Throne of Leaves

Chapter 5

  I looked around as I neared my second weapon. It was my bow this time in the middle of another clearing. I started to move with calculated steps toward the bow when I spotted another bright white spirit come diving at me. I ducked and rolled out of the way just in time as the spirit landed and took off again hiding in the branches. I grin and shake my head. A fast moving bird. Either a Raptor or a Falcon could do that. I watch the place where the bird flew into and moved slowly toward the bow never taking my eyes off of the place where the bird was. then as I got within a foot of the bow I felt a wind behind me and I ducked and rolled toward my bow just in time to grab it and lift it above me to block the attacking bird. I felt a slight weight on the bow and I could see the bright shape of a Raptor look at me. I gave it a sly smile and ducked rolling with my bow as the Raptor attacked again. I rolled again and brought my knees up to my chest and spring up to a crouch. I grin even more and watch the hazy figure begin to suddenly clear up. The once hazy lines of energy making everything look like shapeless masses now refined in detailed shapes. Each animal, each tree, each plant was made of energy lines, swirling within them. I could see different knots and patterns made of the energy lines. Then it clicked. All the knots that we carry on our weapons, on our skin, in our homes all represent the energy swirling around and within us. I looked down and I saw the Raptor sitting on my bow with its beak pressed into the wood of the bow. I smiled and gently stroked its head and looked around the forest. I watched as the Raptor took off and circled up into the sky and disappeared from view. I shook my head and closed off my mind for a minute as my head started to throb at the use of my brain and not my physical eyes. I rubbed my temples and sighed for a few seconds before opening my mind back to the energy field.
I laughed a bit as I saw the last red ribbon was dark and close by. I looked around and saw my second sword, Telmaer, the more deadly of the two. I sighed when I also saw that Malki was standing still as stone ready to fight with his long sword drawn and no other signs that he would take reason to back down. When it comes to Malki fighting him is not the best option. He is a great ally, but a deadly opponent. I sigh and unsheath Ismial bracing for the fight of my life. I would have used my bow but I know that Malki can dodge and cut each arrow I have and still be close enough to cut me. I decided that it was in my best interest to attack first for He knew of my fighting style. He blocked with ease and pushed me away and simultaneously swung out to attack. I quickly blocked and pushed my blade down to create some space and forcing out blades to separate. I sprung back and pushed off of a tree and attacked again. Malki dodged the brunt of the attack but still blocked the rest of the follow through, leading my to more weight on his sword and as soon as he let go My body fell forward making me hit the ground and roll away from his attack. I grin and suddenly my concentration breaks and I crash back into darkness. I grit my teeth and shut my mind down forcing myself to rely on hearing and my perception. Ignoring my throbbing head, I get up and stand all waiting. I could barely hear Malki's breathing as he stood still as well. Then, I heard a rustle of clothing and a very soft footstep. I brace myself and raise my sword. I felt a slight breeze and heard the quiet whistle of a blade. I launched left hoped that Malki was not going that direction. I was wrong, as I felt the flat edge of the blade slap across my arms sending a dull pain though my arms. I jumped back and swung blindly. By blade met with wood in a solid thump. I tug at it a bit and pull it out of the tree. I sigh and try and open my mind back up but closed it as soon as I did. I was still recovering from using so much brain power. I grimaced and just relied on my hearing. I knew that if I focused on just hearing then I could pin point where Malki is and I could at least try to defend myself. I also know that I could barely match up with both swords and without the blindfold. I heard another footstep and turned around as I felt another brese next to me. this time I lifted my blade and blocked his with more strength. I could hear him chuckle a bit as I felt his shin connect with the back of my knees. I dont know how he got behind me but he did. I grunted and hit the ground with a roll and immediately put my sword up to protect my chest anticipating his next move. I guess correctly as his sword and body weight collided with my sword. I added another hand to the back of my blade holding him up above me. I could feel my sword start to slip and I knew that I could not hold on much longer so I took a risk and pushed up and rolled to the side so I could get the advantage. I attacked swiftly and my blade found its mark and connected with his blade again. I noticed that there was something cold next to my face and I realized that my second blade, Telmaer, was stuck in the tree next to my face. I quickly pushed off of Malki's blade and jumped back grabbing Telmaer and ripped it from the tree. I stood back with both swords in my hand breathing harder than I would have liked. I heard the sheath of a sword and then footsteps approach. I felt a hand on my shoulder and then the blindfold was gently removed from my face. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the bright light.
"Good fight" Malki stated and walked away.
I shigh sheathed my swords looking at my surroundings with a small smile. I stretch and yawn a bit but sat down and unclipped my swords and looked at them. They both looked like the traditional willow leaf saber but they had not cross guards, and they both had long hilts and the blades had more design to them. the only difference was that Telmaer had a double edge to it and Ismial was a one sided blade with a strange structure. Ismial had a few spaces in the blade so that if another blade slipped into the space I could turn the blade and the offending blade could be snapped. I ran my fingers over the hilts. They were identical. Each had carvings of a series of knots and of a griffen within them. The knots extended down into the blade where there were etchings of different symbols and charms. I shake my head and get up clipping them back on my belt and hide them under my long coat uniform. I look around one last time and walk off toward the house, passing by the empty houses of the Silver forest. I sigh and climb a tree and use the thin branches as my pathways.