by Dane Bagley
Sparks flew and a loud clink rang as Jashion barely blocked the blow with his sword. Sweat dripped in his eyes and he began to fall backwards just catching himself as he stepped back. But the relentless blows kept coming. His muscles ached and his heart pounded. Only adrenaline and will-power allowed him to continue to block the fierce strikes.
“Fight back!” yelled Daxton.
“Stand your ground!” hollered Marcus.
Aiden’s dark eyes were fixed upon Jashion. He was barely perspiring in the noontime sun. Again, he lifted his sword and again he struck. This time Jashion’s sword did not make it up for the block. Aiden’s sword stopped millimeters from Jashion’s neck. Jashion closed his eyes accepting his fate.
“Nice round. Get some water and cool yourself.” Aiden looked over at the trio cheering Jashion on. “Who’s next?”
Marcus and Terence looked at each other dumbly. Daxton got up slowly with fear in his eyes. “Take it easy, alright. You could have killed him.”
Aiden was amused on the inside but he did not dare even a hint of a smile in his expression. Jashion, who was sitting on the ground and wiping the sweat from his forehead, handed Daxton the sword. Jashion was in the way but was lightheaded and didn’t want to get up just yet.
“Get him some water,” Aiden said toward Marcus and Terence. Both boys got up and fetched a cool cup full together while Daxton hacked away at the breeze.
“We need to build your endurance. Your skills are improving.”
Jashion nodded lightly. Compliments from Aiden did not come often. Terence handed Jashion the cup and Jashion drank it up quickly. He still wasn’t ready to arise but did so anyway. He filled his own cup and sat his back against a tall tree such that it’s shade engulfed him while he watched the training.
Daxton was more aggressive than Jashion, preferring offense to defense. Aiden allowed him a few moments of attack before taking advantage of Daxton’s overreach. Moments later Daxton was on his knee’s blocking blows and trying to verbally surrender—Aiden, unaffected by his pleas. Marcus and Terence sheepishly looked on. Jashion, partially recovered, allowed a slight smile. Aiden took aim for Daxton’s sword, held up above him from his kneeling position. Aiden swung for the fences, as it were, knocking the sword out of Daxton’s hands and flinging it toward the brothers. It landed with the handle next to Terence’s foot.
“Looks like it’s your turn.”
Terrence swallowed hard and reached down slowly for the sword.
“Marcus, fetch me a cup of water, will you?” Daxton had not fought long enough to be exhausted, but Marcus complied anyway. Taking his cue from Jashion he sat in place and drunk his cup, then joined Jashion by the tree.
Terence had not taken any practice swings. He just stood there eyeing Aiden with his sword in blocking position. Terence, though the youngest and the shyest of the trio, was the tallest and the strongest. Daxton was confident beyond his qualifications while Terence was more self-conscious than his skill set should have caused him to be. During the training sessions Terence had shown more promise than his brother and cousin, yet he was the most insecure. Since it was time to spare, Aiden was anxious to see him at work.
As expected Terence did not go at Aiden. Rather, he eyed him cautiously keeping his sword ready for a block. Aiden slowly circled him and began to shrink the distance between them. Still, Terence did not shift for an attack. Aiden sent his sword toward him and Terence easily blocked the blow and put himself back on the defense. Aiden went for his leg, then side, then his neck, and finally his trunk. Each blow was blocked as Terence stood his ground and readied himself for another blow. Aiden saw no point in bringing him down quickly and having Terence hide deeper within himself. No, Aiden wanted to build his confidence and allow Terence to come out of his shell. There might be a tiger rather than a turtle within that shell.
Slowly Terence’s confidence did increase. Aiden began to leave his defensive position weaker. He wanted to entice a blow from Terence. It took some time but eventually it came. Terence swung at Aiden and Aiden blocked it sending sparks flying. Daxton began to cheer Terence on, Marcus smiled. Marcus too was growing in confidence.
Aiden continued to leave himself open for Terence’s blows which became more rapid. Terence’s blows were strong but never so much that he left himself wildly out of defensive position. Aiden was pleased with his potential. It was time to defeat him. Terence’s next blow was met with a new force from Aiden. Terence’s sword was then badly out of position and Aiden counter attacked. Terence did all that he could to defend the blow. He was being driven back as Aiden sent him blow after blow. Terence was not yet fatigued and he was past his self-consciousness. He found his legs and began to counter the attack without losing position. The spare had become a fight. Aiden did not let up but Terence held his own. Terence even found room to enact blows of his own. Inside, Aiden was thrilled. Terence had what it takes. For several minutes the fight looked even. Then Aiden drew him off balance again and fought him to his knees. Still, Terence defended himself and sought opportunity to arise. Aiden did not allow it, but neither did he seek to discourage him. The fight lingered for a minute or two before he had Terence on his back.
“I am ready for a drink and a rest,” said Aiden. Terence took this as a great compliment. Aiden reached down and help Terence to his feet.
“I’m ready to go again,” said Daxton getting to his feet.
“It’s my turn!” shouted Marcus. “You’ve had your turn, it’s my turn.”
Terence chucked his sword toward his brother who beamed from the justice. Aiden looked at Daxton. When Daxton made eye contact, Aiden tossed him his sword.
“Why do I have to fight Daxton? Everyone else had a turn at Aiden.”
“Aiden knows I’ll school you as well as he would.”
“Are you kidding me? You didn’t even last a minute before you were screaming like a baby.”
“Ha! I had him on the run before I tripped. He hadn’t taught us how to fight from our knees yet. I’d have had him if I hadn’t tripped.”
Aiden and Terence, cups in hand, made their way over to Jashion who was still sitting by the tree.
“Do ye think they’ll hurt themselves,” said Jashion.
Aiden didn’t say a word.
“It might do them some good,” said Terence. Aiden just looked on.
After some back and forth Marcus had Daxton down. Daxton was complaining about being tripped again while Marcus was smiling and shaking his head in reply. Jashion and Aiden had been sparing for over an hour before the Tengeer boys had shown up.
The three blond haired, blue eyed look-a-likes were eager to continue.
“You’ll spar amongst yourselves now. Time for a brothers’ duel.” Aiden nodded at Terence who took the sword from Daxton. Daxton was about to protest as Aiden looked him in the eye. He stopped and looked back. Go fetch more cool water. Daxton did as he was asked, leaving Aiden and Jashion alone.
Jashion and Aiden watched the fighting for a time.
“I shall not stay amongst the Tengeer much longer,” said Aiden.
“What did ye learn?”
Aiden was silent for a time—a rather long time. Jashion waited patiently. Aiden had left for ten days. He returned with meat from a hunt. The meat was fresh, killed the morning that Aiden had returned. Where he had been the previous nine days he had not yet mentioned.
“There may be war,” Aiden finally replied.
They watched the sparing for some time. Daxton had returned and was taking his turn sparing with the brothers.
“I shall not stay here either, I shan’t.”
“Jemma will be kept well. This is a good home for her.”
“Aye, that it is…that it is.”
“Will you continue with me?”
It was Jashion’s turn to pause. Both of the young men looked out in front of them towards the sparing and not at each other.
“I…I seek the promise land, I do,” and he looked up at Aiden, searching his face. Aid
en’s face could never be read.
“You believe in it then?”
“Don’t ye?”
After a few moments, “I’m still coming to terms with your Dromreign. I haven’t seen it, or its charred effects. I have had enough witnesses though, including yours, that I believe. The promise land sounds like a beautiful, wonderful myth. A story to calm frightened children. An idea that brings hope to those who are hopeless. Something must be on the other side of those mountains—why not make it a promise land. A place of beauty, peace, security, love, and all things grand. Take everything that you don’t want here and not let it be there. Take everything that you do want and put it there. Then, make it so difficult to obtain that most people will never try for it. Those that make it, of course, never come back to tell the tale. Some say that they have come from there but what real proof do they have? I don’t say that there is no promise land. What I say is that we really don’t know, and there is something mighty suspicious about it. We could risk our life and waste our days in search of it, or we could spend our days and energy in a world we do know of, and do much good.”
“Aiden, ye would consider joining me on this quest, wouldn’t ye?”
“I would. Would you consider joining me on another quest? One where we hunt, fight the bad, and seek the good things in this world. This world we know.”
“Aye. I’m not ready to seek the promise land just yet. I don’t think that I’m able to do it on me own. I will join ye and become more powerful—more capable like ye are. Then we’ll seek the promise land together. If there ain’t nothin’ there then we’ll keep fightin’ the good fight in this here world, together.”
“We’ll need to leave soon. We’ll need time to prepare for the winter. You don’t suppose we’ll go anywhere without these boys here?” Aiden asked, indicating Daxton, Marcus, and Terence.
“I believe we are stuck with them for life, I do.”
At this moment Terence was waiving his sword in the air and yelling, “I’m the champ!”
Marcus lay flat on his back, sword still in hand. Daxton was yapping about something ceaselessly. Aiden afforded a smile and they both laughed heartily.
As the gang arrived back to their homes Jashion’s attention turned to a little scene taking place near Tollybrit’s hut. Tollybrit’s sister, Linda, was giving Tora, the little dark skinned woman, an earful. Jemma was near Tora with her head down. Jashion could tell that Jemma was very upset. Linda was a very domineering woman. No one stood up to Linda, except sometimes Tollybrit. Most of the time Tollybrit just smiled and let Linda do her thing. Tora was no match for Linda. Jashion had seen Tora cower obediently to Linda many a time. This time Tora was trying to stand her ground as best as she could and Linda was more intense than ever. It was clear that Jemma somehow was at the center of it all.
Jemma had become friends with Tora and her children right from the time that they had arrived in Tengeer. Tora was clearly not a Tengeer, though Jashion did not know where she was from. He had never seen evidence of the father of Tora’s children. Perhaps he was away or was dead. Tora may have sought refuge among the Tengeer. Jashion could not think of a better people to live among. It was safe here, at least relatively safe. There was food and shelter, and the people were kind—sometimes Linda could be a bit bossy, but overall Jashion thought they were the best of people.
At first, Linda didn’t seem to bother with Jemma. Once they had been here for a few weeks and it became clear that Jemma was here for good, Linda became very interested in Jemma. From what Jashion could tell Linda was not pleased with Jemma’s education, or lack thereof. She did not seem too pleased with the progress or the potential with Tora’s children either. It was becoming obvious that Linda considered it her duty to see to the care and education of Jemma, despite how Jemma, Tora, or anyone else felt about it.
Jashion was thrilled that she would be taken care of so well. He was very fond of the little lass, seeing what all they had been through together. She and he were the last of his people, and he wanted her life to be good. But he really couldn’t care for her, and she was happy here. Still, he suspected that her upbringing thus far had not been very happy, that she was domineered and raised in fear and strict obedience. She cowered in this environment but she flourished when given love and freedom. Jemma was happy with Tora and her children and Jashion longed for her to be raised in that loving environment.
Jashion made his way toward Jemma. Jemma looked up at him with a fearful expression in her eyes.
“I need to talk with the little lass, here.”
“We are conversing about her just now. You will need to wait,” said Linda tersely.
“It can’t be waiting, ma’am.” He took Jemma by the hand and walked off without awaiting a further reply.
“Humph,” Linda sighed before turning her attention back to Tora.
Meanwhile, Aiden had made his way to Tollybrit and the other boys had wandered off. Tollybrit sat back smoking and listening carefully to Aiden. Tollybrit and Aiden had developed a deep respect for one another. Occasionally Tollybrit nodded, but other than that he seemed to focused on listening.
Jashion and Jemma walked until they were away from anyone. He held her hand. Jemma and Jashion had not spent much time together since arriving at Tengeer. This was a special treat to have some time with Jashion and she appreciated this bit of affection.
“Jemma, we need to talk some, we do.”
Jemma’s countenance dropped again. This did not sound good to her.
“Me isn’t staying here much more. I’m gonna go with Aiden, see. And we might not be back. I don’t know, maybe we will be back but maybe we won’t. So, this is a good home for ye here. There is children and good people and lots to eat and the stinkin’ dragon doesn’t come ‘round these parts. So ye will be taken good care of, ye will.”
Jemma looked Jashion in the eyes. Jashion could see tears beginning to form.
“Ye’s got friends here, now. Me seen ye play all the day with ‘em. Ye even sleep at Ms. Tora’s with her children, ye do. Ye is safe here, see.”
Tears were then streaming down little Jemma’s face and she began to sniffle. Jashion opened up his arms and Jemma embraced him tenderly.
“Jashion, I love ye,” followed by sniffle, sniffle, sniffle. “Ye saved me…and Aiden saved us both, he did.” “I’ll miss ye…so much, I will.”
“Now there…I will miss ye too, Jemma. Ye is a fine little lass. Ye saved me, too. We helped each other, we did. We’s a good team, we is. But, ye is little and me’s leavin’, me is. And ye needs a mother and all. So, Aiden’s found ye a good home, and Tora will be a good mother to ye and…”
“Nay, but Linda is a gonna take me, she is. She’s a tellin’ Tora just now that I ain’t a being raised proper and me play’s too much, and me needs more learnin’, me do. So, she’s a gonna take me and then sometimes I can play with me friends.”
“Do ye wants to be with Linda and learnin’ and bein’ raised proper and all?”
Jemma stood there frozen with red eyes and tear stains. Slowly she shook her head. “I want to be with Tora and me friends, I do.”
“Well, then, I’m gonna see to that, I will. Will that make ye feel better, eh?”
She stood still again. “Aye, but I’ll still miss ye.”
“And I’ll miss ye too.”