Firewind

Chapter 43-Enialis

"There I was, fighting sword to sword against the weapons master," Althaea said. Her eyes were lit with the roaring fire and her dark hair danced with the cool autumn breeze. Leaves fell in the night, heard but unseen.

"Swords clashed. I was finally making progress. The weapons master's blows were coming slower and weaker. I made my move. I lunged forward, aiming for the chest plate and-"

She paused to clear her throat.

"My classmate came running in carrying a tray of pastries that the weapons master was going to give us later," Althaea resumed. "He tripped and sent the pastries tumbling on the weapons master. The jam in the pastries stained his favourite tunic. The master was furious. He wouldn't let the student in his arena for a week!"

The wind blew her hair in her face and as usual, she tucked the rebellious strand back behind her ear.

"Speaking of food," Zander said, "I was feeding one of the horses and he just adored food. To the point that we eventually needed to put the food in his stall while he was out in the field. Anyways, before we ended up doing that, I was pouring the oats into his trough when he reached out trying to catch the oats that were pouring from the sack. He accidentally nipped me. I had to get 8 stitches. The bleeding was awful, but the scars look wicked!"

Of course, everyone just had to see. It wasn't as bad as I had expected but it was quite the scar to have around your thumb. The girls were slightly grossed out by the sight of it. Zander rubbed the stubble on his chin; a habit I noticed, he did when he was embarrassed.

"That's some nice sideburns coming in there, Zander," I joked.

"Yeah, I'm planning on growing it out," Zander flushed.

"Aw, don't be embarrassed!" Althaea said.

"Yeah, it looks good!" Kathra said.

We were getting closer and closer as a group. Instead of reassuring me, it did quite the opposite.

The farther north we travelled, the more impending doom seemed to hang over my head. I knew what I had to do. I knew it was the only way. Deep down, I wished with my whole essence that it wasn't the only way. I just hoped that Kanithar the bloody deceiver would keep up his end of the deal.

"Hey Enialis, you haven't told us a story yet!" Kathra said.

"Yeah, you hardly say anything!" Althaea added. "For all, we know you could be an assassin!"

"Heh yeah..." I trailed off.

"Please! I feel like you'd have the most interesting story."

"Hard to say. The one I'm thinking of is not that funny..."

"Tell us!" the girls said in unison.

"One time, I was visiting Mador with a friend and we came upon this temple to Erif," I said. "It was quite the tourist-y place. Full of grand halls with columns of garnet laced with gold holding up painted ceilings. Anyways, long story short, we knocked over a brazier where burnt offerings were being made and essentially set some of the curtains and tapestries on fire, burning the majority of it to the ground except for the pillars. We got out of there pretty fast. I think they've made it more into an open-air temple now to avoid accidents like that in the future and had less-flammable things in it."

"How ironic," Althaea said, smiling.

"You've seemed to have been everywhere," Kathra lamented, "and you're only what? In your twenties? I've seen all the places we've been so far and that's it! Sometimes I wish I had more time in life to go to all the places I want to see."

"I suppose," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I think the amount of time you get in a lifetime is more than enough."

"I'm in the same boat as you Kathra," Zander said. "The farthest I've been from home before this is probably to the north shores of Nuala with my Madara this past spring. It was for the sea festival that takes place every six years."

Althaea just sat quietly, watching the exchange. Her hair shone a beautiful hazel tone in the firelight and looked almost streaked with gold. She caught my eye then quickly glanced away. I think I saw a hint of blush rising to her cheeks. My stomach warmed and I suppressed a smile.

"As I was saying," Kathra said. "Althaea, are you listening?"

"Hmm? What is it?" Althaea asked.

I ducked my head, hiding my smile that grew ever wider.

"Where's the farthest you've been Althaea?" Kathra asked again.

"Oh, I don't know. I have been.... Well, I think my parents took me and my brothers to Caylesie once."

"How many brothers do you have?" Zander asked.

"I have two brothers. Diero and Talkinn. I had three but one passed away. His name was Kildrak. I also have a sister, Leshanna."

"I'm sorry to hear it. I mean I'm sorry for you. I mean..."

Zander paused and frowned.

"How did he pass, if you don't mind me asking."

"He got sick all of a sudden. No one knows exactly what happened. He just looked like...death. I remember him being in bed and slowly fading..."

Kathra rubbed Althaea's arm.

"That must have been hard for you."

Althaea swallowed. She blinked her eyes and rubbed away a tear that fell.

"Talkinn never even got to meet him. They would have loved each other," she whispered, tears now flowing freely.

I bit my lip. Her eyes met mine again and I gave a small smile. She brightened a little bit. I opened my mouth, about to speak when I was cut off by a small force knocking me to the ground just in front of the fire.

Then a small familiar voice screeched in my head.

HOW DARE YOU TRY TO KILL MY FRIENDS. YOU MADE ALTHAEA CRY!!

"Scymitar!?" Zander exclaimed