Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns: An Epic Fantasy Dragon Novel (Dragonia Empire Book 1)
Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns – Chapter 25

Devarius stood in the courtyard as the first sun rose. He breathed steadily as he admired his new sword. It had taken the blacksmith three weeks to perfect it. The first four blades weren’t balanced enough for the blacksmith, so he’d remelted the metal for other things. However, the fifth blade had a perfect balance. The blacksmith was rather proud of it, but he’d admitted it took the other blacksmith and the two apprentices working together to create the perfect mold for the weapon. Devarius had thanked every one of them.

The blade wasn’t sharp yet. He’d requested to use the blade before the blacksmith sharpened it. He wanted to practice with the captain with his new weapon before it was sharpened. Actually, he wanted to defeat the captain with his new blade before having it sharpened. He’d come close a few times with a practice sword, impressing several of the recruits, but unlike Paedyn, Devarius hadn’t bested him yet.

Tynaer stepped in front of Devarius. The captain studied Devarius’s new weapon. Tynaer held out his hand.

“May I?”

Devarius handed the weapon over.

Tynaer inspected it closely, running his bare hand across the side of the blade and bringing it close to his face to inspect the craftsmanship.

“Did Smithy make this for you?”

“Yes,” Devarius said. “Actually, it took him, the other blacksmith, and their two apprentices to get it just right.”

“Hmm.” Tynaer tested the balance of the weapon. “It’s well balanced, and beautifully crafted. I hope it’ll be worth it.”

Devarius raised a brow.

Tynaer looked at him. “I’d hate for them to spend so much time to create a new weapon, taking away from their tasks of creating all the weapons our army needs, to forge you a blade. It would be a shame if you never improved enough to properly use it.”

“I will. Watch me,” Devarius growled.

Tynaer grinned at him as he handed the sword back.

Devarius gripped the sword, wielding it in front of him, staring coldly at Tynaer.

“Are you so eager to lose?” Tynaer asked.

Tynaer walked to the clearing as everyone else paired up to practice. Devarius followed close behind. Tynaer didn’t give Devarius a chance to position himself as he leapt forward, his broadsword striking inches above Devarius’s exposed neck. Devarius stepped backward, but he felt the air shift in front of him. He repositioned himself and stepped forward, thrusting his new weapon in an upward arc. Tynaer blocked it before it reached his face. Devarius didn’t stop though, and slid the blade upward, forcing Tynaer’s broadsword to slide down Devarius’s until it reached the waves at the bottom third. The vibrations made Tynaer’s arms vibrate until his sword struck the crossguard. Devarius pulled the blade away, stepped to his left, and swung, first left, then right. Tynaer blocked both strikes, but on the second, Devarius slid his blade upward as well, forcing Tynaer to vibrate against the flame blade.

The battle continued on, much longer than they normally fought. The others around them had already changed partners over three times. Devarius knew Tynaer was weakening. He could see the sweat creasing the captain’s brow. His arms were shaking as he fought, the vibrations from Devarius’s lower blade affecting him. Devarius pressed harder, using the top of his blade for a flurry of strikes.

Tynaer misstepped and twisted too far to the right. Devarius pushed himself forward hard at the opportunity, slashing his blade from left to right. Tynaer couldn’t right himself in time, and with one final downward swing of Devarius’s sword, Tynaer’s broadsword slipped from his grasp and tumbled to the ground. Devarius grinned as he readied his sword to touch Tynaer’s chest for the winning mark. Before his blade could reach his foe, the captain dove to the ground and rolled forward. His leg swept under Devarius, clashing with his legs. Devarius crashed to the ground. Tynaer grabbed his broadsword and touched it to Devarius’s chest as he lay on the ground, stunned.

“Nice try,” Tynaer said. “But you got cocky.”

Devarius took Tynaer’s outstretched hand and got to his feet. He brushed off his shoulders and sheathed his sword.

“I thought I had you,” Devarius said.

“You thought wrong,” Tynaer said.

Devarius frowned. He had really believed he was getting better.

“Don’t give up,” Tynaer said. “You have worked harder to improve your swordplay than anyone here. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. I’ve seen you practicing sword forms with the other swordmasters after our practices are over. If you keep it up, you will best me in no time. However, keep in mind … I’m not the best swordsman here. Just because I’m captain doesn’t mean I’m the best with a sword. It means I’m the best at strategy.”

“Understood,” Devarius said.

“Do you want to be the best?” Tynaer asked.

“Yes, sir.”

Tynaer nodded. “Tomorrow, you will have a break from dueling.”

Devarius’s frown deepened.

“Instead, I want you to go to the eastern courtyard and meet Orrick. He is a blademaster. He will teach you several different sword forms. I know you’ve learned a couple, but it’s hard to learn them while dueling.”

“Yes, sir.”