Page 66 of Warrior of the Wild
“It’s a mattress for you. I’ve started hunting the birds we’ll need in order to stuff it with down—only edible ones, of course, so nothing goes wasted. Whether you stay with us or move back to your shelter, I thought you’d want something of your own to sleep on.”
I can’t speak for a moment, I’m so touched by the gesture. “Soren—thank you.”
“It’s nothing,” he says, a broad grin stretching his cheeks.
“You’re very kind. May the goddess take note of it.”
“And may your back never ache again,” he jokes awkwardly.
WHENI’M BETTER ABLEto move around, I fall into more of a routine with the boys. I spend my mornings checking the traps for food, helping Iric in the forge, picking berries from the bushes, or chopping wood. In the afternoon, Soren and I run through stances with our axes, while Iric cooks dinner. In the evenings, we all talk. We laugh. We get to know each other better.
Without even realizing it, I’ve somehow come to think of both boys as my friends.
One morning, I’m helping Iric out in the forge. I hold a long sheet of metal steady while Iric pounds at it. He’s making me new guards for my forearm, since I lost those two sheets when experimenting with Peruxolo’s barrier.
I shake out my right foot. I’m not yet used to the silver dagger Ikeep in my boot. Soren helped me make a sheath for the weapon Peruxolo tried to kill me with, and now the blade rests against my lower calf and ankle. Someday, I hope I will get to return the weapon to Peruxolo.
Preferably by putting it through his eye.
Suddenly, Iric halts his pounding and turns to me, startling me out of the thought.
“When you teach me to swim, will you make fun of me during our lessons?”
The question comes out of nowhere. It’s something he’s clearly been thinking about for some time.
At last my patience is rewarded.
“Likely,” I answer honestly.
A slow blink. Deep sigh. Another pound with his hammer. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“I want to learn how to swim. Will you teach me, Raz?”
I try desperately not to show how deep my elation runs. “Of course. We’ll start tomorrow.”
He nods. “And I will start thinking about how to make you armor that isn’t made of metal.”
“Thank you. You will also want to come up with a way for us to be on more equal footing when facing the hyggja. We can’t kill it with our axes. We will need something else.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I already have some ideas, but it’s all moot if I can’t swim. I won’t be able to force myself near that lake if I can’t feel more comfortable around the water.”
“Do not worry. You will learn how to swim. It is not difficult. Your body floats on its own. You just need to learn how to hold it.”
Iric doesn’t look entirely convinced, but he’s committed. Tomorrow, we start swim lessons.
AFTER BREAKFAST THE NEXT DAY,Iric and I head out together.
“Where are you going?” Soren asks. “That’s not the way to the forge.”
“We’re bound for the pools,” I say.
“Why? It’s not wash day.”
I look to Iric. Let him tell his friend what he wishes to.
Iric pauses such a long time, I think he won’t answer. Then, “Rasmira’s… teaching me how to swim.”
