Free A Call to Arms: Book One of the Chronicles of Arden by Shiriluna Nott, SaJa H Page B

with bruises the size of small houses and here Diddy was, smiling like a loon.
    Gib grudgingly accepted the shortest sword the attendants could find—and it was still just a bit too long—and then the pair of students headed out into the field to await further direction. They didn’t say much as Gib was still preoccupied with the grand idea of living in a fine house one day if he worked hard. Diddy, likewise, was quiet.
    Tarquin Aldino’s voice cut through the air. “We could stand next to Gibben.”
    Gib shuddered but had nowhere to go. The highborn fool was making his way closer and the girl whom he’d been partnered with, Kezra, followed. Her frown remained constant, and Gib wondered if she knew how to smile at all. He didn’t have long to dwell on the thought because Tarquin stood nearby, glancing awkwardly at Diddy. What was Tarquin’s problem?
    Kezra caught up and kneeled to tighten one of her bootlaces. Dark green eyes leveled her partner from behind wild onyx hair. “Are you sure they’re the ones you want to stand next to? I’d rather spar where we’ll draw less attention. This will be entertainment for all here. One of the only three female recruits right next to the pri—”
    Roland’s voice washed over them like a wave of thunder. “ Soldiers, to the north! ” Instantly Diddy, Tarquin, and Kezra turned to face north. Gib scrambled to follow.
    “Base stance!”
    Gib watched as the others around him spaced their feet and took up their swords in fighting hands. He followed along, wishing he knew what was going on. Should he already know these commands? He’d never run practice drills on the farm before. How was he supposed to keep up when everyone was already so far ahead of him?
    “Good!” Roland was moving through the paired trainees. “Most of you already know basic commands. If you do and you realize your partner does not, help them out! If I catch anyone slighting their partner, they’ll be running circuits. Five or six laps around the field might make you feel a little more generous!” Mutters rippled through the line of trainees.
    “Speaking out of turn—another excellent way to earn circuits. If I hear talk about anything other than our drills and how to perform them, then every student in that area will run. The innocent can pay proper thanks to the one who felt the rules applied to everyone but himself!”
    Gib locked his jaw. What if he had to sneeze? Was that allowed? He could feel the panic tingle down his spine. As Roland commanded them through basic formations and then had them square off against their partners, the Weapons Master’s voice was the only one to be heard.
    They were told to focus on defense and to take turns switching between assaulting and blocking. Gib was grateful that Diddy was a bit more reserved in his swipes and blows. When Gib missed a block, the resulting tap was hard enough to discourage him from being distracted again but not so heavy he feared real damage. Tarquin, on the other hand, winced each time Kezra caught him off guard. The thud of her sword against his arms, legs, and chest could be heard by everyone. Gib hoped he never had to be partnered with her.
    Roland was moving through the pairs of students, sometimes giving advice and other times merely observing. Gib watched out of the corner of his eye as the Weapons Master closed in on them. Gib tried not to hold his breath and to keep his focus, but he was so nervous. The trainer’s eyes bore into the back of Gib’s skull, scrutinizing his every move.
    “Widen the space between your hands on the hilt.” Roland was beside them now, speaking to Diddy. “You’ll have better control over your blade. There, yes. Keep your hands like that. Very good, Your Highness.”
    Gib nearly dropped his own weapon. What? He was pretty sure his ears hadn’t deceived him. Had the Weapons Master just referred to Diddy as—as—?
    Diddy’s face flushed as he responded to the trainer in a quick, hushed voice.