Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 11: Turbulence

The storm was coming closer. I could feel it. It was in the air. But so were the looming pieces of driftwood ebbing up and down with the waves. I watched nervously as Hyros stepped down the dangling rope ladder that swayed with the breeze.

"Mind if you steady that for me?" Hyros called down below. I caught his anxious gaze as I scampered to hold the hanging ladder that hung down from the tall wooden post where the great mast was fastened. Hyros took slow steady steps down the sinew ropes that crisscrossed into square pockets. As he reached half way down the step ladder, another gust pushed through. I bit my lip as the rope dangled in the wind. Hyros sighed as he looked down below. Taking a deep breath, he let go of the rope ladder.

"What are you doing?" I asked cautiously. Without a word he jumped. His legs muscles contracted as the impact of the fall forced him to bend his knees before standing erect.

"Sparing myself," he replied swiftly. "Here you might need this," he said fiddling with his hip belt.

"What are you talking about?" I retorted.

"I got a chance to get a real good look of that vessel. I saw men on the vessel. And they were armed. If they strike we will be ready. But I worry about you. When the time comes you need to be ready for whatever," he said, his tone turning serious.

"Hyros I think there is something else we need to be worried abo...

"That is why you can use this sword," he cut in. I watched him pull out his sword. The sword was three feet of polished silver medal, so shiny it even glimmered in the cloudy skies.

"That is one long sword," I muttered.

"I know. You do not seem to be much of a fighter do you? I nodded my head no.

"Here," he said tossing the sword to me. The sides of the sword nearly sliced my skin as I fumbled with it.

"Thanks," I murmured. "But seriously Hyros—" Before I could finish my words, I found myself cornered to the pole, his sword just as long, facing my neck.

"What are you doing?" I answered briskly.

"Come on. I will teach you," he beckoned. He flattened his open palm outwards, pointing in my direction. It was a challenge. I could see it in his brown eyes. Pulling his hand closer to himself, he brushed his loose bangs back against his head.

"We do not have time to play games," I hissed. "A storm is coming!"

"I know. Storms happen. But there is another storm that is coming your way," he said, as he tried to jab my side. I blocked his blow. He jolted his sword from me as he calmly circled me.

"What are you fellows doing?" Marius asked with an amused expression, standing a safe distance to the side.

"Teaching Troy to fight like a man," Hyros smirked. I will show him! Wham my sword came swinging towards his head! He ducked and blocked my counter blow.

"You learn fast," he hissed. He confidently whipped his sword back and forth as I kept trying to block his moves. Clang! His blade brushed past mines cutting the air as it whizzed past my shoulder blade. I bit my lip as I saw the fabric of my left sleeve flutter to the ground. Then something took over. Was it anger? Was it aggression? Was it the frustration that I was losing? The thoughts rushed through my head. My heart was racing again. Beads of sweat were forming along my brows. Somehow I felt a surge of energy race through my veins. I moved faster. As the sword came for the stab, my instincts took over. In that moment our swords crossed. Tie. He pushed back, pushing me against the pole.

"Hold your stance," he replied calmly. Once again, I found my back to the pole as I held the sword firmly to shield me from the blows. Cornered again. I sucked my hot breath, as I stared at Hyros' mischievous eyes. They sat deep in his brows; taunting me. I pushed back, releasing my sword and pointing it back at his chest.