Dragon Blood Chronicles Chapter 1 Part A by Benjamin Soto

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He quickly reached for the weapon as if life depended on the simple touch of the handle, but before he could take hold of it the brown boot that adorned Cervantes' right foot pressed that handle into the ground.

"You win." Drax mumbled sitting up on the forest floor.

"Be not discouraged boy. Your skills begin to improve." Cervantes reached his hand to the youth helping him to his feet. "Instead of five minutes to defeat you it took me but only six."

Drax lifted his sword from the ground and froze as Teoak walked to him and Cervantes. "Father..." Drax spoke timidly as Teoak straightened his blue robe. His long white hair, beard, and mustache with hints of grayness made him seem as though he were the wisest man alive. It also made the man look older than the reality of it.

The years have been unkind but my General can still fight with the best of them. Cervantes thought while watching Teoak slowly move to Drax. And still, he hasn't learned how to ease up on the boy.

Teoak looked his son over from head to toe. Drax had surely grown over the years. His build much more like that of a warrior even though no facial hair was present. Perhaps it was best that way for Teoak thought the boy looked better without.

My boy. Boy?

At that moment Teoak realized the word no longer held any meaning for his son. Standing before him was not a little boy in need of his father's protection at every aching moment. A man stood before Teoak who could fend for himself, who had a long life ahead of him, who still had much to learn, and who had many difficult choices to make.

No. He is no longer a boy.

"With each duel he shows improvement." Cervantes spoke breaking the silence hanging in the air. "Your son remembered what happened the last time my blade went near his stomach."

"As I recall, the aim was much lower that time." Drax jumped in.

Cervantes smiled. "An apology was already made for the incident in question."

"I know. But if the aim had been a bit lower I would be a soprano singing in the woman's choir for the Emperor."

"Drax, you gave in." Teoak's voice was cold.

"He beat me..."

"Do you truly believe that uttering 'you win' would suffice in combat?"

Drax looked to Cervantes unsure of himself and then back to his father to answer the question. "No, Father, it would not." Drax summoned the strength from inside to stand his ground. "But this was not real life combat, and I knew that Cervantes would not kill me. And is not the luxury of training to learn and not truly have to fear for you life in the process?"

Teoak nodded and patted his son's shoulder. Drax let out a sigh of relief at the gesture.

"I'll tend to the horses Lord General." Cervantes threw the words in. He looked to Drax before leaving. "Practice my boy. In the end it is practice that will prepare you best."

Teoak allowed for a few seconds of silence before speaking. "Drax, your performance during the duel with Cervantes was rather disappointing. Have you learned nothing from us? You hesitated repeatedly, and gave countless opportunities to be struck down.