I was feeling pretty good as I made my way to the training shed a few minutes early that afternoon. I didn’t want to take any chance of missing Jarvis. I knew that he was very busy and it was possible that if he arrived early and I was not there, he would make some excuse and offer to reschedule or something. Then Thomas and I would have to keep practicing until we could try and lure Jarvis to the shed again. I was really hoping that Jarvis would support me in this new method of fighting and that he would convince father to allow me to continue with the new method because I was convinced I could never learn to fight the way my brothers fought.
As soon as I arrived at the training shed, I saw Thomas was already there. Looking up at me, he observed dryly, “I guess we both had the same idea, eh Jasper? Personally, I was worried that if Jarvis got here and we weren’t ready for him, he would leave.”
Nodding, I told him, “I had the same thought, Thomas. But we could go ahead and practice some before he gets here, don’t you think?”
Rolling his eyes, Thomas said, “Who would’ve thought my little baby brother would be anxious to practice his swordsmanship!”
Shrugging my shoulders and looking down at my feet for a moment, I lifted my eyes up at him, “Well, I just can’t wait to give you a drubbing for a change!”
We both heard a startled snort of laughter behind us, then Jarvis stepped forward from the door, “Well, the kid’s got some confidence about him. I can’t wait to see this ‘drubbing’ myself, Thomas. Shall we get on it?”
Thomas and I shared a look that clearly stated we had not arrived too soon after all! If we had waited until 3 o’clock, no doubt Jarvis would have arrived, seen we weren’t there yet, and then left again. Thomas went over to the wall of practice swords and lifted two of them down, handing one to me. “Okay, Squirt,” he said solemnly, “don’t embarrass me now.”
“I’ll do my best not to, Thomas,” I said as I took my place in the center of the practice area.
We both got into position and I waited for Thomas to start the swing that would begin practice. Just as he was starting the swing, however, we both heard the training shed door bang open and a voice called out, “Hey! Can anyone watch this or what?!” My heart started pounding as I heard William’s loud voice. Luckily, Thomas had stopped his swing just in time. We both turned toward the door and I saw to my dismay that not only was William there in the doorway, but so was George. Now George is only six years older than me and the closest to me in age of all my brothers. I imagined that Edmund, the second oldest of us, would have come if he wasn’t already serving in the king’s army, and, of course, Bart would never darken the door of the training shed since he spent all of his time with the minister and in the church building that father had had built on our property. Still, with four of my overly large brothers all crowding into the shed, I suddenly felt as if the room had been drained of all of its oxygen! I stared wildly around at them, wondering if there was any way I could get out of this!
“What are you two doing here,” Jarvis asked them pointedly.
“Well, George and I were on our way to the stables when we saw the kid here hurrying this way and we asked ourselves, now what would make the kid hurry towards the training shed?” William said humorously. “I mean, we all know how much he hates to practice and how he suddenly forgets how to walk when he comes this way,” he looked over at George, “isn’t that right, George?”
“Yup!” George grinned evilly, “Actually, I think one time I saw him get down on his hands and knees and start crawling over here like a little bitty baby.”
I frowned at George, who, even though he was only 14 years old was already over 6 feet tall and weighed over 200 pounds, all of it muscle. I really hated him sometimes. Like now! I looked over at Jarvis and saw him frowning at George too.
“If you can’t be nice, George, you’re welcome to leave right now,” Jarvis told him sternly. Shooting a glance at George, I was surprised to see his face turning red! Boy did that feel good!
“Aw Jarvis,” he said sheepishly, “I was just teasing the kid, really. I would like to see how he’s doing, you know?”
“Very well, but both of you stand over here and out of the way and I don’t want to hear any more noise out of either of you!” he gave them both a stern look.
“We’ll be quiet, Jarvis,” William assured him, moving quickly over to the side of the training shed, with George sticking close to his side.
And then Jarvis turned back to Thomas and me, “Okay, let’s get this started. I don’t have much time and I need to leave soon.”
Taking a deep breath, I turned back to Thomas. I was feeling pretty nervous now. I knew I could do this, but I hadn’t expected to have anyone watching except Jarvis. What would William and George say? Then Thomas leaned over and whispered to me, “Focus, Squirt. You can do this. You’ve practiced and you’re ready!”
Nodding tightly, I whispered back, “Thanks, Thomas. I’m ready now.”
We once again assumed our positions and Thomas began his first swing. I quickly jumped to the side, rolled and ended up at his back. He wasn’t waiting around this time since he had been learning along with me, but he still couldn’t move as fast as I could. I managed to get in a hit before he had swung all the way around and then I was dancing around to his side and our swords met before I could get in the second hit. I allowed his sword to roll off the end of my sword instead of trying to counter it, which I knew would just get the sword knocked out of my hand and it would all be over then for me. I quickly ducked down and this time I rolled between his overly large feet and managed to get a hit to the back of his leg which made him lose his balance for a moment. I was then up again and turning in a swift circle with the end of it slicing through his right shoulder blade. If it had been a true sword, that would have ended Thomas’ career as a swordsman. I heard Jarvis yell out, “Hit!” with a pleased sound.
I quickly lowered my sword and Thomas did as well.
Jarvis was looking pleased, “Where did you learn fighting like that, Jasper?” he asked me.
Looking over at Thomas nervously, I started to say, “I…” but Thomas interrupted me.
“The kid learned it from a book, Jarvis! Would you believe it? He practiced all by himself for months before blindsiding me with it about a month ago. It’s amazing really. He uses his talents in speed and agility and I can’t keep up with him. What do you think?” Thomas was obviously excited.
I looked over at Jarvis who was looking thoughtful. “It does have possibilities, Jasper. Let’s see what you can do against another opponent, shall we?” He looked over at William, “Especially since we have some so conveniently available.” He waved William over, “Step into the circle with Jasper, William. Let’s see what he can do against you, okay?”
William frowned thoughtfully, “I’m a bit bigger and more experienced than Thomas, Jarvis. Are you sure you want me to do this?”
“Just promise me you won’t kill our little brother, William,” Jarvis said wryly.
“Okay,” William said reluctantly, “if you’re sure. Come on kid, I’ll try not to kill you.”
William took the practice sword from Thomas and took his place. Now, I had not practiced this with anyone but Thomas, but I had a feeling that with my method of fighting, that might be a good thing. I had the feeling that even though William had watched me fight against Thomas, he was not expecting to have any trouble against me.
We took our stances, and William started his swing to disarm me. However, I was not standing around waiting on him. I danced to the side, swung my sword and connected with his sword arm, rolled quickly on the floor and swung my sword to the back of his leg. At his roar of pain and anger, I quickly jumped back to my feet and swung in a wide arc against his now unprotected back just as he was trying to turn to defend himself. He was not quick enough as I was no longer where he expected me to be. I had jumped to the side and….
A loud roar of anger penetrated the room, causing everyone, including me and William, to stop and turn and stare. Father was standing at the entrance of the training shed, his face livid with rage.
What will happen? Will Jasper’s father put a stop to Jasper’s method of training, or will Jarvis talk him into allowing Thomas and Jasper to continue? Stay tuned!
