Chapter 48

Anders

I attempt to dodge Carver's incoming attack, but I am not quick enough. His sword hits me squarely in the chest and I stagger backwards. We had been at it for a good half-an-hour and he is giving me a run for my sovereigns, not that I have any. He dances around me, smirking and this only encourages me. I pick up my wooden sword and I charge towards him, but he quickly dodges out of the way and I trip over my feet and I end up sliding into the garden fence.

"Sweet maker," I blurt out as mild pain sweeps through my body. I can only imagine how grazed my arms and legs are going, but I am not going to have a look. I painfully roll onto my back and Carver towers over me, smirking.

"For an eleven year old, you are very strong," I say.

"At least I am good at something that neither of you will ever be good at," he mutters.

"Really?" I ask as I quickly grab his sword and I trip him up. He falls onto my chest, looking very surprised.

"And the first thing a warrior should learn is to never let down your guard. Not even for a second, because that could turn the tables," I inform him. He stands, glaring at me and he stalks off, but not before giving me a dirty look.

"Sore loser," I call and to my surprise he come running towards me holding is sword above his head.

"Shut your mouth, Anders. Just because you have moved in with us, doesn't mean you are part of the family," he says. I stare at him in open-mouthed disbelief. I am too shocked to say anything, but I notice someone coming towards us and I shakily pull myself into the sitting position only to see Malcolm striding towards us.

"That is enough, Carver. You must learn to accept defeat every once in a while," he says firmly. Carver hangs his head and he goes off scowling without saying two words to his father.

"Anders, are you alright?"

"I...I will survive. He is so strong, Malcolm for someone who is so young."

"I know and he has a terrible temper on top of it," he says. "Mmm, I don't think Mari will be pleased to see you in this state."

I try to stand up, but I am aching all over.

"Let me assist you," he says and he pulls me to my feet. I look towards the house and my heart sinks. She is coming towards us and by the way she is holding her shoulders back, she is very upset.

"Now I am in for it," I mutter although I know I have done nothing wrong.

"She might be a bit annoyed at you for tripping Carver the way you did," he says.

"You saw that?" I ask.

"Yes and between you and me, he deserved it," he replies.

"You think so? He is very good. Thank the maker it was only wooden swords," I explain as I tentatively touch my chest. It is throbbing madly and I need someone to examine me.

She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips and I look everywhere, except at her. She is definitely angry or upset or both.

"How could you, Anders? He is only a boy," she says quietly.

"Why don't you have a look at my chest before you go off at me about your brother," I retort. "Look," I continue as I strip off my shirt, exposing my bruised chest. "If anything you should be lecturing..." I faltered. She is staring at me with undeniable shock and if I am not mistaken, a bit of desire in her eyes and I can feel myself smiling.

"Anders, I...I didn't realise..." she says, softening her voice as she tentatively touches my chest.

"No, love, please," I whisper. She lightly ran her fingers across my chest and I feel a slight tingling sensation. I know she is using her mana to ease my pain and maker help me, it is so pleasant. My knees buckle and if Malcolm didn't grab my arms when I did, I would have collapsed to the ground.

"Stop," I murmur, cringing away from her.

"No, you are coming with me," she says, reaching for my hand. I look back at Malcolm and he is shrugging his shoulders.

"Fine, leave me at the mercy of your daughter," I tease and he starts laughing.

"If anything, you probably deserve it," he teases.

I turn back to Mari and my heart rate increases. She is very upset with me and I am enjoying every minute of it. "Why do I deserve this treatment?" I light-heartedly ask. "All I did was play with your brother as he requested and now I am getting the raw end of the deal. It does not seem fair," I continue.

"Just shut up, Anders," she says, but she wants to smile.

"It is my third day here and I am already in trouble," I comment. We step into the living room only to find Carver bragging to his mother and sister about his triumph about besting the mage.

"He went flying into the air and he landed on his back," he says.

"And look what you did to him, Carver?" Mari says and all three of them look at us. When Leandra's eyes rest on my chest, she turns pale and Bethany is as pale as her mother is, but Carver is smirking.

"Are you alright, Anders?" Leandra asks.

"I...I will be," I reply. Mari gives my hand a strong tug and I allow her to lead me away from them and into the privacy of our room. She releases my hand and I made my way to the bed so that I can lie down.

"What is that all about?" I ask.

She laughs. "That is just a ruse to get you away from everyone so that I can heal you," she replies.

I study her for a minute, I notice her flushed cheeks, and her eyes are flashing with annoyance and something else.

"Do you know how attractive I find you when you get so hot-headed?" I ask.

"Mmm, how attractive?" she replies as she slowly come towards me. She is definitely after something by the way she is appraising me.

"Love, before you allow your emotions to get out of hand, please can you heal me? I...I don't have the strength," I say.

"You just want an excuse for me to touch you," she says softly.

"And so what if I am? Please, love?" I ask.

"Very well, but strictly no funny business. You are in no condition for whatever you are thinking about," she says. She climbs onto the bed and she straddled me. She gently places her hand on my chest and she draws on her mana once again...and the pain slowly subsides.

"Remind me to never ever clash swords with Carver again. I am not cut out for melee combat," I comment. I gaze up at her and I touch her cheek. It is so soft and warm. She is still sunburnt from our morning in the sun the other day but she told me she would like to spend another morning or afternoon by the river with me.

"Don't clash swords with him again," she teases.

"Mmm, maybe I will especially if it means getting some tender loving care from you," I tease. I am rubbing her thighs as she heals me and the way she takes a deep breath, I realise she is enjoying my attention.

"I'm still annoyed with you. Don't think you are getting off too...lightly," she says.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I tease as I skim my hands along the curve of her back to her shoulders and I pull her towards me.

"Andy, are you sure you are...alright?" she asks.

"I...I-" I stammer. My chest is still throbbing. "I...No," I reply.

"Mmm, just relax. I'm going to see if my father has any Elfroot salve," she says as she slips off me.

"Please don't take too long. My chest is throbbing madly and I would like to spend the remainder of the afternoon with you," I whisper.

"I won't be long, love. Just relax," she says as she gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.


Marian

I leave him on the bed looking very sorry for himself and any anger I had towards him, disappears. I am going to say a few things to Carver. I head into the living room and my father is already reprimanding him.

"How many times have I told you to be careful, Carver? Anders is a person and you did not have any right to charge him with your sword," he says.

"But, we were only playing," Carver says.

"No, you weren't and you know it. You have a problem with him as you have a problem with Bethany and Marian. If you don't change your attitude, you can say goodbye to ever getting a real sword from me," he says. Carver scowls at him as he stalks off muttering something about how unfair his father is being.

Carver sees me. "I am sorry, Mari."

"I think you should apologise to Anders, but you can do that later. He is still in pain," I inform him and he glares at me.

"Carver," I murmur, but he runs past me into his bedroom and slams the door behind him.

"How is Anders?"My father asks.

"He is sore and his chest is bruised. He is so uncomfortable. Do you have any elfroot salve?" I ask.

"I do," he replies.

"Where is Mother?" I ask.

"I think she and Bethany are in the kitchen making tea," he replies. "So what are you and Anders going to do for the rest of the afternoon?"

"I…I don't know. I have not thought about it. All I know is that he wants to spend the afternoon with me," I reply.

"Maybe you two could go out to the inn this evening if he is up to," he suggests.

"In his state, Father? I think not, although I would like to go out for a couple of hours," I reply.

"Here you go. Ask him and see what he says, Mari," he says.

I can feel myself smile. "Are you trying to get rid of us by any chance?"

"No, I just thought you would like to go out, that is all, but you are free to stay at home," he replies.

"Mari, where are you?" It is Anders and I roll my eyes heavenwards.

"I better go and see to him. Thank you for this," I murmur, holding the bottle of elfroot salve.

"Anytime and, Mari, I don't think you should say anymore to Carver. I will see to him, but he must be more careful," he says.

"I won't say anything. It is not my place, but I am annoyed with him and Anders, but I more annoyed with Carver for hurting him," I explain.

"And why should you be annoyed with Anders? He was only putting Carver on his place by tripping him up as he did," he says.

I sigh. "I shouldn't be annoyed, but I guess Carver learnt a lesson. Well, I hope so,"

"Mari?" Anders calls again.

"I better go before he comes looking for me. I will let you know what we decide to do this evening," I say.

As I am about to go up the passage, my mother and sister come out of the kitchen carrying a tray with steaming cups of tea.

"How is he?" my mother asks and he calls me... again.

"Honestly, does he have no patience?" I ask much to my mother's amusement.

"The joys of looking after someone you love, Mari. It never ends," she teases.

"I don't mind. He looked after me a few times during my stay at the Circle...Well, that is not entirely true, he looked after me from my first day," I explain as I take our cups from her.

"You won't be joining us?" Bethany asks.

"We may, but only after I have seen to him," I reply.

"But-" she says.

"Look I know you want to spend time with us, Beth, but I need to take care of him. Your brother hurt him today with that sword of his," I explain.

"I know. He told me and he seems so proud of himself, but it was wrong what he did to Anders," she explains and much to my amusement, she is blushing.

"How thoughtful of you, Bethany. Thank you." It is Anders. He is leaning against the bedroom door in nothing but his shorts and my sister turns bright red. She looks at me and she disappears into her bedroom. I catch his eye and he smiles at me.

"Have you got the elfroot salve?" he asks.

"I do. Later, mother?" I ask.

"Yes. I need to check on your sister. If I am not mistaken, I think she likes Anders," she says.

"Mari, please?" Anders implores.

"Go on, Mari. I think you have kept him waiting long enough," she says.

I follow Anders back into the room. He stretches himself out on the bed and I place our cups onto the desk. I turn my attention back to him and he is reading my journal. I am horrified. I have written all my thoughts pertaining to our separation as well as my deep pain and loneliness. I turn away from him and I stand by the window, folding my arms. A poem I had written for him was also in my journal. I stare out of the window, deep in thought. I am not ready to say anything to him. I try to keep my tears from falling, but after a few attempts, I fail and the tears come.

"Mari?" he asks and it takes all my strength not to turn around. I don't want him to see me like this, but he slips his arms around me. "Was it that bad our six months apart?" he asks.

"You read it. Why should I explain myself to you?" I ask.

"Love, please don't be like that," he softly says as he tightens his arms around me. "I'm not going anywhere. Now, please can you turn around? Perhaps I can make you feel better," he suggests. I stare resolutely out of the window trying to calm down.

"No?" he asks. When I don't reply, he starts massaging my shoulders. "I think your poem is beautiful..."

I unfold my arms allowing them to drop to my sides. "I...I wrote it for you," I whisper and he slowly turns me around. He lifts my chin forcing me to look at him.

"I...I know," he murmurs. I look up at him and he is smiling. "I love you," he whispers as he kisses me. "Do you feel better?" he asks as he pulls away from me.

I place my hand onto his chest being careful not to hurt him. "I do," I reply as I kiss him. He wraps his arms around me, lifting me slightly.

"Anders," I murmur, reaching for his hand. "You need to lie down for a while so that I can apply this to you," I remind him as I show him the bottle.

"And we must drink our tea," he reminds me. He gives me another kiss and after a while, he releases me. He stretches himself out on the bed with me straddling him and I gently apply the salve to his chest. I also use my mana to heal him.

"Would you like to go out this evening?" I ask.

"Not really, but if you would like to, we can," he replies.

"No. I don't think you up to it and besides what could be better than you and spending some time together?" I ask.

He laughs. "In the room, you mean."

"Maybe," I tease as I apply more salve. "I think that is enough," I say as I close the bottle. I put it onto the table and I stretch out next to him.

"Thank you. That does feel much better than it did a while ago," he says as he allows me to snuggle into his arms.

"So these last few months have been very difficult for you," he states.

"Very, but I would rather not speak about it because I am where I want to be."

"And where is that, exactly?" he teases and I giggle.

"Hush, Anders," I reply, closing my eyes. I am ready to go to sleep for a couple of hours. I feel tired because it has been an emotional few days since his arrival and if anything, I want to stay right where I am and that is in his arms.

"I think I am going to sleep for a couple of hours and I think you should as well," I suggest.

He yawns. "I agree and then let us see how we feel tonight. Perhaps we can still go out," he suggests.

"We will see," I murmur and he laughs.

"See you soon, love," he murmurs, tightening his arms around me and we drift off to sleep in each other's arms.