Clack went his scabbard as it whacked the back of his calf, almost causing him to miss a step. It was supposed to look impressive, but so far it had caused far more trouble than it was worth. He’d seen plenty of knights wear it like this, even Erik managed to make it look easy, but it wasn’t working. It must have been the balance on this sword.
Henry stepped back, regaining his footing.
Erik paused. Both of them took the opportunity to catch their breath. Then Henry swung again. It went wide, careering through the air, and then smack into Erik’s sword. Henry held it for a moment, until Erik forced him to drop it. Not even Henry could hold against Erik’s strength like that.
“I’ll give you a moment” Erik said, walking away himself “I’ll be in the library”
* * *
If Erik was still moping over his books, Henry was going to use the fact that he was the Crown Prince and make him come outside to practice. Not that Erik would probably listen to him… Everyone had been so boring and moody lately. Things had always been entertaining with Ava there – she’d gone. His father was a bit vacant lately, mother was always with him. Erik had been spending ridiculous amounts of time in the library – a library of all places – and there wasn’t really anyone elses of interest. The only other person was Adalric, but when she even decided to show up, she was looking down her nose at them. She was an Adalric as well, and Ava had told him enough about them.
Henry was considering how to face Erik – drawing his sword then and there and demanding a match, then remembering the bruise Erik had given him… maybe later – when he passed Adalric, just leaving the library. She didn’t bother smiling at him, like she used to, she kept her head down and kept walking. Why did she look so cheerful?
Erik was in the library, but not reading… Just pacing. His friend was strange sometimes.
“Erik! I knew you’d be hiding in here” Henry told his friend. “I know you’re too scared to fight me but I promise I’ll try not to hit you. Too much.”
Erik looked blank for a moment.
“C’mon Erik… There’s some pretty girls out there. Oh. Sorry. But I’m not married to Ava yet so -”
“Henry” Erik looked at him, finally “You’re not going to marry Ava” Henry’s chest fell… He liked Ava, he did, and he thought that she might like him too. She was making a show of not, but weren’t ladies always pretending they weren’t into it? He had hoped that when their marriage was announced that would change… Who was he going to marry now?
“Lets go.” Erik was already on his way to the armoury, and Henry forgot all about his other problems.
“Running away again Sjo?” Henry called after him, knowing full well that he had yet to beat Erik.
“I’m going to beat you, Henry” Erik threw back over his shoulder and his quiet laugh an answer to the curse Henry threw back.
Long time no see! Hopefully more updates are on the way – I have lost my notebook which I plan my updates in though, so if there’s any random storylines going on, you know why now.