the seven virtues [tom riddle]

chapter six

CHAPTER SIX

Varya heard him before she saw him. The clashing of metal against metal, the vibration of emphasized footsteps and saltos as Icarus skidded in the dirt, fencing the enchanted mannequin with vigor and stamina. His armor, plates of silver that glinted in the scrooching rays of the midsummer sun, clinked with each twist of his body before he disarmed his opponent, sending the sword clattering to the ground.

It coasted to her feet, and her eyes traced the sharp edge before she bent down to pick up the weapon, and then the witch sat up to face the boy who had still not noticed her presence. The sword was heavy in her hands, a different feeling to her usual stealthy dagger, and Petrov discerned she would hardly be able to fight with such a weapon.

"A bit barbaric, is it not?" her accent sounded through the clearing, and Icarus' head immediately snapped to her figure. Honey eyes enlarged with astonishment, and the boy instantly pulled the armor off his body, jumping on one foot as he tried to take off his heavy boots and advance towards her. The Lestrange boy slightly stumbled on his feet, yet still managed to come back up with a handsomely disheveled look as he marched eagerly, a smile on his face.

Icarus' broad shoulders were covered in a dark tunic, fastened with a leather belt to keep it from catching in his armor undoubtedly. He had unbuttoned the first clasps over his chest, and he pulled at the collar as he moved across the estate, feeling the heat of his training clash with his presentation.

"Bloody Hell," he muttered as he halted in front of Varya, peering down at her with delight in mousse irises, "I was wondering when I would see you around the house. I would embrace you, but I fear I am drenched in transpiration right now."

"You could have come to look for me," Varya taunted, and the boy only rolled his eyes before starting to walk with her around the training grounds, "I see you have been keeping yourself busy."

She gestured to the endless rows of mannequins, clad in defense gear and twirling with malevolence at their proximity. The garden was spacious enough for dueling, the only thing that occupied it besides the weaponry being a small shed in one of the corners, bricked and shut with heavy chains. The witch made a note of it.