The Eventide Enchantment

Chapter 5

Quinn and Skye sat to their meal of fruit and water. Once they had rested a while, it was time to begin Skye's training.

Quinn taught her the basics of stance, balance and position. Skye was surprised how his instruction entered her brain and stayed there as if branded by hot iron.

They worked next at parrying and striking. Skye learned quickly, and soon she was able to keep up with Quinn's strikes, parrying and thrusting as he had showed her. Quinn wasn't as surprised as she; he attributed her fast-growing skill to the Dryad's Blessing received at the Palace of the Wood.

Quinn recommended now that they try a full-scale practice duel.

Skye kept up magnificently with his strokes, but she was greatly sidetracked by her amazing trainer/opponent. Evidently, Quinn was a superb swordsman. Every movement, every stroke was a picture. Skye almost wished that she were watching him instead of sparring with him. Even the alteration of his expression, the grave, determined look on his handsome countenance, drove Skye into distraction with wonderment. Fortunately, she recovered herself in time and made up for that distraction. The duel came to an abrupt end when Skye disarmed Quinn, sending his weapon sailing out of his hand.

Quinn laughed breathlessly. "I'm impressed! I think Elanna will be meeting her match with you."

Skye chuckled mirthlessly. "I really hope you're right."

A brief respite followed and then it was time to learn the art of stealth.

"All right. Now the most important thing here is stealth. The only way to defeat Elanna is to strike her in the heart with the dagger. Now, you know she's not going to graciously stand still to allow that. Show me how well you can conceal yourself."

Skye then worked at moving quickly and quietly about and coming behind Quinn unseen. She failed miserably time after time, for Quinn always caught sight of her. More than once he overcame her, illustrating how easily she could be killed.

Frustrated, but resolved to master this, Skye finally realized that she had to become one with the shadows and step carefully to avoid being seen or heard. She wove in and out of the great trees as quietly as a shade, watching that Quinn couldn't see even a flash of her. She silently drew her weapon and made a run for him as soon as she saw clearance. At last, Quinn surrendered.

"You've done it," he panted, smiling at her. "That's all I can teach you-for now, at least. For the rest, we'll have to go on faith. Now, let's rest; I'm exhausted."

The two of them drank again from the stream and had a little more fruit.

Quinn sighed and leaned against a tree trunk. "I want to thank you, Skye," he said at length.

Skye turned to him. "Don't thank me yet. The game hasn't even begun," she said, trying to control the tremor in her voice.

"But you will fight alongside me. No matter how this turns out, I owe you more than thanks," Quinn said softly. "You're showing true courage in just deciding to proceed. Now, sit beside me, Skye."

Skye was more than happy to oblige; she loved to be near him. She sat beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder. Quinn drew his fife and began to play a gentle, lulling tune.

The melody took Skye's mind away from everything-all fears, worries and sorrows left her heart for that single fleeting moment. For here, for now, there was only Skye with her beloved Quinn. There was no war, there were no enemies, and there would be no separation.

Skye let these sweet musings reign for some time, but at last she shook herself. "Quinn, I think we'd better move."

"I know. Time is growing short, and we can waste no more of it. Dawn shall be upon us in just a couple of hours. Let's get going," Quinn said quietly.