Throne of Leaves

Chapter 21

Dreams of dead people and a young girl poisoning an old man is not a way to start off your day. Even Though that creepy feeling that I had yesterday had gone, something still drew me to the doors of the King's Hall. I do understand that I will have to open the doors at someone, but now, I am both worried and nervous of what I will find there. I slowly get out of bed and wash up before slipping on my clean clothes and heading out for a meal to start my day. I had told Ash that I would spar with him today. It would take my mind off of things that are going to happen tonight as well, so it should be good for me.

I eat quickly and grab my swords. I had a long day of competition ahead of me. It always was a competition between the two of us in both swordsmanship and bowmanship. I always beat him in the bowmanship but you never could tell who was going to win the battle of the swords. I grin thinking back on all the sparring that we have done in the past. It was good times and now, I get to see how much he has grown while I was away. It would also test my skills that I have honed outside the Forest. I laughed as I made my way out of the Hall. Malki was standing at the door with Aaron next to him. Malki had his arms crossed looking stern.

"We are going with you. " He said. I rolled my eyes but nodded.

"I am going to go do a day of sparring with Ash. hey maybe he would like to face you Malki. He is a good swordsman." I said with a laugh. He just frowned a bit, I could have sworn I saw concern cross his face. I could tell that he did not trust Ash. I shrug it off and weave past the two and jump out the door into the Forest. I made my way to the ninth barracks and knocked on the door. Ash opened the door with a grin.

"Ahh so, the great Akon Silverleaf decided to come spar. Ready to loose my old friend?" He said with a smirk. I just laughed

"Oh? Loose? me? And here I thought you were shaking in your boots. Let the blades decide who wins." I said patting my swords that were hidden under my coat. He smirked even more and walked out with his katanas. He wore a tight green shirt ,accenting his muscles, that matched the hilts of his swords. on top of his shirt he wore his grey long vest. I grinned and nodded

"Well shall we go to the training area where we have more room?" I asked. He nodded and we took off through the Forest, step in step neither of us letting up as we landed at the same time on the large flat structure that spanned over four trees. Malki and Aaron were right behind us. As soon as my feet touched the wood of the training area I whipped off my long coat revealing my black short vest with a silver shirt just like Ash's shirt. My pants were black and my boots of soft leather. I had my bracers on my shins as well as my forearms. I ran a bit forward before turning to face my opponent.

"Well, let us re acquaint our blades shall we?" I say to him He grinned and nodded standing up straight unsheathing his blades.

"Let me introduce you to Doom and Despair, the Katanas of the Fallen." He said proudly crossing the katanas in front of him. I smirk at his eagerness and stand up straight closing my eyes as I unsheathe my blades. I could feel the power run through me as I unsheathed them. There always was a power within them but I had never had the willpower to bring it forth. Just like Malki's blade my own two blades are special. Made for me, by me, and they are a part of me.

"It is nice to see Doom and Despair, but please, greet my blades Telmaer and Ismial. Silver-flame and Moonlight. " I said as they glittered as I called out their names. I grinned and opened my eyes a fraction and stared at Ash. I could see a flicker of hesitation as he watched my blades carefully. I did not raise my swords, but instead held them at my sides loosely. I snorted as Ash ran at me with powerful steps. It was not until he was in arms scratch that I moved to attack him. I could see, or more like sense, the power coming from his legs and arms, not from his entire body. That would mean that he still did not understand the concept of balance when fighting me. I moved under his blades, using my left blade to block his double attack, and my shoulder to swipe his legs, causing him to tumble downward. I turned around just as quickly as Ash took the fall and tucked and rolled out of it, springing back up to his feet. I smirked as he came at me again. I watched, still completely at ease. It felt like he was back at a novice state of swordsmanship. This slightly worried me. maybe it was because I was used to fight with Malki who exceeded every swordsman in the Forest, but I could see every flaw, and predict every move that Ash was about to make. I made another block and cashed my shoulder into this abdomen. Ash, with a shocked expression fell to the ground with a thump, groaning as the wind was knocked out of him. I looked down at him pointed my sword at his neck.