The clashing of sticks and the clamour of children filled the courtyard as two fair skinned, teenage boys duelled under the hot sweltering sun. Not many onlookers were there that day, but the boys were fighting each other hammer and tongs trying to prove their strength. They both tried very hard to impress the small crowd that was gathering because amongst the audience was their demanding father. It was hard to know what their father was thinking when he was observing the fight because he was always very calm and pensive, but behind those solemn eyes you could see a flicker of disappointment that he felt about one of his sons.

Around eight minutes had passed since the fight had began, and being on the defensive had taken a toll on one of the brothers. Even though Luther Erwin was older he was much smaller than Fredekirk, his baby brother, and less talented in close combat. Every once in a while Lou would attempt a strike on Kirk, but every time he did, the strike was met with a parry and a counter. Lou was constantly blocking and protecting himself from his towering brother’s endless barrage of attacks. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep it up. He hated looking weak in front of his father, but the truth is he was weaker than his brother. With his stamina running out Lou attempted another strike after noticing an opening. This was his chance to end this dogged contest and come out on top as the underdog champion. With all his might Lou swung his wooden sword at his brother’s right rib cage. But his brother, quick on his feet, bounced backwards and avoided getting hit. With his swift step back Kirk had turned the tables and now Lou was susceptible to attack. Realising his chance to finally end the fight, Kirk lifted his leg and extended it right into Lou’s side with all his might, literally kicking him to the curb in the courtyard.

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When the dust settled, it revealed a little, worn-out, brown haired boy. Lou was completely drained of energy and spirit. Even if Lou wanted to get up he couldn’t even muster enough strength to. Kirk, concerned, tried to make sure his brother was alright, but their father, Alphonsus stopped him. Alphonsus congratulated Kirk on a well deserved victory, and a few words were exchanged between them. Reluctantly, Kirk left the courtyard and headed inside. By this time the crowd had dispersed, and only a few people were on the courtyard. Alphonsus walked over to Lou who was face-down on the ground.

Lou’s father crouched down, lifted his son’s head by his hair and said, “Oh, pick yourself up. You’re beneath this. You have the blood of a thousand great warriors, and yet you lay there snivelling, kissing the dirt because you got your ass handed to you by your little baby brother. You should be ashamed.” Disgusted with his son, Alphonsus continued, “Kirk was heading over to make sure you were okay. I told him his pity would only degrade you even more. Hard to believe at this point. Even harder to believe that you can call yourself my son.”

With only those terrible words to say to his son, Alphonsus left the courtyard. As soon as his father had left, tears ran down Lou’s dirt covered cheeks. No words could describe how much pain and shame he felt at that moment. It’s true that Kirk did a number on him, but that wasn’t what was hurting Lou the most. All his life Lou had tried to prove his worth to his father, but ever since his brother was born he never could.

Lou and Kirk were almost two years apart, but from the moment his little brother came into the world Lou was always mistaken for the younger Erwin.