Page 105 of Warrior of the Wild
It’s true. I need a new weapon, but—“The mountain is full of this new metal! I could ask Iric to make me an ax from the new lodestone. Peruxolo’s weapon must be made from the same metal. Then the battle would be fair.”
Soren scoffs. “Rasmira, you’re forgetting one important thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Peruxolo is centuries old. He’s hadcenturiesto practice the ax. You’ve only had ten years! Just because you can finally reach him with your weapon, it doesn’t mean you can defeat him in battle. The battle will in no way be fair.”
The words hit home, making me feel like a speck of dirt, an insignificant being when compared to a mighty god.
“Just whose side are you on?” I ask.
Soren reaches out a hand and takes one of mine, never missing a step. “I’m on your side. I just want to make sure that when you go into battle, you will come out the victor.” He gives my hand a squeeze.
“There is no guarantee. There never will be. Even if I spent the next fifty years of my life training, I wouldn’t catch up to Peruxolo’s skill. The only advantage I have is knowing his secret. If I wait for the right time to strike, perhaps he won’t see it coming.”
“Perhaps.” But Soren doesn’t sound convinced.
We fall into silence as we walk, but my mind is turning. Soren and Iric have completed their quests. Now it’s my turn. I finally have an advantage over Peruxolo.
All I need is a plan.
IT’S NEAR DARK WHENwe finally reach the tree house. Smoke billows out of the chimney, and the smell of meat wafts down to us. I miss hot food.
Soren climbs ahead of me, and when he gets through the trapdoor, I see Iric launch himself at his friend, gripping him in a hug.
“You made it back! The feather?”
Soren turns to the side so Iric can see the hint of blue peeking out of his pack. “Right here.”
“Take it out! Let me get a proper look at it!”
I cough loudly. “I don’t suppose you two could scoot over so I can come in?”
Iric looks through the hole in the floor. “Raz, you made it,too!” He holds down a hand to me and hoists me the rest of the way up.
“Did you ever doubt I would?”
“Of course not. Now tell me everything.”
Iric sews up the gash in my arm while Soren talks. The needle bites into my skin again and again, a pain worse than the initial slash from the bird.
“How is it that you’re always the one who gets injured?” Iric asks.
“Probably because I’m always sticking my neck out for you two.”
Iric grins while Soren has the good sense to look guilty.
As Iric finishes off the last stitch, he asks, “And did you have a nice time together?” The tone of his voice makes it very clear what exactly he means by that.
My cheeks heat up, and I find myself looking anywhere but at Soren.
Iric laughs. “You two are so utterly predictable.”
I hear a smack, probably Soren taking a swing at Iric. “Leave her alone.”
“So long as there is no touching in front of me, I won’t say another word.”
“Why, Iric? Would that make youuncomfortable?” I ask. Feeling brave all of a sudden, I stand up, move over to where Soren is seated in his chair, and place myself in his lap.
