Lost What little I had_The Shepherd

Cock-a-doodle-do.

Ugh, it's time to get up already. As I sit up, I wonder for what has to be the 700th time why that dam rooster likes to crow outside my window every morning.

I get out of bed and mentally prepare myself for the literal beating I am about to take all morning. Leaving my room, I see Gryo walking down the hallway. We start walking towards the training field.

"Good morning, John. I didn't see you come back yesterday. How did the job search go?"

"Nothing good most don't pay well. Anything that does, I need to learn how to use a sword."

"Why not ask Sergeant Johnson to teach you?"

"I did..."

"Oh good, what did he say?"

"He laughed at me."

Gyro grimaces. "That's rough."

We walk the rest of the way in silence.

I take my usual spot on the practice field. A few minutes later, the Castle Guards come out of their barracks. I see Gunther near the back elbow, his friend next to him, and point at me. They both laugh.

A new recruit stops in front of me to take their place to practice. But Gunther comes over, pushes them away, and says. "Pick someone else. This one is mine."

I think to myself. Why does this guy have to bother me?

I decided to try being nice.

"Good morning Gunther," I say politely.

Gunther growls at me while waiving a practice sword. "Shut up, dummy who told you to talk. You need to learn your place."

Phwwwwwhht The Training Sargent whistles and yells, "You may begin!"

Thwack, thwack, thwack. I get hit three times and stager back.

Gunther laughs. "I thought you wanted to learn the sword?"

"You are supposed to use skills, not just hit me," I reply.

He smiles cruelly [Quick Strike].

Snap, I see stars. He hit me right on the nose. I raise my hands to touch it, and it's clearly broken.

"Like that?" He says.

"Or maybe" [Diaphragm Punch] like that?"

I fall to my knees, gasping for breath and holding my nose.

"Stand up, dummy!" He yells.

[Second Wind] I hate to use it so early, but there is nothing else I can do.

I stand up and nod to him.

"Alright, I get the point. I shouldn't have asked to learn the sword. Can we just have a normal practice?"

"No, I told you that you need to learn your place. And that's happening now."

[Quick Strike] right into my broken nose.

I try to jump back, but he uses. [Halt] and my feet don't move.

He hits me with [Knock Down Strike]. While I am still in the air, I hear [Diaphragm Punch].

I quickly use [Absorb Hit] as he punches me into the ground.

Dam that hurts, I think while laying on the ground.

He kicks me in the ribs and growls, "Get up, dummy!"

As I stand up, I check my hit points 70/150. Not good. He is hitting me too hard. It's not even ten minutes into practice.

[Quick Strike] This time, he misses my nose but gets me right in the eye.

[Diaphragm Punch] this time, I couldn't absorb it. He knocks the wind out of me. As I am doubled over, I hear him say quietly [Piercing Strike]. I try to get out of the way, not believing even he would use a banned move. His practice sword pierces through my shoulder.

I look at my Hit Points 23/150 Bleeding for the next 10 minutes/until healed.

"Stop, stop," I say, trying to end the practice and get the Training Sargents attention.

Gunther growls. "You're finished." [Immobilizing Body Slam] As I am lifted into the air, I can see some blood from my shoulder get all over Gunther's face. Then I see the ground rushing up towards me.

[Reviving Slap] I open my eyes, and something gets shoved into my mouth. The Medic says, "Chew!" His hand is already moving away from my face and probing my shoulder.

His eyes widen, seeing the hole. "How did this happen?" He asks.

"Gunther used [Piercing Strike]." I hear multiple gasps and some murmurs. Only now do I realize everyone has stopped training and is surrounding me. The Medic starts cleaning and applying a bandage.

I see Sargent Johnson's face appear. "What is this about Gunther using [Piercing Strike]? Tell me what happen NOW!"

I look at the Sargent and reply, "Not much more to it. Gunther used [Piercing Strike]. Then while I was bleeding and trying to stop the training, he used [Immobilizing Body Slam]. Next thing I know, The Medic is slapping me awake."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Sargent Johnson stares at me and barks, "Gunther Report."

I can hear someone behind me clear their throat. Then Gunther starts talking. "I did not use [Piercing Strike]. It was a freak accident, Sargent. When I discarded the practice sword to pick the dummy up for a body slam. The sword bounced off the ground, pointing up at the same time I slammed him down. I tried to change the impact point, but he twisted around and landed on the sword. As soon as I realized what happened, I called for the Medic." Gunther stops talking.

Sargent Johnson looks between Gunther and me. "You bring a rather serious accusation against a Castle Guardsman. Is it possible you are misremembering? It looks like you did hit your head a few times."

I sand up and say. "I stand by what I said. It is exactly what happened."

More murmurs, this time, I can hear a few. "Not possible, unbelievable, outrageous lies, The nerve!"

I wince, realizing the crowd is not on my side, but I stand my ground.

Sargent Johnson looks disappointed then says. "Why would Castle Guardsman Gunther use [Piercing Strike] against you?"

"I don't know, but at the beginning of today's training, he told me I needed to learn my place," I respond.

Sargent Johnson looks over at Gunther. "Did you say that?" He asks.

"Yes, Sargent, I did. I was only good naturally taunting him a little because of yesterday."

Sargent Johnson grunts.

"Medic, based on your expertise, did John suffer any head injuries?" Johnson asked.

"He most certainly did, Sargent. He has a black eye, a broken nose, and his forehead is scratched from hitting the ground." Replied the Medic.

Sargent Johnson nods, seemingly coming to a conclusion. He looks at me and says." You have suffered a head injury as well as being knocked unconscious and lost a lot of blood. I believe it is likely you do not remember correctly what happened. I order you to the infirmary for the rest of the day."

He looks to the Medic. "Take him there now."

The Medic responds with, "Yes, Sargent!" And he starts guiding me towards the infirmary.

I try to protest, but the Medic says. "Now is not the time. Let's move it."

We get to the infirmary, the Medic points to a random bed and says. "You can rest there. The Physician will be back after lunch. He will fix your shoulder then." Then he promptly leaves.

I lay down on the bed and move my shoulder a little it hurts a lot, but I know the doctor will be here in a few hours. Worst case, my [Fast Healing] will fix it in about 24 hours.

Ding ding ding.

I must have dozed off that's the lunch bell. I sit up and look around. I don't see the Physician. Maybe I can get lunch then come back. When I stand up, I hear the door open and multiple people coming in.

I look, thinking maybe the Physician is finally here. But I see Sargent Johnson carrying something, Gunther, four other Castle Guardsmen, and The Guard Captain.

"Are you John?" booms The Guard Captain.

"Yes, Sir!" I reply.

"I am here concerning a serious matter. Do you have anything you want to say?"

"I have already made my statement to Sargent Johnson. It hasn't changed."

The Guard Captain looks confused.

Sargent Johnson says, "He is talking about the training accident from this morning."

The Guard Captain nods to Sargent Johnson, then looks at me and says. "I am not here because of a minor training accident. I am here because of this." He points to the sack Sargent Johnson is carrying.

Sargent Johnson throws it onto the bed. As it lands, I can see a sword poking out.

"Do you know what this is?" Boomed The Guard Captain.

"Uh... It looks like a sword, Sir."

"Good, you admit it." Roared The Guard Captain.

"Admit what? What is going on? I don't understand." I replied.

The Guard Captain looks angry, but Sargent Johnson speaks first.

"This morning after practice, we did a weapons count. One was missing. The missing sword was later found in your room." Johnson stated.

I look at The Guard Captain. "I have no idea how the sword got into my room, Sir." I assert.

Sargent Johnson speaks. "Just yesterday, you asked to be taught how to use the sword. I said no, and now today, there is a sword in your room."

"I didn't take the sword!" I protest.

"Then who did? Growled The Guard Captain.

I knew better than to accuse Gunther, so I said. "I have no idea, Sir."

"We do not have enough evidence to charge you with a crime, but it is likely you took the sword and were planning on trying to teach yourself how to use it. Instead of punishment, I, as The Castle Guard Captain, use my authority to dismiss you from your job, Martial Training Dummy, at Rivercastle effective immediately." The Guard Captain Solemnly stated.

"But Sir!" I cried out.

"No buts, no further explanations are needed. Guards remove him from the castle grounds." Boomed The Guard Captain.

I am marched out of the infirmary towards the portcullis. By the four guards, Sargent Johnson and Gunther.

"What about my things?" I ask

Sargent Johnson hands me the sack that had the sword in it. I look inside, and all my things are in there.

Lost What little I had

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