Tested (The Life of Uktesh Book 1)

by Aaron Hicks

  Uktesh interrupted him, “What happened to the other three?”

  Thulmann was clearly upset by the interruption, “What other three?”

  “The other three ‘most dangerous, vicious, violent men you could find. And crazy too. Who but crazy men would dare to attack the Beletarians.’”

  Thulmann looked nervous and one of his men spoke up, with a thick accent, and said, “He know about Davyd, Waarn, and Toomi. He a devil child, Afflicted, you saw him fighting invisible demons. We cain’t fight no devil child!”

  Thulmann growled, “Shut it Jysh! He wasn’t fighting demons, he was practicing.”

  “I was fighting demons though, Thulmann,” Uktesh said far more calmly than he felt.

  “He know your name! He a devil boy!”

  Thulmann glanced at him annoyed, then spoke to Uktesh, “Boy, if you come with us peaceably, I’ll vouch for your safety.”

  “I can’t vouch for yours if you try to take me against my will.” Uktesh tried not to swallow in order to moisten his suddenly dry throat, or lick his suddenly dry lips. He didn’t know where this sarcastic defiance came from, but he had to pretend it was confidence.

  “This is your last chance, boy. I don’t want to have to kill you. I have a daughter your age that is innocent of this war, save for being born on one side or the other, and I would rather not have your blood on my hands if I could avoid it.”

  “Your man spoke of demons. Well I’ve seen them, and they just attacked and killed dozens of men, women, and children in a village not far from here. I vow, here and now to never run from those demons again.” As he spoke the words, he felt his spine straighten and he put his sword into a balanced defensive position.

  The man in Thulman’s group spoke up again, “Thet weren’t demons, boy, thet was us!” Suddenly the man was no longer fearful, but viscously eager. Well Thulmann didn’t lie, they are viscous.

  Thulmann, though, continued to look at him thoughtfully, “You saw that fight?”

  Uktesh nodded, his eyes continued to dart between the men as he searched for the first to attack.

  “We’ve been tracking you since then. How long ago did it end?”

  Uktesh didn’t know where this was going, but stated, “About three hours ago.”

  “That’s close enough. Do you know where you are now?”

  “The woods.” Uktesh would not allow this man to confuse him with questions.

  “Yes, but not the woods you’re probably thinking. You’re now in Sinai. You travelled thirty miles, about three hours of hard travel, by horse from that village. Where’s your horse?”

  Uktesh didn’t know if he should believe Thulmann about the distance travelled, but he had always been a good runner, and he didn’t think they would be able to push their horses all that fast if they were able to track him. “I don’t have a horse, just my feet.”

  “This goes against my better judgment, but you may go free, won’t pursue you.”

  “But our orders,” the other mercenary started, but Thulmann silenced him with a look.

  “We’re the best.” Around the circle the others nodded, “we’re better than murdering a ten year old boy.”

  “I’m fifteen!”

  “Barely out of childhood. I say we let him live,” he drew his swords, and said, “Anyone who wishes to disagree will do so to my swords.”

  Most, it seemed agreed with Thulmann. Only the loud one ground the heel of his spear into the ground and said, “I jest wanted to follow orders.”

  “I guess there is a first time for everything.” Thulmann laughed and the men joined in, which included the disagreeable one. Practically soundlessly they faded into the edges of the forest and disappeared. Uktesh stayed in a defensive stance while he gathered his pack, arrows, and bow, and tried to ignore the way his heart slammed against his chest. With the bow in his hand he felt a lot more secure and put the swords away in the sheath on his back.

  He couldn’t believe that Thulmann was real. Had he really been asleep, or had he met them once before, and they didn’t remember meeting him? The whole encounter was strange and Uktesh didn’t know what it meant. Nor did he understand why they’d allowed him to live. Was I given a dream of the future, but if so, why was it in the woods outside of my home, and how did I know that there were thirteen back then? Uktesh gave up as he knew he would never be able to figure it out and simply started to walk south again.

  He arrived at a road three weeks later and took it west towards Manori. After another few days of being forced to walk and hide whenever he saw a group of riders, he decided to get off the road all together. He angled north away from the road at the twelve mile marker, so he knew he was close.

  As he walked through the woods, he used his bow as a walking staff. Having eaten already that day, he still had two lion fishes that he caught the day before, when the road had gone over a bridge. All he had to do was skin them and they’d be ready to be cooked. Plus lion fish manes were rare, so Uktesh could sell them when he needed to.

  He no longer paid attention to where he was going, and had traveled nearly two hours, when he heard a girl’s voice shout, “Stop it!” He froze, and allowed his eyes to scan the woods around him. When he didn’t see anything, he quickly strung his bow, and silently moved towards where he had heard the voice. He saw that a girl was being loomed over by two older teens. They didn’t touch her, but their intent was to intimidate her on purpose.

  She had golden blond hair and bright blue eyes, which were currently unable to blink back tears. She wore a bright yellow dress that only made her golden hair shine more brightly.

  Uktesh boldly stepped behind the two teens and asked in the voice he’d heard his father use to train the expert swordsmen, “Is there a problem here?” The first teen spun around and lashed out at Uktesh with his fist, and hit only air. The second teen took his time to notice that Uktesh was heavily armed, and stopped his friend from being able to continue.

  “Wait Dekan, this kid has a sword, and a bow. Leave him be. We’ll just escort Laurilli back to her home and call it a day.” Dekan was taller than Uktesh by nearly a full foot. He was bulky too, but without much muscle.

  “No you won’t! I’m not going anywhere with you two, I’m being escorted by this gentleman.” She said as she slipped around Dekan and the other teen. She stood behind Uktesh and held his right arm possessively. Dimly he noticed that she was taller than he was by two or three inches. If it comes down to a fight, her holding my arm will be a problem. He didn’t give a thought to asking her to let go, however; because he enjoyed the feel of her as she held onto his arm. He also enjoyed the feel of being looked to as a protector, even though after the last two opportunities he knew he wasn’t.

  The two teens looked at Uktesh, as if they had the ability to gauge his skill, and he made sure to calmly stare back at them in an unconcerned manner. They left with a backwards glare, and Uktesh could hear them as they muttered to themselves. Uktesh knew that given the chance they would try to exact vengeance on him or the girl, Laurilli. He turned to see her deep blue eyes as they looked up at him with a look that Uktesh couldn’t place. Slightly unnerved by the look he said, “Um, if you like, I can walk you home.”

  She smiled brightly at him and pulled on his arm, and said, “It’s this way, follow me.” Uktesh had never heard such a voice before. He found that it was as lovely as she was, maybe even more so.

  He followed after her unable to do anything else. Her hand found his as they walked back to her home. Unable to see or think of anything but the amazing creature that had enchanted him and now held his hand, they could’ve been attacked by the two teens at any time and he wouldn’t have noticed. But after an all too quick eternity they arrived at her door. They were met by a tall blond woman, nearly six feet tall, who had a concerned look on her face. A face which was almost a mirror for Laurilli’s save that is was older. “Mother this hero saved me today from Dekan and Baloce.” Uktesh tried to hide his surprise that this woman was old en
ough to have a daughter Laurilli’s age.

  “Did they harm you?” she asked. Suddenly her face previously so beautiful became heartbreakingly sad.

  “No ma’am, they weren’t touching her when I arrived, and she’s perfect.” Uktesh realized what he’d said, and tried to back track his words, “She’s perfectly healthy, that is. Not to say that your daughter isn’t perfectly beautiful…” He felt like a moon struck fool, “not that I’m saying that either.” He looked from the younger to the older beautiful face and back again before he scratched the side of his face with a finger and muttered, “Probably should be going anyways. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

  “No! You can’t go yet! You deserve a meal for saving my life and virtue.” She pulled a thick strand of golden hair over her shoulder and started to play with it while she watched him under her eyelashes. Uktesh couldn’t imagine doing anything that would upset Laurilli. He looked to her mother and she nodded to him her acceptance of her daughter’s wishes. Uktesh didn’t really want to leave so he nodded his head in acquiescence.

  Laurilli’s mother had not yet started to prepare for their evening meal, so Laurilli went to join her. Uktesh watched Laurilli work for a while, until he caught her mother glance at him, with a look that Uktesh took to be worry. “Ma’am, I was wondering if there was any work you needed me to do before the food is ready.”

  “My name is Heathyr. Being called ‘ma’am’ by a boy your age is too depressing. Please call me Heathyr and if you would like to you can cut us some fire wood. There’s a pile in the back and the ax is next to it.”

  Uktesh went outside and easily found the place Heathyr had told him about. He started to chop the wood as anyone would, but soon got the idea to see if the lessons that he’d learn in regards to ax fights would help him in this task. He moved to the pile of uncut logs, pulled out several, and set them up in a line. He knew the best motion would be axe above the head and straight down, but there were several axe forms that did that. He picked a balanced Crescent Moon, to an imperfect Matador Sways, to a perfect Woodsman’s Work, which ironically imitated the task he was about to do.

  Uktesh flowed through the forms and on the third time through the forms he performed the Perfect Woodsman’s Work correctly. He stopped to admire his work, and tried to pry the axe from the stump they used to hold the logs. Woodsman’s Work was too powerful for a task of this nature, he realized, as he wrenched the handle up and down to loosen it from the log.

  By the time it was loose he had begun to sweat, so he removed his shirt, and continued, but made sure to leave out the practice of the perfect form.

  Uktesh was able to finish cutting the first column of logs when he felt hands on his back. His only thought was of the two teens Dekan and Baloce, so he spun around and slapped the hands to the side. He was only just able to stop the Balanced unarmed throw Willow Bending from slamming Laurilli to the ground. Instead he stopped halfway to the ground.

  He quickly, while she was still off her feet and fell towards the ground moved his hand to her waist, to hold her up while the other was behind her head. He made sure to tilt her head up enough to not need to use her neck muscles to do so. His chest heaved as her breath came rapidly, her sapphire eyes wide, and a small smile lifted the corners of her lips, which he couldn’t help but stare at.

  He felt his mouth go dry and licked his lips, “If you’re going to kiss me, you should probably hurry up because dinner’s ready.” Her eyes were alight with amusement, and Uktesh really wanted to do just what she suggested, but instead lifted her to her feet, their faces were barely an inch apart.

  “I apologize, I wasn’t expecting that.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the cheek. He could see and feel the merriment as it fought to burst free and to be released from her, “Expect the unexpected around me.” Then she spun on a toe, her blue dress fanned out and she ran, giggling, into the house.

  Uktesh wondered why she’d changed her dress. He looked at his sweaty torso, quickly looked around for a water pump, and pumped some water into his hands in order to clean off quickly, before he put his shirt back on and walked into the house. He noticed as the sun dipped into the horizon that it was almost time to find a place to sleep, but he wanted to have a nice home cooked meal instead of the simply cooked meat he’d been eating.

  Laurilli and Heathyr were already seated at the table when he entered and sat in the seat with the empty plate. When he sat down he noticed that Heathyr had a sad look on her face and a haunted look in her eyes. “What is it?” Uktesh asked Heathyr. Then when she didn’t answer he turned to Laurilli and raised his eyebrows and silently inquired her to answer.

  She swallowed hard and said, “That’s where my dad used to sit. I put the plate there without thinking.”

  Uktesh smiled easily and said, “This is easily remedied.” He stood with his plate and moved to the other side of the table.

  Heathyr smiled at Uktesh, and he knew that it was a grateful smile. Laurilli put a ladle full of soup in his bowl and Uktesh saw that it was a vegetable soup with potatoes and fish.

  He took his first spoon full and was amazed by the flavor. It was spicier than he was used to, but it was delicious. He finished his first bowl and was half way done with his second when he asked, “So where is your husband?”

  Again Heathyr had the same haunted look in her eyes and Uktesh cursed himself for a fool. But before he could apologize or take back the words, Laurilli spoke to him, and he was only just able to understand the words because her voice again enchanted him as she spoke. “My father is one of the greatest warriors of all Sinia! He’s given the hardest missions and he always comes back safe and sound. That is until this last time. He should’ve been home by now. The Legate here says that his leave was simply cancelled with the war starting, but mom’s worried ‘cause we haven’t heard any news about him, and we’ve gotten no letters.”

  “I actually may have an answer to why you haven’t heard from him. It could be that he’s behind enemy lines, and if that’s the case then he would have no way to let you know he’s alright.”

  Instantly both Heathyr and Laurilli brightened, and Laurilli leaned forward to give Uktesh a quick kiss on the cheek. Uktesh could feel his face warm from a blush he couldn’t stop. He tried to cover it up with a quick drink of water, but instead he grabbed his soup bowl and tipped the majority of the liquid into his lap. He jumped up and pulled his pants away from his legs, before they were burned. He looked up to apologize to Heathyr, only to find Laurilli as she struggled not to laugh into her hands, though her shoulders shook silently. Uktesh was sure that Heathyr was only able to hide a grin behind her cup of water.

  At his look, Laurilli burst into loud giggles, and even Heathyr had a hard time containing her laughter. Uktesh could feel their laughter as it infected him too. Soon all three of them laughed until they were forced to hold their sides to help stem the pain of too much laughter. Once they’d quieted down, they finished the meal, and then cleaned up. Uktesh was given a clean pair of pants and while he took a break from the dishes to put on the new pants, Heathyr took his dirty ones to be cleaned.

  He came back into the kitchen to find that the dishes were cleaned and dried. Heathyr was at the table and she stifled a yawn with the back of her hand, while Laurilli shook out some sheets. Uktesh paused in confusion, “I thought that I would just continue on after the meal.”

  Heathyr didn’t even look up because she must’ve known the gist of what Laurilli was about to say. “You would have the rest of the village thinking us rude, or inhospitable? You don’t even have pants to wear. Would you take my fathers’ pants and leave the comfort of a home? Are we such monsters that you feel you need to flee before us?”

  “No that’s not it.” He started.

  “Then it’s settled, you will stay and enjoy a warm bed.”

  “So where am I sleeping?” he asked, while he tried not to let the visions of Laurilli in his arms or her in his arms, or
her head on his chest, show on his face. Heathyr stared intently at Uktesh and he hastily added, “Wouldn’t want to make you two double in a bed.”

  “You can stay in the loft above the kitchen. It’s warm and comfortable. We have the spare sleeping mat set up there for guests.” Heathyr said.

  They spent an awkward few minutes as they set up the bed for Uktesh to sleep on, while he put his sword, knives, and unstrung bow and arrows in a safe place. Once it was finished, Heathyr and Laurilli bid him good night and he tucked himself under the summer sheet, which smelled like Laurilli, and drifted off to sleep.

  He woke up alert at the sound of someone as they climbed up the latter to the loft. He silently grabbed one of his knives and slid out of the bed. While the person continued up the ladder, he moved too. Then he crouched silently in the darkest corner behind the ladder. He saw a head with long hair poke up over the lip of the floor, and she cocked her head to the side in confusion. “Uktesh?” Laurilli whispered.

  “Behind you.” Uktesh whispered, and even though he had tried not to frighten her, he did not succeed. Startled, she started to fall down the ladder. Uktesh adapted one of the few balanced attacks that was used while crouched, Cricket Springs, to spring forward and grab her arm before she made any noise and before she fell more than a few inches.

  “How’d you do that?”

  “What do you mean? I just jumped and grabbed you.” Uktesh put her back on the ladder and her legs had no strength to hold herself up, so he lifted her up, and set her down next to himself. He was slightly amazed that he had the strength to lift her up one handed, even though she was a very petite and short girl. Her legs were still unsteady when he set her down next to himself, and she fell forward into him. Uktesh caught her again, this time his hands were around her slender waist, and her hands were gripped firmly on his arms. She gazed at him with her brilliantly blue eyes, and he felt his legs start to go weak, “Let’s get you to the bed.”

  He walked her over to the bed, gently set her down, and leaned back so that his feet were inches from hers, with his back to one of the support pillars. Now that he got a good look at her, he realized that she was clothed in very short shorts and a shirt that must’ve been her father’s because it was longer than her shorts. She tucked her knees to her chest and put her shirt over her legs to cover her body totally to her feet.