LITMIR.BIZ

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continued to chant until the humans were well gone.

      Chapter 12

      Once again the council met in the lightless room to discuss their plans to educate the youth of Arenia. Piaz was among them, along with Marta, Beth’s sister, who had been selected to head up the girl’s organisation that would parallel the one run by Piaz. Names such as The Young Society or Youth of Arenia and many more had been proposed and discarded before Josef offered his suggestion.

      “We are trying to show that we are bringing the light of knowledge to these children, while not limiting it to Arenia or declaring it as a faction of The Society. We wish it to appear a school for learning without outside influence. Why do we not simply call these groups The Academy for Boys and The Academy for Girls, or more simply, The Academy?”

      The name was well received by all who thought the name more than suitable, and discussions turned to implementation. Xavier was impressed with the young councillor’s choice and was pleased to see his proposal coming to life. He was also pleased that the council could be so easily led to the smaller decisions, allowing him the freedom to develop his own plans. He knew that Josef doubted himself at times but the man showed promise. Josef spoke again,

      “I realise that Xavier chose to give Piaz a position in the army, but I question if this is the right choice?”

      Xavier suddenly thought he may need to revise his decision on the man.

      “It was my thinking at the time, but I am willing to listen to suggestions,” offered the King, his eyes wide in a gesture he hoped would encourage the man. He wanted to support Josef. The man’s ideas complimented his own in many ways.

      “My thoughts are that we are presenting this as education and training to give our young people a better future in whatever they choose to do, and as such a military man may give the wrong impression. It will make the people think we are only trying to build the army, and though this may be one purpose, it is not one we should promote. I think that Piaz and his trainers would better be referred to as ‘Masters’.”

      Xavier noted that the young man had clearly thought long on his suggestion.

      “They should be looked upon by the people as being above the army and we should present them as knowledgeable leaders. We could assign two or three soldiers to travel with them who could appear to be under the Master’s authority to emphasise this point. Most boys will still see the excitement of life as a soldier as a model for their future, and those who think they are good enough would see learning as being more powerful than the sword.”

      Everyone waited for the King’s reply. Xavier kept them waiting until Josef began to fidget.

      “I like it. You have done well Josef. Piaz, do you object to losing your commission before it has begun?”

      “I am happy to be doing the work of The Society in whatever role the council sees fit. The title of Master has great allure. It will capture the imagination of the people and lead them to bigger dreams. With the title of Master, I could do much for our cause.”

      “What about the girls?” asked Beth.

      Josef suggested their teachers should be referred to as ‘Mistress’ but they decided to see if they could come up with something better as this could have detrimental feelings. Then Josef made his final contribution.

      “What about ‘Mother’?”

      “Perfect,” agreed Marta immediately. “It is all that we are trying to present. They are leaders and carers who possess great knowledge, but who do not outrank the Masters.”

      ~

      The first class of the Academy was organised to be held in the east quarter of the city, behind the blacksmith’s shop, where the horse-yard provided a location that was both quiet and open. It also provided the council an opportunity of watching discretely from the windows of the White Star Inn.

      Boys with nothing better to do began to arrive and take their places on the hay bales that had been positioned along the split rail fence. Piaz sat watching from the box placed to one side of their arena and by the time he rose and made his way to the middle of the dusty yard, eighteen boys sat waiting.

      “Good morning and welcome to the first meeting of the Academy. It is pleasing to see so many boys present and that you have brought their families to watch.”

      He made a sweeping bow with a flourish of his broad hat, taking in all those present.

      “My name is Master Piaz, but that is unimportant. You have all come to discover what will happen today, and I admit, I am as excited as you. The purpose of these meetings is to discover what this land holds for its people and I agree with you that, at first glance, it does not seem to offer much, but it’s purpose is rather grand. King Xavier has a vision and I have been privileged to offer it to you. He wishes to see all Arenians living a life much easier than the one they live now. To achieve this, he has created the Academy to teach our youth how they can attain this. Over time, all will have a greater knowledge and understating of the world, and skills enough to manage it.” He paused to catch his breath and allow the small crowd to voice their comments. “King Xavier has declared that these meetings must teach our boys to become better men. Here they will learn to defend themselves and their land by training in the arts of a soldier. They will be taught the history of Arenia, learn to care for their farms and honour their kingdom. They will know what it is to help their countrymen. And those with the willingness to learn will be shown how to read and cypher. This is a plan for Arenia and all its people.”

      The parents stood outside the rail listening to what this man was telling their children and Piaz was aware that he needed to convince them of his good intent. He wanted to show that he could give their boys skills that would help their lives, but that it could also be interesting, that they could learn skills far more useful than other than just those of a soldier.

      “We have many things to study and in time we will delight in the knowledge of the world, but today we are going to consider the skills of a soldier. The army is a life many seek and offers our boys a different life, and we can have some fun practicing what we are shown. It is not the only thing we plan to show, but it is the easiest for this first meeting. To do this I have with me two of the king’s guards who have agreed to demonstrate their craft for all.”

      The crowd cheered as the guards waiting against the fence raised their arms to the accolades of their audience. After his introduction he stepped aside and the two soldiers strode into the yard. Both wore their black capes with gold clasps over dark clothing and both had swords at their hips. There were a few heckles for the gathered audience, but most waited to see what these men would do.

      “These men are two of the best swordsmen in the King’s army,” Piaz called from his new position atop a hay bale beside the fence. “They have come here today to show you one of the many things you will see and do at the Academy, so watch them closely. Those who watch from outside can admire their skills, but later, we will see if your boys can follow their moves so pay attention.”

      The two soldiers threw their capes back from their shoulders and drew their swords. They took their positions facing each other with blades raised and tips touching, standing frozen and ready. Sunlight glinted off the polished steel as stillness became motion.

      One man leapt forward on the balls of his feet, his blade swinging in a narrow arc towards the other man’s side, only to be stopped with a loud clang as the other blade blocked the deadly attack. Swords flashed faster than the eye could follow as steel met steel, back and forth across the ground. Dust rose as boots moved quickly to take the soldiers first into attack and then retreat under the onslaught of cutting thrusts. The men were evenly matched and neither could gain a clear advantage.

      Piaz smiled as he listened to the sounds of awe and appreciation from the boys nearby. The fight continued undiminished for fully ten minutes until Piaz called for a halt.

      Both men stepped back to salute each other with their swords before returning the weapons to their scabbards. They were wet with sweat, but neither was short of breath as

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