"Do you…think that…we're safe now?" Silen asked between gasps for breath. Running the dark alleys as fast as he could, carrying his weapons and armor and almost dragging the sobbing Nina behind him had started to take its toll.

"As safe as we can be in the streets of Capitan", Aryn answered. "We'd better stay in this alley and let Essar catch us. If he indeed was there, I want to have a word with him". He eyed the houses around him carefully, as if expecting ambush any time. He still held his battle daggers firmly in his hands. Aryn was clenching his teeth as he muttered: "Damn…Here I am, a protector trying to save lives, and that Highlander died because of me!" For a moment he considered if he should just return to that pirate's nest and kill everybody there.

"I thought him to be just a cheater and a thief", Silen said after catching his breath. "I was wrong".

"Eiji…" Nina whispered. Slowly she sank down, sitting onto the cold, wet cobblestones of the street.

"Who was he anyway?" Aryn asked. "If he died rescuing me, it's right that at least I know who to mourn".

Quietly Silen started relating what he knew about sleek Highlander. His simple, uncomplicated words described that short time Eiji had been their friend. The gambler's death still lingering before her eyes, Nina lived again each smooth word, every oily smile and bow the Highlander had performed. The shock of losing her former life was still far from fading from her memory, and already she had faced another just as terrible thing – no, more terrible. Her family was still alive back in Windia. Eiji would never again come back.

Nina was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice when Silen finished his story. She wasn't sure how long time passed when a hissing whisper from the shadows startled her.

"Ah…there you are". Calmly and drowsily as always, Essar walked to them and favored Silen with a little nod. "Excuse me for taking sso long. I ssee you got Aryn free. Good", a slight edge appeared into his voice, "though I had almost persuaded Captain Rajen to free him when you ssstarted your…ssshow up there. I prefer doing my businesss with velvet glovess, but you gave me no choice".

"They were bandits and rogues", Silen replied. "It was right that they died". He let his gaze to fall down to his feet. "Even if they all would die, that wouldn't be enough for Eiji, who gave his life for Aryn".

Essar accepted this piece of news without apparent emotion. "Eiji? Ah…I believe he wass that Highlander gambler, wasn't he? Ssso…hiss luck ran finally out".

Aryn laid a hand to Silen's arm to prevent the impulsive soldier to simply strangle the snake-wizard to death.

* * * *

Captain Rajen's cold eyes narrowed as he watched the small group from the shadows. That girl with black wings, that Windian soldier, that damn ponytail-bodyguard. And that three times cursed snake-mage, Essar. Because of those four, over half of Rajen's crew had been slain, his headquarters destroyed and - worst of all - his treasury emptied! He had never trusted Essar, but he had never thought that the snake-wizard would break the first rule of the dealers who worked in shadows: take care of your competitors quickly, efficiently and quietly.

Essar's performance had been everything else but quiet.

He will pay for it, Rajen decided as he drew an arrow out from his quiver and bent his bow. They all would pay for it. The Highlander Captain knew better than to try to kill the snake-wizard with a missile weapon. The arrow would probably just bounce away from his cloak. No, he would take care of Essar later. The more slowly and painfully, the better. Now, he would have to be contented with someone else.

The cat-eared bodyguard had started it all. He would die first.

Captain Rajen lifted his bow and aimed carefully. They could be well-trained fighters, all of them, but even their battle-honed senses would have no chance against a single arrow suddenly flying from the shadows…

"Say, dear brother, you've always preferred backstabbing, haven't you?"

Rajen's eyes widened. He knew that voice all too well, but that cursed little thief was dead! Tina herself had taken care of that, and her crossbow was powerful enough to punch a hole through every armor. But nobody could ape that voice, that same sliminess that made Rajen to shiver with disgust. Unless…he had done it again! Again! That double cursed little pest of a thief!

This all flashed through the Highlander Captain's mind within an eye blink. He never saw it coming, he didn't even have time to mouth a quiet curse before it landed.

* * * *

A loud thump emerged from the roof of a near-by building.

Aryn lifted his head in the sound's direction. "What was that?"

"Oh, nothing, Mr. Aryn", came the merry reply. "The fella's gonna fall! Catch!"

Silen had barely enough time to put his shield and spear down as a lean, unconscious Highlander fell from the roof to his arms. He was dressed in luxurious clothes, now stained and in disorder.

"Ahh…" Essar said, tilting his head. "Thiss iss Captain Rajen. And if I am correct, our invisible ally up there isss…"

"None other than MEE!" Another lean Highlander jumped down with an agile somersault. He landed into the middle of the street, just before Nina who was staring at him, her mouth hanging open.

"Eiji!"

"Always at little girls' service, even beyond death, Miss Anina", the gambler proclaimed proudly, performing his best court bow. He had hardly straightened himself up when Nina had already thrown her arms around him, hugging the lean Highlander tightly.

"Ow! Owowowow! Now, now there, Anina, we hardly know each other! This is very improper, I have done nothing to deserve such a welcome". Eiji's expression, however, spoke against his words. The Highlander was clearly enjoying all those amazed faces around him. To Aryn, Eiji basked in the congratulations much in a same way as Cat in warmth of the sunshine.

"I saw you dying!" Nina sobbed as she finally found words to say. "I had never really lost a friend before!"

Aryn could nothing but to smile at her behavior. One moment, she was crying and sobbing, and now she was…well…crying, but those tears came from completely different source. The bodyguard decided not to forget this moment. It was the first time he had actually seen Nina to look so happy. It was well worth remembering.

"You cheater!" Silen laughed, carefully setting Captain Rajen down to the ground. Then he lifted his hand and slapped Eiji's back. "You slimy gambler and king of all thieves! You cheated even death! I'm glad that you are alive!"

Eiji flinched as the soldier's hand hit his back. "Why, thank you", he replied, trying to free himself from Nina. "Please don't do that again. It hurts".

"I'm glad that you made it", Aryn said. He heeded the Highlander's warning and simply tapped his shoulder. "Now I can thank you for saving my skin". Though he also wanted to thank him for lighting up Nina's world a little, he decided against it.

"Ssso, Eiji, we meet again", Essar said. Unlike everybody else, he kept his expression totally calm, as always. "Perhapss you could tell uss how you managed to win thisss…gamble with death itself?"

"I'd like to hear that, too", Aryn added.

"Hey, the wizards are not the only ones who can create illusions", Eiji replied proudly. "It is also the art of gamblers. If Miss Anina would kindly free me, I'd be glad to tell. My back hurts".

"Sorry", Nina said, quickly removing her arms and taking a few steps backwards. Then she noticed how her hands had become wet and sticky. Lifting her palms before her eyes, she saw that they were red with blood.

"Don't worry", Eiji said before Nina could utter a word. "That's not mine. You see, if we count every time somebody thinks I had gone over the edge, I would have died…let's see now…" He looked at the dark sky, moving his lips, quietly counting numbers. "I think eight times. You could say that I'm an expert in dying now. Besides, I simply couldn't die now. As I said before, I am a hero of the tonight's epic tale! Of course I can miraculously survive!" The Highlander's merry laughter echoed in the streets.

"Stop avoiding the subject", Silen urged him. "Tell us how you're still alive!"

"Everything in time, my friend", Eiij replied. "More you delay the last surprise, greater it is. And my secret is righty-yy…here!" Like a street magician performing his final and best of tricks, the Highlander loosened the strings holding his shirt in place. Drawing the white cloth out from the way, he revealed a sparkling shirt of chain mail, made of thousands of tiny loops, so light and thin that it looked like silk.

"It's beautiful!" Nina exclaimed.

"Very impressing", Essar remarked calmly. His pipe had appeared into his mouth and he was enjoying the sweet smell of his tobacco once again. "I sssuppose you had hard time sstealing it?"

"Actually, I must confess that I bought it from an Ox mastersmith", Eiji answered, pulling his shirt back over his armor. "Cost me more than five years of savings. But it's well worth of that! It can stop even a spear. That she-pirate who shot me had one cannon of a crossbow. The bolt actually got through, but my shirt held well enough so that it's nothing I couldn't handle".

"What about all that blood?" Aryn asked.

"Well, I'm a master actor and all, that should be clear now", the Highlander said with a smirk. "Actually, I think I should have been on the stage instead of making my living with honest gambling. Well, anyway, even the best of actors need something to make the show more real. I tend to carry a skin of biruburu blood with me. I can draw a card from a deck faster than eye. Do you think it's a challenge to slip the skin into my back right before that bolt hit me?"

"A cheater!" Silen laughed. "That's what you are!"

"A cheater in a need of a new shirt", Eiji remarked. "Red isn't a good color for linen".

"I will buy you a new one", Aryn said. "That's the least what I can do for you".

"Oh, no need", the Highlander replied, waving his fingers. "The reason why I offered to stay behind was that I freely got to check the contents of my dear half-brother's safe". Again acting like a magician, he produced a large pouch, its contents jingling and ringing as he waved it in air. "Let me introduce you: Captain Rajen's wealth, mostly gems and jewelry! Makes a good cudgel, too", he remarked, pointing at his half-brother's unconscious form with his thumb.

"What shall we do with him?" Silen asked. He had already picked up his spear and seemed to be ready to kill the pirate captain there and now.

"Hum, give him to me", Eiji suggested, scratching the back of his head. "I like my dear half-brother too much to simply kill him. That would be too harsh, anyway, even to him".

Aryn gave Essar a questioning glance. The snake-wizard stood quietly for a moment, eyeing Rajen with those slits of blackness serving as his eyes. Then he shook his head. "He'll be no use to me. Let him go, he and hiss crew won't be bothering you anymore. I made…sssure of that". He kept a pause before he continued: "Besidesss…I failed my task, instead of a ssafe passage, you met dangers. Aryn, my part in thiss operation wass an apology to you. Rarely I fail in my work, you know that. I am sstill in debt to you, sso you will have your ssship. If not tomorrow, then the day after that. No later, I will make ssure of that. Then my debt to you iss paid".

"We will wait", Aryn replied. "But make it quick, I don't want to stay in this town any longer than necessary. There was something about those pirates I don't like".

"Yess…I noticed that, too".

"Hey, this all is getting beyond my rights of listening to you", Eiji said. He had already bent down and had grabbed Captain Rajen from feet. "So if you don't mind, I'd be going now". He started dragging the senseless form of his half-brother slowly down the street.

"What are you going to do with him?" Silen asked.

"I'm going to humiliate him. I know just a good place to leave him", Eiji said, flashing a knowing smirk. "My back will ache because of this for a long time, but it'll be well worth it!"

"Let me help you", Aryn offered, "If you don't let me to buy you a new shirt, let me at least save you back". Even before the Highlander could reply, the bodyguard had already lifted Captain Rajen's upper body into air. "Silen, could you take Anina back to inn? I'll meet you there".

"Right", Silen replied, lifting his hand into a little salute. "No harm will fall on her. Eiji, I thank you for what you have done. But please, don't do anything crazy!"

"Who? Me? Don't worry, I'll be careful". Eiji's innocent expression had about the same effect as the words I'm insane written onto his forehead would have had.

"Eiji!" Nina called after them as Aryn and the Highlander carried Captain Rajen away. "Take care of yourself!"

"As you should! See you!" the gambler called back. They turned around a street corner and disappeared from sight.

"It sseemsss that we'll have to enjoy each other's company for a while more", Essar remarked to Silen, puffing his pipe and watching absent-mindedly the stars spotting the dark sky.

"Looks like I'll have to thank you, too", Silen said. He managed to keep most of the stiffness out from his voice. For shortest of moments the young soldier considered if he should offer a handshake to Essar, but this thought was immediately denied. Never, Silen decided, he would go that far. "We wouldn't have saved Aryn without you".

"By the wordss of a poet", Essar replied, puffing a purple cloud of smoke from his mouth, "With a common threat to fight, even the worst enemiess can become alliesss. Light alliess with darknessss, the ssky with the earth…and a warrior with a wizard. Good night to both of you". With one little nod to the Windian soldier, the snake-mage turned and walked away, leaving a trail of sweet scent into the still air behind him.

"He's creepy", Nina whispered to Silen. She started feeling almost shamed as she remembered how she had childishly grabbed that slim, scaly hand, how she had looked pleadingly into those yellow, calculating eyes. Nina wasn't sure why she found the memory of putting her faith in Essar uncomfortable. She was in a new, tougher world now. She wouldn't get everything she needed with just a pleading look.

"Yeah…" Silen replied. Gently he took Nina's hand and started leading her through dark streets toward the Inn of the Three Pirates.

* * * *

"Here?" Aryn asked. "Of all places, here? And in this condition? Are you nuts?"

Eiji gave him a sly grin. "Oh, yes", he said, letting Captain Rajen's feet fall to the stony stairs of the front door of the high, tower-like building. "My dear brother deserves no less".

The Highlander Captain's head moved a little. A quiet moan escaped from his lips.

"He's going to wake soon", Aryn remarked.

"Then let's not let him to wait", Eiji replied. Quickly he strode up the rest steps and rapped loudly at he door. Instead of waiting for somebody to come and open, the Highlander motioned Aryn to follow him and jumped down from the stairs and ran away, turning around several street corners before finally stopping.

"You're really crazy, you know", the bodyguard said as he caught the nimble Highlander. "A handsome Highlander warrior, unconscious and with a headache, but otherwise unharmed, laying – of all the possible places – before a brothel! And as if that's not enough, some bright guy has stolen his pants! What's the big idea?"

Eiji chuckled. He fingered the soft, well-tailored trousers he carried on his arm. "I don't know if it works exactly in the way I meant it to be, but in every chance my dear Rajen's going to wake into a very irksome situation. You know, the maidens of a brothel always have to give to earn their living. I've always wondered what would happen if they found themselves in a situation where they could mostly get".

Aryn struggled hard to hold back his laughter. "You're totally insane!" he chuckled, "It won't work in that way".

With a diabolic smile on his face, Eiji shrugged. "So what? If the possibility of it occurs to Rajen when he wakes up, this operation was a success! Even a moment of terror to him covers well all this trouble we went through". After giggling for a moment, the Highlander seemed to remember something. "Oh", he exclaimed, reaching into his bag and producing several throwing knives, "I, uh, collected all these daggers you left there. There were quite lots of them".

"Hey, thank you again", Aryn replied, accepting the gift. Not bothering to count the daggers, he put them away and offered his hand to Eiji. "I guess this is where we have to go separate ways, my friend. I don't think that you want to follow us where we are going".

Eiji nodded and shook the bodyguard's hand heartily. "Yes, I've always been one of those lonely types", he said. "It's been fun. Tell Miss Anina my regards. Little and sad girls like her need everything they get".

"I will", Aryn replied. "I think that you helped Anina to see this world as a little brighter place. I can't tell you the details, but thank you for that, too".

"That's why gentlemen like us are for!" Eiji proclaimed, bowing a little and moving his hand above his head as if lifting an unseen hat. "Promise me that you will keep her safe".

"That's what I was hired for", Aryn said, running his hand through his hair.

Eiji summoned an over-amazed expression to his face. "Really?!" he exclaimed with surprise in his voice. "I thought it was other way around. Well, catch you later!" The lean, oily Highlander gambler crouched and then leaped upwards. His long hands got a hold of edging of the roof of a nearby building. With a little effort, Eiji pulled himself up and disappeared from sight.

"See you", Aryn called after him. Then he added more quietly: "Oh Master of Death and the King of Gamblers". Then a thought entered into his mind. Quickly he checked the safety of his money pouch. It was – surprisingly enough – untouched and in place.

* * * *

He made no hostile actions. He didn't slow down nor he hastened his calm pace. He paid no attention to other late-night travelers or the thieves and cutthroats lurking in the shadows of alleys. Regardless of all this, everyone who saw him, every pickpocket, cutpurse or woman of the nigh he passed, made haste of disappearing from his way.

Though he usually didn't sentimentalize when he was working, the snake-wizard allowed himself a little nod of satisfaction. In the nighttime streets of Capitan, Essar Shoo held a certain reputation, a respect that made thieves and thugs leave him be.

The day had been tiring, but quite fruitful. There were interesting things going on, and Essar had arranged himself a good place to watch the show. The next day, the next week, the future, promised to be full of fascinating crossroads and encounters. Essar had yet to decide where his place in all this would be, but that could always be thought about later. Now, he was tired. Over one day and nigh of unbroken work and thinking had started to take a heavy toll. For a man like Essar, one who won most of the challenges life had to offer with quick thinking, a tired mind was a dangerous thing. It increased the possibility of making misjudgements. Essar hated making misjudgements. And as if that wouldn't be enough, there was a saying among the wizards: "Magic is not something you should think without a good night's sleep".

Suddenly, the snake-wizard halted. Thoughts of a well-earned slumber disappeared from his mind. His broad cloak shuffled a little as his hands felt their way through all the secret pockets and pouches.

"Interessssssting", Essar hissed after a moment, his reptilian eyes flashing dangerously. Then he shrugged and continued his way. There was nothing he could do about it anymore. Besides, it had been just one cache of currency among several others. This, however, didn't mean that it would be very pleasant to that little thief should Essar and the Highlander meet again.

* * * *

The room was still ruled by shadows when Nina opened her drowsy eyes. The window shutters were open, giving a view over the sleeping Capitan. She knew that the Inn was closed by midnight. However, the muffled voices and sounds of the common room could still be faintly heard downstairs, so the night couldn't have been even in halfway. So much had happened in such a short time. Nina had thought that she would sleep like a log after their dangerous night, but something had woken her. Shifting her position under her warm blanket, she turned her head and noticed that Silen's bed was empty. Then she saw Aryn.

Her bodyguard was sitting in a chair, leaning back against wall. Absent-mindedly he petted Cat literally catnapping in his lap. He stared at the single, lit candle on their table. Tiny flame cast soft glow into the room, turning the darkness into a mysterious playground of shadows.

"Aryn?"

The bodyguard blinked his eyes, as if waking from daydreaming. He turned his head to Nina. "Hmm? You're awake?"

"So are you", Nina replied. "Not even you adults should stay up all the night".

Aryn shrugged. "I've been thinking on one thing", he said, covering a yawn with his palm. He noticed how Nina drew breath to ask something. "Nothing you should trouble your head with, girl".

"Oh".

A short silence followed. Cat's soft purring could be clearly heard.

"Where's Silen?" Nina asked, shifting under her blankets again.

"He went downstairs to have an ale or two", Aryn replied, running his hand through his hair. "Said that fighting always makes his throat dry".

As if by order, soft footsteps could be heard approaching. After a moment, somebody knocked the door. "Silen here", they heard the young soldier saying from the other side. "Don't kill me when I come in".

"Hmm?" Aryn gave a meaningful glance to Nina. "After we've met Eiji, even he has started telling jokes. Does that Highlander have some kind of influence on others or something?"

Silen gave a little laugh as he entered. "I guess that damn thief made me feel happy".

"You're not the only one", Nina said. It was unbelievable how quickly the perky Highlander had made friends with them.

"Hey, what's that?" Silen asked, pointing at the table. He pulled a chair for himself and sat down. "What a beautiful workmanship!"

It was not until now that Nina noticed that there was something else than just a candle on the table. It was a long dagger. Its silver blade glittered in the dim light, reflecting odd patterns into the walls. Nina remembered how it had felt to hold Swallow in her hand. It had given her a feeling of safety. She realized that just a moment ago, Aryn hadn't been staring at the candle.

"It is…a gift", Aryn replied slowly. "Though sometimes I wonder if I should call it a nuisance".

"What's wrong with this?" Silen asked. Carefully he picked Swallow up, admiring its beautiful handle. "I've seen no better dagger!" He lifted his other hand to press his fingers against the silver blade, testing Swallow's keen edge.

"Don't!" Aryn's exclaim was urgent and sudden enough to startle Nina. Cat leapt down from the bodyguard's lap, hissing as if expecting an attack any moment. Hastily Silen snatched his fingers far from the blade.

"What is it?" the young soldier demanded, "Is it poisoned?"

Aryn ran his hand through his hair. "Sorry, but it has never been blooded yet. I don't want that to happen now, not yet. It's sharper than you may expect".

"What's the story behind it?" Nina asked. That question had been stirring in her mind ever since she had picked up the wrong scabbard and drawn Swallow out. She certainly hoped that Aryn wouldn't evade this subject just like he had done when she and Silen had pressed the bodyguard about where he and Eiji had taken Captain Rajen.

Aryn bent down to pick Cat back up. "It's kind of a parting gift from my master", he said, gently stroking his pet. "The one who taught me to fight…and to live. He gave it to me along with my…well, by his own words, my 'Final Exam'. There's a question I must first answer before I can use Swallow".

"What is it?" Nina asked.

Aryn shook his head. "Don't even think about it, girl. I'm going to solve that all by myself".

"Speaking of weapons and fighting", Silen said after a while. Carefully and with the greatest of respects he put the silver dagger back onto the table. "You are a great fighter, Aryn. That Woran gave me great troubles back there, but you just went in and defeated him in moments!"

Aryn accepted the compliments with a humble nod. "He underestimated me. Actually, it was because of him why I first got captured. He succeeded in sneaking up on me when I was busy with several other pirates. Gave me a good hit with the flat of his sword". He lifted his hand to feel the bruise on his temple with his fingers. "Hmm. Good aim, too. Had he hit a little upwards, I'd be a dead man. Anyway, since he had already easily defeated me once, he unconsciously dropped his guard a little during our rematch".

"That doesn't change that you are very skilled", Silen refused to give up. "I'd like to know who taught you to fight".

"My master…" Aryn smiled, reflecting the days he had seen years ago. "Now he's one of a packet, you could say that".

* * * *

A young boy in shabby clothes rushed into the inn's empty common room, leaving the front door to slam behind him. His reddish fur and head of a fox marked him as a member of the Forest Clan. His muzzle was drawn into a delighted grin as he shouted excitedly: "Ary! Ary! Where are you?"

Another boy, about the same age as the first one though slightly shorter in height, straightened himself up from where he had been sweeping bread crumbles fallen under the tables. His hair was fair, almost yellow in color, though it was clear that it would darken with age. One day, it would probably match the light brown mane of his mother. His ears, which often made him the target of his friend's jokes, were large, pointed and covered with soft, yellow fur. "Get lost, Wolfy", Aryn grumbled. "You know that the inn is closed. I've got enough things to do without you pestering me all the time!"

Wolfy laughed. "No, really Ary, I'm not here to play with you now. Come on, you've got to come and see this!" The Forest Clansboy almost jumped up and down with excitement as he motioned his friend to follow him outside.

The Woran boy groaned and considered if he should throw his friend with his little broom. "Come on, Wolfy, I can't go now! Father's gone hunting, as always when it's time to clean the inn, so Mom wants me to help her".

"But you won't see anything like this for second time!" Wolfy persuaded, "There's a stranger outside, and Felan has challenged him into a duel!"

Aryn groaned again. Felan was the finest swordsman of the several nearest villages. So proud he was of his skills that he was always picking up duels with traveling warriors and mercenaries. The worst part of it all was that Felan usually won. And he usually demanded the loser to pay his drinks next evening, which always resulted in a huge mess. A mess that Aryn had to clean. "I really hope somebody would really beat him up for a change".

"Maybe this time", Wolfy laughed. "That other warrior looks really cool! You've got to see his sword! Man, it's awesome! Come on, now, it's soon all over!"

Aryn had already thrown away his broom and was following his friend outside before he realized what he was doing. The Woran boy halted and sighed. "Really, Wolfy, I can't go! Mother doesn't like it if I slip away from the work. She'll punish me".

One hand on the doorknob, Wolfy turned to throw a sly grin into his direction. "Really?" he asked innocently, "And is Arty Aryn Dreams-To-Be-Great-Warrior Sealholt afraid of little spanking?"

That worked! Aryn frowned and folded his hands. "Of course not!" he proclaimed and quickly followed the chuckling Wolfy outside.

There was a large group of villagers standing in a wide circle near the well. Though Felan's challenges were almost everyday sight around here, it seemed that his new opponent seemed to have already gained some fame. More villagers, men, women and children, came running from every direction, attracted by the rumors of this stranger. Aryn and Wolfy joined other onlookers. The small-sized boys wove their way through the crowd easily. Soon they were among those lucky who had the best view of the scene.

Felan was a burly, broad-shouldered man. He was sun-tanned and wore a sleeveless shirt so that his muscular arms were well visible. His hair was bright red and he kept it in two long braids. His left hand rested on the knob of the hilt of his broad sword hanging from his leather belt. "What are you waiting for, coward?" he scowled at his opponent. "I said I'm challenging you into fight and I'm gonna have that fight!"

The stranger stood calmly, keeping a short distance to Felan. He was a tall and lean man and a very impressing sight. His long, fine hair flowed in the wind as waves of purest, molten silver. His features were fine and gave him a cool, even appearance, like a statue chiseled out of marble. His eyes were unusual, they were of golden color and they seemed to glow dimly. The stranger was dressed in loose-fitting clothes made of fine black silk. He also wore a long, black coat. He kept it indifferently open so that its dark hems billowed behind him like a cape.

In the back of his coat there was a large, round design. It seemed to be some kind of a sign, made of sparkling silver. It stylized a mighty dragon, its head lifted into a triumphant roar as it rose into the skies.

Quickly Aryn looked around him, checking one thing that had occurred into his mind. Just as he had thought, every young woman, from little girls to older maidens, stared the stranger with those dusty, dreamy eyes. He had made an impression with that appearance, at least.

"I heard you last time you said it", the stranger replied calmly, drawing Aryn's attention back into the challenge. His accent was a bit odd, somehow foreign. He kept his long, slightly curved sword in its scabbard, carrying it comfortably on his shoulder "I'm worried about your health here".

"My health?" Felan laughed. "It's your health that's in danger! You insulted my honor, and now you've got to pay it. Draw your steel!"

"As if he knew something about honor", somebody near Aryn remarked with a quiet tone. Though some boys admired Felan, most of the villagers saw him just as an awfully skilled brawler.

The stranger didn't look very impressed, either. He made no move to draw his sword or prepare for battle anyhow. "I see your problem. You want to be the best, you look for easy challenges, enjoy beating warriors up so that you can prove others how good you are".

"Shut up and draw you sword!" Felan was already getting angry.

"Usually, I simply ignore this kind of challenges", the stranger continued, paying no attention to his demands. "Ruffians like you are no worth of my time. But I think you're going to need a quick but sharp lesson. About time somebody brings you down from the cloudy heights".

"Stop throwing your rubbish and draw your sword!" Felan shouted, his tanned face was completely red. "You're nothing but a fly before me! I'm Felan Redblade, the swordsmaster of this region!"

"I am Pooka O'Silver", the stranger introduced himself. "Of the Path of the Silver Dragon".

* * * *

Silen almost fell down from his chair. "P-Pooka?" he blurted, his round features brightening with enthusiasm. "Do you mean THE Pooka O'Silver?"

Aryn grinned. "None other. I can count myself lucky to actually see him in action".

"Who's Pooka?" Nina asked.

"He's a great master of sword", Silen explained, his eyes shining brightly. "Every teacher of swordsmanship has heard his name and dreams to match him in the art of fencing! His skills are legendary, and so are his deeds. It is said that nobody has ever succeeded in scoring a blow against him! Aryn, I didn't know you were taught by such a master!"

"You've got to understand that the stories of his deeds get larger every time they are told", Aryn said, "but yeah, he's pretty damn good with that sword. Boy, sometimes he really gets sick of all that fame. He often complained that he couldn't go anywhere without people gasping and pointing at him and coming running to plead him to kill this beast or that. By his words, being brilliant isn't all that good sometimes. And he, of all people, should know what brilliancy means".

"Please, Aryn, go on! I want to hear this part!"

* * * *

There were quiet gasps in the crowd. The villagers murmured and whispered, pointing at the stranger with their fingers. Those who didn't know what this all was about soon got everything explained by others. Within minutes, everyone in the crowd knew that Pooka O'Silver himself was present. Young maidens regarded the swordsmaster with, if possible, even more dreaming expression than before.

Felan also recognized the name. However, instead of having second thoughts about this fight, he drew his lips into a broad grin. "So", he said, "It's Pooka himself! Finally a worthy opponent for me. I've heard about your skill, but today you've met the man who shall defeat you. After I have beaten you, nobody dares to stand against me. Draw your steel!"

Pooka looked totally unimpressed. "Are you really sure about this?" he asked, running his hand through his long hair. "You may be skilled, but there's a true brilliancy standing against you. You're going to face the humiliation of your life".

"Enough of your crap", Felan scowled. "Draw your sword, our match begins now!"

Pooka lifted one frost-white eyebrow slightly. "Now?" he asked ominously.

"Right now!"

"If you insist". Without warning, Pooka's hand darted for his sword. The blade shot out from its black scabbard as one blinding flash of silver. Before Felan could even draw his own weapon, Pooka slammed the flat of sword directly against his tanned face.

The force of the attack threw Felan backwards. His face was completely ruled by a silly expression of baffled surprise as he fell down. Pooka's sword was sheathed even before the ruffian's back had touched the ground. The whole battle had taken little more than a second.

Silence followed. Felan lay in the ground, breathing but knocked unconscious. Pooka stood still, calmly waiting if his opponent would decide to wake up. The villagers held their breaths.

After some time had passed without any sign of recovering from Felan, Pooka shrugged. "Looks like I won", he stated and strode down the road. The crowd split from his way, men and women smiled but kept a respectful distance from the swordsmaster. Felan Redblade had finally met his better.

"So", Wolfy said, grinning as he watched how Pooka headed out from the village. "What did I tell you? He's some sight, don't you think, Ary? Ary?" Nobody answered to him. Wolfy threw glances in every direction, but he couldn't find a trace of his friend.

* * * *

With a brisk pace, Pooka walked along the path, enjoying the colors of autumn in the trees all around him. His black coat made him visible like a drop of ink against the dazzling sea of red, orange, yellow and brown leaves. The wind blew hard, trying to rustle the naked and dark branches of the trees preparing to spend another winter. The swordsmaster's silver hair flowed in the cold breeze along with his coat.

Once Pooka stopped as a lone squirrel dashed across his path, running wildly as if it had a flock of foxes chasing it. The swordsmaster followed the little animal with his golden eyes. Then he smiled to an unspoken joke and continued his way, changing the place of his sword from right shoulder to left.

After half an hour of walking, Pooka whirled around without warning. A young boy who had been following him all the way to here halted onto his tracks. His little hands balled into fists. For several moments they simply stared at each other. The golden eyes locked the green ones in place, holding them firmly in their grip. Though the swordsmaster's iron will had an overpowering effect in glaring contests like this one, the boy held his ground defiantly. This was intriguing to Pooka. But was it a sign of bravery or stupidity, it was yet to be decided.

Since boy seemed to be mute or something, Pooka broke the silence: "What are you staring at, kid? Never seen a swordsmaster before?"

"A true swordsman respects his sword", the boy replied bluntly.

Pooka cocked one eyebrow. The kid had quite a lip! "Are you meaning how I carry my sword?" he asked, changing the shoulder his weapon rested on. "How should I keep it then? Does it really matter? Sword, kid, is the swordsman's ally. It is a friend, one to be taken care of, one to be trusted. And like every good friend, if you treat it well, it won't betray you in the battle. Sword is to be respected. It, however, is not an idol to be worshipped".

"Your fight back there in the village", the boy began.

"Yes, yes", Pooka interrupted, sighing. The kid had proved to be careful enough to quickly change the subject. Too bad it had to be this subject, of all possibilities. "I know that I looked really cool, that I am great when I fight and that you've never seen a better swordsman. I'm well aware that I'm brilliant. That's really nice, kid, but would you mind telling me something new?"

The boy was dumbstruck. He drew breath again and clearly struggled to remain still under merciless stare of Pooka's wolfish eyes. "Once Felan recovers, he'll never forgive you what you did. You shouldn't have let him live".

With a single, lightning-fast move, Pooka drew his sword. The boy had not even time to wince before the long blade crafted of purest of silver appeared dangerously close to his face. "Should I have slain him, then?" Pooka asked, keeping his scabbard in place with his right hand and holding his sword with his left. "What good it would have done? It was the humiliation of his life. Being defeated, but not killed. If he has even little of gray matter under that red bush of his, he understands that no matter how he fights, he can never match a brilliancy like me. He probably won't come hunting for me. And if he does…" The swordsmaster shrugged. "Well, that's his problem. Yes, he's a ruffian, but he can be a good help in some things. If a group of bandits attacks your village sometime, he's still alive to defend the farmers. He has protected you folks before, hasn't he?"

"Yes", the boy replied. "But that's the only good thing he can do".

A silence followed. Those green eyes were stubborn, they simply refused to give up. Unusually brave or a total idiot, Pooka decided. "Is there something else you want to bother me with?"

The lad swallowed! So, even he did have some kind of limit to that defiance. "I want to learn how to fight".

There. The words Pooka had expected. He had heard them several times, in one form or another. Sooner, or later, every discussion like this one ended up with them. "Do you really want to learn how to kill? How to defeat your enemy?" Pooka asked ominously. "Idiot. You do not want to know how to slay, how to face the fact that you have just taken a life from someone, ended another story this world could see. Go home, lad. You've got no idea how many times I've heard kids like you pleading the same thing. Gods, I'm sick of it!" While he spoke, the swordsmaster sheathed his blade. Then he turned and took a step to continue his way.

"You rejected them all because you are afraid of other challenges than beating up local warriors-thinking-to-be-masters?"

Pooka halted in the middle of his another step. Though the boy couldn't see it, the swordsmaster smiled a little. Suddenly he whirled around and swung with his scabbard. The lad had no time to react.

After several moments, the kid finally woke up. He moaned and rubbed his forehead, pushing himself into a sitting position. The boy immediately stopped his groaning as his eyes focused on the hems of black coat a few steps away from him.

"Lesson number one", Pooka said, running his hand through his fine, almost glimmering silver hair, "Respect your master, especially if he's someone like me. What's your name, lad?"

"A-Aryn", the boy stammered.

"Very well, Ears", the swordsmaster said. "Your training starts tomorrow. Meet me here, in this same place, and prepare to spend your days listening, not playing war. Swinging mindlessly your sword is the path of bullies. The path of a warrior contains more than just battling. If you are still willing to learn, I will teach to fight, to defeat your enemy, to kill if that's necessary. But even more importantly, I will teach you to live." He kept a pause. "Tell your mother and father how lucky you are, getting taught by me".

A bright yellow leaf floated down from a tree and brushed Aryn's nose as it made its way towards the ground.

* * * *

"Was it that simple?" Silen asked. His eyes were still shining with admire. "He just decided to train you, no tests at all? He must have seen that you have natural talents!"

Aryn shook his head, stroking Cat in his lap. "I have no natural talents". He paused, frowning. "Well, perhaps I had a bit better coordination than most of my age, but that was that. Besides, after a few years of training, he told me that he had had an eye on me for some time. I thought that I had made the initiative to become his apprentice. Actually, it was the other way around. Pooka had decided that I was stubborn enough to be a worthy challenge. He came to defeat Felan just because he knew that the classic 'A mysterious swordsman defeats the local champion of bullies' was an irresistible lure for a stubborn lad like myself".

"That…" Silen wrinkled his brow and sought for words, "wasn't exactly what I had expected".

Aryn grinned. "I told you. Pooka is one of a packet". Before Silen had time to say anything else, the bodyguard yawned and pushed Cat down to floor. His pet was unwilling to leave his warm lap and resisted bravely before finally submitting and jumping down. Silen stood up and walked to open the door for Cat. The animal gave him a long, majestic glance before it decided that maybe it was the time to sneak around in the night and see if there were some mice or rats around. Or maybe a handsome tomcat to date with.

"We'd better get some sleep", Aryn said after the door closed. "Knowing Snaky, he will keep his word. We will have our ship by tomorrow".

Later that night, Nina awoke again. Silen's quiet, rough snoring was the only noise she heard. Blinking her eyes to see through the mist of dreams, she turned her head to see that the candle was still burning. It was much shorter than before, but nevertheless it kept casting its steady glow into the room. It gave enough light for Aryn, who sat in his chair, leaning against the wall and staring at the single, silver item that shone gently on the table.

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Next: Chapter VIII
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