A Dragon Slayer: and the Sea Dragon of Delphi

Chapter 3: The Art of Singing and Dancing

[Well here we are. Another chapter. This has taken me too long to post. I know there is still some polishing that needs to be done to this chapter, so feel free to help me brush it up a little bit. Nevertheless; I hope you enjoy reading. Don't forget to follow my socials on my link tree if you enjoy my writing!]

Naphtali woke a few hours after dawn, feeling awake and refreshed. His dreams had been odd; but he was just thankful that he hadn't had another nightmare. Naphtali yawned loudly as he wandered out into the kitchen. Eva, Gaius and Laelia had already finished eating and were sipping the last dregs of their teacups when Naphtali walked in. They were dressed nicely, though Eva somewhat casually. Naphtali wasn't surprised that Laelia and Gaius were leaving the house, they had told him so only the day before, but he hadn't expected Eva to be going.

"I've a patient to see darling. She needs me and unfortunately it can't wait," Eva kissed him on the forehead, "please, try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone."

Naphtali smirked.

"And we'd best get going too. Keep an eye on Korah for us," his aunt Laelia planted another kiss on Naphtali's forehead. The three of them slipped out the door and then the house was empty, apart from the two young boys.

Korah woke up a short time afterwards, hardly surprised to find that all the adults had left. Naphtali made them both breakfast and then took Korah into his room to finish showing off his sword collection. There was so much Korah hadn't seen the night before. Naphtali had spent countless hours of his free time carving swords out of wood; so much so that Eva thought he would make a good carpenter. But it was his love for weapons that convinced her he'd also make a good blacksmith. Really what Naphtali craved was adventure.

Korah held a long wooden sword that curved to one side.

"Interesting. Looks like the kind of swords the city guards carry?" Korah inquired.

"Exactly. And this one," Naphtali held out another sword – it was a little thicker at the end than it was at the hilt, and it was long, but not long enough to be considered a longsword.

"This is a replica of the Dragon Slayer's swords. They're hard to get right, though. I've never really gotten close enough to a Dragon Slayer to see their swords; and I've never seen a Dragon Slayer with their sword out before. This really is just a guess from the stories I've heard."

"You really do love those Dragon Slayers. Don't you."

Naphtali shrugged his shoulders.

"Not as much anymore."

"You still do!" Korah retorted poking his tongue out childishly.

"I don't."

"You do."

"I do not. Anyway, do you want to try them out with me, or not?" Naphtali asked.

"You've never practised with them?" Korah raised an eyebrow.

"I've never had anyone to practise with. Except for you of course, when you last visited."

"You've carved out about a hundred more swords since then. Let's break them in shall we!" Korah exclaimed.

They moved out into the street in front of Naphtali's place. It was a smoothed-over sandstone road; although a little narrow, it was usually empty – which made it perfect for playing. Korah held his sword out, swinging it around skilfully, and imitating several well-practised strokes.

Naphtali gawked.

"Where did you learn to swing a sword like that?"

"My father taught me. Don't you know that bandits commonly raid to roads on Alesia; and I have to be able to defend myself if we get into trouble."