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Leafblade

By: Isaac Coyote

Chapter 8: Traveling Companions

It was early evening when Valaren decided to set up camp, barely half a day out of the city. Tarin assisted as best he could, but his paw was still a little stiff from his wound. It didn't take long to set up camp, and once it was complete, Valaren sat down to cook.

Tarin watched with interest as Valaren worked. "What are you making?"

"Nothing special." Valaren replied, "It is stew. You've had it before."

Tarin nodded slowly. He had never really watched Valaren cook before. "It is really good."

Valaren glanced up at Tarin, amused. "If you are describing stew as 'really good,' then you need exposure to better meals. Stew is meant to get you by on the road. It is not meant to be good."

"Then you must be doing something right." Tarin replied.

"Are you expecting flattery to get you an extra serving?" Valaren questioned, humorously. "Keep it up, it might work." Tarin laughed, but didn't reply.

Valaren finished the meal in silence, serving up the food after it was ready. Tarin accepted the bowl, but didn't immediately eat. He was not willing to burn his tongue at this point.

It hadn't even been a day since Liandra had given Tarin his warning. Valaren was dangerous, and could not be trusted. Should he believe her? Why would she lie? It was possible she was misinformed. There could be another Valaren out there. He didn't know how common a name Valaren was, but it didn't sound that exotic. What about King Alshaer's reaction to Valaren? They seemed really close. How could Liandra have one opinion of Valaren, and her father have a completely different opinion? Two people he thought he could trust stand on opposite sides of a very important decision, and only Tarin could make it.

"How is your paw?"

Tarin was lost in thought, so Valaren's words caught him by surprise. "What?"

"Your paw, how does it feel?"

Tarin glanced down at his paw. "Oh, right." He stretched it a few times, to get a feel for it. "Stiff and sore, but fine otherwise."

Valaren nodded. "You heal rather quickly. Benefits of youth, I suppose." Valaren stared at the fire for a moment, seeming to be in thought. "It might be a bit early. We can see how your paw is doing tomorrow."

"Too early for what?" Tarin asked.

The smile that Valaren replied with was very warm, but still very secretive. "A surprise. Get some sleep. We'll be on the road early. We've a long way to travel, and I'd like to pick up the pace."

Tarin frowned. He did not know whether or not he'd like this surprise, but he'd have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

Sleep proved elusive at first. He could not figure out why, but Tarin kept getting nervous about the letter. He pulled himself out of his bedroll several times to make sure it was still inside his pack. Each time, the letter had not moved. He had this odd feeling he was being watched each time he went for it, but when he looked to Valaren, the old canid was sleeping. Tarin grew frustrated and finally dragged his pack to his bed and used it as a pillow. Only then was he able to get sleep.

Valaren was up and moving before sunrise. He never moved to wake Tarin, but his actions woke up the coyote anyway. He sat up, letting consciousness roll over him. Valaren never spoke a word to Tarin. He barely acknowledged him waking.

It didn't take much time for Tarin to help load up camp. They ate a quick breakfast and returned to the road before sunrise. Valaren seemed distracted as they walked. The silence was a bit unnerving, but every time Tarin tried to break it, the look Valaren gave him silenced the coyote before any words could leave his muzzle.

They didn't stop for lunch, eating on the move instead. After eating, Tarin started feeling the weight of the new sword on his back. He shifted it to try and make it more comfortable, but he felt it not even a minute after shifting it. He fidgeted for a moment, but Valaren turned to him. "Stop adjusting it. You'll get used to it over time, but only if you leave it alone." That was the only thing Valaren said to him until that evening.

It was well after sundown when Valaren decided to set up camp. Tarin did his best to help set up again. This time, however, Valaren didn't set out to cooking immediately. He grabbed the cloth wrapping that he had pulled the swords from. There appeared to be something more inside that Tarin hadn't noticed before. "How does your paw feel now?" Valaren asked.

Tarin stretched it like he had before. "Still a little stiff, but no pain."

Valaren nodded. "Best we're going to get for now." He reached into the cloth and pulled out two swords made completely of wood. "I'm going to teach you how to use that sword you're wearing, so that one day you won't need me to protect you." He handed one to Tarin. "First, we're going to go over form."

Tarin took the sword and held it in his right paw. "Form?"

"How you hold the sword, and how you stand." Valaren moved beside Tarin. "This sword is a little big for you, but we'll be fine. For now, though, use both paws to hold it, like this." He demonstrated, and Tarin followed his example. "Good form, now remember that." Valaren took the sword from Tarin and slid it into his belt. "Not the best way to practice, but we make do with what we have." He did the same with his sword. "Drawing the sword should be one smooth motion. Everything must flow, like a dance." Valaren gracefully drew his sword and resumed his stance. "The smoother the motions are, the better you look, and the more intimidating. When you're striking, smoother motions are more accurate, but we'll worry about that later."

Tarin grabbed the sword in his belt by the hilt and attempted to draw it. It came out in one smooth motion, but Tarin's grip wasn't that strong, and it flew out towards Valaren, who caught it with his paw. "Sorry." Tarin hurried out.

The smirk on Valaren's face made Tarin feel a little better. "Throwing your weapon at your opponent is a viable strategy, as it usually catches them by surprise. It, however also leaves you unarmed." Valaren handed Tarin his sword back. "Let us work on your skills while armed before we disarm you, shall we?" Tarin almost responded when Valaren's eyes shifted quickly. "Unless you think you can do better, your Highness."

Tarin spun around quickly. He hadn't noticed at all, but now he could hear the slight rustling in the bushes behind him. He stared for a moment before Princess Liandra stepped into sight. She was wearing what looked like they could have been old clothes of Rayac's, and she had a bow and quiver strung to her back. "Oh, I am quite entertained watching you corrupt him, Oathbreaker."

Valaren frowned. "So, I see you still have not forgiven me for leaving, your Highness."

Liandra closed the distance between herself and Valaren so quickly, that Tarin instinctively stepped between them, expecting some physical altercation. "You swore to stay with my father, protect him."

"An oath your father relieved me of." Valaren replied casually. "He knows that a Leafblade cannot be tied to a throne, or a kingdom."

"Do not give me your lies!" Liandra snapped.

"I do not lie," Valaren responded, "but nothing I can say will convince you otherwise, so I will not even try." He turned his back to her. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"You are escorting my messenger to the Kingdom of Isaldir." Liandra stated regally. "As I do not trust you to make the trip, I have decided to assist you."

"So that letter was from you." Valaren smirked. "Do not fear, your Highness, I have not read it." His comment apparently headed off a retort from the Princess. "However, I would recommend choosing better messengers in the future."

"Tarin is more than capable of delivering the letter." Liandra commented haughtily. The comment made Tarin feel better about himself, but Valaren was quick to deflate his ego.

"He cannot hold a sword, he doesn't know how to get to his destination, and he cannot read." There was a certain level of anger in Valaren's tone that Tarin had not seen before. "You may as well have sent him blind."

Liandra did not reply immediately. Her eyes were on Tarin. "You... you cannot read?"

Tarin lowered his head in embarrassment. "No, your Highness."

"Rayac was supposed to teach you."

Valaren nodded, "Rayac? A friend of yours?"

Tarin hesitated, so Liandra responded for him. "Rayac is my betrothed, as well as son of the Lord Aunair. Tarin is a servant of the House Aunair, and a close friend of mine and Rayac's."

Tarin quickly looked to Liandra. Did he hear her right? She had called him a close friend. He had never expected her to feel that way about him. She was a princess, and he was a servant. He never suspected she saw him as anything else.

Valaren nodded. "What would your father say about you doing this?"

Liandra scowled dangerously. "My father does not need to be brought into this. He knows, as much as he needs to, and does not disapprove."

"Then he does not approve, either." Valaren countered. "Either way, you are here, so I cannot exactly deny you the benefit of consideration." Valaren moved to Tarin and placed a paw on his shoulders. "What do you think?"

Everything was happening too fast. Tarin was hoping to remain silent and just watch, but Valaren had successfully drawn all attention back to him. He only knew what Liandra told him, and a little from Rayac. He trusted Liandra. He also trusted Valaren. However, the two did not share the same trust for each other.

He was taking his time in thinking, but Valaren and Liandra seemed patient enough to wait for him. He hated making decisions like this, as he was afraid of making a decision that would upset either of them. "I do not see why she cannot travel with us." Tarin finally spoke up.

"Do you know how to cook?" Valaren inquired.

Liandra smirked in response. "I know far more than you could ever suspect." Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you ask?"

"Our young friend needs instruction in many things. If you would be so kind as to cook this evening, I will have more time to teach Tarin as much as I can tonight."

"Insistent on him learning the sword?"

Valaren nodded. "He is a bit reckless, and tends to jump into danger. I'd rather know he's capable of defending himself."

Tarin looked away. He didn't want to meet Liandra's gaze after that comment. "It will not happen again." He offered.

"I would not expect you to keep to that. You are far too young to be careful. It is part of being young." Valaren teased Tarin. "Now, your Highness, if you would be so kind? You may go through my belongings, everything you need will be there."

Liandra frowned. "This will not do." She slowly moved toward Valaren's bags. "I am not a Princess, at least not while we're traveling. My identity will only bring hardship. Do not call me your Highness, or even Liandra."

Tarin glanced to Valaren, confused, before returning his eyes to Liandra. "Then, what should we call you?"

"Ellia." Liandra stated directly. "Call me Ellia. It was my mother's name, and should suit me well, for the purpose."

This wasn't going to be easy. There was no way Tarin would remember to call her Ellia. She had always been Princess Liandra, and he would have a hard time separating that from her. Valaren, however, did not seem to have the same problem. "Ellia, then. Do not take too long, please. We will be leaving early tomorrow, and we will need our sleep."

"A simple meal, then." Liandra replied.

Liandra set to work without offering a single complaint to being ordered around. While she cooked, Valaren began instruction on using a sword. It was slow work, and the first night was spent mostly learning about swords, instead of wielding one. Tarin went to sleep that night confused. Between Liandra and Valaren, he wondered if he would ever understand what was going on anymore.

The next several days passed by rather uneventfully. They followed the same routine that was silently established without consulting Tarin. Valaren would have everyone up and ready to walk by sunrise, then push until midday when they would stop for food. Valaren would prepare the food while Liandra began teaching Tarin how to read. After they were finished eating, Valaren had them back on the road until just after sundown, when Liandra would prepare the final meal of the day while Valaren continued working on Tarin's swordsmanship. Despite all his hard work, it wasn't until the sixth evening that Valaren let Tarin attempt to hold a sword again.

"Your arm is too stiff." Valaren critiqued. "You should be loose. It is easier to react if you aren't tense." Valaren struck the sword with his own, and the impact sent a shock into Tarin's arm. This caused him to drop the sword. "It also hurts less to defend."

Tarin knelt down and picked up his sword quickly. He learned earlier why it wasn't good to remain unarmed long, and he cared not to repeat that lesson. He took the stance again, trying to remember to keep his arm loose. "How is this?"

"Now it's too loose." Valaren struck the sword in Tarin's arm again, and his arm swung wide, giving Valaren more than enough time to poke Tarin in the chest with his sword. The impact hurt, but would not leave more than a bruise behind. "You need to be able to defend yourself quickly."

"You could always dodge." Liandra offered from where she sat.

Tarin turned his head to look at her as she spoke. Almost as soon as he looked, he blacked out. Next thing he remembered, he was lying on the ground, looking up at Valaren and Liandra. "Never take your eyes off your opponent," Valaren offered politely. "Are you alright? I put a little more into that than intended."

Tarin sat up, but his head starting throbbing as soon as he did. "I'm fine," Tarin lied.

"I would appreciate you not jumping ahead of my lessons," Valaren commented to Liandra. "He is not ready for advanced thinking yet."

It took Tarin a moment to realize why that offended him. "What?"

Valaren smirked, but Liandra cut him off before he could speak. "It is time to eat. We can discuss things further over a meal."

The three gathered around the fire and Liandra began handing food around. "It should be cool enough." She said, handing a bowl to Tarin.

Tarin started to eat as soon as the bowl was handed to him, but he noticed Valaren wasn't eating, so he stopped. "Is there a problem, father?"

Liandra eyed Tarin for a moment. Valaren had explained the ruse to Liandra, but she never seemed to get used to Tarin calling him that. She didn't look long before returning her attention to Liandra. "Is it not to your liking?"

Valaren appeared to snap out of some sort of trance. He returned his attention to the younger canines. "My apologies, I was thinking." He looked down at his bowl. "We'll be deviating from the road in the morning."

"The road is the quickest way to Isaldir." Liandra protested. "If we deviate, we'll lose time."

"We are not sufficient." Valaren explained patiently. "I can get us through Alshaer simply enough, but I cannot do the same for Isaldir. Neither of you have been there, so we need someone who knows their way around to guide us."

"You have been there." Liandra countered.

Valaren nodded, "Many years ago. When you were still very young."

"It would be interesting to meet someone new." Tarin interjected. "As long as he doesn't want to kill us."

Liandra gave Tarin a level glance before returning her attention to Valaren. "Who is this you wish to bring along?"

"It is not important," Valaren replied. "Just an old friend."

Tarin glanced to Liandra, in hopes to receive some sort of explanation. He knew better than to ask Valaren by now. When he said it was not important, it meant he didn't want to talk about it. It was possible Liandra would know something, but the look she returned suggested she had been hoping the same thing about Tarin. They both sighed and let it stand there.

"Very well," Liandra agreed reluctantly. "We will see this friend of yours, but we will not waste time."

Valaren nodded. "Time is something we do not have enough of, my dear Ellia." Valaren had been using that phrase with her as long as she'd been traveling with them, despite it always succeeding in angering Liandra; or perhaps because it angered her. "Deviating was not a simple decision on my part. I had to make sure we had no other option before considering it."

Liandra clearly wanted to say something to Valaren, something that would not qualify as nice. Instead, she redirected her attention to Tarin. "Eat, before it gets cold," She offered gently. "You need to keep up your strength." Only then did Tarin remember his food.

Tarin ate quietly, but his attention kept getting diverted away from his food. It was a regular occasion, though neither Valaren or Liandra appeared to notice. Tarin was mildly fascinated by Liandra's bow. He had a few questions about it, but he was always to afraid to bring them up. He always hoped Liandra would bring it up herself, but she never did.

"Any good plans?"

Tarin jumped a little. Valaren had moved next to him without making any noise. "What?" Tarin asked, confused.

Valaren smiled knowingly. "You were staring out at nothing, so I figured you were making a plan. I hope it was good."

"Oh, no." Tarin admitted reluctantly. "I was just thinking about Lia..." He stopped himself. "Ellia's bow." He corrected shakily.

Liandra fingered the bow without looking at it. "What about it?" She asked curiously.

"Well," Tarin hesitated. "I was wondering how a princess gets trained in using a bow, or any weapon."

Liandra smiled at Tarin. "It wasn't anything normal, I assure you." She continued to feel the shape of the bow without looking back at it. "I had to receive secret training. No one other than my instructor knows of it."

"And us," Valaren corrected. "Who was your instructor?"

"Daras Relwyn." Liandra offered simply.

Valaren narrowed his eyes at Liandra. "Captain Relwyn? Captain of the Guard of Cailawyn?"

"Retired." Liandra pointed out. "At least ten years ago."

Valaren sighed. "I am out of touch here in Alshaer. Perhaps I should not have been away so long."

"Where were you, father?" Tarin asked.

Valaren patted Tarin's head. "I had things to find, and things to discuss with people."

Liandra scowled. "Did you at least find something?"

"Leads." Valaren replied, "Plenty of leads, but nothing solid."

Tarin finished his last bite while he thought. "What were you looking for? Is it something rare?"

Valaren gave Tarin a warm smile. "Do not worry yourself over it. My search is on hold until we get you to Isaldir, that is more important. Besides, continuing this discussion will simply lead into a story much too boring for a young one like yourself."

Tarin set his bowl down and stood up. "I know, you think I am too young to understand, father." He then turned and started towards what would be his bed that evening.

Liandra's words to Valaren while Tarin walked away made the young coyote smile. "It'll be easier on you if you realize very little gets past Tarin."

Morning came quickly, and it wasn't too long before they were on the move again. Either he was still hurt by Tarin's comment, or something else was distracting him, but either way, Valaren would not speak to Liandra or Tarin the entire walk; this lead to Tarin and Liandra talking amongst themselves to pass the time.

"Rayac is really concerned about you." Liandra offered.

"He has always looked after me," Tarin replied. "This is the first time I have been so far from him. He worries I will not be able to survive without him to protect me."

Liandra smiled weakly, but she kept her eyes ahead. "He is confident in your abilities, he is just concerned you know too little."

"Everyone is concerned I know too little. Myself as well." His comment made Liandra wince. "Why did you choose me?"

"I'm not so sure anymore." Liandra admitted. "Originally, because I saw your compassion and knew you would not give up once you started. I figured that alone would be enough to complete the task." She sighed. "I was naïve to have believed that."

"We have not failed yet." Tarin commented. "Do not be so hard on yourself. I will deliver the letter."

Liandra didn't reply immediately. She watched the ground in front of her feet quietly, thinking something to herself. Finally, she turned her eyes back to Tarin. "It is not that simple. The letter alone may not be enough."

"What do you mean?"

Liandra frowned. "You do not know enough about politics and war to fully grasp this yet, but we are traveling to speak with a King we are currently at war with in order to request aid." She shook her head slowly. "He may refuse, or he may request something in return we are not ready to hand over."

Tarin thought a moment. "What could he request that we cannot offer?"

"Alshaer." Liandra replied bluntly. Tarin blinked, but could not find words to reply. "He may ask us to hand over the kingdom to him as payment for saving my father."

"Why would he want it?"

"It may be why we are at war." Liandra surmised. "I do not believe we know why we fight anymore. Someone does, I just hope we find out soon."

Tarin looked ahead, where Valaren was leading. Valaren never looked back. Perhaps the sounds of their voices reached him easily, so he knew they were still there. It was also possible he didn't really care to check, but that didn't seem likely. "Do you suspect anyone?"

"The Council is part of it, I am certain." Liandra replied dangerously.

"Right now," Tarin replied, "You'd be willing to blame the Council if you stubbed your toe on a rock."

Liandra rounded on Tarin, and from the furious look on her face, she was going to give him an earful, however Valaren began speaking and cut her off. "We're getting close now. We need to keep quiet."

"Why do we need to keep quiet?" Liandra asked hotly. It seemed Tarin's comment hadn't been completely forgotten yet. "Isn't this a friend of yours?"

"Actually, yes." Valaren replied casually, possibly as a way of countering Liandra's anger. "He's a good friend of mine, who goes out of his way to make sure random travelers don't come bothering him at home. He likes privacy, and I don't know what to expect along the way." He turned to look ahead of him. "I need to concentrate so as not to walk into traps."

Tarin's ears drooped. "I am growing very uncertain about this."

"There is nothing to worry about, son." Valaren offered. "Just keep quiet and follow behind me." Valaren began walking again.

The three walked in silence, perfectly in line. Valaren led from the front, and Liandra took the rear, leaving Tarin to walk between them. The silence succeeded in only making the coyote more nervous as they walked. His eyes darted around the area constantly, wondering what a trap would look like and how to avoid it. He let himself get distracted in his internal panic, and when his tail lightly brushed against Liandra when she walked a little closer to him, it scared him, causing him to jump forward and lose his footing. He fell forward, landing on his back after spinning during the fall. Liandra and Valaren appeared in his vision after a moment. Valaren looked slightly irritated, but Liandra looked extremely amused. "Are you quite done?" Valaren asked quietly. Tarin nodded, feeling his face burn from raw embarrassment. "Stand back up and try again. Quietly this time."

Tarin held his tail between his paws this time as they walked. It succeeded at two things. First, it kept it from brushing against Liandra again, but secondly, it gave him something to pay attention to, and lessoned his nervousness about the situation. He spent a lot of time pulling dirt clods and grass blades from his tail fur, and only enough attention on where they were going to remain behind Valaren. Liandra remained directly behind him, and he could occasionally make out a snicker from her. He chose to ignore her and continue walking.

Out of nowhere, a cold sensation overtook Tarin. It washed over him from head to toe, but was gone almost as quickly as it came. The shock caused Tarin to stop walking, and Liandra collided with him. Valaren spun around, looking more than irate. "What is it?"

"I don't know." Tarin replied, confused. "It felt like someone poured a bucket of water over my head."

Valaren's frustration vanished quickly. He scanned the area, looking for something. When it was clear he wasn't finding it, he returned his attention back to the two younger canines. "What about you, Ellia?"

"I felt nothing." Liandra replied. "Are you sure you are not imaging things?"

"He's not imagining, I am sure." Valaren replied for Tarin. "Though, I cannot be certain what just occurred." He turned his head to look ahead of them. "We're almost there. Just over this small hill and we'll be there."

"Will it be safe?" Tarin inquired.

Valaren smiled warmly, but for some reason, this smile still offered no comfort. "Just stay behind me, and keep a good ten steps back. That should keep you safe enough."

"I appreciate the reassurance." Liandra responded flatly. "Just how well are you liked by said friend?"

Valaren shrugged. "It has been more than fifteen years, he has more than likely forgotten the arguments we had."

"Valaren Leafblade!" A new voice called. "I should kill you where you stand. You had better give me a strong reason not to do so before I run out of patience with you."

Valaren did not take his eyes off of Tarin. "Then again, he always had a long memory."