Tales of a Journey

Disclaimer: I don't own TOS

By: Rogue White Dragon (aka Dragoness)

Chapter 6 – Twin Blades

After a good night's sleep, and consulting a map, we set out to find Sheena again. An entire day of traveling found us camped out at the edge of a small forest, and near a shallow river. Genis and I built a small fire, and Regal started cooking. I cleared a small space of rocks, and set my blanket down. Sitting on it, I surveyed our surroundings. Lan cleared a spot beside me, and laid down the blanket Colette had given him for our journey.

I glanced at Lan once, and started thinking. He was born just over fifteen years ago, and it took me a little while to realize why that bothered me so much. Sheena and I had been together then. I tensed, my eyes widening as I stared at the fire. I shook my head to get rid of that idea. Sheena would have told me if I'd fathered a child. I exhaled slowly, realizing a little startled that I'd been holding my breath. Did she leave me then because she'd found someone else?

I glance at Zelos and frowned. If Zelos was the father, no doubt Lan would know. But Lan always glared at the former Chosen, so Zelos couldn't be his father. Maybe it didn't work out between her and the father, or maybe he died when Lan was just an infant. There were so many possibilities; I didn't know where to start. I glanced at Lan again, and opened my mouth to ask him something, but I couldn't form the words to do it. Lan must've seen my hesitance, because he frowned at me, and asked

"What?"

I blinked at him, and glanced at the dagger's he'd removed, and placed beside him

"Did you ever try fight with swords?"

He shrugged slightly, and replied

"Yeah, but my mom always got too emotional when she saw me holding them. Said it reminded her too much of my father."

So, Lan's father was some sort of sword master.

"I could teach you how to fight with swords better, if you'd like."

Lan looked at me for a moment, then asked

"Why would you want to teach me?"

"Because this is going to be a long journey, and if you're going to survive the entire thing, you can't use daggers. They're too short, and you'll be to close to your enemy. With swords, you'll have a longer range."

For a moment, he looked angry, then a little thoughtful. That sounded like something Kratos would have said. I grimaced at the thought. Kratos only said that stuff to me, because I'm his son, and he didn't want me to get myself killed.

"Sure."

I blinked at Lan, a little confused, before I realized what he was replying to

"We'll get you a sword then, at the next village we pass."

He gave a nod of his head. Regal spoke, telling us that dinner was ready.

The next day, we packed up camp, and continued on our way. Around mid afternoon, we reached a small village, which I had no recollection of ever visiting before. Probably a new village, with people from Tetha'alla and Sylvarant. Raine suggested we stay at an inn that night, so while the others went to find one, and book a room, Lan and I went in search of a weaponry shop.

We found one at the other end of the village. It was small, but had the desired weapon. I told Lan to pick one, and he glanced at a couple of the swords with a frown, before he looked over at me

"How can you teach me one? You fight with two. Wouldn't it be easier for you to teach me, if I trained with two as well?"

The kid had a point, I had to admit. I sighed, and asked the shop keeper if he had any twin blades. A brief trip to the back room, and the elderly man came back out with a pair of dusty old blades. He placed them on the table, after I asked him for sheathes, he returned to the back room, returning with two newer looking sheathes. He placed the swords in them, to make sure they fit, and looked back at me, a little questioning. Lan picked them up, and gave me a nod. I paid for the two swords, and we left to join the others.

When we found the Inn, Zelos was standing in front of it, and waved at us when we were spotted. Zelos froze slightly when he saw the two of us come back, each with two swords hanging from our belts. He stood there, staring at us, looking like he's just seen a ghost. Raising an eyebrow at him, Lan and I continued inside, to join the others

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heh heh, er, that was kind of short, eh? Sorry, but I really wanted to write that part. Got inspired to while listening to some music. Anyways, hope you liked it, and please review!

oooh, I'd also like to thank the people who did review: E.S. Simeon, LJ3, psychobreadfish. Thanks a ton!