《Asher and Alexander!》


 Ash

    Taking in a deep breath the boy took in the world around him. A cool breeze caressed his face bringing with it the calming scent of the pine trees all around him. He could hear a waterfall off in the distance as he relaxed his mind and body. Today would be the last time he could spar with his best friend Alexander.


    Sighing, Asher flopped back on the soft grass. He was excited that his friend had been excepted into a knight school but, arrrgh!


    Simply because my mother was disowned for marrying my supposedly upstart of a father, I was rejected! How was a man who taught his self how to fight and who earned his place as a Earth Knight and even placed in the top 100 in strength for the kingdom of Eve an upstart? I -


    "Ash!"


    Sitting up Asher watched Alexander run toward him with his trademark smile. Alex was five feet of lean blonde perfection in the making according to some older women he heard talking about his friend once. Asher was not afraid to admit Alex''s eye color was appealing, there is blue and then there is the crystalline blue depths that most of his family had.


    Reaching him Alex tossed over one of the wooden swords he had strapped to his back. "Father said to tell you that even if he can see why you might want some revenge against the officials. Do remember that we are friends and the face is off limits, also you may tenderize him as long as you don''t break him."


    Alex said with a bright smile as he pointed to himself.


    Asher rose to his feet in one fluid action catching the wooden sword inches from his face. Arching one brow Ash asked "And which one of us has to go see the healer because the other has yet to learn control?"


    Still smiling Alex twirled his sword in a figure right pattern, "Ready to begin!"


    With a shake of his head and a deep clearing breathe he settled into a ready stance.


    Alexander watched his best friend and rival take up a defensive stance across from him. He had been shocked when the training officials had laughed when he asked about Ash''s placement on the test.


    The two men arrogantly straightened their postures as one replied, "Bad enough he is the son of that upstart commoner, but to dare apply to learn alongside his betters when he fails to meet the requirements to be considered even a weak Mage." The man said before spitting to the side and muttering, "As if we would waste our time on someone with zero talent for mana manipulation!" The second man place a hand on his shoulder and whispered with a friendly smile,"Don''t worry you won''t have to debase yourself by associating with such felth for much longer.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    How do I tell my friend this when I was so shocked I didn''t respond and they walked off. How is the boy I that I have tied with but never beat weak? He has beaten me in everything but the rank of being noble. The brother I trust to watch my back, but hate losing too so much I have claoses as thick as some commoners at the age of fourteen was rejected. Manaless! I think I get father''s anger when Sir Wild is spoken of as a mere Earth Knight! How do you look down on someone you can''t win against?


    "Alex are you in there buddy?"


    Snapping back to his current situation Alexander studied his opponent. Ash was best described as sharp, from the bald head because real men don''t wear curls to the presence that proceeded his entrance anywhere, you knew this was a shape weapon. As he made eye contact with those sharp gray daggers his smile became a smirk and he attacked.


    With skill that belied their age the two boys traded blows, attack and defence faster and faster as the clack of the wooden swords rang around the clearing and all the way up to the top of the city wall. Alex began to feel an energy swirling around him as fought to keep up with Ash''s latest barage of attacks. Distracted he felt the slash come for his ribs and even know it''s futility jumped back with everything he had.


    Ash was shocked when Alex seemed to shoot backward but was knocked off his feet as his sword passed over where Alex had been and was ripped from his hand by the air. Rolling to his feet Ash felt pain though his entire left arm. Ash looked to see where Alex was and saw him bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet manic grin stretching his face as he went higher with each bounce.


    Landing Alex turned to see a wide eye look of astonishment on his friends face. Finally an advantage! Legs shoulder width appart, left hand fisted at his hip, and wooden sword resting in the crock of his neck he raised one eyebrow. There was never a doubt in his mind this match wasn''t over yet. Ash tensed and then blades his body and raised both fist left out front. Eyes piercing Ash said,"The blade is merely an extension of my will I am the weapon. " Focused of his overwhelming victory Alex fell into his on bladed stance sword resting at his left hip as he gathered the energy around himself and the blade. The weapon must land a blow to be affective but you can''t hit what you can''t catch. Shooting forward with focused intent he could taste the victory in his bones.


    Ash watched as the very air wrapped around Alex. This was probably the moment his father warned him of." There comes a time where everyone must learn the humility of defeat. I hope you can accept it gracefully." Accept that this is all I amount to that I am nothing special. Heart pounding as Alex leap forward wind wrapping around the blade and destroying the ground behind him. As the blade roared toward his head Ash stepped forward with a right straight aim at the center of the blade yelling, " I REFUSE!"