The Elf King (31 page)

“
All day. Same as you. If
you call, if I am needed, I will be there.”

“
Thanks, but you don’t have
to leave. I hope you don’t mind the fire.”

Mantel smiled. “Make
yourself at home, Tane. Would you like some food?”

Tane nodded. He rose and
moved to the table as Mantel prepared some food. Mantel Orris
brought a few cans over to the table, each of them containing
either dried meat or a bread material, and he opened a small pouch
containing fresh berries. Tane helped himself to all that was
offered, finding the food to be quite agreeable.

“
Are you well trained with
a sword?” Mantel asked, his face as serious as ever.

Tane shrugged. “To be
honest, I’ve never had much use for one. Not until now, that is. I
have none to carry. Not until we reach Cillitran.”

“
You need to be ready. You
will be tested in the days to come. You need to be sharp, swift,
and strong. Ready at all times.” Mantel paused, staring into Tane’s
eyes deeply. “You must not waiver, nor retreat.”

He stated firmly, as a
matter of fact. “Not like you would. Not you. You are bold enough
to stand firm. You will handle yourself well, I should
think.”

Tane watched the other nod
with approval. Suddenly at a loss for words, he kept eating until
he was full. His mind stayed on the other’s words, thinking of the
sword he would carry into battle, and the battle itself. It will be
terrifying, he thought. He believed that Mantel was merely
confirming his doubts about that.

“
Do not be worried,
Tane.”

Tane stopped eating. He
looked into Mantel’s eyes and wondered how much the other
knew.
Are you reading my mind?
But then the old man rose from the table, smiling
gently, and seated himself next to the fire. He called Tane over to
join him, and he did so without hesitation.

“
Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about your childhood. It’s been so long since I’ve been
young. Leave nothing out.”

Tane smiled back, unsure
why, maybe it was the ache in the other’s plea, like he was so old
he couldn’t remember being a child. Maybe it was just the thought
of being with Qenn in better times. Nonetheless, Tane began talking
about himself, watching the other smile and stare into the
fire.

Tane talked for hours. From
his earliest memories, to the most present; from tough situations
he’d been in, to harder decisions he had been a part of; from his
brother, to the information on his father; from his mother’s death,
to Shadox’s narrow escape of it. He found himself exhausted by the
time he had brought Mantel up to speed on his life. But the other
seemed satisfied enough. When Tane had finished, Mantel rose from
the floor, patted Tane on the shoulder, thanked him, then offered
him to sleep. Tane was at peace as he lay down in his bed. His eyes
closed and he was asleep.

When morning came, Tane was
surprised to find the old man sitting at the table staring at him.
A long sword lay across the table and Mantel motioned for Tane to
have it.

“
A man should not travel
without a sword, I should think.” Mantel Orris smiled broadly, his
eyes full of excitement. “It’s for you, Tane.”

Tane smiled. The look the
old man had was enough for him to do so. He picked up the sword and
tested its weight, swinging and slashing through the air, pleasing
its former wielder. “Thank you, Mantel. It suits me
fine.”

Mantel set some fresh fruit
on the table from his pouch. “Here, eat. I will meet you outside
when you are finished.” He rose from the table and walked out of
the hut.

Uncertain of what the other
had intended, Tane sat and ate. He kept the sword in his right
hand, squeezing the pommel firm, enjoying the feel again. He didn’t
feel so vulnerable anymore; he was able to defend himself, letting
some of his fears dwindle away. He ate what he could, snuck a look
to his sleeping friend, then walked outside.

Mantel Orris stood in the
clearing, sword in one hand, the other motioning for Tane to join
him. “Today we begin our training,” he said, as he watched Tane
move in closer. He raised his sword. “Defend yourself.”

With little time to
prepare, Tane watched as the old man rushed him, sword swinging
much faster than he thought Mantel could muster. Tane blocked a
series of jabs, winded at the effort, before the old man backed
off. Mantel stared him down, sword ready once again.

“
Attack,” Mantel said
calmly.

Tane hesitated, not really
enjoying the situation. But from what he just saw, the old man was
able enough. So he darted for him. Tane’s sword was raised high as
he ran, his voice screaming angrily. But before he could bring down
his weapon, Mantel lunged forward, sweeping the legs out from under
him and Tane went sprawling. As he landed on his back, he saw the
glint of steel in the early light as Mantel’s sword rested just shy
of his nose.

“
I would advise of a new
attack strategy, my friend.” Mantel smiled and helped Tane to his
feet. “Visualize what you want to happen. Use your mind; follow
through with your actions.”

Tane was embarrassed.
“Again, then?”

“
When you are ready.”
Mantel stood with is weapon at his side, using it as a crutch
almost. Tane backed away, then hesitated, waiting for the other to
prepare. When he realized that he wasn’t going to, Tane rushed him
again. His sword was held at half-mast, prepared to swing when
ready. This time he waited for Mantel to trip him and was caught
off guard when he didn’t. Instead, as Tane went to strike out, the
old man quickly brought up his sword tip and hit Tane’s sword out
of his hands, leaving him stunned. Tane swallowed hard, finding
himself staring down the other’s blade again.

“
Pick up your sword. Do it
again.”

This time there was no
patience in Mantel’s voice. Tane turned and retrieved his sword,
his face turning red. He didn’t walk much further away, and when he
turned again, he didn’t wait for the other to prepare. He moved
cautiously towards Mantel with his sword held close to his chest,
blade straight up, pommel at waist level. This time he was within a
few feet from the other when their blades met and the sparring
began.

Tane was surprised by the
old man’s quickness; he was fluent and strong. But Tane held his
own, his pride wouldn’t allow him to end up on the ground again.
Mantel wouldn’t embarrass him further, he thought. He kept his head
in the fight, staring down the old man with fury, backing him away
slowly. His face was sweating freely and his breathing was slowly
becoming ragged and winded. They went on for several minutes before
Mantel backed away. Tane held his sword ready just in
case.

“
Good. You’re getting
better.” Mantel smiled approvingly. “See it happening, Tane. Then,
it will work for you.”

Tane came at him again, the
sounds of metal clashing filled the empty silence. The sun drifted
high overhead as afternoon settled in and the two men stopped the
exercise. With a motion from Mantel’s hand, they went in the hut
for a brief lunch and some water. They spoke little to each other.
Mantel offered Tane some time to himself to recuperate, but it was
denied and Tane was the first one back outside ready to spar once
again.

Mantel walked over to Tane,
offering him a different approach to handling his sword, teaching
him how to maneuver it more efficiently. Once Tane picked up on his
tips, they were back at sparring again. This time Tane was more
comfortable, using the advice Mantel offered left him with more
energy. He was working Mantel Orris as hard as he could for what
felt like hours, when he watched the old man’s sword fly out of his
hands.

“
Very good,” Mantel smiled.
His face shined proudly, though Tane saw no evidence of sweat or
exertion in any form.

“
Not so bad yourself. I
thought you said you were a healer?” Tane joked.

“
He was the most feared
healer in the lands,” Shadox said, standing in the hut doorway, a
sly smile growing. Mantel Orris and Tane Ellantri both turned and
smiled in response, walking over to greet the sorcerer. Shadox
stepped outside and took a deep breath. His face was youthful, his
eyes not so intense. He moved gingerly. He was still recovering,
they knew. He’d been through a lot, it would take some time for him
to back to normal.

“
Shadox,” Mantel began with
a smile, “is there no other way for you to come visit
me?”

“
Old man, I am in your debt
forever it seems.” They met each other with a handshake that turned
into a strong hug. “This place suits you well.”

Mantel Orris laughed aloud.
“Some things are just for looks, as you well know.”

“
How do you feel, Shadox?”
Tane cut in, real concern mirrored in his eyes and
voice.

“
I should be ready to
travel by nightfall.” Shadox turned to Mantel, the happiness on his
face was slowly fading.

“
That soon?” Mantel frowned
slightly.

Shadox nodded. “We have no
time to spare. I wish it were otherwise.”

Tane caught a look pass
between them, two old friends who have missed each other. He was
hoping they could spend the night, if only for the sake of them
seeing each other again. “Should we wait until dawn? You would be
further rested.”

They both shook their
heads, to his surprise. “The war will start without us as it is,
Tane. I hesitate to think of staying yet a few more hours.” Shadox
answered.

“
You need some water,”
Mantel Orris stated to his friend. “Tane and I will join
you.”

As one, they moved into the
hut and seated themselves at the table. A glass of water was poured
by their host for each of them. Fruit was provided as well. Mantel
didn’t eat, but rather sat and stared at Shadox. “Where are you
heading now?”

“
Cillitran.”

“
You go
in search of Issilix Delsoue
then?”
Mantel turned to stare at Tane, a bit longer than Tane enjoyed,
then turned back to Shadox. “But you search for something more, as
well.”

Shadox nodded. “We also
search for a strong catalyst, a magic powerful and true enough to
destroy the root.”

“
Ah yes.
Eliminate the core, then the rest will weaken.” Mantel was quiet
for a second, thinking. “You sent them to the
LifeWaters
.” Shadox said
nothing. He remained staring at the old man, both faces serious,
eyes concentrating, full of concern. “They have to be careful
there. Faeries do not share our fates, nor our
concerns.”

Mantel paused then, looking
as if he was considering something dreadful. “Their fates are not
yet decided.”

Tane sat quietly, thinking
that the conversation was taking place as if he were not present.
He wondered how it was that Mantel Orris knew what they were doing
when he had not said anything about the
Mrenx Ku
, or the sword at Cillitran.
He appeared to have a great understanding of a lot of things
unsaid. As Tane’s thoughts began to drift to the war, he was
suddenly aware that they were both staring at him.

“
Well, then. You two need
to rest.” Mantel rose slowly from the table.

As the old man passed by
Tane, he felt the other’s touch on his head and was instantly
tired. He was so tired in fact that it was all he could to just
make it to his bed before his eyes closed and he was
asleep.

“
Thank you again,” Shadox
said to Mantel Orris as they walked to his bed. Shadox laid down,
the other stood at his side.

“
Are you sure you’re
okay?”

Shadox smiled. “Your potion
will fade within the hour. The rest I can manage.” Shadox paused
for a second. His intense eyes softened, nearly teary. “I am not
ready for the life you live.”

“
Nor was I, my son.”
Mantel’s eyes watered. He smiled sadly. “You shouldn’t worry about
that now. Not so soon, I think. Sleep.”

Mantel raised his hand over
Shadox’s head and instantly he was asleep. Mantel bent down and
kissed his forehead, then disappeared.

I
t was nearing midnight when the strong hand gripped Tane’s
firm shoulder, waking him at once. Tane looked up and saw Shadox.
“It is time, Tane.”

Tane stood to his feet and
followed Shadox out of the hut in the darkness. The horses stood
next to the door waiting. Shadox mounted his at once, Tane
hesitated. “I would like to say goodbye to Mantel. Where is
he?”

“
He is gone, Tane. You will
not see him again.”

Gone?
“I just wanted to thank him for all he has done. That much, I
owe him.”

“
See for yourself,” Shadox
said softly, pointing behind Tane to the hut.

Tane turned, holding his
breath. The hut dissolved away like a mirage, disappearing into the
dark. The clearing faded too. Within a second, what he knew of
Mantel Orris was replaced by the night and the woods. “I don’t
understand!”

“
He was a shade. A sorcerer
from long ago; my mentor. My father. He died over a hundred years
ago. Rein your horse, Tane. We must leave.”