I was in the third year of my training in the Inner City of Reytor. I was in the top of my class except in sparring class, but that was more to do with the fact I was partnered with Maverick and I still hadn't been able to best him more than a few times. He was a brute and unfortunately built much like a bull giving him better strength as well as he had the muscle to use a long sword like I had switched to. I ended up usually going back to my room feeling bruises forming on a nightly basis even with Neil helping with training me after classes every day.
"Eve, with your build you'd really do better with-" started Neil again.
"I know. I know. Short sword and a shield," I grumbled.
"Aye for the hundredth time why do you wish to be a long sword wielder?"
We sat down on the wooden bench and I took a swing of water from my flask. Would he really understand my reasoning if I told him this was my dead twin's sword? I decided to go with a more solid reason.
"It will give me extended reach on my opponent and with my short figure, the extra few inches may make a difference."
"If they don't maim or kill you with your sloppy sword use," he mumbled. "Will you at least try and use a short sword and a shield tonight? See if it works better?"
I sighed and nodded. "Fine, but just for tonight."
He walked over to the weapons rack testing the weight of a few swords before finding a decently balanced blade and then grabbing a short arm shield that didn't have too much damage. When he started walking back, I placed my broad sword back in its sheath before sitting it on the bench and dawning my new weapons. Most swordsman were taught to wield their weapons in their right, but Neil and I were some of the few that our dominant hand was our left.
"Ready?" he asked once I was adjusted in the circle used for practice pairings.
"Aye."
He circled each other feigning attacks from time to time reading the others movements to anticipate what the other was thinking. Finally, I saw and opening and instead of attacking with my sword, I feigned a uppercut with it before knocking into him with all my force with the shield sending him backwards. He landed in the soft dirt and picked himself back up with a smile on his face.
"Short sword," he said with a smile. "Do that to Maverick tomorrow and I'm sure you'll win. Sell your long sword and comission a short sword and a shield."
"When?" I asked. "Not like we have the time."
"Ask the Swordsmaster tomorrow for leave. I'm sure he'll be grateful tomorrow to hear you plan to change weapons."
"Thanks Neil."
He smiled, his emerald green eyes shimmering in the torchlight. He was a head taller than I and possibly a few inches taller than Alistor, but his build didn't mean he wasn't soft or at least had a soft spot for me. I wish we shared the same sparing class, but we didn't and that is why I was paired with Maverick.
"Why don't we wrap this up early for tonight and celebrate in the upper city," he suggested. "There's still a few hours till curfew."
"Sure," I said.
We walked the short distance to the armory where our servants waited to help us back out of our armor before returning to our rooms to bathe and leave for the Upper City. Neil got done first and met me outside my door looking absolutely stunning in his dark green shirt with black pants and boots. He'd trimmed his beard and hair as well which made him look slightly older.
"Are you ready, Lady Eve?" he asked with a curt smile.
"Aye," I said shutting my door behind me and joining him the few paces from my room.
The walk to the upper city wasn't long. Being in our third year of training, we had more freedoms such as a later curfew and a longer dinner period. The wind blew dreamily tonight blowing my hair gently refreshing me after my short sparring with Neil.
I elbowed him playfully when he'd been quiet too long and he smiled at me warmly. He had a small blush to his his freckled face tonight.
"You let me best you," I finally said.
"Nay!" he said sounding mortified at the idea.
"Promise?"
"Lady Eve, you too me completely by surprise I promise you. Cross my heart," he said innocently. "When have I ever let you win one of our bouts? That would teach you nothing."
The way he said my name with such tenderness... what was wrong with me tonight? Neil was my sparring partner and one of my closest friends beside Alistor, but he had become more aloof lately making me think perhaps of asking Neil to be my partner since we had been training together so much. If we weren't in the weapons area we were in the library taking notes with Xavier who was the ever growing scholar.
We entered one of the tavern's near the south entrance to the Upper City where travelers mostly stopped. It had become one of our favorite spots since there was always a bard and someone telling a riveting tale of adventure and danger. I longed to be allowed to travel even for a short bit to break up the monotony of my every day routine. One more year and I would be graduated and allowed to go on missions to defend the kingdom.
Neil and I sat towards the back of the pub and listened to the babble going around. After a few moments of looking around, I was surprised to see Adam sitting with some people unfamiliar to the the city. I saw Neil following my gaze and have a questioning look cross his face. He didn't know these men either. They were Nephilium I could sense it.
"That's strange," he said finally nodding towards Adam.
"Aye."
A tavern wench took our order, but we didn't say much once she left. Adam's demeanor seemed tense.
"Should we move a little closer and try to hear what's going on?" he asked.
"Wait for our drinks than we will," I said.
I could tell he was as worried about Adam as I was- possibly more. He was his sparring partner. If Neil didn't ask me to be his partner, him and Adam would most definitely be.
"Eve, can I be blunt?" he asked finally.
"Aye," I said giving him an encouraging smile.
He looked more skittish than Adam.
"Is there anything between you and Alistor... just before I make a fool out of myself."
I shook my head bewildered. "Alistor? No- no. Why? He's just my sparring partner. Besides he's been distant lately."
I did have feelings for Alistor, but I wanted him as my partner more once we were graduated. Was everyone assuming we were together? Or that we had been? There was no way we looked like it now especially in the last month. He was barely seen at evening meals.
"I would like to court you, Eve," he said after a moment of chewing over what I had just said.
Our drinks arrived buying me time. Had Neil just admitted he had feelings for me? Is that why he agreed to helping me with extra training? I took a sip. I liked Neil. I really did, but I had sworn not to date.
"Eve?" he asked worriedly.
"I..."
"May I?" he asked.
I bit my lower lip. Neil was a great man. What was wrong with letting him court me as long as I didn't get married and lose my shield?
"Aye," I said with a gentle smile.
We got up and moved closer to Adam. I had to keep my feelings from getting in the way. Why wasn't Neil as focused as I?
"So what do you say, Adam. Are you with us?" asked the taller of the two men.
You could tell poor Adam was petrified. He was usually the smart mouth out of the group. He wasn't timid.
The man had his hand outstretched and after a moment, Adam shook it his hand visibly shaking. Who were these Nephilium? They left brushing past Neil and I. I turned my head to see at the base of one of their necks the symbol Quinn had showed me- the Keltcher. They were real. Had Adam just been scared into joining? Was there a way I could get in to learn more?
Before I knew that Neil had left my side, I heard him talking to Adam.
"Everything alright?"
"Aye. That was just my Da. He came to pay a quick visit to ask me to support him is all."
"Support him?" I asked.
Adam looked at me with almost a glare. "Aye. Is this an interrogation?"
I shook my head placing my hand on his shoulder. "We're just worried. You seemed scared or at least intimidated."
He shook me off getting his gusto back. "He's my Da, of course I was scared. He doesn't usually come see me with my uncle."
With that he brushed past us and left the tavern.
"I don't buy it," I said after a moment crossing my arms as I watched him leave.
"Why?"
"Just a feeling."
We left after paying for our drinks. As we headed back, Neil offered me his hand and I took it feeling his rough callused hands. It felt right, but my mind was elsewhere. The Keltcher is real and I was almost completely sure that Adam had just joined.
Neil walked me back to my room kissing my cheek gently. I appreciated that about him. He knew when I needed space to think. I needed to talk to Alistor, but first I needed some sleep.