The Blade of Kenai

Part 1: Chapter 6

      As they began their walk to return back to the academy Kenai lifted his arm up to his chest again. Pella had given him an ointment to treat the burn, but it would be a slow process. I might be dead before it even starts to properly heal. Kenai tried to push away the negative thoughts but it was impossible knowing he didn't have much time left.
      Secretly, a small part of Kenai was glad for the opportunity to have something to accomplish. It gave him a purpose and made him feel less useless. Daithe. Kenai's breath was caught short and he felt guilty for only thinking of himself for the past few hours. I can't save myself, but if I can save her then I can rest in peace. His heart radiated with a warm feeling. The sudden realization of his true feelings for Daithe had come as a surprise, but it also made so much sense.
      Have I always loved her? When did it turn into something deeper? Kenai lifted his hands to his face and took a deep breath, the smell of leather from his gloves filled his nostrils. Lost in his thoughts he had barely remembered his brother who was taking steps in unison with him, also lost in his own thoughts.
      "I can't believe Soren won't let me go with you. It's idiotic." Kazdyn said harshly, gritting his teeth together and folding his arms as if he were an angry toddler. "You're going to die alone and it kills me." Kazdyn opened the heavy door that led to the great hall and Kenai paused, looking down at his boots. The familiar feeling of shame filled his chest and he was almost afraid to look up at Kazdyn, imagining the fire that filled his eyes.
     It's okay, He wanted to say. I'll be alright. But the truth was that he didn't know if he would be okay. And he wanted more than anything to be with Kazdyn in his last days. Instead of assuring Kazdyn, Kenai walked through the doorway and turned his face to Kazdyn as they continued their walk through the hallway.
      "I want you to come." His voice cracked. "I want it more than anything right now." Kenai paused briefly, not allowing himself to break down for the third time that day. "But it's the only way. I love Daithe," Kazdyn's anger disappeared, replaced by an emotion Kenai couldn't decipher. "If these are the last weeks I get to live, I need to spend them looking for her. I won't be able to fulfill a whole lifetime, but if I can bring Daithe back she can live it for the both of us." They reached their dorm room and stepped inside.
      "Kenai..." Kazdyn began, walking to a chest at the end of their bunk. "Please at least take this." He sunk to his knees and opened the chest, rifling through it for a moment before pulling out a sheathed sword. Kenai knew what it was. I can't take that.
      "Kazdyn, I can't-" He was interrupted.
      "Kenai, please. I can't physically go with you but you'll have a piece of me if you take this." Kenai stared down at the sword, it was an heirloom that had been passed down through Elparns family for generations, and it was only recently passed down to Kazdyn. Kenai had no right to break that tradition.
      Kazdyn held it out to Kenai, waiting for him to take it. The sword had intricate engravings around the silver handle and a sapphire was placed in the center, just before the blade began. The sheath was made of clean leather, also sporting the engravings across the strap that held it across the wearer's back. It looked like it had never been used. The idea of something from Kazdyn accompanying him to the surface world filled him with comfort and he reluctantly reached his right hand out to take it from him.
      Kazdyn watched as Kenai lifted it out of the sheath. He was right-handed and had, unfortunately, been marked by Zolhorn with his dominant hand. He was hesitant to lift it, worried he wouldn't be able to hold it up. To his surprise, however, it was much lighter than the training swords he'd become accustomed to, and it hardly hurt at all to hold up. Kenai looked back at Kazdyn, who stepped back so that Kenai could play around with it and get used to the weight distribution.
      Kenai swung it through the air, repeating the simple techniques he had been taught at first in the very beginning. He twisted his wrist as he moved it back and forth and began to fall into the familiar handling he had been training with for so long. It made a satisfying swoosh sound, clearly sharpened to the maximum. This is too nice for me. He's never going to get it back. Kenai cut off the voice in his head.
      "Okay... I'll take it." Kenai finally decided. Kazdyn's face filled with a melancholy happiness and took a step forward.
      "I'll help you get it on, I can fit it to hang around your waist, so you can still wear your bow across your back." Kenai was pleased that he had that option, still certain he favored the bow even after acquiring the new blade.
      Kazdyn fumbled with the straps while Kenai kept a hold of the sword, holding it up to admire, gratitude filled his stomach and spread to the rest of his body, even managing to make its way to his arm. My arm. Kenai remembered, resisting the itch to pull it close to his chest. Instead, he held up the sword parallel to his body, slowly twisting it around in the air so that he could take in every part of it. Know your blade. Wade's familiar phrase passed through his mind and he suddenly understood what Wade had meant by it.
      "Alright, here you go." Kazdyn held the leather straps in his hands and waited for Kenai to trade the sword for them. Kenai grabbed them and quickly realized how confusing it was. Shit. Kenai furrowed his eyebrows in frustration.  Which straps go where?
      "Dude, this is so confusing." Kenai was convinced they were tangled, but Kazdyn set the sword down on Kenai's bed and took it from him.
      "Like this." Kazdyn let out a soft laugh and quickly deciphered the seemingly tangled contraption. He gave it back to Kenai, holding the correct belt straps out so he wouldn't get confused again.
      "Thanks," Kenai said softly, wrapping it around his waist and adjusting it to the right belt loop. It sagged slightly, but it felt good, like it was supposed to be that way. Kenai reached back for the blade and it easily slid into the sheath.
      He looked up at Kazdyn, who had taken a few steps back. "Damn," Kadzyn said with a smirk. "It looks real nice on you." Kenai turned to face their mirror, taking in his reflection. He had to admit that Kazdyn was right.
      It's almost like it was made for me. He smiled at the thought even though it felt wrong to think. It wasn't made for me. He reminded himself, it was made for Kazdyn. That didn't make him admire it any less.
      "Pass me my bow?" Kenai said, holding out his hand.
      "Wow so demanding," Kazdyn said, his voice laced with teasing. "Here." Kenai held the bow up similar to how he'd held the sword in front of him. It was made of wood, with leather wound around where his arrow rested when he had it drawn. It wasn't nearly as sophisticated as Kazdyn's sword, but it had been his fathers', making it more of a treasure than any other weapon he could be given.
      "Thank you so much." Kenai pried his eyes away from the mirror and turned to face Kazdyn again, emotions rising up his throat again. "I'll take good care of it." Kazdyn's eyes filled with sorrow once more as Kenai changed the light-hearted mood that had briefly filled the air as he reminded the both of them of reality.
      "Yeah of course." Kazdyn had never been one to show physical affection, most likely because he had grown tired of his mother's constant use of it, but he crossed the room and pulled Kenai into another embrace. "I love you, I hope you know that."
      Kenai held Kazdyn tighter, the phrase had never been easy for Kenai to return to anyone who said it, but the tightening in his chest that typically accompanied the expression was absent.
      "Love you too." Kenai gave a final squeeze before releasing Kazdyn and walking over to Pae's climbing pole, which led up to a small house-like box surrounded by soft wool. He reached his finger inside the hole and stroked Pae's head. She gave a big yawn and nestled her head closer to his finger, nuzzling him for a moment before she sleepily hopped onto his arm.  He winced as her tiny paws scampered across his arm, and he was reminded he needed a change of clothes, the ones he currently wore were scorched and covered with dirt.
      "I'm gonna change real quick," Kenai said as he began rifling through his dresser. Usually, he wore a blue tunic, but today he opted for a heavy-duty black one, knowing he likely wouldn't have the space in his pouch for a change.
      A tighter long-sleeved shirt was thrown on first, followed by a long sleeve composed entirely of chains to offer him some protection. A similar order was followed with his legs, and after that, he pulled on loose black pants with a vast amount of pockets that would come in great handy. After adjusting his boots over his pants he pulled on the armored tunic, adjusting it until it felt right. And finally, Kenai pulled on his black leather gloves, making sure to be cautious as he pulled them over his arm. Once he was satisfied, Kazdyn handed him his bow and the newly acquired sword.
      He gave one last tug on the glove over his bandaged arm after equipping both of the weapons and stood up straight.
      "Let's go find Soren."