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Echoes of Arden - Origins
Chapter 31. A War on Two Fronts III

Chapter 31. A War on Two Fronts III

Nearly every seat and bench in the mess hall was occupied. Maids ran up and down the aisles, pouring ale into eagerly waiting cups. Ellis sat at the head table with Sir Perry, Ingrid, Telhari, Mary, Avenell and a few others of the Starspawn.

“Uncle…”

Perry laughed loudly amidst an animated conversation with two other men— Eadig and Albert.

“Uncle!”

Perry turned to Ellis, bringing the cup to his lips as he did, and slurped foam from the top.

“Hmm?”

“You didn’t need to throw a party…” he started in a low voice, “It was just one training session.”

“Nonsense!” Perry shouted.

He reached over and grabbed Ellis by the shoulder and shook him a few times. His breath smelled of alcohol and his cheeks were flush.

“Just let him have it, Ellis,” Mary said, leaning over, snatching an unclaimed cup from the center of the table. “’Sides,” she added, “You were great!”

Ellis managed to answer her with a tiny smile. He watched as she took a big gulp of ale, scrunched up her face, and forced it down.

“I agree with Mary,” Telhari added in as cheery a voice as he could manage. “You did very well today, Ellis. I know it wasn’t easy.”

Ellis nodded his head meekly in agreement, then took a bite of food. Telhari brought a spoonful to his mouth and tasted it as well.

“This is quite good.”

“It’s Ellis’ favorite,” Avenell answered. “Stewed beef and potatoes.”

Telhari watched Ellis’ mood gradually improve with each bite of the stew. Before long, Ellis was shoveling each spoon-full into his mouth, barely having finished chewing before taking another bite.

Avenell reached across the table and slapped Ellis’ hand with a wooden spoon.

“Chew your food, Ellis.”

“Sorry…”

“I must also agree,” Ingrid said, “It was surprising to see how far you’ve come in such a short time.”

After speaking, Ingrid sat quietly amidst her own thoughts, tapping the rim of her cup with her index finger and staring intently into the amber liquid. Finally, she mustered up the courage to continue.

“Master Telhari,” she began, “Your fighting style is rather…unusual.”

“Is it?” he asked dryly.

“I mean no disrespect,” Ingrid quickly added, “However, Ellis movements, as well as your own, seem unfamiliar to any other swordplay I’ve seen in Omnirius.”

“I expect it would seem unusual,” Telhari started, taking a sip of ale. “But the skills I am teaching Mary and Ellis, though based on the sword techniques of my people, are entirely tailored to them.”

“Really!?” Mary asked, putting down her cup. “Just for us!”

Telhari nodded.

“Not that I don’t believe you, but why would you do such a thing?” Ingrid asked.

“The techniques that my kin teach are part of a larger philosophy. One which extends beyond simply fighting or killing. Especially for my people, sword play is an art which is inextricably linked to our ability to perform what you call magic. It would be entirely inappropriate to try and force that system onto either of them.”

“Well, that’s a load of shit!”

“Mind your manners, Albert,” Ingrid shot back.

“What!?” Albert said, leaning over Perry and into the conversation. His face was flush, and his eyelids were sinking. “I was hopin’ to see some magic!”

Albert began waving his hand in the air; drops of mead spilled over the top of his cup as he spun circles over the table and made sound effects with his lips.

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“Enough, Albert! You’re spilling everywhere!” Perry said, brushing Albert’s hands out of the air.

“That makes two of us,” Ellis added, folding his arms and looking at Telhari with a raised eyebrow.

“Why would I attack you with magic, Ellis?”

“Not attack me— teach me!”

“No fair! You can’t teach him without teaching me!” Mary said, slapping the table.

“I’m not teaching anyone.”

Both Mary and Ellis sat back in the bench, defeated.

“You should be more grateful, you two,” Avenell chastised. “Master Telhari has done a great deal, teaching you two troublemakers some useful skills.”

“Avenell is right,” Ingrid agreed, “You should not be so quick to discount the skills you have already obtained through your training.”

“It’s still not good enough…” Ellis said, pouting.

“Have you forgotten what we are celebrating?” Ingrid asked, holding up her cup.

Ellis started pushing chunks of beef around with his spoon.

“It’s only cause he was going’ easy on me.”

“Is that what you think, Ellis?” Ingrid said, putting her cup down and forcing eye contact. “I can tell you; his movements were not for show. I’ve been on enough battlefields to know the difference. The look of a warrior who is fighting with strength and purpose. He may not have been fighting to kill you, but he was by no means going easy on you.”

“I dunno Ingrid, he did lose to a kid,” Albert said out of the corner of his mouth as he took a spoonful of stew.

Perry leaned over Albert and stared down at him, mercilessly.

“Kid?”

Albert choked on his beef stew.

“I— I only meant that your nephew was so skilled that he managed to land a blow against such a… a…difficult opponent.”

Perry exhaled deeply and relaxed onto the bench, nodding to himself with a renewed sense of pride.

“I think that is a testament to Master Telhari’s prowess as a teacher.”

The comment came from a man who up until now had not spoken out loud.

“I agree with Hugo!” Perry said with a smile, raising his cup.

Despite these compliments, Telhari remained quietly seated on the bench, having not taken a bite for some time. After a few moments of thought, he spoke up.

“Sir Perry, Ingrid, I have a request.”

Ingrid and Perry eyed each other in surprise.

“What is it that you need?” Perry asked.

“I would ask that both of you oversee Ellis and Mary’s training for the next few weeks.”

“What!?” Ellis cried out. “Why!?”

“You brat!” Perry shouted, “Don’t make it sound like a punishment!”

“Is something wrong?” Mary asked.

Telhari folded his hands in front of him on the table.

“I intend to travel into the wilds for some time.”

“Are you traveling somewhere specific?” Ingrid asked.

Telhari shook his head.

“No. Nowhere in particular.”

“I don’t understand, then,” Perry asked, leaning his arm on the table. “Why leave?”

“Training.”

Perry’s eyes widened.

“Training!? Whatever for?”

Telhari squeezed his fingers together as he spoke.

“In teaching Ellis and Mary…I have been forced to face my own inadequacies.”

“What are you talking about!?” Perry laughed.

“I think you are being too humble,” Ingrid added.

A murmur of encouragement surrounded him, but their words had no effect.

“There has been a growing problem,” Telhari said as she shook his head, “One which started long before I ever arrived in Omnirius. Truthfully, I had been avoiding it all this time. That is, until this morning.” Telhari turned towards Ellis. “It is not only those external battles which threaten to overtake us."

Ellis held Telhari’s gaze a few moments before turning away.

Ingrid and Perry shared a glance, after which Perry shrugged his shoulders and took a swig of ale.

“If it is what you wish, I have no plans to stop you. You are free to do as you please. And don’t worry,” Perry added with a devilish grin, “We will look after these two…”

Ellis felt a shiver run down his spine.

“We will do our best to continue their training,” Ingrid said with a smile.

“Thank you, both.”

Perry took another long sip, tilting the cup back until the last drop was gone.

“Avenell?”

“Yes, Sir Perry?”

“Come with me a moment,” Perry asked, standing up from the bench. “I wish to have a word with George about desert.”

Avenell nodded and stood to follow Perry as he walked around the table. The two headed toward the corridor; the clanking of utensils and drunken laughter disappeared behind them.

“I told George to prepare some of Ellis’ fav—”

“Avenell.”

Perry’s tone had changed.

“Sir Perry?”

Perry turned to him with a grave look. All the merriment of the dining hall had faded from him. His eyes were hard, and his mouth was turned into a frown.

“As soon as Telhari departs, send word to the others.”

“Are you certain?”

Perry nodded.

“It is time to speak with some old friends.”