Broken Ability Part 1-7

“Letum!”

“Huh?” I started, coming out of my thoughts.

“What’re you still doing here?” Rose asked, following my eyes. I looked away from the stage and to the ground. She held a bucket of water in her hands, shoulders bent with its weight.

“Oof,” she said, setting the water down heavily. She rubbed her hands together where the handle left her skin red and furrowed, gazing round with me.  

“It was awful, wasn’t it?” Rose said, what felt like minutes later.

I spoke without thinking.

“They probably killed Father too, I guess. I can’t imagine what it’s like in the city right now. Or… was like. If it’s already over.”

Rose knit her brow, looking down and away.
“Letum… I…”

“I’d better finish my work before nightfall,” I said, forcing stiff legs forward.

“Wait. Mother wanted me to tell you… she’ll watch over your training. You know, only if your father doesn’t return.”
I nodded slowly, unable to meet her eye.

“I’ll be by tomorrow then.”

“That’d be good. And it’ll probably only be for a few days, you know? Until things get more organized,” Rose said hopefully.

I took a step forward, back turned, eyes downcast.

“My father is dead, Rose. Just like yours. Just like Mikhael.”

 

 

 

 

The next day I arose, singly focused. My ears were sore by noon as I listened intently around me, pushing my ability as I went through the motions of cleaning the cow pen, hand watering the field and fetching more from the spring on the other side of the village. Despite my effort, stalks leaned here and there, unseen rocks choked young shoots, and weeds hugged the edges of the field. Some unknown quality my Father possessed had been absent too long and things were already taking notice.

A great numbness settled over me as I walked to Elder Reffics’s, wooden training blade once again in hand.

I hardly heard Reffics’s voice as she called out combinations or counted out repetitions for a strength exercise. It was strange training with someone other than Father, but Rose felt comfortable enough. Like my own, her clothes were soaked, forehead caked with salt from our afternoons work. I breathed a sigh of relief when I returned home, exhausted as when I’d trained with Father before.

Gradually, the days faded into one another, and a year quickly passed.  

The bogging heaviness around my thoughts lessened slowly, but so too did my heart harden.

“Good combo, Letum!” Elder Reffics cried from her seat by the hut.

“Keep your head up and distance yourself, Rose!”

I stood a few paces from Rose, a bit taller and stronger with wooden sword in hand. My hands and forearms ached with the effort of breaking down Rose’s magiked shields, but a simple flick of the wrist and they appeared again, a vapor racing from her fingertips to solidify before my blade. Two circular shields hovered before me, reinforced by each of her hands. They were about two feet in diameter and several inches thick. I saw my own eyes and determined expression in their bright reflection.

We darted round the cleared field behind Elder Reffics house, grass worn in scattered patches about thirty yards to the tree line. Rose settled herself after moving by blocking every blow, keeping a distance between us I couldn’t close.

Just as she made to shout again, Elder Reffics coughed heavily. My eyes darted to the side, watching her reach for another dark handkerchief.

“Hyah!” Rose cried, taking the distraction as an advantage. She dropped her right hand from the shield, allowing it to hover all its own. A sturdy dart with a blunted end erupted from the bright white center of her palm, rocketing into the top of my sword hand. I gasped at the crushing pain, marveling still as the dart faded and dissolved into mist before even hitting the ground.
Wincing, I darted backwards, left hand still clinging to the sword. I held it crookedly, keeping the blade between us. I felt my back hit something solid and groaned, stuck between Rose and the house.

“You’ve got him, now, Rose!”
She advanced from the front with a larger shield up. I placed the tip of my blade against the hovering circle, calculating how much energy I had left. Just when I’d decided my move, four great spikes leapt from the shield in a cross. The spikes whistled with speed, points stopping an inch from my chest, shoulders and stomach.
Rose gazed from over-the-top edge of the barrier with steely pink eyes, brow furrowed.

“Alright,” I said, dropping the sword, “It’s my loss.”

Rose let the barriers fade, extending a hand. I took her calloused grip in mine, pumping once before inspecting my newest bruise.
“I wouldn’t have lasted had you not looked away,” she said, gazing towards where her mother sat in a wooden table chair drug outside.

“I think you had me either way. Your barriers are endless,” I said.

“Letum,” Elder Reffics called, “What happened? You lost your concentration.”
We approached Elder Reffics, my mind struggling for an excuse. Rose beat me to it. “Really, Mother? As if we don’t already know why.”

“I think I’ll head home for the evening,” I said quickly.

“No,” Rose said, tight grip on my arm. “This affects all of us.”

I looked from Rose’s fiery expression to Elder Reffics who sat with eyebrows raised, a ghost of a smile gracing her features.

“So, are you going to tell us why this cough is only getting worse?” Rose asked.

Elder Reffics let out a great sigh, then folded her hands together in her lap before answering.

“Well, as you both know, my strength isn’t what it once was. I’ve been fighting an illness, and before you ask, no, not even the finest Medela can cure it. I’ve tried, and the only effect it’s had is to slow it down enough to continue your training.”

Rose knelt down, hands on her mother’s knees. Elder Reffics’s thin hands unfolded, clasping her daughters. It was obvious as she sat in the rickety wicker chair how much she had deteriorated over the past year. Passed on was the capable warrior who until recent weeks defended the village as Nazcam failed to come through on their promises of safety.

“Mother, why haven’t you spoken about it?” Rose asked raggedly. “Why have these strange meetings with healers as though we wouldn’t notice? What is wrong?”
“You both knew, child. It wasn’t ever something I could hide,” Elder Reffics said with a sigh.

“Especially from a daughter with your cleverness. Back during my expeditions, I suffered a poisonous wound to the chest and I couldn’t breathe properly. I was lucky then. I was young, powerful, and we were the best. We had the best Medela with us. But… some hurts never truly heal and I think I’ve pushed myself a bit too far. It’s worsening more quickly than I’d hoped. If I’m honest, I’m not sure how much time I have left with the pair of you. But, do not worry. I have arrangements with Hayfoot to look after the pair of you.”

“Mother!” Rose said, voice breaking. I knelt, laying a hand gently on Rose’s shoulder. “How can you think of something like that? You can’t leave me! You can’t leave us!” she sobbed, grabbing at her mother.
Elder Reffics embraced her, pulling her close, eyes shut. I could do little but drop to one knee out of respect and stare towards the ground as a lump of stone hardened in my chest. It was long before Rose’s sobs faded and she sat, leaning against the chair. Her mother reached down, stroking her hair.

“Elder, if I may?” I asked, rising. “I do not remember my mother, but I would be proud indeed if she were as fine a woman as you. I would be honored to do for you as you have graciously done for my Father. I vow to stand by Rose and protect her with my life.”
Rose looked to me and blinked.
Elder Reffics smiled, eyes crinkling slightly at the edges in a kind way. She reached for my hand, squeezing it gently.
“I’ll be fine knowing that. But you’ll have to keep up your training, or else she’ll be the one defending you, don’t forget that.”

“Yes, Elder,” I said, cheeks burning as I avoided Rose’s grin.

“All these touching words,” Elder Reffics said, wiping the edges of her eyes with her sleeves. “But I’m not quite gone yet, am I? So up, up, up, and back to sparring with you!”

I did as I was bid, but Rose hesitated.

“Hayfoot will look after you, but then again, he could never beat me one on one,” she said with a wry smile.

“Mother…” Rose said, still reluctant to leave her side.
“Let your mother teach you a thing or two, hmm dear?” Their eyes met, gazes speaking more than a thousand words could. I looked on, embarrassed but proud to witness their affection.

Rose finally let go, sniffling loudly as she moved to a position six paces away from me. I took a deep breath, raising my wooden blade as Rose stared me down.

“Letum. Your blade,” Elder Reffics said.

I glanced at my wooden sword. “My what, Elder?”

“The blade you were born to wield,” she said, motioning to the back doorway of the house. “I had guessed it was time. I only hope it suits you.”

I looked to Rose who only shrugged.

I crossed to the open doorway, glancing just inside. Against the wall was propped a handsome scabbard of crafted leather and a braided hilt. I picked it up quickly, pulling it into the sunlight.

“Why, Elder Reffics…” I said, gazing at the green stone set in the hilt.

“I only hope it suits you,” Elder Reffics repeated.

“Is it… it can’t be my own blade? But you wanted it only for a sharpening…” I asked, revealing the blades metal to the light. The hardened steel sung sweetly, the edge deadly and straight. The dark metal shone with two bright strips, running from the hilt and meeting at the tip. The white stripes appeared to shine from within. I imagined the green stone pulsed as well when I held it up before me.

“Mother,” Rose said, covering her mouth.

“This is…” I gasped; mouth stuck agape.

“An energy blade forged by a wonderfully skilled smith. I kept it wrapped until today, since by some strange magiks, it-”

“Bonds with it’s wielder to stabilize their magiks,” I finished. “But, Elder… why, this must’ve cost a fortune! I cannot accept this,” I said, quickly releasing the handle.
That wry smile appeared again. “But you already have. I had hoped you wouldn’t mind. Now, you’ll have plenty of time to admire it later. Get a feel for it.”

“You don’t mean now, do you?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“I have seen you use a blade before. And Rose is fast enough not to be struck.”

I let the blade sing loudly as I withdrew it fully from it’s sheath, arcing the blade wide. It cut through the air, hissing dangerously. I focused, ears glowing, energy coursing through me and watched as the emerald shone with power.

“Let’s go, Rose.”