Sunset Rubies

Different Breed of Leader

“ONE!” Jamerico called.

Keith moved in with his staff raised while Mark circled for an attack on the opposite side. Cal didn’t react at first, still watching Claire. She hesitated half a second before she too took a step forward.

“TWO!”

Cal ducked away from Mark’s swing, reached up and grabbed Keith’s staff and in one single movement. He used the momentum to flip over Mark, the sudden torque of the move tearing the staff from Keith’s hand and cracking Mark’s head with the opposite end.

“THREE!”

Cal then turned on Claire who raised her sword to ward off his advance. He dodged around her, setting her between him and the twins. Claire adjusted her stance for the new position, but faltered when Cal relaxed and straightened. Confused, she straightened slightly as well.

“FOUR!”

Unexpectedly, Cal threw the staff at her making her dodge in reflex. She realized her folly the moment Cal’s arm hooked around her waist, leaving her hanging in the air and empty handed. Cal waved her sword triumphantly in the air, making her cringe with shame.

“FIVE!” Jamerico yelled, throwing his cap in the air with a cheerful Whoop! His sisters cheered and rushed to Cal’s side. He wasn’t even breathing hard.

“Here, Sport.” Cal handed the sword to Jamerico then swung Claire through the air until she was cradled in his arms. “Can the lovely princess spare a kiss for the victor?” He asked with a wicked gleam in his eyes that made his sisters giggle.

“Put me down or the victor with find a dagger in his chest,” she hissed; ears hot with rage and embarrassment. He laughed, but then sobered at the look in her eyes.

“Don’t be sore at me, please. Remember I have been training with the worst person imaginable ever since I was a boy. I’m not the bad guy, C. We are all on the same team. I want to stop him just as much as you do.” Claire struggled to get out of his arms, but he only tightened his grip. “Please, let me come with you today.”

“I guess this means you’re training troops,” Mark stated, the edge in his voice capturing Cal’s attention. Whatever expression he had prompted Cal to immediately set her down.

“We’ll leave in half an hour for the camp. You best explain to the children,” Keith said, taking Claire’s arm and leading her away. “Mark, get Claire’s sword from Jamerico before he cuts someone.” Claire looked over her shoulder and despite the recent defeat couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Jamerico swinging the blade in mimicry of the battle. It warmed her to see him happy.

***

“They are going to hate you, you know that right?” Claire said, walking next to Cal on the trail to the training camp. Her brothers had left them behind to explain to the children that Cal would be going with Claire. She now regretted letting them go and leave her and Cal alone.

“That remains to be seen,” Cal replied well naturedly, stoking Claire’s irritation. She’d been out of sorts since it became apparent Cal would be accompanying them to the camp and it annoyed her that he didn’t seem to be taking the dangers seriously. Apparently his swollen head kept him believing he was invincible. She huffed and started stomping off when Cal’s hand caught her hand.

“Claire, I’m hoping you will help me with the men. What I have to offer them…I can…” He sighed and drew them both to a stop, tugging her to face him. “They can’t fight his army without knowing how, C. I’ve been in charge of training Leishmann’s men for years. I know how they fight and I know how they think because I taught them. Do you understand what I am saying?” She could read his desperation for her understanding and support. She knew he had the charm to win them over himself. She’d watched him do so with the villagers over the last couple weeks, but he was asking for her help.

“I don’t doubt that you have the skills and experience to train them, but I am not sure they will let you. You are the son of the man they curse; the man who has killed their people. If you are going to win them over, you will have to prove yourself to them yourself. I’m not sure what I can do to change things in your favor or even if I can.” She tugged her hand free and continued up the path before Cal could read her face.

They broke through the trees lining the wide valley and were met with the rigid lines of tents that housed the trainees. The men were already gathering at the meadow for their drills, some of them swinging practice swords to the cheers of the others. The distant sound of metal crashing together made Claire wince. Even from the distance their movements looked clumsy.

She thought about all the times she had bested them during their exercises. As much as she hated to admit it, they needed Cal’s help. She just hoped he had what it took to gain their trust, and she prayed that she’d find a way to help him.

“I would advise you to take your stand in the fighting ring. If you can convince them there you might win their confidence. Terren is the man you want to fight,” she said, despite herself. “I’d say fight Mark, but that may not get you anywhere.” She looked at Mark and Keith standing at the edge of camp waiting for them. They had yet to notice them. Maybe fighting Mark would be better; he was the best fighter after all, but Claire didn’t want the fight to get ugly and if Cal and Mark were to fight...

“I don’t want to fight against the men, but if you believe that is the best way...” Claire flinched when she felt Cal brush his hand lightly over her arm. For a moment she wanted to try once more to convince him to turn back. Perhaps it would be safer for him if they eased the warriors into the idea of it first. She bit her tongue. There wasn’t time for that route.

He continued to brush his hand over her arm and she found herself fighting the tingling sensations that flooded through her skin. She wondered if he realized what the light touch was doing to her, but maybe that was his intention. If he couldn’t comfort her with his words, he could always find other ways to distract her. His fingers snaked down her arm and twinned with her fingers, pulling her after him into the encampment and through the rows of tents. Mark and Keith followed them as they passed.

While they made their way several men took notice and murmurs began to rise around them in a flood of growling voices. By the time they reached the fighting ring every man was gathered and their voices rose to shouts of protest. Claire’s ears burned from the assortment of colorful words used to describe Cal.

“Mark, do something,” Claire ordered when a man hurled a stone at Cal. He missed and the pebble passed only inches from her own head. Apparently she needed to start a class on how to hit your target if you’re going to throw things!

Cal drew Claire behind him, shielding her just in time, as another stone flew and hit his shoulder with a solid thunk! Perhaps the rock throwing class was not necessary after all. Peering around Cal’s arm she saw Mark leap into the fighting ring and let out a blood chilling call. Gradually, the writhing horde of shouting men quieted; their attention on Mark whose unchallenged voice echoed across the valley long after his mouth had closed.

“Claire.” Mark motioned for her to join him.

“They should listen to you,” Keith whispered in her ear. Claire turned to Cal whose eyes pleaded for her help. She feared her assurances would not be enough for them. Still, when she looked around at the rough faces of the men, she found that they were all watching her. Beneath their scowls and bared teeth was a certain expectancy for her to speak to them. Lead them.

“Claire, they are waiting to eat him alive,” Mark murmured when she and Keith joined him in the center. “If you tell them you support his training, they will let him.” Is that truly all it would take? Claire doubted it would be that easy, but even if they could just win over a few it could be the seed to gain the trust of the others.

“Where’s Terren?” She called, surprising herself with the strength of her own voice. The crowd parted and a bulking man stepped forward. He was easily the largest man she had ever met and even Cal looked at him warily. His hair was bleached by the sun and his massive frame made him and intimidating figure. He took his shirt off as he approached the ring, flexing his impressive chest to emphasize his strength and anticipation.

“Claire, this is not the way. Beating them in a fight isn’t going to make them less suspicious,” Mark warned in her ear. Cal had already begun working the buttons of his own shirt, his face a stony mask of determination. By the sound of the soldiers they appreciated the idea of him being crushed.

“Terren you are the biggest man in the camp, but are you the best fighter?” The man blinked at her, confused. “Answer my question. Are you the best fighter?” He glanced from side to side before grinning at her and shaking his head.

“No, Miss, but I’s the biggest and I’s can get the job done.” A roar of laughter followed and even Claire cracked a smile at his good-natured honesty. When they once again quieted she looked around at the familiar faces.

“Are any of you truly great fighters?” Mark asked the men, catching onto Claire’s point. Uncertain murmurs began to rise once again.

“This morning that man disarmed both my brothers and I in less than 5 seconds,” she said, pointing at Cal. “All of you know who he is, but few of you know what he has done for me and my brothers.

“From Tyrell he got word to Marcel so she could find us. When I was captured and beaten by his father he nursed me back to health and then helped me to escape. He has come to us to offer his knowledge so that we may defeat his father and regain our freedom. If he can teach us to meet even half his skills, Leishmann’s forces will fall like grain in the harvest. Marcel trusts him, and I support him.” Her words were met with angry scowls and murmurs of hesitant interest. She swallowed. “I trust him.”

“Cal join us,” Mark invited. Cal jumped into the ring and took his place at Claire’s side, passing her a grateful look that encouraged her to keep pushing.

“I invited him to train you and he is under my protection. You may decline if you wish, but no one is to harass him.” A few of the faces hardened suspiciously and Claire knew she had to change tactics. She stepped away from Cal and her brothers, escaping their shadows so she could stand before her warriors as a beacon of her own strength.

“When I look among you I see the shoulders that bear the weight of this country’s future! I see fathers, sons, and brothers who have families who may go to sleep tonight hungry and who fear every day that their homes will be burned. Every one of you is picturing the face of someone you are willing to give your life to protect. My brothers and I are here to offer you the tools to do just that, but we can’t give you what he can.

“He knows the sword! He knows the axe! He knows the bow! He knows the lance! Now is not the time to be suspicious of the blessing we have been given. Now is the time to hold our dearest people in our minds and for them work to become stronger! Work to become fierce and work to become the storm that makes Leishmann quake in his boots.” She saw them begin to hum with the energy of her words. There was still distrust among them, but she was encouraged to see that many were starting to look excited. She threw her fist in the air and roared, “ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?”

Mark took a place beside her, arm out in a similar salute. Keith appeared to her right, and to their surprise Terren eagerly joined them as well, his own enormous fist raised for all to see. A cheer rippled through the crowd as many of their fists filled the air. When Claire turned to Cal, he grinned and nodded to her in thanks.

“Let the first lesson begin,” He called. From then until sunset, Claire learned the true meaning of the word “excruciating”.