Iron

11

 "It's called Colbandite, and it is sharp enough to cut through metal. When it's used as a weapon, it's lethal. Normally, the pieces are small. Somehow, someone got their hands on a dagger and sword set made from Colbandite and a criminal got it into his possession."

"Was he the one who nearly killed you?"

"Yes. I still have the sword, but I don't use it. I'll show you in the morning, maybe." Nor squinted his eyes at the lightening sky. "You should go back and sleep now. I have no doubt you'll need it."

Aune stood up and wrapped herself again with the blanket. "Thanks for talking to me."

Nor smiled at her. "Thanks to you, Aune. If you need it, I think you have a friend in me." Aune's heart swelled. She had never had a friend. She returned his smile with a smile of her own and settled down on the other side of the fire. It took but a moment for her to fall asleep.

. . .

It seemed like a second later that she was woken by the rays of light filtering through the trees. The Blackwolf were waking up and preparing to move onward. The campfire was doused, the bags were packed, and the remains of last night's dinner were passed around for a light breakfast. Aune tried to help, but was sent away from everyone. Finally, slightly dejected, she sat and stared at the piece of Colbandite.

"Aune, come here. Let's see if this horse fits you." Kaye had appeared next to her. "What's that in your hand?"

Aune lifted it up for Kaye to see. "It's a piece of Colbandite, Nor told me."

"How did you get it?"

"Someone gave it to me after Andras hurt me in North Soanaff. She was the first one to explain that Plato wasn't who I thought he was."

Kaye stood up, eyes narrowed. "You mean you knew who he was before? And you lied to us about not knowing anything?"

Aune shook her head vehemently. "No! She tried to explain who he was, but she only told me that he was dangerous and his name was not Plato, before he came into the bar and saw us."

Kaye nodded, relaxing slightly. "You'd better be careful, Aune. If you are the person you say, well, then you will be safe. If you aren't... the Blackwolf spares no liars."

Aune swallowed. She struggled to control her heart rate. "I'm telling the truth!"

Kaye's eyes softened. "I know you are, now. You couldn't lie to save your life, I can tell. Come on. Let's look at that horse."

The horse in question was one of the King's, liberated from the guards who had led, and been slain by, Andras. It was a tall, black mare, saddled handsomely. Aune, slightly nervous, laid her hand on the horse's nose. The horse snorted and tossed her head. Aune quickly withdrew her hand.

"Alright, now. Mount up!" Ravi's command was crisp, but neither sharp nor domineering. The Blackwolf mounted with ease, leaving Aune to scramble up as fast as she could. A few weeks on a horse had not improved her riding skill. She hurriedly patted the bag at her waist to make sure she had replaced the shard of Colbanite. Reassured, she sat stiffly and awkwardly, unable to relax as the Blackwolf were doing.

They had been riding for a while, when Nor rode up beside her. "You'll hurt yourself and the horse riding like that."

"How am I supposed to ride?" The hour or two on horseback had made Aune irritable. "In case you're wondering, Andras didn't give me riding lessons."

Nor smiled. Aune tried not to, but failed miserably. "Look, I don't know how, alright?"

"I know you don't. I can see that."

"Shut up."

He chuckled to himself and gripped her horse's reins. "You need to learn to relax. Move with the horse. You'll get a pattern eventually."

Grudgingly, Aune obliged. At first, it felt awkward and strange, but quickly became easy.

"See, you're getting better."

Aune didn't feel like admitting that Nor was right. She nodded.

He was in good humor today and smiled at Aune. "How old are you, Aune?"

"I'm thirteen."

"You're tall for thirteen."

"I know. How old are you?"

He blushed, though Aune did not know why. "I'm fifteen." Changing the subject, he asked, would you like to see the sword I told you about earlier?"

"Yes. But didn't you say that pieces of Colbandite were small, not big enough to make a sword?"

"Yes. They are. It's just that the sword is edged with shards of Colbandite, not enough to act the same as a large chunk would."

"You know a lot about Colbandite for only having seen it once."

"I didn't say once."

"Yes you did."

"I..." He faltered, sorting through his thoughts. "I don't know why I said that. I have my own sword of Colbandite." Nor laughed. "Give me a moment and I'll find it."

Aune turned her eyes to the road as she waited for Nor to find the sword. Kaye turned around and winked at Aune, then looked at the back of her brother, who was half twisted around in his saddle, fumbling with the various packs and boxes on the back of his horse..

"Oy! Nor! It's not only Aune who needs riding lessons, I see."

The Blackwolf laughed, Nor and Aune included.

"I guess we'll wait until we've stopped." Nor said to Aune. She nodded in agreement, though she wished it would be sooner. Something in her desperately wanted to feel the sword.