Richard Parker - The Black Horseman

“Very good,” Kostek said, astonished. Gwaynn should not have been able to score upon him…few students below third year ever scored a hit on a Tar, and it was very rare even for third year students.

They continued to practice for nearly an hour, Gwaynn attacking, Kostek blocking and counter attacking. Over and over Gwaynn mimicked the attacks and defensive moves Kostek demonstrated. The boy had remarkable body control, although it was his mental discipline and calm that utterly impressed the Tar. Kostek dropped the boy nearly a dozen times and did not take another hit himself, but there were a few more close calls which told him the first was no fluke. With time and hard work he now believed Gwaynn may be able to score against him regularly. Finally he called a halt to the session, Gwaynn was sweating profusely and his arms hung at his sides, betraying what the work out had cost him, and even Kostek, who was very fit, was beginning to feel the effects of fatigue.

“We must get your stamina up,” Kostek commented and Gwaynn nodded, having no trouble admitting he was exhausted. “You will run with us in the morning,” the Tar added and watched as Gwaynn broke into a grin.

“You may not be grinning tomorrow, and this will not interfere with your other duties,” Kostek explained.

Gwaynn nodded, using the cotton towel the older man handed him to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Kostek watched him closely as the boy cooled down, and noticed that he showed no outward signs of satisfaction.

“Despite your earlier misgivings, you seem to be an excellent student,” Kostek said.

“Master Sath would not have agreed with you a few months ago. I…” Gwaynn began trying to explain his past apathy for fighting, something that caused his former teacher, and his father many hours of frustration. “I feel different now, almost possessed,” he continued, thinking only of Gwynn. It was a new thought for him and he found it intriguing. “Plus, I’m a bit more driven,” he finished and then with a bow excused himself, thinking perhaps a splash in the sea might be welcome after all.

ǂ

Leek woke Gwaynn nearly an hour before sunrise the next morning and after a few moments of confusion, his head cleared and he remembered why he was being awaken so early. He came instantly alert and dressed as fast as he ever had in his life, then made his way out into the cool, early morning air. The stars were bright, but there was just a hint in the eastern sky of the coming sunrise. Master Kostek was waiting near the center fire pit with his eight students. Krys and Vio greeted Gwaynn quietly, but the rest of the students just eyed him curiously.

Kostek clapped Gwaynn softly on the shoulder. “We run to the point and back every morning, ten miles in all. Do your best. I’ll be waiting when you finish,” he said matter-of-factly. Gwaynn thought he could at least keep up with some of the younger students, but as they set out he quickly realized they were setting a pace that he could not hope to match for even two miles, let alone ten. Gwaynn initially fell in behind Vio, but discovered that she was the one who actually led the pack and he was forced to fall back. He watched her up ahead, running apparently effortlessly, but he soon fell so far behind that the sight of her was blocked out by the students running behind her. Soon the entire group was so far up ahead Gwaynn stopped trying to keep up and fell into a slower rhythm all his own. He ran along, very aware of his heart thumping steadily in his chest, somehow keeping time with the waves pounding onto the nearby shore. Being so close to the ocean, he thought of Karl and all the big man had done for him, all he had sacrificed. As long as Tar Kostek was willing to train him, Gwaynn knew that Karl’s sacrifice would be at least worth something. He ran on, thinking about their time in the ocean and how afraid he was of dying, and how Karl continued to give him strength until at last he had not an ounce left for himself. Gwaynn would train, and train hard, not only for the memory of Karl, but also for his mother and sister, his lost home, but mostly because he never wanted to feel helpless and weak again, as he had hanging from the scaffold back in Solarii. Better to fight and die than to feel that way again, he thought, better yet, to fight and live, which was what Gwaynn planned to do. He blinked out of his thoughts as he caught sight of a lone runner coming his way. He knew instantly it was Vio. He unconsciously picked up his pace a little, though his legs felt like lead. He was sure he would never be able to run all the way back to the quarter without stopping and walking at least part of the way.

Vio closed on him rapidly and surprised him by stopping, jogging in place for a moment then running backwards along side him.

“You are doing well,” she said, and Gwaynn got at least a little satisfaction from the fact that she was breathing hard and sweating, though not nearly as much as he was at the moment.

Gwaynn only nodded in reply, not feeling as if he could answer without gasping.

“You have made it this entire way on the run?” She asked.

Again Gwaynn could only nod.

“Excellent, I struggled to make it to the point on a run my first time. You only have about half a mile to go. I think you will make it,” she added with a quick smile that made Gwaynn somehow want to run even faster…but he didn’t.

“I’ll see you,” she said by way of good-bye and abruptly changed direction and headed back toward the quarter. Gwaynn ran on feeling better, though he was still very tired. Now, however, he knew there was no way he would stop before he reached the point.

Kostek came into view shortly thereafter, closely followed by several other students. Gwaynn could recognize Krys, and B’dall just behind him. Krys nodded but said nothing. B’dall passed shortly after, but ignored Gwaynn completely. Farther back ran the last of the Mele quarter including, Tad, who was in his sixth year, William, fifth year, Tam, first year, Hotch, fourth year, and finally Stephen who was in his second. This group was well back of Kostek and a good deal farther from Vio, and the fact that the students in the quarter ran at different speeds lightened Gwaynn’s heart even more. He passed the last group with a nod and they all yelled out encouragement to him as they went by.

Gwaynn was very tired now, but the point was in sight and he just wanted to make it all the way there without stopping. He ran on, very aware of the pain in his legs, but forced himself to keep moving. He followed the shoreline, which turned sharply to the south and looking up he was surprised to see a ship under sail out on the horizon. As it floated serenely past, its white sails caught the first full rays of the early morning sun. He watched it curiously until suddenly the point ended and Gwaynn dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. He stayed put for several long moments, watching the ship sail away before getting to his feet once more. He waded into the sea, splashed about in the water then turned and headed back toward the quarter. He walked for only about five minutes before surprising himself and breaking into the slow jog, which he held nearly all the way back.

Tar Kostek was waiting for him by the path, which led from the beach and back up to the quarter.

“Very good, very good,” he said smiling, but Gwaynn found he was too tired to smile back, or even stand up straight. “Much better than expected.”

Gwaynn said nothing for a while and just rested on his knees in the sand. Kostek waited patiently next to him, saying nothing.

Finally Gwaynn’s breathing began to slow, and without standing, looked up at his new Master. “Will we be training tonight?” he asked hopefully.

Tar Kostek shook his head. “This is your training,” he answered. “First you must beat one of my students in the run; then we can continue our weapons training, but not before,” he added thinking Gwaynn may protest. But the boy merely looked up at him still breathing faster than normal then he nodded and got to his feet. Gwaynn stripped out of his clothing and waded out into the ocean. Kostek left him there to cool down, wondering once more how they managed to miss the boy.