Chapter 8: Chapter 7: Sparring Tree

Bard heard the training grounds before he saw them; the creaking of wood and the shouts of dryads filled his ears. As they got closer, Bard could see that the training grounds were a large opening in the middle of the forest. The trees surrounding the clearing had their branches woven into a platform overlooking the training grounds. Bard noted that there were rows of chairs, and he could see many dryads sitting in them, observing the training in the grounds. Several other dryads were engaging one another in one-on-one combat, but what really caught Bard’s eye was a large tree in the middle of the field that was attacking another Dryad. The tree's massive branches swung in large arches at the Dryad, who seemed to dodge the attacks with ease. Bard was too far away to tell, but there was something about the way this Dryad moved that seemed familiar. As they got closer to the edge of the clearing, Bard’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait, Sen?” Bard exclaimed. There was no mistaking it now, the Dryad fighting the large tree was in fact Sen. Bard watched mesmerized by the scene in front of him Sen’s ability to duck and dodge the constant attacks from the large tree as well as find time in between attacks to fire an arrow from her bow. Each arrow seemed to find its mark with a resounding thunk as the arrows embedded itself in a target on the tree.

“Quite impressive, isn’t she?” Bard turned and was surprised to see that it was Amir who had spoken. He didn’t look at Bard, but rather kept his eyes riveted on Sen.

“We’ve been at war with your kind for a long time teka, we’ve learned that if our children are to survive they must be trained to be a warrior from a very young age.”

Bard looked back at Sen and marveled at her capability, but also at the fact that he was still alive, despite the obvious fact that she could have easily killed him without him being aware.

“Clearly I didn’t account for her curiosity, when she was trained,” Amir stated, bringing back Bard’s attention. Bard thought on it for a second, and realized they both had a similar train of thought. He surmised it would be best to either feign ignorance, or stay silent. As he currently stood, in ‘enemy’ territory, with a particular Dryad wanting him dead, he opted for silence.

Amir looked between his daughter and the teka standing next to him. Sometimes, he could admire, the wisdom of this enemy, and other times, he wanted to slay him. Due to the pledge, he was constantly finding himself taking more time to humanize the enemy, and that could become fatal later, but at the same time, this teka could become part of his family. He pushed the thoughts aside. For now, he would enjoy watching Bard train.

The noise of the tree ceased and Sen danced lightly to a stop. She smiled and twirled around before bowing to the tree. As she skipped out, she paused in her step for a brief second as she saw Bard standing next to Amir. A bright smile lit her face and she nearly ran over, but was stopped by a hand that came in front of her.

Bard’s gaze followed to the owner of the obstruction, and saw a scarred and aged Dryad. Like most of the dryads of this forest, his hair seemed alive; green in color with the roots changing to a deep red tone.

He walked a few steps back the way Sen had come from, and reached her place, grabbing her shoulder in a friendly, but firm manner. He spoke in her ear, which, at this distance, was indistinguishable from the commotion still going on about them. He pointed towards the tree she had been sparing with, and she sighed before going back with him.

“Sir, the… weapon the teka asked for,” a Dryad said, bowing to Amir and holding out the case which housed the fiddle. Bard waited, but relief filled his heart as he saw the familiar case.

Amir nodded, and saw Bard’s glance toward him. Taking the case, Amir turned to Bard.

“Remember, you so much as breathe the wrong way and I will slay you, pledge or not,” Amir warned.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Bard responded, as Amir handed him the case.

Bard set the case on the ground and opened it to check on the instrument’s condition. He wasn’t sure how his gear had been handled since his capture. Bard picked up the fiddle and turned it overlooking at the various sides. Luckily, no damage could be spotted, much to his relief. Bard knew how to repair it if there had been light damage. But that would have taken several days, and he didn’t have that much time.

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Elwood watched with keen interest as Bard handled the relic. He wasn’t the only one, as he noticed Amir shift a little as Bard plucked at the strings, producing a slightly discordant sound.

“A bit off-key,” Bard muttered to himself as he started twisting small nobs on the end of the relic. Again Bard strummed the strings, this time producing a harmonized cord. The sound was pleasant to hear, albeit different from dryadic singing. Bard smiled as he placed the instrument back in its case and closed it. “You mentioned a sparring partner?” Bard said as he stood and looked toward Amir and Elwood.

“Indeed, and it looks like he’s just about ready for you…” Amir said as he looked out into the grounds. “Come, it’s about time we introduced you,” Amir said, a small smile crossing his lips. Elwood could tell that his son was a bit eager as he turned and led the group out onto the grounds. As they walked out, Elwood could see that many of the seats on the viewing platforms were full of Dryads of all ages, coming to see this spectacle. Despite his son’s best efforts, word had gotten around about this strange teka. Amir had done well to keep word of the boy’s intrusion into the woods quiet. However, once the pledge had been made and the trial set, there was no keeping it quiet. According to tradition, no trial was held in secret, because if challengers succeeded they would be named a child of the forest. Naturally, word of a teka attempting such a trial made many curious, especially the children, many of whom this would be their first time seeing a teka. The group followed Amir as he led them over to where Sen and the scarred Dryad stood talking beside the Battle tree. They both looked up as the group approached. Sen with a cheerful grin and the older Dryad with an obvious scowl.

“Keith, this is the Teka I mentioned earlier.” Amir said, gesturing to Bard.

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“Bard this is Keith, one of our strongest warriors and the steward of these ground, it is his responsibility to train our people to fight.” Elwood said. Bard bowed his head slightly in response. Keith frowned.

“Yes, I teach them how to fight, but a Teka will not be able to survive. You might as well quit and forfeit your life,” Keith remarked.

“Hmph. Uncle Keith, he is more surprising than you know,” Sen responded.

“Is that so? Well then…we shall see” Keith said with obvious skepticism in his voice. Bard got the impression that Keith was not happy about this whole affair. Whether that was because of the pledge with his niece or just that fact that Bard was a teka, Bard wasn’t sure, but he expected that it was a combination of both.

Keith looked Bard up and down as if sizing him up. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the case in Bard’s hand.

“Your weapon?” Keith asked, pointing to the case. Bard sighed.

“It’s not a weapon,” he mumbled to himself, in human tongue. “Of sorts,” he replied to Keith, still baffled by the perplexity of the situation he found himself in. “Are you to be my sparring partner?”

Keith laughed.

“Oh no. I’m just here to make sure you live long enough to face the trial,” he said with amusement in his words.

Bard noted the almost imperceptible smile cross Amir’s face at these words. In all honesty, he felt very confused.

“Then…” Bard looked around. Keith’s eyes shifted to the battle tree that Sen had been sparring with. As Bard’s gaze followed, the tree suddenly shifted, closing the distance between it and the group. Bard was shocked. He quickly glanced around, searching for a voice, but none of the Dryads were singing. Keith and Amir smirked. As Bard looked about, Elwood stepped forward

“Not all trees need our song to move” Elwood spoke in the human tongue.

“I’ve only ever seen Elder Trees move on their own before. So why is this one…” Bard asked Elwood in human.

“This tree is old Bard, even I’m not sure how old it is. It was one of the very first battle trees and has endured centuries of war. Now we use it to train our warriors, we call it Sparring Tree.” Elwood explained. Bard took in the information as he looked at the tree before him.

“The trees in Father Tree’s forest were old and yet none of them could move without Father’s command, so age must not be the only factor, but years of experience on the battlefield must have changed this tree,” Bard mused to himself.

“So, ‘Sparing Tree’ is my sparing partner, then?” Bard asked.

“That’s correct,” Elwood said. Bard was about to ask another question when he was cut off.

“You two done yet?” Keith suddenly said.

Elwood sighed and gave a small nod to Keith. “Sorry,” he muttered in passing.

“Come Father, Sen, let’s leave the teka to Keith.” Amir said with obvious amusement in his voice. As he turned to leave.

“He’s having way too much fun with this,” Bard thought. Keith opened his mouth and began to sing. Bard watched as his ‘sparring partner’ began to respond and move to Keith’s words.

“May I ask a question?” Bard said, turning to Keith.

“Hmm.” Keith stopped singing and seemed to be listening, waiting. Encouraged, Bard continued.

“I have seen that tree move on it’s on, so why do you still sing to it?” He asked.

“Over Sparing Trees centuries of fighting it has become a very capable fighter, however it sometimes has a hard time holding back so I sing to moderate it when it is fighting a,” paused and looked Bard over “less capable opponent” Keith finished with contempt

“Well I suppose that makes sense” Bard said, ignoring the obvious scrutiny, it was nothing new to him after all.

“In your case there is another reason” Keith said, as if an afterthought.

“Oh, and what is that?” Bard asked.

“You’re a teka” Keith flatly stated.

“Right,” Bard muttered. “If Sparring Tree has been fighting my kind for so long, I imagine it would be hard not to see me as an enemy that must be destroyed,” Bard thought, putting the pieces together.

“And I can’t let you die until you face War Tree,” Keith sighed.

Bard thought for a moment before speaking. “I’d like to make a request.” Keith raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Bard took that as permission to continue.

“I appreciate you making sure I don’t die and all, but, other than stopping Sparring Tree from killing me, please refrain from moderating or controlling his actions.” Keith stiffened and looked at Bard in shock, his mouth beginning to move. “The way I see it,” Bard said quickly before Keith could refute him. “War Tree isn’t going to hold back on me, so why should Sparring Tree.”

Bard’s words surpassed Keith. He assumed the request would be to go easy on him. Just a glance at this young teka and Keith knew he was no fighter, and yet he had to admit the kid had guts. Maybe that is what his niece saw in him.

“Very well, I will only intervene if absolutely necessary. When you are ready you may begin, I will tell Sparring Tree to let you have the first move,” Keith said at length with that he briefly sang to Sparring Tree then stepped back.

Excitement on the observation platform grew as Bard approached Sparing Tree. All the Dryads were interested in what would happen.

“Wait. Why isn’t Keith Singing?” Sen asked, turning to look at her father, a little distressed.

“Keith has been given orders to moderate Sparring Tree. The only reason he would not do so is if the Teka asked him not too.” Amir responded, feeling a little surprised.

“But father, even I can’t fight him without Uncle’s help,” Sen whined with obvious concern. Elwood placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Fear not, Uncle Keith has been ordered to keep Bard alive until he faces War tree.” Elwood calmly stated.

“But…” Sen began, but Amir cut her off.

“This is the teka’s choice. Now, let's see how he does,” he said, gruffly, as he watched the young boy approach the tree.

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A hushed silence fell over the grounds as Bard stood before Sparring Tree.

“Well, time to see if this works,” Bard said to himself as he placed his fiddle case on the ground next to him. At the same time, he placed father's tree’s token in his hand as he stood back up.

“Greeting Sparring Tree,” Bard said as he twirled his hand holding the token letting out a brief note as air passed around the token, he then let his hand come down to the front of him as he bowed towards the tree. He hoped that his movement would simply be seen as an elaborate bow by the dryads, but now to see how the tree responded.

Sparring Tree seemed to shiver for a moment at the sound of the token and stood still for several seconds before the top branches shifted forward returning the bow to Bard. A collective gasp was heard though out the grounds.

Amir shot to his feet. “What is going on!” he said in unbelief. He had never seen such a thing before. He looked at those around him. His daughter was beaming which annoyed him, and Elwood seemed just as shocked and was muttering to him self, probably trying to figure out just what had happened. Amir, not finding any answers here, looked down at Keith and found him returning his gaze. Keith could see the question in Amir’s face, but merely shrugged. He had no idea why Sparring Tree would return a bow to this teka or anyone else for that matter. He had worked with this tree for a long time, and he had never seen the tree bow. The more he watched this teka the more his interest was piqued.

After several second Bard rose from his bow and the tree did like wise. “Oh good,” Bard said in relief, looking at the tree.

“Now the real work begins,” he said as he sat down and closed his eyes.

The observers watched with keen interest. But Bard didn’t move again and neither did Sparring Tree. It was if he was in meditation. Sen watched, Amir noted, with a satisfied smile. She knew something.