Chapter 3
Runaways
As they left the garden, Aerandir smiled at Serenity as he headed for the training arena while Serenity turned for the Main Gate.
“Hey, Serenity, wait up!” Shayna called as Serenity reached the gate.
“What’s up? Where’s Addison?” Serenity asked as Shayna caught up with her.
“Oh, he went with some of the other guys to start getting ready. I think they were going to get some target practice?”
Serenity nodded as the two exited the Main Gate. They continued to talk about anything and everything for quite awhile until Shayna changed to a more pressing subject.
“You know the twins don’t want to stay behind, right?”
“Aien and Korin don’t either, but we can’t risk getting slowed down by bringing them along. Besides, I don’t know what I would do if they got hurt.”
“You really think they will listen?” Shayna asked.
“Oh, not at all.” Serenity said with a chuckle. “But they will stay behind long enough to let us cover a lot of ground before they catch up.”
“Who do you think will convince who to follow us?” Shayna said as they reached the town market.
Serenity paused. “The boys will convince Korri and Emalyne to go. The twins want to go badly enough that they will easily get talked into it.”
“Well, I was also thinking, won’t it take a little while to saddle the horses and everything? Won’t we get caught in the time it takes us to leave?”
Serenity put her finger in the air as she stopped at a small table full of clothes. “Already got it figured out. We set everything out before hand, that way we only have to grab the horses and throw the saddles on. Since everyone knows how to saddle a horse, it shouldn’t take too long to get out.”
Shayna nodded as Serenity stopped at a small shop and grabbed a black hooded cloak. She held it up to herself before nodding in approval, and Shayna helped her grab one for all eight heirs before they moved on to the next shop.
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Whoosh. “Nice shot, Rowan!” Aerandir said as Rowan lowered his bow.
“Thanks. You want to try?” Rowan said as he handed his bow to Aerandir.
“No thanks.” Aerandir said as he put his hands up. “I prefer close combat, that’s why I use swords.”
Rowan shrugged as he put another arrow on his bow and prepared to fire. “Ok, if you say so. Speaking of swords, though, shouldn’t you be practicing as well?”
Aerandir chuckled. “I have been practicing. I actually was just about to have a match with Addison.”
“Oh, this I gotta see. Just make sure you don’t ‘slit his throat’. Even though Shayna’s reaction was funny, she would probably kill you if you made her think you killed him again.”
Aerandir began laughing as he and Rowan walked to the arena. Addison was already waiting, wooden sword in hand, when they arrived. Rowan stood to the side as Aerandir drew his wooden sword and held it out to Addison.
“You know you won’t win, right?” Aerandir said, a hint of cockiness in his voice.
“We will see. I almost beat you last time.”
“Yea and Shayna almost killed me for that joke!” Aerandir said with a smile.
Addison began to laugh as he remembered the prank. “True, but enough joking around, let’s get started!”
With that, Addison charged at Aerandir, sword raised in the air. Aerandir spread his feet and prepared to counter attack as Addison came closer. CRACK! The swords met in mid air, and Aerandir pulled his sword away as he turned to swing at Addison’s back. Addison quickly ducked and swung his sword at Aerandir’s ankles, but only managed to hit air as Aerandir jumped over the attack. As Aerandir landed, he swung his sword down at Addison, forcing him onto his back. CRACK! The swords met again as Addison blocked Aerandir’s attack.
“You know, you should just give up now! There is no way you can possibly get out of this!” Aerandir said as he continued to hold Addison in place.
“Oh yea? We will see about THAT!” Addison yelled as he swept Aerandir’s feet out from under him, forcing him onto the ground as well.
Addison jumped to his feet and swung at Aerandir, but Aerandir rolled away just in time. He kicked at Addison, forcing him to jump back, which gave Aerandir just enough time to get back onto his feet and prepare for Addison’s next attack. Both boys were panting and covered in dirt, but that didn’t stop them. They charged at each other, and began to fight again, neither one being able to land a hit. They continued to fight for another ten minutes before Aerandir left himself open. Addison spun around and smacked Aerandir in the side, forcing him to the ground. Addison walked up to Aerandir and held the wooden sword to his brother’s throat as Aerandir grimaced.
“I told you I would win.” Addison said with a triumphant smile.
“Yea? Well the battle isn’t over YET!” Aerandir said as he grabbed Addison’s ankle with his own feet and knocked his brother to the ground. Both boys scrambled to their feet and pointed their swords to each other’s throats. Neither one could move. As they stared at each other, they heard someone begin to clap, and both boys lowered their swords as they heard Karnor’s voice.
“A draw. Either Addison is getting better, or Aerandir is slacking.”
“Ha ha, very funny.” Aerandir said as he began brushing the dirt from his sleeve.
“Actually, I am surprised I lasted that long against your.” Addison said as he too began to brush himself off.
Both brothers smiled at each other before Rowan and Karnor jumped joined their brothers in the center of the arena. All four of them were beginning to get hungry, and they knew that they needed to prepare for the coming night, Aerandir and Addison put the practice swords away, and all four headed back to the castle, each mentally preparing himself for the upcoming journey.
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