Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Legacy of the Winds ❯ Book 1 chapter 2 ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 2
 
“Come on Cop, hit me.” Zach grinned as the Dark Winds adopted son, Copernicus, made another attempt to touch him in their little game. It was a modified version of tag. You had to give the opponent a good punch to tag them. They had ten minutes in which to tag you, and lost 1 point possible per minute. The first player to knock his opponent out or get 50 points was the winner. So far Copernicus hadn't been able to land a single punch on Zach, and they had been at this for the last hour. Copernicus was surprisingly strong and fast for his size. He was a bit too big to be as fast as he was, and he wasn't big enough to be as strong as he was. With anyone else Cop would have won, but Zach, The Razor, Supreme General of the Dark Wind's Army, was possibly the fastest man alive, aside from the Dark Wind himself.
 
“You nearly had me that time. Come on, you can do it.” Zach dodged aside again. He'd be winning this from points, not from a KO. He just didn't throw those kind of . . . Zach landed on the grass, with a bruise on his shoulder. “Looks like you caught me thinking. Good job Cop.” Cop helped him up. They took their places inside the starting circle, and the judge rang the bell.
 
Zach leaped back then started making false darts, fake moves, trying to get cop to mess up. Blocking a punch was perfectly legal, as was breaking the fist that threw the punch. There, and opening. Zach darted in and landed the blow to the side. 50 points on the dot. A victory. He held out his hand. “Good game Cop. Keep working, and eventually you'll beat me.” Cop shook it, then they parted ways. Zach headed back to his quarters to freshen up. Cop headed for his own quarters, but was intercepted by a courier. “My Lord, the King wishes to see you, now.”
 
Copernicus sighed. He just wanted to go rest. But the King's commands could not be ignored. He turned and went to his adoptive father's private hall.
 
When he arrived Kaishaa greeted him warmly.” I saw your exercise. You did well. It is a great feat to land a blow on the Razor. Only about five people have done so, aside from me.”
 
“I caught him thinking. He wasn't paying enough attention.” Copernicus looked at his father. Why was he here?
 
“How do you think the other's caught him? But that is not the real reason I brought you here.”
 
Here it was.
 
“Tell me, are you tired of sitting behind these walls and training night and day? Yes? Then how would you like to go and put your skills to the test?”
 
Cop's face brightened. He blinked, and looked at Kaishaa excitedly. “Really? A field mission?”
 
Kaishaa's face became more serious. “Yes my son. I do indeed have a field mission for you. The other day, while on patrol, four of my Sky Guardians sighted a great eagle. When they tried to bring it down, they were attacked by an archer with fire arrows that ignited in mid air. He killed two and the eagle killed a third. The last hurried back to report. This is no ordinary archer, and the eagle's presence is a mystery that needs solving. How would you like to lead a troop of soldiers out there and investigate? I need someone I know I can trust, and you are that person.”
 
Copernicus paused a moment, and thought. It would be wonderful to test his skills. And such traitors needed a lesson, though they wouldn't be alive long enough to make use of it, since suspected traitors were executed on the spot. But surely a flight of Sky Guardians and ground troops could handle it. Unless . . . “Do you think that the resistance had something to do with this? Perhaps they are planning something?”
 
“You are as smart as you are skilled with a sword. That is precisely what I think. Will you accept?” Kaishaa raised an eyebrow in inquiry, waiting for Cop's reply.
 
Copernicus bowed. “Gladly will I accept this charge my Lord.”
 
“Then go with my blessing.” He placed a hand on Cop's shoulder, and said a simple spell of good fortune. Then Cop turned and marched out. Kaishaa turned to the great black lion lying next to the thrown. Good, yes?
 
The lion raised its head and looked into Kaishaa's eyes. Indeed, Master. He whole heartedly serves you. The plan has gone perfect since its conception.
 
“Yes it has, my friend. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Together they laughed madly. The laughter echoed through the halls. The sentries outside the doors cringed.