“A man will die without a consistent drive,” Dirk grunted and pushed him back.
Torcall fell back but stood up in time to block a blow. The men sparred with swords as the minutes passed.
Just when Torcall felt an opening for a blow had opened, Dirk drove a false blow and caused him to stagger back and fall on his back. His sword was at Torcall’s throat before he could react.
Both men stared at each other, breathing heavily. Dirk offered Torcall his hand brought him up.
“Ye do nae fight as ye can, boy,” Dirk shook his head. “Do nae hold back. Never hold back. Fear is yer enemy. Do away with it.”
Torcall nodded as he knew what was coming.
“When the doors are closed to ye--” his uncle prompted.
“—ye open a window,” Torcall completed.
“And when the windows are closed to ye?”
“—ye tear open the roof.” Torcall completed.
“And when the roof is sealed from ye?”
“—ye dig open the ground.”
“And if all fails?”
“—ye face yer attacker like a raging cornered bull, for ye are a warrior.”
Dirk nodded satisfactorily.
“Ye undermine yer strength. That is yer weakness.”
Torcall wanted to speak, but the soldiers had begun to troop in, so he said nothing. He waited patiently for Rannoch and waved at him when he did show.
“Do ye nae sleep?” Rannoch asked.
“I do, but yer Faither’s image haunts my dreams.”
“I thought that was me,” Rannoch grinned.
“Nay, I do nae fear ye,” Torcall replied and shoved his cousin.
Rannoch shoved him back, but it was as far as they could get before they were summoned by Dirk.
“Ye will nae attend training today. I have a message I need delivered, and I will send ye both and nae a runner.”
* * *
The chirping of the birds woke Ceana up, which was most unusual. Usually, she was woken up by the crowing of the cocks, which allowed her to wake up and have her chores done in good time and before the birds came out to sing. Groggily, she sat up in bed and was hit by the worst headache she had ever experienced. Her head pounded so terribly that she wondered if she was being hit.
“Dear God!” she croaked and fell back in bed.
The door opened soon after, revealing a dressed Alina. “Good,” she muttered, “I knew I heard ye.”
Much to Ceana’s pleasure, she disappeared. However, she appeared moments later and moved to part the blinds to let the sun in.
The rays pierced through Ceana’s eyelids, intensifying her headache and making her shriek. “Why does my head ache so?” she groaned. “Close the blinds!”
“That’s what ye get for drinking too much mead. Come on,” Alina said, “sit up.”
