Thinking of my night with Darion helped.He had such a calming effect on me, and I longed to see him again.But when we’d parted, we hadn’t made arrangements to meet again.We at least knew where each other lived now, since Darion had walked me home after our night together.But I had no idea when he’d be home, and I couldn’t exactly loiter outside his house and wait for him to return.
So to keep my mind occupied, I spent time with Elena, which was something I meant to do more of anyway, but I had always been so busy.Since I had revealed my secret life as a thief to her, I was finally able to teach her the fine art of clandestine potioncraft.Now that everything was becoming more complicated, I owed it to her to give her every advantage.She took to the craft immediately and found it endlessly fascinating, asking questions and trying experiments with different ingredients.
Later in the evening, we practiced sparring with our dull-bladed rapiers in the spot next to the chicken coop outside our barn.We continued until dusk, when visibility began to fade.We finished with a particularly nasty exchange that ended when Elena, through brute force, knocked the sword out of my hand with a loud grunt.
“Ouch,” I cried, shaking my hand, my fingers aching from the brutal impact.“I’ve taught you too well.You’re getting too strong.”
Light clapping came from behind us.In a flash, I spun around, hand on my dagger.“Who’s there?”
Darion sat on a bale of hay with an infuriatingly amused look on his face.“It is I, your adoring fan.That was quite a show, Elena.”
Elena smiled widely.“Not bad, huh?”
“It was masterful,” he said.
It took me a moment for my heart rate to drop.I’d been on edge ever since we’d bumped into The Butcher in the marketplace, and I wasn’t crazy about surprises, but I was happy about this one.Seeing Darion instantly made me feel safer.
I walked over to him, unable to hold back my smile.He stood up as I approached, and our eyes locked.The slightest rosy hue bloomed in his cheeks, which I found adorable.How I could make this grown man blush with a simple look was beyond me.But I enjoyed it.
“Don’t let me stop you,” he said, looking at my sword, which still lay on the ground.
“Oh no,” I said, gesturing him over to the sword.“Be my guest.Show us how a master does it.”
Darion shot me a coy smile and a shrug.He walked over, picked up the sword, and assumed a guard position, pointing it toward Elena.
“Elena, do you accept this challenge?”Darion asked with gravitas and just a hint of playfulness.
“Dust yes!”Elena said, launching immediately into an attack that Darion skillfully parried.
It soon became obvious that Darion was exceptionally skilled with a sword, so much so that he must have had some professional training.But it was also clear that he had infinite patience and restraint, as he never pressed his advantage, letting Elena set the pace.He was also a joy to watch, displaying a subtle grace I hadn’t noticed in him before.Each motion was considered, and each step was well planned.A tide of emotion swept over me as I watched this beautiful man treating my sister with such respect.
A few times, Elena got an advantage, but Darion always fought back until they were even again.After the third time this happened, I realized he was intentionally making mistakes to give Elena openings, but he was subtle enough that Elena didn’t pick up on it.This was his way of keeping her engaged.I imagined he could win the fight at any moment if he chose.
Only after Elena successfully got her first hit on Darion’s left side did he start a more offensive attack.They continued back and forth, each getting the occasional hit.When dusk turned into night and I could barely see them anymore, they finally called a draw.
“That was excellent, Elena,” Darion said, still panting from the exertion.“Your brother has taught you well.”
“You’re amazing!”Elena beamed.“Will you stay for dinner?We’re making a stew!”
Darion looked my way, and my smile told him everything he needed to know.
“I’d love to,” he said.
During dinner, Elena asked Darion a barrage of sword-fighting questions, which he gracefully answered.He had done an apprenticeship under a sword-master and had won a few tournaments when he was younger.
“Why did you stop?”Elena asked when Darion mentioned that he no longer competed.
“There comes a time in life when you assess your priorities and decide what’s really important,” he said.“And sword tournaments are decidedly not important.”
I smiled at this, understanding that the Order of Emberlight had become his top priority.And maybe other things.
Elena nodded with a slightly disappointed look.“Well, I think you would win every tournament you entered.”
“Elena, I think it’s probably time for you to head to bed,” I said.It was well past her usual time, and I also wanted some time alone with Darion.
Elena rolled her eyes but didn’t complain too much.After she said good night, Darion and I were alone in the flickering firelight.
“You were amazing with her,” I said to him.“Thanks for putting up with all her questions.”
