34 Brotherly Love Part 2

That gaze would make many soldiers shrink back in fear, but not Talis. He knew Verone would never harm him. Family meant the world to their clan, both chosen and blood. The suppressed killing intent was bone chilling, but be smiled mischievously. A wicked smile curved Verone's lips as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"Oh I talked to Kyera about your training. She said she would not train you." Verone told him sliding the rest of the way into the water. There was no use in taking it slow now, obviously. Talis looked weary at his brother's information. The sadness in his eyes was a bit deeper than he had hoped.

The boy had been looking forward to joining Verone in his training. Kyera was known for training the best but she seldom took on new students. Verone had started as her partner till her abilities had far outstripped his own. Not that it was much of a surprise, she had 4 determined teachers. A little girl growing up among brothers teaches one to fight for what they want and pick their battles wisely.

"She won't train me?" he asked a bit of a dimness in his eyes. Verone sighed looking at that childishly heartbroken face. Talis swam closer, treading water as he neared his brother's place. However, those golden eyes would not meet his brother's. There was a shame on his face that honestly hurt his elder brother just a touch. Perhaps it's true that no true enjoyment can be found in revenge on family.

"Not to be a Guardsman. She wants to take you the training grounds and see what your suited for." Verone explained dipping his head back so the water rinsed the sweat from the long locks. Talis shot him a glare and pounced on his brother. The two began to wrestle in the water laughing and tossing as the pair tried to get the upper hand on one another. Though Talis got the jump on Verone, the elder brother showed his prowess quickly by gaining the upper hand and locking his brother in a headlock, his feet braced on a root protruding from the edge of the stream. "Do you give?" Verone asks with a bit of a laugh. Talis nodds, tapping out on his brother's forearm in the age old tradition of giving in.

"I give." He replied and Verone let him go and swam back a few paces, continuing to finish up cleaning himself. A few moments passed as the pair gained their breath again. "So when do I go with Kyera and you to the grounds?" Talis asked trying to sound as casual as he could, but Verone caught the excitement in his voice. Verone took a deep breath.

"Honestly we need to ask her." Verone replied turning to swim against the tide, working his muscles without having to actually travel a distance. Talis joined him in doing so, though his strength was less and he slowly lost ground faster than Verone.

"I have a few ideas." Verone replied remembering the troubled look on his leader's face as he had walked her home that eve after dealing with Bina. That Childish Jackal had no idea who she was toying with. With a shake of his head, He pulled himself out of the water and squeezed the water from his hair reaching down to give his brother a hand, pulling the thinner youth to the grass.

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"She isn't at town hall, no ones seen her in the Bazaar and the sentries are sure she hasn't left since shift change at dawn. Where could she be?" Talis asked. His lack of patience showed in his voice as he glanced back at his brother who led him further down the trail.

"We will check her home." Verone replied and Talis frowned.

"You mean her 'temporary' tent?" Talis asked putting emphasis on the word. She had lived in it so long… and yet the cloth construction, though large, was only meant to be a hunters mobile home.Verone cast him a glance.