There were sixteen squires in total eligible for their second trial. Most were around Thom’s age, sixteen or seventeen, though there was one older boy. Boy really wasn’t the best term, as Mannfred was their senior by at least five years at twenty-two. He had started later than most when he was nineteen, and he had already failed the foot combat trial once, the year before. Squires were allowed to try three times, starting two years after they began service. Mannfred’s size advantage was significant. Thom wondered how he had lost the year prior.
In addition to the squires, there were three knights who would serve as judges, as well as Queen Contessa, who just loved to watch young men and women spar. The official reason for her presence was that some member of the royal court needed to approve of the outcome. Generally this would have been some minister’s duty, but the queen insisted she oversee the events.
The knights present were not renowned for their glories in battle, at least not as far as Thom knew. He marvelled at their polished armor, the intricate detail on their ceremonial shields, and the beauty of Lady Matilda in particular. Despite not knowing of a single adventure she had undertaken, Thom was keenly aware of her due to his youthful crush he had harbored since he was twelve when she was still a squire from his neighborhood. Female knights were not as common as their male counterparts, but roughtly one in four riders of noble steeds were women.
Thom hoped to cross swords with Lady Matilda one day, as equals (and hopefully lovers). He kept his eyes on her as the queen gave her address.
“My dear servants, I thank you for your dedication to the protection of our realm. As you know, this is the second trial. You will be off against three squires in one-on-one duels. Those of you that win at least two duels will have passed your second trial. Your swords are dull, but they are still steel. Death is a real possibility. In the event you kill your opponent, the knights present will convene and determine if the killing was dishonorable. Those found of a dishonorable killing will be punished. If you should be killed today, regardless of the honor in it, your families will receive remunerations from the crown.” The queen then turned to her knights and asked if she was leaving anything out. She addressed the squires once more, “Fight valiantly, honorably, and with fortune on your side.”
Thom was aware of the dangers in undertaking the trials to becoming a knight. Some squires died while trying to break their horses. Some died from practicing swordplay, though wooden swords were generally less dangerous. Some died in their foot combat trial. The armor protected them, but it did not cover everything. The neck in particular was not protected. The third trial was to escort a caravan or other such procession through dangerous territory. A successful defending would complete the third trial. This was usually completed within ten such escorts, and often fewer. These trials grouped four squires, along with standard caravan guards - often mercenaries or city guards, and possibly a knight if the mission were especially important. Death was much more common when dealing with real swords, arrows, and unknown assailants. Still, nearly 70% of squires on their third trial passed. Deserters were subject to punishment, including the possibility of death. Those killed in the line of duty were sometimes knighted posthumously, though not all.
Lady Matilda stepped forward to explain the selection process for the combat.
“Behind me is a board with all of your names. Each of you are assigned a number and your number has been painted on three chips. I will reach into this box,” she motioned to an attractive polished box with the royal crest etched in its surface, “and pull out two chips at a time. Those two selected will duel until a winner is declared or one of them is dead. You will listen to our commands to be begin and halt, as needed. After the battle has ended and a winner declared, I will pull two more chips. If one of the chips is for a squire who has just fought, the match will be delayed for two minutes. Should I pull two chips with the same number, I will pull another chip until finding another number, and then return the remaining chips to the box.”
She stepped back and another knight, Sir Franklin stepped forward to explain the rules for combat.
“As her majesty has explained, death is a possibility. You are not encouraged to kill each other, but we understand it can happen. Our judgment is final in deciding if the kill was honorable. You are otherwise free to fight as you see fit. You have been trained in various methods of fighting, though obviously you are only provided sword and shield today. But do not let these restrict your creativity. A good knight is more than just his sword. I will now reiterate that you are to listen to our commands to begin and halt.”
He stepped back and allowed the third knight, Sir Patt to speak.
“Look around you. These are your competition. You may be friends now, but once you hear the command to begin, they will be your enemy. There are no winning ties. You can, however, both lose. Bear that in mind. Also, a knight does not flee. If you turn and run away, you lose. There are no boundaries marked, the battle can take place anywhere within this courtyard. If you are not fighting, do not interfere. Do your best to make room for the competitors. Lady Matilda, please select the first two competitors.”
Thom didn’t bother to look around. He had known long ago that these were not his friends. Not yet. He would have no love in his heart to get in his way. The first numbers were called. He would fight first. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed his fear and his springthyme.
The other squires stepped back to make room for Thom and his opponent Nance. She was his age, and from what Thom has seen in practice, a capable swordsman. His only immediate advantage was a few inches in reach. She was just as fast as he was, possibly faster. He would not underestimate her.
They took ready stances and locked gazes. Thom’s muscles begged to leap into action, but he had to stay still until the knight yelled start. Nance had a hard glare in her eye. Thom returned it.
“Start!” yelled Lady Matilda.
Finally! Thom wasted no time taking the offensive. Swinging for Nance’s sword hand, he managed to take her by surprise. He hoped to knock her weapon to the ground and leave her unable to attack. But she managed to parry, countering with a shoulder bash which sent Thom back a few feet. She followed it with quick footwork, bringing her around to his left. Thom blocked her thrust. He turned to swing his sword, but she was already sweeping his feet with her leg. Fighting from his back was a bad place to be, but her sword came into fast for him to regain footing. He blocked, blocked, blocked. Finally he had a chance to kick out, which she dodged, but it gave him time to stand. As he did, Thom grabbed a handful of dirt. He transferred his sword to his shield hand as he charged. When they connected, he threw the dirt in her face. Momentarily unable to see, Nance was a sitting duck. He grabbed her swordarm and pulled her off balance, kicking her to the ground face down. He dropped on top of her and put his sword to her neck.
“Halt!” called Sir Patt.
Thom stayed where he was, waiting for an announcement that he won. The knights conferred, with some level of loud disagreement. Thom saw no reason they had to discuss anything, he had Nance in a death grip. Finally the judges stopped discussing the match. Lady Matilda announced that Thom won. Some squires spoke out about his dirty tactics.
“It is best to win with honor. But which is worse: to die with honor or to win without honor? I will not give you the answer, you must decide for yourself,” Sir Patt told them.
Thom got off Nance, and offered her a hand to get up. She wiped her eyes clear and glared, refusing his help. She stood and walked away from him.
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