Page 123 of The Last Storm
“Likewise,” I replied. “Did you get a chance to speak with Alden before we left? Have you seen Iaso?”
“Alden, yes. And I actually rode by Iaso for most of the way. It was nice to hear her voice again.” His cheeks tinted pink as he ran a hand along the back of his neck.
I stifled a smile. “So you and Iaso were good friends, then? When Vaelor was king?” I pried.
His eyes darted to me, seeing straight through my thinly veiled question.
“Yes. We were friends.” The blush in his cheeks deepened and I grinned. “But back to Alden, we didn’t get to speak long. I’ll have to catch up with him when we return.”
Return.
The smile slid from my lips.
“And wewillreturn,” he assured.
We wandered for some time with no direction, strolling through the endless sea of tents.
“Have you eaten yet?” I asked, holding up my empty bowl.
“Yes, I ate early this morning.” He glanced at me sidelong and his mouth tilted into a mischievous grin. “Since we have some time, you up for a quick round of sparring?”
“Always,” I replied, returning his smile.
From the weaponry rack, he grabbed two swords and tossed one at me. I caught it by the hilt and gave it a quick spin at the wrist, slicing it through the air. His eyes lit at the subtle challenge and he drew a circle in the dirt. Stepping into it, we faced each other. Adrenaline shot through my veins.
“Good luck,” he said, his voice light with amusement. I took my stance and he charged, swinging the sword.
We continued, round after round, for hours. The sun had revealed itself, cutting through the fog, and the early summer heat was nearly stifling under the beating sunlight.
We paused, catching our breath. I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. We had drawn a crowd now. They were cheering and placing bets, happy to have a distraction when there was nothing to do but wait.
I smirked as he stepped back into the circle and we began the dance again.
“For someone so young, you’re quite good at this.”
“For someone so old, you’re pretty good yourself,” I replied and the crowd erupted in laughter, including Ewan.
“I’ll show you pretty good,” he challenged and stepped closer, swinging his sword.
I blocked and the swords clanged on impact. Our faces were a mere foot from each other with our swords creating an X between us. I winked, stepped back, and spun, swinging low. He laughed as he blocked and counter-swung. Blocked.
He spun in the opposite direction, slicing through the air. Blocked.
With our swords locked into each other, I kneed him in the thigh and he dropped to one knee, chuckling. I hit his hand with the pommel of my sword and he dropped his sword with a clatter.
Half the crowd cheered and clapped, the other half groaning as they handed over lost money.
I extended a hand to Ewan and respect shone in his eyes as he took it.
* * *
Rogue
“I hope you can forgive me, Doran. You are my oldest friend.”
He nodded, his eyes still focused on the stick he was twirling in his fingers.
“She wrote to me, telling me she pretty much cornered you on our way out that morning.”
