The Blade of Kenai

Part 1: Elhein

Chapter 1

    Kenai wiped his forehead and loosened his grip on the sword he had been fighting with. Wade, the swordsmanship instructor smiles, also lowering his dull training sword.
     "You are becoming quite the knight, not many of my students last long enough to begin tiring me out." Wade panted, holding back a smile. Kenai grinned back at him, holding back the urge to grimace. Archery was his true passion but over the past few months Wade had begun pushing him in their duels, and the praise and pride from his uncle made it impossible for Kenai to admit his dislike of the skill.
    "Careful Wade, if you make me train any harder I might just have to kick you out of your job," Kenai said with a smirk. The thought of teaching swordsmanship to anyone made him wince. But making his uncle squirm with empty threats filled him with pleasure. There is no way I will ever get roped into a job like that. Kenai swore to himself.
    Suddenly, an immense feeling of impending doom filled his stomach. It felt like a dozen bricks had been dropped on top of him, and he feared he was going to be sick. Almost as soon as the feeling had come, it disappeared leaving Kenai confused.
    "Alright Kenai, I think that's enough for today, don't want you getting too full of yourself." Kenai exchanged a grin with Wade, and held his right fist over his heart, bowing to Wade.
"Thank you for your wisdom." Oh god, Kenai cringed. The phrase still felt awkward even after attending the academy for over 5 years. Kenai turned and began walking towards the door, full of embarrassment after the interaction with Wade. He couldn't understand how anyone could take the ridiculous chant seriously.
    When Kenai got outside, the sound of tiny paws scampering across the roof of the building drew his attention to a small fox-squirrel. She leaped down, and onto Kenai's shoulder.
    "Hey Pae," Kenai said, lifting his finger for her to nuzzle against. Fox-squirrels were mostly wild and difficult to tame, but Kenai had found her as a small kit and raised her to be his companion.
    Kenai jogged across the campus passing other students wearing the same style of tunic as he was, rushing to their next destination. Although the feeling in the pit of his stomach felt long gone, the unknown cause of it bothered Kenai.        
      After making it halfway through the field between the sword-stable and the main building Kenai felt a tap on his left shoulder. He turned and smiled when he came face to face with Kazdyn.
      "Hey, what's up?" Kazdyn asked as he threw his arm around Kenai's shoulder, causing Pae to squeak in alarm and rush into Kenai's chest pocket, while Kazdyn pulled him closer to rub his fist against his head.
      "Knock it off Kazdyn," Kenai said as he pushed away from him, almost tripping over his own feet. "We aren't 11 anymore." Kenai furrowed his eyebrows together and held his arms stiffly against his sides so that he wouldn't lash out at his cousin.
      "Wow jeez okay." Kazdyn trailed off as he rubbed the back of his head, and Kenai could imagine the exact eye roll his cousin was directing at him. They continued their walk back to the main building in an awkward silence, the only sound between them was their boots crunching on the gravel. Kenai felt his cheeks heating with shame for his outburst at Kazdyn.
      Kenai and Kazdyn were raised as brothers by Kazdyn's parents after Kenai's parents were killed in a fire. Arguments and fights weren't uncommon in their brotherly relationship but he felt bad that there was nothing that provoked him except for his feelings. I'm the one who needs to knock it off and stop being so paranoid.
After opening the door for Kazdyn to the great hall, Kenai offered him an apologetic smile.
      "See you at dinner?" Kazdyn seemed to understand Kenai was sorry and grinned his trademark smile, the one that had all the girls ogling after him. He patted Kenai on the shoulder before disappearing into the classroom door they had been standing in front of.
      Kenai turned and set off toward his bedroom, thankful that he had chosen to take classes that started early in the morning so that he had more time to himself in the evenings. Okay, as soon as I get to my room I need to just sit down and figure this out. As he got closer to his dorm the feeling began to fill his chest again, this time it seemed almost 10 times worse. Pae seemed to sense it too and sniffed his cheek. As soon as Kenai unlocked the door to his room he collapsed into his bottom bunk. He took off the various weapons and the belt-like straps that were used to carry them while he lay in bed, not bothering to take off his boots.
     What is wrong with me? Kenai curled himself into the fetal position, almost unable to hear his thoughts with the anxiety levels of an animal being hunted for sport. It felt like 100 pairs of eyes were set on him and the discomfort was crippling. He was dizzy with fear and not shortly after falling into bed he drifted into a deep sleep. Whether from physical or mental exhaustion wasn't clear. Kenai assumed the latter.