First, hopefully before you get into combat, equip your character. This should be the very first thing you do after logging in or reviving after dying.
1) :# Open your inventory. 2) :# Open your character window. You can do this by using the menu or by double clicking on your health/stamina/food/water bar. 3) :# Drag your short sword to your right hand, or right click on the sword and choose '''Equip'''. 4) :# Drag your shield to your left arm, or right click on the shield and choose '''Equip'''.
Now that your weapon and shield are equipped, you can enter combat. [[fighting|Fighting]] covers this rather well. This also points up the difference between equipping and activating (see "Activate a tool" further down)