He tugged at his moustache. It would be a terrible blow to moral if the Sky Warrior was killed. The common people had placed their faith in him. He was the good giant who was going to save them from the bad giant. And, that was only part of the problem. What would the queen say if he returned without him?..The thought was mortifying.
'Hey, Baker's Son.' Morgon intervened. 'Are you going to issue a challenge?'
Tom dropped his guard and slouched forward.
'What do you want me to do?'
'Are you so ignorant ...'
The words died in Morgon's mouth as Tom cast down his shield. It fell at the Sword Master's feet. Thunder didn't follow the full sequence of actions but he saw the Sword Master stunned by a blow from Tom's outstretched arm. Blood gushed from his mouth and he fell backwards.
Morgon's guard enveloped their chief in a wall of shields and rushed him to safety. Tom glanced at the bloodied figure and looked reproachfully at Thunder.
'You said he was good.'
'He used to be,' Thunder conceded.
'Anything wrong?'
'You didn't do it according to the rules.'
'I didn't think there were any.'
Thunder watched as Tom picked up his shield and turned to leave. He called him back. 'You've not yet completed your task. There are things which remain to be done.'
'What do you mean?..I've killed the sod. Isn't that enough?'
Thunder pointed to the dead body.
'You hold the distinguished office of Head Master.'
'Oh ... that's just a ceremonial thing.'
'No it's not.'
Thunder thrust out his baton.
'You can't be Head Master and neglect your duties.'
He grabbed Tom and pulled him forward.
'I sometimes wonder if you know what it means to be a senior officer in Her Majesty's service.'
'I do my best,' Tom shrugged.
Thunder raised his sword.
'I've told you time and time again. You have to be aware of customs. You might not like them but that doesn't matter.'
The sword swept down and the Sword Master's head fell forward.
'Right.' Thunder picked up the head.
'You've got to perform the duties of a Head Master, not just enjoy the title.' He pulled off the helmet with the Sun God crest. 'If you don't know what that means, you'd better learn fast.'
'I'm listening,' Tom said.
Thunder held the head by the hair.
'You carry it like this, taking care not to get more blood than can be avoided on your garments and body armour. When we reach the royal presence, you are to display the head first to Her Majesty then to such clan chieftains as may be present. I must urge you to exercise care in identifying who is and who is not a clan chieftain. Your mistakes in the past have been a source of amusement to the common people and have caused embarrassment to others.'