Tales Of The Legendary Scholar 1 The Challenge

None held a wooden sword or lance or in a stance for close combat.

However, the whole area was jammed packed with an a.s.sortment of knights, soldiers, squires, and menservants.

It was a queer but intriguing sight. Soldiers tried balancing themselves on a wooden fence surrounding the ground. Some made their way up on the weapon room's tiled rooftops just to get a clearer view. A few climbed on trees.

The military's kitchen staff watched through the windows on the mess hall's second floor. No one would want to miss this once in a lifetime event.

The king, in the middle of the kingdom's court a.s.sembly, heard the commotion and went out to a terrace directly above the training ground. Along with the n.o.ble statesmen, he looked down with the best view of the ongoing spectacle down below.

The spectators were huddled around two twelve-year-old boys, standing across each other.

The one at the right was dressed far richer and well-adorned than the kingdom's n.o.blemen but was less regal than a king. His red tunic carried gold lacework and the fancy embroidery of a prince of Xaviel's coat of arms. He was Prince Theodrech, one of the king's grandsons.

His deep blue eyes stared forthright at the other boy in front of him.

Two male servants stood behind him, murmuring at each other.

"What audacity? Who is this filthy peasant?" a servant with blond hair whispered to the servant beside him.

"Shut your c.r.a.p. The prince will hear you," the other one replied in a hushed tone.

The prince heard them alright but disregarded their bickering. He was in deep thoughts.

Days ago, before the Knights arrived, a messenger hawk flew in bringing the report of the Wrilon Village's carnage. And Theodrech was present when the king read the report. So, he had first-hand knowledge of this boy's ident.i.ty. He was the only son of the Chief of Wrilon Village and the sole survivor.

They expected the whole squadron to arrive two days later for the boy's sake, but they came back today.

They exactly arrived when Theodrech was on his way to rest after a grueling training with his sword master.

"What is the boy's name?" asked the prince to a knight named Maugier.

"I don't know him at all, your highness. How about I'll let him introduce himself?" replied Maugier. It was a disrespectful reply but Theodrech only eyed him and mentally noted his face. This was not the right time to react against one of his uncle's men.

Maugier slapped the boy's back. "Hey! Bow down and answer the prince's question. Introduce yourself to him properly," said Maugier in a mocking tone and a smug face.

However, the boy only stared in silence.

Theodrech never meant to force the boy to bow or speak but Maugier insisted.

Theodrech's patience was at its limit. He was about to berate the knight but held his tongue when the boy opened his mouth and proposed the most ludicrous challenge he ever heard. This right-down triggered his curiosity.

Theodrech gave the boy a once-over. Indeed, at present, the word filthy was the nearest description of his appearance. Perhaps, because of the dusty and almost non-stop journey. The boy was wearing soiled clothes, but if washed it was equal to a n.o.bleman son's outfit.

He wondered why the escorting knights didn't make the boy rest properly in a clean Inn or even let him take a bath and change his clothes.

The king sent a clear instruction to treat the boy with the utmost care, as respect for the late village chief, one of the king's loyal men.

Theodrech stared at the boy's face. It was a bit clean and might have been washed at the nearest stream before entering the city. It displayed his sun-tanned skin and dazzling brown eyes. Though it looked exhausted, with black eye bags, it was somewhat like it could see through him.

This boy's eyes stared at the prince with utter confidence. He stood with his back straight, unmoved by Theodrech's presence.

This amused the prince. It was the first he met a boy of the same age who was not intimidated by the air of authority he projected.

"Repeat what you said," said Prince Theodrech with a commanding voice.

"I said, I, Freidrech Goederf Gerboud, son of the late Village Chief Thebernys of Wrilon, will challenge you to a battle of riddles… If you," the rest of his words trailed as the nosey servant near the prince interrupted him.

"Who are you to challenge the prince? Know your place," the servant said in annoyance.

The crowd had different opinions on the boy's display of courage. Somehow, the most amusing thing was most were moved by the boy's determination and thought the challenge was entertaining. So, the spectators hollered in excitement.

"I like your att.i.tude, boy," said one of the escorting knights standing near Freidrech.

"Nice challenge, kid. I'll bet for you," a soldier shouted and whistled in delight.

More men voiced their support on Freidrech. The clamor of cheerful yells pervaded the training ground, overwhelming the murmurs and disagreements of the n.o.blemen present.

The prince raised his hand, silencing everyone. "Continue," added the prince.

"If you win, I will not only bow but be your servant for the rest of my life," said Freidrech.

"What?!? That is ridiculous."

"What the heck?"

"No need for that condition, kid."

The commoner soldiers voiced their disapproval.

More noise of indifference on the background.

Upon the viewing platform, King Thierri of Xaviel Kingdom heard the boy's challenge to his favored third grandson and pleased by it. He wondered what the prince would do.

The n.o.blemen near the king mocked in silence. They would not dare say it out loud seeing the king's good mood.

"Why are you so headstrong? In fact, bowing to me is an honor. You saw the King's n.o.ble Knights. When they saw me, they bowed," said Theodrech, testing Freidrech.

"Bowing to a monarch does not guarantee loyalty. If I were you, I rather have men who stand straight in my presence but who got my back, than bowing men who are dreaming of my death," replied Freidrech.

He was, in fact, referring to some knights he heard jesting about the royal family's quirks and their displeasure during their stops.

The prince heard the careful and well-thought words of Freidrech. He understood what Freidrech meant and made his blood boil in excitement for he found someone of kindred spirit and at the same time a formidable foe.

Let see until when you will last, Theodrech thought.

Theodrech folded his arms and paced back and forth. "Why do I need to do your bidding when I have the authority to take you now as my footstool?" said the prince as he placed his foot on a log.

"Yeah!"

"What can you say now, boy?"

"You're dead meat."

"Don't give up, kid."

"Show them the power of the commoners."

People sounded their excitement to witness the word fight between a brave peasant and a candidate to the throne.

For others, It was an outright insult to stomp anyone's self-confidence but not Freidrech. Instead, his smile glowed in delight.

Neither the crowd nor Theodrech's belittling statement affected him in the slightest.

This was nothing new to him. In fact, this prince was more considerate compared to those unscrupulous royalties he met before in their village.

Another proud royalty who only knew how to pull his weight to intimidate those below them, Freidrech thought.

"A ruler must not humiliate his subjects for this begets hatred and disloyalty. A piece of advice from the most important person in my life."

More roars of taunting and cheers sounded.

"And who might that be? I presume you're referring to your hard-working teacher."

"Indeed, he is my teacher, my mentor, my friend, and my father."

Theodrech stayed composed but deep within the recesses of his mind, such innocent words struck hard his heart, stirring his emotions.

His own father, the Duke of Welbourn, the second son of the king, hadn't visited ever since he received his fiefdom, the southern border city of Mossgulch, four years ago. He begged to travel and rule with him but his father insisted him to stay.

Theodrech decided he has to win this smart boy as a friend and his own supporter. Yet, he wanted to see a bit more of Freidrech's character.

He walked nearer and leveled his eyes on Freidrech, who was as tall as him.

"What did you get with such teaching? Death of your villagers by the vicious Naymagi brought in none other than the chief's traitorous subjects whom he trusted," he said viciously and with no regret seen in his eyes. He stepped back. "Oh, I forgot, you are now the village chief. My apologies."

The people were taken aback, including the king but did not interrupt.

There was no laughter and cheers heard. The spectators went silent. As soldiers who were constantly on the battlefield, protecting civilians, they sympathized with Freidrech. Theodrech's forwardness was a poor display of the royalties' insensitivity of the true condition in the villages far from the city.

Theodrech understood the insensitivity of his words and was ashamed of it, but he wanted to see how strong was this boy's heart to be able to survive after challenging a kingdom's prince.

He cared less about what the people think. His attention was on Freidrech alone.

He walked back to where he stood a while ago and waited for Freidrech to shout unfairness and whine but the other boy didn't say a word. Theodrech wondered what was in Freidrech's mind.

Freidrech clenched his fist. What the prince said was not far from the truth but whatsoever the cause for the Naymagi tribe's entrance was still a mystery.

This Naymagi, tribe of jackal-headed men, would never enter a village covered with protective spells for it means death to them. However, the Naymagi attacked in the midst of the villagers' first harvest celebration. Thus, the villagers were caught unprepared and panicked…

Freidrech's chest ached by the reminder. The agonizing sadness he eluded while traveling all the way the capital city, resurfaced.

Somehow, all tears had been shed long ago. This place would be his home from now on. It was an order from the king. He had to learn to survive in this harsh city of high-strung aristocrats and big-bellied bureaucrats.

But firstly, he must refuse to be stomped on by this prince before he could establish himself. He shrugged and gave a sly smile.

"I won't deny nor accept the allegations unless a witness or proof will come up front. But I deny serving a future monarch who only uses my misfortune to evade my simple and unremarkable challenge that would decide my future," Freidrech said in a harsh tone, blatantly disregarding the other person's status.

Freidrech was on the mark. The prince was. .h.i.t on his sore spot, his desire to be king and to gather supporters. Indeed, if a prince couldn't win or make a single subject as young as Freidrech yield, he is not worthy for the throne.

His decision to take Freidrech under his wing solidified. A huge smile broke on his face.

"Fine, but let us do this tomorrow in the arena of knowledge in Xaeviel's Royal Academy. For fairness' sake, the Head Master will be the judge," the prince said and slightly bowed, "And please accept my apologies for what I said earlier. It was a shameful mistake on my part." He stood straight. "Your journey was far. Go and have a good night rest."

The prince turned to retire, followed by his attendants.

Freidrech was left in a daze. It never occurred to him that the prince would apologize. Somehow, he realized he missed a very important thing. "Wait," Freidrech called.

Theodrech turned around, puzzled. "Are you not contented with what I said? Or do you want to do it now?"

"No, I only forgot to tell you something. If I win…," before Freidrech could speak more... the king's booming voice sounded from the platform above them.

"If you win, I'll be the one to decide your reward. But don't worry, I'll guarantee that it would be to your advantage," said King Thierri with a big smile.

Everyone looked up and murmurings began.

"So that's the king," said Freidrech to himself. He somewhat saw a glowing aura on the old man. "Such dominance of power."

While insecurities plagued the n.o.bles after the king's interruption.

"Your Majesty. What are you planning? Don't tell me…," said the king's adviser, a middle-aged man standing beside him.

That very day, the n.o.ble families asked a meeting with the king and had been antic.i.p.ating the king's announcement of Prince Theodrech's new study companion after the previous one, of whom he grew with, died of an unknown illness while on vacation with his family.

For that simple position was something every son of n.o.ble birth wished. It was the so-called expressway for a secured future. The possibility of becoming close to the prince and be appointed a high ranking position, ent.i.tled for land and wealth, in the not so far future, if Theodrech would become the king.

Even if he would not be the one sitting on the throne, his study companion's exceptional performance would still be noticed by the crowned king.

Somehow, so far, he was the only promising candidate among the eight princes considering his appealing leadership and great swordsmanship which was comparable to a seasoned warrior.

"Why? Am I not the king and the prince is my grandson?" asked King Thierri.

"Of course, you are, Your Majesty, but …"

"The law stated, in the absence of the royal prince's parents, the guardian can decide for his study companion. Am I not his guardian?"

"You are, your majesty," said the adviser, but dismissive inside.

"Good, but don't get worked up. That is only if he wins," King Thierri laughed loudly, greatly amused by his plans and faced the n.o.blemen behind him. "Alright, people, we're done here. Dismiss. No more court proceedings for today." The king announced as he walked with long strides toward the training ground, leaving the unhappy n.o.bilities.

The discontented n.o.blemen slowly walked down from the King's hall. They had to find a way from stopping this b.u.mpkin from becoming Prince Theodrech's companion.

Theodrech left the grounds a bit uneasy. He needed to work harder for the battle and try his best to have this smart boy within his grasp. Winning the battle could give him advantages. He could ask the king to appoint Freidrech as his study companion. Whereas by losing . . . he didn't want to think of it.

He emitted a long deep breath, blowing off his anxiousness. Theodrech decided, whatever the outcome, he would befriend Freidrech and earn his trust and loyalty.