He considered this then shrugged. "I guess not."

"Ah . . . okay . . . ," I said, my voice trailing off as he went back to eating.

I felt like I was missing something. But staying here, I was getting very used to that.

For a while the boys continued to talk amongst themselves. I listened carefully, but what I really wanted to do was ask if Jaden or Ikovos had come back yet . . . which is exactly why I didn't.

Maybe I could get away with asking Thoran under the premise of wanting to know when my magic training would begin.

I glanced over at the near-empty table where he usually sat and was surprised to see Cornelius and Sophie there as well. They all looked deep in thought over something. Suddenly Thoran's eyes flicked to mine. I turned away immediately.

. . . Apparently he shared Jaden's unnatural ability to catch me staring.

"Evelyn? Hello." sang Trevor's voice across the table.

I shook out my head and looked up. "Oh, sorry. What?"

He smiled. "Nate asked you if you were training again today."

I turned to Nathan. He was sitting to my left. "Umm, I'm not sure. I guess so."

He grinned in the way only a young kid can. "Cool! I train today, too. Maybe we can fight."

I winced. "I'm sure you'd be disappointed. I'm not that good."

Trevor smiled proudly. "Don't worry, you're a girl so that's okay."

One corner of my mouth went up, but I decided to let it slide, at least he came by it honestly.

Derrith immediately looked up from the book he was reading. "You know, Trevor, that tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble one of these days."

Trevor sighed happily. "Oh, I hope so. Especially if it was trouble with the Meoden. I'd show them whose boss."

Derrith just rolled his eyes and went back to reading.

I giggled inwardly. It was fun seeing them kid around. It felt natural.

For the rest of breakfast the boys talked about different attack combinations they would use against the Meoden given the chance. Every once in a while Derrith seemed to feel the need to set them straight on certain subjects, commenting here or there. It was all very entertaining to watch, and the next thing I knew I was the only one left at the table.

Just when I was about to decide where to go next, someone slid in the bench next to me.

"Sup."

I looked over. It was Holdan.

"Oh. Hi." I really need to learn some more interesting replies.

"Sorry I wasn't here for breakfast," he said. "I had some stuff to do."

I shook my head. "No. That's alright."

He smiled, then chipped me on the chin. "Guess what today is?"

I looked up trying to count the days in my head. "Ah . . . Thursday?"

He started to shake his head. Then stopped, face perplexed. "Well, actually it is Thursday. But, what else?"

I sighed. I really, really hated this game. "Umm . . . cold?"

He laughed. "Nope." I eyed him. "Okay, I'll tell you." I waited. "You promised to spar today," he said, grinning widely.

I didn't mirror his enthusiasm. Instead, I dropped my head into my hands and whined.

He just laughed. "Don't even try that. I'm not going to feel sorry for you." I felt him get up. "Now let's go."

I grudgingly followed him out of the room.

By the time we were to the side door I had resigned myself to the fact that there was no getting out of it. Maybe it would even be good for me. Let out some pent-up frustration.

Outside the rainy weather was on the retreat, the sun almost completely taking over. I was glad when Holdan selected a well-shaded rink to fight in. It also had the added bonus of being further away from the other boys, less people to embarrass myself in front of.

While Holdan kicked out some stray twigs, I measured the sword in my hands. I had been using this same one for three days now, but I still wasn't used to the weight. It was so blasted heavy.

As I looked up from my grip I became all too aware of the stupidity in my hairstyle choice this morning. I'd left it down and now the strands of long spirals were almost completely covering my view. I set the sword down and twisted the hair back a bit, praying that the fight wouldn't involve so much action that the loose knot would fall apart.

When I picked up my sword and looked back at Holdan he was standing weapon in hand with a large smile.

"Don't look so nervous," he said. "It's just the same thing we've been doing for days."

I tried to lighten. "You'll go easy on me, right?"

He gave me a face. "Of course."

I sucked in a heavy breath and we both lifted our swords.

"Remember, no pressure. We're just checking to see where you're at."

I nodded once and in the next second he was moving in with an attack. I blocked it instinctively then side-stepped away from him.

Jeez, whatever happened to ladies first.

He was smiling. "Good job."

I smiled back, but there wasn't much sincerity behind it. Once I started sparring with someone it was hard for me to feel any sort of comrade-ish feelings towards them.

Exhaling a calming breath, I considered my next move in my head, then lunged at him loosely. As planned, he easily knocked it aside. I used the momentum of this to spin the sword around from the other direction. Again he blocked, pushing his blade against mine until it swung aside, leaving me open.

He mocked a jab to my stomach and grinned. I sniffed and wiped his blade aside with my sword.

My hair was falling now, blocking my view. It only made me more determined.

I struck at him again and he blocked. It continued on like this quite a few times: lunge, parry, swing, parry, slash, parry. I kept going from different angles, but he blocked every time.

Yeah right, he'll go easy on me.

I decided to back up at this point, my arm was fatiguing rapidly. Just when I was about to Holdan blocked and prepared an attack from above.

My forearms were burning now, I knew that his blow would knock the sword from my grip . . . it wouldn't feel too good either.

With a final effort I dug my feet into the ground and twisted my left arm in front of me to steady the blade above my head for a block. Out of very bad habit I closed my eyes and waited for the clash. . . .

Chapter 8.

Short-lived IT CAME, BUT MY sword was still in place, my arm felt no weight.

Blinking my eyes clear, I looked up through strands of hair.

First there was my sword. Then, as expected, Holdan's sword. The strange part was another blade, blocking Holdan's from mine. My gaze moved across the sparkling metal to a strong hand, a solid, outstretched, arm. Hard shoulders, clenched jaw, dark hair. My heart began to speed uncontrollably. I was almost grateful that the steady eyes weren't fixed on me.

"Going a little hard on her for a beginner, don't you think, Holdan?" He said it with all the haughty exuberance I remembered, and I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.

Holdan, to my surprise, looked utterly annoyed at the comment. It was not something I expected of his character . . . but the oddity didn't occupy my thoughts for long. What did was a sudden self-consciousness, and, feeling like an idiot still standing there with my sword above my head, I stepped back a bit and let the blade fall to my side.

The two boys did the same as Holdan spoke. "Jaden . . . you're back." He smiled fakely. "I was just starting to get used to you being gone."

Jaden kept his face straight. "It must have been very hard for you."

Holdan snickered. "So, how did things go?"

Jaden shrugged slightly. He still hadn't looked at me or acknowledged my presence in any way at all . . . it only made my blood rush hotter. "It went alright," he answered.

Silence followed. I tried very, very hard not to stare at Jaden the entire time, but considering that I could picture his exact, outfit, pose, and facial expression with my eyes closed, I must have been failing miserably.

Holdan moved towards me, pulling my attention. "Well," he started, "it was nice seeing you, Jaden, but we're a little busy right now."

My stomach twisted at the words. I tried to hide my anxiousness as I glanced back at the brown-haired boy.

"Actually, I think I'll take it from here," he stated flatly, staring down now as his hands fiddled with the edge of his sword. Holdan looked like he was about to object, but Jaden continued. "Master Boron needs you at the gate."

Holdan narrowed his eyes. "If you're making this up I'll-" Jaden glanced up at him and he instantly recanted. "Fine."

After a moment he turned to me and smiled. "I'll see you later, Evelyn."

I felt a little bad for him as I waved. "See ya."

After watching him disappear through the trees, I turned my gaze back slowly.

I was all-too unprepared for the dark eyes staring back at me. My breath caught. I tried quickly to think of something to say. It all sounded stupid. Thoughts of Derrith talking about the boy now standing in front of me being the most powerful offense artisan came to mind, momentarily bringing me back to my senses.

Remember, Evelyn, you already acted like a weirdo before. Try not to bug him this time.

Although I felt in control of my actions, my body was still rushing violently . . . somehow he seemed quite content just to stand there, staring. I had to look away.

After what felt like an hour of awkward silence, he finally spoke. "Are you ready?"

I looked up. "Ready for what?"

He moved forward, sword in hand. "Sparring of course . . . I did promise I'd take over."

He smirked now and my body turned to mush. I hadn't seen him in so long and I'd been so worried about him . . . I suddenly felt the strongest urge to run over and hug him.

And he wants to spar?

Instantly, I reprimanded myself and tried to look normal. I don't think it worked. Even apart from my face, when I lifted up the sword it was trembling slightly. "Okay, then," I managed.

He watched for a moment then dropped his sword, eyeing me carefully.

I checked myself, sure that I must be doing something wrong, but found nothing.

When I looked back at him he was, if I wasn't mistaken, confused. I had never seen him look confused before, but it still fit his character. Somehow he made confused appear calm. Controlled.

Flawless.

My face started to redden with his stare.

"What?" I asked, still playing indifference.

His eyes narrowed further. "'Okay.'? That's it?"

I waited, now joining him in confusion.

He walked closer. "No arguing? No yelling?"

My face went freshly red and I looked at the ground. I heard him move closer then saw a wrist wave below me.

"No cuffing?"

I looked back up. The confusion was gone, he was giving me his half-smile now.