actor. Hmmm… You’ll make a good fighter, you just need a bit of work.’
‘Well, he will, he will,’ Kari slung his axe over his shoulder, eyeing his younger brother. ‘I think he’ll be very good, actually.’
‘Or even brilliant,’ added Leif.
‘You need a teacher,’ Ceet blurted out suddenly. ‘You’ve got potential, really great potential.’ Tahon seemed excited.
‘We’re all teaching…’
‘…Einara how to fight,’ the twins grumbled in unison. They didn’t seem to like the comment about a teacher.
‘It’s not about fighting,’ the beastman interrupted. ‘I reckon he could manage that on his own. I’m talking about something more.’ Ceet couldn’t find the right words and looked up at the sky. ‘It’s… It’s what… Hmm… my... hmmm... intuition tells me!’ Tahon must have found the right words, because he looked at the three brothers with a broad smile on his face. ‘Einar is… Hmmm… Cut out to be a knight! I can feel it!’
‘Are you…’
‘…sure?’ Kari and Leif, who were already on the verge of exploding with indignation, stared at the beastman with a strange mixture of admiration, hope and hesitation.
‘Yes, just as…’
’As certain as the fact that you’ll have to postpone this conversation until later.’ Heres interrupted them; he had approached Ceet unnoticed, now standing within arm’s reach. Tahon flinched and, taken by surprise, quickly turned towards the old man. ‘My lord knight, the sun is already sinking towards the horizon, and before long time will begin to press upon us all.’
Einar looked up at the sky, and indeed the clouds were turning golden in the last rays of the sun. After all, it was autumn now, and the days were growing shorter. However, the boy had not realised they’d been in the clearing for quite so long. They’d spent almost the entire afternoon fighting.
‘What…?’ Tahon looked around too. ‘Yes, you’re right.’ He nodded, lowering his gaze to Heres. ‘Thank you for urging us on, druid.’ Ceet bowed with a grace befitting his race. The old man stared at the beastman for a moment, stroking his beard before smiling.
