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 Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:42 pm
Kit walk to his next class but still was thinking about the piece of paper Ari had found. When he entered class he brushed the thought from his mind. For he was in his swordsman class now, and a laps in concentration here could get you hurt. Kit’s teacher stood in the center of a large dirt circle with a the rest of the swordsman trainees looking on.
“Mr. Leafstorm, good of you to join us. Don’t worry, Mrs. Birdsong sent me a letter telling me of the situation. Just take a spot and listen up.” The swordsman teacher nodded as Kit took a spot near the ring, “ Today we will be sparring. I want everyone to remember some of the techniques we went over the past few weeks and try and implement them. You’ll be wearing your armor so you can keep the contact about medium strength. Blows to the head, neck, ribs, hamstring, and joints should be light contact if any. Any blow to one of these spots will count as a point. You all know the point system by now, one point for a limb strike, two points for a technical strike like the hamstring or joints, three points for a rib or body shot, and four points for a head strike. Were going to spar to ten points or until your opponent is either unable to go on or a death blow.
To add some fun to this exercise I’m going to make a game out of it. One student will start in the ring and he will not leave until he is beaten. The student with the longest streak gets something extra. Alright, find your wooden weapons and lets begin.”
Kit walked over to the weapon rack that held the wooden versions of there weapons. He found the two curved swords he had used just about every time they had sparred. Kit wasn’t much of the sparring person because it was a point system. The usually would spar to just five points and no death blows. This time was different though, because Mr. Maximas had basically made the match up real life based. As Kit warmed up with a few foot work exercises the two brothers, Lee and Vince Sabershield, who got him into to trouble walked up.
“Now we have an excuse the pay you back for what you did to Lee.” Vince smiled
“That’s right, You better believe will see you out there.” Vine said as the two brother walked off.
Kit just smirked and got back into his spot on the edge of the ring.
“Alright first up will be Lee Sabershield. You had the most points last time we sparred so have at it.” Mr. Maximas said as he pointed to Lee
The large swordsman walk out into the dirt circle and drew out his Large two-handed, wooden, sword. The student smiled as he set the blade to rest on his large shoulders.
“Who’s my first victim Teach?” Lee said with all the confidence he had.
“Will go at random, whoever steps out into the ring is your opponent.”
With that a boy stepped up wielding a sword shield combo. The boy seemed confident but a little nervous. As Lee sized him up the challenger took a step back and put his shield up.
‘bad start with such a large opponent.’ Kit thought.
Lee slammed his sword into the challenger’s shield knocking the poor boy of his balance. Lee came in with a low sweeping cut that took his opponent off his feet and onto the ground. Lee simply layed the tip of his sword onto the challengers chest.
“Lee wins with a death blow.”
Such was the case for the next five challengers. Each would enter and be bowled over by the big man’s power and large sword. A few held up to his strength but found themselves out played by Lee’s unorthodox fighting style. Which involved a lot of shoulder slams and trips. Kit sighed as he watched class mate after class mate fall to this lugs wooden blade. Lee had taken down eight students now and wasn’t showing any mercy to either the first years or the female students. With that the willingness to step into the ring was becoming less and less. Kit just frowned as he had had enough of this brutes mockery of the swordsman’s art. Kit stepped out into the ring and all eyes turned as Lee smiled at his new opponent. Kit stared at the big man and stood there. The swordsman from the Leafstorm family drew his twin wooden blades and began walking towards Lee.
“This is going to be fun. Get ready to hurt little man.”
Lee brought his large sword down in a wide arc to cover as much area as possible. Kit watched the blade coming ever closer.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:18 pm
Urban landscape training consisted of several different exercises for scouts. They had to be able to find their contacts in bustling areas and be able to communicate covertly. They also had to be capable of sneaking in and out of buildings surrounded by guards, retrieve specific goods, and get out alive. All of these exercises would put Ari to the test against her fellow students.
The landscape where the scouts practiced their trade was a series of three unoccupied buildings all built for this training. This way, three missions could be happening at once. During these assignments, each scout was equipped with a grappling hook for scaling the exterior of the buildings and replicas of their weapons made of wood. The scout was allotted fifteen minutes to complete their task, or they failed.
Ari was the one of the last three of the day. The sun was beginning to set in the west and daylight was fading fast. The exercise Ari was given was to sneak into a three-story complex and obtain a map. Her sources told her it would be on the second level and meticulously guarded by three individuals. Ari needed to get up to the correct level and bring the map back to Mrs. Featherfall without being caught. The trickiest part would be getting past the guards, but she decided to wait and cross that bridge when she came to it.
Ari quietly snuck up to the building. The outer defenses were easy to penetrate: only two of her classmates, circling at a slow methodical pace. Ari paused long enough to time their rounds. She would have one minute to make it to the second story but nothing more. The scout glided over to the side of the building and threw her grapple into an open window. As she climbed up, Ari gathered her rope so as not to leave anything dangling under her. She quietly peaked through the opening and waited a moment. When she was confident of her security, she swung herself the rest of the way into the room. She was in a small study with scarce furniture and no wall hangings. Ari quietly made her way to the door and, seeing no keyhole, placed her cheek flat on the ground and peered out. She saw two sets of feet standing in front of another room down the hall. Ari remembered that her source said there would be three guards. The other could be in the room with the map, making rounds on the floor, or her source could have been wrong.
Ari decided to wait a while longer. After a moment, Ari started to hear footsteps coming down the hall adjacent to her room. The steps grew louder and she also heard the sound of doors opening and closing. The footsteps became much louder then. Ari silently and swiftly sprung up from the floor and moved behind the door just as it opened. Ari held her breath. The guard did a brief scan of the room, but never fully entered. The door closed again and Ari exhaled.
Now Ari had a while to think. She could just charge out there and hope she could over power the three before they could capture her, or she could try to work her way around the exterior of the building to the target room. Ari would have to make up her mind quickly because the footsteps were coming back.
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:56 pm
Rolling towards Lee as the large wooden sword came in allowed Kit to miss the entire attack. Kit pivoted on heels and spun hard into Lee’s lower legs leading with his swords. The large man buckled at the knees and fell to them. The impact had surprised the over confident swordsman which left him unsure of how to counter. It wouldn’t have mattered because when the big man looked over his shoulder Kit was standing with one sword pointing at Lee’s neck.
“Match goes to Kit.”
The students around the ring were taken aback. Lee had been beaten by Kit, and so easily. None of the students had ever seen Kit do anything extraordinary like what he had just done. Or that matter the other students hardly ever saw Kit do anything with the rest of them.
“Next challenger please step forward.”
Vince stepped in with anger in his eyes. He held his heavy sword and shield out and was glaring at Kit.
“I’ll teach you to humiliate my brother!” Vince yelled as he ran towards Kit.
“Vince stop, you are not allowed to attack like that,” Mr. Maximas yelled out but Vince didn’t hear him.
As Vince got closer Kit just stood there with his body turned slightly off from Vince. When the anger driven swordsman came within inches of plowing him over Kit bent himself at the waist and bent his knees slightly. Vince hit Kit slightly but his momentum carried him over the smaller swordsman, and as Kit raised up slightly Vince was sent sailing. The big man didn’t fly very far but came down with a thud. It simply walked over and pointed one of his blades at Vince’s face, although Vince thought Kit suddenly had five blades.
“M…Match goes to Kit,” The assistant teacher said as she looked at Mr. Maximas
“Alright then, who’s next up? Oh, would you escort Mr. Sabershield to detention.”
Kit stood in the center of the ring with his blades relaxed and looking at the ground. Another student step in the ring. Kit squared off with the female student and kept his eyes on her feet. She moved in quick and came in with a feint then a quick thrust. Kit parried the main attack with his right blade and spun along the girls sword arm bringing him behind her. A small poke of his sword to her back told her enough.
“Match goes to Kit.”
The girl turned to look at Kit, “I’ve never seen anyone move like that. Why have you never shown us what you can do?”
“I’m not out for publicity with my skills. They are the tools of my future trade, and that trade is combat. I simply enjoy refining my tools on my own,” Kit smiled.
The girl just shrugged and walked off the field. The rest of the class Kit defeated each student with little movement and simple taps to indicate he had them. The students enjoyed Kit’s light taps to Lee’s slams and knockouts. After class Mr. Maximas came up to Kit.
“Well I promised the winner something extra, and I’d say you’ve earned it. Come by my office after classes when you get the chance. I think you’ll enjoy your reward.”
“Thank you sir I’ll be by as soon as I can. Oh, is it ok if Ari comes along?” Kit asked
“I don’t see why not, but the reward is only for you,” Mr. Maximas smiled as he began packing up the equipment.
Kit went to the rest of his classes with an unusual smile on his face.
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:09 am
The guard entered the small study once again to find it empty, but this time before he left he checked behind the door. Luckily Ari was now hanging off the side of the two-story building instead of behind the door.
The timing had been perfect. As soon as the guards on the ground had passed, Ari jumped out of the window just as the door opened behind her. Now she was dangling from the windowsill. There was a small ledge about eight inches wide that wrapped around the building like a ribbon. Ari used this small ledge to her advantage. She placed her feet on the ledge and straightened her body, clinging to the flat wall. Slowly she edged her way to the corner, and slowly made the turn.
About that time the guards on the ground began making their rounds again. Ari froze half way around the corner. It was a very awkward position causing Ari’s leg muscles to buckle. She didn’t know how long she could hold herself up. Just as Ari was losing her balance she got an idea. She grabbed her grapple from her belt. Her footing came loose from the ledge and she started to fall. Ari pushed herself back from the wall and relaxed. In an instant, Ari saw the windows on the other side and threw her hook. If she missed, then she would land on her back and probably be in the hospital for a month, but she was confident in her throw. The grapple soared through the window and latched onto something. Ari felt a violent tug on her rope and nearly lost her grip, but she managed to hang on. Now Ari was swinging along the side of the building like Tarzan. As the arch was nearing the bottom, Ari swung her legs up hard to give herself extra momentum. She vaulted up and came right beside the third window. Ari released the rope and grabbed onto the window’s sill. She pulled herself up and regained her footing on the ledge. Ari then let out the breath she had been holding and a few beads of sweat fell from her face.
That was lucky, she said to herself.
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:35 pm
Kit finished the rest of his classes and decided to go see how Ari was doing in her urban training exercise. After which he would stop by Mr. Maximas’ office to see what he had won from class. His mind was racing with what his reward could possibly be. He had never won anything before so he was getting more excited as the day wore on.
Kit found his way to the three building complex where the scouts did there training. He saw Mrs. Featherfall standing on the opposite side of a cover wall. The wall was to make sure no one else came inside the training grounds. Kit walked up to the scout teach and waved.
“Has Ari gone yet?”
“She’s up now actually. I have a feeling she’ll do well in this one. Ari always was good at being agile and elusive.” Mrs. Featherfall smiled
“I think so too. How much longer does she have?”
“A little less than two minutes now. We can only wait and see.”
“Is it ok if I wait here on her?”
“I think that would be alright, and I think Ari would enjoy seeing you after she was done.”
Kit smiled and leaned himself up against the wall and stayed quiet while Mrs. Featherfall watched a hour glass as the grains became less and less at the top.
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:40 pm
Ari scrambled into the window, leaving the grapple. There in the middle of the room was a box. Ari moved quickly and was about to open it when she felt a presence in the room. She immediately jumped away from the box and pulled out her dagger. There in one of the deep shadows of the room was a figure cloaked in black. Ari stood ready, but the figure didn’t move; he just stood there in the corner.
“Who are you?” Ari asked in a whisper. The man stayed silent for a second, just tilting his head as if he didn’t understand what she was saying. Ari couldn’t see his whole face, but his chin and lips were just visible under the hood. “There are people all around here. All I have to do is scream and…” The man raised his right hand and spoke a single word. Blue light seemed to flow from his hand and form a symbol, and Ari found she couldn’t speak. She opened her mouth and tried to scream, but no sound would come out. There was no pain, but a strange blocking feeling, like something was coating her throat disabling her voice box.
Ari looked back at the man who lowered his hand and began to slowly make his way toward her. Ari darted for the door, but the man cut her off. He was fast and moved without any sound at all. Now that he was close, Ari noticed how tall he was, and backed up quickly, raising her blade. She wasn’t sure she could take him, but she would try. Ari lunged forward and swung her blade. The man seemed to disappear, he was moving so fast. Ari could feel him behind her now, so she swung around hard. Effortlessly, the man ducked under the attack, came up and grabbed her arm. His grip was like iron. One tight squeeze on Ari’s wrist and she dropped her dagger.
“Trust no one. Things are not what they seem, Ari Morningstar,” said a deep voice right in her ear. Ari took his advice and grabbed her other dagger with her free hand. She swung it from its sheath, slicing his midsection but doing no damage with her wooden weapon. The man jumped back, still holding Ari’s arm. His strength seemed far more than should be real, even for a man of his size, and Ari was slung across the room.
Ari thought she would hit the wall, but instead realized she was going through the window. She flung her hands out trying to grab hold of the wall, but she had too much momentum and fell. Her body was all the way out of the window and plummeting head first to the ground.
Ari tried to screamed. Nothing happened at first, but then her voice exploded from her throat. Ari felt something wrap around her ankle and her descent was cut short. Ari looked up to see the mysterious figure holding her leg. Then she heard the door in the room burst open, the guards on the ground yelling, and Kit’s voice from somewhere on the ground.
Ari noticed the rope still dangling from the building and grabbed onto it just as her leg was released. Ari flipped around, and somehow landed on her feet… before she fell on her butt. She looked up at the window, but saw no one.
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:04 pm
Kit rushed to Ari’s side not long after she hit the ground. His blades were drawn, as were everyone else’s, but he put them down to check on Ari.
“are you ok Ari? Did you break or hurt anything?”
“I think just my butt,” Ari said as she strained getting up with Kit’s help.
Kit just gave a grin at thinking about asking if he needed to check it. The swordsman shook the thoughts out of his head and refocused on what was going on. He picked his blades back up and looked around.
“Ari, that wasn’t who I think it was, was it?” Kit asked in a slight whisper so only Ari could hear him.
Ari just looked at the window were the man had been. About that time the guards looked out of the same window with confused faces.
“We can’t find any trace of this guy. Did you see where he ran off to Ari?” The guard in the window asked
Ari just shook her head and looked at Kit. Kit put his swords away and nodded back at Ari. He understood Ari had a good feeling that was the same guy.
“We’ll call in some of the ranger and see if they can track him. You two wait for Mrs. Featherfall, she’ll tell you what to do from here.
Kit and Ari nodded and waited outside the building for the scout teacher.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:46 pm
Mrs. Featherfall ran into the building and thoroughly investigated the room Ari had fallen from. She was an incredible scout and could track anyone. She deduced how and when this intruder got into the room and his escape through a hole in the ceiling that had not been there at the beginning of the day.
Mrs. Feather fall leaned out of the window and saw Ari and Kit. “Kit, I want you to go get Mr. Maximas at once. If we hurry, we can still catch this guy. Lucille, fetch my pack from my house. The rest of you secure the perimeter. Ari…”
“I’m going with Kit,” Ari shouted as she and Kit started running. Ari heard Mrs. Featherfall yell, “Move people!!” as they rounded the corner and disappeared down the street. The lamps were already lit and stars began to twinkle in the moonless night. The streets were sparsely occupied, which was strange for this time, but it helped since no one got in their way. They made it to Mr. Maximas’s office in record time. Each office was a small house next to the facility where each teacher held lessons.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:31 pm
Kit and Ari reached Mr. Maximas’ office and found him looking over books with combat styles in them. The swordsman teacher looked up as the two entered his office. He was about to start in about Kit’s reward but when he saw the state they were in he knew something was up.
“What’s going on here? Why are you two running?”
“We came from…the scout training grounds…Ari was attacked…by someone, Mrs. Featherfall requested…you come and help her track an deal with the intruder..” Kit said between breaths as he worked on relaxing his lungs.
“Attacked!? Ari are you ok?”
“Yes am fine Mr. Maximas, but Mrs. Featherfall is already on her way out.” Ari said, she was less out of breath then Kit do to her training.
“Figures Faith would go before I got there. Ok I’ll go find Mrs. Featherfall you two go home. Kit make sure Ari gets home safe.”
“Yes sir, happy hunting,” Kit said as he clasped wrists with his teacher.
“And will take care of your reward from class tomorrow, if that’s ok?”
“That’s fine sir.” Kit nodded
Mr. Maximas grabbed his gear and was out the door in the blink of an eye. Kit turned to Ari and gave a grin.
“With those two the guy is sure to be caught now.”
“I hope so, but I’m not so sure. I have all the confidence in Mrs. Featherfall and Mr. Maximas’ skills but this guy is different. He has tricks I’ve never heard of before.” Ari said
“Well lets get you home. Will find out tomorrow.”
“Sounds good, so what is this reward Mr. Maximas was talking about?” Ari asked as they began walking.
Kit told Ari about his swordsman class as they walked on to her home. They reached the scout house and the two said there goodnights. Kit continued home with thoughts about the intruder again. In all honesty Kit didn’t think the two teachers would catch the guy either. Just something about the man seemed wrong, for little glance Kit got of the guy. Plus from what Ari had told him only strengthened the swordsman’s beliefs. The morning would reveal some of his questions at least.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:20 pm
The next morning was indeed odd. Gossip spread like wildfire through the districts about this mysterious figure. Mrs. Featherfall and Mr. Maximas tracked the cloaked man all the way to the Seventh District and then the trail went cold, as if the man just vanished. After considering that the two teachers were among the best of their profession, the size of the guard in the upper levels doubled. No one liked the idea of their children being susceptible to the next attack. It also didn’t help that this man could sneak around the upper districts, which was populated by the king’s most elite protectors.
Ari once again had to miss her classes as the officials interrogated her. She was able to elaborate on the man’s description since she saw his mouth and scruffy chin, but she decided to leave out the part where light came from his hand and suffocated her voice. Things were indeed becoming strange, but she didn’t want everyone to think she was completely nuts. No, the more logical explanation was that she was scared to the point she couldn’t speak, which is what she told them.
After the story had been retold three times, Ari was escorted to her history class, where all the students started bombarding her with questions about what happened. Ari had never felt so popular. Many of the students were gawking and inspired by her, while others like Tanya, thought much differently.
“So Morningstar,” Tanya began over the others’ questions. The room became strangely silent. “I heard you were so frightened of this guy that you fell over crying, unable to say a single word. Guess cowardice runs in a traitor’s family.”
“That’s quite enough, Ms. Fireheart,” said Mrs. Birdsong very sternly. “Another outburst like that and you will be writing a ten parchment essay on manners." Tanya sneered, but said nothing else. Instead she did something quite unexpected. She turned to Kit who happened to be looking her way and winked at him. Then she puckered her lips like she was blowing him a kiss. Ari's blood boiled, as Kit just looked at Tanya with disgust and rolled his eyes.
“Alright, class, your oral reports are due today on the influences the Rune War had on our society today. I will ask for volunteers and then start calling names. Who wants to go first?” Most of the students sank low in their seats and directed their eyes to the ground.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:39 pm
Kit looked around at every ones reluctance to go first. With a sigh the swordsman raised his hand and Mrs. Birdsong looked over with a small grin.
“Well, it seems one among you is brave enough to go first. Very well Mr. Leafstorm you have the floor.”
Kit took his rolls of parchment and walked up to the front of class. Looking over his paper the swordsman cleared his throat and began. Kit’s paper was based on the effect magic had on the basic fighter and how the roll has changed. During the times when magic was around warrior like knights and swordsman were less essential. After magic became outlawed the roll of the warrior changed and became what it is now. Kit added at the end of his paper a small side thought about one interesting warrior in the times when magic was evil who used both magic and combat skills. Kit admitted to having found almost nothing on the man or the ideas behind the magic except a part about red flashes coming from the caster before death and destruction followed.
Kit finished his paper and Mrs. Birdsong smiled. She walked over and took Kit’s paper. The rest of the class gave weak claps and Kit sat down. Mrs. Birdsong turned to the class after placing Kit’s paper on her disk.
“That was very well done Mr. Leafstorm. Now who would like to go next?”
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:20 am
Ari clapped for Kit’s speech. She hated public speaking, and she admired him for going first. Ari also thought he had taken an interesting approach to the assignment. The topic was very him, and that is why he did such a good job.
Several classmates, following Kit’s lead, volunteered to read before Mrs. Birdsong had to start calling on names, but Ari’s didn’t hear a word they said. She kept on reciting the major points of her topic in her head. Ari sank lower in her desk at the end of every speech. Butterflies and knots were wrestling in her stomach while her heartbeat raced uncontrollably, knowing that after each speech ended, her name would be called upon. Ari hated public speaking.
Finally, the dreaded moment arrived. “Ms. Morningstar, please be our next speaker,” Mrs. Birdsong said encouragingly. Ari’s face went hot with embarrassment as she stood up, holding her parchment tightly, wrinkling the sides. She made her way to the podium, feeling the eyes of her classmates on her. She much preferred being an invisible scout to this. The room was silent as she turned to face the class.
“Um,” she began, her voice quavering. “I decided to… um… do my assignment on how fear can control our lives. Ahem. Fear can grip us in strange ways. For example… I would much rather be facing a rune master, than giving this speech right now…” Some of the students giggled at her joke. This made Ari relax a little, but only a little. Her speech was the ultimate torture of schooling. However she went on to say how even now in this city, people stilled lived in fear of rune magic, even though it is now known to be a dead art.
In the middle of her speech, the door to the room opened and two of the King’s guards entered the room. One stayed at the door and the other went straight to the front of the room and handed Mrs. Birdsong a note, and also muffled something so only the teacher could hear, but Ari was sure that he mentioned Kit’s and her name. Ari fell silent for a moment as the precession took place, straining to hear anything else. Mrs. Birdsong read the note and nodded to the guard. He bowed slightly and then exited the room, followed by his companion.
“Please continue, Mrs. Morningstar,” said Mrs. Birdsong as she sat down behind her desk, rereading the note again.
Ari shook her head to regain her thoughts but it was hard, not knowing what was on that piece of paper. At the end of the speech, Ari returned to her seat and breathed deep… one more speech down. Slight claps came from around the room, but all the students were more interested in the informal interruption of the class.
“Well, class, for a lucky few your speeches will have to be read at the beginning of the next class. I am releasing you early today. Please use this time to read a book and expand those minds. Kit, Ari… please come up here for a moment.” Ari was suddenly more nervous than when she was giving her speech. Mrs. Birdsong had a concerned look on her face.
After everyone had filed out of the room, Mrs. Birdsong stood up and said, “You two have been requested for an interview with the King’s security detail about the recent events, more specifically, as I am sure you can guess, about the man in the cloak.” Ari’s heart lightened. That didn’t seem so bad. “Alright, come along. We had better go now.” Mrs. Birdsong seemed very solemn as she led them away.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:04 pm
Kit and Ari walked with Mrs. Birdsong to the palace. Once they reached the palace they detoured from the main gate. Instead the went around to a side entrance that was less noticeable. This led them through the kitchen and then into a large hallway with door lining both sides of the hall. Mrs. Birdsong walked with them past a few doors and then one of the guards turned and halted the group.
“Mrs. Morningstar, you will be in here,” The guard pointed to the room on his left, “Mr. Leafstorm you will be in here,” He pointed to his right, “This will be for legitimacies sake, so it won’t seem like either one of you is influencing the others story. If you’ll wait in the rooms someone will be along shortly.” he guard finished and then walked off.
Kit waved at Ari and the two entered their respected rooms. Once inside Kit noticed the large lack of anything. All except a desk and two chairs. A large iron chandelier hung over head to give the room a very illuminated feel, but also made it a tad hot inside. Kit sat down and waited on whatever was suppose to happen.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 6:15 pm
After a few moments of waiting, the door to Kit’s room opened and Sir Fireheart entered. There was an odd air about the knight as he walked into the room. He seemed relaxed and unexpectedly happy. When he talked, it was slow and easy-going.
“So, Mr. Leafstorm,” he began sitting on the edge of the table, smiling. “You seem to always be in the right place at the right time. I commend you for your amazing resourcefulness. I also have to say that news of your impeccable display in your swordsman exercises has impressed me greatly… not to mention my daughter.” The knight paused for a second and glanced over at Kit to see his reaction. Seeing a blank expression on the young man’s face, Sir Fireheart just laughed. “No doubt you were trying to get someone’s attention by showing off, eh young man?” Kit swallowed hard. Sir Fireheart could instinctively tell that even though Kit was an exceptional fighter, he needed help with the romantic side of life.
Kit’s thoughts however were far from blank. The very idea of Tanya as a love interest made Kit throw-up a little in his mouth, and he swallowed the acrid taste, trying to remain polite. He wasn’t sure what to say after that, so he remained silent.
“I realize the other day in the Library that we didn’t really get a chance to talk, but I could tell then that you had great potential about you. Yes, I have done some research on you, lad, as I do all of Tanya’s friends,” he said the last word with a sly wink, “ and you come from a very respectable family, and I know both of your parents to be good, high-end people. I would have no objection at all if you wanted to call on my daughter.” Kit shifted in his chair, not sure how much of this he could put up with. If this was some sick form of torture, Kit was almost ready to crack. Sir Fireheart, on the other hand, took his nervous movements to mean something quite different. “All right, Kit, I’ll stop hounding you. It’s time we got down to business anyways.”
“Well, son,” the knight began changing his attitude to a slightly more serious side. “I am sorry you have to be here today. This won’t take long and I’ll have you out of here. All I want from you is all the information you can tell me about this.” Sir Fireheart laid a small scarp of paper on the table. It had a funny drawing on it, as well as the word... aperio.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:45 pm
Kit sat in his chair for some time before clearing his throat and looking at the piece of paper. The thought of Tanya and him…it was just the worst thing he could have thought of, and saying he was trying to get attention. That had to be the last thing on Kit’s mind.
Kit looked at the paper and recognized it as the on Ari found in the basement. After looking at it for awhile Kit looked up at Sir. Fireheart and cleared his throat again.
“That would be the piece of parchment Ari found in the basement, I’m not sure what it means. What is aperio anyways?”
Kit looked at the paper again but was brought back by what Fireheart had said about him and…Tanya. His parents were high end people? When did a knight consider someone who wasn’t a guard high end, and his father was a ranger on top of that. The whole thing smelled like one large farce.
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