Magika [Completed]

Chapter 28

And so, with a new sense of purpose, Aldeheid donned his gear and headed up to the deck. The change in light made him squint, and the sun warmed his face. The dry, desert air was a stark change to the salty ocean breezes from the previous days. The boat was gliding down the river with ease, aided by the wind traveling unimpeded over the sandy desert.

Aldeheid rounded the wheelhouse to the bow where Kitaya stood conversing with two people. The first was a woman, shorter, with wavy black hair and olive skin. She was armoured down in silver and black as well, but her breast plate had a bird emblazoned on front. The male of the pair was more casually dressed, but had a long sword on his hip.

"Come, angel eyes, let me introduce you." Kitaya gestured to the woman. "This is Lady Ayzel Hiroh."

Aldeheid's lips parted. "Of the Hiroh clan? The Nomads used to bring stories about you all to the north."

Ayzel smiled and extended a gauntleted hand. "'Tis a pleasure. Kitaya has told us much about you." She clasped forearms with him, a gesture that meant she saw him as an equal.

Aldeheid frowned down at their hands. Surely any Hiroh was leagues above him, both in terms of power and laurels. The Nomads used to speak about them as though they were the heroes of bedtime tales told to children. To see one in the flesh was surreal. He wasn't sure what to say without sounding like an idiot.

"This is my partner and cape, Leandyr." Lady Hiroh flicked her head towards the man behind her.

Leandyr pointed to the sword on Aldeheid's hip. "Did Mellidius teach you how to use that?"

Kitaya rolled her eyes. "Here we go."

"Somewhat," Aldeheid said, his eyes shifting between Kitaya, who was backing away, and Leandyr, who had a hand on his own blade.

He arched a brow, a devious smile crossing his face. "Surely you wouldn't mind sparring with me then?"

"I... guess not."

"Good." He took a few steps back. "Come at me whenever you're ready." Leandyr didn't draw his blade, not even when Aldeheid took out his own.

Aldeheid looked towards where Kitaya and Ayzel stood, and they both gave him encouraging nods.

"Alright." Mellidius' sword felt as well-balanced in his hands as always. His strides felt sure as he close the distance between himself and Leandyr, and the sword cut through the air, aiming for his opponent's head.

He didn't see when Leandyr drew his sword, only heard the metallic cry of their blades crashing together. The force of the clash rattled the bones in his arms and sent him tumbling back across the deck. He tried to push to his feet, but his arms were too weak to support him.

"Come now," Leandyr said. "I'm sure Mellidius taught you better than that."

Aldeheid finally managed to get to his feet. But his grip on his sword didn't feel as sure anymore. That blow had shook him, and he was sure that was the intention. Even his heart was still rattling from the attack.

Leandyr held his sword in a loose one-handed grip – the tip pointed at Aldeheid's chest. He didn't move, so much as glide over the deck, like an apparition made flesh.

What is this guy? Aldeheid matched his movements, but not his grace. He suddenly felt clumsy, like a child who'd yet to figure out how to use their limbs properly.

"Again," Leandyr said. "Like you mean it."

Aldeheid lunged full speed towards him. And again, he didn't even see Leandyr's movements. It was as though he were fighting a ghost.