Shadow Knights

Chapter 7

The sun would rise above the horizon in less than an hour. I take a deep breath through my nose, taking in the crisp, fall air. Fall was truly right around the corner. Most of the leaves were beginning to turn different shades of red and orange but the fir trees held firm as they do every year. I take in the view of the town, lights were beginning to turn on, the townsfolk were stirring from their sleep. I take the dirt pathway from the medic bay to my house. My house was a small cottage just on the outskirts of town. By the time I got home the sun had peaked over the hills and the town was bustling with people.

I opened the door to my cottage and stepped inside. I light the fireplace, put on some water for tea and clean some clothes off of the floor. Once my tea is ready I settle down in my comfy armchair in front of the fireplace. The fire danced and crackled as it burned the oakwood. I breathe on my tea to cool it off, taking small sips once it was cool enough. Everything was just beginning to feel like normal again. I begin to look over the paperwork Blaze handed me at the medical bay. The paperwork had a list of patrolist and seeker names as well as possible missions, patrol routes and times, and apprentices. I worked on sorting through the papers, assigning tasks till around noon. Water was thrown in the fireplace, extinguishing the fire before I grabbed my cloak and headed out of the cottage.

I made my way down to the training field in the southern meadows. Only a couple of apprentices were practicing their sword skills. I went over to the practice dummy and began going through my sword routine, then my dagger routine and lastly my bow and arrow routine. I hardly used the bow and arrow but it was always important to be well versed in different weapons. You never know when the time comes which weapons will be available to you. Once I have worked up a nice sweat and was satisfied with my practice I move on to train my abilities. I walk to the corner of the training grounds and sit down. In order to shadow-step or even project myself into the void I had to have a clear mind. I close my eyes, letting myself drift into the meditation but no matter how much I empty my mind nothing happens. I meditate for about an hour just getting more and more frustrated with myself. I thought it would be different if I practiced outdoors instead of in the medical bay but I was clearly wrong.

“Tsk. What am I doing wrong? Nothing is working.”

“That's because you are trying too hard.”

I jump at the sound of Leon’s voice. I had been so focused on meditating that I completely missed him coming up behind me.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He extends his hand towards me.

“Come on. I think I know something that might help.”

I look up at him and then look at his hand. The shadows voice lingers in my head ‘trust Leon.’ I take his hand and he pulls me to my feet. He pulls a bit too hard and I stumble forward. I find a pair of hands wrapped around me, stabling me. I looked up at Leon, his face was closer than I thought. He had bright blue eyes, they were so captivating. Every bone in my body told me to not look away, to let his eyes captivate me but after a moment I tear my eyes away and look down.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

He turns around, heading for the northern woods. I follow behind him slightly dazed. What is wrong with myself?

We walk deep into the woods without saying much. I looked over at him but wandered my eyes back to the pathway before he noticed me staring. He is taller than me and he has a well toned body. I can see why Kierra and Laura ogled over him.

“So …. Um …. When we first met after the whole bonding thing. Um ….. did you say something, like telepathically? Because I thought I heard something but I was kind of focused on other things.”

“I’ve been practicing to try and make the connection stronger, but you are really good at blocking me out.”

“I have been blocking you out?”

“Mhmm. You do it subconsciously. I can tell that you are a very closed off person so you naturally block me out. No offense.”

“None taken. How do I stop blocking you out?”

“You have to let your guard down to me, be vulnerable to my presence.”

“I don’t even know you. Why should I let my guard down?”

“That’s true, we are currently strangers but if you didn’t trust me then why did you take my hand?”

He had me there. The conversation had ended with that and it didn’t pick back up till we got to the location he had in mind.

We climbed down the waterfall cliff and waded through the water to the large rock in the middle of the stream. He told me to sit down in the middle of the rock. I did as he asked, awaiting his next instructions.

“Alright now close your eyes. Let your mind go and focus on my voice.”

I did as he said and closed my eyes.

“In order to learn how to project yourself you have to focus on one thing while you let your mind wander. You will find the fabrics of the world and slowly pull the threads apart, creating a portal to the void. Now relax.”

I relax all of my muscles, letting my shoulders fall.

“Good. I want you to focus on the waterfall. Listen to the waterfall. Hear how the water falls. Feel the vibration the water 

 when it hits the river. Smell the soft, sweet floral scent of the flowers on the banks of the river. The waterfall gives life to plants and a home to creatures. Feel how the water moves beneath your hand.” He moves my hand to the water. “Hold onto the waterfall. Let it be your support.”

I take in a deep breath, smelling the soft, sweet smell of the tiger lillies. I feel the water move beneath my hand and listen to the waterfall. As I’m listening it’s as if the world around me begins to slow down. It’s going so slow that I can hear each water droplet splash into the water from the waterfall. The sounds and smells around me also become dimmer.

“Open your eyes.”

I do so and see a portal the size of a baseball open. It didn’t last long though once I opened my eyes. I stood up to reach out and touch it, but everything around me began to speed back up, the sounds around me came crashing back to me and the portal closed. Once it did I let go of the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My body suddenly became very weak and my legs gave out from underneath me. Leon was right there beside me, catching me.

“You did good, Rose.”

He slowly lowers me back to the ground so that I’m in a sitting position. I put my feet in the water and lay on my back looking up at the sky. A smile spread across my face. I did it! It was small but I did it. Leon sits down next to me and hands me some jerky.

“Eat this, it'll help you get your strength.”

I take the jerky and prop myself up on my elbows.

“Thank you Leon. Not just for the jerky, but for everything. I do not know you but I am glad to have met you.”

“The feeling is likewise.”

I lay back down, content and close my eyes listening to the birds chirp.

“Oh I have one more thing for you.”

“Hmmm?” 

I opened my eyes to see that Leon had gotten up and was rummaging through his bag. He pulled out a small box with a pink ribbon tied to it.

“I know you already celebrated your birthday in the medical bay but I do believe today is your actual birthday.”

He handed me the small box. Inside was a golden heart shaped diamond pendant. It was absolutely beautiful.

“Happy Birthday Rose.”

Overjoyed I wrap my arms around Leon, hugging him.

“Thank you.”

I traced the heart outline with my finger. I am glad that I did not kill Leon. I do not know why the stars bonded us but I sure am glad they did.