Ep. 56- Of Looking Forward and Back

I’m back. How many weeks has it been? 3?

It seems to happen every year at around this time. Life ramps up. Transitions and changes. A progression of the seasons. A restlessness of the soul.

But I do come back.

Truth be told I couldn’t justify staying away any longer. In the time I was away I put my time into a great many things that brought me joy- and a few that did not, but were necessary.

But as September begins I find myself with a renewed desire to continue Alice. So on we must press- the Queen’s arc is nearing the closing stretch and soon we will return to the Party of the Discarded. Are you excited? I think I am too.

ext. training yard evening -flashback

The old training grounds at evening several years removed from the Tournament of the Successor. It is notably empty save a single figure- the Young Child, the future Knight of Swords- now aged several years into her pre-teen.

The Young Knight of Swords wears a squire’s tunic and wields a longsword that is nearly her own height. She whirls the blade in a windmill motion, passing the hilt from hand to hand. She labors under the exercise- it is not the natural flow that even the Young Queen of Swords in her youth achieved- but a stilted, workmanlike maneuver that betrays more effort than natural grace to the wielder. She continues to pass the blade from hand to hand as though fending off an imaginary army. The maneuver gains speed, faster and faster, disturbing the air around it until the blade suddenly looses from her hand. It flies upward into the air and casts itself in an arc until its point lands in the earth several dozen feet away.

Framed in the shadows of twilight, the Young Queen of Swords stands at a distance on the sidelines of the training yard as she observers her pupil. A stern voice disrupts her concentration.

STRENGTH
She is no diamond in the rough, that one.

The Young Queen turns to find Strength standing a few feet off, also observing the young Knight. The Young Queen’s brow knits with consternation. She replies pensively.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
I’ve observed her progress year by year. I have not been absent for a single step. I am qualified to speak on her promise as a swordsman. You are not- for anyone.

Strength stretches her thin lips into a smile.

STRENGTH
It’s always the same thing, isn’t it, young queen? Never looking forward with a “why are you here” or “what can you teach me”. Always looking back- “why weren’t you here”, “why didn’t you teach me”. Doesn’t it get old?

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
If you have a purpose, state it.

STRENGTH
This will be our last meeting for some time as master and student. I thought I’d offer a rare opportunity- to ask questions. Any questions.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
I suppose you expect me to ask something obvious, like “what am I”, or “what strange power do I possess?”.

STRENGTH
Something like that, yes.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
Then you’ll be disappointed. I don’t care what I was. I don’t care what power I might be holding. You speak of ill of looking back then expect me to do just so. Allow me to instead teach you, Teacher in Absence. I already am looking forward. I will be the Queen of Swords. What I was does not matter. As for my power-

The Young Queen heaves the enormous buster sword over her head and lets it rest across her shoulders.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
It is right here in my hand- tangible, visible, fair. And while I don’t deny that my ability to channel Arcane energy at will does puzzle- I will not question any advantage I am granted- but rather, I will use it. And I will change this world- all of Arcana.

STRENGTH
(still smiling)
You would declare war on the gods of Arcana- and who would you set in their place- you?

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
No one.

STRENGTH
Your words are noble in theory- we’ll see if they survive the anvil. This was an opportunity, dear student-

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
Do. Not. Call me. Your student.

STRENGTH
As you say. Dawn is about to break, and with it a new day. I wished to learn how you would greet the morning light. I now know- you greet in the spirit of Vengeance. It is entirely fitting- if not tragic.

From the training yard, we hear a frustrated grunt and the twang of a longsword as it quivers in the dirt after yet another casting of the blade.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
I have a student to see to. Unlike some teachers, when she faults I do not disappear- or speak in riddles when I do.

The Young Queen takes to the training yard toward her student.

STRENGTH
She will break from you eventually- all students must. It is the nature of the teaching relationship. It will break your heart when it happens- but know that when it does, it will also be the best day- for both of you. You both will realize that, eventually. In your own way.

YOUNG QUEEN OF SWORDS
(stopping)
Is that all?

STRENGTH
It is, for some time. Luck be with you, Young Queen. Take care not to gaze directly into the Sun.

With this, the Young Queen is caught off guard and turns to question Strength, but finds no one standing where Strength once was.