Page 5 of Theoden
CHAPTER TWO
FIVE YEARS LATER
“You drop your guard every time, Samuel,” I pointed out to my friend, who was smarting over a blow I had just delivered to his side with my wooden sword. “You must remember to keep your arm up to block such attacks.”
“I’ll remember that next time,” Samuel said with a playful grin, then he lunged at me, tackling my midsection and sending us both crashing to the sandy ground.
“Ugh!” I grunted, then rolled him over so I was straddling him with the blade of my wooden sword pressed against his neck. “You are dead, my friend.” I chuckled.
“How did you do that?” he asked, marveling at my grappling skills.
“I train harder than you do. I want to be the best,” I admitted. The words Father Quintus had imparted on me lingered always and kept me motivated, constantly striving towards greatness.
He shoved the blade of my sword from his neck, and I let him as I climbed off his body. It was best that I did, as I was beginning to feel those forbidden thoughts. I tried hard not to think about such carnal desires. I knew they were a sin. It was difficult, as Samuel was growing into such a grand specimen of male beauty. Both of our bodies were tanned by the sun’s rays and well-muscled from training constantly. I turned away from him to watch the birds soar in the sky in order to get my thoughts under control.
“I train too, just as hard as you do,” he fussed.
I turned to look at him. “I know.”
He grinned. “I can beat anyone here.”
“You can. I always have to try my hardest to best you,” I said, hoping to make him feel better. Unfortunately, his smile turned into a frown, letting me know I had said the wrong thing to him.
“I am sorry, Samuel,” I apologized.
“It is true that you are an amazing fighter, Theodosius, but do not assume you are the best,” he stated, then rose to his feet.
Even though he was angry with me, I was still attracted to him. I realized that my body was beginning to react to Samuel once again. The stirring of my manhood between my legs, which was sinful, often plagued me when I was in his presence. I rose quickly, adjusting my leather briefing, which I was prohibited to ever remove.
“I… I only want for you to join me in greatness, Samuel,” I said as I reached out to him, gently touching his shoulder. I thought he would slap my hand away, but he didn’t.
“I will be as great as you one day, Theodosius.”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, but not today,” I taunted playfully, then attacked him while his guard was down, landing a swift jab to his stomach, which caused him to blow out all the air in his lungs. He quickly took a defensive stance, countering as many of my swings and jabs as he could. I landed many blows, kicks, and hits with my sword while dodging his attacks. It drew out his frustration, and he raged as he came at me like a mad man, which took me by surprise.
He swung his sword wildly, not holding back as I had been. His face was a contorted mask of fury and determination. His eyes were fierce as he attacked and I dodged and countered what I could, but eventually, he got lucky, striking me on my shoulder with the blade of his wooden sword. Pain seared through my being at the point of contact, and I winced from the agony. Had the blade not been wooden, he could have cleaved me in two.
“There! A killing blow, no doubt!” he announced victoriously.
I took several steps back, rubbing the ache in my flesh and bone. I looked down to see the redness and swelling already rising to the surface.
“If I did not know any better, Samuel, I might think you wanted to kill me,” I said. The fact that he went at me with such malice disturbed me. I was always determined in my sparring with him, but never intended to do harm. This was different. Why did he take such glee in hurting me?
“I just wanted to prove to you that you are not invincible,” he said, grinning triumphantly.
“I never said that I was, Samuel,” I replied as I rotated my shoulder.
“Theodosius, come,” Father Quintus called out to me, drawing my attention. I didn’t even know he was there. I wondered how long he had been observing us.
“Yes, Father,” I answered, then walked toward him. He brushed my hand away to inspect my shoulder, which was now even more bruised.
“I think that will be enough sparring for today. Samuel, leave us,” Father Quintus said.
“Yes, Father.” Samuel placed his wooden sword back onto the rack with our other assortment of weapons, then walked back inside the rectory.
“Is there something wrong, Father?” I asked as I continued to rub my shoulder.
“It is time to test your skills, my son. God is now calling upon you to fulfill your duty.”
