The Anvil (85 page)

After
a
few
hours
he
went
to
the
medical
tent
to
have
his
hands
checked
.
As
usual
the
medic
told
him
not
to
fight
,
but
told
him
they
were
almost
healed
.
Three
days
passed
rather
uneventful
.
As
Tom
walked
to
the
breakfast
area
he
realized
it
was
his
birthday
.
He
shrugged
off
the
thought
,
thinking
he
and
his
birthday
were
rather
unimportant
while
they
fought
a
war
.
He
briefly
wondered
if
his
friends
had
something
planned
but
decided
they
probably
didn
’
t
as
they
would
have
forgotten
.

He
arrived
and
got
his
food
,
sat
down
by
his
friends
who
greeted
him
normal
.
After
breakfast
he
went
to
the
medical
tent
,
along
with
Zack
.
The
two
boys
arrived
and
went
in
.
The
medic
who
was
taking
care
of
Tom
’
s
hands
saw
them
and
came
over
.
After
looking
at
Tom
’
s
hands
for
a
minute
the
medic
smiled
and
looked
at
Tom
’
s
face
,
smiling
. “
Your
hands
are
healed
.
You
can
start
fighting
again
.”
the
medic
told
him
and
Tom
smiled
.
The
two
boys
left
and
went
to
the
practice
area
.
Tom
wanted
to
start
practicing
as
soon
as
possible
.
Soon
both
were
drenched
in
sweat
as
they
sparred
.

Tom
was
glad
to
be
back
practicing
with
Zack
,
who
was
glad
to
know
the
person
he
was
sparing
with
.
After
they
had
been
sparring
for
about
half
an
hour
,
a
small
boy
about
twelve
walked
up
to
them
.
He
waited
as
they
finished
the
fight
then
said
“
Thomas
,
you
are
wanted
at
the
command
center
.
Change
then
report
,
perhaps
wash
up
a
bit
too
.”
then
the
boy
turned
and
walked
away
. “
I
wonder
what
that
is
about
.”
Tom
told
Zack
“
I
don
’
t
know
.”
he
replied
.

Tom
flew
to
his
tent
,
washed
and
changed
then
flew
towards
the
castle
where
the
command
center
was
located
.
He
landed
just
outside
and
the
guards
stopped
him
. “
Who
are
you
and
what
is
your
business
here
?”
one
asked
him
“
I
’
m
Thomas
Welton
.
I
was
told
to
report
here
.”
Tom
told
him
and
the
guards
stepped
aside
.

Tom
walked
into
command
room
and
saw
a
group
of
men
and
women
standing
around
a
large
map
.
He
recognized
Alex
,
who
was
talking
. “
We
could
send
a
group
of
men
to
this
crossing
and
take
them
from
behind
.”
indicating
a
crossing
marked
on
the
map
,
but
he
was
countered
by
another
man

“
We
could
,
but
if
we
send
a
force
that
was
strong
enough
we
would
weaken
the
defence
line
.
The
Ilemites
would
notice
the
decreased
numbers
,
or
if
we
send
some
of
our
best
,
who
would
lead
and
help
here
?”
the
man
said
and
Alex
looked
up
and
saw
Tom
. “
Tom
,
you
’
re
here
.
Welcome
.”
then
in
a
whisper
“
You
might
want
to
address
to
the
king
.”
indicating
a
man
in
gold
-
trimmed
armour
sitting
on
a
large
chair
.

The
king
’
s
hair
,
once
blond
,
was
grey
and
he
had
tired
blue
eyes
.
Tom
said
“
Hello
,
Your
Majesty
.”
and
started
bowed
,
but
the
king
motioned
for
him
to
stop
. “
I
do
not
stand
on
formalities
with
the
men
defending
my
kingdom
.
I
believe
they
deserve
my
respect
and
friendship
.
My
name
is
Frederick
.”
the
king
said
,
then
motioned
for
him
to
come
closer
.

“
Now
for
the
reason
you
are
here
.
It
has
come
to
my
attention
you
have
come
up
with
some
rather
new
ideas
during
battles
.
One
of
which
was
to
have
the
men
fight
as
a
block
,
but
when
you
tried
to
keep
the
men
together
they
stayed
for
a
moment
then
broke
.
Well
,
today
we
have
decided
to
give
you
command
of
seventy
four
men
.
You
and
your
men
will
train
in
the
organized
block
you
have
come
up
with
.
You
will
be
given
any
special
equipment
you
might
need
.”
King
Frederick
continued