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4-string — Chronicles of a Swordsman, Ch5
Published: 2006-08-09 09:09:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 532; Favourites: 2; Downloads: 2
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Description Julian was surprised at how many Nephil showed up to watch his fight with Fitz, and how quickly. It seemed the whole tribe had come to watch the Poldora crush the smaller human. Fitz was quick to prepare, he had a large shield and his weapon of choice, the thick, wickedly curved cutlass. He swung his sword around a bit for show before glancing dubiously at his shield, he then dramatically tossed it aside, as if to say he would have no need for it against Julian. This brought a loud jeer from the gathering crowds.
Julian looked around and was unsurprised to see that not only were bets being made, but most were against him. Fitz twirled his sword in a figure eight around his body, it made whooshing sounds but didn’t sing as ‘Lina’ did. At the thought of his sword his hand went up to his hilt as if checking to make sure he hadn’t lost it.
Julian was given the same thing Fitz was, a shield and his weapon of choice, like Fitz he had also chosen his own. Fitz stepped forward and held his huge blade up before him. Julian took half a step forward then looked at his own shield, then he looked at Fitz again and sighed, might as well use it against a full grown rhinoceros. He gently dropped it to the ground and put his hand on his sword, he ignored the few taunts from the crowd.
“You might want to keep that!” Fitz grinned at Julian pointing the tip of his cutlass at him.
“Draw your weapon, lets begin…” Julian watched him and smiled, muttering a brief prayer to his sword.
“May your song guide you…” Before quickly yanking it out it’s scabbard letting it burst forth with it’s ringing song, he pointed the still resonating blade at Fitz in turn and a few in the crowd were silenced by it’s golden voice.
It’s song of release faded away as Julian stepped forward and got into a combat ready stance. He’d fought against other opponents before, in tournaments, challenges of honor and just plain sparing before and he’d always felt so at piece during them. It’s a strange thing to be at piece while fighting but Julian had discovered long ago that Lina’s song, while cutting through the air wasn’t as beautiful unless used just right, when wielded properly her song was beautiful perfection, he could give himself to it and become one, once in this state Julian’s reflexes became second nature and the battle itself seemed to follow some predestined path that Julian could predict at every turn.
“The battle shall be to first blood, no killing shots and no other weapons beside your elected. BEGIN!” Julian had no idea who had stepped forward to call the match but it was the furtherest thing on his mind at that point, he took two steps forward before meeting the charging Fitz, he easily ducked under his arms as the larger Nephil attempted to knock him over, spinning on the spot his brought Lina around in an arc aimed at Fitz’ arm, just a nick was all he was looking for, Lina’s song was perfect, until it was clumsily interrupted by Fitz powerful counter strike. Lina bounced off his cutlass and Julian stumbled backwards.
A few Nephil called out more taunts as Julian found himself off balance and retreating from Fitz aggressive attacks. Lina’s song couldn’t get a chance to renew her song as blow after blow silenced her song with awkward clangs from Fitz’ cutlass. Julian knew he had to get away from the larger man’s reach, if just for a second. Julian’s sword arm was knocked to the side and Fitz brought his cutlass up over his head to swing down with both hands. Julian took the opportunity to dive to the side and set some room between them.
Fitz was a decent enough swordsman but relied on power too much, Julian could use his speed and skill against Fitz if he could bring back Lina’s song. With his new working space he brought up Lina and waited for Fitz to close the distance, which predictably, he wasted little time in doing. He swung downwards with force again, this time Julian could feel Lina’s song starting as he sidestepped the blow and brought Lina around to connect wih the back of Fitz’ blade and knock it into the ground, he grinned up at Fitz as Lina held his cutlass into the ground. Lina’s song changed pitch slightly as Julian twisted the sword 90 degrees and traced the back of Fitz cutlass up to his arms, Fitz was suddenly forced to jump back in an attempt to avoid cutting his arm and effectively losing…
Falling back Fitz wasn’t able to keep his balance very well and fall onto his backside. Julian took a step back to give him room to recover.
“You’re a better swordsman than I thought Julian… I’ve never heard someone make the sword sing such as yours does…” Julian gave Fitz a smile before sheathing his sword and extending his hand to Fitz to help him up. Fitz accepted his hand, as he does a shallow, but long cut on his sword arm becomes exposed to the crowd, a thick red droplet of blood slowly dribbling down from it. A moan of despair escaped from the crowd as they began to disperse, the only two left was Megil and another male Nephil, Julian didn’t pay him much mind, just grinned at Megil.
“How was that?” He asked while Megil pocketed a small bundle of coins into a purse.
“Great, you made me a good bundle of coins…” she replied at this point Fitz made an indignant huff.
“You bet against me? How could you?” He pretended to pout, an amusing sight when applied to a large Nephil like Fitz.
“Oh I’m sorry Fitz but I saw Julian defeat three Mori-Mongers, his fighting style is impressive, I just had a feeling he’d manage to beat you…” Megil shrugged causing the coins in her small pack to jingle slightly as if supporting her point.
“Thanks Megil, I appreciate that” Julian smiled but it soon vanished as a voice, dripping with poisoned words caught his attention.
“Don’t let your ego inflate too much, Julian” Julian pretended not to notice that Kelbourn had purposefully ignored Julian’s honorary title, “You have yet to fight any of the Adu, and the Adu are the most skilled blade masters of the clan…” Julian wanted to run the annoying Nephil through with his blade but gave Kelbourn the benefit of the doubt, he put on a pleasant face and directed him to the battle circle.
“Good day, Adu-Kelbourn, would you care to compete in the battle circle for the right to your name?” Julian kept his face pleasant. Kelbourn just looked at him with barely concealed contempt.
“I’d rather fight a horde of Mori-Mongers than step-” Kelbourn was suddenly interrupted when he noticed someone standing on the other side of the battle circle, Julian, Megil and Fitz all turned to see what had captured his attention. Elder-Noldo was standing there, watching them.
“Kelbourn, Fitz come there is something I must speak with you about…” Fitz and Kelbourn immediately walked towards him, although Kelbourn muttered under his breath, just loud enough for only Julian to hear.
“We’ll finish this later human” Julian just glared at him as he went. Megil however seemed more concerned with what Noldo might need them for.
“It must be important, and dangerous to need both an Adu and a Poldora…” Julian turned to her with a questioning look on his face.
“Megil I… what do all these titles mean?” Megil looked at him with slight surprise, like it hadn’t occurred to her that he wouldn’t know such a thing.
“Well… this might take a while, tell you what, I’ll tell you all about it if afterwards you tell me the story of your sword and armor…” Megil held out her hand and Julian grinned before shaking it.
“It’s a deal.” Megil nodded before motioning towards a bench, they sat down as Megil began her explanation.
“There are effectively three general ‘ranks’ within Nephil hierarchy, the first and lowest would be non-combatant, those who take subservient roles or the take the jobs that require no combat training because they’re body wasn’t strong enough. They generally don’t have specific titles since no one is below them, although they are sometimes refered to as ‘nu’, which comes from the old language meaning ‘under’.
The next, or middle class is the warrior class, these are the ones who defend the tribe from enemies, this is split into three equal titles. Nephil like me and Kelbourn are the Adu, we are speed and steath and use dual short swords. It’s why were called Adu, which means ‘double’ or dual. The Poldora it means brute force, it’s restricted to Nephil like Fitz, few are born with the physical attributes to be a Poldora but Fitz is the best. The third, are the ones you haven’t seen yet, elee meaning ‘eyes’ in the old language, they are the sharp eyes and archers that watch our backs when we can’t, they stand in the towers and watch for enemies, they’re marksmanship is unmatched within the tribe, all three cover what the Nephil believe are the three combat disciplines, speed, strength and accuracy.
Beyond the warriors is the third and highest rank, the wise. These are only split into two categories, those two old to fight or work, yet are still respected for their wisdom, these are the ‘naru’ for the female and ‘Kie’ for males, the only ones above them are the Elders like Elder-Noldo, they are trained in the all seeing eye and know much.
That’s six of the seven titles, the seventh is yours ‘Kallo’ meaning friend, it means you are considered part of the tribe and although your not technically in the hierarchy your considered in the middle class unless elderly.” Megil seems to stop as if checking to see if she’s missed anything before nodding her head.
“I think I’ve got it now, what if I wasn’t a ‘combatant’?” Megil just frowned as if he’d asked a trick question.
“Then you wouldn’t be able to gain honor and the Elder would never consider you a Kallo” Julian just nodded, it seemed the Nephil put a lot of emphasis on the strong bodied, as well as their elders.
“So what of your story? Tell me how you got your gear back after Krystall was destroyed.” Megil shifted in her seat so that she might hear the story better. Julian smiled before indulging her.
“Well as you know, Krystall was completely destroyed and overrun by the Mori-Mongers, my father would have given them hell but eventually they just swarm you… he died wearing this armor and carrying this sword. In a way I was lucky it was Mori-Mongers, any other enemy would pilfer the bodies and shops. Anyway, since the whole town was overrun I didn’t have to worry about anyone else looting my fathers remains, after I’d been training with wooden sticks and training swords for 8 years I decided it was time I went back to give my father or what was left of him, a proper burial, I also wanted to reclaim what was rightfully mine-” Megil suddenly gasped.
“You mean you went back to Krystall?” Julian nodded.
“It was the only way I’d get to my fathers remains… anyway I’d gotten my hands on a cheap sword and headed west…”

A slightly younger Julian, without mount, armor or his sword Lina, crouched low behind a half fallen wall, he was on the outskirts of Krystall. Over the wall were three Mori-Mongers, normally they wouldn’t be such a problem but once he engaged one they would all know there was a live victim nearby and he’d have dozens on him. He crept along the wall and quickly scuttled across a gap to lean behind a half fallen building.
Mori-Mongers in an unoccupied town would bang their quarterstaffs against nearby walls as if trying to flush out hiding people like rats. Years and years of entire hordes doing this can result in building falling into disrepair and eventually collapsing. Julian thanked his lucky stars that there was still plenty of walls to hide behind.
He continued through the city, staying out of site, a job that was thankfully fairly easy given the Mori-Mongers weren’t the most aware creatures, as long as you didn’t make too much noise and their backs were turned you could walk right past them.
He peered around a corner, on the other side of the street, against a crumbling wall sat a mostly decomposed skeleton garbed in familiar looking armor, around his waste was an empty scabbard while Lina lay in his open hand. There was no denying that was his fathers remains. He was busy contemplating how he’d get across the street when he was startled from his position by the sound of wood striking metal.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

Julian quickly spun around as a Mori-Monger charged him, he ducked a high swing and brought his sword up into its gut. He remembered being surprised, shocked at how easily his blade carved through them, although now he knows why. He quickly snapped out of it as more banging signaled that the others had heard the now defeated Mori-Mongers warning.
He cursed loudly before sprinting around the corner towards his fathers remains. There were already two there, they raised their weapons but Julian quickly removed the ‘head’ of the first Mori-Monger with a fast slash from his sword, without missing a step he charged at the second.
The second Mori-Monger attempted to knock Julian’s brains out with its quarterstaff but Julian was too fast, he dropped low grabbing to wooden end of the quarterstaff and driving his sword upwards into the Mori-Mongers gut, his sword snagged in the suddenly thick armor causing Julian to drop it in favor of the free Mori-Monger quarterstaff.
He ran for his fathers remains, a third Mori-Monger came around the corner but Julian threw the quarterstaff, it’s blade imbedding itself in the Mori-Mongers chest. He slid along the gravel and dirt road before snatching ‘Lina’ up in his hand. He could already hear the sound of approaching Mori-Mongers, at least a dozen of them.
He held up his word ready to fight them, however part of him knew he wouldn’t make I out of Krystall alive…

“But you did? Otherwise you wouldn’t be sitting right here…” Megil interjected earning her a glare from Julian.
“Can’t a guy use a little artistic licensing? Besides at the time I really did think I was going to die… now where was I? Oh right the Mori-Mongers…”

Julian circled around, unsure of where they would come from, around him he could see tattered remains of long dead soldiers and guards. This must have been where they made their last stand, he tried not to think about how he might soon join them.
Three Mori-Mongers charged around the corner, Julian turned to met them, acutely aware of four more coming around another corner behind him.
He took two steps forward before swinging at the first Mori-Monger, it blocked his attack however Julian became enthralled by the swords song, as it cut the air to get to his enemy it’s song was more beautiful than any young maidens and more bloodthirsty than any others war cry. Before he was even aware he had turned to block a second Mori-Mongers attack.
His sword continued it song, although not as beautiful as it was later, once Julian had mastered it, it still filled Julian’s head and the battle field with it’s music. Julian let it flow through him and his actions almost became automatic, he felt the songs rhythm and tempo and moved according, no Mori-Mongers blade could touch him, every Quarterstaff was turned away and he was barely aware of random body parts falling from the Mori-Mongers, he wasn’t even aware of more Mori-Mongers joining the fray.
They surrounded him but every time they pushed forward Julian would spin and a dance of death would deflect their weapons and remove some limbs, Julian wasn’t thinking, he let the moves come to him, follow the pathway he somehow knew the battle would take and by the time he snapped out of it he was standing in a large doughnut of Mori-Monger armor and weaponry. He couldn’t hear any more coming but didn’t know how long he had. He carfully gathered his fathers remains as well as his armor and quickly carried him away from the dreadful ruins of Krystall…
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Comments: 10

EvenTheSkyCries [2008-07-06 02:07:28 +0000 UTC]

Coooool, that sword is amazing~ Is it magical?

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4-string In reply to EvenTheSkyCries [2008-07-08 11:21:02 +0000 UTC]

Well yes and no, it's as magical as Julian is, they're like two halves of the same key so-to-speak. When Julian weilds Lina he can do things no one else can, likewise he couldn't do it with any other blade even if they were crafted to emulate the swords 'song'. It's one of those 'chosen ones' sorta thing heh, thanks for reading this far and commenting

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EvenTheSkyCries In reply to 4-string [2008-07-08 16:20:45 +0000 UTC]

Wow, cool. Sword singers are an amazing bunch.

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4-string In reply to EvenTheSkyCries [2008-07-17 02:51:56 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, I thought so

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lunarrace [2006-08-10 18:03:53 +0000 UTC]

O.O............................ AWESOME!!! the descriptions of how Lina and Julian work together are amazing!

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4-string In reply to lunarrace [2006-08-10 22:45:15 +0000 UTC]

Lina?

Thanks

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4-string In reply to 4-string [2006-08-11 10:25:20 +0000 UTC]

damn I'm such an idiot... I thought you ment to say Megil and made some sort of typo I completely forgot I'd named the sword Lina (it was very last minute, as I was writing the story actually, originally it was just the engraving that ment 'song blade')... now I feel like a jackass for not knowing my own story it's made worse since ANYONE reading this will see it

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lunarrace In reply to 4-string [2006-08-12 03:54:45 +0000 UTC]

hehehe thats ok, you don't have to remember every detail, especially if you write it like last minute and your not a jackass............ *tackle hugs* YOU'RE MY NEW TEDDY BEAR!!!!

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4-string In reply to lunarrace [2006-08-12 04:36:40 +0000 UTC]

lol as long as you don't mind a lethargic, germ ridden teddy bear who can't type straight to save himself

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lunarrace In reply to 4-string [2006-08-12 05:13:20 +0000 UTC]

lol i don't mind ^_^ your still a teddy bear ^_^

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