Falling Shadows (The Ellocea chronicles) [#Wattys2016]

Nineteen

Whack.

Zahni grunted as Ashkir's fist thumped into his side again, causing him to loose his breath and stumble backwards. The two brothers had been sparring for most of the morning as they usually did, but for once Zahni had been hitting the training mat more than Ashkir. After Zahni's name day, they were both meant to change partners, Zahni with Kahlil and Ashkir with Kaiko, however since their younger brother had left for the Skylle a week after the festivities, they had decided to train together again like they used to.

Zahni rested his wrapped up hands on his knees and panted, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. He looked up to his younger brother's satisfied face and groaned. Ashkir grinned and straightened up to his full height.

"Need a break, brother?" Ashkir mocked, "Getting a bit old now, are we?"

Zahni growled at his brothers gleaming eyes and Ashkir almost choked on his laughter. Zahni rarely ever lost fights with his brother and so was at a loss as to why he kept ending up on the mat underneath the sweaty weight of his brother. He knew he couldn't fight properly when he was distracted and so felt he could blame his poor performance on a certain golden haired girl but then again didn't want to admit that he had been so badly distracted by someone he'd only met for a short amount of time. Especially because she was a girl, and definitely not to his brother.

"I'm only two summers older than you, stupid," Zahni retorted.

"Then why am I winning so handsomely?" Ashkir flashed his famous smile and coughed as he muttered, "old man,"

Zahni suddenly straightened up and felt a small smile tug at his lips as he decided enough was enough. Ashkir's smile only faltered slightly as he saw the evil glint in his brother's eyes. Zahni took a step forward and Ashkir lifted his fists up to his chest preparing for the oncoming attack. However Zahni saw that he was only concentrating on protecting his face and felt like grinning as he saw his legs were unprotected by his narrow stance. Zahni kept eye contact and before Ashkir could react, knocked Ashkir's legs out from under him in one swift kick.

A swoosh of breath escaped Ashkir as he thudded to the mat roughly, the smile knocked off his face and the arrogant air in tatters. He rolled slightly on the floor and a slight groan came from the lump of his body as he struggled to regain his breath.

Zahni chuckled at his younger brother and felt a slight boost to his confidence as he regained his position as the champion. He was about to lend a hand to help his brother get up when he heard footsteps coming down the stone steps that led to their outside training area. A moment later one of the servants arrived with a tray of fresh fruit and drinks. Not wanting to sacrifice any of his food to his brother he rushed over to the girl and almost scared her with his enthusiasm. After grabbing a few of the wonderful fruits and gracelessly stuffing his face he felt the heavy arm loop over the back of his shoulders.

Ashkir had lost his shirt and was smiling lazily at the girl who hadn't yet managed to escape after laying out the refreshments. Zahni smiled in apology as the girl came into the firing line of Ashkir's somehow dazzling charm. He chuckled as he turned away in disbelief and embarrassment at his brother's audacious efforts and didn't bother trying to hide his laughter as he heard a squeal came from the girl followed by a hastily quick set of retreating footsteps. Zahni didn't need to turn around to see the look of mock confusion on his brother's face as he pretended to struggle to realise what he could have possible said to elicit that response. Zahni almost felt sorry for him until he realised he felt far more sorry for the poor girls on the receiving end of his efforts.

"Oh, Father would be so proud," Zahni said with a mocking smile. Ashkir's own smile slid from his face and he lunged for Zahni who quickly dodged out of the way avoiding his attack. Zahni wasn't so lucky with the second blow and was hit in the chest as he was distracted by his laughter.

"Do you boys ever stop trying to touch each other?" At the sound of Nuala's voice the brothers stopped their brawling and looked up at her each from their awkward angles underneath the limbs of the other. She giggled at their boyishly messed up hair and sweaty faces, which contrasted so greatly with the men who were normally seen about the palace and gave them a disapproving look as she caught a . "I still don't understand how you two are meant to be princes. Whoever wrote tales about handsome, chivalrous princes clearly never met the 'princes' in this family." She rolled her eyes and bent her fingers to mimic how she felt about the term 'prince' in regards to her brothers. "Who would ever want to marry someone so sweaty and gross?" She wrinkled her nose as she turned away from the boys and plucked a cherry from the table.

The brothers detangled themselves from each other and straightened slightly firstly looking at their younger sister then at each other sharing a knowing glance. Nuala didn't notice their sly approach as she was too busy talking about the importance of personal hygiene. So when four strong arms grabbed her from behind and brought her into a great sweaty bear hug she had no where to go and could only squeal in protest. "Eww! Let me go!" The brothers held on tighter and she tried to wriggle out of their grip and rubbed their sweaty necks against her head. Ashkir flinched as Nuala screeched in his ear slightly releasing his hold and before Zahni could warn him, he yelped in shock as she used his stomped on his foot.

"Ow, Nuala!" she smiled proudly at his outburst and used his shock to knee him between the legs. Ashkir tumbled backwards onto the mat and after punching the mat in pain, curled into the foetus position, groaning at the pain his younger sister had inflicted.

"Alright Sis, that's how you want to play it?" Zahni challenged in her ear. He refused to let his brother's sacrifice be in vein and kept her arms pinned to her sides from the back preventing her from moving and using them in an attack. Almost effortlessly he lifted her up so her feet were kicking in thin air and started to carry her across the area.

"Zahni put me down" she wriggled and protested, kicking his shins and let out a satisfied cheer as she heard him grunt, but soon stopped smiling as she realised what he was going to do. "Zahni no!" her kicks grew more frantic. "Please don't Zahni!" Her voice rose in pitch and Zahni smiled as he felt her panic. "Zahni I like these clothes" Zahni laughed at her poor attempt at stopping him and once he reached the edge swung her legs back and let go. "ZZZZAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Her scream was swallowed by the water and Zahni couldn't hold in his laughter as he saw his sodden sister resurface in the water he looked over to Ashkir to share in the sweet revenge when he noticed that he wasn't alone. Standing beside his bashful looking brother was his mother, and she did not look impressed.