“I did indeed.” Gustav walked over to a cabinet where he kept special works. “It’s not finished yet. I still have to attach the grip and pommel to the tang.”
“Can I still see it?” Senri asked.
“What do you think I’m getting?” Gustav opened the cabinet and pulled out an incomplete blade. Senri walked over to get a closer look at the metal. Even unpolished, it still gleamed. “Solid steel,” he said proudly. Senri nodded, knowing how great an honor he bestowed with the kingdom’s iron reserves running lower every day. Malcor ran over to get a look at the new weapon as well. “Of course, the grip and the fittings will have to be steel as well. Did you have any design requests?”
“Put a dragon on it,” Malcor yelled.
Gustav glared down at the boy. “Hush! We’ve no need to incite trouble with blasphemous decorations.”
Senri rolled her eyes. “Surprise me, Gustav.”
Malcor stood on tiptoe to whisper in her ear, “A dragon would look amazing.”
Senri smiled and nodded at him. His idea held charm and irony, but it would upset too many people. Senri remembered the last dragon attack, and though the creature had not harmed any villagers, it had raided half of their livestock before the Scaled Vanguard had chased it off..
“That’s enough peeking for you,” said Gustav. He tucked the blade back in the cupboard and closed the doors. “You can see the completed work tomorrow when the Warriors arrive.”
“Fine, fine,” said Senri. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gustav.”
“Bye Senri,” Malcor shouted.
She waved at the boy and exited the forged and continued down the main road, taking the long way home in hopes of lingering at the inn. She slowed as the large, raucous house came into view. Even from a distance, music drifted over, the dancing and the banging feet stomping in rhythm. She waited for the right moment.
Soon after, the side door to the inn opened and a young woman stepped outside, swinging a bucket about and twirling her skirt to the music. The girl—Vella—took the bucket to the nearby chicken coop and spread feed out for the hungry animals. One of the few people Senri’s age around the small village, she had long, shining locks of light hair that rustled over her back as she tipped the bucket over the fence and scattered the last of the animal feed. Senri sighed and ran a hand through her own choppy, fair hair, always so messy from training for hours on end. She took a deep breath and walked in Vella’s direction. As she tried to appear nonchalant, Vella turned. Senri smiled and waved and the inn maiden waved back.
“How are you?” Vella called out.
Senri shrugged, reaching Vella. She was smaller, with well-proportioned limbs unlike Senri’s long and awkward arms and legs. “I’m alright,” Senri said. “I just got back from visiting the seer.”
Vella nodded. “I heard you were going out there today.”
Senri scuffed her foot against the dirt. Her stomach felt like it had dropped, or twisted itself into a knot, or disappeared. “Yeah,” she said, looking down. She didn’t want to look into Vella’s eyes. Instead, she watched Vella play with the handle of the bucket, her hands tightening.
“So, what was the visit for?”
Senri looked up again, heat creeping over her cheeks. “I, uh…was trying to persuade her to…let me stay.”
Vella laughed. “You’re so odd. Why would you want to stay in this dull place?”
Her heart beat a little faster. She considered telling Vella it was to remain with her, but then her throat constricted shut. “I…I don’t think I’ll like the city life. It’s too big there.”
Vella shook her head. “You should be more grateful, Senri. I would love to travel to the heartland.”
“So come with me.” Senri’s own boldness shocked her, but Vella just laughed it off.
“Oh, I can’t do that, not with you and the other Warriors. How would I making a living?”
Senri took a deep breath, trying to summon courage. She found none. “Yeah, silly thought. Forget I asked.” Vella nodded and looked like she would head into the inn when Senri asked, “Will you come see me tomorrow before I leave?”
Vella paused and turned to Senri. She smiled. “Of course I will. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t say goodbye?” Vella turned and entered the inn once more, leaving Senri outside with a feeble smile on her face and fading hopes in her heart. A friend. Is that all?
“You’re pathetic, you know that?” The deep masculine voice startled her, and a weight pressed on Senri’s shoulder as someone casually leaned on her.
“Shut up, Nat,” she said, pushing the young man off her.
He chuckled and looped his arm through hers, clutching fiercely. Nat was only slightly older than her, but training had filled him out much better than her. He had been one of the two selected for the Warriors that year. She had the second honor. He stroked the dark ends of his sparse beard and watched the inn. “You could at least tell her you’d like to stroll her fields, given the chance,” he winked and dodged a fist Senri aimed at his shoulder. “Just do what I do.”
Senri looked Nat over. His shirt and trousers were dusty from field work, and his loose black curls gave him a roguish look. She rolled her eyes. “Well, not all of us can promise a woman the world then leave her the next day.”
Nat held a hand up to his heart. “You wound me! You dare accuse an inductee into the Warriors of being less than honorable toward a woman?”
Senri shook her head, adopting her best posh accent. “I’m sure your honor shines brightly from one sunrise to the next, but with the dawning of every day so does your love dawn with a different woman in sight.” She resumed walking back to her home, the sun nearly set below the horizon. Nat followed after.
“You’re a Warrior, not a poet, Senri. Where did those clever words come from?”
Senri waved a hand at him. “I can be clever, though not in front of Vella.”
Nat clapped her on the shoulder. “She’s not even that remarkable. Just a country maid with her head in the clouds.”
“And what do you know of fine women, Nat?” Senri stopped and turned, staring him down.
His grin faded as he walked up to Senri, no longer jovial in his step. “Look, anyone who doesn’t notice what an amazing person you are is a fool and not worth your time.”
He frowned. Senri squirmed, her emotions felt on display and she did not like the analysis. She shrugged. “Well… who else is there, Nat?”
Nat sighed and rolled his head back. “A lot of people. More than you can count. Now let’s go.” He nudged her toward her house. “You need to get home and get rest if the both of us are to depart tomorrow in a timely manner. And the first thing I’m going to do when we get to the city is take you to a tavern where you can flirt with all the inebriated beauties to your heart’s content.”
Senri shook her head and walked on with her friend. “Somehow I think that’s more of what you want to do, Nat.”
As the two strode back to her parent’s farmhouse, Senri allowed herself a glance back at the village. She thought of Vella dancing in her flowing skirt and of all the travelers probably asking for her hand. A stupid dream, falling for her. Senri could not compete with the travelers of the world. But tomorrow, I will be a traveler. Perhaps some months away with the Warriors would make her more appealing to the young inn maiden. Senri smiled. Her mind filled with visions of her returning home a seasoned fighter, a legend, and letting the beautiful Vella swoon in her arms.
Chapter Two
THE NEW ARMOR PLATING glinted as Senri struggled into it. Next to her, Nat fought with his own new uniform. “If only the other Warriors could see us,” he said, trying to tighten a leather buckle on his leg into place. The two of them stood out in an orchard behind the blacksmith’s. They were supposed to report to the center of town as soon as they donned their new uniforms. The other Warriors would arrive soon.
Senri laughed as she pulled against her buckles. “I’m sure they had the same problem starting out
. The leather isn’t worn in yet, that’s all.”
Nat grunted. “Oh sure. Come over here and help me get this chest plate into place.”
Senri sighed and helped him, yanking the leather straps on his back taut. With enough force, the two of them managed to fully outfit themselves in the official armor. The gold-leaf falcon on the front of their breastplates shone. The rest of it had been made from standard steel: chest, pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves, even boots.
The armor filled out her form a bit so she looked slightly less gangly. She almost felt more powerful just by wearing it. “You ready?” she asked.
“I’m more tightly packed than a stuffed turkey,” said Nat. She punched his arm, and the steel plates clanged. “Ha! Just try to bruise my delicate skin now.”
Senri groaned. “Whatever. Let’s get out there. I’m sure that our horses are even waiting for us by now.”
The two of them strode to the center of town, a large dirt clearing surrounded by market stalls and the entrance to the inn. A crowd of people waited for them. Three Warriors stood at the head of the crowd, two men and a woman. Covered in hack marks and dents, their armor showed signs of their service. Besides the Warriors, half the town was present. Senri’s parents and three younger brothers stood off to the side. Senri’s mother, blonde hair and all, waved at her as she approached. Senri smiled back, but noticed with a twinge her mother’s tear-stained cheeks. Vella also stood with the well-wishers, though her gaze wandered.
Senri and Nat knelt down on one knee before the Warriors, bowing their heads. She remembered snorting with laughter when practicing with Nat.
“Apprentices Senri and Nathaniel,” spoke a deep voice. Senri wanted to look up, but settled for studying the armor-clad feet approaching her. “You have been born with the gifts passed down from our ancestors. The day has come where you shall be accepted into our ranks as Warriors of Osota. Rise.” They stood. The oldest Warrior looked at them with a creased face, his hair graying from his wispy top down to the scraggly ends of his short beard. His brow furrowed as he studied the two of them. “I am Valk, leader of the Warriors. Today, you will join us in our noble cause. But first, you shall prove your worth with a demonstration of power.” Valk reached into his pockets and pulled out two smooth, fist-sized stones. He presented one each to Senri and Nat. She stared down at the object. “We have embedded an idol within each of these stones. According to your abilities, both of you should be able to retrieve them.”
Senri took the stone in her hand and turned it over. It was new rock, not even completely cool. The heat radiated against her palm, invisible to anyone without her ability, her gift, the thing that had marked her for the Warriors since birth. She looked over to Nat, who gripped the stone in both his hands and took a deep breath. As he exhaled, the stone cracked and crumbled, breaking away in smaller bits until sand sifted through his fingers. He opened his eyes and plucked a small, glittering gem from within the remaining sand.
“It’s a mountain,” he said, holding the gem to the light. The cone-shaped and jagged cut white jewel, clear as water, sparkled in the light and casted beams of color in every direction.
Senri turned her attention back to her own stone. She breathed in, concentrating on the hot pulse. Her hands warmed, and then the stone warmed becoming soft and pliable. The heat rushed through her fingers. Insufferable, yet comforting. She pulled the rock apart like clay and dropped the smoldering fragments to the ground until she reached the yellow gem inside. She pulled it from the mess and dropped the rest. When her hands cooled and the pulsing stopped, the shape of a yellow sun sparkled at her. “How fitting,” she muttered.
“The new protectors have proven their worth. One touched by the stone.” He gestured to Nat. “And one by the sun.” He nodded at Senri. “May their strength be our strength. May their enemies fall at our swords.” The two other Warriors walked forward, each carrying a newly crafted sword and sheath. “May their hardships be shared so that each Warrior of Osota may stand united.” The two Warriors knelt, holding the swords up. “Take your weapons, and may they forever serve the kingdom.”
Senri reached for the glittering steel hilt. Her other hand grabbed the blue-dyed leather sheath.
“The Warriors of Osota welcome you,” said Valk. “You are ready to join us in the heartland as we fight to defend our kingdom.”
Senri and Nat both bowed. “Thank you,” they both said. When Senri looked back up, the townspeople stared with smiles, as expected. She still could not get Vella to meet her gaze. Was she not impressive enough standing in shining armor?
“Your horses have been prepared for the journey ahead,” said Valk. “You are allowed to say your goodbyes, and then we shall depart.”
Senri nodded. “Thank you, sir.” As she walked over to her parents she buckled the sword sheath to her belt, securing it comfortably against her leg. Her parents jumped on her, her father scooping her into his arms for a tight hug. He squeezed the air from her lungs. “Dad!” she wheezed.
“Be careful out there,” he whispered.
The grip lessened and Senri gasped for breath. Her mother pried him away to give her a gentler hug. “He’s just sad to see you leave,” she said, her mouth near Senri’s ear.
“It was not my idea to leave,” Senri said, returning the hug.
Her mother withdrew and held Senri at arm’s length. Her eyes watered, her thin blonde hair swept up into a loose bun. “You’re just too young.”
“I know. I’ll be back though. I won’t always be on assignments.” She felt someone leap onto her back and she nearly buckled under the weight. A pair of arms looped around her shoulders and two other people latched to her arms. Her brothers had found her.
“Be careful out there, Senri!” Garth, the one on her back, cried.
“Yeah, and bring us back something from the heartland,” said Ean. As the next oldest, Ean’s voice had just started to change. Still, Garth, Mattus, and Ean all looked alike with dark hair and freckles. Her mother shooed the boys off her.
“Thanks.” She shook her shoulders to prevent cramping. “I, uh, I’m going to say goodbye to the others really quick.” She looked around for Vella, but the girl had vanished from the group of villagers. Instead, she had latched onto the arm of one of the Warriors, well, nearly. Vella stood close to a woman with short, dark hair. They smiled and talked with one another. Senri held back a growl.
“Wrong arm?” said Nat. His breath warmed her ear as he swooped in behind her, moving through her parents.
Senri smacked the steel plate on his arm. “Shut it.” She did not need her parents hearing of her unrequited love.
“You know, if you hurry maybe you both can partake in a...farewell ritual.” His tone lifted in a suggestive manner.
“Nat!”
“What’s going on, you two?” asked her father. He rubbed an end of his dark moustache as he watched them.
“Just some good natured ribbing,” said Nat. He stared at her parents with wide, innocent eyes.
“Good,” her father replied. “It would be a shame to start out a journey on an argument.” He looked past the two of them and shook his head. “Here come your horses. Let me make sure the stable boys got everything.” Her father went down the dirt road where two men led the horses.
“Senri.” Her mother touched Senri’s cheek. She looked back towards her.
“Yes?”
“You and Nat go say goodbye to the rest of your friends. I need to make sure your father doesn’t harass those boys.”
Senri nodded. “All right.” As her mother walked away she turned to Nat. “Can we please interrupt them?”
Nat grinned. “Anything to go talk to that fine woman in armor.” The two strode over to Vella and the Warrior, who conversed closely to one another, closing off everyone else. Nat made short work of the barriers. “My lady, it is such an honor to be serving alongside you!” He slung his arms around the Warrior in a tight hug. The woman’s eyes went wide and she backed up, trying to pul
l Nat off her. Too bad she did not know him like Senri did.
While the two grappled, she moved in. “Vella!” She tried and failed to sound shocked at seeing her there. Vella smiled. The grin seemed small…irritated. “Did you see the ceremony?”
“Yes, it was lovely,” Vella replied, her voice short. She kept glancing over to Nat and the Warrior as they laughed with one another.
“We’re, uh, leaving at any moment. I won’t be back for a while.”
Vella nodded. “I know. It will be quiet without you and Nat around.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Who else will I have to talk to in the evenings?”
Senri smiled and her heart fluttered. “Well, I’ll come back and visit as soon as I can. I’m sure they’ll let me return after I save the kingdom a few times.”
Vella chuckled. “I’m sure you will be great, Senri. It looks like your party is gathering though.” She nodded in the direction of the other Warriors mounting their horses.
“Oh, I guess I should be going then,” Senri said. Vella nodded. The two stood there. Senri looked down into Vella’s eyes with a plea. She wanted to do something brave, like hug her, or tell her how she felt. Instead, she said, “Goodbye,” and walked over to Stomps and patted his mane.
Nat must have noticed her fallen expression. “No luck?”
“None,” Senri replied. She thought back on the conversation. “Though maybe a glimmer of hope.”
Nat groaned, clutching the reins to his horse. “Just give up on her.” Senri shook her head. “Whatever. I’ll have plenty of time to change your mind when we reach the city.” He hoisted himself atop his horse and Senri pulled herself onto Stomps. Her horse shook his head, chasing away a fly.
“You two ready back there?” Valk turned in his saddle, craning his neck to look at them.
“Just about,” said Senri. The villagers surged up around them for a final parting. Her parents each took turns squeezing her hand and telling her to hurry home. Her brothers shouted suggestions for gifts, most of them impossible to retrieve. Most people just gave her a nod, though she did feel a small hand tug on her pant leg from the left side of her horse. Senri turned and saw Malcor standing beside her.
Warrior Page 2