The Blade of Kenai

Part 1: Chapter 8

      After stopping by his house one last time and being smothered by Mara, he was finally prepared- well, physically prepared. He would never be mentally prepared no matter how much preparation time he was given.
      "Please be safe," Mara begged him, holding each of his shoulders with an intensity and strength he didn't know she was capable of. During the quick stop at his house, Mara had given him a sack of kukiel nuts, and an assortment of sweets.
"I didn't know what else to pack." She had said shyly as she passed them to him. She had also mended the pouch he stored his arrows in and even scrounged up a few more arrowheads that he added to one of the pockets across the swords belt.
      As she helped Kenai attach the mended quiver to one the side opposite from Kazdyn's gifted sword, she stopped for a moment when her eyes landed on the heirloom, but she quickly resumed. Oh no. Kenai hadn't even thought about how Elparn and Mara would react. Surely they would have mixed feelings.
      Kenai watched Elparn, whose eyes also lowered to the sheath at his side. Kazdyn, who was standing next to Elparn bit his lip, who had forgotten to consult with his father before giving away such a precious thing.
Instead of immediately demanding for the sword back, Elparn looked back up at Kenai and smiled.
      "You deserve that more than anyone in our family line ever has. Do it a favor and finally put it to use." Kenai was struck dumbfounded for a moment before nodding his head.
      "I'll be sure of it."
      Now, Kenai stood in the town square, close to a platform people used to watch the sunsets if they were unusually spectacular. His heart was racing and he was unable to take any more steps towards the platform. A large crowd had formed around the scene that played out before them, also holding their breath with anxiety.
      Kenai looked back at Kazdyn who was standing directly behind him at his side, offering words of comfort through tears, but Kenai could hardly hear any of it over the pounding of his heart.
      Elparn, Mara, and Soren stood a bit farther back from the two boys, creating a bit of a shield from the growing numbers of people around them. Mara held Pae, who was clawing viciously at her hands, trying to escape to join Kenai's side. 
Kazdyn finally turned Kenai around and held him tighter than any hug he had been given yet. It was almost suffocating, but Kenai was okay with it. He returned the form of a final goodbye with the same intensity, shutting his eyes tight and breathing in the scent of Kazdyn, swearing to never forget it.
      They both began to let out shaky breaths as Kazdyn and Kenai's shoulders became wet with one another's tears, refusing to let go of each other. Kenai opened his eyes and looked back at the three adults who were also sharing the same emotions but not wanting to interrupt the last moments Kenai and Kazdyn would share together.
      After a few more minutes they both pulled away from each other and looked across at each other's eyes. Kenai made sure to look over every small detail of Kazdyn's face to be sure to memorize it completely. His green eyes had flecks of brown in them, which he had never noticed before, and his slightly crooked nose, (caused by taking one too many blows.) His blond hair that was due for a trim. The light splash of freckles sprinkled over his nose and cheeks, and his trembling lips.
      Kenai returned his focus to Kazdyn's puffy eyes and found him analyzing Kenai with the same memory tactic.
      "Remember me," Kazdyn said with fear in his voice. Kenai responded with a promise he wasn't sure his curse would allow him to keep.
      "How could I forget?"
      They gave a final longing look at each other before Kenai turned to face the platform. He fought the urge to look back, certain that he wouldn't be able to jump if he saw Mara weeping. 
Kenai felt the sudden but familiar sensation of Pae making her way up his leg and onto his shoulder.
At first, Kenai had decided to leave her behind, not wanting her to witness his downfall, but in the moment he decided with certainty that she would join him. He picked her up off of his shoulder and tucked her gently into one of his pockets, wanting her to stay safe while he made the jump.
      He gave a final deep breath and looked back at his family. His eyes landed on Elparn last, which were filled with pride, an emotion he rarely expressed. It filled Kenai with the rest of the courage he was missing. Kenai leaned back slightly, preparing himself to jump with as much momentum as possible.
      He gripped the glider's handlebars tightly and began his sprint. He had to shut his eyes when he felt his feet lift from the ground and into nothingness. He could feel Pae panicking inside her safe place, but it was fastened to the max to ensure she wouldn't be able to escape.
      The descent was slow, which relieved Kenai, who had expected a sudden and terrifying drop. He didn't know how far he'd made it from Elhein, he was too afraid to shift his weight, when he heard a loud holler coming from above him and getting closer.
      "KENAIIIIIII" It was Kazdyn's voice, and before he had time to react he felt arms around his waist. The sudden and unstable weight caused them to glide awkwardly to the side, and Kenai struggled to keep a hold of the glider, specifically with his right hand which began to ache. Kenai looked down to see Kazdyn dangling below him and holding on for dear life.
      "Kazdyn, you are INSANE." Kenai yelled over the wind, half angry half relieved. Kazdyn laughed below him and yelped when he lost his grip on Kenai's waist for a half second.
      "I KNOW!" Kazdyn was laughing, something he tended to do in situations when he was terrified, perhaps to distract himself from the fear.
      "HELP ME UP ALREADY!" Kazdyn was dangling with only one arm wrapped around Kenai, and Kenai let go of the right handlebar to reach his arm down for Kazdyn to grab onto.  Kazdyn pursed his lips together and grunted as he used Kenai's arm as a ladder and Kenai scrunched his face as he slowly, but surely, lifted Kazdyn high enough for him to grab ahold of the right handlebar.
      Kenai swung his body so that he could hold the left bar with both his hands and let Kazdyn copy him on the opposite side. Luckily their weight was fairly balanced and the glider returned to its slow and steady descent. When Kenai caught his breath he turned his head to Kazdyn who was still frazzled by his hasty decision.
      "What the hell." Kenai bumped Kazdyns shoulder with one of his and was still in disbelief at what just happened.
    "How did you do that? What did Soren do? What were you thinking?" Kazdyn laughed, definitely reliving the experience in his mind again. This wasn't supposed to happen. Kenai boiled with anger. It was just like Kazdyn to make such a big decision in a split second, forgetting to think about the consequences of his actions.
      "I just jumped, no one had any time to stop me." Kazdyn cleared his throat. "Like you said, if these are really the last weeks of your life I want to spend them with you. And who knows-" Kazdyn took in another breath, still trying to catch it. "Maybe I can save you. Like you want to save Daithe." Kenai hadn't made the connection that Kazdyn was in almost the exact same predicament he was in with Daithe.
      "Wait where did you get that?" Kenai had glanced at Kazdyn, and a sword almost identical to the one that hung from his hip was strapped across his back. The only difference was the gold handle and a ruby in the center.
      "OH," Kazdyn returned to shouting. "I SAW IT IN SOREN'S HOUSE." He tilted his chin up and smirked, proud of himself. "SO I TOOK IT." Kenai began to laugh, despite the fact that stealing from the headmaster was definitely enough to call for an expulsion from the academy. I guess it doesn't matter now though. Kenai was still determined to give Kazdyn a hard time about it.
      "You can't just steal!" He looked at Kazdyn with pretend disappointment.
      "But it's pretty fucking sweet." They were both laughing now, not realizing that they had drifted below the clouds until Kazdyn started screaming hysterically. Kenai took the risk and glanced down, and all he could see were trees. He too, joined Kazdyn as a sudden gust of wind increased their speed, pushing them faster and faster towards the ground.
      There was nothing to do except hold onto the glider, and to each other with a deathly grip. The tops of the trees began brushing against their boots and they held them up higher, pulling their knees to their chests. The screaming hadn't ceased, and it only increased when a final gust of wind flung them into the new foreign land.