Part 2 (1/2)
Bemused, Max studied the white and brown mouse still entrapped by Eve's tail. ”So, what are you going to do with your furry little friend?”
Eve lifted her tail over her shoulder and dropped the mouse into her hands. ”Mmm, don't know. Maybe I'll keep her as a pet.”
”A cat keeping a mouse as a pet?” Max shook his head in disbelief. ”You know, everyone already thinks you're crazy. Do you really want to add this as well?”
Eve turned her nose up and smirked. ”They only think that because I hang around with you.”
”Hey, now...”
Eve had a talent for interrupting Max at times like this. She pointed ahead of them. ”Looks like Tyco is out and waiting for us.”
”Hey, don't go changing the subject.”
Eve ignored him. ”Looks like someone else is there with him. Wonder who it is?”
Max followed Eve's gaze and saw Tyco standing in front of his house speaking with a stranger. ”Don't know. Guess we'll find out. Let's go.”
Max picked up his pace while Eve lingered behind, a wry smile on her face. ”Okay, okay.” She gently put the mouse into her s.h.i.+rt pocket. Eve turned her ears forward and followed after Max. With the wind blowing towards her she could faintly hear the conversation between Tyco and the stranger.
The stranger, who wore a dull gray cloak with the hood pulled up over his head, nodded in their direction and leaned over to Tyco. ”That him?”
Tyco glanced up at her and Max. ”That's him.”
Eve saw the stranger spit out a piece of a foul substance that he was chewing. ”Who's the stray?”
”The cafe owner bought her years ago. From what I've gathered, she's the one that hid Maxwell the night the bandits killed his father. They're close friends.”
Eve could see the disgust form on the stranger's face. She started to tense up, but stopped herself when the stranger focused in her direction.
”Will she be a problem?”
”She might want to go along.”
The stranger's mouth formed a brief, crooked smile. ”Humph. I suppose we could accommodate her.” The smile disappeared. ”You know what to do, then?”
Tyco nodded to the stranger. ”Yes, I've got it.”
”Then I'll get things ready. I'll see you in a week.”
”I'll have him there.”
The stranger walked to the side of the house and mounted a large black stallion tied there. Eve and Max climbed over the fence that separated the field from Tyco's house as the stranger rode off. Maxwell walked up to Tyco.
”Who was that?”
”A messenger.”
Eve watched the stranger ride out of sight. ”The horse was beautiful, but he gave me the creeps.”
Tyco nodded. ”Riding across the south end of the dead lands can do that to a person.”
Eve shook her head. ”I don't know, he seemed like he belongs in the dead lands to me.”
Tyco glared at Eve, but she still faced in the direction of the departed stranger.
”It is none of your concern, lacarnian.”
Eve turned towards Tyco, an inaudible growl emitted from her chest. Max, able to sense the low growls after years of friends.h.i.+p, changed the subject.
”So, what are we practicing today?”
Tyco broke his gaze from Eve and smiled. ”Nothing new today Max, instead I want to a.s.sess what you've already learned. Go get the practice swords and meet me in the circle for a match.”
Tyco moved toward a large circle drawn in chalk not far from his house. Max faced Eve. ”I know Tyco doesn't like you much, but you usually put up with him a little better than that.”
Eve looked over at Tyco. He was standing close enough that he might overhear her, so she kept to a whisper. ”We don't know much about Tyco, and I think that stranger is trouble.”
”Tyco is a Protector. He's not going to harm us.”
”Max, there are things you don't...”
Tyco shouted at Max from inside the circle. ”Maxwell, we're wasting daylight.”
”Coming, Tyco.” Max leaned over to Eve. ”I'm sure it's fine. If I'm wrong, you can tear the messenger to shreds later. Deal?”
Eve huffed. ”Fine.”
Max laughed and ran into the house where he grabbed the wooden swords that Tyco and he used for training. He rushed back out and over to the large circle. Eve walked over to the fence next to the field and seated herself on the top bar. She tried to put aside the conversation between Tyco and the stranger. She enjoyed watching Max fight and did not want to be distracted; however, her thoughts still wandered.
The villagers knew little about Tyco. They guessed that he was in his late thirty's. He stood six feet tall with broad shoulders and well-built muscles. His skin was weathered a bit, and his hands had the beginnings of permanent calluses.
He had arrived alone in the village a few years back. He had retired from the Protectors after a back injury prevented him from performing the rigorous usual duties of service. The villagers, having expected him to be like Max's father, invited him to stay in the village. However, his gruff demeanor and lack of interest in Swift.w.a.ter's affairs soon disappoited the villagers, but he did prove to be helpful in repairing houses, carts and the like. He also ventured to the woods a couple of days ride to the east to gather supplies.
Tyco's arrival had thrilled Max. Until that time, he had no one to teach him proper fighting techniques. When Max had first asked, Mr. Penna forbade the training; however, after several months of Max's begging, he finally allowed it. Tyco had jumped at the chance to mentor him.
Tyco started by first a.s.sessing Max's natural abilities to best determine his fighting style. After a good bit of trial and error, Tyco discovered that Max fought best with only light leather armor while carrying two short blades. Max had speed, but not much strength. Tyco, on the other hand, had strength to spare. His weapon of choice was a two-handed long sword. Though slower to maneuver, the weapon's length provided a good block to Max's two swords and also allowed Tyco to deliver powerful blows.
Over the past two years, Max's skill had improved greatly. He now at least presented a challenge to Tyco. Tyco; however, never ran out of new tricks. The increased volume and frequency of clas.h.i.+ng swords broke Eve free of her thoughts and she focused on the fight. It appeared Max had held his ground so far. Eve knew that would change at any moment. She had studied Tyco enough during these sessions that she could predict his movements better than Max. She wished she could have a go at Tyco, but, for now she watched Max try his best.
Max swung at Tyco with his right sword; with his left held in defense. Tyco angled his blade to block Max's. The two wooden blades made contact with a loud thunk. Tyco pushed forward with his sword which shoved Max's back and also blocked his left sword. Max hesitated for a moment, his lack of experience leaving him unsure of how to get out of this situation. Tyco took the advantage and placed his right foot behind Max's leg. With another further shove he tripped Max and sent him to the ground. Max blinked a couple of times from the jolt and found the tip of Tyco's wooden sword at his throat.
”Well done, Max. You did better than I had hoped.”
Tyco tossed the wooden sword to the side and extended his hand to Max. Max grabbed Tyco's hand and let Tyco pull him up.
”There's still a little daylight left, teach me that move you just used.”
”Sorry, Max, I have to get ready to leave in the morning.”