It happened six months later.

  After deciding that he would protect them, Ero woke up early every morning and grabbed his wooden sword, practicing what he had seen the mercenaries do countless times before as they passed through.

  Grandpa Jed had made him a training dummy out of straw after seeing Ero practice every morning.

  Unfortunately for him, even with the dummy, he struggled to use the sword properly. He didn’t know anyone who could teach him what to fix. Everyone around him was a farmer.

  He decided to go toward the ravine to watch the mercenaries.

  He was still in bed, though, and Duckling was sleeping beside him. He realized Duckling slept a lot. Tara had told them it was normal for a baby, but Az really slept a lot.

  Slipping out of bed carefully so as not to disturb him, he pulled on his boots, tying them tightly. He almost never wore them unless he was going hunting, though that was the case for everyone.

  A soft knock sounded on his door. He flinched, caught mid-way strapping on his hunting knives.

  Arsi peeked her head in. Taking note of his clothing, she asked, "Where are you going?"

  He couldn’t lie to her. She probably already knew. “I’m going to watch the mercenaries practicing near the ravine right now.”

  "Take me with you," she said firmly.

  "No, someone has to watch Az," he replied, shaking his head.

  "Then let’s take Duckling with us," she said, shrugging it off.

  “Arsi, you know it’s not safe for him to be out."

  She sighed. “Fine. I’ll cover for you, but you better bring me next time.”

  He smiled. "Thanks, Arsi."

  "You’re such a jerk," she pouted, glaring at him in annoyance.

  He rolled his eyes.

  "I’ll be back soon, don’t worry," he said with a grin. "Is Cook Kary up?"

  "Yeah. You should just go out the window."

  "I will. We’re only on the first floor, so it’s fine."

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Don’t get caught," she muttered, lying down on the floor and reaching up to touch the sunlight.

  "I haven't yet!" he said, slipping out the window. He knew he could count on Arsi to close it for him.

  Then he sprinted away from the inn and through the village, making his way to the ravine town.

  Even though it was early and the sun had just begun to rise, the empty streets rapidly began to fill up with more and more people. He didn't want to get stopped by anyone on his way, so he quickened his pace.

  Cook Kary and Tara said the village never started out this way. It had been small with only the inn and the first few villagers, but after the war started, and the ravine became important, the area tripled in size.

  The ravine town had been finished before he was born. The war didn't start until he was five. It'd been seven years since then, almost eight now.

  He didn't remember much about the early parts of the war, no one ever talked about it much. So he didn't ask.

  "But I want to know," he thought bitterly. He picked up his pace. If he wanted to watch the mercenaries, he needed to hurry.

  Ero knew exactly where they sparred, but he couldn't go directly there. Instead, he snuck into the woods surrounding the training area, crouching low in the leaves.

  The brush was too thick to see through. He needed to get closer.

  He was just about to stand when a twig snapped behind him. His breath caught.

  Unsheathing one of his daggers, he clenched it tightly and turned.

  A man stood there.

  He wasn’t looking at Ero.

  "," Ero thought, relieved.

  But it didn’t last long.

  A shadow loomed over him.

  Next thing he knew, someone grabbed him by the collar and yanked him upward.

  "Ow." He grunted, twisting to get a look at his captor.

  The man was enormous, practically a giant.

  "So, you found the rat?" The first man approached, scanning Ero up and down.

  ?" His dagger was hidden in his sleeve.

  "." He studied the men. They were clearly stronger.

  "He's a scrawny thing," the giant muttered, lifting Ero higher.

  "Can you put me down please?" Ero asked, voice shakier than he wanted. He avoided eye contact.

  The first man raised an eyebrow. "You can speak?"

  Ero nodded hurriedly.

  "We'll let you go, but come with us first."

  The first man turned and strode through the brush.

  Ero thought the giant would set him down, but instead, he simply started walking, still carrying Ero by his collar.

  They passed into a clearing filled with sparring mercenaries.

  " He could finally see what they were doing close up.

  ""

  Ero was suddenly very glad he hadn’t tried to fight.

  He wouldn't have gotten to see this. It was a bit embarrassing being lugged around like a sack of potatoes through the camp, but it was worth it.

  Soon, they reached a large tent and carried Ero through the flaps.

  "" he thought as they entered.

  It took him a second to adjust to the dimness. Lamps flickered inside, a makeshift desk stood in the center, and a bed covered in furs rested on the far side. Maps were strewn everywhere.

  An even larger man than the giant hovered over the maps.

  "What do you two want?" he asked gruffly.

  A massive sword hung on his back.

  "We found a rat." the first man said, and the giant suddenly dropped Ero to the ground

  The man turned around, and Ero swallowed hard. He was missing his left eye. His bare arms and hands were covered in scars.

  "Let him go." the man waved a dismissive hand, sounding irritated.

  "Look at how scrawny he is." the giant said, picking Ero up again.

  "" Ero found himself glaring at the giant.

  "" The giant's face darkened, but he just started laughing.

  "He even has an attitude." the giant said, setting Ero down, gentler this time.

  The scarred man sighed, "What's your name kid?"

  Ero swallowed hard, clearing his throat before he spoke. "Ero.... sir... mister...?" He had no idea how address the towering man.

  The men beside him snickered.

  "?" Ero glanced at them, confused.

  "Knock it off, both of you." The scarred man sounded irritated.

  "Ero."

  Ero stiffened. "Yes?" He met the man’s eye, finding just a bit of courage.

  "Go follow those two." he waved them away, "And stop snooping around."

  "?" Ero felt his face warm. "?"

  "Just watch like a normal person if you come back again." the man finished, turning back to his maps.

  "?" A wide grin spread across his face. His earlier fear started to vanish.

  "Thank you, mister." He said gratefully.

  The man didn't respond. Ero hesitated, wondering if he should wait for a reply.

  The two other men stepped out of the tent.

  "Thanks...Ero murmured again as he followed them out.

  ""

  "Stop spacing out kid," the giant said with a grin. "That there's Spider," he added, pointing at the first man.

  "? Ero eyed Spider closely, ""

  "That blockhead is Carin." Spider said, glaring at the giant.

  "?" Ero was almost certain someone like Arsi had named them.

  "It's written all over your face that you find it weird." Spider studying Ero, "And your name's Arrow, kid."

  "That's just as weird." Carin added with a grin.

  "?" He stopped in his tracks. No one had ever told him that before.

  "Stop looking so confused and follow us." Spider said with a grin, "Otherwise, Carin can carry you through camp."

  "." Ero thought as he started walking again.

  They led him through the entire camp, explaining what each area was used for. They even showed him some weapons.

  "Here, hold it." Carin said handing him a sword.

  "!" Ero thought, eagerly taking it.

  The moment Carin let go, he almost tumbled with it to the ground. But he managed not to drop it.

  "Wow..." He stared at the blade as he managed to lift it up. He loved the way the blade glittered.

  He could see his reflection in it.

  And Spider’s too. His mouth hung open, eyes wide as he looked between Ero and Carin in shock.

  "?"

  "Did I break it?" Ero asked, suddenly worried. But the sword seemed fine.

  "Kid what do you do in your free time?" Spider asked still staring at him

  "I practice with a wooden sword and go fishing," Ero answered honestly.

  "What kind of wood are you practicing with?"

  "One from a Latiria tree. I'd need to ask..." He hesitated, not wanting to mention Arsi. "Someone told me it was the strongest wood."

  They looked even more surprised now.

  "Next time you come, kid, bring us your sword," Spider said, laughing. "And I think whoever told you that was messing with you."

  Carin nodded. "Not only is it hard to chop down and incredibly tough, but it weighs as much as iron."

  !!! Ero screamed in his head. "I thought it was just a little harder to chop down, but it took me three days!"

  "Your friend has a good sense of humor." Spider said, laughing loudly as Ero scowl.

  "You should thank them for us." Carin added, nearly collapsing from laughter.

  "Whatever..." Ero grumbled, handing the blade back to Carin with some effort.

  "You said you swing the sword, right?" Spider asked.

  Ero nodded. "Yeah, I do."

  "You want to go watch the mercenaries spar for a while?"

  "!" he screamed internally, but he forced himself to sound less eager as he replied, "Yes, please."

  Carin and Spider laughed as they led him toward the sparring grounds.

  "!" Ero thought, trailing behind them eagerly.

  ///////////////////

  Arsi lay on the floor as she watched Ero leave her behind.