Descole's Apprentices | Arc 1 | Chapter 3

Descole's Apprentices
Apprentice's Arc
Chapter 3 | A simple.... game of sorts

(Descole’s POV)

     I led them into the other room, and proceeded to serve them some tea. Jorge refuses, insisting that he prefers coffee, while Jacques silently poured himself some tea. I managed to get some coffee for Jorge.

     I saw Jacques raise an eyebrow as Jorge put two spoonfuls of honey in his coffee. “Why do you do that?” He asked in curiosity. “You're ruining the taste of good coffee.”

     “Actually, I'm not,” Jorge merely replied. “I got this habit from an old friend of mine. As he said once, I'm not ruining the coffee, I'm enhancing the taste of good honey.”

     Jacques shook his head. “Strange habits, that's what it is,” he muttered. Jorge just brushed it off, and that's when I began.

     “As I said earlier, in a few months time, an event will take place at the Crown Petone,” I explained to them. “But before I explain any more details…. I'd like to play a little game with you two.”

     Now that peaked their attention. Jacques sat up straighter, while Jorge seems more intrigued. “Let me elaborate: Since you two only know each other a little bit, I thought that maybe we could play a small…. puzzle battle.”

     Jorge seemed curious yet suspicious, while Jacques seemed to be beaming with energy and excitement. “Please, go ahead, Descole,” Jorge said calmly, waving his hand at me. “If you're so keen about this, then you should at least start it.”

     I merely smiled as I pulled out two small pictures and handed it to them with a pen. “Now, here is your first puzzle,” I began to say as they assessed the picture. " Two girls went to their ladybug-lover friend's Birthday party, but when they arrived, one of them realized she'd forgotten to bring the gift!

It was already late. They looked in their purses to see if they had something to give her instead.

"I guess we'll have to buy another one right now,” said one."It is not necessary, we have everything we need. It's the perfect gift for her!" Said the other. What did the girls need? Circle your answer in the picture "

     Now the question is how long would it take for one of them to solve the puzzle. It was quite a simple puzzle in my opinion, but who knows what those two. My thoughts were scattered as Jacques slammed his picture down on the table, signaling that he was done. I snatched it away just as Jorge put his down. I looked up for one moment to see Jorge angry, but I shrugged it off and examined Jacques’s answer. I nodded and looked up at him.

     “That is correct, Jacques,” I told him. A satisfactory smile spread across his face. I placed it on the table for Jorge to see. He glanced at it, shook his head in anger, and sat up straight. The determination was clear on his face now. Jacques hid a snickering laugh as Jorge glared at him.

     “Now, one more puzzle shall be presented,” I said to them. They sat up straight, as if they were already ready. I led out a small laugh and proceeded to reveal the puzzle to them. “Here is the puzzle: When someone knows what it is, then it is nothing. But when it is elusive, then it is something. What is it?”

     “A puzzle!” Jorge called out bravely as Jacques was thinking. I was taken back by the sudden answer from Jorge. Perhaps he does has some potential, I thought as my gaze pierced him.

     “Why, that is correct!” I told Jorge, nodding towards him. All he did was clap and nod in recognition. Wow I underestimated him. Maybe he isn't so energetic as I thought he was. 

     Jacques stood. “But then it's a tie!” He protested, clearly frustrated and angry. “What's the point of this if it ends in a tie?!” He stood there, glowing in anger and frustration as I thought.

     “Fine,” I said blankly, standing up. “If you insist on a tie breaker, then perhaps….” I swiftly pulled out my sword and pointed it at the two. “Then why don't you two have a sword fight?”

(Jorge’s POV)

     I smiled evilly as Descole announced the sword fight. I was a pro as sword fighting, and looking at Jacques, he didn't seem like a good person for a fight.

     “If you insist on a fight,” I calmly said, standing up. “Then let us battle!” I pulled out my sword and pointed it at Jacques.

     But a loud clang shattered my thoughts and part of my bravery. Jacques had pulled out his sword and blocked it with mine. Descole raised an eyebrow, as if he was surprised.

     “But please, continue,” I tempted Jacques. “I'm sure you're just wishing to get rid of me--”

     “Gentlemen, please, take this outside,” Descole interrupted. “I don't want to ruin anything in here.” At first I thought he was kidding. But the way he was standing eluded me otherwise.

      I quickly rushed out into the courtyard, way ahead of Jacques and Descole. If they wanted a battle, I'd give them one. As they entered the courtyard, I glanced at Descole. He looked at me, and I make a small notion. He nodded. My plan was to first match Jacques’ skill at fighting, then start to overpower him. Descole knew this. I'm ready, Jacques. You will wish that you never threatened me.

(Jacques’s POV)

     “Now that we're out of harm's way, shall we begin?” Descole asked. He appeared calm, but I could sense a little excitement in his voice.

     “Hah!” Jorge exclaimed, pulling out his sword. “You've made a mistake by challenging thee!” He got into a fighting stance as he said that.

     I laughed, pulled out my sword, and got into a fighting stance. “We shall let our sword decide.”

     Descole glanced at the two of us, held up his hand, and dropped it. The fight began. Jorge dashed towards me, sword pointing towards me. I sighed, and held up my sword. There was a loud clang as our swords clashed, sending waves of air around us. I pulled my sword back and we fought. Nothing much was happening. We kept blocking one another's swords. He seemed to have the same skill level as me, but seemed more confident. What now?

     That's when things took a turn for worse. I slashed my sword out in a curve and he gracefully leaped over it. It was something beyond my skill level. Oh no , he is more skillful than me, I thought in despair. The fight lasted only for a few more seconds as he then tripped me. I fell to the floor with a thud, and he pointed the sword at my throat. I was trapped.

     Descole clapped. “Wonderful performance!” He cheered as I got up. Jorge held out a hand, and I took it in a handshake. Descole walked up to the two of us. “I hope that was a good enough tie breaker, Jacques. You did insist this battle.”

     “I guess so,” I grumbled. I was still disappointed that I lost. Jorge had tricked me! He basically wanted me to fail. I couldn't believe it. Well, he was better at sword fighting than me, based on this fight. You'll regret this, Jorge, I thought. I will become stronger than you. And then, you're gonna have a bad time.