Legacy

Ten years later . . .

It had happened mere days after his beloved older brother was taken from the world of the living. James gave nary a second thought to enrolling in King Lionel’s military academy, all in hopes of someday becoming as accomplished a soldier as William. Though his parents were less than enthused by the idea of another son joining the king’s army, they did little to stand in the way of James’ greatest desire.

Like most every other day, James spent his afternoon refining his craft with Avery, one of the academy’s instructors. Avery had been taught by William the art of swordplay, so it was decided that he would pass down that knowledge to James. Despite the sizable gap in their ages, he and James were the closest of friends.

But if someone unaware of the friendship the two shared had stumbled upon one of their training sessions, they surely would have assumed the two were the bitterest of enemies, as neither ever held back when in the midst of training.

Avery used a temporary lull in the action to further fan James’ competitive flame. “I don’t recall telling you to take it easy on me,” he said. For his taunt, Avery was met with a barrage of attacks, prompting him to laugh boisterously. “That’s the spirit. A sword as magnificent as your brother’s should always be put to such good use.”

James’ strikes came with far less fervor after that until the young swordsman eventually brought his assault to an end. “I think we’ve done enough training for one day,” he said. Even ten years after William’s demise, the mere mention of him was enough to take the fighting spirit completely out of James.

“Agreed,” said Avery, taking a seat on the grassy hilltop. “It’s far too nice a day to be doing such a thing anyway. We should make better use of it.”

James sat down beside his friend.

“Are you excited about your birthday?” asked Avery.

“I suppose so,” replied James, who was now lying flat on his back so that he could gaze at the endless sky above. “It’s one of the few reasons they give us for taking a break from training. And I could use a break. This place is starting to feel like a prison.”

“You’re just restless. And don’t complain to me about this place feeling like a prison. I’ve been here a lot longer than you have. If either of us has the right to complain, it should be me. I still have a lot more time to serve.”

“Why are you two always up here?” asked Jaycee, finishing her trek up the hill. “The hike probably takes more out of you than the training.” She, too, was a student at the academy, but the sword was not her weapon of choice. Jaycee’s choosing of the staff was based on the fact that it was a weapon far less capable of taking a life than a sword. The fair young lady then took her usual place beside James.

“I take it you’ve finished your training for the day,” said Avery.

Jaycee nodded. “I don’t think Mateen likes training with me anymore,” she said. “Ever since I beat him in last month’s games, he acts like he has something to prove.”

“Well, no instructor likes to be bested by one of his students,” said James. “And I’m sure it didn’t make him feel any better that it was a girl who beat him.”

“I make no apologies for being a girl.”

“I’m glad I don’t know what it’s like to lose to a student,” said Avery.

“Yes, but you're still just an assistant instructor,” said Jaycee.

The touchy subject prompted Avery to quickly change the topic. “I suppose you’ll be joining me and James on our trip,” he said.

“Of course. James can’t have a birthday without me. Besides, his parents love me. They always treat me so well when we go visit them.”

“I wonder why,” whispered Avery.

“Did you say something?” asked Jaycee.

“I didn’t say a thing. Let’s just be glad that we have a reprieve from training for a while. You know, they don’t let just anyone take friends with them on their birthday. It’s because our little James is the most cherished pupil in the entire academy.”

Night had reclaimed its place as master of the sky.

Hidden away from prying eyes in the deep forest was the camp of a group of society’s most unsavory. This band of brigands was known not only for the immense size of the outfit but for the brutality for which it had shown through the years. They were guilty of every major crime imaginable and sought by every kingdom in the land.

On this night, the brigands were celebrating yet another successful plunder. The ale was flowing freely and the venison was aplenty. And nothing went to waste as what fell from the mouths of the revelers was quickly snatched by dogs just as mangy as their masters.

Unbeknownst to the brigands, Sage had entered their camp and was watching them intently. Anyone who had seen the young man at the time he had taken William’s life would be more than a bit surprised to find that he hadn’t aged since that fateful day.

“Filthy animals,” said Sage.

One of the brigands discovered the newcomer. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded to know. To hasten a response, the rogue drew his sword.

Upon discovering Sage, more brigands began drawing their weapons. The dogs shared in their masters’ aggression and began barking at the intruder.

“This is a pretty one,” said one of the brigands. “Maybe we shouldn’t kill him just yet. Let’s have a little fun with him first.”

“I asked you a question,” said the first brigand. “Who the hell are you?”

When Shadow Kahn emerged from the woods to take his place beside Sage, the dogs began to whimper. The brigands also became less aggressive. They had no way of knowing who the man who had entered their camp was, but there was something very unsettling about him that made them wary.

“Who are you?” asked the brigand in a far less authoritative tone.

A man with an eye patch pushed his way through the crowd and took his place at the front. “What’s going on over here?” he asked.

“Raspheet,” said the brigand. “Two intruders have trespassed into our camp.”

Raspheet, the leader of the brigands, pushed the man away. “I’m not blind,” he exclaimed. “I still have one good eye.” He then began looking over Shadow Kahn and Sage. “You two must not know who we are, or you wouldn’t have dared set foot in our camp. Still, what could have possessed you two to come here?”

“Our beloved King Lionel,” said Shadow Kahn.

The mention of the king’s name prompted Raspheet to spit on the ground and the other brigands to hurl insults at the man mentioned. “You two wouldn’t happen to be friends of his, would you?” he asked. “Because he’s sentenced many in our ranks to their deaths, which means we don’t take too kindly to him or his friends.”

“Is it retribution that you seek?”

“Of course we want revenge,” said Raspheet. “But his army’s too powerful. No army, let alone a group of bandits, would stand a chance against him.”

“What if the odds were more heavily in your favor?”

“Even if someone could make that happen,” said Raspheet, “why should I lead my men to what might turn out to be their slaughter?”

“Other than to punish the man who has punished so many of you?” asked Shadow Kahn. He then presented a small velvet bag, which he tossed to the crowd. When it hit the ground, out spilled a number of gold coins. Seeing this, the brigands made a mad scramble for the money. They clawed at and bit each other over ownership of the treasure.

“Hmph, child’s play,” said Raspheet.

“There is far more where that came from,” said Shadow Kahn. “I have mountains of these trinkets and absolutely no use for them. But if you have better ways to make this amount of money, then we shall take our leave. Come, loyal Sage.”

“Wait,” said Raspheet. “I don’t know what your reasons are for wanting this, but you seem just as thirsty for the king’s blood as the rest of us, maybe even more to make a request to the likes of us.”

“So . . . what is your answer?” asked Shadow Kahn.

“If you can make good on your promise,” said Raspheet, “then we’ll join you.”