The Guardians' Throne - The First Magic Swordsman

                                                    After traveling for two more days, they finally were able to see some of the islands that were part of Vezar. Considering the map that he had studied, Zaos didn't realize it until now, but they were massive and full of life… and they had hundreds of them.

"It is a pity that we can't take our time and visit each one of them," Ameria said.

"Yeah, it is a pity…" Distri said while looking at the ocean with his arms crossed. "We don't have time for that and…"

"And?" Ameria asked.

"Don't worry, we will have time for that after the party," Distri smiled.

                                                    Zaos noticed the hesitation in Distri's voice, so did Drannor and Erean. They looked at each other, but they couldn't tell what exactly was amiss. Based on the things he knew about the captain, he certainly wasn't plotting anything, but something was bothering him… Regardless, Zaos couldn't help but worry about those visits that America wanted to do. Naturally, she wouldn't visit all the islands, but even visiting ten or so of those, it would take them weeks…

                                                    Since they couldn't stop and the trip was going as smoothly as possible, even the sailors were getting kind of bored. With that in mind and in order to keep their skills as sharp as possible, some of Erean's men began to spar against each other. That actually worked to make everyone kill some time.

"Hey, Zaos," Ameria said.

"What?" Zaos asked.

"I never saw you fighting," Ameria said.

"And?" Zaos asked.

"Why don't you show me what that huge sword of yours can do?" Ameria asked.

"You might want to phrase that better," Zaos said while he looked around and saw some soldiers and the crewmen trying not to laugh. "If you are that bored, why don't you ask Drannor to show you some of his skills with the spear?"

"I already did that, and I am going to pass," Drannor said. "I can't rely on my footing on a ship."

"Why don't we spar for a while, Zaos?" Erean asked once he noticed that Ameria and some others were interested in what Zaos could do.

"Nah, I am fine," Zaos said.

                                                    Recently, Drannor's fame has surpassed Zaos since he did some jobs by himself and because Zaos did them and made sure to keep the information about him as hidden as possible. Still, those who had a good memory still wanted to see Zaos in action. After all, few people could handle a sword as big as the one commander Ruvyn could use it. Besides, the commander himself was the one who gave Zaos that.

"Don't worry, I will go easy on you," Erean said.

"I am sure you would," Zaos said. "Anyway, you will have to try harder. I won't fall for that so easily."

"What if your princess commands you to duel against me?" Erean asked.

"I am sure our princess wouldn't be so stupid to risk the lives of their guards just because she is bored," Zaos said. "Right, Ameria?"

"Right…" Ameria looked away while showing a forced smile.

"Come on, Zaos," Drannor said. "Show us that you didn't get rusty after becoming a bookworm."

"Why don't we duel? I am sure the princess can afford losing one of her youngest guards," Zaos said.

"Well, if you win against Erean, perhaps we can duel," Drannor said while smiling. "Only if you win…"

                                                    Zaos didn't want to fall for that obvious taunt, but that smile really was annoying… Zaos tried to make him sweat cold, but it was a pity that Zaos would never get serious against Drannor. If he gets serious, Drannor will get serious too, and then one of them will probably die.

"All right then," Zaos said and then got up. "Since my princess is bored, I will gladly offer my neck to free her from her boredom."

"I forbid all of you from wounding each other too much," Ameria said.

"You heard that captain? Don't wound me too much," Zaos said and then drew his sword.

"Well, I will try not to," Erean smiled. "Still, I need to at least teach you that a bigger sword doesn't mean anything."

"I do agree with that," Zaos said.

                                                    Erean sword wasn't as big as Zaos, but it was bigger than most. Despite that and the fact that he was fully armored and his armor was much heavier than Zaos, he dashed toward Zaos with lightning-like speed and swung his sword while aiming for Zaos's neck. Zaos changed his stance and held his sword with both hands before moving to the side and stopping the attack. The difference in size between the two weapons wasn't that big, and yet, even though he had the momentum in his favor, Erean failed at making his swing move Zaos's even a single inch.

                                                    Zaos pushed his sword forward alongside Erean, but in the end, the captain of the guards stepped back before Zaos could finish his movement and prepare a real attack.

"You really got slower, Zaos," Drannor said.

"Who asked you anything?" Zaos asked.

                                                    Erean couldn't let a soldier who is thirty years younger act like that, so he decided to try a bit harder this time. He held his sword tightly with both hands as well and this time charged even faster than before. Zaos almost didn't react in time for the attack. He only did it because he recognized Erean's stance at the last moment. The Ox Guard was one of the stances that Zaos most used, and thanks to that, he knew how Erean would attack.

                                                    The sound of steel colliding echoed throughout the entire ship when Zaos blocked the Erean's thrust. He had aimed for Zaos's neck with the tip of his sword, and thanks to it, all the weight behind the weapon, the armor, and even Erean were put behind that attack. Zaos blocked the attack with the side of his weapon, but in the end, he was pushed backward for several meters, and he could feel the skin of his hands peeling.

"I guess that confirms that you raised your rank really relying on your skill alone," Zaos said.

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