I stood staring at ash. I awaited his next move my guard up. For the last two days, ash, Justin, and I have gotten used to each other's personalities. They even allowed me to start training with them in the afternoon.
which was exactly what I happened to be doing with ash. Ash lunged forward and I ducked. The wood sword I held grazed his back slightly, Yet he did a direct blow to my shoulder.
" Your too tense Helena". Justin called. He had not fought me, And he would not even grasp the idea. I blow my bangs from my eyes and roll them. "Hope you're not hurt you did tell me not to hold back"... Ash spoke up.
I smiled. " I'm fine". Ash and Justin were a completely different type of person than my brothers. Their worry was necessary and they didn't loom over my head twenty for seven. I could easily call them my friends now. Which made everything easier.
I remembered reading about schools. Where children of all ages came to one building to learn about life. They made friends at school. In my book they even shared lunches. It would be amazing to meet more people like Justin and Ash. Maybe... Maybe there were even other girls my age! I could barely believe it.
I knew of course there were other girls in the world. Yet sometimes it was hard to imagine them. I did wonder what other girls were like. My head sometimes swirled in thought about it.
I guess...I won't know till I see! I told myself. Tomorrow I planned on telling the boys about my mother. I did hope they would understand. My mind had raced the night before about the worries of if they didn't. Would they take me back to my brothers? Leave me alone?
None of that mattered though. I had the feeling in my heart they would understand. There were my friends. They had to.
Dinner was ready not to long after me and Ashes sparing. Otsuyu was served for dinner that night. The clear soup spun in my bowl as I blew on it to cool. The green pepper made a flavorful sent in the kitchen.
The boy's kitchen was nothing like ours at home. It was dimly lit by a lamp and a rose-scented candle sat on the table. Their walls were decorated with old tapestries with simple yet colorful designs.
Words and names were carved into the rugged old table. All of which surrounded one big name. ' The Tamers'. The last name of their family stuck out like a sore thumb.
Asher Tamers and Jacob Tamers. I thought to myself. It wasn't That bad of the last name unless someone pronounced it wrong. It was Tam-Irs I had learned when she pronounced it wrong the first time. I had said. "Tame-ers". Which seemed to annoy the boys. They politely pointed out that I had pronounced it wrong. I could have said " Tampers" or " ta-me-s". So I was at least close.
I felt proud I had not messed it up that bad. At dinner time both boys smiled at how their sisters dress fit her. It was a silky pink night gown that flowed down to her knees. In all honesty I loved the cloths their sister had, All of witcxh were comfortable and nice.
My favorite was a blue shirt that hung around my shoulders. It had splatter paint colors all over and it came with a small skirt and ankle bracelet. I thought that there family had to be profitable to afford such cloths.
I thought better not to ask though for the sake of being rude. After dinner I climbed into the bed. It was nothing like the bed at home. Hers was hard and the pillows sank to deep for comfort. I was thankful though. At least I wasn't lying on the forest floor.
That night I contemplated what would have happened if I had never left. Would my brothers have ever trusted me? No, of course not that's why I left... I had to admit it though... I missed them.
With that in my head, I closed my heavy eyes and rested preparing myself for tomorrow. The night seemed to pass quickly. It felt like only seconds that night passed by. My eyes fluttered open and slowly focused into view.
My mind, still half asleep, tried to process what day it was and where I was as well. I was still not use to the room obviously. It soon all came back to me. Today is the day. I told myself getting up.
I dressed. Deciding to wear the blue shirt I was fond of. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and strode into the living room. I was greeted with. " Why good morning". By two familiar voices. Both boys sat on the couch and seemed to be in deep conversation only moments before.
" Sooo", I dragged my sentence out, " I have something to tell you guys". My nerves I didn't know I had shown themselves. " Go ahead". Ash sent me a reassuring smile.
I told them. About the bow and arrows. About Jaren. About running away. About my anger, and lastly, most importantly, my mother. I tried not to go too fast so they could follow. Yet my rambling did get the best of me in the end.
" So please help me find her". I finished looking into their eyes a squeezing feeling in my gut. Ash looked to Justin for guidance. Justin seemed to give off a vibe, unlike the one his usual presents did. He was smirking.
" Sure". Justin's voice came calmly. " Your brothers don't understand you... but we do". Relief filled my body as we walked into the kitchen for breakfast. What I didn't know was that his agreeing to that was the worst mistake of my life.
I sat at the table at that moment and talked to Ash about how to find her. I felt safe here. I was ready. I hoped it would stay like this. Even if it was false confidence I still felt good about the relief of finally finding my mother.