“I don't know, maybe we should enjoy the rain before arriving in Shaston.” I smile as my hand is outstretched through the window catching the drops.
The rain pelts on the carriage roof and I can hear the men outside talking loudly to each other, the rain making it hard to hear. We will probably be stopping soon. The sun is retreating and the rain is getting heavier and I know everyone outside of the carriage is soaked to the bone. We have to be getting close.
I hear Ereon's voice yelling over the rain, “Halt!”
A hard rasp draws our attention to the door. Thylas shakes his soaked, raven hair as he opens the door. His skin glistens from the rain that falls and he looks exhausted.
“We will be making camp shortly. Rhenor and I will make sure our tents are set up before you leave the carriage. Don't need either of you getting sick.” He leaves just as quickly as he arrived and instantly the air feels cooler.
I can't help but blush at the insinuation of our tent. I’m dreading this evening, I don't know if I can be near him anymore.
“You know, Rhenor really isn't all that bad. I was stupid and young to have spit on our marriage so quickly.” I look at her wondering where this topic of conversation came from. She's looking out the window at him as he rides and talks. A small teasing smile plays on her lips. “He told me a story he learned in Midaeleia and I thought it was clever. He was doing research on twin drops, you know because he lost his and I've never met mine.” She leans back into the cushion of the seat and pulls her hair up to fan the back of her neck. “Old scrolls that go back to the time of the old language, hard to understand because of the missing words in places. They seem to be a record of whatwe nowadays consider legends. He said the sentence structure is twisted and confusing. He mentioned some of the text foretold of reincarnated twin drops finding each other again. We all know a twin drop doesn't always equal a relationship because it has to be accepted, but still, it's an interesting idea.”
There are so many tales I've never heard of and honestly, I'm exhausted from it all. I will always trust the Goddess, I will believe in Her, but prophecies, stories of gods and goddesses, and now reincarnation. I don't have the mental endurance to think about it all. I have more real-life concerns than worrying about things that may never be.
The men work around the camp, setting up shelters and some poor soul tries to build a fire. I notice Ereon with a group of men surrounding him. His shoulders are tight and I can tell by his stance that he's arguing with them.
It makes sense the closer we get to their home, the more they'll be ready to get there. I can only imagine if things were reversed, I would be so irritable to get back to my own home too. But Ereon's voice booms through the camp, “I said no!” Siphonie jumps up, and looks out the window with me. Ereon has a man by the collar and tosses him to the side, before walking away, running his hand through his beard and muttering to himself.
Thylas comes to the window, informing us, “The tents are ready.”
“What's wrong with the Prince?” My first words spoken to him today, and they are about Ereon. But I'm starting to think that Ereon has a side he doesn't let the others see. The person I saw on the beach, the one who laughed with me in the kitchen.
“Who knows? Probably Shaston business.” That is all he says before he walks off. Well tonight is going to besplendid.
twenty-eight
THYLAS
Swinging to my right, Ereon's steel meets mine. His body is rigid as he tries to deflect my attack. Our swords cling to each other as we walk around in a circle. His predatory eyes are on me, the spot he drew blood from on my forearm is aching.
Every day, since we arrived in Midaeliea, we have had our little contest, our seemingly insignificant duel. It comes off as sparring, making sure our bodies stay in shape but I could practice with any of the men brought on this journey with mejust like he could. No, this is us sizing the other up. We didn't this morning before leaving the castle, so since the rain finally stopped we figured this was a good time. The mountains glare down at us and the pass will soon be lurking upon us. It's darker here, the air tense with worry, as the Cartilen Mountains stretch high above us and we can hear the sounds of the beasts that roam the pass.
Ereon knows I have never seen a real battle, not any fault of my own. A few tavern brawls, a few drunken arguments but a real battle? It's true that Shastonian soldiers have seen battle. That doesn't mean I'm going to let him beat me if I can prevent it.
Ereon lunges toward me, almost kicking my feet out from under me as I jump and bring my sword down. His curved blade easily meets mine and he bares his teeth before pushing off me. We begin to circle each other like vultures.
“I won't lie Captain, you are much better than I expected.” He twirls one sword in his right hand the other gripped tightly in his left.
I grip my sword tighter as sweat rolls into my eyes. “I don't know why you thought I wouldn't be. I am a captain in the AntalianShayiafter all.” I smile at him.
He laughs deeply and then quick as lightning, punches my left cheek with a clenched fist still wrapped around the hilt of his sword. The punch has me falling into the sand, and I quickly stand back up. I flex my jaw to work out the pain that is still radiating. This is the second time he has surprised me with that move, it will be the last.
“You're good as long as the rules of combat are being followed, but the funny thing about those rules – they are never used in combat.”
I taste iron from my split lip and take a step back. He's cocky, and I don't like it. If he wants me to fight dirty, I will. I knowhis feelings toward Carnaxa are changing. He once looked at her with irritation, now, when no one is looking he looks at her with a feeling I can't place. Maybe it's passion or lust, or maybe it's just knowing that he will soon warm her bed.
“Prince Ereon,” a soldier from his crew calls out. He turns toward him before placing his swords in the double baldric that creates an X on his back. He walks toward the soldier and I see Rhenor leaning against a tree, a smirk on his face.
Sheathing my own sword back on my hip, I walk toward him. Grabbing a canteen of water that is on the ground.
“What's so humorous, Rhenor?”
“Nothing, just laughing at boys who are trying to see how big the other's dick is.”
I take a swig of water from my canteen and roll my eyes. “We are just sparring to stay in shape. Maybe you should consider it. How long has it been since you've been inside a sparring ring?”
“Don't worry about my sparring days. They weren’t that long ago, son. However, Ereon does have a point.”
