Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Come on, tough guy, show us what you’ve got.” Kaleb circles me, punching the air.
Tugging my soaking wet tunic off and hanging it over a post, the numbness of my body begins to fade as the warmth of the sun touches my skin.
Kaleb grabs two wooden swords, chucking one over to me.
My muscles ache as I reach for it. He swings his around the air in front of him as he backs up into a circle drawn on the ground.
I catch sight of Arel giving me a thumbs up, which contradicts the grimace on his face, while Ronan stands stoic with his arms folded across his chest. Taking a deep breath, I drag my feet into the ring, very aware of the growing crowd watching us.
Kaleb circles me all the while swinging his sword, and he smirks just before he lunges. I throw my sword up to block his strike and swivel it away. I’ve never held a sword before; it feels good, right, like I should have had one in my hand long ago.
Kaleb circles me, studying me. Before I know what I’m doing, I lunge at him, swinging my sword over my head, and he barely has enough time to parry me. I swipe my sword at his feet, knocking him onto his back. He grunts, landing in a heap on the ground, and dust drifts around him.
Dropping my sword, I stare at Kaleb as he rubs the back of his head. “Could have said you could wield a sword. Dick,” Kaleb says, stumbling onto his knees.
Ronan helps him to his feet, keeping his eyes on me while Kaleb nurses his injury. “Where did you learn to fight?”
My eyes are wide in their sockets, and my jaw hangs open. Which part of my reaction tells them I knew how to use a sword?
“I’ve never held a sword before today.” The men laugh, mocking me. “I swear I’m not lying. I swear it on all the damn gods.”
Arel grabs a bow and arrow and leads me to the archery targets. “Let’s see if you have beginner's luck with bows too.”
I shakily take the bow, placing an arrow on the string. I eye the target in front of me, so far away that I can barely see the bullseye. Pulling back on the stiff string and letting the arrow loose, I close my eyes, wishing for it to land anywhere on the board.
Everyone gasps and mutters around me, I open my eyes in shock, not only did I hit the target, but the bullseye.
Arel clears his throat, pointing to the targets beside him. “I meant the closer target, show off.”
I guess in my nervous state, I didn’t see them.
What the… holy fuck. What is going on?
I must be dreaming, there’s no way I can use a sword and a bow without any training. The guys behind me collectively all look confused, eyebrows furrowed and honed on me.
Iza and Lilah have joined my audience. Iza donned her usual scowl, but I could have sworn I saw her lips quirk up.
Arel hands me another arrow. Nocking it, I try to hit the bullseye again.
Taking a deep breath in and letting it loose.
The arrow flies through the air and lands with a thump on the board, directly through the other arrow.
Ronan saunters forward. “Kaleb, go get Caelan, think he should see our little soldier here.” Kaleb runs off to the chief’s hut. My brain starts to panic, they’ll think I’m some spy or lying about who I am?
Misneach, Caelan is going to imprison me again or kill me.
My heart is battling in my chest, and the bow becomes slippery in my sweaty palms. If they think I’m some kind of spy, I’ll never find Nia and Elana.
But then maybe if Caelan sees my potential with the weapons, he might let me out on the hunt.
Arel and Ronan whisper to each other, they’re eyes remaining on me.
Lilah heads back into the village, but Iza stays, her eyebrows knitting together.
Her eyes darting from the ground to me, then to the others.
Probably wondering how a worthless piece of crap like me could have the upper hand.
“Alright, what’s this about?” Caelan walks over to us; his hefty size makes the ground shake with each step. “Kaleb said there was something I needed to see?”
No one says anything. Arel motions for me to shoot another arrow. Wiping my hands down my trousers, I pick up another arrow and aim towards the board. Closing my eyes in silent prayer that I hit this target, or better yet, anywhere on the board, I blow out a breath and let the string go.
Time slows down, watching the arrow sail through the air, whistling towards the target. I hold my breath, my body goes rigid, waiting for it to land.
The arrow splits the others in half in its descent to the bullseye, three times in a row on top of each other.
Ronan throws me a sword and attacks me before I get a chance to find my bearings.
I block his attempts, swinging and striking him as much as I can.
He is a much better fighter than Kaleb, knowing when to hit and land it.
He anticipates every move I make, even so he doesn’t knock me down.
“Enough!” Caelan shouts, rubbing his beard. “Follow me, Wyatt.”
Caelan turns, stomping back towards his hut. I follow him, sulking at the others, who whisper as I go.
Caelan stands at the table pouring two goblets of ale.
He hands one to me before heading over to his large, wooden, throne-like chair.
I don’t dare take a drink until he does, not that I think he would poison me, I think if he were going to kill me, he wouldn’t need to resort to poison.
It would be swift, with that monster of a great sword resting beside his chair.
One swipe and my head would be rolling along the floor.
“Anything to tell me?” Caelan watches me carefully, sipping from his goblet. My heart is in my throat again and sweat beads on my forehead.
“I had no idea how to use any of those weapons, Caelan—chief. I promise. That was the first time I had ever touched one. I was so excited to learn, I was awake before dawn. Not something you would do if you could already use one, is it? Please don’t kill me.
I need to find my family. I am not a danger to anyone here, I promise. I swear I…”
Caelan holds his hand up to me. That’s it, I’m done for, he’s already decided. I’m never going to see my family again. I’m sorry, Andi, I’m a huge failure.
“Are you done?” I nod my head frantically at his question. “I’m not going to kill you,” he says with a deep chuckle. “I’m curious, though, you’ve never used a weapon before. None?”
I shake my head, my throat is so dry, like I have swallowed sand. I gulp down the contents of the goblet, poison be damned.
Caelan rubs his hand along his beard, glancing at the large ring on his finger before nodding to himself.
“Okay, you’re going to train fully. Ronan is your best bet, might be the only one to best you.
” I blink repeatedly at his words, train with Ronan...
the man who looks like he wants to kill me, I’m just going to give him the chance.
Oops, sorry Caelan, he slipped onto my sword. Great idea.
“Train? You mean you believe me?”
“I know you don’t mean us any harm. You could become a great warrior. Help us to help the innocent, against the tyranny that runs Linorah. Help your family.”
Me. A warrior. What the…