At the age of 10, apprentices took their first oath to the sword, and any misuse of a blade could easily lead to permanent expulsion. At the time, they were allowed to use real swords in classes and training sessions only with masters. In addition, the youngsters were also given the artefacts of the apprentice: belt, armband and a pair of wristbands that protected the forearm, all in brown, identifying them as apprentices capable of handling a sword.
The monks would do their best to make the ceremony as solemn as possible, giving the children a sense of responsibility for the phase that was beginning, but deep down the apprentices just wanted to put on the new items and show them off around the village, eager for the lessons to come.
At the end of the ceremony, several bonfires were lit around the village, with food and music provided by Ramira, a counterpoint to all the discipline the apprentices experienced on ordinary days.
Quel and some friends from her class sat by the fire to admire the new equipment.
“Are we really ready to wield a real blade?” - said Marcel looking intrigued at the new protectors on his arms.
“If you're not, you can return your items and go back to training with the minors. I can't wait to get home for the Solstice and show my brothers that I'm a real swordsman.” - As she finished her sentence, Feara remembered that not everyone had a family to return to at the end of the year, and she cast an apologetic glance at Quel.
The girl disguised a slight grimace as she remembered how empty the village seemed at the end of the year, but quickly avoided the subject by saying in a solemn tone of voice to her friend: “The helpless youngest will now wield a real sword!” - and made a few exaggerated movements, striking the air with an invisible sword, drawing laughter from the others.
“What do your siblings do, Feara?” - Halene asked.
“My older brother and sister were forced to study Naturagia to help my father in the family Windmills, they manipulate states. They're good at it. My other sister and I were able to choose. She preferred the stuck-up Blue Cloaks. I’ll never forget the day she came home with a quiver full of arrows and her first bow. A huge, hideous thing. I'm glad swordsmen are more elegant.”
“And more lethal too. I must agree with Marcel, I don't know how ready we are for real blades.” - Halene added.
“After so many years with wooden swords, I feel more than ready to do some real damage, don't you, Feara?” Quel and her friend laughed, as Halene rolled her eyes and gave them both a disapproving sigh.
“Don't worry, Hal, the apprentice tournaments won't start for another two years. We still have a long time to go before we can kill each other in the arena.” - Quel gave her friend a smile that was both affectionate and provocative, and she added: “I hope not after that either, right Quel?”
“I can't wait for the tournaments to start.” - a voice from the other side of the circle said. “I want to see how ‘little overprotected Quel' will react when she comes face to face with someone who isn't a monk.” - and the boy laughed, elbowing the two boys next to him.
“You know, Druck, I'm curious too. Too bad the person in front of me won't be you. If I can take you down with a wooden sword, I don't think they'll level you to fight me.” - Quel retorted, fire reflecting in her eyes.
The boy repeated Quel's last sentence with a tone of mockery, realizing that his defeat by the girl during the week's training was still reverberating.
“You can keep the tournaments, I just want to go to the village more often. I can't wait to eat again the cocoa sweets I tasted last year...to see the Mendancis' illusion shows...I could go to the village every day.” - said Marcel with his eyes closed, daydreaming.
“I just hope those religious fanatics aren't around next time, remember Quel?” - Halene turned to her friend with wide eyes.
“I remember. It was scary. I just remember that man in white pulling you by the arm in the middle of the street! If Monk Lizu hadn't intervened at the time, I would have jumped on his neck!” Quel gave Halene a gentle hug on the side, who returned it by resting her head on her shoulder.
“We could take a real sword with us when we go to the village, don't you think? For safety's sake, you know?” - said Feara, throwing some sticks on the fire in the centre of the group.
“Yeah Feara... - said Quel - I don't know who wins the prize for biggest dreamer: Marcel, you...or Druck!” - and again laughter broke out in the circle. Except for Druck, who made a face of debauchery.
“While I don't have my cocoa sweets from the village, I'm going to see what Ramira has prepared for us. Is anyone coming with me?”
And so, Quel, Feara and Halene got up and followed Marcel after the village administrator's delicacies and went on all night celebrating what awaited them in the days to come.
The Tales of Greenfar are originally written in Portuguese. If you find any major mistakes, please be kind and let me know 🌻
🔖 New chapters every Friday!
Next chapter:
Chapter 11
The first lessons with blades were carried out very carefully. The swords were prepared so that they were not too sharp, but it was still a challenge to ensure that a bunch of 10-year-olds came out of class with their fingers intact.
What has already happened in Greenfar:
Prologue: The beginning of Greenfar
Chapter 1: Alone in the forest
Chapter 2: Marks
Chapter 3: Zelas
Chapter 4: The Chosen Ones?
Chapter 5: Storms
Chapter 6: Ghraul
Chapter 7: Ramira
Chapter 8: Almost 10
Chapter 9: In the search may we remain