Ewan had been up before the early morning sunrise. He sat on the bed
contemplating over what Lazar had told him. At first he thought the old man
was mad, insane but as he slept the dreams had taken on a new meaning.
Giving him an insight, a new feeling he never felt before. As if he
belonged beside the woman, the wielder of the blade. He had a purpose now,
a destiny. He wasn't about to let that slip through his fingers. And for
some reason there was a strong pull, a sort of overwhelming bond he had
with the wielder. Ewan didn't know what it was but perhaps in time he would
find out this strange connection they had to each other. During his
thoughts Ewan had become anxious and couldn't wait to tell Lazar. In the
still early morning darkness, Lazar watched as Ewan reflected his newfound
acceptance. He smiled seeing the young boy so eager and willing.
The rays from the early morning sun crept into the small meager shelter that Lazar used as a home. The two occupants of the room acknowledge that a new day has dawned upon them as the final rise of the sun washed away last night's darkness and perhaps Ewan's lonely past. The moment the opportunity arose Ewan gave Lazar his decision. With a knowing nod Lazar began to make breakfast. Over the next few days they had discussed what was to come next.
For months Lazar had been Ewan's teacher. Surprisingly Ewan was an apt pupil and it didn't take him long to learn. The boy had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Teaching him how to read, write, and the bare essentials that would help him survive life. Then there were the teachings about the blade. How the blade came to be in this existence. Explaining to him that only a chosen woman may wear and wield the omnipotent weapon. Explained his role as the protector, the wielder knight and how he will help the wielder bear the weight of her responsibilities. Guiding her with the knowledge he had gained from Lazar. Lazar had also explained to Ewan only the true wielder will learn the blade's secrets. But most importantly to be aware of those who seek to control what cannot be controlled. To protect the wielder from her enemies, pretenders as Lazar called them.
"These pretenders will do what must be done to gain control over the blade and it's wielder. You must prevent this, Ewan. There will be times where the wielder will be blinded to what is around her. You will be her eyes." Ewan nodded his head, accepting what Lazar had told him.
Books and Lazar's teaching about the blade could only take Ewan so far. It was time for a different type of schooling for Ewan to partake. "Why can't you teach me, Lazar?" Ewan questioned curiously. Lazar shook his head and smirked at the idea of teaching Ewan how to become a warrior. "Because young Ewan this is one lesson I am powerless to teach you." Lazar's eyes narrowed, sensing Ewan's growing apprehension. Something was bothering Ewan and if Lazar didn't push for an explanation the boy would only keep it inside. "What's wrong Ewan?"
"What if I fail, Lazar? What if I am not worthy enough to serve the wielder? What if this new teacher won't like me?" Lazar should have realized Ewan's uneasiness. The boy had grown up alone with no one to care for him and in return he had no one to care for. Everything was new to him. Up until recently Lazar was the only family he had. Ewan was a quiet boy and had hardly socialized with anyone but the old man. Even as they ventured out into the nearby village Ewan had kept to himself, away from the crowds.
Lazar walked up to Ewan and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You must have faith in yourself, Ewan. Without it you will fail the wielder and yourself. Is this what you want?" Ewan's head snapped up and said, "No!" Lazar gave Ewan's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Then believe in your destiny and in what you were chosen to do. You are a lot stronger then you think, Ewan. You will see." Lazar gave Ewan a lopsided smile and turned to pack up for their long journey. "What about this new.teacher?" Lazar stopped what he was doing and turned to Ewan.
"Kael is a good man, a fine warrior. He will teach you all that he knows." Lazar's smile widen and a light chuckle escaped his lips, "Kael is a passionate man. He will test your strengths not just physically but mentally and emotionally. He will push you, Ewan but never give in. You survive his tests then you will gain his respect in thus his friendship. In time I would not be surprise if you yourself far exceeded Kael's abilities. Now that is something I would like to see. Yes?" Lazar smiled. Ewan smiled in return and nodded his head. "Good! Now let us finish packing. We have a long journey ahead." They had finished packing by nightfall and by morning were already on their way.
After a month of traveling their journey finally came to an end. In the distance Ewan was able to see a burly man with long flaming red hair and a beard to match, standing in the doorway. His large muscular frame completely blocked the entrance to his home. Ewan eyed the giant as they neared closer, until they stood before the intimidating man. "Good day to you Kael." Lazar spoke while Ewan stood beside him. Kael moved from the doorway and walked closer to his guests. The man's towering six feet two inches loomed over Ewan. Ewan had to raise his head to look up to the large man. "Good day to you too, Lazar. So," Kael turned his penetrating blue eyes towards Ewan. His deep and rich voice echoed around them, "is this the boy you've been telling me about?"
"My name is not boy!" Ewan couldn't understand why he spoke up against the giant but being referred to as 'boy' was upsetting to him. Kael crossed his burly arms across his chest and his eyes narrowed on Ewan. Lazar watched as Kael tried to frighten Ewan. He grinned as Ewan mimicked Kael's stance, his head raised higher to stare straight into icy blue eyes. Inside Ewan was shaking with fear. He had butterflies in his stomach and his heartbeat pounded against his chest. But on the outside he managed to hold himself together, unruffled. Lazar's words echoed in his mind.
.. 'He will push you, but never give in.'..
"Then why don't you tell me your name," with nostrils flared and a sneer adorning his lips, Kael bent at the waist and lowered his head until they were face to face, "BOY!" Ewan bravely stared back at Kael and even went as far as move his face closer. "My name is Ewan not boy!" The sneer on Kael's face soon turned into a smirk. "All right," he nodded his head in approval, "Ewan." Kael straightens himself up and turned his attention to Lazar. "Courageous this one, Lazar." Kael eyed Ewan's small frame. "Though he is on the scrawny side," Kael began to rub his bearded chin, "but not to worry he'll shape up nicely with all the training I'll have him in." Kael continued to stare at Ewan while his mind worked up on the sessions they'll soon start. "Come inside. You've had a long journey and I'm sure you both must be tired. I'll have my daughter Fiona make your beds then you may rest."
Lazar and Ewan followed behind into the house. Inside they found Fiona, Kael's only seven-year-old daughter sitting by the fire. She had the same long red hair like her father and green eyes. Just like her mother who, which Ewan later found out, unfortunately had died while Fiona was still a baby. Lazar and Kael sat near the fire discussing Ewan's training. Ewan who had chose to rest laid in one of the beds Fiona had made. For some reason as Ewan stared at Fiona a sense of foreboding over came him. He couldn't understand why. Perhaps he would discuss this with Lazar some other time. But for now he was tired and he needed the rest. As he closed his eyes the green eyed warrior appeared in his dreams again. Her presence in his dreams had pushed the dreaded feeling aside and he slept peacefully.
The rays from the early morning sun crept into the small meager shelter that Lazar used as a home. The two occupants of the room acknowledge that a new day has dawned upon them as the final rise of the sun washed away last night's darkness and perhaps Ewan's lonely past. The moment the opportunity arose Ewan gave Lazar his decision. With a knowing nod Lazar began to make breakfast. Over the next few days they had discussed what was to come next.
For months Lazar had been Ewan's teacher. Surprisingly Ewan was an apt pupil and it didn't take him long to learn. The boy had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Teaching him how to read, write, and the bare essentials that would help him survive life. Then there were the teachings about the blade. How the blade came to be in this existence. Explaining to him that only a chosen woman may wear and wield the omnipotent weapon. Explained his role as the protector, the wielder knight and how he will help the wielder bear the weight of her responsibilities. Guiding her with the knowledge he had gained from Lazar. Lazar had also explained to Ewan only the true wielder will learn the blade's secrets. But most importantly to be aware of those who seek to control what cannot be controlled. To protect the wielder from her enemies, pretenders as Lazar called them.
"These pretenders will do what must be done to gain control over the blade and it's wielder. You must prevent this, Ewan. There will be times where the wielder will be blinded to what is around her. You will be her eyes." Ewan nodded his head, accepting what Lazar had told him.
Books and Lazar's teaching about the blade could only take Ewan so far. It was time for a different type of schooling for Ewan to partake. "Why can't you teach me, Lazar?" Ewan questioned curiously. Lazar shook his head and smirked at the idea of teaching Ewan how to become a warrior. "Because young Ewan this is one lesson I am powerless to teach you." Lazar's eyes narrowed, sensing Ewan's growing apprehension. Something was bothering Ewan and if Lazar didn't push for an explanation the boy would only keep it inside. "What's wrong Ewan?"
"What if I fail, Lazar? What if I am not worthy enough to serve the wielder? What if this new teacher won't like me?" Lazar should have realized Ewan's uneasiness. The boy had grown up alone with no one to care for him and in return he had no one to care for. Everything was new to him. Up until recently Lazar was the only family he had. Ewan was a quiet boy and had hardly socialized with anyone but the old man. Even as they ventured out into the nearby village Ewan had kept to himself, away from the crowds.
Lazar walked up to Ewan and laid a hand on his shoulder. "You must have faith in yourself, Ewan. Without it you will fail the wielder and yourself. Is this what you want?" Ewan's head snapped up and said, "No!" Lazar gave Ewan's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Then believe in your destiny and in what you were chosen to do. You are a lot stronger then you think, Ewan. You will see." Lazar gave Ewan a lopsided smile and turned to pack up for their long journey. "What about this new.teacher?" Lazar stopped what he was doing and turned to Ewan.
"Kael is a good man, a fine warrior. He will teach you all that he knows." Lazar's smile widen and a light chuckle escaped his lips, "Kael is a passionate man. He will test your strengths not just physically but mentally and emotionally. He will push you, Ewan but never give in. You survive his tests then you will gain his respect in thus his friendship. In time I would not be surprise if you yourself far exceeded Kael's abilities. Now that is something I would like to see. Yes?" Lazar smiled. Ewan smiled in return and nodded his head. "Good! Now let us finish packing. We have a long journey ahead." They had finished packing by nightfall and by morning were already on their way.
After a month of traveling their journey finally came to an end. In the distance Ewan was able to see a burly man with long flaming red hair and a beard to match, standing in the doorway. His large muscular frame completely blocked the entrance to his home. Ewan eyed the giant as they neared closer, until they stood before the intimidating man. "Good day to you Kael." Lazar spoke while Ewan stood beside him. Kael moved from the doorway and walked closer to his guests. The man's towering six feet two inches loomed over Ewan. Ewan had to raise his head to look up to the large man. "Good day to you too, Lazar. So," Kael turned his penetrating blue eyes towards Ewan. His deep and rich voice echoed around them, "is this the boy you've been telling me about?"
"My name is not boy!" Ewan couldn't understand why he spoke up against the giant but being referred to as 'boy' was upsetting to him. Kael crossed his burly arms across his chest and his eyes narrowed on Ewan. Lazar watched as Kael tried to frighten Ewan. He grinned as Ewan mimicked Kael's stance, his head raised higher to stare straight into icy blue eyes. Inside Ewan was shaking with fear. He had butterflies in his stomach and his heartbeat pounded against his chest. But on the outside he managed to hold himself together, unruffled. Lazar's words echoed in his mind.
.. 'He will push you, but never give in.'..
"Then why don't you tell me your name," with nostrils flared and a sneer adorning his lips, Kael bent at the waist and lowered his head until they were face to face, "BOY!" Ewan bravely stared back at Kael and even went as far as move his face closer. "My name is Ewan not boy!" The sneer on Kael's face soon turned into a smirk. "All right," he nodded his head in approval, "Ewan." Kael straightens himself up and turned his attention to Lazar. "Courageous this one, Lazar." Kael eyed Ewan's small frame. "Though he is on the scrawny side," Kael began to rub his bearded chin, "but not to worry he'll shape up nicely with all the training I'll have him in." Kael continued to stare at Ewan while his mind worked up on the sessions they'll soon start. "Come inside. You've had a long journey and I'm sure you both must be tired. I'll have my daughter Fiona make your beds then you may rest."
Lazar and Ewan followed behind into the house. Inside they found Fiona, Kael's only seven-year-old daughter sitting by the fire. She had the same long red hair like her father and green eyes. Just like her mother who, which Ewan later found out, unfortunately had died while Fiona was still a baby. Lazar and Kael sat near the fire discussing Ewan's training. Ewan who had chose to rest laid in one of the beds Fiona had made. For some reason as Ewan stared at Fiona a sense of foreboding over came him. He couldn't understand why. Perhaps he would discuss this with Lazar some other time. But for now he was tired and he needed the rest. As he closed his eyes the green eyed warrior appeared in his dreams again. Her presence in his dreams had pushed the dreaded feeling aside and he slept peacefully.