The Easel Chronicles; The Burning Hands

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

The Sacred Lands

Leonora stared into the space, her mind a mixture of emotions. She was dripping with sweat having reminded all who cared to watch that she was still one of the deadliest fighters within the elven ranks. She sat on a small stone stool staring at the warriors take turns in duels, archery and mounted tactics. Her strong long sword lay at her feet.

She had just been giving a young elf man a lesson in swordplay, as all the trainers and seasoned fighters watched. She had no regrets putting the lad to the ground mercilessly. If she was not mistaken most of the barracks watched. The Elvhelm barracks were found near the outer walls of the city, on a large expanse of grass and stone. Its location made it easy to swarm the walls with soldiers in the unlikely chance of a battle.

I do not regret doing this for the third day running. Leonora was avoiding that small voice of reason she had banging at the back of her head.

"That was unnecessary," Leo said sternly. She really was not cautious anymore. How did he sneak up on me? she thought. Or is it that my mind is so far off along with my heart?

"Since when did you start sneaking up on me brother?"

"Since we were babes at our mother's side." Leo said.

"Do not forget your place little brother," Leonora reminded him. "I am still some summers and moons older than you."

"Just three summers and five moons," Leo said.

"Still forgetting the fact."

"I do not," Leo snapped. She turned her head to look him straight in the face. His anger was something she was not used to since he always knew she was the elder. "I might be your junior sister, but I know when you are in the wrong. Something is eating you and you putting your foul mood on everyone."

"Mind your words brother," Leonora said calmly. Damn you Aravoen she thought to herself, You just had to go and get yourself into a battle.

"I think," Leo raised his voice a little. "You need to train your anger sister. Three days of your constant bashing of children. It makes you appear like the common wenches of Insil."

"Common wenches of Insil?" Leonora laughed to hide her anger. "Those wenches, Leo, are elves. Green folk as much as you and I."

"Fair," Leo snarled. What was wrong with her brother, couldn't he just leave her be in her foul mood. I do really miss Aravoen. Leonora was thinking keeping one ear to Leo. "Since you say they are like us that makes you a wench from the drunken halls of Halvlen."

That got to her. Leonora remembered all the dirty and secretive people of that town. What was it she had called them. 'Yokel.' "One more word Leo," she snarled, "and you shall be just like that spoilt brat I dealt with today."

"You are the spoilt brat Leonora." Leo laughed. "Since the prince of Eduin left, you have been nothing but moody and sullen. And then suddenly, three days ago you get into a brand new foul mood, and see it fit to put your new foul mood on every living soul within our father's lands." Leo paused. "Do tell me sister, if trying to be the best in our barracks is being spoilt, then your head is stuck under those vast fields of Valoin."

From the corner of her eye, she could spy almost half the training yard staring at the two children of Stareonor. Leonora balled her hands into fists to try and stop whipping out her blade that sat in the grass beside her.