Chapter 5 - Tir

Chapter - Tir


Tir fell flat on his back. He coughed as he tried to regain his breath.


"I thought the Bal'Zulans were quicker than that," his foe jested. The others laughed.


Tir's face flashed with anger. He had to get up. He had to show them that he was strong enough to become a Judicar. As the youngest son of House Zulan he had no choice. He had to.


Tir regained himself and picked up his sword. He was not born with spellcraft so swordplay was his only chance of becoming a Judicar.


He got to his feet and lunged left, but his opponent sidestepped quickly and parried. Tir managed to raise his sword in time, but a quick succession of blows and he lost his footing, falling back again. More laughter.


Neyrn Janesse looked at him, a cold hard stare, he despised that look. Tir reached for his sword and when he looked back, she had already gone. He would be nothing but a disappointment to his mother, who only had eyes for his older brother.


Tir left the scrimmage sore and bruised, the swords might be wooden, but that didn't mean they felt like feathers when they slammed into you. He was angry, angry at his mother, and at the laughter, but mostly angry at himself.


- How are you going to become a judicar like that, they will laugh you right out of the tourneys -


He kicked a large pebble as he walked, not really going anywhere but away from the Zulan estate. As he walked he was lost in his own thoughts, as he oft was at these times. He could not tell the time, the shadows of the Zenron Range covered the world. Before he knew it, he was at the city walls and night had fallen. The stars had begun appearing, shy at first, but after the first few, the rest seemed to follow. The moon too had decided to visit Tir, laughing at him like all the rest no doubt.


Tir began walking along the outer rim of the Reserve, he did not feel like going back home today so he decided to retire at Court, the royal castle was likely closer now than House Zulan.


"She's a pretty thing, Brother."


Tir halted in his tracks, his ears perking up slightly as the sound of a man's voice came from not too far away.


"Just grab her purse and let's go."


"But brother, can't we have a little fun?"


"Do as I say you half-wit. Why mother decided to have any more kids is beyond me."


Before he knew what he was doing, Tir had drawn his wooden sword and turned the alley corner to meet the men.


"Let her go!"


Tir saw two men, one short and scruffy with more than a little belly on him and the other tall and sleek, wearing a strange tall hat.


"Well lookey here brother, another pretty girl come to save the day. What should we do with her?"


"Best be off boy, or I will let my idiot brother here have a go at you."


Tir ignored them, lunging forward. He quickly smacked the fat on across the belly before parrying a swing from the tall one. The fat one fell to the ground, holding his stomach.


"She been hurting me brother," he cried.


Tir dodged left as the tall one swung again. The big man took his sword in both hands and lunged. Tir managed to raise his sword in the nick of time.


- Crack -


The wooden sword had splintered in two under the weight of the swing. He looked back at the tall man, who was now smirking. He fell forward as something knocked into him from behind, slamming him against the wall. Tir fell to his knees from the blow. He looked up at the girl.


"RUN!" He shouted.


She stood transfixed though, staring directly at him, horror clear on her face.


"Now! Run now!"


She did not move. Tir looked down, his hand was covering a red stain and his velvet tunic was wet. Tir looked back at the girl, there were tears now, gently rolling down her cheeks.


"You idiot, what did you?!"


"I been saving you brother."


"Fool, do you not see his coat, that is the crest of House Zulan."


The tall man grabbed the fat man's arm and ran.


Next chapter - NoreSo here is the Temple of the Prophet Najrasi from Jirard's chapter It is modelled after the beautiful Notre Dame. I will be making Brother Jirard and some story images soon! The symbol in the front (in the hedges) is the Symbol of the Maker.