The village was buzzing with excitement as news spread of Zed's return. It had been six months since he left to join the noble's court as a page, and now he was coming back, appointed as a page to Lord Bracken. The appointment was reassuring for everyone because Lord Bracken was not only residing in the village but also the overseer of the merchant guild, a position that ensured stability and prosperity.
The day of Zed's return finally arrived. I stood at the village square, my heart pounding with anticipation. I couldn't wait to see my best friend and hear all about his experiences.
"Do you see him yet?" Aerin asked, standing beside me with a warm smile. Her presence was comforting, as always.
"Not yet," I replied, scanning the road for any sign of Zed. "But he should be here soon.
"As if on cue, a group of riders appeared in the distance. Leading them was a familiar figure—Zed, looking taller and more confident than ever. He dismounted gracefully, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on me.
"Keyn!" he shouted, breaking into a run.
"Zed!" I yelled back, running to meet him.
We embraced, laughing and clapping each other on the back. It felt like no time had passed at all, yet so much had changed.
"It's so good to see you, Zed," I said, grinning from ear to ear.
"You too, Keyn. I've missed this place—and you," he replied, his eyes shining with excitement.
Aerin stepped forward, her smile widening. "Welcome back, Zed. It's wonderful to see you."
"Thanks, Aerin. It's good to be back," Zed replied warmly.
We spent the next few hours catching up, Zed sharing stories of his time at the noble's court. He spoke of the rigorous training, the lessons in strategy and diplomacy, and the friendships he had made.
"Lord Bracken has been a great mentor," Zed said, his tone filled with respect. "He's taught me so much about leadership and responsibility."
"That's amazing, Zed. I'm really proud of you," I replied, feeling a surge of pride for my friend.
As the sun began to set, an idea sparked in my mind. "Zed, how about a sparring match? Let's see how much we've both improved.
"Zed's eyes lit up with excitement. "You're on, Keyn. Let's do it."
* * *
We made our way to the training grounds, a small crowd of villagers following us. They were eager to see the match between the two friends who had taken different paths but remained close.
Aerin stood at the sidelines, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Be careful, both of you," she said, her voice tinged with concern.
"Don't worry, Aerin. We'll be fine," Zed replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
We took our positions, Zed with his sword and me with my daggers. The air was charged with excitement as we faced each other, ready to test our skills.
"Ready, Keyn?" Zed asked, his stance firm and focused.
"Ready, Zed," I replied, my grip on the daggers tightening.
We began, circling each other, looking for an opening. Zed moved with a fluid grace, his training evident in every step. I matched his movements, my eyes never leaving his.
Zed struck first, his sword slicing through the air. I parried with my daggers, the clash of metal ringing out. We moved in a dance of attack and defense, each of us pushing the other to our limits.
"You're fast, Keyn," Zed said, a grin spreading across his face.
"And you're strong," I replied, my breath coming in quick bursts.
The match continued, each of us gaining and losing ground. The villagers watched in awe, cheering us on. Despite the intensity, there was no animosity—only mutual respect and the joy of testing our skills against each other.
Finally, with a swift move, Zed disarmed me, his sword at my throat. But instead of fear, I felt a surge of pride.
"Looks like you win this time, Zed," I said, smiling despite my defeat.
Zed lowered his sword and offered his hand. "You're amazing, Keyn. You've improved so much."
"Thanks, Zed. So have you," I replied, shaking his hand.
* * *
The villagers erupted in applause, celebrating our match. Aerin rushed forward, her eyes shining with pride.
"That was incredible! Both of you were amazing," she said, hugging us both.
"Thanks, Aerin," Zed said, his face flushed with excitement. "It feels great to be back.
"As we walked back to the village square, the three of us talked about our dreams and plans for the future. Despite the time apart and the different paths we had taken, our bond remained as strong as ever.
"So, Zed, tell us more about your time at the court," I urged, eager to hear more.
Zed nodded, his eyes lighting up. "There were so many fascinating things. I met knights from distant lands, learned about the politics of the realm, and even attended a few grand feasts. It was overwhelming at times, but also incredibly enlightening."
"What about the training?" Aerin asked, her curiosity piqued."The training was intense. We trained from dawn until dusk, honing our skills with various weapons, practicing strategy, and even learning some basic magic. Lord Bracken was a tough but fair mentor. He pushed us hard but also taught us the importance of honor and duty," Zed explained.
"Wow, that sounds amazing," I said, feeling a mix of envy and admiration. "I can't wait to hear more about it."
"You will, Keyn. And maybe one day, you'll get to experience it yourself," Zed replied, clapping me on the shoulder.
We reached the village square, where the villagers were still celebrating. The atmosphere was filled with joy and camaraderie, a testament to the strong community we were a part of.
As the evening wore on, we sat around a fire, sharing stories and laughter. Zed recounted more tales from the court, and Aerin shared some of her own experiences from Selren Serin.
* * *
The next morning, Zed and I met at the training grounds once again. This time, we were joined by Aerin, who was eager to learn more about combat techniques.
"Alright, let's start with some basic drills," Zed said, his tone serious but encouraging. "Aerin, Keyn, watch me closely.
"Zed demonstrated a series of sword movements, his motions fluid and precise. Aerin and I watched intently, trying to memorize each step.
"Now, you try," Zed said, stepping back to give us space.
Aerin and I took turns practicing the drills, Zed offering guidance and corrections. Despite the initial clumsiness, we began to improve, our movements becoming more coordinated and confident.
"You're both doing great," Zed said, his eyes shining with pride. "Keep practicing, and you'll get even better."As the day progressed, we continued our training, pushing ourselves to our limits. We took breaks to share tips and encouragement, the camaraderie between us growing stronger with each passing hour.
By the time the sun began to set, we were exhausted but satisfied. We sat on the grass, catching our breath and enjoying the cool evening breeze.
"That was intense, but worth it," Aerin said, her face flushed with exertion but her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Definitely," I agreed, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. "Thanks for the training, Zed. You're a great teacher."
"Thanks, Keyn. And thank you, Aerin. It means a lot to have you both here," Zed replied, his voice filled with gratitude.