Chapter 18
A knock sounded at the door, startling Mine from her musings. A young man stood at the door, is flaming orange thrown carelessly over his shoulder."Good morning, Kyo." said Mine, allowing the teen into her home. Kyo stood silently by the door, waiting impatiently for Mine's coming question."So why are you here?" asked Mine, smiling at the boy. Kyo sighed, rolling his eyes at her. "I was sent here by Alex to teach them the sword."said Kyo, running his fingers through his hair. His firey hair fell over his shoulder, held back by a silver band, his skin was sunkissed, bringing out his crimson eyes, his body was light and well built, sturdy and graceful. Mine led him to the girls, smiling."This is our captain of the guard, Kyo, and he will be teaching you two the elven sword."said Mine, motioning her hand to the young elf.
Uo slightly, turning her face away from the young man. Tohru looked at her friend, canfusion playing on her face."Uo, are you alright?"asked Tohru, nudging her friend. Mine placed her hand on Uo's forehead, giggling softly."She's fine, now get to practicing before dinner."said Mine, pushing the two girls toward the male elf. Kyo looked both of them over, his eyes taking careful note of each of their body types."What are you doing!"asked Uo, pulling Tohru behind her. Kyo rolled his eyes, gently slapping Uo on her hand."I am taking note, woman, now shut up."said Kyo, making Uo blush. Mine stood in the corner, giggling soft. Uo crossed her hands over her chest, as Kyo pulled Tohru in front of him, his eyes searching her."Alright, now where is Mine?"asked Kyo, when he was finished. Mine skipped out from the corner, holding a basket in her hands."Measurements and the works, Mine, make sure that it can hold up in any kind of weather, and can be layered, yet light for summer use."said Kyo, sitting on a stool.
Mine lead the girls into the house, giggling as she walked."Well seems you have passed his inspection."said Mine, as Noor, hid behind her. Uo hugged her chest, her cheeks flushed."He has no right to look at us like that!" Uo said heatedly, anger burning in her blue eyes. Tohru looked around confused, trying to understand the argument. Mine just laughed, leading the girls to a room. Taking their measurements, she lead them back outside, where Kyo waited. He held two short swords at his side, each delicately crafted, to fit the wielder."Good, now, ready to begin?"asked the captain, his face stern. Both girls nodded, as he looked at their faces."Follow me." He lead them through a maze of forest, to an arena, carved from the rock, young men practicing on different sides of the large circle."Welcome to the Circle, this is were you will learn from the best and brightest swordsmen, and if you survive, we will let you sleep in the king's house, again."said Kyo, as a small gathering of elfen males encircled them.Tohru looked around nervously, taking a step back into Uo."What do you mean 'again' ?"asked Uo, pulling Tohru into her arms away from the men. The elves laughed, looking at each other."Mine's the king's wife, almost everyone knows that."said one of the guard, leaning on his comrade.
"Here."said one, tossing both girls thin white tunics. Kyo pointed the girls to a room, carved from the stone, where they could change. They slowly walked to the small room, stepping down the cold stone steps. Uo shut the wooden door behind them, stripping off her forest green tunic, and replacing it with the white one. Tohru pulled her leather jerkin from her body, along with her blue tunic, wasting no time on putting the lighter tunic on to her body. They both stepped out of the room, leaving their other tunics and jerkin in the stone room. "Better, now, this is a short sword, get used to handling it."said Kyo, handing both of them elegant forearm length knives, with delicate runes carved into the light silvery metal. Tohru straggled with the weapon, clasping both hands around the swords handle."Alright?" asked one soldier, coming up behind Tohru, grabbing hold of her arms, holding them into a comfortable position. Tohru blushed wildly, nearly dropping the sword."Careful now, don't drop it on your foot." said the soldier, catching the sword by the sharp blade. Tohru nodded, taking the weapon, carefully in her hands.
Kyo stood in front of Uo, holding his short sword in his hand."Now, charge!" Kyo commanded, watching Uo smirk. She planted her feet, tensing her body for the attack."Ya sure, elfy boy?"asked Uo, mockingly. Kyo rolled his eyes, loosening his muscles. He smirked, and waited, his mind playing the battle sequences over in his head."Whenever you are, mortal."said Kyo, watching Uo's anger flare. She charged, both their swords clashing together, sparks cascading off the blades. They both parried, jumping back from one another. Kyo held his sword ready, waiting patiently for her to catch her breath."Do you give up?"asked Kyo, studying his hands. Uo looked up at the elf, her shirt already soaked with sweat."Never, you spoiled elf!" Uo cried, lunging forward toward the captain. Kyo dodged the attack, coming up behind her and disarming her of the short sword. Uo fell against him, panting and sweating, her legs weak."Ha, you can't even beat me, now that is pathetic." said Kyo, letting her fall to the ground."Shut up, ya stupid elf." said Uo, throwing her boot at him. Kyo dodged it, smirking along with the rest of the soldiers,
"It seems little miss mortal is tired." one soldier mocked, falling, somehow gracefully, to the ground. Uo stood to her feet, cracking her neck. Tohru just watched her, trying hard not to let the sword fall onto her foot."I thought you did great." said Tohru, walking slowly up to Uo. The soldiers quieted, returning back to their duties. Kyo placed his short sword into a scabbard, smirking as he approached the girls."Dinner, unless you two would like to stay out here and starve."said Kyo, walking past them into the forest.