Ties of Blood (17 page)

Eloen blew a sigh of relief once they were out of town. It had been nice to sleep in a bed for a few days but the town itself was depressing with everything looking the same. Military or not there had to be room for some diversity.

Brenda lasted a lot longer than Eloen figured on her first ride but after a few hours she was ready to get out of the saddle and into the coach. “You’re walking like you got two left feet Spitfire, What happened?” Darryl teased Brenda as she walked toward the coach. She didn’t say anything in response just rubbed her hind end and stuck her tongue out at Darryl.

Brenda’s horse was tied to the back of the carriage along with the prince’s. Just as the stable master had said Coco was well behaved and gave them no trouble and followed behind the coach without complaint.

Watching Brenda get into the coach Eloen thought once again about William’s proposal. If it was a perfect world she and Thad would be back at her Aunt’s preparing for their marriage but that was no longer an option. If only the prince was more like Thad, even just a little would help. She had always liked the innocence that Thad displayed. There never seemed to be a hidden meaning to his actions. The prince was the complete opposite. Everything the man did seemed like it has a second or third meaning to it. It was as if he treated life like a game and he was always thinking what would be the best for the future.

Simply thinking about it wouldn’t get her anywhere and she had promised the prince to give his offer a chance. If she was going to keep that promise the first thing she would have to do was get to know the man better. Slipping off of her own horse she tied it next to Brenda’s and walked up to where the cart still sat.

When she opened the door she found Brenda and the prince sitting across from each other talking. They both looked over to her and gave her conniving smiles. “Look who we have here, I did not think that we would be so lucky as to be graced by your presence.” William said as he scooted over to allow her to sit. She bowed her head to thank him but took her seat next to Brenda.

“William while we ride would you mind telling me more about Abla?” Eloen asked in a businesslike manner.

“It would be my pleasure captain.”

CHAPTER XVII

After three days on the road they came to the first village. It wasn’t very large but it did have an inn though it was in disrepair. No matter if it was simply four walls with straw on the ground Eloen would have been happy for some time away from the Prince and the others. Every time she got a chance the prince would talk to her and as soon as he was gone Ballard and Darryl would make every comment they could think of to tease her about the interactions. To make matters worse Brenda was growing close to the young prince and though she hated to admit it the prince seemed as if he would make a good father. That fact hit her hard as Eloen herself had never known who her father was and had always longed for that interaction.

Less than two seasons ago she was a simple soldier with no aims at having a family and now here she was with a daughter and possible husband. It didn’t happen the way she had dreamed growing up but it had happened none the less. Brenda was a problem all her own as she reminded Eloen of herself as a child. Stubborn as a mule with a flair to get herself in trouble, though from what she had heard that was the same with all children.

Even at the inn it was impossible to be completely alone as she had to share a room with Brenda. The little girl was a delight most of the time but Eloen still liked to enjoy time to just think and relax and that was not going to happen with an energetic eight year old running around. Thanks to Darryl and the prince taking her shopping she was getting at least a few moments of alone time and she was trying to make the most of the time she had.

Laying down on the lumpy bed Eloen tried to think over everything that had happened ever since she had left Farlan. She had been so worried at first that she hadn’t had time to enjoy any of the trip most of it seemed like a blur to her as if she was moving through it in a dream. She had met some good people and those that were not so well tempered. In most respects they were the same kind of people that were in Farlan. Simple people that only wanted to enjoy the lives the best they could. It wasn’t hard to tell the country was in trouble. Most the towns they had come across were in bad shape and the majority of the people were dressed in rags. The food was simple and heavily spiced. She wasn’t sure if the latter was just how they enjoyed it or to cover for the lack of variety they had to offer.

While she was deep in thought the door to the room swung open hard nearly bouncing itself closed. Eloen jumped from where she lay her hand finding the hilt of her sword. “Mother look what William bought me.” Brenda said as she rushed in the room holding something cradled in her arms.

Brenda handed Eloen the item she had been holding. It wasn’t something she would have thought to buy the girl. In all honesty it wasn’t something a child her age should have at all unless she was closely watched. In her lap she now held a small short sword at only three foot long. Like most Ablaian blades it was well made though decorated far more than she liked. The hilt was designed to look like wings that were wrapped around it. And at the bottom had a small circle of emeralds. The sheath was made of a shiny black leather that had been meticulously etched with various designs of flying horses. “It’s very nice, but do you know how to use it?” Eloen asked handing the blade back to Brenda.

“Not yet but Darryl said he would teach me when we had time. I am going to have my first lesson, but……. he said I had to get you to agree to it first.”

Eloen thought about it for a moment. Part of her didn’t like the idea of Brenda playing around with a sword at her age. She herself hadn’t got her first weapon until she was thirteen. Then again there was a chance she might need to know how defend herself at least. “Sounds good to me, but you make sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

“I promise I’ll be careful.” Brenda said as she rushed out of the door. Eloen guessed that she was going to find Darryl so that she could tell him the news.

As soon as the girl was out of sight Eloen turned her eyes to William. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Just because you can get her to like you buy buying her things doesn’t mean I am going to agree to marry you. And while we’re on the subject why the in the nine hells did you buy her a sword?” Eloen asked her anger showing clearly on her face.

William put his hands up in a defensive manner. “Believe it or not I like Brenda, she is a good girl, and when she saw that sword I couldn’t make myself turn away when she gave me those big doe eyes. I tell you the boys are in trouble when she grows into her own. She could charm a Rane merchant to just give her his moneybox.”

Eloen let her anger drop. She had to admit that with her little dimpled smile, long brown hair, and large brown eyes she could be very charming when she wanted to be. “That aside you need to learn to tell her no. If she gets everything she wants handed to her she will never appreciate anything she gets. I swear men don’t understand anything.”

“I will take that into consideration, but I don’t know if that will be possible. I have always had trouble telling a woman no. If you need to blame someone, blame my mother.” The Prince said giving Eloen a sly wink.

“Don’t try and play cute with me. Prince or no I’ll drop you on your rear.” Eloen said letting her hand go back to her sword hilt.

William’s eyes went wide. “Understood captain.” The prince said backing up and laughing. “You should come watch your child start her practice. Darryl said it would be entertaining.”

“Hell!” Eloen shouted as she jumped up and ran for the door. She forgot that Darryl was a Katanaga and they took training very seriously no matter the age. If the stories were true they were gifted their first weapon when they old enough to hold the weight of a weapon. Her legs carried her down the steps and out the door where she found Darryl standing next to Brenda with a long thin branch. Brenda stood with her sword trying to get her stance right. Each time she shifted her weight Darryl would smack her lightly where she was loosening up. Brenda never complained but listened to Darryl’s orders and doing her best to obey them.

Eloen let herself relax and took a place sitting on the ground next to Ballard who was enjoying the show. “The girl has good reflexes, give her ten years and she will be a master swordswoman.” Ballard said quietly to Eloen.

Eloen watched Brenda go through the exercises trying to notice what Ballard had seen. She was agile and her movements weren’t bad for a first timer especially someone so young, but Eloen couldn’t notice anything special about how Brenda moved. Looking over at Ballard she simply shook her head. “Only time will tell.”

Brenda twisted and turned holding her sword at odd angles. It looked more like a dance performance practice from one of the traveling entertainment troupes than sword practice. While it looked delicate Eloen could tell the strain was having its effects on Brenda. Sweat beaded on the little girls brow and every time she had to flick her wrist she filched slightly. Though it was obvious that the girl’s muscles were hurting from the stain Brenda never asked to stop but continued on until she collapsed on the ground panting her body unable to go any farther.

“That’s all you got, and here you said you would last until I was tired. We won’t get to practice much while were traveling so we will have to work each morning before we leave and each night before we sleep. I promise you Spitfire by the time we reach out destination you’re going to regret the day you set your eyes on that little blade of yours.” Darryl said as he helped Brenda to her feet.

Brenda looked up at him defiance clear in her eyes. “I will not…. I am going to get better… and make you regret it.” She sputtered then stuck out her tongue getting a hardy laugh from Darryl.

Eloen followed Brenda back inside the inn and to the table in the corner where she collapsed in one of the chairs. The little girl was panting hard, sweat making her clothes stick to her small frame. As soon as the waitress sat down a glass of water in front of Brenda she chugged it down so fast small amounts of the water escaped out of the side of her mouth.

“Do you want anything to eat?” Eloen asked trying to stifle the laughter that was bubbling inside of her and failing miserably.

Brenda gave Eloen a look that showed her displeasure at her attitude but it looked so cute on the little girl’s face Eloen started laughing so hard she thought her sides would burst. “Yes, please.” Brenda said pouting as she slid farther down in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest.

“That was quite a display my little lady. At this rate you can become the youngest member of the royal guard.” William said walking up behind the pouting girl and placing his hand on her hair and tussling it.

Brenda’s attitude changed immediately to one of joy. “You really think so? I want to become so good everyone runs from me.” Brenda declared enthusiastically having finally found someone willing to praise her.

“I would not lie. You have more discipline than most of the soldiers I have ever met. I am sure if you continue on this path one day you shall be renowned as the best sword master in the realm.” The prince said flashing one of his haughty smiles that grated on Eloen’s nerves.

While Brenda ate a small meal to replenish her energy Eloen found the innkeeper and ordered a bath to be brought up to the room. While Brenda and the guys seemed to care little of the smells their bodies gave off she did. Not waiting for the others Eloen headed back to her room to prepare for their departure in the morning.

Back in her room Eloen started sorting through her magical pack Eloen pulled everything out. Most of the supplies had been used since they had left Farlan. The only things she had left was some mutton steaks and a bag of grain for the horses. The prince had taken over the duties of preparing for their trip and she wasn’t going to change that. The magical pack was useful but she was in no hurry to tell the prince about its existence. She still didn’t trust him completely. When she came across one of her three magical enhanced armors she stopped. She remember when Thad had spent days on end working on them and nothing else. Along with their enchanted weapons their small group of warriors were near unstoppable.

Looking down she let her fingers trace over the stitching of the armor and wondered what it was like when magic was commonplace. How much did skill with a sword matter when a mage could come along and grant items to someone untrained to make them fight on par with the best fighters in the land. Maybe there was a reason that magic had vanished from the world. From what she had seen there was little magic couldn’t do in the right hands, and in the wrong ones it could be even worse. Thad was kindhearted and helpful but if he had been power-hungry things might have turned out very different than they had.

Eloen’s aunt had groomed her to be her heir after her and had always told her that people in a place of power were there to help those below them, not to simply rule over them. “If those in power abuse what has been entrusted to them then it is the duty of their peers to bring them from power.” Eloen had always laughed when her aunt had told her that. She had never gave those words much thought other than the obvious meaning. She had always thought it was her aunt’s way of telling her that she must always act for the good of her subjects but now the words took on a deeper meaning.