Ilvar's Redemption: A Short Story

Ilvar’s Redemption Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I duck under my opponent’s sword. The blow nearly misses my head. I bash him with my shield and go for a powerful overhead blow with my weapon. He blocks my strike, and quickly counters with a piercing stab at my stomach. I block the attack just in time, but hear a harsh crack coming from my shield. I absorb the blow and parry his sword and attempt to counter with a backhand slash. I hit the enemy’s arm, but no permanent damage is done. I am immediately smacked by the shield of my opponent and slammed to the ground. An overhead strike of my adversary’s sword approaches me at a furious speed. I block the blow in a futile attempt to stifle my opponent. My shield explosively splits in two

“What was that Ilvar? Your new shield already broke? You made it only 12 moons ago!”, Jurgen said, as he picked me up off the ground. “I will say that you gave my arm a good thrashing, probably would have chopped it off we weren’t using these stupid wooden

“Yes sir, chief.” I said half-heartedly. I make it back to my home, still bruised from training, staring at my broken shield. Not my best work. But after my humiliating defeat I am determined to make a shield fit for a true warrior. I manage to cut a fresh piece of wood from the forest before dark. I drag the timber to my house right as the sun sets. I lay the wood on my workstation and light the fire pit, ready to begin my night of work… The wood has been cut into planks, 20 inches in the center, and strapped together with leather. It is sanded all around, making a perfectly circular shape. In the center is a forged iron plate from my old shield, still strong even after the incident this morning. Around the plate is an ancient Celtic Knot of my ancestors, which symbolizes the infinite cycle of life that God created. Around the outside there is a painted brown ring that symbolizes the earth and soil. In the center around the iron plate it is painted blue. The deep blue color symbolizes the waters of life. I admire my newly crafted shield and delight in the perfect shape the shield