December 24, 2111
Catharine Darcrose
Cathy Darcrose rode on horseback towards a tourney held in honor of the anniversary of the king's coronation, escorted by Lord Mauga Lightbourne and a dozen of his men. Bannermen carried curtains of golden silk so thin, she could see right through them.
The entirety of King Road was decorated in honor of the king. Direclaw citizens stood at the edges of the road, cheering and waving banners in honor of their king. Cathy had heard talk that a hundred pavilions had been raised beside rivers and down main roads beyond the stronghold walls. Word was spread afar in an effort to attract attention to the event. She heard thousands of common folk were to watch the tournament.
After nearing the main gate leading into Direclaw, they turned off King Road and eventually found their way inside an oval shaped colosseum built close to the walls surrounding Direclaw. Cathy was led to her seat near the front row and down-path of the king's perched loge, where he sat on an extravagant throne. Royal knights accompanied King Kaydon. In the colosseum was a rectangular stage built up a meter above the ground with concrete.
The crowd soon filled the seats.
On the stage, a man came forward, and he waited as a crew placed a small booth in the center of the stage. Cathy watched as knights and warriors rode forth to enlist themselves in the tournament. Some were amateurs looking to make names of themselves, others were veterans named in a dozen songs and folktales, and Cathy knew just about none of them. Every entrant inscribed their names onto parchments for the man in the booth to shuffle into a deep bucket.
The splendor of it all was new to Cathy; the shining armor, the great chargers caparisoned in silver and gold, the shouts of the crowd, the hovering starships, and the banners snapping in the wind. Most of all, the knights were something to see. To her, all these fighters were just unnamed, unsung freeriders or men with no great deeds to their name, none that she knew anyway. Of all the contestants that entered, she only knew Mauga Lightbourne. But that didn't take away from the magnitude and atmosphere surrounding the event.
Someone caught Cathy's eye, and she saw an omelic man in armor take a seat next to her. Being that her seat was aloof from other seats, the man took the only seat next to her. He wore dressed armor the color of milk, his cloaks as white as fresh fallen snow.
"Who are you?" she asked.
He removed his helmet and placed it on his lap. "My name is Ser Jeeryn Ghallows. I'm commander of the Royal Guard."
"What are you doing next to me?"
"Just what the king asked of me. He didn't want you to be lonely."
"He's too kind for his own good."
"Agreed," Jeeryn nodded.
After all the contestants cleared, the man who had taken all the names took center stage. Around him, a few servants cleared things out. He spoke into a microphone that projected his words around the stadium. "Over one hundred contestants have entered today, but only one takes home the grand prize. We have finished with the random drawings and are ready to announce our first two contestants for the first duel. Let's hear it for the Warden of Northpoint, Lord Mauga Lightbourne! And his opponent, a young knight of Dove's Ridge who's looking to make a name of himself, Ser Gregor Mallister. Let the contestants take to the stage."
Uproarious cheers came from the crowd.
Mauga took the right. He wore the white cloak, and beneath it he was shining whitegold from head to foot, with a helmet carved smooth like a lake at the dawn. His shoulder plates and helmet were both marked with his house's sigil, a golden sun with a halo ring around it in the night sky. Gregor took the left. His armor was bronze and rigid. Each bowed in respect of one another.
"As with all duels today, first one to either lose his lifepack or fall out of the stage loses. Let's begin!" The announcer stepped off the stage, and the two contestants moved towards each other.
"What's a Lifepack?" Cathy asked Jeeryn.
"It's that little device stuck to both contestant's chest and back. If one is cut, they lose."
Mauga and Gregor ignited their hyperswords. The crowd was astonished at Mauga's blade, which was the same white-bladed, short-framed sword Cathy saw before. Gregor's was deep blue in color and a standard broad-framed hypersword.
"Aren't they worried about cutting each other?" Cathy asked.
"All hyperswords can have their intensity adjusted by the user. Right now, the blades won't cut through the armor."
Not what Cathy expected of omelics or what she read about common tournaments held by kings on Omulice.
A servant came forth. "Would the lady and ser care for any beverages?"
"Wine for me," Jeeryn said.
"Water," Cathy said.
The servant left them, soon retuning with their drinks.
Meanwhile, Mauga and Gregor had started to spar. Gregor's footwork was fluid and light and carried smooth rotation with his blade. Just what you'd expect from a young knight. Even so, his movements and attacks weren't working for the moment, as Mauga's guard was unshaken.
Jeeryn let loose some laughter.
"I missed the joke," said Cathy.
"Ser Gregor doesn't stand a chance."
"He's bigger than Lord Mauga. Surely, that works to his advantage."
"Take a look at Mauga's form."
Cathy's eyes watched Mauga. He used the entire ring as his playing field, deflecting away Gregor's attacks. Every advance Gregor made on Mauga was countered by swift and defensive agility. His body was lower to the ground, and his blade was always in front of him.
"Enlighten me. I'm no expert on swordsmanship."
"Take a look at his grip. See how he uses a reverse grip… some call it an icepick grip. Practitioners of Style V, also known as Jarrlinbar, use such a grip, and Lord Mauga is quite adept at this style of fighting. Notice his bent knees, how he keeps his center of mass lower to the ground, and how he is always behind his blade?"
"I do."
"Those are all keys for Jarrlinbar duelists such as Lord Mauga. It is a great defensive technique, and I'm afraid Gregor's meager use of Style I, called Barriz, won't be enough. Needless to say, this is no match."
Almost on his words, Mauga parried a misplaced attack. Gregor's footing wavered, and Mauga sideways-swung with a downward attack. Gregor blocked, but Mauga's momentum let him jump into another swiping slash. That attack forced Gregor back, and he wildly brought an attack over his head and down at Mauga. Mauga dodged to the side and spun over Gregor's hunched body, back to back. From the other side, he dropped and spun his leg to trip Gregor, which left him wide open. Mauga capitalized and was able to cut straight through the lifepack on Gregor's chest.
"And that's the duel!" shouted the announcer.
The crowd applauded and cheered. Both contestants bowed and left the arena. The next duel was prepared. Before Cathy got to see it, a servant came to her.
"Lord Lightbourne would like to speak with you."
Cathy looked to Jeeryn, and he nodded. So, she followed the servant.
Cathy was motioned into a room inside the inner layers of the coliseum. She entered. Hypershields displayed on the wall, hung high next to armor. Along the room were plentiful tables with scraps of spare metal and tools. A liter of wine sat adjacent to a cup made of a polished horn.
In the pale light of a center, single bulb hanging from the ceiling, the lord sat on a stool, looking to the ground as if in a trance. He held some rough-hewn features and scars that had come from a fair amount of battle. Cathy looked at his face, noticing a birthmark just over his chin resembling a sun. She wondered if it was mere happenstance that his sigil and birthmark looked so similar.
Another individual was in the room - a thinly male omelic. He loosened the shoulder plates before taking them completely off Mauga's armor set. Next, he began to work on the piece around the lord's torso.
Mauga pointed backward. "This is my squire, Heuw. Found him begging for coins when he was only five."
Cathy bowed to the lord. "My lord. You summoned me."
"Forgive me for intruding on your festivities, but I hadn't had a proper chance to greet you."
"Pleasure's all mine. King Kaydon had a few good things to say on your behalf."
"He gives me more credit than I'm worthy of." Mauga turned his head to face Cathy.
"He says you helped save the kingdom."
"I purely led by values taught to me by my father. What resulted should be credited to him."
"It takes more than just values to reshape a kingdom."
"Perhaps you're correct."
"Take this colosseum, for example. When I was little, I read stories about tournaments like this. From every story I've read, there's always blood, and even death. But this tournament is different. And I take it you had something to do with that."
He scratched his chin. "Life has value. No sense in wasting it with games such as these."
"That's why you created lifepacks, correct? Other kingdoms fight in a more tradition sense, allowing their knights to potentially die, while your kingdom's knights live with the experience gained from dueling."
"You're quite the tactician," Mauga complimented. "And while all of what you mentioned has its strategic value, it was always about the lives for me. If I had my will sought through, all kingdoms would be living in peace, not war."
"You don't sound like a man that enjoys fighting."
"A knight should never shed blood in hatred of the enemies in front of him. Instead, a knight should fight for what he loves behind him." Mauga paused and looked down to his side. "That's something my father taught me."
"He was a wise man."
Mauga brushed off the compliment. "What is it you fight for?"
"Freedom."
Mauga beamed.
Heuw, his squire, finished removing the armor from around his torso. He followed with the under layer of cloth, leaving Mauga bare-chested. Cathy noticed that vein-like abrasions seemed to originate at Mauga's back, some tunneling over his sides.
Cathy pointed to it. Mauga looked down and back at Cathy. "See for yourself," he said.
Cathy began to walk around Mauga, circling him until she could see a shelled creature dug right into the center of his back, right at his spine, with what seemed like tiny tentacles penetrating his skin and creating those vein-like abrasions. The creature had three heads, two of which seemed to have their jaws clamped firmly against two different gems - one like a diamond, the other yellow in color. She remembered reading about these creatures once before but had since forgotten.
"They are called scarlencouls. Before one is knighted, the individual must've gone through the bonding process with one of these creatures," Mauga informed.
"Does it hurt?" Her interest was piqued.
"Our bond is symbiotic. It feeds off the energy created by my body. In turn, I can wield a non-neutral hypersword. Without scarlencouls, omelics would only be able to operate silver-based hyperswords."
"And what about humans?"
"No other species can bond with scarlencouls. And scarlencouls are the only creatures that can manipulate geminite, otherwise known as the minerals that power our hyper-weaponry." Mauga looked to his squire. "Bring me that chart over there off the wall."
The squire handed Mauga the chart, who handed it to Cathy. The chart showed images of nine different colored blades and listed them as follows:
Silver-Base: Neutral, requires no scarlencouls.
Sapphire-Base: Commitment & Loyalty
Citrine-Base: Duty, Honor, & Justice.
Amber-Base: Exhilaration & Enthusiasm.
Ruby-Base: Fury & Strength.
Amethyst-Base: Gallantry & Courage.
Emerald-Base: Patience & Composure.
Bronzine-Base: Valor & Empowerment.
Bloominite-Base: Peace & Love.
Cathy handed Mauga the chart back. "I'm not sure what to make of all this."
Mauga let loose some laughter. He reached and grabbed a marker and began to write on the chart. "Maybe this would help a bit." He handed her the chart again. It read:
Silver-Base (Gray): Neutral, requires no scarlencouls.
Sapphire-Base (Blue): Commitment & Loyalty.
Citrine-Base (Yellow): Duty, Honor, & Justice.
Amber-Base (Orange): Exhilaration & Enthusiasm.
Ruby-Base (Red): Fury & Strength.
Amethyst-Base (Violet): Gallantry & Courage.
Emerald-Base (Green): Patience & Composure.
Bronzine-Base (Brown): Valor & Empowerment.
Bloominite-Base (Pink): Peace & Love.
Mauga continued. "Hyperswords are more than just swords of intensely focused, rapidly spinning energy. Every sword has character. Every tint has its own emotional mark." Mauga's eyes sparkled with joy as he spoke. "A blue-bladed hypersword is created by using sapphire-based geminite in the sword. And the user of such will have urges partial towards commitment and loyalty. And through training, one can learn to control these heightened urges properly and proportionally."
Cathy was left wondering about Mauga's white-bladed hypersword. "I don't see the chart mention any hyperswords like yours."
Mauga stepped off the stool, moving with excitement in his steps. He grabbed his hypersword and handed the handle to Cathy. "This treasure has been passed down my family for generations. The diamond-based geminite that powers it is legendary and extremely rare to find."
"So some tints aren't common?"
"That chart you looked at also lists the tints in descending order from most common to the least common being the bottommost tint."
"It's all so fascinating. But this raises a question. I noticed pink-bladed hyperswords inspire peace and love. If that's the case, would the world not be better if more used this blade?"
Mauga went hysterical. "It all sounds great in an ideal world. But in all my time alive, I've never seen an omelic male choose to use pink geminite. They associate it with weakness and femininity."
Sounds like this world still has a ways to go, Cathy thought.
"Besides, it's all relative. What if one believes peace is brought by regicide or has love of violence? Every emotion is malleable to the man who feels it - another thing my father once said."
There was no denying that Mauga had a solid point there. "You're right," Cathy agreed. She handed Mauga back his hypersword. "I enjoyed the show you gave. And you were great."
Mauga was humbled. "I appreciate your praise. My father spent a lot of time training me himself when I was but a young man. I've him to thank."
"Ser Jeeryn was sure you were going to win based on your swordsmanship style. It was all too technical for me to follow fully."
Mauga gestured to the counter. "Heuw, grab my copy of The Eight Combat Styles for True Swordsmen." Heuw retrieved a book that looked familiar to Cathy and handed it to her. Mauga explained, "This is a great starter book to read if you are interested in hypersword combat. At the beginning, it gives a summary of the eight main styles that you could look for as the tourney continues. There are more specialized techniques used in hypersword combat, but the eight in this book are the most versatile and well-recognized. I hope this will make your experience today that much better."
Cathy bowed in graciousness. "You're too kind."
He nodded. "Please. I've taken up too much of your time. I'll have my squire show you back to your seat." He gestured to his squire.
"Just one more question, before I leave. Ever heard of the Brotherhood of Relics?"
Mauga studied Cathy for a moment. "Only what everyone else has heard."
Like she figured. He wasn't going to be able to help her. In fact, it seemed like it was going to be all on her.
Cathy rejoined Ser Jeeryn in time to see another duel start. The stands were beginning to stir. Fat sausages sizzled on spirts over grill fires, spicing the air with the scents of garlic and pepper. A servant with a goose under his arm strode past the seats below Cathy. The crowd was even more engaged than before.
Just as that duel started, Cathy opened the book given to her by Mauga and turned to the summary. It listed the eight main techniques, also called styles, of hypersword combat with a brief description that would help her recognize it. The rest of the book was dedicated to explaining in more depth each of the eight styles by listing training methods, motions to use, mindsets to study, and much more. Cathy read the summary in her head:
Technique I - Barriz: A technique for amateurs learning the craft. Barriz covers the basics of attacks, parries, body target zones, and practice drills. Utilizes fluid legwork and sweeping motions. This well-rounded technique focuses on disarming opponents instead of landing fatal strikes.
Technique II - Delfvii: An effective defensive technique. Best used if wielder does not wish to be hit, or if wielder is facing many opponents with ranged weaponry. With a hypersword blade and enough skill in anticipating attacks, Delfvii is an excellent defensive tool, but in combat against another hypersword wielder, it merely delays the inevitable. Utilizes tight moves, subtle dodges and short sweeps designed to provide maximum defensive coverage, leaving the duelist less exposed to ranged weapons. Stresses quick reflexes and fast transitioning of position. Mindset is to always be moving opposite of attacker so as not to be hit.
Technique III - Toloum: Technique that carries a heavy focus on protecting one's hypersword to avoid being disarmed. Anticipation of a hypersword being swung at wielder is a focus, and as so requires very fluid movements of both the hypersword and the body. Timing, accuracy, and skill, rather than strength, are relied upon to defeat one's opponent. This is a duelist techniques suited for one on one combat which specializes in using opponents attacks against them. Unlike many techniques, it is based on holding one spot. This technique is best achieved by either positioning one hand near the top of the hilt and another at the bottom or with an angled grip, which is recommended.
Technique IV - Parmudo: Utilizes distanced attacks with long, thin swords and agile dodging. A technique that focuses around avoiding close combat with other hypersword duelists. Utilizes quick jabs and swift strikes. Mindset is if an opponent cannot reach duelist, then they stand no threat.
Technique V - Jarrlinbar: Defensive technique that is focused on utilizing a reversed handle grip for highly mobile defense. Better for protecting others than most other defensive techniques. Achieved by putting hilt close to wielder's center mass. Knees and body should be bent to lower center of mass, and blade is often kept in front of person. Utilizes atheism, agility, and awareness.
Technique VI - Aargo: Though this technique is highly aggressive, it is focused, and its best use is in combat against other duelists. Utilizes power and strength into strikes to overpower enemies. Powerful, wide attacks are to give wielder complete domination of opponents. Often incorporates hand and leg attacks. Larger framed swords are recommended.
Technique VII - Svyn: Utilizes speed and haste to move past enemies' defense. Best used with advanced knightly technology to move quickly. This technique is best suited for one on one combat. Can exhaust wielder much sooner than other techniques but is very difficult to defend against.
Technique VIII - Dezzlow: Form involving the use of more than one blade at once. Often combined with other techniques for fullest results.
On occasion, Cathy looked away from the summary to catch highlights of the duels. She found once she finished reading that summary, the tournament became more enjoyable to watch. Knowing how the swordsmen fought helped her appreciate their time training even more. The duels went on all day and into dusk. A dozen times, Cathy heard the crowd cry out in unison as fighters clashed blades with each other. Lifepacks exploded into splinters while the commoners screamed for their favorites.
The time came when it was down to the final two, both names Cathy had already forgotten. Then the sun went behind a cloud and disappeared. The fighting began and ended rather rapidly. A man in blue armor with a violet hypersword bashed the other knight dressed in red armor and a yellow hypersword out of the arena.
His head hit the ground with an audible crack that made the crowd gasp. But it was just the red antler on his helm. One of the tines had snapped off beneath him. When he climbed to his feet, the commoners cheered wildly for his well-being and, of course, for the winner of the tournament. He handed the broken tine to his conqueror with a gracious bow. The champion snorted and tossed the broken antler into the crowd, where the commoners began to punch and claw over the keepsake until some guards walked out among them and restored the peace.
The servants kept the cups filled all night as an entertainment show commemorated the day. It was a show with actors playing characters of a well-known folktale in these lands. Singers eventually came to the stage, filling the dusk with music as the show continued through the night. At one point, a juggler kept a cascade of burning clubs spinning through the air.
Later came the course meals of the event. Sweetbreads and banana-strawberry pie and baked apricots fragrant with cinnamon and lemon cakes frosted in sugar. The banana-strawberry pie was Cathy's quick favorite. That is to say, it didn't quite reach the level of watermelons for her, however. The end of the show concluded the event and the night. The commute out of the colosseum was slow and tiresome. But eventually Cathy made it back to her chambers after almost an hour of riding. She tossed her exhausted body on the mattress and dozed off in preparation for the next day.