The boy rested his wooden sword against the stone wall, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He turned back to Kael, his grin wide and infectious. "I'm Eryon, by the way," he said, extending a hand that was still small but calloused from practice.
Kael clasped it firmly, his grip steady. "Kael," he replied with a nod. "Nice to meet you, Eryon."
Eryon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Nice to meet you too! You're not like the others around here. Most of them just ignore me or tell me to stop practicing."
Kael chuckled. "I think you've got the right idea. Someone's gotta hold the place together."
Eryon laughed, picking up his wooden sword again. "You're funny. Hey, do you want to see something cool?"
Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Depends. How cool are we talking?"
"Really cool!" Eryon said, practically bouncing on his toes. "It's just outside the walls. Not many people know about it."
Kael hesitated for a brief moment, glancing back toward the crumbling corridors of Eclipsevane. The thought of stepping outside the oppressive confines of the guild was more tempting than he wanted to admit. "Alright," he said finally. "Lead the way."
Eryon's grin widened as he beckoned Kael to follow. The boy moved with the ease of someone who had explored every inch of the area, his steps light and confident. They passed through a side gate, its iron bars partially obscured by overgrown ivy, and emerged into a small grove just beyond the guild walls.
The grove was a stark contrast to the decay of Eclipsevane. Tall, slender trees framed the space, their leaves a vibrant green that seemed almost unnatural after the gray tones of the guild. A faint stream trickled through the clearing, its water clear and cool. And nestled among the trees was a small hut, its wooden frame weathered but sturdy.
"There it is," Eryon said proudly, gesturing toward the hut. "This is my secret spot."
Kael stepped closer, taking in the details of the hut. It was simple but well-maintained, with a small stone path leading to the door and a handful of flowers planted in the soil nearby. A thin wisp of smoke curled from the chimney, indicating someone—or something—had been there recently.
"You built this?" Kael asked, genuinely impressed.
Eryon shook his head. "No, it was already here. I just fixed it up a bit. Made it… mine."
Kael glanced at the boy, his respect for him growing. "You've got a good eye for this kind of thing."
Eryon beamed, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Thanks! It's nice to have a place to go when everything inside gets… too much, you know?"
Kael nodded, his gaze drifting back to the hut. Too much. Yeah, I get that.
Eryon darted toward the door, pushing it open with ease. "Come on! There's something inside I want to show you."
Kael hesitated for only a moment before following, curiosity pulling him forward. As he stepped into the small hut, the faint scent of wood and herbs greeted him, along with the quiet hum of a space that felt lived-in but not overrun.
Eryon crouched by a small chest in the corner, rummaging through its contents with practiced ease. "You're gonna like this," he said, his voice muffled by the lid.
Kael leaned against the doorframe, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched. Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.
Eryon emerged from the chest, clutching something wrapped in faded cloth. He handled it carefully, his small hands cradling the object like it was a precious treasure. Turning to Kael, he grinned, his excitement almost infectious.
"This," he said dramatically, pulling back the cloth to reveal a small, intricately crafted dagger, "is the coolest thing I've found here."
Kael stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the blade. It wasn't particularly large, but its design was striking. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, and the pommel bore a faintly glowing rune. The blade itself was etched with delicate patterns that shimmered faintly in the dim light of the hut.
"Where did you get that?" Kael asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution.
Eryon shrugged, holding the dagger up for Kael to see more clearly. "Found it in the rubble near the east wing. Looked like it had been there forever. No one wanted it, so I took it."
Kael reached out, but Eryon pulled the dagger back slightly, his grin fading into a more serious expression. "Careful," the boy warned. "It's sharp. Really sharp."
Kael nodded, lowering his hand. "Fair enough. But do you know what the rune means?"
Eryon shook his head. "No idea. I tried asking some of the guild members, but they just told me to stay away from it. Said it was 'too much for a kid to handle.'" He scoffed, his voice dropping into a mockingly deep tone. "'Too much for a kid.' Like I don't know what I'm doing."
Kael smirked, leaning back against the wall. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Eryon grinned again, clearly pleased. "Thanks. Anyway, I've been keeping it here. I figure if the guild's falling apart, it's better off with me than lying in some corner collecting dust."
Kael nodded, his gaze lingering on the dagger. There was something about it—something familiar yet unsettling. He couldn't quite place the feeling, but it sent a faint chill down his spine. This kid might be onto something.
"So, what else have you got in here?" Kael asked, changing the subject as he gestured toward the rest of the hut.
Eryon's grin widened. "Lots of stuff! Come on, I'll show you."
The boy began moving around the small space, pointing out various trinkets and tools he'd collected over time. There were battered helmets, fragments of old maps, and even a few strange crystals that glowed faintly in the dim light. Each item had a story, and Eryon shared them all with an enthusiasm that made the rundown hut feel almost alive.
As the boy talked, Kael found himself relaxing, the tension of the past days fading into the background. For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of something that resembled hope—or at least a reprieve from the constant weight on his shoulders.
By the time Eryon finished his tour, the two were sitting cross-legged on the floor, the faint light of the setting sun streaming through the small window. The dagger lay between them, its faint glow casting soft patterns on the wooden planks.
"You're not bad, Kael," Eryon said suddenly, his voice thoughtful. "Most people just tell me to go away. But you actually listen."
Kael looked at the boy, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're not bad yourself, Eryon. You've got a good thing going here."
Eryon beamed, his gray eyes shining with pride. "Thanks."
For a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence, the distant hum of the guild a faint backdrop to the stillness of the grove. Kael glanced at the dagger again, the strange feeling from earlier returning.
Eryon leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows as he glanced toward the small window. The sun's rays were beginning to soften, painting the grove in hues of gold and amber. "You know," he began, his tone thoughtful, "most people in the guild don't really talk to me. Not like you just did."
Kael tilted his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why's that? You're not exactly hard to get along with."
Eryon shrugged, a faint shadow crossing his expression. "Guess they think I'm just some kid messing around. Doesn't matter how much I practice or try to help. They always brush me off."
Kael frowned, leaning forward. "That's their loss. You've got more determination than most people I've met."
Eryon's face brightened a little at the compliment, though the flicker of doubt lingered in his eyes. "Thanks, Kael. But… there is one person who listens to me."
"Oh?" Kael prompted, curious. "Who's that?"
"She's kind of awesome," Eryon said, his grin returning. "Not like the others. She actually takes the time to talk to me, to teach me things. Makes me feel like I'm not just wasting my time."
Kael couldn't help but smile at the boy's enthusiasm. "Sounds like someone worth knowing. What's her name?"
Eryon hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the door as if expecting her to walk in at any second. "You'll see," he said mysteriously. "She's out on a mission right now, but she should be back soon. When she gets here, you have to meet her."
Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I'll take your word for it."
"She's kind of amazing," Eryon added, his voice growing softer, almost reverent. "She doesn't treat me like a kid. Makes me feel like I belong here, you know?"
Kael nodded, his chest tightening slightly at the boy's words. Belonging. That's not something you find easily in a place like this.
Eryon sat up straighter, his grin widening. "You'll like her, I'm sure of it. And maybe she can help you too."
Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Help me with what?"
Eryon shrugged, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "I don't know yet. But she always knows what to say."
Kael chuckled again, leaning back against the wall. "Sounds like quite the person. I'll be looking forward to it."
Eryon nodded, satisfied. "Good. You'll see what I mean."
For a moment, the two sat in silence, the comfortable kind that didn't need to be filled. Outside, the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft murmur of the stream created a soothing backdrop, a stark contrast to the chaos Kael had faced earlier.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Kael found himself wondering who this mysterious woman could be—and why Eryon seemed so certain she'd make a difference.
Eryon clapped his hands together suddenly, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "I know what we can do!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing where he sat.
Kael raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Oh yeah? What's that?"
Eryon grinned, standing up and grabbing his wooden sword. "A mission, of course! Something to pass the time until she gets back. It'll be fun!"
Kael couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm. "A mission, huh? And what exactly does this mission involve?"
Eryon puffed out his chest, doing his best to look official. "It's top secret," he said, lowering his voice dramatically. "Only for the bravest and most trustworthy of friends."
Kael smirked, leaning back against the wall. "So I guess that makes me qualified?"
"Obviously," Eryon said with a wide grin. "You're my partner now, so you've gotta help. It's a mission between friends!"
Kael's smirk softened into a genuine smile. A mission between friends. The phrase had a weight to it, something simple yet grounding. He nodded, pushing himself to his feet. "Alright, Eryon. Lead the way."
Eryon's grin widened, and he practically jumped with excitement. "Yes! This is gonna be great. Come on, I know exactly what we need to do."
He darted toward the door, his energy infectious. Kael followed, his footsteps lighter than they had been in days. Whatever this mission entailed, it was a welcome distraction—and perhaps a reminder that, even in a place as fractured as Eclipsevane, there was still room for moments like this.