Forever Unfaithful

~3~

" walking away from me is not going to stop me from following you." He says through deep breaths, while closely following behind me. I tried to take a winding path that would be difficult for someone who is not familiar with this land.

Somehow he managed to keep pace and continue to annoy me to no end. Every few steps I would hear him stumble in a fallen branch, or the roots of the tree.

Growing tired of his nagging I turn around and threw me small thin dagger. It flew through the air fast and perfectly hitting the target. I had just pinned the brown fabric of hair pants to the tree behind him.

"No, but a dagger in the leg might." I retort while sitting down and slumping against the round trunk of the tree.

My feet have grown tired and my ankle was sore from the run in with the wall guards. I had out ran them but just barely. I'm not one for captivity of those huge suffocating walls that surround the kingdom.

"What the hell, you could of hit my leg if you didn't miss!" He wines in a surprised fashion. I just roll my eyes tired of his dramatics. I was to busy rolling the dark leaf in my hand.

"I never miss, that is your one and final warning. Next time you bug me you will be one leg short got it." I threaten whole darkening my gaze.

All of the sudden he started laughing, as if this situation was amusing. I scoff and roll my eyes.

"You know you are funny when your angry" he said while reaching down and ripping the beautifully crafted dagger from the trunk of the tree. He slumped down on the tree that was a few feet away from mine.

"Why are you out here, most people are afraid and also not allowed out here with out clearance?" He questioned.

I shrugged looking up at the bright sun that was shining through the gaps between the branches. There is  a moment that what most would consider awkward silence, but I find comfort in silence. I'd rather watch than sit and ask questions.

"I've never seen you before, what part of the kingdom do you live in?" He questions me again. I don't think he reads social questions very well.

"What is with the endless questions? You don't seem to be the brightest." I snap. I can feel my patience disappearing by every passing second. And again we sat in silence.

What I don't understand why is he still here, why won't he leave me. I glance over at his face, he can't be older than 15. He reminds me of my brother when we were younger, and part of me feels bitter.

"Why haven't you left yet, your wanderer journey is growing Shorter by the minute and you are closer to the dead line." I question with my head tilted in wonder. He looks down at my question almost as if I up set him by my question.

"I have until sun set, but.... I'm fearful what might happen. I've never been so deep in the middle land." He confessed. I raise my eye brows in surprise, not many can survive that long out here, if they aren't back by now they presume them dead.

"That's impressive boy, but why aren't you leaving you need to make it back." I stated in a half interested tone.

He smirked and let out a sigh, "I thought you didn't want to know anything about me." He jokes. Which I grumble to in response, I'm not one for light hearted discussion with people I don't know.

"I don't want to be apart of the guard." He looked down at his lap and played with his other hand.

"I never did, I mean look at me I'm not fit to be a soldier. My father wanted it, he always wanted a strong son, and not a boy who is only good at what he would call a woman's work." He explained as he drops his hands and tilts back his head.

"He's a sufferable man, really. He makes everyone else miserable, so in some way it's better being apart of the quads than living with him." He explained.

I pity him, being the child to such a miserable man must be challenging.

"Your stance could use some work, remember to angle the hips and to keep your feet. Shoulder width apart." I say as I stand up and brush off my old dress. He gives me a look of confusion.
"Wha..." he tried to question, but I cut him off.

" always keep your eyes on your opponent, but don't let them you know you are expecting their next move. Also watch the feet, people always step fist before they strike." I advise while holding my hand to him. He stares at me in interest and takes my hand. Even through he is younger his hand is quite larger than mine.

Once he was sturdy on his feet I look him in the eyes, " if you don't want to go back home you need to improve on your sword handling." I say. Then I turn around and pass the trees that were just previously our resting spot.

"Where are you going?" He questions while following me like a lost puppy.

" we're getting you back to the gates before sun down." I reply in a tired voice.