Chapter 4

The excitement, the nervousness was eating him up. He was bubbling with them so much that he could barely stand still. To divert his attention from the upcoming meeting with the Skandian Blacksmith, Will decided to go for a sprint. It helped him to clear his mind and go through his thoughts thoroughly. He stretched his arms and legs a bit and went for a seven mile run. He wondered what sort of weapon would he get. He was anxious to meet the Blacksmith. Erak had said that he was a master of sword. He wondered how good he really was.

After returning from the run, Will showered and changed. He took his bow, quiver of arrows and his knives and waited patiently for the Skandian who would take him to his future mentor. He did not have to wait long for it was then that he heard some movement behind him and turned around to see who it was. His hand already on his knife. He saw a Skandian moving towards him. His face was covered.

"Erak told me to take you to our Blacksmith." the Skandian said.

Will relaxed his hand and said," lead the way then."

The Skandian nodded and started walking. Will followed him keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. They had entered a forest after walking for about a mile. Will started to wonder that shouldn't the Blacksmith be in the town where the people would have easy access to him but they were heading away from it. As he was about to ask the Skandian about it, he heard a barely audible rustle of leaves and thought he saw a small movement towards his left. He also felt the Skandian eyeing him from the corner of his eye. His ranger reflexes kicked in and he suddenly tensed. His bow was already nocked and in his hand. They were still walking as his other hand went to his quiver. He heard another sound and felt before he saw, an arrow coming his way aiming for his chest. The Ranger ducked and rolled to his side. Before he was even on his feet, he had already fired an arrow and had another ready. He dodged another arrow that was coming his way and went behind the safety of the trees. He fired a few more arrows as he wandered around to find himself a good spot. During this unexpected attack, he realized that the Skandian was nowhere to be seen. He wondered where was he. His hand again went to his quiver and he noticed that he had only three arrows left. It was then that he remembered the first time he met Gilan. He smiled as he fired another arrow. He needed to find a tall tree and luckily he found one after walking a few steps. He checked the tree and found that it was easily climbable. To mislead his attacker, he threw a stone a few metres away from the tree. He saw another arrow hit the spot where the stone had landed. Pleased, he nodded to himself and started climbing the tree. Whoever his attacker was, he was a good shot so he knew he would get only a single chance. He had to take it because there was no other option. He steadied himself on some strong branches that hid him well. He readied his bow and arrow and waited patiently for any sign of movement. A few minutes later, he saw him, his attacker. He seemed young, a boy around his age. From his built, he was easily able to guess that the person was Skandian. He got ready. He pulled back the string of his bow with an arrow and took aim. He was about to shoot when some sort of feeling stopped him and instead he took aim at the peeson's bow. It was time to test how much his skills had improved. If his arrow met its target, the bow would break. He again took his aim as the boy started moving. His thumb brushing against the side of his lips. He fired. He heard a startled yelp and smiled as he saw his attacker's bow break. He had scored a perfect shot. The boy was looking here and there looking for the place the arrow had come. He turned his back on Will. Will climbed down without making a sound and started walking towards the boy. When he was near the boy, he said,

" What is your purpose? Why were you attacking me? Who sent you?"

The boy jumped and looked at him, surprised, his eyes searching Will's.

" If you expect an answer than you are wrong." He replied in a harsh voice.

As soon as he said that, the boy tensed and punched him hard in stomach. Will was pushed back and the air was knocked out of him. He was completely surprised by his opponent's fast move. Even though Will was hit, he smiled and said," If that's how you want to play then so be it."

Will threw his bow on one side and his quiver on the other. He took out his knife as the boy had as well. The two of them circled around, tensed, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly, the boy jumped forward and tried to punch Will on the face followed by a kick on his side. Will dodged both the blows but did not make any move to attack.

" It seems that you do live up to your name, Ranger Will." The boy said.

" So you know my name, huh, not surprising I guess. What's yours?" Will said.

" Salador"

The fight began again.

Salador surged forward with the knife in his right hand and tried to stab Will's left shoulder. Will blocked the blow with his hand and tried to hit Salador with the knife. The blow did not pass through Salador's defense. As the two tried to gain an upper hand on the other, Salador kicked Will on his knee causing him to crouch. Will rolled forward effectively dodging Salador's knife.

"Looks like you know how to play with knives. I guess it's time for me to not hold back." Will said as he stood and faced Salador.

Will shifted his knife to his left hand with the point facing backwards. He lunged forward, incredibly fast. Salador only had time to raise his hand when Will grabbed it with his right hand and hit him just above his left knee with his knife.

"Aahhh" Salador cried.

" I have not even started yet." came the answer from Will.

Will attacked again.

He was very fast. His hands were like a blur. Will had no idea but his eyes were ablaze. It was as if a fire was cackling in them. Salador blocked the first blow of the knife. However, Will dropped the knife, catched it in the other hand and knifed Salador below his right knee. Salador yelled again in pain and was forced to bend.

" Given up already. I thought you were tougher." Will taunted.

Salador roared in anger and lunged forward. It was a weak strike. Will stopped the blow in its track. Grabbing Salador's hand, he ducked and moved forward. Rising behind Salador, he pulled his opponent's hand behind his back and twisted his arm, causing Salador to drop his blade. Will put his other arm around Salador's neck and kicked him behind his knee. Salador fell on his knees.

"Now, I think you are going to tell me. Who sent you?" Will questioned.

Salador only struggled to get free but Will's grip was tight.

" You can't escape so just answer my question."

It was then that they heard someone clapping. Will looked up and saw the same Skandian coming up to them who had led him here in the first place.

" Amazing, absolutely stunning. I have not ever seen a fight like this before." Skandian said.

The Skandian removed the cloth that was covering his face. His black eyes were twinkling. His face showed wisdom and experience. He was a well built man. He had a large moustache and a small beard. He was smiling and seemed to be a cheerful person.

" Uhh..." This was the only reply Will was able to manage.

" You should leave the boy, Will."

" Huh, Why should I? You are the one who led me here and he attacked me." Will said, " Who are you?"

" Hmm, well I am ...