The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 40 The Sparring Match

Leah spent the night in my wigwam with me and we found ourselves talking into the early hours of the morning. I told her everything that happened, every detail since the last time I had seen her. She was the first person I felt truly safe being completely honest with. I told her about my Tournaments, about Kyle, Jasper, Vienna, and Kairos. Then I told her about the rebels, David in particular, and all that had happened in Itova. I shared the pain of my depression and my suicide attempts, laying bare the truth of my internal darkness. Then finally I told her about Solomon and Esha, and we cried together for the sweet girl who would never walk again. At some point, the two of us dozed off, and when I awoke, there was a strange lightness in my chest, as though my heart had shed its weight. I hadn't known just how much I had needed to talk to someone, someone who wouldn't shy away from what I had to say.

Leah was still asleep when I slipped out in search of breakfast, my stomach rumbling loudly. I made my way down to the Long Hall, enjoying the quiet of the morning. Most of the camp was snoring away, having partied late into the night. As I approached the assembly ring however, my ears picked up on the distinct clanging of steel. Coming 'round the corner I found Ren and three Wind Warriors, who were locked in fierce combat. They were fighting two on two, three wielding short swords and round shields, Ren with a single long sword that was three-quarters of my own size. Off to the side, I spotted Kai lounging by a table that was spread with dried fruit, nuts, some sort of sweet bread, a basket of rolls, and glasses filled with what I assumed was water.

I made my way along the edge of the open space towards the food, eyeing my eldest brother with interest. He had stripped down to his tunic, which clung to his sweaty back accenting his bulging muscles. Every thrust of his blade was measured and precise, and he seemed to be two steps ahead of his opponent at all times. He wasn't as elegant as some fighters I had seen, Ranen and Kyle came to mind in that department, but there was a brute strength behind each blow he delivered that could wear the best of swordsmen down. If he were fighting to kill, he would be a deadly enemy indeed.

"Good morning sister. Hungry?"
Kai greeted me, tossing a floured roll through the air.

I caught it deftly and bit into it, savoring the sweet taste.

"Very. I'm surprised you're not nursing a hangover."

I leaned against the table, plucking a winterberry off the fruit platter.

"Me? I was a tad tipsy last night is all, not enough to give me more than a light headache this morning, that was easily remedied with some strong black tea."
He held up his steaming mug like a show and tell.

I just shook my head, still not quite sure what to do with this brother. Niyah wasn't too hard to peg and I was starting to get a feeling for Ren I thought, but Kai was really just a question mark.

"Why aren't you joining in on the fun then?"
I motioned towards the four swordsmen.

"Oh, I don't enjoy hitting people with metal sticks, rather tiresome in my opinion."
He replied nonchalantly.

"Watching them, however, can be fairly entertaining I have found."

"So what weapon do you fight with if not a sword?"

"I prefer not to fight at all if I can help it. If I must, I'm a fair shot with a bow and arrows."

I laughed out loud at that.

"What's so funny?"
He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Nothing, it's just that must be my least favorite weapon in existence. It was the bane of my combat training, no one could ever get me close to hitting the target. Well, except Ranen, but even he couldn't get me good enough to make using the weapon practical."