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“Not want hurt you, brother.”
The tall grass of the clearing swayed in the light summer breeze. Birds sang their songs of life and the smell of the forest suffused everything. It was so beautiful and warm. As close to heaven as one could get.
War would ravage it soon.
Leon pointed his wooden training sword at his large, muscular opponent. Guy was a head taller than him and near fifty pounds heavier yet he cowered away from him regardless. His adopted brother was a gentle soul. At home in nature and among the animals. The Empire would consume him and leave naught but ash.
”You need to, Guy.” Leon admonished. “You need to be willing to kill!”
He watched tears well in the giant’s eyes as he lay on the ground.
”Enough, Leon. You’re scaring him.”
The voice was firm yet kind. Firion appeared at his shoulder and made his way around to approach Guy. He watched his white haired adopted brother as he knelt to place a gentle hand on Guy’s muscular shoulder, a placating smile on his face. Anger burned inside Leon.
“Good!” The dark haired youth yelled across the clearing. “He needs fear! To understand what needs to be done. We face the empire! They will not relent if he hesitates! They will cut him down just as they have cut down costless people before him.”
Firion stood up and stepped in front of Guy. He had a wooden sword in his hand though he did not raise it.
”I understand your fear, brother.” Firion sympathized. “But it consumes you.”
”You understand nothing!” Leon pointed his sword at the white haired youth. “Blood, piss and shit! A mire of it that we will drown in once the Empire arrives!”
Firion readied his sword. Leon ground his teeth. He would teach him as well. Another breeze rolled through as the two became as stone as they prepared their minds for the clash.
He would end it with one strike. He thrust, turning his profile to Firion, extending his arm as far as it would go and stepping forward. He bent his knee to give him even more reach and ensure balance and strength. He loosened the grip on the handle, letting his sword slide forward in his fingers until he felt the pommel where they tightened around it. It would extend his reach. He had aimed low, and the tip of the practice flew towards his sparring partner’s gut.
Firion moved quickly to meet the attack. He swatted the blade of Leon’s sword down and moved in with his own thrust. He was too far, however, to immediately close the distance, so Leon pulled back, pivoting on the ball of his back foot and tucking his sword arm against his body, blade pointed at his opponent. He caught Firion’s sword blade in his free hand and thrust his weapon at his brother’s chest. Firion proved faster and more decisive than Leon anticipated. His off hand found its way to Leon’s blade, stopping it before it made contact.
The stood there in the clearing, struggling for several moments. Strengths and wills as mirrors.
A hand found itself on Leon’s shoulder.
He dared to look away from the battle and turned to see his sister. Maria had an empathetic smile on her face. Slowly, the anger burning in his blood cooled. He lowered his sword and let go of Firion’s. His brother did not press his own attack, instead backing away. Leon looked up at the sky. Clear and blue, with a spattering of clouds in it. He imagined it full of smoke and screams.
He imagined the broken, bloody bodies of his kin. He could not imagine saving them.
”I love all of you.” Leon declared solemnly as his eyes followed a cloud that looked a knight on horseback.
Leon felt all of their eyes on him as he watched the cloud shape disappear behind the trees. A tear fell from his eye as he lowered his gaze and turned to each of them in turn. His brothers. His sister. His family. Blood and dead stares filled his mind.
He prayed for the strength to protect them. He prayed for them to have the strength to protect themselves.
”We will fight the Empire, Leon.” Firion assured, kneeling beside Guy again. “And we will not lose ourselves.”
The words were a further balm for his aimless rage. Firion sounded so sure. Leon believed him in that moment. The images of death abated. Against all that the future held for them, he would keep his brother’s words.
He glanced at his sister. Her eyes were locked on Firion. There was a love there in her gaze. Not the love of a sibling but the yearning of a young woman. Leon held back a smile. He had worried for his sister in matters of the heart. If it was Firion she did indeed desire, he would not worry. Still…
Another thing to protect. Another thing to lose.
Leon needed more strength and he had so little time.
”Together.” The word was Maria’s and it floated between, touching each in kind. “Alone we will die but together we can fight.”
The tension in Leon’s shoulders melted away and the grip on his training sword loosened. She was right. He would not fight this war alone. He would have his family. Together they could be strong. Nothing would break them apart.
”Together.” Leon repeated.
Leon made his way over to Guy and offered him his hand. His large little brother smiled and gladly took it. With a great heave, he was on his feet again. The giant’s stomach growled.
“Hungry.” Guy complained, holding his stomach.
Leon laughed. Truly laughed and forgot all else. It was several moments before he could control himself again. He walked to the edge of the clearing and bid then to follow him.
”Come, it’s getting late and mother and father will need help preparing dinner.” He told them.
His siblings nodded as one and all walked past him into the woods to find their way home. Leon took one last look at the sky, blue, vast and empty, and followed them.