#12 - Intrusive thoughts

dez 06, 2024

The village of the swordsman monks functioned autonomously in the heart of a dense forest of tall trees. Its tradition of training the best swordfighters in the world dated back centuries and today the complex was divided into three large areas: the monastery, with temples and houses where monks and novices lived and carried out their spiritual duties; the administration with vegetable gardens, orchards, animal husbandry, workshops, storerooms and houses for village workers; and finally the apprentice area, with training spaces, arenas, classrooms, weapons storage, a huge dining hall and lodgings. The village provided all the necessary infrastructure for a life in isolation and focused on learning.

The nearest town was almost an hour away and, for the first 6 years of training, supervised outings took place once or twice a year, to avoid further distractions. Only during the summer and winter solstices, those who had families were allowed to return and spend a few days at home.

At the age of 12, the apprentices' education changed drastically.

On this occasion, the children - not so young anymore - took their second oath. In the first one, taken at the age of 10, the apprentices committed themselves to respect the sword. Now, the commitment was to life and to raising their weapon for the right reasons.

Their brown apprentice's gear was replaced by green ones with their names embroidered on them, indicating that they were able to train with each other using real blades. In addition, every three months the youngsters were evaluated in tournaments, where the monks assessed each one's strengths and weaknesses, indicating specific exercises and training.

And of course: apprentices wearing the green accessories could visit the town every weekend.

____

With its dirt streets and simple houses, the center of the village was a lively place. Traders of all kinds gathered there for the weekly markets, offering food, fabrics, props, utensils, animals, various smells and colours.

On weekends, local traders shared the streets with itinerant vendors with their carts and makeshift stalls on wheels, as well as street artists, preachers and children running around trying to earn something here and there.

Despite the freedom to move around as they wished, the return schedule maintained the discipline of the village of the swordsman monks, but the time was enough for the apprentices to enjoy a certain amount of autonomy.

Even with all the distractions offered by the visit, the subject that dominated the conversations was the proximity of the first tournament, which would take place in a month's time.

“Which sword will we have to use?” - Marcel asked the girls next to him as they walked towards a sweets stall.

“Probably a large blade, maybe two-handed. We've practically only been training with that kind of sword for the last few weeks.” - replied Halene, running her hand through the fabrics of a colourful cart.

“I don't know about the tournament, but I was told Master Rhano stormed out of a Technique and Agility class with the junior apprentices because they could barely keep their balance with two-handed swords. They're probably doing it to make sure we don't embarrass ourselves in the first tournament.” - commented Feara.

Quel walked alongside her friends and began nibbling on the round pendant from her necklace when they reached Marcel's favorite candy stand.

“You only do that when you're sad or nervous, what's wrong, Quel? I think you need a cocoa cookie. Have one.” - Halene took two pastries, paid for them and held one out to her friend.

After the first bite, the girl said: “The tournament has been making me... tense.” She continued eating, while her friends looked at her strangely.

“Tense?! You're one of the best in the class. You destroy every time you raise your sword. You kicked ass in the simulations with Master Garoa. If they choose a type of sword you like, you'll be a match for anyone!” - Feara exclaimed.

“It's different. In class I don't feel a weight. I feel good with the sword. But in the tournament, I don't have the option of failing. I feel that when everyone is watching I'll do worse than the apprentices who annoyed Master Rhano.” - the girl stopped for a moment and devoured the rest of the sweet. “I just wanted to sleep and wake up the next day after the tournament.”

The three friends hugged Quel at the same time, making the girl feel a certain comfort in being surrounded by so much love.

“I don't know if it's much help, but thanks to these wonderful green artifacts,” said Marcel as he indicated his wrist guards comically, we can now study and train together, if that makes you feel better.”

“Or maybe you need the exact opposite. You need to relax more, Quelzinha. Come to the village more. I noticed that last week you preferred the training dummies instead of coming here with us. You need to rest your little head and forget about the tournament.”

“Feara's right this time, Quel.” - and Halene received a cross look from her other friend. “We'll have tournaments a few times a year for the next four years. We'll have to get used to it, no matter how many butterflies we have in our stomach. Besides, it's our first time, it's okay if we don't do well. At least I've accepted that.” - and giggled, trying to cheer up her friend.

Feara jumped up in the middle of her friends and said: “What if they put you in a fight with Druck?! Huh? I'm sure your tension would go right away!” - And laughed.

Quel looked thoughtful and ironic at the same time, as if she agreed.

“You see, you just need the right incentive.” - her friend concluded excitedly. “When you're on the front line of an army, it'll be very different. You'll love it!”

“About that...- Quel replied hesitantly - I've been thinking a lot about...becoming a monk in the village after my training.”

The three friends were stunned by that sentence and began to question her at the same time.

“What do you mean, Quel?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Where did you get that from?”

Feara put her hands on Quel's shoulders and said: “You're by far the best of us. You'll be able to choose where you go after your training. Why are you staying in the village?”

“The best swordsmen we know are there. And they work so that others of us can learn and do what we need to around the world. It seems as worthy as any army or faraway mission.” - replied Quel defensively. “Besides... it's my home.”

The friends looked at each other, not knowing how to respond, until Halene thought it best to end the conversation: “We still have a few years to make this decision and now you need to deal with this silly fear of the tournament. Perhaps Master Hígo can help you get into balance, how about that?”

The girl agreed and the quartet were distracted by a crowd of people who had gathered to watch the illusions of a circus. Quel followed her friends, but that heavy thought wouldn't leave her head any time soon. She would pay a visit to the vitaric center to talk to Master Hígo, but first she would give a few good blows in a training dummy.

The Tales of Greenfar are originally written in Portuguese. If you find any major mistakes, please be kind and let me know 🌻