Darkness shrouded the sky when we reached the village. Zenaris contacted the headman, and we were assigned rooms in the inn. We gathered around a communal table in the inn, and after getting our food, we began our meal. I had a plate of meat and vegetables in front of me - the flavor was acceptable, nothing to complain about. After dinner Zenaris paid our bill and told us that at dawn we would have a battle with the Gluhsars. Soon the innkeeper showed me to my room, and I immediately laid down on the bed. The soft bed seemed to me an unheard-of luxury.
After a while, Zenaris knocked on the door, inviting me to a meeting in his room. I shook off my traveling weight and felt light, and made my way to his room. Upon entering, I noticed that the others had already gathered and were without armor. It broke my expectations a bit-especially Goliath, who I had imagined to be a mountain of muscle, but turned out to be large, but not as imposing as he looked in his armor.
- Everyone here, great," Zenaris began. - Let me explain the mission for Alex. A couple of days ago, the village was attacked by Gluhsars, and the locals are in a panic. These creatures not only kill, but can threaten the entire area, so we've been tasked with exterminating them. - He threw me a glance. - Gluhsars are horrible creatures that live in the forests, but sometimes attack people and terrorize villages. Their main feature is the "bells" on their necks, which make a powerful sound that is confusing and can cause deafness.
- Before the fight, we'll plug our ears with rags and secure them," he continued. - Goliath and I will be on the front lines, with Michael and Helen supporting us from a distance. Alex, you support us on the flanks and cut off those who come up from the side. Understood?
- I see! - Everyone answered in unison except me. I added quietly, "Got it.
Everyone went to rest except Helen, who stayed with Zenaris. I went back to my room and took off my boots and finally lay down. But I was worried: I had no martial arts skills, and that would show in battle. To calm myself down, I got up and started practicing, imagining how I would chop my enemies. I soon realized how ridiculous I looked, and, embarrassed, I went back to sleep.
...
I woke up to a knock on the door and a voice behind it:
- Alex, come on up! We're waiting for you downstairs.
I dressed quickly and went downstairs, where my comrades were waiting for me in full uniform. Zenaris handed out rags to everyone, and we fastened them over our ears and wrapped them around our heads. We looked like warriors, sick with something, but ready for battle.
- I wonder if these Gluhsars are really as ugly as they say. - Michael asked.
- What?" Zenaris couldn't hear Zenaris, his voice barely reaching him.
- I forgot we're wrapped up," Michael smiled.
With a small smile, we moved toward the forest. At its edge, Zenaris gestured for us to take up positions, and we spread out, preparing to attack. Crouching by a tree, I tried to calm my excitement by meditating and concentrating my mana. Soon, I saw the Deafsaurus approaching us with my inner vision.
I beckoned to my companions, but they were already fighting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the Gluhsar lunge at me, its black maw split into four parts and open to reveal rows of jagged teeth. The creature clawed at my arm, and a sharp pain pierced it as the teeth sank into my skin. The Gluhsar was like a creature from nightmares: smoky, with empty eye sockets, a long neck, and protruding gills that vibrated and emitted a terrifying scream that pierced even through the defenses. I lashed out, stabbing it in the head with my dagger. The creature hissed and, letting go of me for a moment, darted into the shadows.
As I ran up to the group, I took my place beside Goliath and Zenaris, who were like rocks holding back the onslaught. Goliath, armed with a massive kanabo, struck the Gluchsars with such force that the bodies of the creatures shattered from his blows. Zenaris moved faster than the wind, smashing his foes in broad sweeps, relentlessly, like a continuous tornado. Helen shot her bow with precision, and Michael, loading his crossbow, struck his targets with terrifying accuracy.
Only I stood back, sword in hand trembling. Another creature circled the front flank, heading for Goliath from behind. Gathering myself, I swung, trying to cut it down, but the swing was slower than I expected. The creature slipped away, leaping at me. I barely dodged, but I was once again dangerously close to it. Trembling with fear and determination, I took a step back, raised my sword, made another sharp swing, and finally sliced through its black, smoky body.
My breath hitched, and I realized that I was not so useless in battle. My comrades continued to fight, each as a separate mechanism in a single formation, and I fell into rhythm with their movements and blows.
The battle dragged on endlessly, as if the forest itself were pushing out new enemies. The Gluhsar were coming from all directions, and it felt as if we were fighting an army rather than a group of creatures. I tried to hold my side positions, fending off the single attacks, but even that was difficult. Meanwhile, my comrades were fighting on the front lines, fending off fierce attacks. I couldn't imagine what they were feeling as they endured the onslaught of these horrible creatures.
When, at last, the battle was over, and silence reigned around, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. In my inner vision I saw that the remnants of the Deafsars, realizing that they had been thinned out, hurriedly retreated into the forest. Victory was ours. We waited a little longer in case of the second wave of attacks, but everything remained calm.
When we returned to the village, we went to the elder, and he gratefully handed the reward to Zenaris. The leader distributed the gold among us, and we each received a coin. I, unaccustomed to rewards, didn't know how much it was, but since no one complained, I thought the payment was more than decent. Just in case, we stayed the night to make sure that the grouse would not return, and checked the forest again in the morning.
After lunch, Zenaris approached me, his gaze serious but not cold.
- I've seen you move in combat, and... I can't say I was impressed. You don't seem to have any experience at all, do you? - he said bluntly, and I felt the blood rush to my face.
- Well... to be honest, this is my first sword fight," I mumbled, looking down at the floor. - But you're not going to kick me out for it, are you?
Zenaris hummed, examining me from head to toe.
- I won't condemn you for going into mercenary work without experience. Everyone starts at some point. But if you make a mistake, it could cost us all our lives. And frankly, you did better than I expected for your first time. So take the sword and follow me, and I'll show you a few basics," he said firmly.
I nodded, and grabbed my sword and followed him outside. Once I was out in the open, I suddenly felt unusually light. It was easier to breathe, and my body, though tired, felt alive after the recent battle. Zenaris drew out a long, gleaming blade, and in his hands it looked like a real weapon - worthy of a warrior. My sword, in comparison, looked like a pathetic craft, but Zenaris was focused.
- Attack me," he ordered calmly.
- But... I could hurt you," I objected, but his gaze quickly put me in my place.
I lunged, pointing my sword forward, but Zenaris didn't even blink, blocking my blow with remarkable ease. He seemed to anticipate my every move. I continued to attack, trying to strike from different angles, but all my attempts were in vain. Zenaris blocked them with absolute precision, even without straining.
Suddenly he stepped forward, bringing the tip of his sword down on my temple. I staggered and fell, hitting the ground painfully. Zenaris stood silently in front of me, pointing his blade at me.
- Your biggest mistake is that you're as immobile as a tree," his voice was cold, but the words penetrated me like an arrow. - If your stance is limp, everything else is limp, too.
He held out his hand to help me up. I didn't know what to do, but I took his hand and stood up. Zenaris began to show me the correct stance, his movements confident and precise, his commands clear. I tried to do the same, but my body was still resisting, trying to go back to being a tree.
We practiced for hours. He corrected my stance, taught me how to swing and move in combat, explained the importance of each step. I wanted to do everything perfectly, but I knew it would be a long road to get there. I didn't even notice that the sun was setting.
When evening had finally enveloped the village, Helen called us to dinner. My sword sank heavily into its scabbard, and I headed toward the communal table with a sense of well-deserved rest. The food seemed to have a much richer flavor after the training. I ate with an appetite like I hadn't eaten in days. Zenaris' training had strengthened me and, for the first time in a long time, gave me confidence.
Late at night, when everyone had dispersed, I returned to my room. As I lay in bed, I remembered the day and the feel of the sword in my hands. Zenaris hadn't kicked me out despite my unprofessionalism, and the others had been friendly as well. Perhaps I could finally be a part of something important.
In the morning we checked the forest once more, making sure that the Groukhsars were finally gone, and headed back to the city. It was a long way to go, but I already felt that with this journey I was beginning my journey to becoming a true warrior, albeit an uncertain one.