Chapter 5

"Hmm, well I am the Skandian Blacksmith and I am known by the name of Thrain."

Will was shocked. The Skandian standing infront of him was the Blacksmith he was supposed to meet. To say that Will was surprised would be an understatement. He put two and two together and, suddenly, he understood what had happened. While he was looking for the Blacksmith, he was being tested.

" So you were testing me all this time." Will said.

" Ah, not only are you good with those weapons, you are also smart and a quick thinker. Impressive. Erak was not boasting about you." Thrain replied.

" It is well that you find me impressive but what was the test for? Who is this Salador?"

" Well, you sure are a curious one. The test was for various reasons. I had to know what my future apprentice is like. As for the boy here, his name is Salador as you already know. He is my son."

Will looked at Salador who looked back at him with a glare. Will knew at that instant that they were never going to endup as friends.

" Come on then, m'boy. I'll take you to my place and show you around. Then you can come tomorrow and we'll get your stuff." Thrain said.

"Sure" came the answer from Will.

Where are you Will? Evanlyn thought as she continued to look for him. She had been looking for him for some time but she was unable to find him. She had looked at all the places Will usually went but she could find no trace of him. She was starting to get worried. She went to look for him in the village and asked several people around there but none knew where Will was. She was seriously considering to tell Halt about him when her eye caught a person wearing a cloak similar to that of Will. The person was exiting the shop of the Blacksmith with two other Skandians. She went forward and found that the person was Will.

" Will, I had been looking for you everywhere. I have been worried. Where were you? What are you doing here?" Evanlyn questioned.

Will was surprised to hear his name but smiled when he saw it was Evanlyn. She looked beautiful than ever before.

" Sorry to worry you, Evanlyn. I was in the forest so you probably didn't find me."Will answered.

" What were you doing in the forest?" she asked with her eyes narrowed.

" later" was Will's only reply.

" Will, are you going to introduce us to this beautiful young lady?" one of the Skandians asked.

" Of course, the person you called as a beautiful young lady is a great friend of mine. We have been through a lot together and I would without a second thought trust her with my life. Her name is Evanlyn." Will then looked towards Evanlyn and said pointing towards the Blacksmith" This is Thrain, the Skandian Blacksmith and that is Salador, his son."

" Nice to meet you, Evanlyn." Thrain greeted.

"Likewise" said Evanlyn.

She looked towards Salador but he didn't say anything. She wasn't able to judge the expression on his face. She turned back to Will and Thrain and decided to listen to their conversation.

"...and I'll be waiting for you, Will." Thrain said.

" I'll be present." Will said.

Evanlyn noticed Salador looking at her. She turned towards him to see what was the matter but she suddenly became rigid. Salador was looking at her chest and his gaze was unwavering. It was starting to make her uncomfortable.

Will said his thanks to Thrain as he left for his shop and turned towards Salador. He noticed him looking at Evanlyn. He looked towards Evanlyn and found that she was looking extremely uncomfortable. He looked back at Salador and then at Evanlyn and understood what was happening. He felt his anger rising. He hated such sort of people. He moved and stood between Evanlyn and Salador. He looked into the eyes of Salador with his piercing gaze. Salador actually took a few steps back, shaken by Will's gaze. Will stepped forward and was so close that there was only a two inch gap between them.

" If you look cross-eyed at Evanlyn, I'll scratch your eyes out. If you dare to do anything unethical, you'll face my wrath. Don't you dare wander near Evanlyn or else, I'll be your worst nightmare." Will said in a low threatening voice.

Salador made a squeaking sound and ran after his father.

Will looked back at his friend and found that she was still quite shaken. Will moved forward and hugged her.

"Don't worry. I'll always be there to help you." he said, looking directly into her eyes.

" I know and I don't doubt that at all." She smiled.

" Come on then, my dear Ev. Lets head back to the tents." said Will taking her hand in his.

" Ev? Since when did I become Ev?" asked Evanlyn.

" Since just now" Will replied.

" Well, I don't like it." She said, faking anger but her lips were twitching slightly.

" Good, because now I am gonna call you Ev every time I see you." Will teased."

" No, you are not."

" Oh yes, I am."

" Ok, If you are going to call me Ev, then I am gonna call you..."

" What?" asked Will with a raised eyebrow.

" Umm, how about Willy? Evanlyn said.

" Willy! that does NOT suit me."

" Oh yes, it does" Evanlyn said, trying her hardest to control her laughter.

" Very funny, Ev."

She couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing uncontrollably.

" Oh, hahaha, your fa..ce. Y..our expression was priceless." Evanlyn said through her laugh.

" Yeah yeah, whatever." Will said and started towards his tent but there was a small smile etched on his face.

Will had just come back from the hall after eating his dinner and was getting ready to sleep when he heard Evanlyn call.

" Can I come in, Will?"

" Sure, Ev." Will answered.

Evanlyn came into his room. Her blonde hair tied in a ponytail and her striking emerald green eyes gazing into his.

" Come in, come in." Will said as he patted the place beside him on his bed as a gesture for Evanlyn to sit.

Evanlyn sat down beside him.

" Is everything alright, Ev?" Will questioned with a hint of worry.

" You said you were going to tell me later, so, what were you doing in the forest?"

" Is that it." Will said shaking his head but also smiling "and here I thought it was something serious."

" Tell me, already"

" Ok, it was supposed to be a secret but since it is you, I think I can tell you."

" Huh, well I feel very honoured."

" Shut up and listen."

Will spent half an hour telling Evanlyn about his plan to learn swordfighting, meeting with Erak, action and adventure in the forest and who the mystery Skandian turned out to be. Evanlyn was a good listener and gasped and huffed at all the right places.

" So that is what happened today, Ev." Will said after finishing his story.

" You are going to learn to swordfight, huh, great." Evanlyn complimented.

" Remember Ev, you are not supposed to tell about this to anyone."

" Yeah, I know and I won't tell anyone about it but also take me with you too. We will learn to swordfight together."

" Are you sure, Evanlyn. You are a princess." Will whispered.

" Please, Will" Evanlyn pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

"Okay, okay and also I would appreciate your company."

" Thanks Will, you are the best." Evanlyn said as she hugged him tightly.

" Huh, really. If I had said no then what would have I been? Worst?"

" Nope, you would still be my best friend."

Will smiled.