“You are abysmal. How you are still walking around frankly astonishes me. Twelve pushups. Twelve. I think you’ve set a new record for the orphanage. Lowest. Scorer,” said Priest Damon arching over Greg. “Though I think you already knew that. Your friend here too. Didn’t even try. Good thing there will be plenty of extra work and chores for the both of you. Now go. Both of you. Don’t even think about skipping out. I will see you and the others tomorrow right after breakfast.”

The two boys scurried away eager to leave the room. The news was unfortunate but expected. They knew what they had done throughout the Military Day and the demanding results required by Priest Damon. As they ran out they slowed down catching some of the man’s words to Jack.

“Did better this time. Not by much but these results are passable. You will do well in the military academy. Now leave and tell the little rats to follow you out instead of listening at the door!”

Jack hurried out the door, not unhappy but not satisfied either. The door closed with a clang. He was quick to catch up to the others.

“Super hearing that one has,” said Greg once Jack was close. “We were halfway down the hall.”

Wilson ribbed Greg. “We should get going regardless. I’m tired from yesterday’s trip and need to go somewhere and do something else.”

“What do you want to do then?” asked Greg. He looked up to Jack. “What do you do in your free time? I’ve only sometimes seen you play ball with the other kids.”

Jack shrugged. “It depends on the day. I’ve played games with the other kids in the past for exercise but as of late, they have gotten more mean and disinterested in others. Probably comes with the fact that they never got adopted and will have to take up full-time work as adults sooner rather than later.”

“I wouldn’t want to adopt those pigs feet either,” said Greg.

“Other days I practice with a training sword. I already know the military is the path for me so outside of what I have to do for the orphanage I do in preparation for my career.”

“Sounds boring,” said Wilson. “Jobs and the future can come later. That’s why they are the future. They don’t matter in the present.”

“I think it sounds cool,” said Greg. “I mean the training did suck and we will have to go to it again, but you can prepare us. Show us your moves.”

“I’m not sure how well I could teach you two. I’m not the best at explaining things. I’ve got my training to do but maybe by showing you guys I will also understand the fundamentals better.”

“That is great,” said Greg. “Where should we meet you during free time.”

“On the steps of the orphanage to start. I’ll show you where I usually go.”

Once Jack left and was out of earshot Wilson spoke up. “I’m not going with you two.”

“Come on. It will be fun. I need something to take my anger out on. You probably do too.”

“Get Brad to go out with you. Or anyone else.”

“You know he doesn’t have the same free time today. Stop making excuses. It will be fun.”

“Have you considered that there are things that I want to do?”

“Well, no. What would you do?”

“I’ve got some places to explore today. I’m not sure if I will have the chance to see them next time I get the chance to.”

“That is rather vague,” said Greg. “How about this? You join me for the first thirty minutes. Maybe a little less if we both find it boring. If you want to stay then stay for the full time. There should be plenty of time afterward for you to sneak off to wherever you are planning on going.”

“I will counter with this. I will join you this time, but you owe me a favor. One that I can call on later and you will have to do my assignment. How about that?”

“I know your tricks. Assignments could be anything. I will do any orphanage job or task within the orphanage that they assign us. The favor also must be called on within one week from tomorrow.”

“Two weeks.

“Fine. You’ve got a deal.

Wilson put out his hand. “Deal.” They shook on it completing the contract.

0-0-0-0

The two boys stepped out on the steps of the orphanage.

“I see you two made it. Let’s go have some fun,” said Jack as he put his arms around the two boys and slid in between them.

Jack pulled them down the stairs following him around to the back of the building. Other kids ran by with the start of their free time, but they paid no mind. They went past the edge of the building to the gated area. In the back was the garden, supply shed, playground, and for their purposes a field.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“I’ve got one extra wood sword at the moment,” said Jack. “Who wants to start?”

“I’ll start,” said Greg. He stepped forward confidently and grabbed the extra sword from Jack’s hand.

Jack grinned at Greg's enthusiasm, nodding approvingly as he handed over the wooden sword. "Alright, Greg, let's see what you've got." He turned to Wilson, who was watching with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Don't worry, Wilson, you'll get your turn soon enough. Pay close attention to what we're doing, okay?"

Wilson nodded; his eyes fixed on the two older boys as they moved to the center of the field. Jack took a few steps back, assuming a relaxed stance with his wooden sword held loosely at his side.

"Now, Greg, the first thing you need to remember is your stance. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, and make sure your dominant foot is slightly forward." Greg adjusted his feet, trying to mimic Jack's position.

"Like this?" he asked, looking up at his mentor for approval.

"Close," Jack said, moving to stand beside Greg. "Here, let me show you." He demonstrated the proper stance, exaggerating his movements so that both Greg and Wilson could see clearly. "Remember, you want to be stable but still able to move quickly if needed."

Greg nodded, concentrating as he fine-tuned his stance. Wilson watched intently, mentally noting every detail of Jack's instructions though his mind wandered. Once satisfied with Greg's position, Jack returned to his spot facing the younger boy.

"Okay, now let's talk about how to hold your sword. You want a firm grip, but not too tight. Your hand should be about an inch from the cross guard, and your thumb and forefinger should form a 'V' shape on the grip."

Greg adjusted his hand placement, feeling the balance of the wooden sword as he held it in front of him. "It feels a bit weird," he admitted, frowning slightly.

Jack chuckled. "It'll take some getting used to, but trust me, it'll feel natural before you know it." He raised his sword, holding it vertically in front of his face. "Now, let's start with a basic strike. Watch closely." With a swift, controlled motion, Jack brought his sword down in a diagonal slash, stopping just short of the ground. "This is a simple downward strike. It's a good starting point for beginners. Give it a try, Greg."

Greg took a deep breath, focusing on the target in front of him. He raised his sword, trying to mirror Jack's movement, and brought it down in a clumsy but determined slash.

"Not bad for a first attempt," Jack praised, causing Greg to beam with pride. "Remember to keep your wrist straight and follow through with the motion. Let's try it again."

As Greg practiced the basic strike under Jack's guidance, Wilson watched with growing interest. He couldn't wait for his turn to learn from the older boy.

After several minutes of practice, Jack called for a break. "You're doing great, Greg," he said, patting the younger boy on the shoulder. "Take a breather, and then we'll let Wilson have a go."

Wilson practically bounced with excitement as he took the wooden sword from Greg. The once reluctant boy jumped into the practice.

"I've been watching closely," he said, grinning up at Jack. "I think I've got the stance down already. Though I’ve never held a sword I’m used to the footwork needed for it and similar stuff."

Jack raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Oh? Let's see it, then."

Wilson planted his feet, mimicking the stance he had seen Greg practicing earlier. He held the sword in front of him, his grip slightly too tight but otherwise correct.

"Impressive," Jack said, nodding approvingly. "You're a quick learner, Wilson. Now, let's see that downward strike."

Wilson took a moment to concentrate, visualizing the motion in his mind. Then, with a determined grunt, he brought the sword down in a surprisingly smooth slash.

"Whoa!" Greg exclaimed; his eyes wide with admiration. "That was way better than my first try!"

Jack laughed, clapping Wilson on the back. "Looks like we've got a natural here," he said, causing Wilson to blush with pride. "But don't get too cocky, kid. There's still a lot to learn."

As the hour wore on, Jack continued to guide the two boys through the basics of swordsmanship. He taught them simple parries, thrusts, and footwork, always emphasizing the importance of control and precision. They rotated through and took turns with the extra wooden sword. As they practiced Wilson jumped into training simultaneously. Even without a sword, he followed the foot movements. He mimicked holding a sword in his hands and followed the instructions that Jack gave.

Despite their initial struggles, both Greg and Wilson made steady progress under Jack's patient tutelage. Their movements became more fluid, their strikes more accurate, and their confidence grew with each successful technique.

As a distant clock tower bell rang, Jack called an end to the training session. "You two did an amazing job today," he said, smiling proudly at his protégés. "Keep practicing what you've learned, and we'll pick up where we left off next time."

Greg and Wilson nodded eagerly, their faces flushed with exertion and excitement. The duo started their trod back to the orphanage building after returning the spar wooden sword.

“See! That wasn’t too difficult. You’re even better than me,” said Greg eagerly.

“Of course, I am. Who do you think carved that wooden sword? I did. Now don’t forget that favor of mine.”

“Me. Never,” said Greg mockingly. “Though the fact that you made that wooden sword was cool. How did you have the time to make those?”

“You aren’t going to ask where I got the knives for it?” Wilson paused but quickly moved on. “Anyway, I made time because despite what you think not every night do I sneak out of my room just to leave the orphanage. Sometimes I do stay inside. And sometimes I use my free time for something other than being with you.”

As they approached the familiar, weathered facade of the orphanage, a sense of reality began to settle upon Greg and Wilson. The exhilaration of their swordsmanship lesson with Jack gradually faded, replaced by the weight of their everyday lives within the confines of the institution.

Greg's mind wandered to the monotonous routine that awaited them: the bland meals, the strict schedules, and the endless chores. He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as they climbed the steps to the entrance. "Back to the grind, I guess," he muttered, casting a sideways glance at Wilson.

Wilson, however, seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he contemplated something. “Tomorrow is going to suck isn’t it.” He turned back to Greg.

“I expect it will be. I hoped that a new priest might change things, but it hasn’t. At least not yet.” Greg’s brows became more furrowed than should be natural as he contemplated something.

“I know that look. You’ve got a plan. Don’t you?” asked Wilson.

“I have something, but I don’t know if it will work. Or if we even have the means to do it. I’ll have to think it over. And no, it won’t be possible before our extra work tomorrow. We don’t have enough time for that. We do need to avoid Priest Damon for as long as possible.”

“Aye to that. It is not as if we aren’t already doing that.”