Part 10
The two opponents circled each other ignoring the whispers of "She might go easy on him to help him prove a point." And " he might have arranged this and she might be going to throw the match!" Elean and Scelar and fought each other many times, neither would give in but after a match their enmity would be forgotten and they would be friends. But a match was serious, there would be no such thing as throwing the match otherwise the others respect would be lost and that would be worse than losing one match. Elean leapt into the fight swiping with the scythe at Scelars middle, he easily blocked it and made his own come back nicking her on the arm with the blade. They fought with common sense and brains.
Elean and Scelar seemed to dance as they fought, each move made with practiced precision and each move deadly if not blocked correctly. Elean made a quick move towards Scelars left then fainted to the right in an advanced move she had only just mastered, Scelar misinterpreted the move and the heel on Eleans scythe painfully caught the nib of his scythe pushing him to the edge of the circle. Either Scelar held on to the scythe and was pushed out of the circle or he used the scythe to push himself back into the circle and faced Elean bare handed. Without hesitation he dropped the scythe outside the circle and dodged under Eleans scythe to the other side of the circle. Elean swung the scythe his way but now he had an advantage, he was quicker unarmed than she was armed. Each time she tried to knock him out of the circle he dodged or went under her scythe and ran to the other side. Elean was a true warrior and didn't get frustrated at the thought of him evading her, she just
tried new things, but so did Scelar. He was getting tired playing around like this so he dodged her last thrust at him and dove under her guard into her comfort zone and using a bare handed technique he made up himself he disarmed her and winded her causing her to step back and out of the circle.
The crowd cheered, none of them thought he had a chance after she disarmed him, so they were overjoyed when he pushed her out of the circle. Scelar bowed to his opponent and she to him then they both bowed to the Lords and Ladies of the council. The council talked among itself for a moment or two then the middle councilman stood up and said " We of the council have come to a decision. Lord Raedon please....."
The Warrior Lord then stood " I do not like the idea of a dual guild membership. If those two guilds have different views on the same thing what would you do?" he looked at Scelar who took a step forward "If I was in that situation I would take sides with the guild which shared my views." He nodded his head "But I believe it is a waste to have two equally marvelous gifts and to have to waste one, being a scholar has its advantages and so does being a warrior. But if all my warriors could also think with their brains as they fought I think our warriors might be better off. So I vote for the dual membership." With that he sat down and the person next to him stood up "I agree with Lord Raedon. Gifts should not be wasted." He sat and the Lady next to him stood up and in a regal sounding voice proclaimed "I believe this whole thing to be a farce. Traditions have been set and they are not going to change for one...child. Who believes he's better than all of us. Dual membership
denied."
Scelars face fell, if the last 2 were like that there was no hope and the council would designate him a guild. He had felt excited and scared after his fight and after the Warrior guild lord spoke....now he felt scared. A short man barely tall enough to be seen over the bench stood and said "I am in agreement with Lady Ridgby" He sat and Scelar held his breath. This last council member was his only hope. The High Council woman stood gracefully, her beautiful body had not aged for a long time so she looked as young as the rest of the council, though they knew better. With delicate hands she straightened her headpiece, the only signal of her superiority over the rest of the council members. "I agree with Lady Ridgby" who smiled briefly at the thought of getting her own way "the choosing is a tradition of ours and such things have been done this way for many, many years. This fact in itself is its own evidence. But change is good, I also agree with Lord Raedon. This young boy
has many talents, he is a gifted warrior and a talented academic also. It would be a shame on all of us if his gifts went to waste. I know that this boy cannot be the only one who is gifted in 2 or more areas, so we have wronged others and tradition says this is wrong. So our first step towards reconciling this wrong is to allow Scelar of Felins and Hoidre to have dual membership...Dismissed."
The audience roared in approval and started to move out of the building towards the post-choosing feast.
Scelar nearly fainted when the Lady had said she agreed with Lady Ridgby, now he nearly fainted from the rush of excitement that ran through him. His mother was hugging him tightly and his father was beaming like any proud parent and discussing the choosing with his teacher. Scelar couldn't get the smile off his face, he was so happy and so was everyone else. The feast was massive and everyone went back for seconds and thirds. Scelar and his parents had picked a nice quiet area to sit in so while everyone around him ate their dessert Scelar floated in bliss. He didn't even notice when a messenger approached his parents and gave them a note. "Scelar?" his mother called to him. Scelar broke out of his bliss and went to his mother "Yes ma?" "Here this just came for you." She passed him the note. He opened it and read:
To Scelar of Felins and Hoidre,
Your presence is required at the council chambers after the feast.
Please be prompt.
Master Froidhs
Scelar sighed I knew there had to be some catch. It was nearing the end of the feast any way so he showed his parents the letter and made his way towards the council chambers. He watched as the sun sank below the horizon ending a beautiful day. One day, the sun shall set and a great terror shall be upon us. Startled as to where that voice had come from Scelar dismissed it as an figure of his overactive imagination. With that he walked into the council chambers to the awaiting persons within.
Scelar bowed to his superiors as he entered the chamber. In front of him were the Lords of the warriors and scholars guild and the High Council Lady. Scelar wondered briefly what her name was, it seemed a bit odd calling her 'High Council Lady' but that thought was cut short as the Lord of the scholars guild stood up. Though he was not very tall, the Lord of the Scholars guild was a force to be reckoned with when he wanted to be...or when he was being stubborn. "Now young man, due to the fact you are a member of 2 guilds we must decide on your schedule and My Lady seemed to think it be best if we did it together." The Lord of Scholars didn't think much of being together with the present company but he had to put up with it. Scelar nodded, it was a good idea. Lord Raedon pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and laid it on the table, at the same time Lord Froidhs, the Lord of the Scholars Guild, brought forth a similar piece of paper. Laid side by side on the table Scelar
could see that they were 2 timetables. The High Council Lady picked both pieces of paper up and examined them closely for a minute before handing them to a surprised Scelar.
Scelar took the pages and his eyes widened in shock! There was no way he could do all of the things they had planned! He cleared his throat "My Lords and Lady, I wish to know what I would be able to drop?" Lord Froidhs looked disdainfully at Scelar "Those subjects are studied by all and are an essential part of a well rounded education." Lord Raedon butted in "I think the boy should drop 3 of his academic subjects." Lord Froidhs was nearly in hysterics "Drop!?! Are you joking? He-cant drop! Its not allowed!!" The Lady put up her hand for silence "I believe Lord Raedon is correct, Scelar choose 3 subjects you wish to drop please. The times when he is not in those subjects he shall train with the warriors." Lord Froidhs opened his mouth to complain but a scathing look from the Lady silenced him. Scelar looked at his timetables for a couple of moments before deciding "If it please you all I would like to drop, Science, Maths and Art. I believe I would get more benefit out of
History, geography and languages than I would out of the other 3."
The Lady smiled at him "You are wise to choose so. It shall be done." Lord Raedon nodded in approval, all the subjects the boy had chosen where worthy for a warrior, but Lord Froidhs was having an apoplexy. He couldn't stop stuttering "B--But b-u-t?" The Lady stood "I think this will be all, Scelar your classes will start at the same time as the rest, but I advise you to get an early start. Now My Lords I take your leave." Both of the Lords nodded and stood. "If you wouldn't mind. Scelar would you escort me back to my rooms?" Scelar quickly nodded and came to her side offering his arm for her.
Scelar and The Lady walked down several empty corridors before The Lady spoke. "It is here." She led him to a plain solid door. She quickly opened it and ushered Scelar inside. As the door closed The Lady sighed and lost her regal posture. She smiled at him again "Don't be so formal my boy. We are inside and anything we say or do in here is kept in here. Relax and take a seat." Scelar went to bow but caught himself. What does the Lady want to do with me? And what did she mean about stuff being kept in here? He followed her directions and sat on the closest lounge. The Lady also sat and motioned for a maid to get refreshments. "Now Scelar, how do you like being the first person to be in 2 guilds?" Scelar was shocked that she had addressed him so....so normally like she was just a lady friend of his mothers. But he answered her politely like she had been taught to do. "I like it very much My Lady." The Lady scowled at him, he cringed and sank back in the chair a bit. "I
thought I told you not to be so formal" she admonished him "Call me Margaret not 'My Lady'" Scelar was in shock...he was being told to refer to the Lady of the High Council by her first name....or what he assumed to be her first name. "Don't be so shocked, I hate being called 'My Lady' It irritates me to no end" Scelar just nodded because he couldn't find his voice to do anything else. "Now how about a real answer?"
Scelar had to swallow the bile in his throat a few time before he could speak "I like it a lot....it feels weird but nothing that's abnormal" My La---Margaret smiled at him again. "Abnormal? How could you, one so young know much about the abnormal?" Scelar smiled and blushed a bit "Well...Margaret...I like the abnormal.... I find it interesting." The maid came back and offered Margaret a drink then offered one to Scelar who politely declined. "Well now that you have dual membership, I suppose you are now counted as abnormal. You now have a place in history...do you plan to expand upon it?" Scelar thought for a moment before talking. Expand upon his position in history...how and why would I do that? "It is a nice thought that I have a place in history but to expand upon it...I would believe to be impossible. Unattainable and certainly not ever going to happen." Margaret shook her head "You like the abnormal and you believe it is not impossible but you don't believe that you
could be abnormal and might complete the impossible?" she shook her head again "Now I don't think being abnormal is a bad thing or necessarily something interesting. One example would be my name. It does not come from this planet and I am shunned when I use it. That is why no one knows it. Another example would be the prophecy about The Keeper and her parent The First." As she said that she looked closely at Scelar, almost scrutinizing any reaction he might have had to the mention of the prophecy.
"Now" she continued "I believe that the prophesy will come true and I eagerly await the Keeper and the First but even though it is only a myth, do you believe in it?" Scelar replied automatically "Yes, yes of course I do! But even it the First and the Keeper were to come they wouldn't be some...ordinary person. They would be legends, born from such and known as such. History is meant for those people. People such as I only get mentioned by chance and even then are forgotten after they are written down." Margaret shook her head again (a/n: the way she is going I predict a headache!) "My dear boy, legends have to come from some where. They are not a race to themselves and they are ordinary people. To put it poetically, most legends are ordinary people who rise from the ashes of adversary and defeat their enemy for the sake of others. They are unselfish people who care about others more than themselves...though they can barely see it."
Scelar thought hard about that, if that were true anyone could become a legend or a famous person from history. Now don't get a big head. She only gave you an example. There is no way I could be someone great. Talking to Margaret was confusing! Scelar got up "My Lady...Margaret, I must go. My parents will be worried about me. It was nice talking to you but I really must go." Margaret sighed, I was getting so close. This boy has no idea of what his future holds but no matter what happens he must embrace it when it arrives and he MUST be ready. "It has been nice talking to you too. It is not often I can talk to anyone without them being all formal on me. It is a pleasant change. Would it be too hard to ask if you might return so we may discuss the possibilities of this topic at a later date?" Scelar looked shocked, she wanted him to come back? "Of course, I could never say to no to such a nice conversation with a beautiful lady" He smiled at her, he didn't mean to add that
'beautiful lady' stuff but it seemed appropriate. Margaret giggled "Such nice words from the mouth of a youth. Now you best be on your way. Come an visit soon ." Scelar nodded and bowed before exiting the chamber. "Be well My Lady" he said as he disappeared out the door.
His parents were not angry when he came back. A bit annoyed that he was so late but after he explained what had happened they understood and told him to go to bed.
The two opponents circled each other ignoring the whispers of "She might go easy on him to help him prove a point." And " he might have arranged this and she might be going to throw the match!" Elean and Scelar and fought each other many times, neither would give in but after a match their enmity would be forgotten and they would be friends. But a match was serious, there would be no such thing as throwing the match otherwise the others respect would be lost and that would be worse than losing one match. Elean leapt into the fight swiping with the scythe at Scelars middle, he easily blocked it and made his own come back nicking her on the arm with the blade. They fought with common sense and brains.
Elean and Scelar seemed to dance as they fought, each move made with practiced precision and each move deadly if not blocked correctly. Elean made a quick move towards Scelars left then fainted to the right in an advanced move she had only just mastered, Scelar misinterpreted the move and the heel on Eleans scythe painfully caught the nib of his scythe pushing him to the edge of the circle. Either Scelar held on to the scythe and was pushed out of the circle or he used the scythe to push himself back into the circle and faced Elean bare handed. Without hesitation he dropped the scythe outside the circle and dodged under Eleans scythe to the other side of the circle. Elean swung the scythe his way but now he had an advantage, he was quicker unarmed than she was armed. Each time she tried to knock him out of the circle he dodged or went under her scythe and ran to the other side. Elean was a true warrior and didn't get frustrated at the thought of him evading her, she just
tried new things, but so did Scelar. He was getting tired playing around like this so he dodged her last thrust at him and dove under her guard into her comfort zone and using a bare handed technique he made up himself he disarmed her and winded her causing her to step back and out of the circle.
The crowd cheered, none of them thought he had a chance after she disarmed him, so they were overjoyed when he pushed her out of the circle. Scelar bowed to his opponent and she to him then they both bowed to the Lords and Ladies of the council. The council talked among itself for a moment or two then the middle councilman stood up and said " We of the council have come to a decision. Lord Raedon please....."
The Warrior Lord then stood " I do not like the idea of a dual guild membership. If those two guilds have different views on the same thing what would you do?" he looked at Scelar who took a step forward "If I was in that situation I would take sides with the guild which shared my views." He nodded his head "But I believe it is a waste to have two equally marvelous gifts and to have to waste one, being a scholar has its advantages and so does being a warrior. But if all my warriors could also think with their brains as they fought I think our warriors might be better off. So I vote for the dual membership." With that he sat down and the person next to him stood up "I agree with Lord Raedon. Gifts should not be wasted." He sat and the Lady next to him stood up and in a regal sounding voice proclaimed "I believe this whole thing to be a farce. Traditions have been set and they are not going to change for one...child. Who believes he's better than all of us. Dual membership
denied."
Scelars face fell, if the last 2 were like that there was no hope and the council would designate him a guild. He had felt excited and scared after his fight and after the Warrior guild lord spoke....now he felt scared. A short man barely tall enough to be seen over the bench stood and said "I am in agreement with Lady Ridgby" He sat and Scelar held his breath. This last council member was his only hope. The High Council woman stood gracefully, her beautiful body had not aged for a long time so she looked as young as the rest of the council, though they knew better. With delicate hands she straightened her headpiece, the only signal of her superiority over the rest of the council members. "I agree with Lady Ridgby" who smiled briefly at the thought of getting her own way "the choosing is a tradition of ours and such things have been done this way for many, many years. This fact in itself is its own evidence. But change is good, I also agree with Lord Raedon. This young boy
has many talents, he is a gifted warrior and a talented academic also. It would be a shame on all of us if his gifts went to waste. I know that this boy cannot be the only one who is gifted in 2 or more areas, so we have wronged others and tradition says this is wrong. So our first step towards reconciling this wrong is to allow Scelar of Felins and Hoidre to have dual membership...Dismissed."
The audience roared in approval and started to move out of the building towards the post-choosing feast.
Scelar nearly fainted when the Lady had said she agreed with Lady Ridgby, now he nearly fainted from the rush of excitement that ran through him. His mother was hugging him tightly and his father was beaming like any proud parent and discussing the choosing with his teacher. Scelar couldn't get the smile off his face, he was so happy and so was everyone else. The feast was massive and everyone went back for seconds and thirds. Scelar and his parents had picked a nice quiet area to sit in so while everyone around him ate their dessert Scelar floated in bliss. He didn't even notice when a messenger approached his parents and gave them a note. "Scelar?" his mother called to him. Scelar broke out of his bliss and went to his mother "Yes ma?" "Here this just came for you." She passed him the note. He opened it and read:
To Scelar of Felins and Hoidre,
Your presence is required at the council chambers after the feast.
Please be prompt.
Master Froidhs
Scelar sighed I knew there had to be some catch. It was nearing the end of the feast any way so he showed his parents the letter and made his way towards the council chambers. He watched as the sun sank below the horizon ending a beautiful day. One day, the sun shall set and a great terror shall be upon us. Startled as to where that voice had come from Scelar dismissed it as an figure of his overactive imagination. With that he walked into the council chambers to the awaiting persons within.
Scelar bowed to his superiors as he entered the chamber. In front of him were the Lords of the warriors and scholars guild and the High Council Lady. Scelar wondered briefly what her name was, it seemed a bit odd calling her 'High Council Lady' but that thought was cut short as the Lord of the scholars guild stood up. Though he was not very tall, the Lord of the Scholars guild was a force to be reckoned with when he wanted to be...or when he was being stubborn. "Now young man, due to the fact you are a member of 2 guilds we must decide on your schedule and My Lady seemed to think it be best if we did it together." The Lord of Scholars didn't think much of being together with the present company but he had to put up with it. Scelar nodded, it was a good idea. Lord Raedon pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and laid it on the table, at the same time Lord Froidhs, the Lord of the Scholars Guild, brought forth a similar piece of paper. Laid side by side on the table Scelar
could see that they were 2 timetables. The High Council Lady picked both pieces of paper up and examined them closely for a minute before handing them to a surprised Scelar.
Scelar took the pages and his eyes widened in shock! There was no way he could do all of the things they had planned! He cleared his throat "My Lords and Lady, I wish to know what I would be able to drop?" Lord Froidhs looked disdainfully at Scelar "Those subjects are studied by all and are an essential part of a well rounded education." Lord Raedon butted in "I think the boy should drop 3 of his academic subjects." Lord Froidhs was nearly in hysterics "Drop!?! Are you joking? He-cant drop! Its not allowed!!" The Lady put up her hand for silence "I believe Lord Raedon is correct, Scelar choose 3 subjects you wish to drop please. The times when he is not in those subjects he shall train with the warriors." Lord Froidhs opened his mouth to complain but a scathing look from the Lady silenced him. Scelar looked at his timetables for a couple of moments before deciding "If it please you all I would like to drop, Science, Maths and Art. I believe I would get more benefit out of
History, geography and languages than I would out of the other 3."
The Lady smiled at him "You are wise to choose so. It shall be done." Lord Raedon nodded in approval, all the subjects the boy had chosen where worthy for a warrior, but Lord Froidhs was having an apoplexy. He couldn't stop stuttering "B--But b-u-t?" The Lady stood "I think this will be all, Scelar your classes will start at the same time as the rest, but I advise you to get an early start. Now My Lords I take your leave." Both of the Lords nodded and stood. "If you wouldn't mind. Scelar would you escort me back to my rooms?" Scelar quickly nodded and came to her side offering his arm for her.
Scelar and The Lady walked down several empty corridors before The Lady spoke. "It is here." She led him to a plain solid door. She quickly opened it and ushered Scelar inside. As the door closed The Lady sighed and lost her regal posture. She smiled at him again "Don't be so formal my boy. We are inside and anything we say or do in here is kept in here. Relax and take a seat." Scelar went to bow but caught himself. What does the Lady want to do with me? And what did she mean about stuff being kept in here? He followed her directions and sat on the closest lounge. The Lady also sat and motioned for a maid to get refreshments. "Now Scelar, how do you like being the first person to be in 2 guilds?" Scelar was shocked that she had addressed him so....so normally like she was just a lady friend of his mothers. But he answered her politely like she had been taught to do. "I like it very much My Lady." The Lady scowled at him, he cringed and sank back in the chair a bit. "I
thought I told you not to be so formal" she admonished him "Call me Margaret not 'My Lady'" Scelar was in shock...he was being told to refer to the Lady of the High Council by her first name....or what he assumed to be her first name. "Don't be so shocked, I hate being called 'My Lady' It irritates me to no end" Scelar just nodded because he couldn't find his voice to do anything else. "Now how about a real answer?"
Scelar had to swallow the bile in his throat a few time before he could speak "I like it a lot....it feels weird but nothing that's abnormal" My La---Margaret smiled at him again. "Abnormal? How could you, one so young know much about the abnormal?" Scelar smiled and blushed a bit "Well...Margaret...I like the abnormal.... I find it interesting." The maid came back and offered Margaret a drink then offered one to Scelar who politely declined. "Well now that you have dual membership, I suppose you are now counted as abnormal. You now have a place in history...do you plan to expand upon it?" Scelar thought for a moment before talking. Expand upon his position in history...how and why would I do that? "It is a nice thought that I have a place in history but to expand upon it...I would believe to be impossible. Unattainable and certainly not ever going to happen." Margaret shook her head "You like the abnormal and you believe it is not impossible but you don't believe that you
could be abnormal and might complete the impossible?" she shook her head again "Now I don't think being abnormal is a bad thing or necessarily something interesting. One example would be my name. It does not come from this planet and I am shunned when I use it. That is why no one knows it. Another example would be the prophecy about The Keeper and her parent The First." As she said that she looked closely at Scelar, almost scrutinizing any reaction he might have had to the mention of the prophecy.
"Now" she continued "I believe that the prophesy will come true and I eagerly await the Keeper and the First but even though it is only a myth, do you believe in it?" Scelar replied automatically "Yes, yes of course I do! But even it the First and the Keeper were to come they wouldn't be some...ordinary person. They would be legends, born from such and known as such. History is meant for those people. People such as I only get mentioned by chance and even then are forgotten after they are written down." Margaret shook her head again (a/n: the way she is going I predict a headache!) "My dear boy, legends have to come from some where. They are not a race to themselves and they are ordinary people. To put it poetically, most legends are ordinary people who rise from the ashes of adversary and defeat their enemy for the sake of others. They are unselfish people who care about others more than themselves...though they can barely see it."
Scelar thought hard about that, if that were true anyone could become a legend or a famous person from history. Now don't get a big head. She only gave you an example. There is no way I could be someone great. Talking to Margaret was confusing! Scelar got up "My Lady...Margaret, I must go. My parents will be worried about me. It was nice talking to you but I really must go." Margaret sighed, I was getting so close. This boy has no idea of what his future holds but no matter what happens he must embrace it when it arrives and he MUST be ready. "It has been nice talking to you too. It is not often I can talk to anyone without them being all formal on me. It is a pleasant change. Would it be too hard to ask if you might return so we may discuss the possibilities of this topic at a later date?" Scelar looked shocked, she wanted him to come back? "Of course, I could never say to no to such a nice conversation with a beautiful lady" He smiled at her, he didn't mean to add that
'beautiful lady' stuff but it seemed appropriate. Margaret giggled "Such nice words from the mouth of a youth. Now you best be on your way. Come an visit soon ." Scelar nodded and bowed before exiting the chamber. "Be well My Lady" he said as he disappeared out the door.
His parents were not angry when he came back. A bit annoyed that he was so late but after he explained what had happened they understood and told him to go to bed.