Excerpt from, "Keeper of the Sword."

CHAPTER 22: Arrows in the Afternoon

Gwanth waited until they were out of earshot before speaking in a low voice “What of these younglings, what manner be they? Be one keeper of the sword?”

Adelard shrugged his broad shoulders, “If one be sword keeper, I be not knowing this. If Breandan does, he keeps such council with him-self.”

“If one be not sword keeper, why bring them here? Why did Aonas have to die? He has long been friend,” Gwanth sounded angry.

Adelard shook his head, “These things I do not know and when I would have council with the seer his answer is always the same. They be here because of the prophecy. If all must die to spare them, then all must die because their lives have more worth than any other that dwell in these lands.”

“What manner of younglings be they? Have you knowing?” Gwanth looked deep into the ranger’s eyes.

Adelard replied in a low voice, “This I do have knowing of. When they first came to Aonas they had no courage and they behaved worse than younglings of four snows. No joy had they from anything. Josh broke oath and Morgan was always angry. They trembled when ever their shadows walked in front of them but now they have the hearts of the Catilyn people. When Aonas was killed Morgan attacked the Granth.”

Gwnth said, “That be a foolish thing.”

Adelard shook his head and frowned, “No, it wasn't foolish. It’s what you or I would do, this you know. As for the youngling male, he's becoming a mighty warrior. He’s quick with a sword, though he does not yet have a man’s full strength. He’s also deadly at throwing a dagger and none I know can equal him with the bow. The youngling female too learns the sword and to throw the dirks. Josh teaches her the bow and once this is well learned she’ll be a ranger.”

Gwanth’s laughter was so loud that Josh and Morgan who were sitting on the soft green meadow grass beside Klaine looked up. “You have seen none better than this youngling with the bow. Haven’t I always bested you?”

Adelard replied in a gentle voice, “Always.” He knew there was no shame that this tall ranger was better at the bow than he was. “I haven’t known any better and only one as good.”

Gwanth asked, “Have you seen him shoot.”

The ranger replied, “I haven’t seen him fully tested yet.”

“Then how do you know he is a better shot than I am,” Gwanth didn’t want to quarrel with Adelard. They had been friends for a long time but she was certain of her ability and had won many gold coins for her rangers.

“Aonas told me and he would not speak false of this thing. You full well know that he was equal to you.”

“Sometimes,” she looked at Adelards stern face and sighed, “He was my equal.”

Adelard spoke again, his voice rang with pride. “Aonas told me that this youngling could shoot three feathered shafts to his one and that he could split an arrow while it was still in flight.”

Gwanth snorted, “In all the days of my knowing him Aonas never spoke false but it does sound like he made the truth a bit longer than it should be. A wager then, this gold piece,” she reached into her right front pocket and pulled out a new minted coin, “Against your gold piece.”

“Does gold fall so easily into your hand,” Adelard had huge grin on his face, “That you would wager on such a thing as this?”

“It often does from you,” a quick gamin grin was followed by a deft flick of her slender thumb. A bright, spinning streak of light sailed high into the air.

Adelard reached out to grab the descending coin. Faster than a striking cobra, a slim brown hand flashed out and snatched the gold piece from between his closing fingers. The coin and hand vanished into the pocket it came from.

She grinned once more, “A wager then.”

Adelard replied, “If the youngling will shoot.”

“Will he have fear to shoot against me?” Gwanth had great pride in her skill with the bow.