Xenarra: The Dragon Throne 41 A Fight Among Comrades Part I

'This wasn't here before.'

Looking under the mattress, I noticed that most of the slats had been taken out. This is why it creaked, the slats could barely support my weight. I heard some steps come down the hallway, then the door opening, though it was well oiled, if it didn't hit the wall, I wouldn't have noticed that it opened.

Looking over at the door. I saw the other nine all walk in, chatting among themselves. Seeing me they all smiled, but when they noticed that my mattress was up so that I could see the slats. Their smiles turned into nervous expressions.

"So was it all of you, who have been stealing the slats from my bed? Or was it only one, but the others new? Or was it none of you have stolen it and they just randomly have disappeared."

They all were moving from foot to foot, looking at each other, their eyes urging each other to speak. It was rather comical to watch. They all knew what happened, but none of them seemed like they wanted to say it. We were like that for a few minutes, me looking at them and them looking around at each other nervously.

"Are one of you going to answer me or are we going to stand here all day?"

I was starting to get annoyed, why can't they just answer me?

Seeing my face, it was Usha who took a step forward and spoke up.

"Well you see Adoh, we were told that wood for the fire had to be provided by us, so as you were not here, we used the wooden slats as firewood."

'Her explanation did make sense, but well the h.e.l.l did they not use any of the others bed slats, why only mine.'

As I was thinking this, I glanced at their bed's. Seeing where I was looking Usha spoke up. "To be honest, we were told that you would not be back for months. What happened to you should have apparently taken you out completely. We only found out that you were coming back and were well today."

"Wait Usha, did you just say that I was meant to be out for months, but the doctor didn't say anything about that. I just a.s.sumed that I recovered normally. Anyway, I guess that I understand your reasons, but as I am back, how will you be replacing the slats that at least have to have?"

They all looked relieved when I said that I understood why they had used my slats, but upon hearing the last part of my sentence their eyes all turned to each other, looking carefully. Then they all except Usha herself, turned and looked at Usha.

"Our spokesperson would be happy, we are all sure!"

'What has happened to these people, not even talking and just chucking one of them out and sacrificing her. I know, this will show them.'

"I see, so all of you eight will give slats to me and Usha. I got it."

Their smirking faces froze when I said that.

"Adoh, are you sure that's what you mean. We just said we were giving Usha's bed's slats to you and you want us to give ours to the two of you. Adoh, there is only one of you and seven of us. We are not going that far for just you." This was all said by Belegorn.

I looked at him for a moment. Then I snapped.

"How dare you! I am a sergeant. You are a legionnaire. If I say something you will obey. If you have a problem, register your complaints with a senior officer. Oh yeah, we don't have one currently. So Legionnaire Belegorn. Obey your orders!"

He looked at me and walked off. As he left the doorway. He looked back and yelled. "Come on then sergeant. Let's show us what you are made of."

I looked at them all for a second, and then sighed.

'Why do they have to have to fight me? I guess I can see at least how much they have progressed.'

I followed them out and down to the training room. Walking over to the weapon rack, I picked out a long sword, just like the one I used before to fight the dummy. I turned back to look at them. Belegorn was using a glaive, Orodreath a great sword, Herawine was using a bow, Thenel was using two axes, Gram a sword like me but he had a s.h.i.+eld, Halstein was using a spear and finally Oswold had some kind of gauntlet on as it seemed like he would be fighting hand to hand.

Once it liked I was ready, then took a basic formation. Oswald and Gram were at the front. Thenel was on the left side and Orodreath was on the right. Belegorn and Halstein were behind the two at the front and finally Herawine was at the back.

"Are you all sure you want to do this?"

What I got in response was an arrow heading to my face. Jumping to the side to avoid, I saw them all moving for me. It looked like they were going to try and envelope me. Then attack me from all sides.

'This looks like it will be fun. I need to remove Herawine first. His arrows are going to be a problem. So if I cut past Orodreath, that sword looks like it will be slow to use.'

Just as I thought of a plan, I moved, heading straight for Orodreath. He swung his sword down at me, much quicker than I thought he would. It will still be dogable. I just took a slight step inside so that I was closer to him. As I snuck past, I aimed a stab to his head, which hit with a ma.s.sive thump. He then collapsed to the floor.

I carried on straight for Herawain who had now in this couple of second exchange loaded another arrow and shot it towards me. To avoid it, I rolled forwards. It landed behind me somewhere. I got up from the roll as quickly as I could. Das.h.i.+ng forwards to knock out Herawine. I managed to avoid the others, though a spear stabbed out at me, which would have impaled me if not for me smas.h.i.+ng it down to the ground.

Once I had gotten past this, there was an arrow nearly in my face. At that moment it felt like my blood was heating up again. In a bust of speed I managed to just avoid the arrow and reach Herawine, smas.h.i.+ng his face with my free hand. This caused him to crumple down to the floor.

Turning around, they were all looking at me astounded at the move I had just managed to pull off. Then seeing that their comrades were not getting up, their face hardened. They then came at me again. This time though the two polearm users were in front with Thengal giving support. The other two were going round to attack on my flanks by the look of it.