The Ancients

Chapter 21

Ryland looked at Vipin's hand and his brows furrowed together. His fingers wrapped around her wrist cautiously, "Alright."

Giving him a half smile she lifted him to his feet. There were groans and whoops scattered through the crowd as they all started drifting back to the street, some stopping at the entrance to the round pen first.

"Sorry," Ryland said touching his cheek.

Vipin glared at him, "You were aiming for my eye."

"Yeah, well in my defense –" Ryland took a deep breath that resulted in a coughing fit. "I really thought you were going to kill me."

"Thought about it," Vipin admitted resting her hands on her hips. "But I thought you were going to kill me this whole time so you're not getting an apology."

"Fair," Ryland nodded his ears dropping. "I'm sorry about that too."

Vipin's lips pressed together, "I'm sorry." Ryland raised his own eyebrow at her. "For earlier. You didn't do anything wrong, and I took my frustration out on you. Even though – technically – if it wasn't for you, I would be in the Glaciese by now. It was wrong and I'm sorry."

He looked like she had slapped him across his face. His eyes wide and wild, his lips parted in surprise.

She took a deep breath debating for a moment before holding out her hand. "Truce?"

Ryland looked down at her hand and up at her eyes. He gathered his composure and grabbed her hand answering her in elvish.

Vipin blinked at him confusedly.

"Truce."

'Truce' she repeated as he shook her hand. When he let go, she turned her palm, "My sword."

"Of course," he bowed his head slightly, placing Echo's hilt into her upturned hand.

She took a deep breath, and they made their way over to the entrance of the pen where they found Ajlen and Liam with wide grins on their faces.

"You guys should fight in public more often," Ajlen smiled wrapping an arm around Ryland's shoulders.

"Why?" he asked, still tired.

"We just made so much money," Liam chuckled.

"How much?" Vipin asked.

"Two-hundred and forty."

"Nice!" Vipin smiled handing him his sword back.

"You okay?" Liam asked wiping her cheek as she put her belt and sword back on.

"It's just a cut Liam," she snickered

Liam looked pointedly at Ryland.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she nodded.

"Good," Liam smiled enthusiastically. "Now, let's get back to drinking."

They all nodded their heads, following Liam – who looked to have a spring in his step – back into the inn.

"Heard you had an interesting trip outside," Ben commented with raised eyebrows.

Ryland and Vipin looked at each other, and for the first time since they met, they laughed together. "Something like that," Ryland chuckled sitting at the bar. Vipin and Ajlen sat on either side of him, Liam sat on the other side of Vipin asking Ben for some drinks.