I was tired, sweaty, but very pleased with myself. I'd won the Junior Swords again, but in all three categories this time. True at fourteen this was my penultimate year of eligibility but all three trophies!
My closest rival the hated lord-ling Eric Ranir had stood no chance today, even though he'd won through to all three of the finals he'd had to face me each time. How I'd enjoyed seeing him lose again and again, the hateful shadowling!
He wasn't able to beat me anymore, not in anything. Suddenly the memory of Gérard's voice, his face looming, of Eric smiling down at me flashed before my eyes threatening to spoil my mood.
Best put Eric out of my mind for now, wash, change, stow the trophies. Yes the trophies, one for each category: Epee/light sabre, heavy sabre/light broadsword and finally the heavy broadsword, all mine.
My father's practice sabre held in my right hand, a gift from mother, and the trophies couched beneath my left arm, I smiled and sauntered from the head of the stairwell, turned left and set off along the green carpeted corridor toward the open window at the balcony end, tapestries, mirrors and portraits so familiar that they were virtually invisible to me on either side. My rooms are twelve doors up on the left, three doors before the window. I could still hear the noise of the crowd outside through the window. How they'd cheered me.
As I approached my rooms I realised that someone was standing there, outside my door, his back to me.
Trying to pick the lock?
I moved forward stealthily and as I neared the miscreant I realised that it was none other than Eric still in his blue and yellow fencing habit, his dark hair hanging long, in profile I saw a look of intense concentration on his face, the muscles of his sinewy hands appearing to move in waves as he attempted to manipulated a piece of wire as a makeshift lock pick.
I stood watching for a moment enraged, but coldly so. No more you scum, you filth.
"Looking for something Eric?" I asked, I tried to keep my voice level, succeeded; I hoped my face showed no emotion I felt ready to explode.
With a start he turned, dropping the wire, collecting himself he stood erect, facing me, an arrogant grin upon his loathsome face.
"No, I've found it, you cheating blue blooded Bastard!" he snarled.
The emphasis was on the word 'Bastard', and the odd reference to cheating, strange, but he obviously wanted to goad me into a fight. Very well Eric, let it be so. I carefully deposited my precious cargo onto the floor near the wall of the corridor then answered him.
"A bastard am I my little lordling, look to your philandering mother for news of bastards."
I smiled, deliberately obnoxious, arrogant, self-satisfied.
Without a sound he hurled himself forward launching a right cross towards my head, his face contorted in hate and rage.
I swayed to my right and took a small step counter clockwise. Inwardly I smiled, happy, cool and in control. It would end today.
Eric came on again a wild left was followed by a right hook aimed at the ribs. I merely ducked under the wild swing and stepped back out of range of the right. He was so slow, I couldn't believe it, this useless little turd had once beaten me to the ground, me?
Even more enraged and obviously frustrated at his failure to score a hit as yet he snarled inarticulately and tried for a kick, as the foot came in I grasped the ankle in both hands, and hefted the leg up and over. Eric performed a rather inelegant somersault, falling heavily. I had to admire his spirit though because he got up again.
Now was the dangerous time, would anyone hear, would someone pass by? I moved toward the window, Eric followed wrongly thinking I was retreating. Fool. I risked a quick glance beyond him, no people there. Good!
On he came as I laughed inwardly at his pathetic attempts to strike a Prince of the Blood, he would have his reward, now.
My back was to the window Eric stood facing it his next punch was aimed high to the head. I ducked under it, grabbed the arm spun in counter-clockwise and yanked; Eric spun past me out onto the balcony half turning, his legs struck the balustrade he threw his arms high and wide, he tumbled sideways across and over. A look of shock and fear appeared in Eric's eyes as he realised he was about to fall, I felt only coldness and satisfaction.
To the sound of women screaming and men shouting I walked back to my room, gathered my trophies and father's sword, entered and began to wash and change as I'd originally intended.