I nodded, then started picking at my food absently. “So . . . yesterday you said you could use magic, right?”
“Yes.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Then, are you a defense artisan or an offense artisan?” I looked up.
“Offense.” He grinned wider. “You seem to know a lot about this for being here so short a time.”
This confused me at first. Until this moment I hadn't considered that, other than the few people I had met, probably no one else knew of my first visit or even how I came to be here. As my mind tried to wrap itself around the thought, I realized that Holdan was still looking at me waiting for an explanation. I grabbed for the first thing that came to mind.
“Well, I've been around Jaden a lot so . . . yeah.” As soon as the words passed my mouth I looked down and widened my eyes. Where did that come from? Why in the world did I just say that? It doesn't even make sense.
I was a bit surprised when I heard Holdan laughing and had to look up.
“I guess that would do it,” he said, chuckling. “He brags about his ‘amazing skills’ enough for anyone to become an instant expert on the subject.”
As he started to laugh again my eyes narrowed.
He never bragged about it. I could barely even get him to talk about it, let alone brag!
I shook out my head, checking myself at the instant reaction.
Evelyn, jeez, what's your problem? It's not that big a deal.
By the time Holdan was finished I held a regular smile, though I couldn't help quickly changing the subject.
“I think I'm all done.” I said, pushing away my plate.
He smiled, obviously completely unaware of my minor implosion. “Okay, then. Ready to start up again?”
I slipped quickly off the bench. “Yep.”
*
For the rest of training I had to concentrate on keeping my mind off of, breakfast, lunch, and, more specifically, why I kept bringing up a really, really, stupid subject.
At one point, in an attempt to distract myself, I asked Holdan to show me some magic. He promised to do so only after I kept my deal to spar with him. All around he was a pretty good teacher. In fact, I got so engrossed in the lessons that I lost track of time. Before I knew it we were practicing in barely-visible darkness.
“Now, this,” said Holdan, stopping suddenly amidst a lunge, “is when magic really comes in handy.”
I waited for an explanation. Both of us were breathing heavily, releasing visible puffs of white into the air.
“It's a lot easier to fight in the dark when you're holding a flaming sword,” he finished.
I laughed slightly, nodding my agreement. “That does make sense.”
He chuckled too. “Well, I think I've kept you long enough for tonight.”
Though I was enjoying the training, I had to agree. The back of my shirt was soaked through with sweat and it was starting to freeze over in the night air, making me quite cold.
I watched as Holdan threw his sword into the grass with a victorious grin. “Let's get out of here,” he said, and started moving towards the lodge.
I set my own weapon down carefully against the fence, then followed behind him.
When we were inside I once again refused his invitations to dinner and headed straight for the study. For some reason I couldn't wait to get back today. I guess I just wanted to check on Tanis.
When I entered the room I was inexplicably surprised to see it empty . . . apart from the brilliant, jade flames of course. It wasn't really a bad feeling though. I was excited to have it all to myself, much too excited, in fact, to shower despite my probable dirtiness.
After releasing my hair from the tight braid it had been in all day, I plopped down on the couch next to Tanis.
“Hi, buddy,” I said as he skittered onto my lap. “How was your day?”
He squeaked once and I laughed.
“That's good.” I stroked his back tenderly. He was so small a single finger did the trick. “Did anyone come to visit?”
He didn't respond to this, I felt a little disappointed in his uncertainty.
I watched him for a moment, his tail snaking back and forth. When I looked up to the fire I felt a slight nibble on my finger.
“Ouch.” I pulled it away quickly and glanced down. Tanis was looking up at me with big glossy eyes. “Oh my goodness, you haven't eaten yet have you?” I put my hand out and, once he had crawled onto it, hopped up quickly. “I'm so sorry, baby.”
Forgoing my coat, I walked carefully to the door and checked the hall on either side of me. So odd how it barely seemed to end in both directions. . . . It was empty enough though, almost abandoned looking. Apart from the doors, fire-lit lamps were the only ornaments decorating the long, narrow, space.
“Wow,” I whispered softly to Tanis. “Kinda mysterious at night, isn't it.” He squeaked once and I slowly shut the door behind me.
With that I began heading right towards the cafeteria, but my feet slowed almost immediately. I glanced back to the left. “There's probably food closer around here, don't you think?”
Tanis followed my gaze, but kept quiet . . . he wasn't much help on the tough decisions.
I sighed and looked back up. There's so many rooms . . . .
“Let's just check it out.”
Part of me knew that our change in direction had nothing to do with food. I was curious. This place was so enormous, what were all the rooms for?
As I began to walk slowly down the hall Tanis scurried up onto my shoulder. Maybe he was curious too, either that or just really hungry. When he started chewing on my hair I decided it must be the latter.
I walked past quite a few closed doors, not wanting to just open one up at random in case they contained people. After a while though, I started to think that they all must be shut. It was at this point that I stopped in front of a door to my right, nondescript apart from a small burn in the wood grain.
As I reached for the handle Tanis started chirping.
“We came all this way Tanis, we might as well check one.” I turned the knob and he instantly quieted.
To my relief the room was pitch dark. Empty . . . unless the inhabitants were asleep. I took a few cautious steps then backtracked, grabbing one of the torches from the hallway. With only the small fire to light my way, I reentered the room.
As I moved through it I immediately noticed it wasn't a very large space. It looked almost like a storage area. Piles of weapons, books, torches . . . I stopped my perusal when I almost tripped over something on the ground. It looked like a long board. Crouching down, I examined it. It was the backside of a canvas.
With Tanis still perched watchfully on my shoulder I flipped it around and moved the flame closer.
A painting, what else?
The first thing I noticed were dark creatures monopolizing the left side. Some were grappling onto dark stone, others raising swords in the shadows. I didn't have to guess what they were . . . Meoden, like Sylvanus, like the ones that had attacked me, like my dream.
A cold shivering breath escaped me and I quickly moved the torch to the other side.
On this there were creatures of light, a pure, creamish, glow. Amidst them were accents of many different radiant colors. I liked this side better as a whole, but what I didn't like was not knowing what they were. I focused my eyes closer on the light figures.
A noise from the hallway stopped me. My head jerked around and Tanis crawled swiftly back into my jacket. I waited for a moment and, after hearing nothing else, decided I should head back to the study.
I glanced once more at the painting, then set it down and tip-toed out of the room. As I turned back to twist the knob behind me, I suddenly felt something touch my shoulder.
My whole body jerked backwards.
“Oh, I am so sorry, Evelyn. I didn't mean to scare you.”
I put a hand to my chest. It was just Sophie. She looked quite different tonight, with no apron and her hair dangling down pas
t her shoulders.
“No,” I said, gasping. “It's my fault. I'm so jumpy.”
She smiled sweetly.
After a moment, I pointed to the door nervously. “I was just looking for some food. I didn't mean to . . . “
She stopped me with a hand to my shoulder. “That's quite alright.” She leaned closer. “I would be curious too if I moved to a place like this.”
I blushed, but was glad to know that she wasn't mad.
“Actually,” she said, “it's good I ran into you.”
I waited for her to explain as she reached down into a pack and started piling clothes into my hands.
When the pile had reached my shoulders she stood back up. “These are for you.”
I looked down at them, then back. “You made these?” I regretted the question immediately. I shouldn't have assumed that.
My fears were still when she grinned widely. “Of course I made them. Just because you live with boys, doesn't mean you have to dress like them, right?”
I smiled. “Yeah, I guess. . . . Thanks, Sophie.”
She bent down to pick up her pack. “After all the help you gave me yesterday it was the least I could do.”
I laughed. “Do you still have enough pastries left?”
She laughed too, then shook her head back and forth. “Nope. They were gone about an hour after you left . . . I think Holdan must have spread the word about them.” Her eyes widened as she finished. “Oh, and that reminds me, Holdan said you didn't have any dinner, so I brought up some food for you.”
As she reached into her bag again I could feel Tanis circling around excitedly inside my pocket. He really was a special animal.
After adding a paper bag to the pile of clothes she sighed cheerfully. “Well, I'm off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow.”
I smiled once more, my face now barely visible behind the large stack. “Thank you, again,” I said. “For the clothes.”
She nodded once then trotted off down the hall. When she was out of sight Tanis popped his head out and squeaked.
“Alright, alright, I'll get you your food. Let's go.”
*
I woke up the next day at dawn. Tonight the dream had been the worst of all three nights. But it was easier to take with Tanis there, and I felt brave enough at least to stay in the study.
After taking a hot shower, I examined some of the clothes Sophie had given me the night before.
There was a brown robe in the mix, but it was much smaller and lighter than the one I'd worn before. Other than that there were quite a few varieties of pants and shirts that looked a lot like the outfits I'd seen the other boys in, if not a little more intricate.
Holding up a blue shirt and dark leather pants, I turned to Tanis. “What do you think?”
He chirped once.
“Okay.”
I put it on carefully and was surprised at how well it fit. Since my hair was still wet, I decided to leave it down, and, after setting some breakfast out for Tanis, headed out the door towards the cafeteria.
Even after the third day, I still scanned the passing faces as I walked down the hall. It was almost more anxious this time. Maybe because of the nightmare. I tucked a stray hair behind my ear. Or maybe it was because of what I had learned about them yesterday. . . .
I wasn't so sure now that if they came back they would even come visit me.
The truth is, they were probably just stuck with me those two days and, now that I was here, were all-too-happy to get back to their important lives.
I groaned as I entered the cafeteria.
Why are boys always so confusing?
It wasn't a very good thought to have cross my mind at this particular moment. All I could see in any direction were boys, which only caused my anxiousness to increase.
I moved towards the table and, once I was sitting down, waved to all the boys I had met the day before.
“Hi, guys,” I said, still forcing myself to attempt the social thing.
Derrith waved, as did one of the other younger boys across the table. The others all said good morning.
As I began plating some food I heard Trevor, the boy who'd shared the long story, speak. “Where's Holdan?” he asked.
I waited for someone to answer. When no one did I looked up to see that he was asking me.
“Oh.” I swallowed my bite. “I don't know.”
He was still looking at me.
“Should I?” I asked.
He considered this then shrugged. “I guess not.”
“Ah . . . okay . . . ,” I said, my voice trailing off as he went back to eating.
I felt like I was missing something. But staying here, I was getting very used to that.
For a while the boys continued to talk amongst themselves. I listened carefully, but what I really wanted to do was ask if Jaden or Ikovos had come back yet . . . which is exactly why I didn't.
Maybe I could get away with asking Thoran under the premise of wanting to know when my magic training would begin.
I glanced over at the near-empty table where he usually sat and was surprised to see Cornelius and Sophie there as well. They all looked deep in thought over something. Suddenly Thoran's eyes flicked to mine. I turned away immediately.
. . . Apparently he shared Jaden's unnatural ability to catch me staring.
“Evelyn? Hello.” sang Trevor's voice across the table.
I shook out my head and looked up. “Oh, sorry. What?”
He smiled. “Nate asked you if you were training again today.”
I turned to Nathan. He was sitting to my left. “Umm, I'm not sure. I guess so.”
He grinned in the way only a young kid can. “Cool! I train today, too. Maybe we can fight.”
I winced. “I'm sure you'd be disappointed. I'm not that good.”
Trevor smiled proudly. “Don't worry, you're a girl so that's okay.”
One corner of my mouth went up, but I decided to let it slide, at least he came by it honestly.
Derrith immediately looked up from the book he was reading. “You know, Trevor, that tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble one of these days.”
Trevor sighed happily. “Oh, I hope so. Especially if it was trouble with the Meoden. I'd show them whose boss.”
Derrith just rolled his eyes and went back to reading.
I giggled inwardly. It was fun seeing them kid around. It felt natural.
For the rest of breakfast the boys talked about different attack combinations they would use against the Meoden given the chance. Every once in a while Derrith seemed to feel the need to set them straight on certain subjects, commenting here or there. It was all very entertaining to watch, and the next thing I knew I was the only one left at the table.
Just when I was about to decide where to go next, someone slid in the bench next to me.
“Sup.”
I looked over. It was Holdan.
“Oh. Hi.” I really need to learn some more interesting replies.
“Sorry I wasn't here for breakfast,” he said. “I had some stuff to do.”
I shook my head. “No. That's alright.”
He smiled, then chipped me on the chin. “Guess what today is?”
I looked up trying to count the days in my head. “Ah . . . Thursday?”
He started to shake his head. Then stopped, face perplexed. “Well, actually it is Thursday. But, what else?”
I sighed. I really, really hated this game. “Umm . . . cold?”
He laughed. “Nope.” I eyed him. “Okay, I'll tell you.” I waited. “You promised to spar today,” he said, grinning widely.
I didn't mirror his enthusiasm. Instead, I dropped my head into my hands and whined.
He just laughed. “Don't even try that. I'm not going to feel sorry for you.” I felt him get up. “Now let's go.”
I grudgingly followed him out of the room.
By the time we were to the side door I had resigned myself to the fact that there was no getting out of i
t. Maybe it would even be good for me. Let out some pent-up frustration.
Outside the rainy weather was on the retreat, the sun almost completely taking over. I was glad when Holdan selected a well-shaded rink to fight in. It also had the added bonus of being further away from the other boys, less people to embarrass myself in front of.
While Holdan kicked out some stray twigs, I measured the sword in my hands. I had been using this same one for three days now, but I still wasn't used to the weight. It was so blasted heavy.
As I looked up from my grip I became all too aware of the stupidity in my hairstyle choice this morning. I'd left it down and now the strands of long spirals were almost completely covering my view. I set the sword down and twisted the hair back a bit, praying that the fight wouldn't involve so much action that the loose knot would fall apart.
When I picked up my sword and looked back at Holdan he was standing weapon in hand with a large smile.
“Don't look so nervous,” he said. “It's just the same thing we've been doing for days.”
I tried to lighten. “You'll go easy on me, right?”
He gave me a face. “Of course.”
I sucked in a heavy breath and we both lifted our swords.
“Remember, no pressure. We're just checking to see where you're at.”
I nodded once and in the next second he was moving in with an attack. I blocked it instinctively then side-stepped away from him.
Jeez, whatever happened to ladies first.
He was smiling. “Good job.”
I smiled back, but there wasn't much sincerity behind it. Once I started sparring with someone it was hard for me to feel any sort of comrade-ish feelings towards them.
Exhaling a calming breath, I considered my next move in my head, then lunged at him loosely. As planned, he easily knocked it aside. I used the momentum of this to spin the sword around from the other direction. Again he blocked, pushing his blade against mine until it swung aside, leaving me open.
He mocked a jab to my stomach and grinned. I sniffed and wiped his blade aside with my sword.
My hair was falling now, blocking my view. It only made me more determined.
I struck at him again and he blocked. It continued on like this quite a few times: lunge, parry, swing, parry, slash, parry. I kept going from different angles, but he blocked every time.
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