INCARNATE | Book 3 of the Spirits' War Trilogy [excerpt]

6: BRAVERY (Part Two)

Image: Mareth and Allanon from the Shannara Chronicles

Soundtrack: Heart of Courage (extended version) by Two Steps From Hell

***

Skye

I open my eyes, breathing heavily and blinking confusedly at the familiar feeling of exhaustion. My tired limbs were not so tired a moment ago when reliving that great battle. But Skye's arms are not so well-toned. I glance to my right where I hold the sword close to my ear, blade parallel with the ground and aiming at an invisible knight's throat. The position I'd ended in is the same one Aelshen had been showing me before my mind had slipped into the memory: the window position.

Window to my past, I think with a knowing smile. It's all coming back to me.

"Which battle did ye relive, Ru-Yeva?" the wolf spirit asks gently.

I frown. "I...I don't know. One of hundreds, I'm sure. I was a Scot—"

"You sure stuck 'em with the pointy end!" Ace hollers. "Those invisible Knights of Saint Patty!"

Damian chuckles. "My brother's seen so many reruns of Game of Thrones, he could probably out-fight even you, Mac Tíre."

"Is that so?" Aelshen raises his sword towards Ace and stares down the length like it's the barrel of a gun. "I welcome the prospect, lad, of wipin' the smug grin off yer face."

Ace pales. "Another time, yeah? Let's focus on Skye's lessons."

"By the First Guardian, this feels so right," I whisper, flowing through the stances once more and ignoring the searing pain that lances through my seldom-used arm muscles. "Tha cuimhne agam, Aelshen. It's all coming back to me."

"That it is." He plants Adhair in the ground again long enough to give me a round of applause. "Let's start this duel slowly, shall we?" he asks with a haughty grin as he seemingly recognizes my pull upon the earth's energy to rejuvenate myself.

I nod, smiling broadly as I lower my sword to Breve and place my feet one in front of the other again, a shoulder's width apart.

"En garde!" Conall yells.

"Exactement," Aelshen replies, "though that is Francais, monsieur." He then raises his eyebrows at me. "You determine the pace, Ru-Yeva, an' I'll match it. Do as much as ye can remember."

I nod. "Sounds good."

We meet in the middle of the field. The MacLarty twins, Jen, Conall, and Xera watch attentively as two spirits converge, weapons at the ready for the first time in Earth knows how long.

I try not to be distracted by Aelshen's fingers wiggling on his hilt. He stares into my eyes and I gulp, trying to keep my gaze locked on his.

Be the warrior you once were, his eyes seem to prompt.