Chapter Text
Hans tells Sir Radzig that he is honored to lend him his castle, and he truly means it. Sir Radzig is an honorable man with many talents, including warfare. The Lord claims to be many years out of practice, but compared to Hans's uncle, and ward, Sir Hanush, he is as fit as a horse.
Then, this young peasant boy interrupts the pleasantries, and no one ends the madness. The boy had disobeyed a direct order from his Liege Lord because he 'needed to bury his parents,' and of course, failed to do this when bandits attacked him. On top of that, a girl had saved his life.
Hans is not impressed with the boy when he goes on to prattle about some lost sword like he has no disregard for the fact that Radzig has lost his land, half his people, and his castle. Hanush points out that the boy had to be saved by a girl and that he's a fool to want revenge.
Hans's blood boils when Radzig defends the boy from Hanush and claims that Henry's no fool and that he is 'courageous.' But Hans gets downright furious when the boy, Henry, asks Sir Radzig to take him into his service.
"The gall of him," Hans says as he pushes himself – the chair screeching across the floor - from the table to stand. "Fled from the enemy, disobeyed orders, duped Sir Divish, lost your sword, put Sir Robard in danger, and now he wants a promotion?" His voice reaches a high pitch at the end, unable to contain his outrage.
Hans is pleased when Sir Bernard quickly supports him, but the feeling only lasts until Radzig puts him down by saying:
"You would have run as well, believe me."
He most certainly would not. Hans has trained for combat since he was old enough to lift a wooden sword, so why would he run? He hates to admit it, but hearing the Lord's lack of faith in him hurts more than it should.
And finally, Hans feels the rage burn in his cheeks as Sir Radzig accepts Henry's request, and Sir Hanush orders Captain Bernard to see to the training of the blacksmith boy.
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Hans leans on the fence to the training ring, watching the blacksmith boy fail miserably at swordsmanship even though Bernard goes easy on him. Henry pants, gasps, huffs, and puffs, struggling to keep the wooden sword raised from the ground, while Bernard hasn't even broken a sweat. Unfortunately, the captain interrupts the training (or whatever you'd call that) and comes over to ask if he can be of service.
Hans excuses his presence with the first thing that comes to mind, namely that he requires the archery range because his hand has become heavy. Untrue, but he would never admit that he's there out of curiosity to see how the peasant fares with a sword. He notices how Bernard arches a brow at him – Hans has never and should never have to ask permission to use said range - but Bernard gives it regardless.
Although it was entertaining to watch the blacksmith boy struggle with even the basics, Hans has seen enough to know that he's vastly superior to Henry (of course he is), and he turns on his heel and walks towards the archery range.
"Not the same as holding a hammer, is it, Blacksmith boy," Hans adds over his shoulder to remind Henry of his rightful place.
Hans can't seem to wipe the smirk off his face as he shoots arrow after arrow, thinking about the angry expression on Henry's face, but when you speak of the devil (or think of him), he shall appear. And before he knows it, Henry stands beside him and miserably fails at shooting arrows, although it's not as bad as his sword fighting. It may be that the blacksmith boy has shot a hare once—an old, sick one.
After a while, when he's confident about the outcome, Hans casually suggests a little competition between the two. Admittedly, he may have encouraged the blacksmith boy to agree by insinuating he was a coward, which made Henry intimidate Hans in return. Bernard had threatened Henry with the stocks, and the competition became a way to resolve the dispute.
Hans draws his bow, holds his breath, quickly aims, and shoots. Then repeats the process. He doesn't even glance at Henry's target (because why would he), but although he tries his best to concentrate, the words from the boy's outburst disrupt his otherwise flawless aim. 'A braggart who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.' No one – absolutely no one – has ever talked to Hans in such a way.
He should be furious at Henry, maybe even demand him punished for it, but to his surprise, he only wants to best him. Show him that he is better than him. So, when he has shot his last arrow – not at all happy with the result - he finally turns to look at the blacksmith boy, and by the devil, the boy stands perfectly positioned with his feet, shooting arrows like he had done nothing else his entire life.
Hans's jaw drops, and his eyes widen as he regards Henry, suddenly rank and proper, with his brows furrowed in determination and – is that – a smirk on his lips? Reluctantly Hans turns his head to look at Henry's target, and of course, every arrow has hit the mark, and most of them are in the center.
Either Henry is a fast learner, or that bastard only feigned his archery skills to make Hans underestimate him. Either way, he can't help but feel impressed by the blacksmith. And as he stands there, his broad shoulders drawn back, chest shot forward, and looking all… impressive, Hans can't pretend that the boy isn't handsome.
When Henry has shot his last arrow, Captain Bernard announces the winner unhelpfully, and the two boys turn to face each other. Henry crosses his arms, wearing that smug, annoyingly charming smirk on his lips, and Hans realizes he's still gaping and shuts his jaw tight. Unfortunately, he has waged his beloved bow as a price for winning the competition, but sly as he is, he quickly turns it around.
"What are you grinning about, boy? I think you owe me a little payback. How about a sword fight at the arena?" Hans says.
"If we must," The boy replies reluctantly, the smug expression falling. This ought to be easy enough.
Hans makes it a point not to underestimate Henry this time and strikes fast at him from all angles. Henry parries best as he can, catching every third hit with his blade. He’s tough, and the hits that do land, he shakes off with a grunt. Only once does Henry hit Hans, and that is when they’re caught in a clinch, swords crossed, and heads close enough for Henry to head-butt him across the bridge of his nose. Hans staggers backward, enough time for Henry to land a blow at his shoulder.
The blacksmith has far more strength than Hans but no way near enough agility. So from then on, whenever Henry tries to hit him, Hans dodges out of the way. And when Henry is sweating and panting, Hans gives everything he has left in him, making the boy fall like a sack of potatoes.
Even though Hans has regained his confidence, he's not too proud to grasp Henry’s wrist and pull him back on his feet. He slaps Henry on his back, announces that that makes them even, and walks away.