Tempers Flaring

Quickly, Will scrambled out of his hiding place, entirely forgetting to replace the Knight, ran lightly along the ridgepole of the building, and slid down in front of the door. He flung it open in his excitement, startling Alyss, who looked up, wide eyed.

"Will! What's wrong? Is it Horace again? I'm sorry he's so mean Will, it's just…"

She was cut off when Will ran over to her and impulsively flung his arms around her, grinning like a maniac.

"Thanks Alyss! I knew you wouldn't let me down! Don't look so sad."

"Will, what are you talking about?"

"I was up in the attic, and I looked through a hole, and Horace was talking to you, and you told him not to make fun of me, and I was so happy, and, and," Ecstatically, he threw his arms around her again. Poor Alyss was starting to worry if Will was entirely sane; she'd never seen him like this before! Not that he was always glum and morose, but this was something else entirely!

"Will, what are you…"

She trailed off again as she noticed the piece of paper in Will's hand.

"What's that?" She pulled away and gave him a puzzled look.

"Did you draw that?"

"No, the Baron gave it to me." He puffed out his scrawny chest importantly.

"The Baron?"

"Yup."

He told her about Libby, and talking to Arald, and the sketch.

"I always wanted to be a Knight, like my father."

Confided Will, after he'd told the tale, which made the little courier-to-be laugh.

"But I'm worried that I won't get accepted into battleschool, cuz I'm so small." He sighed.

"HA! You, in battleschool? That's a joke."

Both the children were startled by the new voice.

It was Horace.

Why didn't I hear him come in? Oh no, I must've forgotten to close the door when I came in…

Will could've kicked himself for being so stupid; of all things to overhear, Horace heard Will's most cherished and secret hope, and his greatest fear. But, as usual, he fired back immediately.

"Yeah, it's as much of a joke as you being smart. You only wanna go to battleschool cuz you know you're not bright enough for anything else!" He sneered.

Growling, Horace stepped towards Will and Alyss; he was bigger, three years older, and much taller, than Will. Warily, Will took a step back.

"That's right, brawn, but no brains."

It wasn't a very diplomatic comment, but Will couldn't resist, as usual.

"Grrrr…" Horace looked like he was about to take a swing at Will; but, at the last moment, Alyss stepped between them.

"Stop! Horace, Will, this is stupid." Cried Alyss.

But this only served to enrage Horace.

"You always take his side! Get out of my way!" He pushed her roughly to the side, causing her to stumble and fall. But Horace wasn't expecting what happened next…

With a growl, Will launched himself at Horace, taking him by surprise, and making him fall back against the table, and then fall to the ground. Quickly overpowering Will, he straddled him and landed a punch to the jaw: Will bit his lip till blood came; he wouldn't show pain to Horace!

Desperately trying to roll out from under Horace before he could hit him again, Will kicked furiously and pummeled Horace's stomach. Horace yelled leaning back; Will might not be that strong, but a cornered rat will show fight.

Taking advantage of the brief relapse, Will rolled violently, throwing Horace off. He stood up quickly and tried to jump Horace before he could stand up, but Horace kicked out his left foot, catching Will full on to the stomach. Gasping for air, Will lay dazed on the ground as Horace stood up, huffing like an angry boar; he grabbed Will's collar, dragging him up and slamming him against the table. With another sucker punch, and a jab to the side, Horace stood back a moment to survey his work: Will lay moaning and grasping his side, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth.

"That'll teach you to sass me Will no-name!"

Will wiped at the corner of his mouth, glaring at the blood on his sleeve; his side ached terribly, and he gasped for breath. This was the worst fight they'd ever had, and Will wasn't sure he ever wanted to have another one like it. Ever. But his blood was boiling with adrenaline, and even the pain was severely dulled, and made him reckless.

"You hit like a girl Horace! Ha, that the best you got?"

He jumped up and faced Horace boldly.

"I hit like a girl, do I? I'll show you, you little rat!"

Sobbing on the floor, Alyss called for help, but no one came. She was terrified.

Horace ran at Will, but Will was ready for him, turning sidewise at the last minute and shoving Horace with both hands as he passed, causing him to stumble wildly and go face-first on the floor. Jumping on Horace's back, Will pummeled Horace's back furiously, while the latter kicked and struggled mightily.

"Get off me you rat!" He bellowed.

Surprisingly, Will did get off, jumping away out of reach. As he stood up, Horace noticed something on the floor- the Knight.

"Oh ho, so this is your precious drawing, is it?" Horace picked up the drawing, a contemptuous look on his face. Will froze; what to do? He was almost certain that Horace would tear it up right there if he didn't do something quick.

"Horace, y'know, that sketch is the Baron's. I'm not too sure he'd appreciate you ruining it." He tried to feign nonchalance. For once, Horace saw through the ploy.

"I heard you tell Alyss that he gave it to you; it's not his anymore." Sneering, he ripped it clean in half. Alyss gasped audibly, and Will…Will felt nothing. He was completely numb with shock: That sketch had fueled his dreams for five years- only to be torn in half.

Laughing, Horace crumpled up the drawing and threw it at Will; he missed. Before anyone could blink an eye, Alyss suddenly stood up and walked over to Horace, smacking him straight across the face.

"How dare you, you big bully!" She shouted up at him

Horace was stunned. Alyss never got angry! Mad, yes. But not smack-you-across-your-ugly-mug furious!

"You're just, just, so mean! You are an immature little boy!"Turning on her heel, she grabbed Will's hand and pulled him after her, out the door, slamming it loudly.

As he stood there, dumbfounded, Horace's cheek wasn't the only thing smarting.

A/N Ahh! A cliffie! Well, how'd you like it? I've never written a fight scene before; I tried to make it basic, cuz Horace and Will are still young: 10 and 13 respectively. :) So critiques on that will be vewy, vewy much appreciated! :3 Anywho, I was only gonna do three chaps, but, by popular demand, here ya go! I'll do one, mebby two more after this; just t'wrap it up. Any suggestions on what you want to happen next? Give me a holla!...In a review! X3 Mychele signing off! *salutes*