Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 18

      "Do you find it strange that you received such different gifts?"

     "No, my sister was always the gentle sweet, twin. I was always fighting and following my father and the other men when they went hunting. We were as different as day and night. All I have now is her bear and my pain."

     "What happened to your mother?" the tutor asked gently.

     "It was about six months after that, there was another raid by the same savages. The men were out hunting and I was with them. We returned to the village during the raid. I killed three with my arrows and then ran through the chaos to get to my mother. I wounded two more savages and then dove into the tent. There a savage was over my mothers dying body his pants around his ankles. I slit his throat and pushed him off my mother, but again I was too late. She died looking at me."

     "She had to be proud to have such a strong and brave daughter," Evergreen said quietly.

     "But even with my abilities I was unable to save her from those horrors," I whispered wiping away the tears that started falling.

     "When I was ten my father died protecting my back. I wasn't supposed to be with them, but I snuck along behind them and almost got them all killed. After that my uncle took over the clans. He continued to teach me to fight and then when I was twelve, I left the plains life behind."

     "I think we'd best stop there," the tutor says.

     "Why?" I ask.

     "I am unfortunately out of ink," the tutor says. Evergreen laughs and then helps untangle the tutor from his desk thing.

     "Well if you have anymore questions feel free to stop by and ask," I say as he wanders off. Evergreen pushes my chair-cart back to my room and settles me back on the bed. "Thank you," I say as Evergreen opens the door.

    "Don't worry I'll be back," he says. I sit and think maybe I should walk around. I carefully throw the blanket back and slide my legs over the side of the bed. I get my feet under me and stand with no problem. I take a step and make it all the way to the chair in the corner and sit down. I feel light headed and a little dizzy. Too much blood loss, I think wearily. The door opens and Evergreen reappears with a book tucked under his arm. He looks at the bed expectantly and I can see the worry flit across his face. "Destroyer?" he calls out.

     "I'm over here," I mutter waving wearily.

     "You shouldn't be out of bed yet, my sister said you needed to rest and heal," he says pulling up a chair.

     "I didn't like the view," I joke. He glances at the bare stone wall and smiles.

     "Yeah I can see why, I brought you something to read so you won't have to look at the walls as much," he says holding out the book.

     "Just put it next to the bed," I say casually.

     "One short walk wore you out," he demands.

     "What's it too you?" I protest.

     "I am concerned about my colleague," he says.

     "I am not your colleague. I was given a job and failed," I say.