Goldspell: Rare Earth Book One

Goldspell: Rare Earth Book One- Chapter 7

Chapter 7- Runic Magic Pre-Lessons and a New Partner

That familiar lovely voice of Emerald's broke through Opren's hazy half asleep state, causing him to open his eyes and notice the sun was considerably high for just waking. 

"What time is it, Liileiy?" he asked Emerald. She held up both hands completely open. Opren sat up and grabbed his undershirt from the bedside, pulling it over his head. She threw him his pants and he gave her a look of confusion at being unclothed. 

"We didn't do that again, no, but you seemed to like the idea of us sleeping naked together after all that ale and mead you drank." Emerald giggled. "You really wanted to rub my soft skin as we fell asleep." 

"Perfect, I come of age and make a fool of myself as my first act. That really proves my adulthood," Opren said, nodding for effect. He laughed a little and Emerald giggled again. 

"It was nice. You know if I opposed, I would have told you without making it subtle, especially while you were tipsy. Besides, I enjoyed you caressing my skin as we feel asleep; it was calming since I am starting to feel really safe with you. That being said, I still don't feel you are safe to yourself so don't think I'm not still making you train with the Runic magic." She changed from sweet and calm to a much firmer commanding tone as she spoke the last sentence. "Just to be clear, Mister Shiny Hero." 

"I miss my parents, Emerald, but I don't need a new mother," Opren said as he finished dressing. Emerald rolled her eyes and walked outside the room and downstairs to wait for him to wash his face, instead of staying in his presence since she was irritated by his comment against her caring. Opren finished getting ready for the next few minutes, and then walked downstairs to meet her. 

"I apologize, I'm just not fully awake yet and I'm still adapting to knowing I am now an adult whether or not I choose to be... and not just of age like most young men, but a man on my own without family," he said as she looked up at him coming down the end of the stairs. 

"You know I understand that, but that doesn't give you the right to be hurtful or foolish when you know very well I am just caring for you like most people should appreciate," Emerald responded with cutting tonality. Opren looked down, then back up at her as she finished her statements. "You also know I forgive you, just stop being an ass because I want to love a man," she laughed shortly and he cracked a very small smile at this intentional hit to his pride, yet kind truth in the same sentence. Emerald hugged him and whispered "ni leiynuuveneiy", meaning "and love you I do", in his ear as she pulled back to reinforce his better feeling and her kind nature beneath her stubborn strength. 

"I suppose we should get to the sparring grounds to meet Athena and whoever this new training partner of mine is supposed to be," Opren said now that he knew they were no longer tense toward each other. He still felt a little guilty, but he also knew she wouldn't care to continue focusing on something negative.  

"I am looking forward to this because I know who it is. Athena told me last night shortly after you passed out the first time," Emerald said, grinning with apparent amusement. 

"First time? Oh, I did pass out at the celebration before we came back here, didn't I?" Opren laughed at himself. The two went to meet with Pole on the way to the training grounds so he could observe for the day. 

"Good day, Opren," Athena greeted as they approached. "I trust you slept well, or enough, seeing as it is nearly eleven o' clock already? And you all as well? Probably better, I would assume," she smiled as she addressed the other two. Opren smiled, slightly amused and slightly unsure about the joke, knowing Athena well enough by now to guess she asked with a task of some sort in mind. More specifically, a task that would require enough refreshed energy.