"Help! Help!"
Karl stopped in his tracks, kicking up dust around him. He turned his head towards the sound of the yelling, eyes scanning the field for any movement. There was nothing.
"Help me!"
He heard the yelling again. It was a woman's voice. He paused for a split moment before diving into the field. Vegetation slapped him across the face as he ran, bruising and cutting his cheeks.
"Anyone! Help!"
The screaming was much closer now. Karl doubled his pace, his legs burning with pain and eyes watering from the debris flying in his face.
Then, he heard a strange sound, like speech but more gruff and muted. Karl's heart raced. A robber threatening an innocent woman, he thought. Fear began to creep into his head. He ignored it, pressing onwards. The sound was louder and clearer now, not speech but more the bark of an animal.
A frightening scene unfolded before Karl as he breached the edge of the field. A young woman clutching something wrapped in cloth was backed into a tree by a massive shaggy dog. The dog's fur was brown and gray, dirty and patchy like a wild animal. It growled in a deep tone, sending chills up Karl's spine. He gripped the sword at his waist in trepidation.
"Please! Help me!" the woman called out to Karl, her face white with fear. Karl drew his sword and approached the dog from behind, fists clenched around the sword's hilt. The animal turned its head slowly towards Karl. He met eyes with the beast and saw something strange in them, something almost man-like. The beast growled and turned to face him, baring large yellow fangs.
Karl readied his sword and took on a light stance, observing the beast's motions. It slowly paced around him as Karl kept his distance. The wind blew through the wheat field, rustling the stalks softly, as the afternoon sun beat down upon the two combatants. Karl had never been in a real fight before but he knew how to keep up appearances and as such he adopted a haughty look, smirking smugly as he swung his sword nonchalantly.
"Come on you fell beastie, come and get some!" Karl called out, beckoning with his off hand. The beast narrowed its eyes and growled, before rearing back and pouncing. Karl ducked and rolled out of the way, making a swipe with his weapon across the beast's leg as hard as he could. He felt his arms shake from the strike as he heard a loud thud behind him. He whirled around to see the beast clutching one paw to its mouth, staring at him with uncharacteristically intelligent anger and hostility.
"Yeah, how do you like that?" Karl jeered. The beast bared its fangs but backed away. It growled, rearing up to stand on its hind legs, its back hunched over unnaturally. A strange bark-like speech bellowed from its fanged maw.
"Grrrrr… I have your scent, human… mark my words… you shall never know peace again…" Karl's smile faded as the creature backed further away from him, before turning around and breaking off into a swift dash towards the woods. He stared at the spot in the field where it had just been, frozen in place, his knuckles going white from how hard he was gripping the wooden sword.
"Did… did it just… speak?"
Karl's thoughts seemed to pour out into the air as a whisper. The thought was so outlandish and ridiculous that he felt compelled to speak it aloud. He stood perfectly still, his mind racing as the past few moments replayed over and over before his very eyes. 'An odd whistle of the wind?' he pondered, searching for some explanation. 'A rustle of the grass perhaps? Or perhaps just my mind playing tricks on me?' A voice cut through the maelstrom of his mind as it snapped him back to reality.
"Is… is it gone?"
Karl looked over at the woman by the tree, still clutching the cloth-wrapped bundle. She looked like a dairy maid, dirty simple clothing with a brown apron. He approached her, stumbling a bit, picking up a basket lying off to the side. He handed her the basket, nodding.
"It's gone. Are you alright?" Karl asked, before suddenly noticing that his hat had fallen off. He must have not noticed it while he was running. He cursed to himself as he faced away from the woman.
"Yes I am, and all thanks to you. I'm Letty, what's your name?"
"Oh I'm…" Karl quickly cleared his throat, speaking in a deeper tone to mask his voice. "I'm just a traveler passing by. No need to thank me, I just did what anyone would do," Karl looked around for his hat while he answered, still facing away from the woman.
"But you held your sword so well, like a knight! Please, tell me your name!" Letty insisted.
Karl blushed slightly. Nobody had ever seen his sword fighting before, let alone complimented it. He waved his hand dismissively. "That was… just something I picked up in my travels. Really, there's nothing to it."
"Oh but I must know the name of my savior! Please, I'll repay you generously!" Letty pressed further.
"No no, that won't be necessary. Why don't you head back to the town, where it's safe?" Karl said a bit sternly.
"Oh but what if it returns? Oh brave hero, won't you accompany me to the city gates? I would feel much safer with you by my side," Letty pleaded, approaching him and taking Karl by the arm. He recoiled slightly at the touch. He realized that he couldn't very well leave her here alone. Besides, the odds of that creature returning and attacking them both would be lower.
"Very well. I will walk you to the city gates," Karl relented. He'd surely be late now, but he was good at making up believable excuses.
Suddenly, he heard a strange sound, a shrill high pitched cry. He turned around to the source of the noise. The woman looked down as well, at the bundle of cloth she was holding, and began to coo and whisper towards it. The contents of the bundle began to cry louder as the woman rocked it gently. The realization hit Karl as he opened his mouth to speak before closing it again and facing away from the woman as he asked his question. "What brings you out here with an infant so young?"
"I… wanted to get some fresh air… for my baby…" the woman stammered. Karl knew a lie when he heard one. The woman was hiding something, that much was certain.
"Don't you know it's dangerous outside the walls? Why would you venture so far out?" he pressed, still trying to conceal his face.
"Well, I was merely out here for a few moments… I thought it would be safe…" the woman responded meekly. Karl knew this wasn't the whole truth but he decided not to interrogate her further until they were safely behind the city's walls.
"Come, we shouldn't linger here much longer lest that beast returns," he urged the woman on as she comforted the crying baby. The baby's cries slowly died down as they slowly moved through the field, Karl slashing a path for them with his sword as they walked. The woman moved slowly and timidly, looking around with fear as she did. Karl's hair stood on end, he too dreaded seeing that beast again. It did not show, not while they traversed the wheat field, nor when they finally made it to the path towards the city.
"That beast… it truly did speak, did it not?" Karl recoiled at Letty's query. He had to face the terrifying truth. Today he got lucky, and with every step he felt his luck slowly fading away. No more training at the secluded lake, no more sneaking away from the town, not with that monster out there. This fact alone almost made him look forward to his safe and secluded life at school.
"Of course not," Karl lied through his teeth. "Fret not, it shan't return. Still, we shouldn't tarry."
By now, the sun had gotten well into its descent towards the horizon. Karl cursed to himself but bit his tongue and continued to match pace with the woman. As they passed through the gates to the city, Karl turned to the woman. She looked at him with gratitude. Karl turned his face away slightly and spoke. "Allow me to walk you to your home, that way I can ensure your safety."
The woman's face contorted, turning from a look of gratitude to one of guilt. "Well, you see, the truth is a wee bit less simple," she said quietly. Karl's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean by that? Speak plainly!" Karl raised his voice slightly as the woman looked guiltily to the ground.
"Well, I may have been derelict in my duties," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I took a little bit of time for myself and snuck away." Karl's face reflected his mistrust in her. "It's true! I never meant to get myself into trouble but…" she stammered.
"But what?" Karl's tone was demanding and authoritative. At this, the baby began to cry. The woman quietly began to calm it down as Karl assessed the circumstances. She looked at him with a pleading look.
"Please, if you must accompany me then you may but I implore you not to mention what happened to…" She trailed off. Karl nodded. The baby continued to cry as Letty rocked it back and forth. Karl suddenly realized how foolish he probably looked, wearing dusty clothes and holding a carved stick. He was definitely out of his element.
"Alright, let us go then, let's get your baby home," Karl ushered the woman.
"My- oh yes," the woman blurted out and slowly started walking down the main road with Karl following close behind. At a crossroad, she looked in each direction before moving swiftly down the street. Karl kept pace as they passed through several alleyways, before finally reaching a small shop with several chimneys. The butchery, Karl thought to himself, judging by the smell of smoked meat.
Karl approached the door to knock when suddenly the woman grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him back, away from the building, whispering at him. "Stop! Don't knock! I mustn't be seen!"
Karl released her grasp as she staggered backwards, approaching the door regardless and knocking loudly. As he heard footsteps inside, he took a step back and turned to face away. The door burst open to reveal a portly man wearing a bloody apron wielding a cleaver in his hand.
"Who's makin' all that racket- who are you?" He looked Karl up and down before spotting Letty. "LETICIA! WHAT THE BLAZES ARE YOU DOING OUT AT SUCH AN HOUR?"
The man made his way towards her before suddenly stopping as Karl held out his sword like a cane before him. He turned his face to glare at Karl. Karl gulped.
"Excuse me good sir, but I do believe that you should be more considerate to this young woman. After all," Karl looked over at Letty, her face swelling with tears and gently shaking her head. Karl froze once more. Was this what being a hero meant? Not saving damsels from imminent death but saving them from their own mistakes? He exhaled a sharp sigh.
"Well? After all what, boy?" the man spoke, turning towards Karl and cracking his knuckles.
"After all, she got lost on an errand for someone of your description and asked me to escort her home safely. And that's mister to you," Karl added, jabbing the butt of his cane-sword into the man's chest. The man stepped back, eyes wide with surprise. Letty's were full of gratitude, though she tried to hide her face as she quickly ran past the man into the house.
The man whirled around as she ran by. "Hey now wait just a minute! Leticia! Why I oughta-"
Karl tapped the man on the chest again with the cane. "You ought to what? I hope I won't have to call the constable," he threatened. The man stepped back once more, scowling at Karl.
"No, mister, you shan't. How much do you want?" he growled, taking out a coin pouch from his waist.
"Nothing but your word that she'll be treated better," Karl demanded, waving away the pouch. The man stared at him, his frown deepening. "Your word."
"My word," the man spoke through gritted teeth. Karl responded with a smile and a slight bow.
"Good man. I shall be on my way then," he turned to leave.
"Hey, ain't I seen you somewhere?" Karl stopped in his tracks as the man called out to him.
"Of course not, and you'll never see me again so long as you keep your word," Karl said, his voice cracking slightly as he quickly set off towards his home. He felt the piercing stare of the man on the back of his head. Upon rounding the corner, Karl broke into a full sprint, his heart racing from the day's escapades. As he ran, his mind drifted back to his teacher's lessons. Karl wondered how he would have handled it in his place. Surely that beast would not have gotten away if his master were there. It was likely that he'd felled such creatures in his travels. His master would have handled it without even drawing his blade. Surely…
Tip-toeing through the back door, Karl entered the dimly lit manor. He could hear the sound of maids scuttling about, likely searching for him. He knew he had to conceal the sword before announcing his presence, lest he wished it to be tossed into the fireplace as kindling. As he mapped out his path, a set of hurried footsteps rapidly approaching nearly caught him off-guard. Karl ducked behind some curtains for cover, narrowly avoiding the butler hurrying past him with a worried look on his face. Karl made a mental note to apologize to the butler when this was over. Then again, at the academy he'd have even less freedom than he had here, so was he really in the wrong?
'No, a hero wouldn't run away,' Karl thought to himself, steeling his nerves and proceeding silently towards his room. As he passed the kitchen, the scent of what would have been a most delectable dinner wafted past his nose. Sweet notes of apple fritters and the savory smell of roast pheasant made Karl's mouth water almost instantly. Regrettably, he knew that his actions would leave him without food for the night. He begrudgingly accepted his fate, resisting the temptation to sneak some food out and risking his exposure.
Ascending the stairs, Karl deftly dodged every squeaky step with dance-like motions through pure muscle memory. He leapt over the bannister, landing softly with the grace of a cat. He quietly moved to his room, opening the door just wide enough for him to squeeze in. In the darkness, he stumbled towards the closet, nearly knocking over a chair. Karl swore under his breath before moving to the trunk and stowing away his sword in its wrappings beneath neatly folded clothes. Procuring a fresh set of trousers, he disrobed, tossing the dingy tunic and pants out of sight under his bed.
A creak from his door startled Karl. He whirled around to see the flame of a flickering candle slowly move into the room, followed by a small hand holding the candlestick protruding from the sleeve of a nightgown. Karl donned his pants and fumbled around for a shirt as a curious face poked itself through the doorway.
"Karl? Is that you?"
"Klara!" Karl quietly called out to his sister, quickly putting on a shirt. "Where did you come from?"
The timid girl almost jumped back in surprise. Karl quickly approached her, shielding his eyes from the light. She peered curiously at him.
"I could ask you the same thing. What happened to your face?" Karl quickly wiped his nose with his sleeve, leaving a dusty mark on the white linen. He turned away from the candlelight, looking down the hall past his sister.
"I just… fell on the ground, that's all. Where is everyone?"
"Looking for you, Karl." Even being three years his junior, Karl's sister certainly was precocious and astute for her age. Although diminutive in stature and pallid in her complexion, she exuded an air of maturity that dwarfed Karl's wannabe heroism. He sighed an exasperated sigh and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well, you found me," he retorted with a cheeky smile. He took the candlestick from her hands and held it up. Much as he might wish to delay the inevitable talking-to he was owed by his father, he knew it was best to take responsibility for his missteps. "Let's not keep everyone waiting now."
Karl started down the hall, Klara trailing just behind him, descending down the stairs in the same orderly fashion. Entering the drawing room, he approached his father's chair. At the exclamation of relief from his mother, Karl bowed his head apologetically and prepared himself for the cycle of reprimands and concerns that he was all-too-familiar with. Another entry in the list of stifling conditions of his life that he would not miss at the academy, he waited with baited breath for the onslaught to come. Instead, what he received was an embrace, first from his mother and then his father. The man clutched Karl's shoulders as he looked at him with a hint of relief on his face. Karl stared back, the surprise barely hidden on his face.
"I apologize for my lateness, father. I… lost track of time," Karl stammered out.
"I'm just glad you've chosen to stick to this path. Consider it a reward for your perseverance." Karl's father smiled at him, clapping him on the shoulder. "Come, the food is still warm and you have a long day tomorrow. The servants shall draw up a bath for you."
The two walked to the dining room, though not before Karl briefly met his mother's tearful gaze. A rush of remorse and regret flooded his mind as he saw the pride and relief in her eyes, as though something in the back of his mind was doubting the path he was so dead-set on in his heart. She quickly dried the tears with a handkerchief and followed, with Klara in tow.
Supper was eaten in silence, with Karl's father not even mentioning the obvious dirt on the boy's palms and face. With the bath drawn, Karl rinsed away the remainder of today's events, letting them flow off of him like grime. The talking wolf… Letty and her baby… the belligerent butcher. Like specks of dirt swirling in the drain, Karl let the stresses float away as he soaked pensively in the warm water. His mind drifted once more to his master's lessons.
"Stance!"
Karl readied himself, widening his feet and squaring his shoulders. Martial arts, the elegant merging of brawn and precision, were one of his favorite subjects to learn, yet the lessons were incredibly demanding, especially on his spirit.
"Steady!"
Karl's entire body tensed up at his master's words. He could not fail, not again. His master was clear - if Karl were to fail he would give up on teaching this lesson. There was no room for error this time. He inhaled deeply.
"Start!"
Karl's body lurched into motion, performing kicks and punches against a suspended sack of grain. Each hit was delivered with deliberate force, accompanied by grunts of exertion. The bag swung gently from the hits, oats and wheat germ falling through the coarse fabric from time to time. He envisioned every strike before it connected, just as his master had taught him. With each blow, Karl felt the energy delivered unto the target, adjusting himself to the recoil and directing his next attack in such a manner as to not disrupt the rhythm. Finally, he came to the end of the set, pummeling the sack with a flurry of blows before leaping into the air to deliver the finishing blow.
As if on cue, the sack fell to the ground with a loud thud, its seams splitting loudly as the contents spilled onto the dusty floor. Breath heavy and fast, Karl could only hear his heart beating in his ears as he returned to a resting stance. He bowed deeply to the defeated foe, keeping his balance perfect, before facing his master. Karl awaited the verdict with his hands at his sides, and though his breath slowed and steadied, he could still hear the incessant pounding of blood coursing through his body.
"You have passed."
Karl sighed with relief as he bowed deeply to his master, holding the pose for a few moments before standing straight.
"Tell me, why did you fail twice before?" Karl inhaled sharply at the question.
"I failed because I was not ready," Karl blurted out, berating himself in his head almost instantly for saying something so ridiculous. His master pointed his index finger at the boy.
"You failed because you did not prepare. Even my most talented pupils never succeeded on their first try. Talent and skill alone are not enough to overcome challenges. You must also have strategy, in life just as in battle. Only with a plan can you win every fight. Only with a strategy can you defeat any opponent."
The words embedded themselves in Karl's mind as he thought about his preparation. He failed the first time because he did not memorize the moves, and the second time when he ran out of breath halfway through the set. It was only after he practiced every move and memorized every sequence till he was blue in the face that he asked his master to test him once more. A question rose to the surface of his mind.
"But master, how do you plan for something you cannot study?"
The master tapped his temple. "You think." The master's smile highlighted how obvious the answer was, so much so that Karl himself chuckled. "The sharpest weapon you have isn't a sword or a knife, it's your mind. Hone it and it shall always lead you to victory."
"Yes, master." Karl bowed deeply. His master bowed back.
"You have learned fast and improved on all sides. My time here is coming to a close. I have taught you well, and whichever way of life you choose to follow you shall succeed. Just be sure of your choice, use your mind and weigh your decisions carefully, and destiny will shape itself in your image."
The very next morning, the master had left the mayoral manor, with no disclosure as to his next destination.