The Shadow of Black Rock by JohnFort

Author:JohnFort
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, dragon adventure fantasy, mideval, outcast hero

PART III - APPRENTICE

CHAPTER 12

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Erif swung his long sword in the air as he stood on the rocks on the highest hill on the island. The tip of his sword glanced off a rock as he tried to swing it in a circle before him.

“Practice on the beach,” said Zul, “you have yet to master the length of the long sword you made. Do that where you will not damage the blade, then return to the rocks to work on your footing again.”

“You are right,” said Erif.

He went to his horse and untied it. He had yet to name the stallion. It was not completely tame, but he could ride it now. It helped on these long trips to the hilltop pool. Erif threw himself onto the horse, and it bucked its head.

“Easy, now,” said Erif, “I just want to go to camp. No more trips after that until next sunrise.”

Erif pulled the makeshift bridle to the left and turned the big horse toward the trail. After three steps the horse took off at a run. Erif leaned forward and grinned. The stallion never seemed to want to walk with Erif riding. Erif had finally stopped trying to make it slow down and just learned to ride at speed. It wasn’t easy without a saddle, but Erif had long enough legs to hang on. The horse knew it was headed for camp, and always ran faster on its way home.

Back at camp Erif gave the horse some grain. Once the stallion seemed settled, he took his sword and walked to the beach. Erif didn’t even bother to eat. He was motivated to train. This new sword was taking much longer than he had anticipated to master.

On the beach he took a stance and extended the long sword in front of him. It felt twice as heavy as a normal sword. He would have to build strength to handle it well. He swung the sword through the basic defense moves. The tip dug into the sand twice as he circled. Erif muttered to himself. He had mastered a shorter sword after he first arrived on the island, but this longer sword kept hitting the ground or a nearby object when he practiced deflecting attacks. He almost felt like he was starting over again.

Zul appeared before him.

“It is about time you showed up.”

The old spirit smiled. With a wave of his hand Zul formed a ghostly image similar to the dragon. The image struck, and Erif slashed his sword through a vaporous arm. He would need this longer sword to deflect the dragon’s talons. A shorter, standard sword would not be able to reach beyond the dragon’s long talons to inflict the needed damage, it would only be useful for defense, if that. Zul caused the vaporous form to attack again, and Erif continued his practice. He only grazed the sand once this time while deflecting a strike. As Zul increased the intensity of the training Erif continued to go through the moves, learning to feel where his arms needed to be with this longer sword.

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