Within ten minutes the area had been prepared for the fight. Brian had stripped off his tunic and belt and attached a simple sword belt. He left the leggings and boots, comfortable in both. Enough so that he would be able to move easily, which was what he wanted. But he did take the sash that AJ offered him, tying it around his head to keep his hair back from his face. When dampened with sweat, his curls could tend to get in his eyes. To his amusement, the cloth actually matched the rest of his clothes.
AJ didn’t protest to what he was going to do, for which Brian was eternally grateful. Whatever was going on, his reaction to it had been purely instinctual. He hadn’t thought about it, but had let his instincts guide him. All he knew was that he had to do this. If he didn’t, everyone would think that they could just ignore everything they were told. Brian was beginning to realize that part of his role as baka was to defend the honor of his trulion as well as his life, no matter what. That was a role he found easy to do.
They were using the practice field that AJ had made for sword fighting lessons. It was the perfect size for what they needed. Standing on the sidelines, Brian watched as the crowd around it grew larger and larger. Everyone was coming to watch. Tripha stood on one side, his large body seated, his head lifted to better be able to judge the proceedings.
AJ stood proud and tall by Brian’s side, not an ounce of worry showing in his body or in their bond. If anything, he radiated confidence and love. Offering him a smile, Brian looked down to the other end of the field where Allan stood alone, his herd staying as far away from him as possible. They did not agree with his decision, but would not openly speak against it. This was between him and the baka.
‘I must admit, song of my heart, you are becoming more and more like an elf every day.’ AJ’s voice rang with amusement. Unable to resist it, Brian felt his lips tug into another smile. ‘Why do you say that? Because my temper seems to be growing by leaps and bounds?’
‘Well, that too, a little. But mostly because your sense of honor is growing stronger. The Brian I first met took a lot of crap from people, whether it dishonored him or not. Back then I was always defending you to others because I couldn’t stand how they would treat you, or that you would just smile and take it. You were so easy going that most of it rolled right off your back. But as you become more elf, more you, that sense of honor grows. You don’t allow others to walk all over you. Or, me, to be honest.’
Surprised by the amount of thought that AJ had put into it, Brian found himself turning to look into his lover’s eyes. ‘You’ve change, too, Alex. I don’t mean just learning that you’re really Alyck instead of AJ. I know that you put on a persona when you were with us, but I still think that when it was you and me, you were yourself.’
‘I was myself with you guys at all times. The only thing I changed for you guys was my age and my name. Otherwise, you saw me.’
‘See, that proves my point. The person I first met, at the start of the band…well, he’s nothing like you are now. There’s more patience in you now in some ways. Your temper is still there, and hot as ever, but I notice that you control it better sometimes. But beyond that, its like I’ve watched you mature. You’ve gained wisdom, and knowledge, and so much more. The title of trulion isn’t just one they gave you because they had to. It is you. You’re wise, and strong, and yet at the same time, you’re still human with faults and all. You’ve grown, heart song.’
AJ looked humbled by Brian’s words. ‘You’ve gained wisdom yourself, Brian Thomas. Yes, you’ve found your honor, and you’ve always had respect. But beyond that, you’ve grown as a person. Your mind is more open, and your heart has grown stronger and more pure. You soak up knowledge like a sponge, but you don’t just let it sit in your head. You learn from everything you see. Six months ago you would never have fought anyone, let alone seen the need to do it. You would have found a way around now. Now look at you. A sword at your hip, looking like you were born with it there, dressed in elvish clothes with pointed ears, rings on your eyes, and totally at ease in your own skin. You make me proud, Brian Thomas Littrell, song of my heart, my baka.’
Stepping forward, Brian ignored their friends around them and placed a hand on AJ’s cheek. “You humble and amaze me, Alyck Tuian, song of my heart.”
AJ nuzzled into Brian’s hand, letting his eyes drift halfway shut. “As you do for me, master of my heart.”
“When will you finally realize that I’m not your master, Alex?”
The smile that curved AJ’s lips was sweet and full of sincerity. “Always to me will you be my hearts master, my love. With your direction I know that my song will always be bright and pure and true.”
Someone chuckled lightly, and the couple turned to see Kevin and Nick standing there, with their other friends arrayed around them. It was Nick who had chuckled, and Howie gave him a knowing look. “You have no idea, Carter.” Howie said in a sighing voice. “I was linked with them in their heads. The worst thing is, they talk like that in private too. Sickening, isn’t it?”
Isleen slapped the back of her hand against Howie’s stomach, startling the breath out of him. She gave him a small glare. “Tis sweet, I think. Might be that you could learn a thing or two, I’m thinking.” She scolded him. He shot her a look that suggested hell would freeze over first.
But Brian could see that AJ was focused on his two friends. The ones that he had gone through all that pain and heartache for. They were locked on to him as well. Kevin was the first to speak. “AJ, we just wanted to let you know, well…those things that we said, toward the end there. We, well, we didn’t mean them. I don’t know where they, I just. We were worried, but not like that. Not that way.”
With a wide smile and a happy glow to his eyes, AJ stepped forward and took both their hands in his. “It wasn’t you speaking. It was those spirits inside of you. I know that, guys. Please, don’t worry over it. I’m just so grateful that you’re both ok!”
“We don’t quite understand what you did.” Nick said softly. “But we could see while we were in those shield things. We saw what you did, and we visited you afterwards. Despite the way those things made us talk to you, despite the way we’ve been, you still saved us. We saw how much it hurt you to do it. I’ve never seen someone in so much pain. I, we, don’t know how to thank you.”
Tears filled AJ’s eyes; tears of joy. “Just live your lives. Be happy with one another. No other thanks is needed. You two are friends. You’re family. There is nothing closer to my heart than my family.”
At that moment Tripha sent a small jet of flame skyward. Instantly he had everyone’s attention. “The ten minutes are up. Combatants, enter the field!”
Brian moved to step out, skipping a small step when he felt the bit of air pinch his bottom. He kept walking, chuckling to himself. ‘Freak!’ he sent, laced with amusement. All he got in return was AJ’s humor in his mind.
The two met in the middle of the field, with Tripha standing to their side. Brian looked into Allan’s eyes, doing as AJ had taught him to do. Using what observation skills he possessed to try and read the mettle of this centaur from his eyes. You could learn a lot about a person from their eyes. In Allan’s eyes, Brian could see both pride and fear. That was a dangerous combination. It meant that, most likely, he would do anything to win this.
In the back of his mind, AJ was giving Brian instructions on how a fight like this progressed. There was no announcement to be made by a ref. No rules to lay out. It was a fight, and you must win it. Either by forcing your opponent to submit, or killing them.
They backed up two steps, bowed to one another, and Tripha sent another jet of flame skyward before backing away. The litany in the back of Brian’s mind cut off. AJ withdrew almost completely to better allow Brian to concentrate.
Allan’s front hooves pawed the ground, and he lifted the sword in his hand up. Most of his body was covered with light leather. Not armor, but a protection for his skin. In contrast to that, Brian looked totally underdressed. The centaur scoffed at his clothes. His eyes traveled to the sword at Brian’s hip. “You must draw your sword to fight, young one.” He taunted, stepping forward slightly.
Still Brian stayed utterly still. His body was light and loose, ready to move at a moment’s notice. He kept watch on Allan’s eyes. He would not play games with him. One of the first lessons that AJ had taught him, and the one that had given him the most bruises until he learned it, was that you wasted no movement. Do not move unless you have to, and when you do, move like water, like wind. Flow to where you need to go. In this way your stamina will last much longer.
As if annoyed with this waiting, Allan lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air. Compared to the lightening quick movements of AJ, it was almost too easy for Brian to sidestep the blow and turn as Allan charged past him. The centaur wheeled around, glaring at him, as Brian yet again grew motionless. That seemed to anger him even more. He charged in this time, and when Brian made to swerve past him, he kicked one of his legs out. The hoof just barely missed Brian’s thigh.
Allan spun around again, and this time the anger was evident on his face and in his voice. “Are we here to fight or to dance, young one? You seek to tire me out before you have to fight me! You are a coward, then!”
He charged one more time, furious and therefore at a disadvantage, and this time Brian drew his sword and met the clash. Metal scraped metal as their swords met. With all the grace that he had worked so hard to gain, Brian slid through the forms, countering every move that Allan gave him. He didn’t yet go on the offensive. First he wanted to see what Allan was made of. Only then would he start to attack.
It was easy to see that Allan fought with his emotions instead of his mind. That was an easy way to die. Brian didn’t want to kill him, but he did want to make a point. Once he was sure he knew Allan’s style as best as possible, he started to press his attacks. Inexorably he pushed him, his own claymore moving faster and faster until it was just a blur, until Allan was the one forced on the defensive, never able to find an opening to place an attack.
Just when he had Allan backed as far on the field as he could go, Brian made his final move, clanging their swords together and slamming his hilt against Allan’s hand, then twisting his own sword around in a move that quickly disarmed the centaur. That left Brian free to place the sharp part of his blade against Allan’s throat.
They stood there, Brian perfectly still, the crowd around them silent, and Allan panting from the exertion. He stared into Brian’s eyes, too proud to back down. “You lose, Allan.” He whispered to him. For a moment longer they both held their pose. Then Allan’s eyes dropped down in shame, and Brian removed his blade.
All around them the crowd started to cheer, letting up wild cries of joy. It was easy to see who they had wanted to win this match. Sheathing his sword, Brian offered a last bow and turned to walk away. He had never suspected that he had anything to worry about. Surrounded by friends, family, and allies, and having just won a match honestly, he felt secure in walking back toward his lover.
But it was the bond first that warned him something was up, only seconds before his own instincts kicked in. Following them, Brian leapt to the side, just managing to move as Allan came rushing past him, sword swinging through the air where Brian’s neck had just been.
A loud gasp echoed through the area right as Brian turned to look. He barely saw Allan trying to turn, and suddenly a sword was buried deep in his chest, coming out the other side. The centaur stumbled, looking down at the hilt that sat in the middle of his chest. His gaze came back up, and he attempted to step forward, but his knees buckled underneath him.
With everyone watching, Allan fell to the ground, landing on his side as all horses do. From his place on the sidelines AJ came walking forward. His pace was calm and even. When he reached the centaur, he looked down at him for a moment. Allan saw who it was, and tried to speak, but bubbles of blood were all that came from his mouth.
The air was thick with the silence that had settled around them. No one even blinked when AJ squatted down. He grabbed hold of the hilt of the sword and, after a short pause, twisted it before yanking it back out. That last twist had done it. Allan’s head lolled to the ground, and blood poured from his mouth. He was dead.
Holding the dripping blade by his side, AJ looked at those assembled around them. “They were given the fight that Allan requested. Look now at what pride can get you. Not to the top; not better than anyone else. It just gets you dead. He had his fight, and still he took the cowards way, seeking to attack from behind. I will not mourn his loss, for I do not mourn the loss of traitors. Let this be a lesson to you all.”
His head turned toward the centaurs, who were watching the proceedings silently. No anger or animosity emanated from them. “You will choose a new leader for your herd. Make sure that this one is not clouded in their judgment.” They nodded respectfully.
Turning again, AJ looked to where Brian was. He held a hand out, and Brian proudly stepped forward. He skirted around the body of Allan, not bothering to give it a glance. Instead he kept his eyes locked on his lover. They clasped hands and together they walked off the field.