Illara Chronicles: Swordplay

Daydreamer

"Okay." The word was breathy and shy but with it Kelith said he'd come back to her, and for the first time in a long while, she believed it. That idea stoked a fire in Aelandras chest hotter than any forge, but immediately she placed the happy notion under attack. The prospect of a romantic reunion was choked out by the much more likely news of his death, or her own harm keeping her from him. 

As the boy that'd set her alight took his awkward leave, and she made ready for a day of long labor, she thought of his fool hardy affection as a furnace. Perhaps one that could defrost the hardened ice that seemed to encase everything since she'd left the snow. Perhaps one that could smelt a steel heart and make it into something worthwhile. She caught herself smiling as she hammered molten steel into the shape of an axe head, andlet the grin fall into a look of focus. Perhaps not.

She quenched the metal and let the heated steam wreathe her face. It was her favorite part of forging, the sizzling sound, the salty scent, and the knowing that the metal was stronger for it.

The vapor faded, and with some effort the frivolous fantasy went with it. Aelandra would need her full focus for the journey to Caladine. She wouldn't have Kelith wandering into a manticores nest because he was daydreaming. He was the sort to craft a crooked shaft because his heart was set on some book over the matter at hand. Had he set his heart on her the same way?

"What're you smiling about?" Melricks tone was not malicious, but it prickled Aelandra just the same. 

"The latest case of iron is finer that what we paid for." She lay the cooled axe head on the workbench. "Sharpen this? We need a dozen like it."

Melrick pressed his mouth into a line and nodded. He was capable, and she felt a swell of gratitude followed by a pang of guilt. Whether the latter was for her cold cadence or for her leaving when she knew he'd have her stay she didn't know, but she wouldn't have him stop her. Not again, or anymore.

He eyed her bags, and gave a resigned smirk. "Take my horse."

Aelandra narrowed her eyes. "Is he sick, or hurt or...trained to bring me back once I'm halfway there?"

"So many people are counting on you, Landie. The princess, the whole town...maybe more, and what's crazy is I was at the last watch with Gysla and Dale, listening to some of the old timers rattle on; They really believe in you."

Aelandra pressed her lips into a tight button in the corner of her mouth. She hadn't considered how frightening it'd be to have all of your hopes pinned in such a perilous place. Her life had been in her own hands for so long now, but the idea of being responsible for more made her palms sweat.

"It made me realize..." Melrick went on, eyes locked on hers demanding a connection that made her squirm. "...that I hadn't believed in you enough. There is strength in you that I didn't know, but I see it now. I see it, and I'm here to help."

"Thank you." Aelandra gathered up her things.

"I've been doing research! That ore is dangerous to harvest but just as dangerous to work. When you bring it back here, we can do it together! We could-"

"Thank you, Melrick, for the horse, for taking care of the order today and..." The sentence felt wrong in Aelandras mouth. "...for believing in me. Thanks."

She knew he had more to say as she backed through the door. Safe behind it, she dropped her head along with her smile. Suddenly, she couldn't wait to ride out of town, every set of hopeful eyes that she found hung a weight on her heart.

She loaded down Melricks tall dark horse, and pulled herself into the saddle with a fistful of black hair. She suppressed the desire to gallop straight out of town, and pulled the reigns towards the town hall.