The Rift Walker

Sword Play

Chapter 6

Killian

They had failed him. He had only required one simple job from them, and they couldn't manage. He nudged the body with the toe of his boot, thinking. The smell was truly disgusting so he turned away from the corpse, taking care to tread over the pool of blood and intestines.

He knew he would have to get out soon- the fire was spreading quickly and the building wouldn't support itself for much longer. He ran through the building and decided to make his way over to the forest. There was greater cover within the densely packed trees; and a greater chance that was the first place she would run to.

He brushed aside the low hanging branches, making his way through silently but quickly- although she would most likely be weak and exhausted, she could still have gotten far ahead of him. He wouldn't, he couldn't let her get away.

The moon had finally decided to reveal itself once again. It shone through the trees, lighting the way for him slightly.

Maybe she made her way towards the village . . .his hopes of that happening weren't high; She wouldn't know where she was, he had made sure of that. But he made his way towards it all the same. Perhaps one of the villagers had seen her and could give him a clue as to where she was heading.
He felt a pang of anxiety when he came across the second body. 

This one didn't smell quite so bad- the snow and cold had seen to that, freezing him slightly. His face and neck had turned black, along with his fingers which were visible, close to his throat. But he recognised him all the same. He had liked this man less than the other, if at all. He was quieter and crueller by far. It wasn't his death that bothered him right now- as far as he was concerned, he deserved it. It was the manner of his death that bothered him.

He hadn't been mauled like the other had. Blood crusted his lips and ribbons of skin were missing from his neck. Some remained stuck under his fingernails. But it was clear he had choked and drowned in his own blood. His eyes remained open, full of terror and confusion.

Two large patches of hair were missing from his head and he wondered if Kaelyn had done that to him.

Could she know?

No. . . There was no way. This must have been an accident, surely. He twisted the ring on his finger, trying to reassure himself. After a few minutes, he continued walking, making his way towards the village. He knew it would be a blackened ruin by now, but may haps some people would still linger.
She couldn't get away, he needed her still. She wouldn't get away from him.

Kaelyn

She found him in a small clearing, not carrying any wood at all. So much for collecting firewood . . .

"Hey, look I don't understand what's going on and you look like someone who may have some answers for me, so could you . . . is that a sword?" she didn't know how she had missed it earlier, but here he was swinging it rather gracefully. She could hear it slicing through the air. It made a loud thwack when it hit a small log. It dug deeply into the wood. He pulled it free easily and hit it again, grunting slightly.

"I'm no swords expert but wouldn't that just blunt the blade?"

"Normally. But not with this one. I haven't had to sharpen it for years and I could still use it to shave with." He smiled and looked at the steel. His expression was slightly proud.
"Why not a gun? It's easier to carry, no?"

"I'm not particularly fond of guns. With a sword, when a foe stands before you, he knows for sure who will bring his death. You fight, matching skill for skill. Every clash, every cut is personal and you never know which fight will be your last. And when the dance is done, no matter the outcome, you'll never feel regret because at least you can die with the song of swords ringing in your ears, knowing you put up a good, fair fight.

A gun however . . . it's a cold death and soon transforms you when it becomes too easy. Too easy to threaten others with and it doesn't even have to be loaded! Too easy to point into someone's face. Too easy to pull the trigger.

So as easy as they may be to carry, I have no love for those things." His voice was quiet but fervent. There was an intense silence.

She puffed out her cheeks loudly and then walked closer so she could see it too. She had never seen a sword before aside from a couple in a small museum she had visited years ago. She had thought they were cool and quite beautiful but they were nothing compared to this.

The blade was long and thin and almost disappeared when he turned it slightly. He handed the hilt to her so she could study it closely. It was warm and when she brushed her fingers over the flat of the blade, that was warm too. Hot actually. She pulled her hand back, surprised. 

The hilt was gold and wrought in the shape of a dragon, its long neck stretching with its mouth wrapped around the blade. Its tail rested so it curled slightly around her wrist, its ruby eyes staring at her with a life of its own. She felt it thrum slightly and grasped it more firmly. Then she swung it in a small arc, surprised by how light and easy it was to wield and felt a small laugh burst from her lips.

She tried a few slashes, whirling and becoming more confident by the moment. Why would anyone ever want to use a gun? She tried a downwards slash and hit the log. The blade became stuck and she struggled to pull it out at first, but after a few moments she pulled it free. She whirled again, slicing and almost hit James in the leg. He leapt aside nimbly.

"Oops, sorry!" She quickly handed the sword back then, admiring the way the charcoal black blade glimmered and brightened when the moonlight struck it.

He only laughed, grasped the hilt and sheathed it once more.
"So, what actually happened when everyone was attacked? Who did it?" She almost regretted asking the question when she saw his face darken and the smile disappear, but she had followed him for a reason, wanting answers.

He opened his mouth but before he could answer, someone screamed. A tortured voice rang through the night and they both looked towards the direction it had come from- the direction the villagers had been resting in. She remembered the warning the other Kaelyn had given her in her dream and felt a moment of dread. She had practically ignored it and delayed enough already.

"Unfortunately, you may see that for yourself."