Splintered Fate

by ylugin

  “I guess it could be fun.” Jakobe replied with a shrug. “But he has to get his own supplies.” The boy added.

  “That wont be a problem,” Kaiden said with a small laugh. Alex could create all the supplies the two could ever need, besides bowstring.

  Sounds of people gathering began to carry over to where Kaiden and Jakobe were. He turned to look towards the noise. By the blue light of the moon he could make out shapes of people congregating in the distance.

  “They are gathering around the Arena. Zorin is probably practicing, he always draws a crowd.” Jakobe informed. “Want to go see?”

  “Sure.” The two began heading towards the crowd. As they approached Kaiden could see a white wolf standing amongst the group, his tail moving in a happy rhythm. For a moment his pulse quickened as his eyes darted around, searching for Lana. She was nowhere to be seen, Ardin must have wandered over here on his own. The wolf turned to him when he approached.

  “Hey Ardin.” Kaiden acknowledged the wolf. “This is Jakobe.” He pointed to the boy before turning to Jakobe. “This is Ardin. He is the Aorra for my friend.”

  “Cool. An all white wolf Aorra! He is very regal looking.” The boy exclaimed.

  Ardin turned his head to the side while looking at the two of them. Kaiden thought he saw the wolf smile, or make an expression resembling that of what Kaiden imagines to be a wolf’s smile.

  The three of them turned to the Arena. In it stood a Madonian man moving like liquid with a blade in his hand. It was as if he were one with the blade, it an extension of himself. It was truly incredible to witness.

  Kaiden recognized the man, who had brown hair and a mustache. The man had sat at their table at dinner. Though he sat at the far end, speaking to Lana most the night.

  “Who is that?” Kaiden asked Jakobe.

  “That’s Zorin.” The boy answered, as he too watched Zorin in wonder.

  “He’s an advisor to the council right?”

  “Yup.” Jakobe confirmed. “But he is much more than that. He teaches everyone here how to fight with a blade. He is amazing. I think he may be a descendent from the gold army that used to be in Alogrin.”

  “Is the gold army still around?” Kaiden asked, hopeful that perhaps there were. If they could manage to get a golden army on their side, then King Zakran and Arkhip Dukran wouldn’t stand a chance.

  “No, at least not that I know of. But if they were then I would guess that Zorin is part of it.”

  After awhile of watching the magnificent dance within the arena, the sword in Zorn’s hand glimmered away into nothing and the crowd that had formed around him cheered and applauded. Zorin took a deep bow. When he stood he walked right over to Kaiden.

  “Hello Ardin.” Zorin acknowledged Lana’s Aorra. Lana and Zorin had sat together at the dinner so it would have been easy for Zorin recognized the wolf, there was no Aorra quite like Ardin.

  He then turned to Kaiden. “I apologize for not getting a chance to introduce myself sooner. My name is Zorin, its a pleasure to finally meet Kaiden. I saw you at dinner, you are a friend of Lana Casteel’s, correct?”

  “Yes. That was quite some skill you displayed out there.”

  “Thank you, its just a little something I like to do from time to time.” Zorin smiled. “Walk with me back to the ballroom?” He requested.

  Kaiden turned to the boy he had just met. “I’ll try and introduce you to Alex tomorrow. See you around.” The boy nodded and turned, walking away. Ardin too had disappeared.

  With the crowd dispersing, Kaiden turned to Zorin.

  The two of them slowly made their way back to the castle. Zorin inquired of Kaiden’s past, how he grew up. What his life was like. He also asked of Lana, what her strengths were, if she were strong enough to create a sword. Kaiden answered all of Zorin’s questions.

  There was something about Zorin, an air of greatness, but Kaiden couldn’t put his finger on it. Once back at the fortress Zorin politely thanked Kaiden for walking with him and left him at the entrance.

  Kaiden began making his way back to his room but he was not yet tired. So attempting to kill some time, he wandered about the halls instead. There were so many of them. They were vast, made of solid stone with engravings and decorations on every wall. There was not a single hall that was bare. Finally, amongst the plethora of halls he saw a familiar face, Connor.

  “Connor!” Kaiden called out as the boy approached. “Could you help me find Donn’s room?”

  “Sure.” Connor replied, taking Kaiden down yet another hallway and stopping at a door. “This is it.”

  “Are you sure?” Kaiden asked. The hall looked exactly like the one he and Lana were on. He didn’t want to knock on the door only to have Lana answer.

  Connor smiled kindly at Kaiden and raised his hand, knocking on the door. After a short moment the door opened. Nadina stood on the other said, her eyes lit up with her recognition of Kaiden.

  “Kaiden!” Nadina exclaimed before noticing Connor standing next to him. “Oh, hi.” Nadina acknowledged the boy.

  “Hello.” Connor said to Nadina with a slight bow of his head. Nadina’s face abruptly turned red.

  “Thank you, Connor.” Kaiden said to the boy.

  “My pleasure,” He responded, his eyes never leaving Nadina’s now tomato red face. Kaiden rolled his eyes as he stepped in and closed the door.

  “Kaiden!” Alex ran into the room.

  “Alex!” Kaiden exclaimed. “I found a young boy your age who also likes archery, I will have to introduce you tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” He simply replied. Kaiden had hoped he would be more enthusiastic about having a friend to practice with.

  “What in the bloody lands is all the racket!? Get to your beds at once!” A raspy voice sounded from the couch in the room. Kaiden hadn’t noticed that Donn was lying on the couch near a fireplace. Both the kids jumped at the sound of his voice, looking to Kaiden as if they were caught red-handed out of bed.

  “It’s all right, go to bed. I will see you two later.” He said as the two of them gave him a hug and ran to the next room. Kaiden cautiously walked over to the couch where Donn was.

  He lay with an arm draped over his forehead, his face flushed. He opened one glazed eye when Kaiden approached, looking Kaiden up and down before shutting his eye. “I have a terrible headache.” That was Donn’s polite way of telling Kaiden to get out.

  “I wont be long. I just wanted to apologize.”

  “Apologize?” Donn grumbled as he lifted himself from the couch and sat up. He brought a hand over his temples, rubbing them a moment before bringing his glazed eyes up to Kaiden.

  “I did not trust you, when in fact you were bringing us to Alogrin.”

  “I do not hold that against you.” Donn stated, grumbling some more before his next coherent words. “How was the Alogrinian council?”

  Kaiden shrugged. “Fine, I think. They have not agreed to help Lana with anything yet, but they have been rather welcoming. They gave us rooms and clothes. Tonight they threw a generous party for our arrival.”

  “Of course he would have a party on the day I am not functioning.” Donn spoke under his breath. Kaiden had no idea who he was referring to.

  “Tomorrow we are going to have some sort of sword fight at the arena, to show off our skill.”

  “Of course you will.” Donn muttered. “Well, I should be healthy enough to at the very least attend that.”

  “What’s it going to be like? Any ideas?”

  “You will most likely be in the Arena with Zorin. Everyone around here thinks him something special. You will show your skills and then it will be over.” Donn’s brows furrowed, “Now go, I need to rest, my mind is a thick nauseating fog. I would like for it to be cleared by morning.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Kaiden murmured to Donn who returned to laying on the couch, his eyes shut.

  Kaiden walked from the small room back into the hall, shutting the door behind him. Turning down the dimly lit hal
l, he headed towards his room. Restless feelings rustled around him, he was not at all tired, but tomorrow was going to be a day that required focus. Tomorrow called for a need to get some shut eye.

  Yet when Kaiden’s eyes did finally shut, he could only see her, only think of her. She was everywhere in his mind. He even thought he still smelled her, but that was unlikely, this was all just in his head.

  Chapter

  Thirteen

  Lana entered the grassy arena with Ardin by her side. Her body felt sore from the past several days and her eyes were tired from the restless night. Her mind relentlessly raced through thoughts the entire night, keeping away any form of sleep.

  Once the early sun began to brighten the world outside her window, she forced her body to move, getting out of bed. In the beautiful wooden wardrobe she had found suitable clothing to wear for physical activities such as swordplay, a tan tunic with brown pants, which she wore with her laced up boots. Her brown hair was pulled back in a fishtail braid. Lana wanted to do a normal braid but Lola stopped by in the morning and insisted on doing something special for the event. Her mothers butterfly hair clip held black a few loose strands.

  Upon her arrival to the arena Lana saw Kaiden standing off to the side, speaking with Clyte. As if he could feel her watching him, he looked up, momentarily locking eyes with Lana. A jolt ran through her and quickly she turned her gaze away. She tried to focus on what was going on and the task ahead, that’s was what she should be concerned with. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder what Kaiden and Clyte were talking about.

  A familiar wet nose nuzzled her hand.

  You have nothing to worry about. Ardin said, his blue eyes watching her.

  Speak for yourself, look at all these people. Lana scanned the arena, it was packed with people standing all around its edges, and she could see even more people approaching from the distance.

  Just focus on your target. Watch him, learn the way he moves and don’t underestimate your opponent.

  I don’t think I would underestimate anyone here. Lana said as she took in the scene.

  The arena was a large oval and for the most part cleared of trees except for three that scattered around the center. From the side she saw Cale walk into the center, heading towards them. He wore clothes similar to those Kaiden had on last night, this was not clothing someone would wear if they planned to have a sword fight. Disappointed that she would not have the opportunity to try and embarrass him in front of all his people, Lana watched him approach with a slight frown. Cale raised a hand, waving them forward as he strode towards them.

  Here we go. Lana thought as she and Ardin made their way towards Cale. She could see Kaiden in her peripheral moving towards them.

  Avoiding Kaiden’s gaze, Lana kept her eyes on Cale. She hated that she felt such a foolish way or found it suddenly difficult to look at him. A part of her hoped he wasn’t angry with her from last night. To look at him might confirm her fears so she opted to avoid a glance, at least for now. She would deal with him after this was over. First she needed to get past this obstacle.

  Are you all right? Ardin asked, probably sensing her feelings of frustration.

  "I'm fine." Lana replied in a firm voice, with what Ardin would recognize as a hint annoyance. Her cheeks flushed as soon as she realized that she replied out loud.

  "So what are we doing?" Kaiden asked, the sound of his voice caused Lana's pulse to quicken. She was beginning to get angry at the way she was reacting to him. This was not something that was supposed to be happening. He was her friend, even being that was dangerous. For them to become anything more would have been foolish. Yet her body didn’t seem to be connected to her mind.

  Being near him sent a flutter through her stomach. Her eyes pulled to look at him, to glide over the muscular tanned body. Her breath wanted to mingle with his and her heart threatened to break through its ribbed cage and run to him. There was a severe disconnect within her and Lana wasn’t sure when it happened. Her mind screamed, no you’ll ruin him, it will end in blood. Yet her body said, I don’t care, I demand him.

  "You fight. Ladies first, are you ready Princess?" Cale said with a wink at Lana, answering Kaiden.

  Rumbling in the crowd sounded the arrival of someone new to the arena. "Ah, and here comes your opponent. Good luck." Cale added, nodding to the side. He then walked away to get a good spot to watch.

  Lana turned to see her opponent moving graciously towards her. It was a tall thin man wearing leather-fighting clothes. From the distance his brown hair and mustache instantly gave him away.

  "Zorin?" Lana blurted out with wide eyes.

  I can’t fight him!

  It's not a real fight, no one will get hurt, he will just test you. He is the one most skilled with a blade and Madonian strength here in Alogrin.

  But he is the only person I have connected with in this place and now I have to... Wait why does this not seem to be news to you? Lana turned to Ardin whose tail quickened its pace at her stare.

  Last night while I was exploring I learned he was much more than just an advisor to the Council... He is quite talented, I saw him practice, it’s quite remarkable.

  Lana wanted to strangle her Aorra for not sharing this sooner.

  "Good morning, Lana Casteel." Zorin greeted her warmly as his wife too approached. “Kaiden.” He acknowledged with a nod.

  Aria walked at Zorin’s side and at his other was a great cat, his Aorra. The feline’s muscular body slinked along side of him. When Zorin was close enough he stopped but his Aorra did not.

  “His name is Dorian.” Zorin informed, as his Aorra proceeded to circle around Lana, Kaiden, and Ardin, like a cat stalking its prey. Once Dorian completed a full circle he rejoined Zorin at his side.

  Dorian was as white as snow. The tips of his ears were accented in black and black spots speckled the top of his head and back. His paws seemed tremendous with long lethal claws. Despite his massive size, the Aorra appeared incredibly light on his feet.

  “Hello, Dorian.” Lana said, still watching the Great Cat.

  "Can you hold a sword?" Zorin asked, bringing her attention back.

  "Yes, my father had me learn as a child." Lana eyed him, finding it odd he had no sword himself.

  "Very good, smart man to teach a young lady how to defend herself. Council members in particular shouldn’t rely only on their Aorras as a form of defense.”

  Lana noted that he called her council member not princess like so many other Alogrinian’s did.

  Zorin turned to Kaiden “You can go over to the sidelines for now my boy. We will have our time after she finishes.” He said warmly.

  Kaiden gave Zorin a single nod and turned, pausing his eyes on Lana, she forced herself to meet his gaze. “Good luck. Just think of how we practice. And what ever you do, do not underestimate him.” He whispered and turned, walking off to the side. Ardin nuzzled her hand once more and left, joining Kaiden at the sidelines, leaving Lana alone in the ring with Zorin.

  Lana turned, facing the growing crowd around the arena. Donn’s familiar face staring from the sidelines caught her attention. He waved to her with a bright smile behind his white beard, giving her enthusiastic thumbs up. Donn stood alone, he hadn’t brought his grandkids to this. Nervously Lana turned back to Zorin.

  "This is what I do when I'm not advising the council. I teach the art of swordsmanship and defense to every citizen here." Zorin told Lana, he seemed to pick up on her uncertainty.

  “Are you a part of what people call the golden army?” Lana asked. If Zorin taught everyone in Alogrin and the golden army still existed, then maybe he was a part of it.

  Zorin let out a grumbling laugh. “Oh no, they don’t exist anymore. But I would never be good enough to be a part of the golden army.”

  "He's amazing, don’t let his old age fool you." Aria teased Zorin and warned Lana at the same time. With a smile as she reached for her husbands face. Zorin grasped his wife’s hand and brought it to his lips, gingerly kissing i
t before releasing her.

  Zorin continued, "I'll just be testing you to see your skill."

  Lana nodded.

  You will do great. Ardin encouraged her from the sidelines.

  Yea, you just told me how amazing this guy is.

  I have seen you fight too, you have improved a great deal in only the last few days, you are a remarkable swordsman. Don't worry.

  Aria and Dorian turned to head to the sidelines of the Arena. They made it just a few steps before Aria paused and turned back to face Zorin. She brought her hand up to her lips and blew her husband a single kiss. But this was more than just a kiss, for from the palm of her hand floated a ball of light that dispersed in a small glow around Zorin.

  Lana was taken aback. The light reminded her of what she and Kaiden were able to do with Ardin. So she can give him strength without an Aorra’s assistance? Lana thought as she looked over to Ardin, who was staring at Zorin.

  It would seem so. Ardin replied in wonder. Very interesting.

  Zorin brought the energy into his palm and a sword shimmered to life in his hand. The detail of the sword was unlike any Lana had ever seen forged by a Madonian. It had a sharp cross-guard that pointed towards the tip of the sword, engraved with small detail Lana could not make out. The detail on the cross-guard came down into a slight swirl pattern on the sword’s blade about a quarter of the blades length.

  Lana stared at Zorin and his sword in awe, the beauty of it glistening in the sun. He swung the sword around as if testing its weight and feel. The corners of his lips pulled up in a satisfied smile, it was perfect. The look in his eyes portrayed his love for swordplay and it made Lana nervous.

  She remembered something her father told her during her sparring practice as a child. He told her that there was nothing more dangerous in an opponent than a man who truly loved his sword and was one with it. But she was never able to master the art of loving the sword and the dance accompanying it. A cold chill ran down Lana’s spine at the memory, she did not know what her father truly meant till now, seeing Zorin embody her father’s words.