Faust agreed. People who didn’t follow orders were a liability in battle. They caused unnecessary casualties. Konrad said that often.
“All of you must be on par with this man here.” Mika presented Aris. “Many of you witnessed his battle with the Blessed. More than half of you aren’t even close to his level of skill with a weapon. I expect that to change.”
Faust observed Aris’s lax nature. Aris had little to fear from these men, and he looked far more interested in Mika with the way he regarded him.
“If you reach his level, you will be worthy of protecting the king directly.”
The air shifted, and Faust understood why Mika gave this speech. These knights didn’t care about the carnage that loomed on their borders. There was more honor in protecting what they could see rather than fight for a cause they felt had nothing to do with them.
“Am I clear?” Mika asked.
“Yes, sir!”
Mika chuckled. “Today, we will start with a small demonstration. I will exhibit proper fighting methods with Aris. I expect all of you to watch and learn.”
Aris jerked his head toward Mika.
Faust wanted to see that. He cleared his throat. “Commander Frei.”
Mika turned and bowed. “Your Majesty.”
The knights straightened their posture and saluted with a chorus of his title.
Aris didn’t move. He admired Faust with the same shy look from the market. “My king,” Aris said as if he just remembered to move his jaw.
Faust waved his hand in dismissal as Mika stood. He glanced at Aris, amused by the smile on his face. “I have been looking for you, Aris.”
“I know.”
Faust tilted his head, uncertain how Aris could have known that.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Mika interjected. “I brought him here for a small lesson.”
Faust tipped his head in acknowledgment. “I am glad I arrived to see it. Please continue.” Mika’s aura was bright today. It was as if the commander was pleased Faust was here.
Mika saluted. He turned to Aris. “As I was saying, I want to test your skills firsthand.” Mika pointed to the open dirt square.
“I’m going to win this, too,” Aris announced.
Faust chuckled. “By all means, impress me.”
Aris’s cheeks dusted with a blush, and he nodded. He jogged to the space and observed his surroundings.
A knight brought Faust a stump to sit upon. “For you, Your Majesty.”
Faust gave a brief nod. “Thank you,” he said and sat. The knight beamed and went back to his formation. Several knights glared at the man, and Faust shook his head, turning his full attention to Aris and Mika.
Mika held up the hilt of his blade and slid into a stance. “Whenever you are ready, Aris.”
Aris raised an eyebrow. He took a deep breath and also slid into his stance but drew his blade.
The wind rustled and tousled Faust’s bangs in a playful breeze. Aris’s wind danced around him again while knights took bets and whispers ran through the air—a rock slid across the ground, the tension broken.
Aris lunged.
Mika drew his blade with practiced ease and clashed blades with Aris. The commander grinned at Aris’s surprise. Mika pushed forward and parried with Aris several times, taking one wide swing to push Aris back, and rushed forward with a kick.
Aris grunted and tumbled. He adjusted his weight, flipped, and caught Mika off guard with a well-placed kick of his own—Mika’s blade flew. Aris launched himself from a crouch.
Mika pulled a short blade from his back holster and blocked.
Faust studied Aris. He wasn’t afraid to use any tactic necessary to win. It made Faust even more curious to know where Aris had come from.
Mika fell back and used Aris’s own force to send Aris flying backward again with another kick.
Aris groaned when he rolled over the unforgiving ground, but he stood once more with his sword ready.
The cheers for Mika were loud now, but Faust ignored them, his focus on his fighters. Mika was about to get serious.
Mika kicked up the hilt of his lost blade and held both his blades ready. “I know you have more fight than that. Show me. You may use your sky stone if you wish.”
Aris’s lips thinned into a line.
Faust frowned. Aris’s magic fluctuated, obviously displeased with Mika’s taunt. Aris didn’t need to fear Mika’s earth stone. Mika used it only when necessary.
Mika lunged in Aris’s hesitation.
Aris went on the defensive, meeting blow for blow.
Faust gripped at his pants. Aris’s and Mika’s magic collided into one. Mika wanted a proper fight, but the way their magic reacted suggested they were allies.
Aris raced forward with a yell of aggravation.
Mika repeatedly parried with Aris. He jumped, twisted, and spun to meet Aris’s blade with one of his. It didn’t take long for their blades to carry more force than just a test of strength. Mika’s breath left him at the sight of blue sparking from Aris’s blade, and he bolted back.
Faust paused. The natural magic blew past him and danced around Mika as if it were protecting him.
Aris, too, studied Mika, tilting his head. He glanced to Faust in question.
Faust stared back. He didn’t have an answer either.
Mika stood straight. “That will be enough,” he said.
The disappointed knights around him jested that Mika couldn’t take Aris.
“There is little meaning in continuing a fight that will only be a stalemate,” Mika said and sheathed his blades.
“What of your earth stone, commander?” a knight asked.
“Relying on a stone is a sign of weakness,” Mika said.
Aris raised his eyebrows but sheathed his blade.
Faust stood with a smile. “I would have liked to see more. It would have been a good fight.”
Mika chuckled. “I would prefer to keep this training yard intact, Your Majesty.”
“I suppose you have a point.” Faust grinned. Mika’s magic was weak to Aris’s wind magic, and Mika would have to get more serious than this small space allowed.
Mika turned back to Aris. “You are more than qualified to be here.” Mika put a hand on Aris’s shoulder. “King Faust is lucky to have you. He needs you.”
Aris nodded, shooting Faust a bashful grin.
Faust resisted the urge to smile. “Commander Frei, will you accompany Aris and I for a bit?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Mika turned to his men and began barking orders to give Faust space.
Faust walked up to Aris, chuckling as Aris attempted to make himself presentable.
Aris showed Faust his uniform with a hearty grin. “Did I get it right?”
Faust looked for anything out of place. Aris was a bit dusty from his fight, but he was well put together. He looked good in armor; it showed off his build well. Aris was petite for a fighter, but Aris’d proven his size wasn’t everything. Faust’s eyes lingered on Aris’s chest before moving to Aris’s face. “You are missing one thing.”
Aris patted at his chest area.
Faust held up a small broach, the same one he displayed in the arena. “You are missing this.”
“Oh.” Aris laughed at himself, rubbing at the back of his head.
“May I do the honors?” Faust asked.