Part 1
"Perfect Guy! Excellent!" The swords master said as Guy knelt over his opponent with the sword tip at the boy's throat. Guy withdrew the sword and helped the boy up. The other boys looked at Guy and in awe. They all knew that praise from the sword master was rare and was never given unless exceptional skill had been displayed. "Vasey will be very pleased with your progress." The sword master said placing his hand on Guy's shoulder. Guy was only fifteen years old and taller than the other boys that he trained with.
"Nicholas; you're paired with Guy for this round." The sword master said and another sparring session began.
That evening one of the guards led Guy to the quarters where the older boys slept.
"These are your new quarters." The guard said and opened the door to the small house. Guy walked to the bunk bed at the far end of the room. A nineteen year old jumped down from the top bunk.
"You must be very skilled to have gotten to advanced training already." The young man said. Guy shrugged.
"What's wrong?" the young man asked. Guy shook his head and quickly wiped away the tears in his eyes. "You can tell me." Guy looked around to make sure none of the other boys were listening.
"Vasey," Guy whispered so softly that his companion could barely hear him "Vasey…he…he…he…he's taken a liking to me."
"Oh." the boy said in understanding.
"Should I tell someone?"
"Even if you did tell someone, no one would believe you."
"You do; don't you." The boy nodded.
"Has he done this to you?"
"No; to my older brother. He's the head of the guards." The boy said sitting down next to Guy. "When did this start?"
"When I was eleven. You're right; I can't tell anyone. I'm all alone."
"You need a friend don't you?" Guy nodded. "I'll be your friend, if you want. You can tell me anything. I'm good at keeping secrets."
"Alright;" Guy said and smiled. "My name's Guy."
"I'm Allan." The boy said. "I'll do my best protect you from Vasey when I can." Guy shook his head.
"I can take care of myself."
"Are you sure?" Guy nodded.
"Very well; but if you need anything, I'd happy to help you."
"Thanks."
"Impressive!" Allan said during target practice a few months later as Guy's arrow hit the bull's eye for the tenth time in a row. Allan came to stand next to Guy. "A word of advice," Allan whispered. "Try to mess up more often. Not so much that Vasey's decides you're an idiot, but enough for him to stop paying attention to you."
"I can't." Guy said and released another arrow striking the bull's eye yet again.
"Why not?"
"Because I can't!" Guy yelled. Guy sighed. "I'm sorry Allan. I, I shouldn't have yelled at you. I just…I don't know why, but I just can't."
"Remember what I said; you need anything, I'm here for you." Allan said.
"I know;" Guy smiled. "You're my friend Allan. You're my only friend."
"Well, this is it!" Allan smiled.
"You'll do wonderfully!" Guy said.
"I hope so; to think I've been training for this most of my life. I must admit I'm surprised I beat you to this." Guy smiled and shrugged.
"It will be my turn soon enough."
"That it will." Allan smiled and walked over to the dresser he shared with Guy. He took some things out of one of the drawers and walked back over to Guy. "Here; I want you to have these." Allan said handing Guy a bundle of clothing.
"But…" Guy stammered "This is your uniform, your gloves, your jacket. These are yours."
"I want you to have them." Allan smiled at him. The guard called for Allan to come out to field. "Listen to me Guy; you are better than Vasey. Remember that always!" Guy nodded. He turned and reverently put the clothing Allan had given in on his pillow.
"Ready?" Guy asked. Allan wrapped him up in a brotherly hug.
"I always wanted a little brother;" He said looking at Guy "you were the answer to my prayers. Let's make a promise to always remember each other, no matter where our lives take us."
"I give you my word of honor that I will never forget you Allan of Bradford." Guy said smiling.
"I give you my word of honor that I will never forget you Guy of Gisborne." Allan said taking Guy's outstretched hand.
"Let's go." Allan said and they walked out to the field. All the other boys including those who were going to try out for Vasey's a spot as Vasey's guards or soldiers were lined one side of the field to cheer Allan on. Allan and one of the soldiers drew their swords. The fight was soon underway. Cheering on both sides; side was Allan's classmates and friends cheering him, the other were Vasey's guards cheering on the guard. Suddenly Allan fell to the ground; a pool pf blood flowed from just his rib cage.
"Allan!!" Guy screamed and took a step forward only to be held back by one of the other boys. "Let me go Joseph! Let me go!"
"No Guy! There's nothing you can do!" Joseph said. Guy wiggled out of Joseph's grasp and ran for the older boys' quarters. He didn't stop running until he reached his bunk bed. He climbed up to Allan's bunk, curled up in a ball and let the tears he had been holding back flow freely down his cheeks.