Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians (9 page)

“Of
course!” They held hands and turned for the door just before Elizabeth’s common
sense reclaimed her. “Oh but I cannot. Not yet. I am helping Mayla with a young
man, Ballos is his name. He was hurt while hunting. I came up to help Korena
with the supplies.”

They
looked back to the girl who was climbing a cupboard to get the bowl she
desired. “Korena!” Elizabeth lectured as she hurried to the girl’s aid. “You
can ask you know.”

“It’s
not like I haven’t done it a thousand times before.” Elizabeth pulled her down
as Aryaunna reached up for the wooden bowl. Its surface was smooth and
polished. The wood grains blended like dark cherry and white oak swirled
together. Korena took the bowl without a word and hurried for the open doorway
to the stairs.

“Where
is Allos?” Aryaunna inquired as they followed after her.

“Here,”
the sudden voice startled Aryaunna but Elizabeth only laughed. Allos had been
waiting in the open door. Aryaunna had been so excited to see Elizabeth she hadn’t
even noticed him standing there.

“He
has hardly left my side for more than a moment,” Elizabeth explained. Aryaunna
hadn’t missed the subtle flush of her cheeks.

“Good.
Thank you, Allos. Truly. Knowing Elizabeth was safe here with you kept me
strong… In more ways than you could know.” The memory of hearing Elizabeth’s
voice, calling out in pain and fear was not easily forgotten. Being able to
believe Allos’ word that he’d protect her helped her keep going. Aryaunna came
to stand before Allos and spoke low, “I will not forget this favor.”

He
said nothing, only nodding deeply in response. “Excuse me,” Korena said almost
shyly. “Mayla needs us now.” The two were blocking her path, and she was
heavily burdened with a basket full of supplies.

Aryaunna
took hold of the basket’s braided handle and relieved the girl of her load as
she stepped aside for her to move ahead. “Lead the way, Korena.”

As
Aryaunna followed Korena down the stairs, she heard her sister’s words. “You
should go eat something, and rest. I won’t be your burden now that my sister
has returned.”

“You’re
no burden, Elizabeth,” he sounded surprised she would say such a thing.
Elizabeth’s lips pressed together into a tight line. She didn’t know what to
say. He paused a moment to consider something. “Korena will be busy attending
to Ballos, and Mayla will need to speak with your sister. I wonder if perhaps
you might assist me for a short time? I do have some things to attend to in the
village elsewhere.”

“Of
course. However I can help.” Feeling she sounded too eager she thought to say
more. “And it would be good to meet more of the people here.”

Metal
clanged loudly, scraping in ear cringing screeches. Aryaunna grit her teeth as
she braced against him. He was so much stronger than her. How could she ever
defeat him? The blade of his sword was an inch from her face, held so tight
against her own sword. A second blade was flat against her stomach, X crossed
against her second. His hot breath washed over her face as he loomed above her.
“You look weak,” he mocked. “Getting tired so soon? Whatever will you do when
your arm slips and my blade touches your thin flesh?”

He
got what he wanted. His mockery angered her and she reacted from it. Her knee
shot up hard against his inner thigh which caused him to flinch back. As he
stumbled she threw her weight forward, pitching him back. They were in the same
position but now she had the advantage as she propelled herself, and thus him,
forward until his back hit a wall.

His
height and weight was well past her own and it gave him the advantage. Her knee
would bruise him and it may even have hurt but now he showed no sign of that.
With his back braced against the wall, Allos shoved her backward. Their swords
sounded in a
shing
as metal slid past metal. Aryaunna was flat on her
back, swords still in hand at least this time though one of his was aimed for
her chest, the other held higher as a back guard in the same stance he’d shown
her a hundred times before “Are you done?” he asked her coolly.

She
had a split second to respond. Though winded she brought her right sword hard
into his as she rolled up to her feet, barely level with his knees. She parried
with her left sword against his as she rolled her body so close to his that his
swords would be of little use as she threw her shoulder into his legs. It
brought him down.

As
he fell, she pushed against him to bring her back to her feet as he went down.
Dropping one sword, his free hand grabbed for her ankle while his armed fist
rose back above his head. Both her swords came down to meet with his in the
middle, locking his motion. “Stop worrying you’ll hurt me, Aryaunna. You see
the way out, now take it!”

She
yelled as she brought her foot down on his gut. He balled up and released her
ankle. As she scrambled back he rolled onto his side. “Uhh,” he groaned. “That’s
better. Next time go for the sternum.” His fist pounded the center of his
chest. “Crack the ribs, maybe splinter the heart. From there the kill will be
swift.”

Panting,
Aryaunna sheathed her left sword as she walked over to him and offered him her hand.
“I have no intention of killing you. You do realize that I hope.”

With
a bitter laugh he took her hand and stood to his feet. The next second the tip
of his blade was pressed into her neck. “Aren’t you lucky I feel the same about
you?” He grinned.

“You’re
a horse’s ass.” Aryaunna glared up at him.

“And
you are sweet as mule muck.” He pulled back with a chuckle as they stepped off
for a break.

They’d
been in the Hollow a few months. Aryaunna started training days after she
arrived. She’d needed the time to regain her strength. For the first time in
years she was able to eat as she wanted which was thankful as she was always
hungry.

“You
two are as horrifying as you are childish,” Elizabeth scorned as she filled two
wooden cups from a pitcher. Aryaunna and Allos sheathed their swords at nearly
the same instant as they approached Elizabeth. Allos swooped down and grabbed
the hilt of his discarded blade, sheathing it at his side.

“You’re
the one that insists on watching, you know,” Aryaunna kindly reminded as she
gratefully took the cup, drinking deeply.

Allos
said nothing but fought a smile as he nodded his gratitude. His eyes held
Elizabeth’s for a moment before he turned away and drank. “Yes, dear sister, I
watch on in horror waiting to treat one of you for what I can only pray isn’t a
fatal wound.” She tried to sound brash but it came out almost flustered
instead.

“I
know. And we’re ever grateful you care so.” Aryaunna laid a wet kiss onto
Elizabeth’s cheek. She scoffed in mock disgust as she wiped the side of her
face dry with the sleeve of her dress.

They
were in an underground arena that was far larger than anything the two women
had ever expected to find in the Hollow. They’d learned in the past couple of
months the Hollow held many surprises, though.

“My
thanks to you,” Allos side stepped to place his cup down on the bench.

“Of
course. Would you like some more?” Her hand reached for his cup, but as they
touched they stepped away from one another automatically. Aryaunna’s brow rose
but she hid it quickly.

“No.
And no more for you either, Aryaunna. We’re not done yet. Too much will make
you ill, and slow you down.” He gave her a stern look as she drank deeply.

Her
brow furrowed into a pout as she relinquished her water to Elizabeth. “Very
well.”

“Elizabeth,”
Allos called for her attention. “It is good of you to worry, but I do hope you
know that I would never intentionally cause her harm.”

“I
know…” her voice softened. “Must you really always work with the swords
though?” She grimaced at the weapons on the wall. “Maybe the staffs instead?”

“That
could be fun,” Aryaunna chimed in. To her sister’s horror, Aryaunna was
positively loving the fighting more than anything else she’d learned since
being here. She’d surprised herself and her sister both at how naturally it had
come to her.

“You
think so?” A slow grin spread his face. It would have seemed quite malicious if
he’d truly intended her harm. He turned smoothly on his bare feet and walked
over to the wall. Racks lined the walls outside of the pit, filled with weapons
of all sorts. And this was not all that the Hollow housed, but those used for
training. He grabbed two staffs from the wall and turned, tossing one to
Aryaunna. She caught it with ease and spun it around her gracefully.

Pulling
his shirt off from over his head, he wiped his head of sweat and tossed it onto
the floor. Aryaunna couldn’t help but glance at her sister to see her reaction
but quickly looked away before Allos could notice.

He
was a fit man, not really tanned or pallid but covered in blue ink nearly
everywhere but his face. His chest was broad and his arms sculpted. It was easy
to see he was a fighter. It was impossible to imagine the man as a peaceful
Druid as his true people had intended.

Taking
up the staff he jaunted to join her. “The staff is an artful weapon. Not a bad
choice for anyone, if you know how to use it properly.” She had a feeling he
knew well.

Swinging
one end up to be caught by his left hand he held it out in front of him at
chest level, maybe a foot from his body. As she spun the staff stiffly he
brought the end of his to meet her shoulder. She barely maneuvered to ricochet
the hit off her own. Backing up swiftly she gathered her wits about her.

Left
then right, left then right, the ends of his staff would move to whack at her
as he backed her up. Suddenly his staff swung as his body twisted and the end
hit her fingers hard. She gasped and dropped the staff from the injured hand
promptly. It shot pain through her fingers up her arm. Another swing and the
staff connected with hers, barely missing her ribs where he’d aimed.

Her
eyes widened as she swung it out with one hand, spinning it around. The length
braced against her arm and swung for his chin. She clipped the skin which
clanked his teeth.

Back
stepping he freed a hand to rub his chin. “So you’re not entirely inept. How
unexpected.” Aryaunna was learning quickly that he enjoyed taunting her during
a spar. “The good thing about a staff, you need little muscle mass. Just swift
action. It doesn’t take much, as you well know, to injure your opponent. How’s
your hand?”

“No
broken bones,” she assured him with a wiggle of her fingers. They throbbed,
sending sharp pains through her callus hands. He nodded his approval. They
continued on like that for a couple of hours. By the end, Aryaunna tossed down
her staff and fell back dramatically until she was sprawled across the floor.
“I give!”

Though
he’d have never admitted it, Allos was relieved. Elizabeth caught the flash in
his eyes as he tossed his aside and braced his hand on his knees as he leaned
over. They were breathing heavily and soaked to the bone in sweat. Aryaunna
groaned as she hugged her sides tenderly. Her ribs were bruised, but still
nothing was broken.

Allos
had taken his share of hits, too. Bruises marked them both sporadically from
their heads to their toes. “So, staffs as much fun as you thought they’d be?”
He smirked as he eyed his Emissary, laid out like she could pass out right
there comfortably.

“You’re
a cruel taskmaster, Allos.” She chuckled weakly.

Elizabeth
was just as exhausted as she let out a sigh of relief. She’d been on pins and
needles for hours watching them fight relentlessly. Allos was indeed a tough
trainer, but he was good. He’d stopped his attacks enough to direct Aryaunna on
better ways to both defend herself and attack. Aryaunna was a quick learner and
had fought back any complaints of pain throughout the many hours they’d spent
in the arena.

Once
he’d caught his breath, he righted himself and walked over to where Aryaunna
lay sprawled. His hand held out persistently when she just starred up at him,
not wanting to move. “Come on. You need to keep moving or your body will grow
tight and you’ll be too sore to fight tomorrow.” Her eyes widened.
Tomorrow
,
she thought in angst.

With
a groan she reached her arm up and he took hold of her wrist. She was on her
feet smoothly in the next moment. “Elizabeth, will you take her to Mayla? See
that she gets an herbal bath and gets rubbed down properly.”

Elizabeth
stood and hurried to her sister. She looked nervous about touching her but
settled for hooking her hand under Aryaunna’s arm to get her moving. “You
should take care to do the same,” Elizabeth advised him as she gave him a look
over. He didn’t look much better off than Aryaunna in her estimate.

He
nodded to her respectfully. “Yes, of course.” He stepped in front of Aryaunna.
“Tomorrow is another long day. You best be off, get a good meal before you
sleep, too.” He eyed Elizabeth meaningfully, knowing full well that Aryaunna’s
care had fallen on her shoulders. If Aryaunna’d had it her way, she’d fall into
bed immediately without caring for herself at all. Elizabeth forced a tight
smile. She understood his meaning.

They
garnered their cloaks. Though Elizabeth had to assist her, to Aryaunna’s
embarrassment. She refused to don her boots. Her feet were bruised and the soft
snow outside sounded just blissful.

Mayla
and Elizabeth helped her strip down and climb into the steaming water. Dried
herbs floated atop the milky water. A special mix to aid her body in its
healing. She’d had many since arriving.

Soaking,
she fell asleep. She didn’t know how long it had been when they pulled her out
and wrapped her in thick blankets that Mayla had kept in a metal box right next
to the fireplace while she’d bathed. They were blissfully warm. She drank warm
thick soup and so much water she thought she may float away. When she’d
finished, Mayla had her lay upon the same table they’d laid Elizabeth onto.
With motherly care, Mayla rubbed down Aryaunna’s tender body and aching muscles
with a warm oil that smelt of rosemary and eucalyptus. None to anyone’s
surprise, Aryaunna was asleep in minutes.