Until this stage of the hand to hand lessons, none of the trainees had really understood the seriousness of each lesson. As always, Flehrad finished his series of lessons with a reality test, where the crud of mankind that lived in the city participated. It was the most basic form of villainy available, the mercenary, thugs, mobsters and general louts willing to take a few blows here and there for the sake of a coin or two. But, they with their greed fed their strength and desires, creating worthy opponents for trainees to combat. Today was no different.
"Line Up!" The cry was taken up by the various helpers Flehrad had recruited for the day. Unlike regular lessons, there was always a large number of trainees, but this time, there was also a crowd of opponents to control.
"Today is our final lesson for basic hand to hand combat. You will be tested with your ability to attack and defend, with a real opponent. Them." Flehrad pointed at the scruffy ragged motley men and women milling around behind the line of Gaidin wielding lathes.
"As usual, there are penalties for losing. If you lose, you pay the coin owed. If you win, you have the satisfaction of staying debt free."
Turning around, Flehrad redirected his finger at the center of the yard. "That circle is your arena. Step outside, and you will automatically lose. Until you experience The Rough, you will not appreciate the ability to hold your ground. There are no rules except that you must fight unarmed. If you are killed, the marksmen on the walls will put a yardcloth through your killer. If you kill your opponent, you will dig their grave and bury them yourselves. That is the penalty of uncontrolled attacks. The fight ends when one person exits the circle, falls unconscious, or declares forfeit! Is that understood?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Good. One at a time, in your lines! Begin!"
xxxx
Lain gulped, then confidently strode to the back of the line. He immediately began stretching, paying special attention to his legs and arms. Picking up a foot from behind him, he held it up, watching the first Trainee. It was the thin-lipped demon who had faced him before, breaking his nose and almost taking his life. There would be no tears shed on Lain's part if he died in this.
Unfortunately, it was the ruffian that was getting beat up. Lain's nemesis whirled around the criminal, creating large bruises and cracking bones. After awhile, they leaped forward, breaking the nose. The man fell dead to the ground. Lain whistled soundlessly, watching as the Trainee was berated and handed a shovel. He trudged off to dig the grave, the body was carried away, and the next in line went into the bloodied circle.
Lain was nervous now. He was pretty sure he had enough self-control- but suppose the ruffian knew a few tricks? I'll just have to counter them with my own, Lain told himself. Before he knew it, he was being pushed into the circle by the person behind him.
He stumbled into the circle, regaining his footing within seconds. He cautiously moved towards the middle, realizing that it would be a distinct advantage to be further from the edge. Suddenly, a half-crazed man, dirty in rags, rushed towards Lain from where he had been released. Ducking quickly, he let the man go past him, then rose and kicked the fighter in the small of the back.
The man stumbled toward the edge, but only for a few steps. He whirled with grace unusual for his size, his speed almost impossible for such a large body. Lain was caught unawares, receiving a sharp blow to his face, barely managing to tighten his stomach muscles before they were hit. He doubled up, gasping, kicks falling around his shoulders and neck. Infuriated, Lain rolled, coming up to the side of the giant. Making his hand into a blade-like plank, he chopped at the man's neck.
The mercenary turned to face him with a roar of rage, arms flung out to catch Lain, but he was ready for his quickness this time. Just as it seemed he was backed against the edge of the circle, he dove between the man's braced legs, slapping the ground to reduce the impact. He rose behind the man, who was puzzling over where his prey had gone. Quick, but not smart.
Lain padded silently to the opposite side of the circle, then turned quickly around. He ran towards the back of the giant in a heartbeat, rising into the air as he went. He struck the man's shoulder, full force this time, as he turned to meet the recognized threat behind him. The fighter managed one punch, directly to Lain's eye, before he flew out of the circle, landing several feet away. Lain crumpled to the ground, stars exploding before his eyes.
Slowly, he rose, nursing his injuries. He would have two nice black eyes soon, to match the many bruises he felt developing, especially on his face. But that didn't matter now. He had won. He limped slowly out of the circle, gesturing for the next person to go. He struggled to remain erect, his head now held proudly high. He had won.