Chapter 47: STRATEGIC MINDS
The pre-dawn air was crisp as Arthur made his way to the officer’s training grounds. Unlike the main courtyard where regular soldiers drilled, this smaller space was reserved for Lyranth’s military leadership—and right now, Darien Hawklight was putting a group of captains through advanced formation drills.
"No, no, NO!" Hawklight’s voice cut through the morning. "If you’re flanked by orc berserkers, standard shield wall won’t hold. You need the modified wedge with—" He stopped mid-sentence, sensing Arthur’s approach. "Your Majesty."
The captains immediately saluted, but Arthur noticed how Hawklight’s hand instinctively moved to Flamestrike’s hilt—not in threat, but in the automatic readiness of a career soldier.
"Don’t let me interrupt," Arthur said. "Actually, Commander Hawklight, perhaps a practical demonstration? It’s been a while since we’ve tested each other."
Hawklight’s scarred face showed a hint of smile. "With respect, Your Majesty, our last ’test’ ended with me unconscious and the training ground destroyed."
"I’ve gotten better at control," Arthur assured him. The captains were already backing away, giving them space. "Besides, I need to discuss something with you, and I think better when I’m moving."
That got Hawklight’s attention. The commander was Arthur’s primary strategic mind—if the king wanted to discuss something during combat, it meant military matters.
"Standard rules then," Hawklight said, drawing Flamestrike. The enchanted blade hummed with barely contained fire. "I’ll use everything I’ve got. You try not to break anything important."
They circled each other slowly. Despite Arthur’s supernatural advantages, Hawklight had something the king respected—decades of real combat experience and a tactical mind that could process battlefield variables faster than any system interface.
Hawklight struck first, but it wasn’t the wild charge of a warrior. It was a calculated probe, testing Arthur’s current reaction speed while keeping his weight centered for instant repositioning. Arthur deflected with his bare hand, noting how Flamestrike’s enchantment had grown stronger—proximity to his power was enhancing all of Lyranth’s magical weapons.
"You’ve been practicing with Krag," Arthur observed, recognizing the dwarven influence in Hawklight’s modified stance.