“I don’t enjoy school so much; some of my classmates are simply dreadful. There are two Resai children who absolutely despise me, but Gieaun, Scede and I find ways to avoid them.”
Jahrra took a quick sip of her tepid tea and eyed the two elves nervously.
“Are you finished?” Yaraa asked kindly when she saw that the girl was not going to continue.
Jahrra nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I know you may not believe it, but your story will help us in formulating your lessons,” Viornen said, draining his cup and placing it down upon the polished stone table with a hollow thlunk. “We don’t focus on just the physical nature of training, but also on the mental aspects of surviving in a challenging world as well.”
For the remainder of Jahrra’s visit, the two elves described some of the exercises she would come to learn. She listened in wonder as they depicted a few of the different skills she would gain as she progressed in the program. Viornen spoke of the many ways to break away from an enemy or wriggle free from a tightly bound rope. Yaraa explained the dexterity it took to sneak up on someone in the middle of a forest full of dry leaves without making a sound. Viornen then listed off the exercises needed for the various forms of fighting: using a sword, using a bow and using one’s bare hands if the need to defend oneself or another arose. Once Viornen, Yaraa and Jahrra finished the last of the tea, the two elves stood to bid farewell to their new student.
“We’ve learned much about you today Jahrra,” Viornen said after some time, “but it’s getting late. We’ll meet again tomorrow to discuss your training schedule and maybe show you a few maneuvers.”
Jahrra looked up expectantly, but Viornen continued with a raised hand before she could form any words.
“Don’t worry, these lessons won’t interfere with your schooling. Your training will be taking place strictly during the summer months. As you grow older, however, we will expand your practice to also include the days you don’t have school.”
“This doesn’t mean, however,” Yaraa added firmly, “that you don’t have to practice during the rest of the year. We expect you to keep up with exercises, flexibility stretches and meditation.”
Jahrra nodded resolutely, her head still buzzing with this new endeavor, and went to gather Phrym from his clover patch. Though she had a thousand questions on her mind, she thought it best to ask them later.
“One more thing,” Yaraa added as Jahrra climbed into the saddle. “We wish for you to keep these lessons secret. We live far away from town for a reason. You may tell your closest friends, but don’t tell them our names or where you take your lessons.”
Jahrra promised them both that she’d keep their secret, just as she’d promised Jaax. She grinned secretly, however, when she imagined how satisfying it would have been to rub it in Eydeth’s and Ellysian’s faces. She was certain they would turn an awful shade of green if they knew she was receiving such privileged lessons from true elves.
Viornen and Yaraa waved one last time and then watched her in silence as she and Phrym walked slowly down the lane.
“She already shows an appreciation for Ethoes and all the life that she gives,” Yaraa murmured once the girl and her semequin were far enough away. “The way she observes the life around her is astounding, especially for one so young.”
“She’s content with the wilds of the world, I can see that,” Viornen added silently. “Yet, her mood is not happiness, and I wouldn’t want it to be. Happiness about one thing or another can so easily turn. Contentment is the best, at least for now. With contentment one can never grow bored or disgusted. She fits with the life of this world, and she always will. I can feel a strong spirit within her.”
Yaraa smiled up at him, glad to hear her husband’s wisdom.
“Yes, she’s had to deal with much sorrow in her life, too much for someone so young. I feel she’s lost her childhood in a way, but she’s still far too young to be an adult. One thing is for certain, however,” she sighed, her voice taking on a much brighter tone as her mouth curved in a sly grin, “she’s definitely going to give Jaax a run for his money.”
Viornen chuckled at his wife’s comment, squeezing her tightly against him. They both stood gazing down the lane until the first star could be seen peeking through the black veil of the sky before going in for the night. They knew that this new responsibility would be a challenge, but they also knew the importance of what they did. They had the ability to mold the future of Ethoes, and they felt that finally, after all the years of waiting and hiding, their gifts could be used to help save their world.
-Chapter Nineteen-
Invasion of the Twins
The spring months slowly drifted away and the lazy rainclouds swept gently across the sky, draining their life-giving waters and pulling the soft air of summertime behind them. The last frosty clutches of winter had crawled away from the sleeping earth months ago, and outside the Castle Guard Ruin the little garden by the window was overflowing with fragrant flowers. Summer was in full swing in Oescienne, and another school year was finally over. Jahrra didn’t mind this passage of time, however. Not only would she be free of her classmates during the warm months, but she would be starting her new lessons with Yaraa and Viornen.
The only bad thing about these lessons, Jahrra reminded herself, was that they took time away from Gieaun and Scede. They also meant following through with Jaax’s wishes.
It was times like these that Jahrra would wonder about the enigma that was Raejaaxorix and how much he irritated her. She tried to convince herself she was glad the Tanaan dragon had arrived and left so abruptly, but if she wanted to be truly honest with herself, deep in her heart she was disappointed. When her curiosity finally overruled her stubbornness, she asked Hroombra about the other dragon’s strange habit of visiting the Castle Guard Ruin then disappearing just as suddenly.
“He has obligations outside of this province Jahrra, and many of these obligations require extensive traveling.”
“He always has excuses, he can’t be that busy!” she complained, forgetting she didn’t care either way. “And why does he get to tell me what to do anyways? He’s never here!”
During the final weeks of school before summer, Jahrra told Gieaun and Scede about her new schedule. She kept her promise by not telling them about her mysterious elfin instructors, but she hadn’t been able to hide her irritation with Jaax.
“I’m sure he isn’t trying to be mean Jahrra,” Gieaun encouraged. “It’s probably his way of being supportive.”
“Supportive!?” Jahrra snapped, and then she added with thick sarcasm, “That’s right, you’re not around when he insults my intelligence or accuses me of lying.”
Gieaun flinched and didn’t say another word. She knew how frustrated Jahrra got when discussing the Tanaan dragon, so Gieaun thought it best not to say anything else unless asked directly.
The weeks passed and Jahrra thought more about this sudden change in her life. She found herself wondering, not for the first time, exactly why Hroombra and Jaax insisted on the swordsmanship and archery lessons with the elves. She longed to ask her guardian, but she knew exactly what he’d say: ‘You’ll understand one day,’ or ‘It’s for the best that you don’t know’, or ‘These lessons will strengthen your character.’ Why couldn’t he just give her a straight answer for once?
As much as Jahrra hated not knowing the exact reason for these lessons, however, she showed up at the little cabin the first day of summer, more eager than when she had first begun riding lessons with her friends.