The Mountains Blade

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven- Mysterious Words

Elwyn stood at the base of the arena facing the woods two hours later. She was covered in sweat, her leggings and shirt sticking to her skin. Her mind replayed Max's death over and over. Every time his body slumped, Elwyn struck the dummy. Finally after three more strikes, the hay from inside was ripped out. It flowed into the wind, gently. To gently...

Elwyn cried out in frustration and swung her sword back around. She stumbled at the sudden appearance of her sister and dove the blade into the earth, stumbling down. 

"Avelina, I almost took off your head." She snapped, hoisting herself back up. 

"Wait, what are you doing in the arena?"

Avelina smiled sheepishly and Elwyn in turn, frowned. 

"Avey." She condoned. Avelina Greywater was dressed in a peach colored sports bra and matching tights. "I thought I should train. I want to go with you to the human world." 

"No." Elwyn said despite lacking the authority to tell her no. She knew what everyone else would say.

Avelina glared leaning to the side, her wings laying lazyily to her sides. Elwyn felt a pang in her chest. She looked away instead, moving to sit on the edge of the arena, polishing her blade with the edge of her shirt. 

"I can help. I have magic and wings. I'm fast and-."

Elwyn growled at her sister. "No, Avelina."

"Why not? I'm your older sister. I have things you don't have." She yelled. 

Elwyn stared at her sister after she spoke. Her silence must have said enough because Avelina began to apologize profusely. "I'm sorry. Elwyn. Please-really- I didn't mean to say that- it just came out." 

"I know I'm an anomaly." She spat. "I know I am unlike our parents, useless and human. But I can use a sword. So don't try to shove that in my face." Elwyn was fuming, her skin was hot with rage. She swore the air felt cooler with her rage. 

Avelina looked at her sympathetically. "Elwyn." She began.

"Just go back to your throne. That's where you belong." She snapped. 

Avelina retreated with that statement, pained.

Elwyn felt inclined to apologize but she knew that kindness was not what would keep Avelina out of the human world. And so she stayed silent. 

Elwyn turned away from her sister, strapping her blade to her hip. A gust of air blew against her back and the sound of wings taking off echoed. 

Elwyns shoulders slumped and she continued her walk back to the castle. "I am guessing that was your attempt to keep her from entering the human world?" Elwyn didn't turn as Dane fell into step beside her. He continued a few more steps with her before grasping onto arm pulling her to a stop. 

His brown eyes were soft, his mouth set into a thin line that stretched the scar on his face. 

"Its not your fault that he died."

Elwyn went rigid at his statement. "I never said it was." She snapped.

Dane sighed. "You don't have to." He said studying her stance. Elwyn clenched her fist tightly. "What do you want Dane?" 

The man was silent for a long moment, seeming to ponder his response. "Nothing." He said walking ahead of her. Elwyn was too thrown to say anything. 

~

As the evening light dimmed, Elwyn bathed again. She rung out her hair and changed into jeans and a shirt.