Page 96 of All That Has Flown Beyond
The swans were a bloodbath. Then again, Kaiyo was convinced nothing could quite defeat swans.
The last opponent was a mouse. Kaiyo doubled over with laughter as Ahmik immediately yelped, running out of the circle.
“No! You know I hate them!” Ahmik shouted as the rest of them laughed.
Kaiyo felt at peace.
**********
“I just don’t like the way it smells.”
“Well, I can’tnotuse lavender, Ahmik. It’s like one of the most commonly used plants.”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t use it, Kaiyo. All I’m saying is that I don’t like the way it smells.”
“Well then, thanks for the useless piece of information.”
“You’re welcome,” Ahmik said haughtily.
Kaiyo snorted, throwing Ahmik a look as they walked along the side of the forest. The half-moon illuminated their way as they checked on the wards that had been set up all those months ago, on a night much unlike that night. The animosity that had hung between them then had dissipated, leaving a clear sky behind.
“Yousmell bad,” Kaiyo muttered, knowing Ahmik would hear him anyway.
“Well, you smell good. Or you would, if you didn’t wear that necklace,” Ahmik shot back.
“I always wear the necklace.”
“Notalways.”
“Don’t flirt with me while I’m working,” Kaiyo admonished with a smile.
“We only have one more point to check.”
“You eager to finish? Got a hot date afterwards or something?” Kaiyo teased.
“Maybe.”
“Well, don’t let me delay you.”
“Don’t worry. I can wait,” Ahmik grinned. Kaiyo rolled his eyes but couldn’t keep his own grin from his face.
They checked the last cornerstone in a comfortable, buzzing silence. The wards proved to be as sturdy as ever. The land felt sure and safe around Kaiyo. He let himself just breathe for a moment. Let the feeling of home fill him up.
“All done,” Kaiyo said, standing up from where he had been kneeling. “You’re free to go on that date now.”
Ahmik looked at him, a smile like a secret tucked at the corner of his lips. “Race you to yours,” he said.
Kaiyo raised his eyebrows. “Haven’t you learnt your lesson by now?”
“Excuse me. Who won our last sparring match?”
“That was a fluke.”
“You’re such a bad loser.”
“You’re the loser, wolf-boy.”
“Prove it.”
