PAUSING FOR A MOMENT, TRISTAN WIPED THE SWEATfrom his brow. The midday sun was hot, and Aeolus had refused to let him drink. Nor had he eaten since breakfast. His chest heaving, he tried to reclaim his breath. This was only the first day of his training, yet he already found Aeolus’ brand of discipline agonizing.
They had been at it all morning. Although Aeolus had been duplicating Tristan’s every move, the old man had hardly broken a sweat. Nor was his breathing labored. Seeing Tristan stop without permission, he scowled.
“Again,” he ordered.
Lowering his wooden staff, Tristan shook his head. “We have been at this for four hours without a break or anything to drink! Are you trying to kill me?” Leaning over, he put his hands on his knees to take a rest.
Aeolus walked closer and took the prince by the shoulders. He raised him up and looked him in the eyes.
“No, but others have tried, and it seems a safe bet that more will,” Aeolus answered. “Just what will you tell your enemy on a hot day, eh? That His Highness needs to stop for a cool drink?” Sighing, Aeolus calmly clasped his hands before him.
“It might interest you to know that there are students twice your age at the Serpent and the Sword who can do this sort of thing all day,” he added. “Before clay becomes brick, it must withstand the kiln.”
Tristan took another deep breath. “You’re starting to sound like Wigg,” he said.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Aeolus answered emotionlessly. “Now then-back to work.”
“All we’ve done is trace patterns in the grass like foolish school-children!” Tristan protested. “I thought I was going to learn to fight!”
“Learning to move properly is the key to all that will follow,” Aeolus said. “First you must hone such skills as the one you practice now. Only then will we work with live blades. Have you forgotten your failure to strike me down yesterday? Or thatyou came tome, asking to be trained?”
“No,” Tristan answered grudgingly.
“Very well,” Aeolus answered. “Start again.” After backing away he clapped his hands, signaling that the exercises should resume.
Save for the Paragon and his gold medallion, Tristan stood naked from the waist up in the blazing sun. Sweat poured from him as he marshaled what energy he had left. Taking a deep breath, he collected his thoughts and recommenced the exercise.
Earlier this morning Aeolus had shown him how to become lighter on his feet as he moved. He had also demonstrated how to travel, swivel, and turn smoothly without bobbing his head and shoulders. The raising or lowering of an enemy’s upper torso was a telltale sign of attack, he had said. Learn to recognize its advent and you will gain your first defensive advantage. Learn to move your body without it, and you will have gained your first offensive one.
But Tristan quickly realized that seeing Aeolus do it, and doing it himself, were two very different things. Because he was forced to stay slightly bent at the knees, the exercise was excruciating to his thighs and calves.
Raising his staff for what seemed the thousandth time, Tristan again started a zigzagging path across the grass. The goal was to complete the circuit and end up in the exact spot from which he had started without once looking down. Aeolus had pulled some grass from the ground to mark the exercise’s starting and stopping point.
On coming to the circuit’s end, Tristan checked his location. He had done better this time, his boots landing less than a foot from the starting place.
Smoothly lowering his staff the way Aeolus had taught him, Tristan looked into his teacher’s eyes. Surely the old wizard would have something complimentary to say this time.
“When you can return to the exact starting point while blindfolded and performing perfect sword cuts along the way, you will have finally accomplished something,” was Aeolus’ only comment. “Even so, it will be but a baby step. Now do it again.”
Sighing, Tristan wiped his face and began the exercise anew.
Aeolus had surprisingly arrived at the palace gates before dawn. Tristan had ordered Ox to greet him, but neither of them had guessed that the old man would arrive so early. Ox had shown Aeolus to his quarters, and the master had insisted on waking the prince himself.
Not knowing what else to do, Ox allowed Aeolus entry to Tristan’s private rooms. As Aeolus noisily rousted Tristan from his bed, all Ox could do was to offer Tristan an apologetic look. From this day until the Conclave’s return, Aeolus had said, he expected the prince to be in the courtyard just before daybreak, ready and eager to train.
As Tristan finished the circuit he saw Abbey and Ox approaching. Hoping that he had just been saved, he let go a deep breath.
“We need to speak with you,” Abbey told Tristan. She turned to Aeolus and smiled. “Welcome back to the palace, by the way,” she said.
“Thank you,” Aeolus answered. “But my stay is temporary.”
“What is it?” Tristan asked Abbey. “Has the fleet returned?”
“No,” she said. Her expression soured. “It’s about Clan Kilbourne. They are nearing the city. Hector wisely flew on ahead of them, so as to inform us. He wishes to know whether you have any orders for him or for the highlanders.”
It wasn’t often that one saw surprise overtake Aeolus’ face. He gave the prince a questioning glance.
“Highlanders?”he asked.
Tristan nodded. “We have an arrangement. In return for a homeland of their own, their horsemen are going to temporarily join the Minion forces as cavalry.”
Pursing his lips, Aeolus shook his head. “Highlander cavalry…” he mused. He gave Abbey a wry look.
“If that’s the case, you’d best hide all the horses and tack, not to mention the palace silverware,” Aeolus added. “And a highlander homeland, no less? Wigg’s and Faegan’s reactions to this development should prove most interesting.”
Abbey shook her head. “They’re not all that way,” she protested. “I’ve often bought herbs from highlanders over the years and I’ve never been cheated or robbed.”
After giving Abbey an approving smile, Tristan looked at Ox. “How far is the clan from the city?” he asked.
“They be three leagues away to the northeast,” Ox answered.
Tristan thought for a moment. He knew that his agreement with the highlanders would be controversial among the Tammerland citizens. Three leagues was close enough, he decided.
“Tell Hector to fly back,” he ordered Ox. “He is to ask the clan elders to make camp where they are. Rafe and I will visit them after I bathe and get something to eat.” He thought for a moment. “Have a litter made ready,” he added.
Ox’s face screwed up. “It be only three leagues,” he said. “Jin’Saino take Shadow?”
His legs still burning with fatigue, Tristan shook his head. “No,” he answered simply. Out of the corner of her eye, Abbey saw Aeolus stifle a smile.
“We’re done for today,” Tristan told Aeolus. He handed the master his wooden staff.
Aeolus bowed. “Until tomorrow morning, Jin’Sai, ” he said.
Abbey walked to Aeolus and threaded one arm through his. “In the meantime, let’s you and I have some lunch, then I’ll reacquaint you with the palace and the Redoubt,” she offered. “Much has changed since you were last here. Even so, our tour should bring back many pleasant memories.”
Aeolus smiled. “Thank you,” he said. “Is your nerveweed tea still as good as I remember?”
Abbey gave Aeolus a wink. “Even better,” she answered. “After all, I’ve had three more centuries during which to practice.”
Ox gave Tristan a hopeful look. “I go withJin’Sai to see highlanders,” he said. “Ox never see highlanders before! Everyone say they be thieves!” His face took on a glowering seriousness. “I no let them steal anything!”
Tristan smiled. Knowing how he had disappointed the warrior yesterday, he decided to agree this time. “All right,” he answered. “You can come.”
After walking to collect his vest and his weapons, Tristan accompanied everyone back to the palace.