The Lost Tales

  Kendric meets Elendir (Ghosts of the Past)

  This is the short story of meeting of Prince Kendric and Lord Squire Elendir on BE 6780, beinor 3 described in chapter three of Ghosts of the Past: “I first met Kendric at the age of twelve yen-ars, the start of my formal training to be a squire. Kendric was one of the student-instructors helping Lord Knight Malvyn teach my first laser épée class. He quickly became a sort of big-brother to me and never stopped mentoring me when it comes to fencing; he’s always been a formidable warrior with a passionate love of sword-play.”

  “Ready for class, Your Highness,” asked the jovial Lord Knight Malvyn gently, placing his hands on young Prince Kendric’s shoulders.

  Prince Kendric met his mentor’s eyes, “Are you sure I am cut out for this? What will the class think?”

  Malvyn released Kendric’s shoulders, allowing the adolescent prince to resume pacing the cavernous martial arts classroom around them, its floor –to-ceiling windows letting in the soft light of the normally stormy upper atmosphere. “They will think that the heir to the throne is one of the most talented martial artists they have ever met – which you are.”

  “I do not know, Lord Knight Malvyn – am I really ready to teach?”

  “Yes, yes you are. Now, Lord Squire Kendric calm down. Find the tranquility within. Our students should filter in any time now.” Kendric nodded, his wandering steps bringing him to the windows. Looking up into the sky he noticed an unusual clarity: the Beinarian sun peaked through unexpectedly, its blue white light softened but not obscured by Beinan’s thick upper atmosphere.

  A boy of twenty-five yen-ars ambled up to the prince at the window, a Beinarian star ruby hanging from a silver chain around his neck over his plain black tunic and trousers, “Are you my teacher?”

  Kendric turned and faced the boy, noticing the star ruby and catching him off guard, “I-I-do not know. Are you studying healing or laser épée? This is a laser épée class, you know.”

  The boy touched the ruby reverentially, “I am not studying healing; this – is for my mother. She died.”

  “What was her name?”

  “Lady Healer Keelia of the healers of Ten-Ar.”

  “And your father?”

  “Lord Healer Devon; I was just three yen-ars old when – when – “

  “Forgive me! I did not know! My name is Kendric.”

  “That’s the same name as the crown prince’s name, is it not?” asked the boy.

  Kendric took a deep, centering breath, “I am Lord Squire Kendric, prince of Beinan.”

  “My name is Elendir. They made me a squire just last night.”

  “Welcome to your training, Lord Squire Elendir,” smiled Kendric. “Have you ever picked up a laser épée before?”

  “No – I’ve seen one, but never touched one.”

  “Well then that will change,” smiled Kendric, turning to look around the room. Fifteen other squires now sat in a semi-circle facing the wall upon which Lord Knight Malvyn already projected the first slide of his opening presentation. Kendric motioned for Elendir to join the semi-circle with his classmates, “Do not be afraid, Elendir. You are here to ensure no harm ever comes to someone you love ever again.”

  Elendir met his eyes prophetically, “With all due respect, Your Highness, no one, no matter how great or skilled the warrior, is beyond the reach of those determined to destroy love, life, and especially hope – not my parents, not me, and not you.”