Two Swords

The shouts of movements rang out in the halls of the metal dojo. The sound from the instructor vibrated everyone’s ears as they bounced off the walls. Outside, people walking past had to do a double-take to see where this bizarre almost robotic shouting was coming from. And, as soon as the exercise had begun, the instructor called, “HALT,” and every student dropped their swords on the ground with a deafening clang. The students returned to their formation they had spent five years practising: Single file, side by side, kneeling on the ground. The instructor walked off to the side and picked up his measuring device. The students could barely see him in their peripheries, looking forward as they had been instructed to do.

The instructor peeked into the viewport of his bulky, chunky device and checked the LCD readout: NO DEVIATION. He smiled and nodded, “Students!” he shouted, “You may be well aware that this school will no longer exist for the foreseeable future. As much as I would like to say it has been an honour…it hasn’t.”

The students were unfazed by this, simply shouting back, “Thank you, teacher!”

The instructor nodded once again, he had taught them well, “My only hope is that you take the lessons I have taught you and put them to use in your inevitable, boring, nine-to-five office jobs. Lauren!” he shouted, Lauren jerked her body to the sound of the shout, “You are the star pupil of the dojo, congratulations. You have earned your second sword.”

She had to hide her overwhelming joy, she had won the second sword. The first sword had been given to all students and was about short enough to be classed a dagger. This second one, though, was long and red enough to be wielded by a king. She nodded and remained silent, once again the instructor had to nod to this well disciplined cohort.

“Dismissed, and if you’re lucky we’ll never meet again.”

Lauren rose to her feet with the rest of the students and remained firmly planted in her spot while everyone else dispersed. The instructor put a piece of paper in her hand and disappeared out the back door and into the rain. She furrowed her brow and unfurled the paper: A series of arcane symbols written on what looked like a napkin…great.