent's arms and weapon are crossed over his body, shift forward quickly, right foot front, like so, and thrust your staff at him. His arm will be over his chest, so aim for an open, vulnerable area, like his eye or throat. If you can blind or maim your opponent or crush his windpipe, you have as good as won the fight and need only move in for the finishing blows."

Fai already knew the basic stances and guard positions. He grasped the simple block and strike combination quickly. Ashura ran through it with him ten times, then switched his stance.

"All right, Fai," he said, "it is important to be able to do all techniques equally well on both sides of your body. Now we will do it again, this time starting with the left. Take your stance with your left hand forward, left foot forward."

Fai nodded and frowned even more fiercely. This time he didn't do so well. "It's harder," he said, brows furrowed. Without prompting, he tried again.

"Usually things are easier on the dominant side of the body," Ashura said. "You must drill the weaker side more, until the movements become natural no matter which hand and foot are leading the moves. You never know from which direction your opponent will attack."

He had Fai repeat on the left until it appeared the child moved more comfortably, then judged correctly that Fai had had more than enough of that. He grinned. Perhaps Fai needed an outlet for his frustration with not being perfect.

"Fai, let us practice some actual strikes. Take your right forward stance." When Fai complied, Ashura took a guard position and said, "Now, take a step forward while swinging the end of your staff at my left flank." He deliberately chose a large, easy target for Fai to reach.

Fai froze and stared at him. "But won't I hurt you if I do that?"

"I promise I will block your attack," Ashura said calmly, trying not to smile. Fai's aim, speed, and strength might yet be lacking, but the staff gave even an inexperienced wielder the advantage of leverage. If Ashura missed the block he would definitely be sorry. An expert staff fighter could easily crush bones with the weapon. But Fai was still very slow and cautious. "Attack now, as hard as you can while still maintaining your aim."

Fai stepped and swung, every bit as slowly and cautiously as Ashura had expected. He had plenty of time to shift back a step on a slight diagonal and move his own staff to block the timid strike. The resounding clack of wood hitting wood, and the jarring Fai felt in his arms, made the child drop back with a cry of shock.

"Oh," Fai said, looking alarmed. "Are you all right?"

"I am perfectly fine, Fai," Ashura said. "You blow didn't touch me. Try again, this time to my right flank. Use the other end of the staff to strike my opposite side."

Fai held the staff horizontally before him and wobbled it back and forth, getting a feel for the way both ends moved. Then he stepped in, struck, and Ashura blocked.

"Good," Ashura said approvingly. "Now step forward, strike to my left, then step and strike to my right. Do not stop. Keep moving forward to drive me back to the wall."

As Fai practiced, he gained confidence. His steps became surer, his swings stronger, although Ashura had to remind him not to swing wildly and to be sure to maintain his balance and to keep his aim and control true. When they reached the wall, they reversed roles. Ashura struck at Fai, using careful, light taps with barely enough force to allow the child to feel an impact with his staff. He kept his swings painfully slow and gave Fai all the time he needed to shift his position and block the strikes.

They drilled back and forth a number of times, and when Fai started to get clumsy and somewhat hyperactive, Ashura judged that the boy was tired and called a halt.

Fai immediately objected. "I don't want to stop yet. I can keep going." His eyes were a bit too bright and his underdeveloped arm muscles twitched a little, yet he clutched his staff and looked mulish.

"I know you can," Ashura lied to soothe him. "However, after so much exercise it is a good idea to take a break and get something to drink. Aren't you thirsty?"

Fai frowned. "A little, I guess."

"You can practice again with your instructors."

"It was more fun with you. My tutors don't let me spar yet. We only practice forms."

Ashura raised his brows to hear that. "No two person drills? No contact at all?" he asked, to clarify how matters stood.

Fai shook his head. "They don't let me hit anything, and they don't hit my staff like you did, either."

So this was the first time Fai had experienced contact, and that was the cause for his initial hesitancy? Ashura had assumed it was simply because Fai hadn't wanted to hurt him.

Although Ashura wouldn't have described the exercise he and Fai had done as sparring—it had been simple drilling, without the surprises of sparring—Fai needed to learn how light contact of staff against staff felt. Forms were all well and good for perfecting basic technique, but without some practice at actual fighting applications to learn what the moves really meant they were just pretty dances. Granted, Fai was very young and hadn't been learning the staff for very long, but light, non-aggressive drills such as they had performed were perfectly appropriate for his age and experience.

"Your tutors are being overcautious," he said. "I will speak with them."

"Okay." Fai sounded a little disappointed. "I guess this means you won't spar with me again?"

Ashura smiled. "Of course I will. We can do this again tomorrow, if you like."

"Really?"

"Really. Now, come along, Fai."

Ashura reflected that it would be a good idea to spar often with Fai using weapons and magic both, especially when the child developed strength, speed, and skill. The activity would get Fai accustomed to striking at him in a variety of ways and with real power and intent. Perhaps, when the time came, Ashura could engage Fai in a battle, and drive him to use stronger and stronger attacks, maybe even apply a few dirty tricks to provoke him into losing all sense of restraint. And then, when in the heat of battle Fai's attacks became strong enough, lethal enough, perhaps Ashura would "miss" a block...

It would devastate Fai, but better Fai's emotional upset than his utter annihilation. Ashura would keep the ploy in mind, should the deception prove necessary someday. After all, even if he killed Seresu's entire population, he still might not gain enough power to exceed Fai's magical strength and trigger the first curse. In that event, an alternate method to remove that horrific second curse would be required.

Then he blinked, wondering just what mad thoughts were running through his head. He was making plans as though it were the most natural thing in the world to massacre the populace of his entire country, as though Fai would live to adulthood and have a future...as though he wouldn't murder Fai out on some lonely glacier in the northern mountains sometime within the coming year.

Well, maybe he wouldn't. He hadn't decided yet. Or had he?

But if Fai lived, Seresu would die. His people, his whole country—all to save one child. His child. Could he really permit himself to be that selfish? To make the monstrous decision to sacrifice his entire country's population for Fai's sake, even while he was still in his right mind? He had once accepted the inevitability of that horror, but now that he knew there was a choice, a chance to save Seresu, he should put aside his emotional attachments, smother the yearnings of his wayward heart, and embrace the opportunity to safeguard his country's future.

Just the thought of it made him want to cry.

And then, there was that strange, overpowering feeling again, rising in his breast—the sense that Fai's welfare should take precedence over everything else, the overarching conviction that Ashura's only reason for existing was for Fai's sake. With effort, he shoved it away, but as always it remained in the dark, hidden corners of his deepest soul, waiting to overwhelm all sense and force his decisions onto the path that it desired...

Keeping his expression schooled into its usual placidity to mask the rush of confusion and despair, Ashura rested his free hand on Fai's shoulder and turned to head back into the keep. As he did so, he saw that he and Fai had acquired a small audience. Kendappa stood just inside the practice field with Lord Taishakuten. Several soldiers and guards waited behind them. The two nobles were watching approvingly, and everyone gave a small obeisance as he and Fai approached.

"Cousin, my lord Taishakuten," Ashura greeted them.

"Hello, cousin. I see this is where you've been hiding. Not that it matters. There isn't any pressing business for you, and this is an excellent use of your time," Kendappa said with a smile. Before Ashura could form a response to her accusation that he had been truant, she looked to Fai. "You're coming along with the staff, Fai. Do you enjoy it?"

"I do," the child replied. "It's a lot of fun. I got to learn to actually hit today."

"So I observed," she replied, eyes twinkling. "Become strong enough, and maybe you'll be able to knock His Majesty on his—" She broke off, grinned at Ashura, and finished, "Knock His Majesty down."

Fai looked a little startled. "I don't want to knock him down," he said simply.

"You will someday. It is inevitable."

Ashura added smoothly, "All mentors wish their students to exceed them, Fai. Of course I hope you will eventually best me in all things, including staff fighting." And, he reflected, the statement was utterly, excruciatingly, brutally honest.

"Yes, that's what I meant," Kendappa said mendaciously.

Fai looked doubtful.

Ashura glanced over at Taishakuten, who was doing a poor job of concealing his amusement. That lord, Ashura noted, was belted and armed and had one hand resting on his sheathed sword. "Lord Taishakuten, are you here to practice? Fai and I are finished, so the field is yours."

Taishakuten bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty. I came to work on my swordsmanship with one of my captains. We practice often." He straightened. "However, I would be honored if you would consent to be my training partner, assuming you have no other engagements, or are not too tired from your workout." He failed to suppress a tiny quirk of his lips.

Ashura cast a mildly annoyed look at him, but without any real censure. Obviously, the practice session that had worn out Fai had barely served as a warm-up for him, and Taishakuten knew it. In fact, Ashura appreciated the offer. His muscles ached for some real exercise, and his mind ached for a distraction on which it could focus to the exclusion of all other concerns. Taishakuten was a master swordsman, one of the best in the kingdom. Sparring with him would require complete attention and concentration, and would afford Ashura no opportunities to dwell upon future horrors.

"I accept, my lord," Ashura said.

Taishakuten made a gesture, and his captain offered his own sword, hilt first, to the king. Ashura handed his staff over, gripped the sword and moved back out of range of the others. He swung the sword experimentally to get a feel for its weight and balance. It was an excellent weapon, but that was no surprise. Weapons were a primary concern in the Southlands, and an interest that bordered on mania to its ruling warlord.

Fai asked, "Can I stay and watch?" The boy had an uneasy look, a combination of nervousness and excitement.

Ashura recalled that Fai was still intimidated by Taishakuten. He still nursed hopes that Fai's unease would pass soon. Taishakuten was one of the great magnates, and controlled a highly critical territory. Fai really needed to become more comfortable around him, as Ashura and Taishakuten were often required to be in each other's company for a host of political reasons. It was fortunate that Taishakuten didn't take offense at Fai's nerves, but then, he must be well acquainted with that wary reaction—and not just from children. His very presence seemed to inspire it in many who were unaccustomed to him.

Lord Taishakuten said, "I have no objection, Your Majesty. I assume Lord Fai will soon begin learning basic swordplay, so seeing this session should be of interest to him." He looked at Fai and smiled pleasantly. "Isn't that right, Lord Fai?"

Fai blinked and stared at him, but nodded.

"Of course," Ashura agreed. He gestured to one of the guards. "Bring Lord Fai something to drink. He's had a heavy workout." The man bowed and hurried away.

Taishakuten was putting forth great effort to be an accommodating host. Ashura had noticed that Taishakuten was also doing his best to lessen Fai's wariness of him, although not to much effect. Fai remained cautious around him. However, the fact that Taishakuten was bothering at all set Ashura's mind ranging over some interesting possibilities.

Taishakuten was utterly ruthless in combat, and in other matters as well from what Ashura knew of him. The Lord of the Southlands did whatever was required in order to accomplish his goals, without regard for emotional attachments or physical concerns. That quality made him a demon in battle, and when he passed judgment on those who opposed him or the law, his rulings were harsh and swift—sometimes a little too harsh and swift—and he tended to err on the side of severity rather than mercy.

Taishakuten's ability to do what had to be done no matter the cost and yet not permit the consequences eat at his soul was an attitude Ashura thought could serve Fai well in the coming years. Perhaps some small part of that quality could be instilled in Fai. Not too much, though, just enough to toughen him a little. Ashura would hate to see Fai lose his kind heart to that type of callousness. He didn't want to start on that course now, but perhaps something could be done later on when Fai was older, and the basic patterns of his personality and behavior were solidly set in place and could not be influenced for the worse.

He wondered if Fai could get over his fear of Taishakuten, and if so, if Taishakuten could be induced to take Fai for military training when the boy was of the proper age. That way, Fai could see something of real battle, as well.

Ashura's heart quailed a little when he thought of Fai in combat. He imagined a vulnerable child charging heedlessly into the fray, when instead he knew he should picture a competent and well-skilled young adult.

Even so, he really didn't want to think about Fai riding into war.

Ashura would have to think long and hard about whether he really wanted Fai to train with Taishakuten. It would mean tying Taishakuten more closely to the royal court, and that was something that would require careful consideration. He was not blind to Taishakuten's faults: his ambition, his ego, and his rapacious desire for power. It would be dangerous to cultivate a closer association with him, but Ashura might risk it for Fai's sake. When he reached the proper age, Fai would have to train with someone highly ranked and in a position of military authority. All members of the royal family received such training, even the daughters. Taishakuten was eminently suitable for all of Ashura's purposes. Perhaps Fai would learn and internalize some of Taishakuten's attitudes and strengths, so that one day he could endure the act of regicide that Ashura might force him to commit.

Fai was still far too young, but it was worth keeping in mind.

After all, Fai might live that long. Ashura hadn't chosen a future yet...

And then Taishakuten attacked, and it was all Ashura could do to keep from being bested at sword practice from the very first strike.