“Listen old mate,” Reece said, “the only thing you can know for sure about Gwen is that she knows what she wants. And she gets what she wants. That’s always been the case. She’s as strong-willed as my father. No one can force her to do anything-or like anyone-she doesn’t want. So don’t worry. If she chooses you, trust me, she’ll let you know. Okay?”
Thor nodded, feeling better, as always, after he talked to Reece.
He looked up and saw the huge gates to the Legion’s barracks before him. He was surprised to see several of the other boys standing at the gate, as if waiting for them, and even more surprised to see them grinning, and let out a cheer at the sight of him. They rushed forward, grabbed Thor by the shoulders, draped their arms around him, and pulled him inside. Thor was amazed as he was swept inside in an embrace of goodwill by the others.
“Tell us about the Canyon. What’s it like on the other side?” one asked.
“What was the creature like? The one that you killed?” another asked.
“I didn’t kill him,” Thor protested. “Erec did.”
“I heard you saved Elden’s life,” one said.
“I heard you attacked the creature head-on. Without any real weapons.”
“You’re one of us now!” one yelled out, and the other kids cheered, ushering him along, as if he were their long-lost brother.
Thor could hardly believe it. The more he heard their words, the more he realized that maybe they did have a point. Maybe he had been brave after all. He never really thought about it. For the first time in a long while, he was starting to feel good about himself. Most of all because now, finally, he felt like he belonged with these boys. He felt tension releasing from his shoulders.
Thor was ushered out into the main training ground, and before him stood dozens more of the legion, along with dozens of the Silver. They, too, let out a cheer at the sight of him. They all came forward, and patted him on the back.
Thor was amazed. He hardly knew how to react.
Kolk stepped forward, and the others quieted. Thor braced himself, since Kolk never had anything but contempt for Thor. But now, to Thor’s surprise, he looked down at him with a different sort of expression. While he still couldn’t quite bring himself to smile, he wasn’t scowling, either. And Thor could have sworn he detected something like admiration in his eyes.
Kolk stepped forward, held up a small pin of a black falcon, and pinned it on Thor’s chest.
Thor looked down and could hardly believe it. The pin of the Legion. He had been accepted. Finally, he was one of them.
“Thorgrin of the Southern Province of the Western Kingdom,” Kolk said, gravely. “We welcome you to the Legion.”
The boys let out a shout, then all rushed in, draping their arms around Thor and swaying him this way and that.
Thor couldn’t even take it all in. He tried not to. He just wanted to enjoy this moment. Now, finally, there was somewhere he belonged.
Kolk turned and faced the other boys.
“Okay boys, calm yourselves,” he commanded. “Today is a special day. No more pitchforks and polish and horse crap for you. Now it’s time to really train. It’s weapons day.”
The boys returned an excited shout, and followed Kolk as he trotted across the training field, towards a huge circular building made of oak, with shining bronze doors. Thor walked with the group as they approached, an excited buzz in the air. Reece was by his side, and O’Connor came up and joined them.
“Never thought I’d see you alive again,” O’Connor said, smiling and clapping a hands on his shoulder. “Next time, let me wake up first, will you?”
Thor smiled back.
“What is that building?” Thor asked Reece, as they got closer. There were immense iron rivets all over the door, and the place had an imposing presence.
“The weapons house,” Reece answered. “It’s where they store all our arms. Every once in a while they let us get a peek, even train with some of them. Depends what lesson they want to impart.”
Thor’s stomach tightened as he noticed Elden, coming over to them. Thor braced himself, expecting a threat-but this time, to Thor’s amazement, Elden wore a look of appreciation.
“I have to thank you,” he said, looking down, humbled. “For saving my life.”
Thor was stumped: he had never expected this from him.
“I was wrong about you,” Elden added. “Friends?” he asked.
He held out a hand.
Thor was not one to hold a grudge, and he gladly reached over and met his hand.
“Friends,” Thor said.
“I don’t take that word lightly,” Elden said. “I will always have your back. And I owe you one.”
With that, he turned and hurried off, back into the crowd.
Thor barely knew what to make of it. He was amazed at how quickly things had changed.
“I guess he’s not a complete creep,” O’Connor said. “Maybe he’s okay after all.”
They reached the weapons house, the immense doors swung open, and Thor was in awe as he entered. He walked slowly, neck craned, surveying the place in a broad circle, taking it all in. There were hundreds of weapons, weapons he didn’t even recognize, hanging on the walls. The other kids hurried forward in an excited rush, running up to weapons, picking them up, handling them, examining them. Thor followed their example, and felt like a kid in a candy store.
He hurried over to a large halberd, hoisted the wooden shaft with two hands, and felt its weight. It was massive, well oiled. The blade was worn and notched, and he wondered if it had killed any men in battle.
He set it down and picked up a mace, a studded metal ball attached to a short staff by a long chain. He held the studded wooden shaft, and felt the metal spike dangle on the end of the chain. Beside him, Reece handled a battle ax, and beside him, O’Connor tested the weight of a long pike, jabbing into the air at an imaginary enemy.
“Listen up!” Kolk yelled, and they all turned.
“Today we will learn about fighting your enemy from a distance. Can anyone here tell me what weapons can be used? What can kill a man from thirty paces away?”
“A bow and arrow,” somebody yelled.
“Yes,” Kolk answered. “What else?”
“A spear!” someone shouted.
“What else? There are more than just these. Let’s hear them.”
“A slingshot,” Thor added.
“What else?”
Thor racked his brain, but was running out of options.
“Throwing knives,” Reece yelled.
“What else?”
The other boys hesitated. No one had any ideas left.
“There are throwing hammers,” Kolk yelled, “and throwing axes. There is the crossbow. Pikes can be thrown. So can swords.”
Kolk paced the room, looking over the faces of the boys, who stood rapt with attention.
“That is not all. A simple rock from the ground can be your best friend. I’ve seen a man, big as a bull, a war hero, killed on the spot by a throw from a rock by a craftier soldier. Soldiers often don’t realize that armor can be used as a weapon, too. The gauntlet can be taken off and thrown in an enemy’s face. This can stun him, several feet away. In that moment, you can kill him. Your shield can be thrown, too.”
Kolk took a breath.
“It is crucial that when you learn to fight, you don’t just learn to fight in the distance between you and your opponent. You must expand your fight to a much greater distance. Most people fight with three paces. A good warrior fights with thirty. Understood?”
“Yes sir!” came the chorus of shouts.
“Good. Today, we will sharpen your throwing skills. Canvas the room and grab what throwing devices you
