On Thin Ice (Prequel to Guild)

Chapter Forty: Frostbite

         Flowers bloomed and then shrivelled and died, bowing to the soil that had birthed and raised them. Slightly longer lived, leaves performed before repaying their debt to the soil. Tangerine, crimson, golden, then brown and bare. Snow fell as skill levels rose. Rebels grew nearer, destiny came closer, and his wife drifted further away.

             Praying Mantis Pavillion's bench groaned under his weight. Idle hands shaved off the frost coating them, then came to rest on his knees. "I'm not going to keep you tonight."

In the season of blue and white and grey, Ryuu's eyes brought sunshine into the dim, tinted night. Even more so when they widened, confused. His mouth formed words he meant to say but couldn't, the opposite problem to his mother.

"Your forms are improving. It's time to see what you can do against a live opponent."

"Aavaa..."

"I've cancelled your morning lessons. Come to Sparring Room Seven at eight. Say you need the bathroom, or-"

Ryuu shivered.

Dai froze. He'd remembered the boy's Mongonai parka tonight. And though they'd take their lessons inside from now on, they had a few weeks before the nights became unbearable. So why Ryuu rubbed his arms, Dai didn't know.

He rose, took three steps forward. Something inside him sank when the child's small form prepared to step back. Avoidance: his son's favorite technique.

Blood spiced the inside of Dai's mouth. "You've done well... So we're moving on."

"To people...?"

"To people." His rough right hand landed on the plush of Ryuu's parka. Affectionate. He meant it to be comforting. Still, Ryuu looked away. "You know I won't let anyone hurt you."

Ryuu looked up. Said nothing.

Dai responded in kind.

"I...I don't need to practicks on people."

"What? Of course you do. They'll kill- You're a sitting duck if you don't have experience."

Ryuu blinked. "Ducks..."

"Focus." Back to him. "You are good at evading. That can save your life sometimes, but not always. And it won't fulfill your destiny, will it?"

"Well..." Dai rose a brow and Ryuu pulled a face. "Maybe...I could tire the Outskirtses Chosen One out and they'll just... die."

"Ryuu!"

Back again. Like snakes from their holes, his little hands emerged from the sleeves of his parka. "But I don't need weapons! Really! See?"

He didn't see. He felt. Felt the dagger he wore at his side grow warm, not unlike the Bone-Collector's Blade. But softer. Gentler and... wiggling.

"I've been prascticing. I've been practi-"

"Practicing," Dai breathed. He gripped the hilt of the blade, trying to keep it down- keep it contained. But it listened about as well as his son. It squirmed.

"Uh huh! For Kirochi!"

"Ryuu, It's no substitute-"

"I dunno what that word means, but it's fine! See?"

"Ryuu!" The blade pulled free, biting into the calloused flesh of his fingers as it took to the air. Spinning and turning, it traced arcs in the air. It darted about like a shining, silver bird. He wielded it like it weighed no more than a leaf in a sharp gust of wind.

Blood smarted, but he had no time, no energy to steel the minor pain away. The thought disappeared like the moon behind the clouds.

Fear washed over him with its reborn light.