The New World: A Step Backward (11 page)

July 6 ~ 2066
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7:45 am

Early in the morning Thoruk fidgeted, anxious about facing Ukkiville's Master of Arms for the first time in any kind of formal meeting.  Standing with hands behind his back, Thoruk rocked on the balls of his feet as he squished the soggy soil drenched from the previous night's storm.

While waiting for the best weapons specialist his village had to offer, he looked at his two buddies nearby, appearing every bit as nervous as he.  "So, we're together again to spend most of our days over the next two years being trained here at Protuk's cabin."  He sighed.  "Be prepared.  My father warned me the Master of Arms is a no-nonsense man — very tough."

Obviously feeling his 16-year-old swagger, Stormulka smirked.  "Master, Smaster, I ain't scared of nobody.  Can it really be any worse than suffering with The Professor these past three years?"

Thoruk shook his head.  "Alright, do as you like."

Protuk, not much for talking except when chatting with Odinuk, approached.  Just as Thoruk was about to utter good morning, the herculean warrior bellowed.  "Are you ready for your sessions?"

Thoruk stiffened to attention, but before he could get a word out of his mouth, Protuk barked.  "ARE YOU READY?"

The response was obvious.  "YES, SIR!"  Thoruk's legs wobbled as he glanced at his friends.  Both stood wide-eyed with their mouths agape. 
Storm ain't looking so brave now.

The burly trainer thundered.  "Now that I have your attention, I want to say a couple of things up front.  First of all, I am a man of few words.  I expect the same from you.  Keep your answers direct and to the point, and we'll get along just fine."

Thoruk snuck another glimpse at his pals, intently fixated on the giant towering over them.

Protuk gawked at him and snarled.  "Is there something wrong?"

Thoruk hesitated.

"I said, IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG?"

"NO, SIR!"

"I think you're starting to get the hang of this."

Varying thoughts crashed through Thoruk's mind, but he dared not move his eyes or mouth — he stared straight ahead.

The stoic-faced trainer paced back and forth in front of the stunned students.  "I know the three of you want to swing swords and fire arrows.  But there's much to learn before you're prepared to use such weapons.

"In the coming weeks, I'm going to talk, and you're going to listen.  At least you better, or you might lose your head while going one-on-one with me.  UNDERSTOOD?"

"YES, SIR!"

"Good."  He continued pacing.  "Patience is a valuable attribute most youngsters don't possess.  If you don't have some now, you will after I'm done with you.  Also, if you don't fully understand what to do on a battlefield, you won't survive the first skirmish with an experienced killer."

He bent down and squinted at Mercivil.  "Aren't you pretty scrawny to be a warrior?  Are you sure you want to be a fighter?"

"NO, SIR.  I mean, YES, SIR — to the fighter part!"

"Umm, I'm not convinced, but you'll get your chance."

Thoruk scrunched his nose with furrowed brow. 
Who is this man?  He's not Father's friend who helped me lace my moccasins when I was little — or the guy who rushed me to Doc's when I fell out of the tree.  Something has possessed him.  This is NOT Protuk!

The more he thought, the faster his brain worked, spinning in circles. 
Intellulka told me there would be days I wished I was back in his class.  Now I understand what he meant.  We've got to spend the next couple of years with this — this — I don't know what he is, but he's not Protuk.

The instructor began pacing again.  "The three of you will get plenty of action.  Don't worry about that.  By the time I'm through, you will experience days when you'll beg to stop and rest.  So enjoy listening and learning.  If I'm confident you've absorbed enough by day's end, I'll demonstrate a maneuver you've never seen before — one which saved my life."

He walked to a table in the shade by the corner of his cabin.  "Come here and take a seat."

Thoruk frowned. 
I don't like sitting around listening to lectures all day.  That's what we did at Intellulka's.  I want to fight — feel the adrenaline!

The experienced commander stood before them as they sat erect in their chairs.  "Before you go to battle, you must be ready.  Without preparation, you won't have a chance.  That's what your lesson for today is all about — developing a strategy.  So sit still and listen.  You will be quizzed, because your life depends on understanding these key points.

"Before we start you should know the village's position regarding offense versus defense.  In Ukkiville, our belief is that we go on the offensive and only apply force if we need to apprehend criminals and murderers or to disable a threat which is unquestionably intent on harming our village or its people.  But let there be no doubt, we tenaciously defend ourselves if we are in immediate peril or danger of attack!

"When such a situation presents itself, follow these steps before engaging in combat.  First and foremost, THINK!"  He leaned over and tapped Thoruk's forehead with his index finger.  "Use your noggin.  Your skull is full of gray matter which controls your functions, holds your memories, and creates your thoughts."

He paused for a moment.  "While we are on the subject of noggins, I want to mention bravery.  Courage requires a dash of wisdom to avoid a fool's ending.  Being brave, without thinking before you act, can lead to a quick death."

Mercivil raised her hand.

Protuk peered at her.  "Do you have a question?"

"No, sir.  I have a comment."

He crossed his arms.  "Well, go on — spit out the seeds."

Squirming in her seat, she put her elbows on the table.  "According to Intellulka, the majority of people only exploit a small fraction of their brain's capacity."

"Thank you for the enlightenment.  That makes sense given what I've seen of the dimwits walking the earth most days.  But let's return to the lesson.

"When you formulate strategies for a battle plan, use your mind to imagine all the possible approaches, weapons, and techniques your enemy may employ during an attack.  Then determine the possible solutions to effectively offset each and every one of their advances.  Be aware that your adversary will likely have an idea you never thought of.  You must be ready to confront the unknown and the unimaginable."

Thoruk's leg bounced constantly. 
Well, that's obvious, but I'm a doer, not a thinker.  When are we going to get to the action?

Protuk's incessant, baritone voice drummed along.  "Next, you should KNOW YOUR ENEMY!  Utilize your knowledge of the opponent's strengths and weaknesses from prior combats.  Attack weaknesses and prepare to defend yourself against their strengths.  You should overcome, not just fight to a draw.

"On the battlefield, as you do while you hunt, IDENTIFY THE MARK; by that I mean the best kill spot to disable and destroy your enemy.  If you only wound them, they may get up to slay you or your fellow villager."

Thoruk nodded. 
That's better.  At least he's talking about fighting and killing.

The voice in the background kept plodding forward.  "Of course, none of this matters unless you have thorough TRAINING!  It is essential that you grasp the finest techniques to defeat any warrior you face.  Isn't that why the three of you are here?"

Stormulka's arm shot skyward.  "I guess so, but I really want to learn how to use a sword.  You know, feel the steel in my hand."

The teacher closed his eyes for a moment and groaned in disbelief.  "I see I have my work cut out with you.  You need to focus harder on the messages I'm trying to share.

"Combat has nothing to do with feeling the metal in your grasp.  Defense is about protecting yourself, your family, your friends, and loved ones.  I could give a flip about feelings.  Now, sit tight and pay attention to the key points.  Stop dreaming about senseless things that don't matter when someone's trying to kill you."

Taking a deep breath, the determined instructor continued.  "But even excellent training won't be worth a nugget of fool's gold if you don't PRACTICE!  Without regularly using what you're taught, you'll quickly forget different techniques and lose your speed and accuracy.  Repeatedly putting your body and mind through the motions keeps your actions and thoughts tuned."

With his elbows on the table and chin in his palms, Thoruk's eyes glazed. 
How long is he going to talk?  My butt's sore sitting here doing nothing.
  After his persistent teacher talked for what seemed to be another half hour or more, he snapped out of his daze when Mercivil edged him with her elbow.

Protuk looked at all three and smiled.  "I know that each of you is an experienced hunter.  What you learn here the next two years will improve your skills.  My cousin, Wolfuk, is a renowned tracker.  He'll be here for a handful of field lessons to teach you how to track your enemy.  Many of the techniques also apply to hunting game."

Thoruk straightened up in his seat. 
That's great!  Maybe I'll get that 12-pointer Father saw in the woods.

After quizzing the trio, Protuk directed them toward several wooden weapons propped against an oak.  "Let's go over to that tree."

When they arrived, the instructor grabbed a wooden practice spear and sword.  "Okay, I promised to show you a move, if you listened.  You've been very patient today."  He peered at Thoruk and extended his hand.  "Here, thrust this spear at me."

Thoruk cocked his head and gritted his teeth. 
I'd love to kill the monster inside him, but I can't hurt Father's guardian.
  He timidly poked the weapon at his trainer.

Protuk seized the shaft just behind the point and whacked Thoruk across his upper arm with the sword.  Enlarged, blue veins bulged from the master's neck.  "I said THRUST that spear at me!  Try to STAB me!"

Mercivil charged out of nowhere and pushed Protuk, then punched him in the side.  "You better never do that again!"

He didn't budge from his spot but leaned back.  "Aren't you the feisty one?  I'm rather surprised you have so much courage for a skinny runt."

Stormulka snickered.

Protuk glared at him.  "I admire such spunk!"  He turned toward Mercivil.  "But don't ever hit or challenge a commander again, understood?  An officer trains for years, has lots of experience, and knows what he's doing.  Your responsibility is to OBEY orders, not to question or give them.  A combat unit can't be questioning commands, or chaos and confusion will follow.  Got that?"

She bowed her head.  "Yes, sir."

Protuk glanced at his students.  "You witnessed courage today, by Mercy.  But remember, bravery is only as good as your willingness to use it.  Mercy showed what she's made of and that she is prepared to defend her friends.  That's special!"

He looked Mercivil in the eye.  "Now stand straight and hold your head up."

Smiling, she raised her chin.  "YES, SIR!"

He pivoted to Thoruk.  "I said THRUST that spear!"

Hot blood coursed through Thoruk's heart as he stepped back then rushed at him, lunging the spear toward his gut.  Protuk whirled with his arms outstretched.  When he completed the circle, the edge of the sword's blade rested against Thoruk's throat.

Thoruk stood with his eyes and mouth wide open.  "How did you do that?  You're so big, yet you spun so fast!"

Protuk took the weapon from Thoruk's hand.  "Go on, get in line with the others.  What did you learn from this — anybody?"

Stormulka spoke first.  "Sir."

"What did you learn, Stormulka?"

"Never to make you mad, sir."

Protuk sighed with a tinge of annoyance.  "Anybody else?"

"Emotions, sir."  Thoruk lowered his eyes.  "I let my anger overcome me.  I didn't maintain my balance — and I allowed my emotions to defeat me."

"How about your enemy?  Did you know your opponent or did you underestimate him?"

Thoruk shrugged his shoulders.  "I never imagined you could spin so fast.  I need to think and plan better, so I can anticipate your moves and be ready to react to surprises next time."

"Exactly."  Protuk winked.  "I think you're beginning to get the picture."

Two Years Later: June ~ 2068
~
3:00 pm

Near the completion of training, Thoruk awaited his final assessment. 
I'm sure Protuk will use some special maneuver today; one he hasn't shown us before.  I'm ready.  He hasn't seen the moves I've been practicing.

Protuk grabbed a sword and extended the handle toward Thoruk.  "Here, take this.  I'll use a spear."

Squaring off, Thoruk spread his arms and legs to maintain balance in a crouched position as his opponent did the same.  Thoruk patiently awaited his master's initial move, keenly alert to Protuk's every twitch.  As anticipated, Protuk lunged forward and Thoruk whacked the spear's head to the ground with his sword.  The skillful trainer immediately recovered to block Thoruk's swipe of the sword.