Disarray

Chapter Five

When he arrived at the armory, Jalmar was cleaning and polishing the rust off swords. He stood, noticing Rylan’s presence. He laid the sword back in the small pile of weapons, and greeted him.

          “Are you prepared to begin?” Jalmar asked cheerfully.

          “Yes,” Rylan replied. “Will we be doing the same as yesterday?”

He was rather looking forward to training with Jalmar every afternoon, sitting and listening to Malifar drone on about various things was vastly outweighed by swordsmanship training.

“I think not. Not long does it take me to learn someone’s fight pattern, and I am most sure I know yours. For the next while, I shall be teaching you to fight like an elf.”

          “Elves are more agile than humans, how can you teach someone to be sprightlier than they naturally are? It seems impossible.” Rylan pointed out, slightly skeptical.

Jalmar chuckled.

“Being as nimble a swordsman as an elf is a rare thing for anyone to be gifted with from birth; even those of my own race. Elves have mastered the art of swordsmanship and expounded upon it. The means to becoming the most agile and lively swordsman possible have been learned by, and remain within the elven race. I will teach you our ways.”

“Will it work with humans?” Rylan inquired. He felt stupid the moment he uttered his question.

“It has before; I’ve no doubt it will prevail again!” Jalmar replied optimistically. “Now come, choose your sword and armor yourself so that we might begin.”

By the time his lesson was finished, Rylan was tired, but energized. Training to fight like an elf was both quite similar and vastly different. It was both grueling and gratifying. Just when he had begun to lose hope in his ability to prevail, he would succeed in his task.

He bid farewell to Jalmar, and Korthan lead him back to his quarters.

“You need not escort us to meals any longer, Korthan,” Rylan stated as they walked back. “And soon, Aden and I will learn the layout and be able to walk to our lessons unaccompanied. I do not wish to inconvenience you more than we already have.”

“It is no trouble,” the guard assured him. “It is my duty to serve Islea, and now you as well.”

“I hope to one day attain your selflessness.” Rylan responded.

“Oh, but you have.”

“How do you mean?”

“You left your home, the only place you have ever known, to save Ubaria from destruction. You had no obligation, your small village would have been spared from the recruiting of Zayleth’s soldiers, and likely only been slightly affected by his reign.”

          “Telvor provided me with undeniable proof that I was destined to save Ubaria, how could I have declined his plea for my aid? The fate of the world had been revealed to be resting upon my shoulders, it would have been purely foolish to ignore him and allow our realm to perish.” Rylan answered passively.

          “Even if I could manage to convince you that you truly are a savior, I would not want to impair your humility. Nonetheless, I thank you for your willingness.” Korthan replied.

          He nodded, but was rather confused by both his manner and his words.

Rylan stood outside the sleeping hall, and paused to savor the beauty of the elven forest before going inside. The blue-green hue the tall trees provided was both subtle and prominent, and accented the perfect amount of elegance to the atmosphere.

          The faint hue of the world around him was not the only feature of the forest that made him feel calm and peaceful. It was also the gentle bubbling of the nearby streams, the muffled purr of insects’ wings, and the delighted twittering of birds. All the sounds combined in to one, peaceful, perfect harmony, it was a beautiful and unique melody, incomparable to any instrument.

          He smiled and breathed the cool, spring air deeply. He exhaled, and hesitated but a moment before opening the door. Rylan then made his way down the hall, and entered his and Aden’s room.

Aden waved his hand slightly, acknowledging his presence. He seemed quite engrossed in his current sketch.

“Ah, so I see you have found means to draw.” Rylan stated with a smile. He was happy his friend had found a way to occupy himself. Aden loved to draw. Even as a child, he would create pictures of various things in the dirt or snow.

“Yes, I asked Malifar if he had any spare paper and a stick of coal, and he reluctantly gave them to me. However, it took me quite a while to work up the courage to do so.” He replied, glancing up at him for but a moment.

“You must have been rather desperate.”

          “I was. Our lessons are done an hour or so before it is time to leave for supper, and after that, what am I supposed to do? I do not handle boredom with ease.”

          “Perhaps you could accompany Raelein and me on our evening walks,” Rylan suggested, though, he didn’t want Aden to accept his offer.

          “That would be lovely!” Aden replied cheerily.

          Rylan forced a smile, but he almost regretted his proposition.

          “I am only toying with you, fret not.” Aden laughed. “I would not want to intrude on you two; it seems you are making progress.”

          “What do you mean, ‘progress’?”

          “Oh, nothing,” he answered, concealing a chuckle.

          “Aden.” Rylan stated. “What are you implying?”

          “As if it is not obvious… You fancy her!”

          “Are you serious? I just met her! I hardly know anything of her.”

          “You can deny it if you wish to,” Aden chuckled again. “But I know you, and the haze of bliss you returned with last night was not normal of you.”
          “I was joyous to have gained a friend, not to have ensnared a potential lover.” Rylan protested. He meant it, too.

          “Alright then… Do not claim that I didn’t warn you when you are tormented with a broken heart.”

          “I am not going to have my heart broken,” he objected, irritated. Aden just nodded unconvincingly.

          Rylan was annoyed, and a part of him wondered if Aden was right. Could his friendship with Raelein turn into something more…? He laughed to himself and discarded the thought. He’d never been in love before, why would anything change that?