Page 22 of Somewhere down the Ley Line
At their campsite that evening, Isolde sought Felix out as he brushed down his horse, cleaning the rock dust out of poor Ranger’s eyes and mane. The horse had sustained a few minor cuts and nicks, but nothing too bad.
“Thank you again. For everything. For catching Shadow, for not telling them about the magic…”
“It’s fine,” he said, cutting her off. “But you don’t need to hide. It’s your right to learn to control your magic, possibly even your duty. If they disapprove of it, that’s their problem, and they’re wrong.”
She dropped her eyes, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her cloak. “You’re right,” she murmured. “It’s just… hard.”
“Why?”
She tilted her head, her expression a mix of confusion and frustration. “Because they’d argue. Garren would say my father wouldn’t approve. Luella would say it’s too dangerous…”
“So what? Fuck what they think, and what your father would say,” Felix interrupted, his voice low and fierce. “He’s not here. He’s not the one traveling to the bloody Nexus. And dangerous? Passively letting this magic overtake you is what’s dangerous. Risking destruction every time you feel a little sad or angry. Is that what you want? For them to lead you halfway across the world like an infected animal that has to be kept under control?”
Isolde stared at him in shock, her eyes huge. Felix immediately felt bad. He had not meant to be this harsh. She stood there for a moment, her fingers twistingtogether, clutching the fabric of her cloak. He thought she would say something, but she turned on her heel and left without a word.
Well done, you ass. Could at least have tried to be understanding.
Their exchange left him in a foul mood, so instead of returning to camp, he wandered off in search of a quiet spot to do some drills. Felix walked until he found a relatively flat area bordered by tall rocks on one side, a line of prickly bushes on the other.
He shrugged off his armour and shirt and began a series of opening stretches to warm up. He closed his eyes, twirling the axe around his head in a dance. Falling into the familiar rhythm, he let his mind wander while his body moved through the motions. Isolde’s face kept swimming into his vision, her smile, her concentration as she used her magic, the hurt in her midnight blue eyes as he chewed her out about hiding it. Well, he didn’t regret what he’d said to her. A little, perhaps. He could have been more tactful, but he’d meant it and she needed to hear it. If they had any chance of making it to the Nexus with no one getting seriously hurt through some magical catastrophe, she had to take control. Own her magic, not let it own her.
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Felix didn’t stop his movements, but listened intently. Heavy steps – not Isolde. Garren, then. The distinct sound of a sword being unsheathed echoed off the rocks, and Felix spun just in time to intercept the swing.
“If you wanted to spar,” he said, eyes wide open now and locked on Garren’s, “you could have said so.”
“I could have,” Garren replied, his voice emotionless. He beckoned Felix with his free hand, the gesture almost taunting.
Felix grinned, then lunged. His axe whistled through the air, aiming a low swipe at Garren’s legs. The older man stepped back in a single smooth motion, the tip of his blade angled down, ready to parry. But Felix feinted before his strike had the chance to land and instead came up fast in a reverse arc, headed for Garren’s side. A grunt escaped him as he twisted his body, the edge of the axe barely missing him, the air snapping with the force of the swing. He recovered fast, his swordcoming around in a clean horizontal slash, aiming for the ribs. Felix jumped back and laughed. “Almost had me there, old man.”
Garren didn’t answer. He moved in, blade poised, his eyes tracking every twitch of Felix’s muscles. A swift jab aimed straight for his shoulder, but Felix twisted, bringing the haft of his weapon up to bat the sword aside. Boldly, he stepped into the taller man’s guard, attempting to use his weight to knock him off balance.
The two men grappled, straining, each trying to overpower the other. Felix shoved forward, head ducking low as if to ram into Garren’s chest. But Garren was too quick and shifted his stance, sidestepping enough that the momentum carried Felix past him. A swift kick to the back of his knee sent him stumbling.
Felix caught himself, spun around and swung wildly, forcing Garren to step out of reach. His breath was coming in short bursts. He faked high with a vicious overhead chop, then dropped low, whipping his weapon towards Garren’s shin.
This time, however, Garren was ready. He jumped, the axe slicing empty air beneath his feet. As he came down, his sword flashed, striking the haft of Felix’s axe with enough force to jar it from his hands. The weapon clattered to the ground, and Felix’s eyes widened. Before he could react, Garren brought his blade to a stop, a hair’s breadth from his throat.
“You will cease your attempts to influence Lady Isolde,” he said. “She does not require advice from the likes of you.”
Felix blinked in surprise. Of course, this was about Isolde. His face split into a grin. “Or what, Garren? You’re going to kill me?” He swatted the sword away and pointedly turned around, exposing his back, to pick up his axe.
“You have no right to be so familiar with her!” Garren said, an undercurrent of anger in his otherwise controlled voice.
Felix laughed in his face. “Talking to her when she seeks me out makes me toofamiliarwith her? We’re the only four people for leagues, Garren, and you and Luella are boring and uptight. It’s not like I’m fucking her.”
Garren’s eyes blazed, and he lunged, sword swinging. Felix barely had time to raise his axe. They stood there for a moment, weapons locked, breath heaving. With visible effort, Garren shoved Felix away, sheathed his sword, and walked off without another word.
Felix looked up at the stars and frowned. He had not considered the possibility that Garren might disapprove of his having any kind of friendship with Isolde. It wasn’t like him and Luella were making any efforts to engage with her beyond polite courtesies. But of course, he was not good enough to befriend a lady like her. As far as Garren was concerned, she was better off all alone in the world than with someone like him.
Well, Garren could get fucked. His objections only made Felix eager to get closer to Isolde. Because he liked her and he wanted to, but now also to piss Garren off.
He pulled his armour on and returned to the camp, where he found Luella by the fire.
“They’ve gone to sleep,” she said by way of greeting. “What did Garren want?”
“Just a spar,” Felix replied.
“Hmm. Who won?” Her eyes glinted as she awaited his response.
