"Evna, have you never thought of anything other than following your father's footsteps?" Daevi asked, eyes peeled for any sign of danger.
Dawn had arrived hours ago. We walked along the foliage making sure that the road was still in sight. We didn't know the way to the capital and the road was our only clue. At the pace of a trotting horse, it would take us half a day to get to our destination. Now that we're walking at a slower pace than normal, the best I could hope for was to get there before nightfall.
"I thought about being an herbalist once," I said.
"Inspired by the Laptans?"
I shook my head. "Once, father brought me out to the outskirts of the forest and taught me about plants and animals and all that. It was all about learning how to survive in the wild for a while until we were enjoying ourselves so much, it just became a thing that we did when we weren't so busy. I always excelled at identifying plants and he was always so much better at killing with a throwing knife. We're pretty equal at snares and traps."
It was strange being talkative with him--the hero of the village who barely talked. But then again, we were both nervous. I could understand why he would start talking. There were people who ran their mouths when they were feeling jittery.
"What about you?" I glared at the slight movement at the bush and let out a breath I didn't know I held when a small rodent came out.
He must have been wary of the movement as I was because it was only after the rat came out that he spoke. "I always wanted to work on clockwork, but I'm happy enough being a metal smith. Maybe I'll be able to know more about clockwork when I get to the capital."
"You know that if you do get accepted, all you're ever going to be is a smith."
"I know. But it's the only chance I get, so I'll be showing them what I just discovered to better my chances."
"I'm not competition, so I'm betting you can tell me."
He laughed then. It was a light and careful laugh, but that was the first time I heard it. "Even if I did tell you, you just can't do it. Not with those scrawny arms of yours."
I couldn't help but laugh myself. I was by no means scrawny, but beside his bulk, I certainly could very well be just that.
"So, what is this new thing you've discovered."
"Folding metal to make better blades. I've seen the knives and swords made by the capital. They're right. The blade is stronger when one edge is blunt. But the sharp side also chips quickly. All I have to do is combine my blade-folding technique and that single edge blade and I think I have it."
"And you're sure this metal folding does the trick?"
He nodded. His eyes had a faraway look in them. "I've done it once. Chaim ordered a set."
I blinked in surprise. My father? He never even mentioned getting a set of blades from Daevi. Yes, he always had our knives made and repaired by the Manets, but he always said Daevi wasn't as good as his father yet. I was about to say this to him when I remembered the knives he gave me. I pulled one out and looked at it. On closer inspection, it was different. Heavier, but more balanced. It meant I couldn't throw this further than forty paces underhand, but I would be more accurate.
"This?"
His eyes widened when he saw the blade in my hand. "Yes! That's it. It's with you? He said it was special. He made me work on my idea and tested it himself."
"If my father has confidence in you, then who am I to say no?"
"You have a lot of confidence in your father."
"Old Klatos goes to him for advice. How can I not have confidence in him?"
"That's true. Sometimes I wish my father was yours."
I shook my head. "My father's ruthless. Yours? I've seen him teach you and he's very patient."
"I'd rather someone who pushes me hard."
"Well, we all wish for something other than what we have."
"Wise words."
"My father's. He has too many of those." I suddenly remembered what he said about heroes and how Daevi wasn't one even if he saved someone's life. He even saved my life, even though I'd rather not remember that harrowing experience up on the tree with him. Now though, there was a more pressing concern than my father's lack of faith in heroes. "I'm hungry and thirsty."
"I guess we have to be sidetracked a bit. I guess I have to be the one to look for water since you're better at plants and throwing knives."
He started removing his hammer from his back, but I stopped him. "Who knows what you encounter on your way. Better have something to defend yourself with."
"We'll meet here in a while. But how do we signal if we're in trouble?"
My father and I had whistles when we were in the forest, but now, all we had were knives and a hammer. I looked around for anything that could help, but there was nothing. The animals in this forest couldn't help either, so far as I've seen. Finally, I shook my head. "Just make a wild mark in your general direction where you can. I can track you down with a few marks. I'll try to leave as many obvious trails for you."
"Doesn't sound too hopeful. But we have a better chance together than alone, so, I'm not leaving you behind."
A twinge of relief passed through me. I couldn't really get him. He could be so cold-heartedly logical most times. But right now, like that time when he saved the Gasset kid, he was showing that he cared. But then again, this was also to save his own hide.