The Dark Ages of the Synakoy; The Past Forgotten, Wolfheart [top ebook reader .txt] 📗

The woman spun and struck toward Ky’s knee. She blocked, twisted her staff and whacked her opponent’s other hand. The woman dropped the staff.
“End match.” The master called. “Victory is Kiyoshi’s.”
Another woman took her place. She looked around Ky’s age, but carried herself different than the others. There was a scare on her cheek from some kind of blade.
She’s most likely older than I am. And…she’s seen real battle.
They stood face to face, their staves nearly touching. This was a strange way for Ky to fight; she’d never done it like this before. But the master didn’t call it out, so it must be the advanced way to duel.
Is how you would fight in a real battle? Or would they really start three or four feet from you?
“Fight!”
Kiyoshi was unprepared, and barely managed to block the blow for her shoulder. She twisted her staff out of the block, spun her body and turned into the warrior’s parry. The older woman suddenly dished out a serious of strikes, parries and false hits Kiyoshi was soon completely focused on not losing her weapon and staying on her feet. She miss read where her opponent was hitting next, and before she could jump to avoid it, the staff was under her feet. Ky tripped, landing on her back to find the warrior’s staff in her face. She’d lost her own in her blunder.
“End match. Fray is the victor. Kiyoshi Wolfshard is level four staff warrior.”
There was a small applause.
Ky let her head stop spinning and her breathing steady before she took Fray’s hand to help her up.
“That was pretty good for never seeing battle.”
“You can tell?”
She smiled. “The look in your eyes when you saw me said it all. I understand. Ivory is strong enough to protect you, isn’t she?”
Kiyoshi looked over at shaking Ivory.
“Our world was peaceful. What we know was to keep us safe in case something happened that we needed these skills. Ivory hasn’t seen real battle. The only one to see human death in our family was me.” She didn’t say it loud enough for anybody but Fray, Tenzik and Riviera to hear.
Riviera nodded with understanding. Fray looked surprised.
“You’ve seen more bloodshed than a warrior? No wonder you lead them.” Fray commented just as quietly. Then her eyes softened. “But children in peaceful times shouldn’t fight. That’s very true.”
Then the two of them left the ring, going opposite ways.
Which weapon will Levin choose? I’ve never seen him use one before.
Tenzik looked to Levin.
“You’re the final fight. Choose your weapon and step into the ring.”
Levin hesitated, looking to the skies where Makita would be. Then he nodded and stepped forward to examine all the weapons. He looked them all over. Then he shook his head and spoke quietly to Tenzik. The man nodded.
“Tenzik informs me that he knows very little about weapons. He fights with his fists in martial arts. When that is not enough, his dragon will be the trump. I feel confident that he able to handle his own, and ask that all who understand martial arts spar and duel him. Learn from one another. Punishment will still be severe if either is harmed during any spars. This concludes our sparing session. Please prepare to leave the summit.”
Before much movement could happen, Riviera held up her hand.
“Usually, I do not inform you of this, scouts, but we are not heading back toward the Inner Mountains. We must return home to inform our king of the four new champions, and therefore…we will return to the foothills, move into the plains and forge a path back home!”
Cheering defended Ky, and both the girls huddled closer to her. Both were on edge and jumpy yet. Levin returned to them.
“That was an interesting choice.” Ky told him quietly as they walked to the wagon. The group was cleaning the ring up or returning to their wagons to prepare. “I’m glad you made it, though. I was worried about you getting hurt like Ivory nearly did.”
“That woman needs to die.” Kai growled like a dog.
“No she doesn’t. And thanks to you, Ivory isn’t dead herself. Thank you, Kai.”
She bowed her head, hearing the rebuke as well as the gratitude.
“Let’s hurry. The foothills will be much easier to travel in.” Ivory seemed to be calming down.
Working quickly, the four of them were ready to move around the time everybody else was. Ky mounted Zenic. Kai and Yuki took the reins as Ky mounted Zenic and Levin took to the skies to scout ahead. He would report to Riviera on the hour.
We’re getting used to this. It’s kind of nice. I never felt…right…back home.

Zenic looked back her and replied then you were never home. Now you are. And now the past will not be truly forgotten.
Unsure what he meant, she just let it slide and scratched his ear. Zenic let her ignorance be and walked along the caravan. They would be in the foothills in only two days.

Imprint

Text: cover art by: http://isisandwolf.deviantart.com/
Publication Date: 03-25-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To my best friends and beloved family, who inspire me beyond anything else.