Word: exponent - noun - 1: a symbol written above and to the right of a mathematical expression to indicate the operation of raising to a power; 2: a: one that expounds or interprets; b: one that champions, practices, or exemplifies
A/N: Ever see those pairs of boys in high school, guys who had been the same height for ages but now one was six feet tall and the other still looks like a kid? That's the image I had writing this.Though I'm still debating what to do about Cecil's aging...
It was bizarre, this change, Kain thought as he parried Cecil's sword. He'd always felt disadvantaged in these spars, with Cecil's superior technique making up for Kain's speed and reach. Now, though, if the fifteen year-old dragoon just used a little force...
Kain's spear whistled as it came down. There was a crack and Cecil yelped, dropping his sword and cradling his arm.
As Kain rushed over to his friend, the strange angle of the limb caught his attention. Damn it, he'd only meant to break Cecil's guard, not his arm.
"Are you all right?" Kain asked, leaning down to inspect Cecil's arm. It was a bad break, one that would require the attention of a white wizard quickly to ensure the boy wouldn't be permanently crippled.
Cecil's complexion was even whiter than usual and he was biting his lip as if trying not to cry. But he seemed to have made the same observation. "Sorry I missed that block. Can you splint it?"
Kain nodded, ignoring the first comment to wish that he'd tried a little harder to learn the white magic Rosa had been so keen on teaching them. It wouldn't have been able to change their situation much, but at least he could have eased the pain he'd caused.
With the efficiency of the soldier he still trained to become, Kain soon had the arm splinted, bracing it with pieces he'd broken from his practice spear.
After a few steps toward the castle Kain realized that Cecil wasn't going to make it. Between the pain and the fact that they'd skipped lunch that day it was no surprise that he looked about to faint.
After a moment's deliberation, Kain bent down and picked up the weakly protesting boy. He wouldn't have been able to do this last year, or even a few months ago, Kain reflected as he headed for a narrow door in the castle wall. He'd gained a significant amount of height and muscle recently, as had many of the other boys his age, and was finally starting to look more a man than a boy. His improved strength and speed, along with his overall fighting prowess, were ultimately what had gotten his accepted to the ranks of the dragoons, the youngest trainee they'd admitted in half a century.
Kain glanced down at his friend nestled against his chest. He looked like a child, despite the white hair, and even more so with Kain's far more muscular arms supporting him.
And were it not for this difference this whole situation could have been avoided. Still, Kain knew there was nothing either of them could do about it. He could lament his atrocious lack of restraint later. He could deal with Cecil's hurt pride then too.
Cecil reached out and pulled open the door when they reached it, and for a moment their eyes met. Kain was more relieved than he had any reason to be to see not even a hint of blame or resentment aimed at him.
Well, he shouldn't be surprised, Kain thought, carefully climbing the stairs so as not to jostle his friend. After all, it would take more than a growth spurt to get between them.