"No, no, no. Your doing it all wrong! Your supposed to turn your arm sideways and flick your wrist!"
Travis has never in his seven years of life wanted to kill the person who annoyed him. Garland had done nothing but taunt him since they started practice. No, since they were paired up. Kai seemed to think it was a good idea, but Travis was starting to have second doubts about his commanding officer.
"I don't see how your doing much better. You can barely hold up that stick, let alone swing it!" The red-head snapped back.
Garland smirked as he slashed at the boy in a high swing. "Touchy, aren't we? Well it comes to no surprise from an orphan boy. Feeling lost and confused seems to be your only traits."
Travis glared at him, holding his defence strong as he struggled to keep his balance. Being three years younger then the rest of the boys, Travis was still small and lacked most of his fighting skills. However his ability to strike undetected had won him a few matches, making this match seem fair.
Although Travis showed no sign of it as he gave Garland a low slash, his words had cut deep. How Garland knew he was an orphan meant nothing to him but the words 'lost and confused' hit the mark. A familiar sensation erupted in his chest causing him to chock.
A shadow loomed over them, but they continued their slashes. High swing, high block; low swing, low block. It was a basic principle that they had to master before moving forward in their training of swordplay.
"Good Travis. Your block is set in a perfect angle to launch a counter attack. However your swing is just a bit off. Try turning your arm a bit to the side and flick your wrist." Bryan's instructions didn't cause his throat to burn. Garland smirking as if he was the King of Trisault is what stung.
Travis sent him a glare and did as he was told. To his surprise, he found it much easier to swing with more accuracy and speed. This sensation of sucess burned out when Garland sent him a famous I-told-you-so look. He wanted nothing more then to wipe that over-played smirk off Garland's lips.
"Excellent!" Bryan praised him. "You've improved drastically over the past few hours. You learn quickly, Travis." He paused for a moment then watched the strick-and-block routine.
"I don't have to privillage to say the same to you, however. Your form is all wrong, your feet are moving in wrong directions, the instructions Kai gave you earlier went in one ear and out the other and you can barely hold up that stick, let alone swing it!" Bryan brought down his world in a matter of seconds. The smirk slipped away and was replaced with a scowl towards Travis.
The red-head cared nothing about what Garland thought of him, but that scowl was exactly what he had wanted to see. "Looks like it pays to be an orphan." He mocked.
Garland's glare desended, becoming more violent. "If you knew anything of politics, you would be holding your tongue instead of wagging it about so carelessly."
"Is it a pity I don't?" He snapped back; low swing, low block. "What would politics have to do with you? Your father is who would be praised for his high ranking! You would only be the bastard that had to live up to his name. Tell me, Garland, is it difficult?"
A growl exploded from his throat. Travis caught Bryan from the corner of his eye. His expression was troubled. It had a faint sort of concern but mainly held dis-belief. But for the likes of him, Travis couldn't figure out why. Had he said something to offend Bryan?
"Aye, it is. You would know if your father was still alive."
That hurt. Travis blocked his high attack and held it, not bothering to counter. Of course he would know! He knew from all Uncle Eni's stories that his father had been a Guard of Trisault. That was a tremendous honor. Later becoming Captain only made the rank more rewarding. However, he most likely had no chance at becoming Captain like his father. Kai held that rank very well and with more sense then he could ever muster. He was certain that Kai had an offspring of his own that would one day take over that position. Travis was out of his league.
Bryan suddenly grabbed them both by the collar and yanked them apart. "If you care to bicker at each other like a couple of court ladies, then I suggest you pack up your things and attempt at finding your way back home. Insults such as these disgust me. You should both be proud of your lineage, no matter how it's played out!"
Suddenly Travis got why Bryan had stared at him in dis-belief. He was letting out insults towards someone else, when his own father had a high rank. If Bryan had befriended his father, then he might have taken the insults in a way he never meant to express. He loved his father, no matter how much someone might have tried to turn that around. He loved him even though he had never meet him. Never once had he a negative thought towards his father, only anger that he had never the chance to meet him before he died. Not towards his father, but towards the people that accused him and gave him the death sentence.
Bryan suddenly released them both with a slight shove that sent both youth to the ground. "Concider this your first warning, boys. If I hear so much as one more bicker out of either of you, you'll find yourselves on a fast track back home. I am most certain your father would be ill to hear his son could not become a knight, Garland. Travis, I highly doubt Enrique would be too pleased to hear that your short temper and sharp tongue is what caused your regection to this camp. Grow up both of you! If you don't mature quickly, you will most certainly die fast." With that, he stalked away.
.:VWV:.
The field was wide and untouched by any human hand. The tall, luscious grass glowed a deep evergreen against the early sun. A slight breeze caught the tips, swaying them in a soothing fashion.
The wind blew softly across the skin of its visitors. It gave a tug at their bodies and succeed in moving them forward. Standing side-by-side, they turned towards the sun, having the light burn their vision.
Anko glanced up at Tala, who seemed to be looking directly into the burning orb. His expression was blank, but his eyes reflected the glow perfectly, sending out invisible rays of sky blue.
"Ta-"
"Hey! I let you come out of your own free will. This journey will be a long and hard one, one that both of us have to make on our own. You chose to join me as a companion. I chose to let you join me as nothing more then a party member. If we enter in battle, be prepared to fend for yourself for I will not protect you." The redhead stated all this, still staring into the sky and only apon his final words did he quickly glance at Anko.
Her glicening hair fell over her shoulders and around her arms. She puffed out her chest in pride and held her chin high. "I remember telling you that I was coming along, rather you liked it or not. Companion or party member. Trash or treasure."
"Just don't stain my shirts with your blood and we should get along fine." He replied flatly.
"Can we part now while the sun is still low?" Anko snapped, her pride showing in her face.
The redhead simple glanced at her and took a few steps forward. "Seems fate has me traviling with a genius."
The girl looked shocked at first, then angered. She stomped her foot down and placed her hands on her hips. "Look here! I don't know what has angered you so much but if I didn't take up this opportunity now, then I might be living myself as a lie."
Tala glanced at her with no expression. "As long as you know that the moment you uncover the truth, you can't turn back. No matter the pains you've been beaten with or the scars you've erased."
"I know that!" She stated stubbornly.
His hands parted the grass as he took a step in. "Then why are you wasting precious time bickering? We'd travel much faster if it was your legs that moved instead of your mouth."
Anko glared at his back and he seemed not to notice. For a good looking guy, he sure was acting like a jerk right now. As she hurried to catch up with him, she had to replay her reason for coming over and over to avoid turning around and giving up completly. Just because Tala was trying to syke her out, didn't mean she was about to give in to his tackticks.
.:VWV:.
A hand grabbed her collar and pushed her to the side, just missing the clash of swords. Alex stumbled backwards and landed hard on the floor. Her head snapped back as her eyes meet the scene before her.
The man from earlier had his jaw clenched and was struggling to keep his balance. Her eyes wandered over to the person who had saved her. He was a rather handsome young man with slate hair. Red and the back fringed brown. She blinked. His hair style was much like Kais. The boys own eyes glowed a gentil green and his skin was rather pale. As he pushed his opponent's sword back, she noticed the heavy brown cloak that covered his shoulders and his torn but loose shorts. He had long boots that cut off and folded just below his knee. A single yellow sash was tied around his waist and held his swords sheath.
Other men from the bar had risen to their feet by now, holding out weapon; or even fists. The brunette had not a clue why these men were so foolish to challenge this boy. She didn't know his strenghs but anyone who could hold back a drunken ogre was not a force to bother. Jumpnig to her feet almost as quickly as she had fallen, Alex made a slight dash towards the boy.
"I have only come here in ask of directions to Yutla Port. I was lead astray from the path I travelled and have found it difficult to get back." His voice chorused through the bar, rendering everyone inside silent.
The druken man sent him a deep glare. "We've no reason to tell you anything, half-breed."
The boy looked bored, then leaned against his sword. "Yes, I am a half-breed, however I am far from demon and human blood."
"A monster!"
"Slay him!"
"Trash deserves to be thrown away!"
The large man waved at the shouting men, silencing them. "If you are not of demon or human blood, my boy, then what kind of creature are you?"
"He reeks of death!"
"The copper smell of blood has drenched his clothing!"
"Slay him!"
"Creature of death!"
"Silence!" The man roared and everyone fell pin-drop silent.
The boy glanced at each man in turn and then smiled brightly. Alex blinked at him. Already she did not understand this boy. He'd just been called a monster and trash, yet he didn't flinch or lose his temper.
"I am a shaman half-breed."
If before you could hear a pin drop, then now the room was filled with heartbeats; quickened and short. The drunken man pointed a finger, tiny beads of sweat almost poured down his temples. "Sh-sh'dow and g'ost." This man was terrified.
"Not quite. Sh'dow and spir't actually." The boy grinned. He swong his sword upon his shoulder and gave them an almost devilish smile. "Now about those directions..."
"T-take the main road leading east. Its about a 9 day trip on horseback. Twelve if you rest often. Of course you probably won't have to rest seeing as how your part sh-dow and spir't. I-I-I mean, you can just-"
The boy swong his sword forward, letting it rest a few inches from the mans throat. He wasn't as much of a fool as Alex had thought of him. He stepped back and cleared his throat. A clatter sounded when he dropped his sword.
"You shall reach a sign that states Th Wh Pss Th Glden Plck Shll Pss N B Nd Nvr Trn Bck. There you turn lef-"
The boy smiled. "Thank you, however that road sign is the mark to a short cut. East you say? Thank you, meaningless human, your services have been meet. Go now and desturb me not no more."
The man clammered back into his seat almost instantly, leaving his sword forgotten on the ground. The boy sheathed his own sword slowly and walked over to Alex. He smiled down at her and gave her his hand.
"Sorry for the trouble miss, but had I not shoved you, you might have been hurt."
This was the first moment that Alex saw he wasn't wearing a shirt. She wondered if that was legal in puplic. She smacked away his hand and let her eyes raise to his level. "I hardly understand why you pushed me and franctly I don't care."
"My name is Raul and it is my pleasure to meet you." He bowed in respect, which didn't go over well in Alex's mind.
She glared hard at him as he suddenly stood up and smiled. The men around them were exchanging glances and pointing in her direction. Theirs expressions looked as if they just noticed she was there. Raul motioned to the open door.
"Perhaps it would be better if we simply went outside. It seems we have caused quite the commotion."
Alex sent him a hard glare and swept past almost instantly. "That was your fault, not mine."
Raul followed of course. "Perhaps I can make it up to you, Lady...?"
Alex spun around the moment she was clear of the doorway and outside once more. "It's Alex! Not Lady anything! Don't call me such horrible names! It's Alex! Simply Alex! As for a way you could make it up to me ..." She pondered before smiling at him, cruelly. "Where did you say you were heading?"
.:VWV:.
Author's Note: I swear I never meant for this to take so long! Its just work and school all got in the way, so naturally this took forever! SORRY!
Anyways, besides my begging for forgivness, I would just liek to say that if a chapter does come in later then ... say 2 weeks, rat me out! I won't take it as an insult guys, trust me! One reason might simply be that homework or work has gotten in the way again!
R&R THANKS!