Chapter 46 - A Different Perspective

Ryan and Zareth spent the ride back to the kingdom in silence. They wouldn't know if the plan Turk came up with would work or not. The only warning of the coming Beastkin invasion would be from the demons posted on the border, if they survived and made it back to the capital in time. Ryan and Zareth arrived at the palace and made a line straight for King Olax's office. Zareth entered without knocking.

"Father, we have news from Narethis."

"Good, the Beastkin have already started their march. Is Piery and his men following shortly behind you?" The king stood and leaned to look past Zareth. "Where is King Piery? Did you fail to convince him?"

"No, Father. On the contrary." Zareth explained Turk's plan and the potential for the First Elder to assume the throne the moment the king crossed the border of Narethis with his army.

"Well, I can't argue with the logic. We have around six to seven days to prepare before the Beastkin army arrives. Maybe longer if we can cause some damage while they march."

"It shouldn't take that long to march to our capital. Turk said only a day or two."

"Normally, you're right. Their army is large. They are sparing no soldier. Our scouts say at least thirty thousand Beastkin are marching. At the speed they're marching, it will take six to seven days. Our goal is to harass them along their path and delay their arrival to give us more time to prepare."

"Speaking of preparing, Father, I have a request."

"Okay, and what is your request?"

"Allow Kade here to enter the vault and choose a swordsmanship style that may benefit him."

The king scratched his chin. "I do not see a reason to refuse. We need all the strength we can get." The king stepped in front of Ryan. "Have Harken guide you and help you find one that suits you. If you're lucky, a demonic spirit may find you as interesting as I have."

Ryan bowed. "Thank you, sir. I will be sure to pay back your kindness."

"Just kill as many Beastkin as you can, and we will call it even."

Ryan smiled. "I'll take that deal."

The king sent a runner to fetch Harken. Harken stepped into the chamber and bowed. "You called, my king?"

"Yes. Take Mr. Kade here to the vault, help him find a sword style that will suit him best, and begin helping him train in it."

Harken bowed and looked at Ryan. "Well, aren't you lucky?"

Ryan shrugged his shoulders.

"Follow me." Harken walked out with Ryan following as Zareth stayed back and helped his father formulate their plan to defend the capital.

"How was Narethis? Did you meet Zareth's fiancée?"

"Oh, I did. She's a feisty one."

Harken laughed. "Yes, the prince definitely met his match with her. I'd say she may even stand up to you."

"Which means she can stand up to you as well. You know you're stronger than I am, right?"

Harken stopped right before reaching the vault and stared at Ryan. "There's no need to humble yourself or pretend otherwise."

"You and I have different strengths. Individually, you'd kick my ass... for now."

"I suppose I never thought of it that way."

"Although my summons are a different story."

"Yes, that one who grabbed my arm. I'd very much like to fight him."

"That can be arranged. How about after this little war, I'll let you two go at it. I'd also like to see who comes out on top."

Harken nodded and turned to open the vault. "Well, for you only having one arm, I'd say there are only a few sword styles fit for you."

"Technically, I'll have another arm in the future. Is there a style that utilizes dual wielding?"

"Hrmmm. I do believe there is one. It is an ancient scroll from a time before there existed any kingdoms and demons ruled this continent. It is from one of the most powerful Demon Lords to ever walk the land. He dual wielded swords."

Harken began moving cobwebs out of the way of an old bookshelf that hadn't been touched in ages. He started rummaging through scrolls, tossing them over his head and to the side as he searched for the one he was looking for.

"Here it is. Demon God's Twin Fangs."

"Demon God's?"

"Yes. He swore he learned his technique from the Demon God himself." Harken tossed Ryan the scroll. "It is fairly basic, but no one has been able to mimic the style or have the soul tied to it be called down. So no one has ever bothered much with it. I doubt with one arm it'll do much for you."

"Oh well, we will see about that."

"If you say so. I know you two just arrived from Narethis, but care to start now?"

"Hell yeah, sleep is a crutch."

"Good. Meet me in the training grounds. I have to pick these scrolls up, or the king is likely to lob off my head."

Ryan laughed. "I will give the scroll a look over while I wait for you."

Ryan opened the scroll and began walking toward the training grounds. "Damn, he wasn't joking, was he? I was expecting some elaborate methodology here. This thing looks like a kindergartner drew it."

Ryan finally got to the training grounds and found two rocks. He unfurled the scroll and put one rock on each end. He began to attempt to mimic the movements in the drawings. As he did, he heard laughing. Ryan turned and stared at Harken, whose hands were on his knees as he laughed uncontrollably.

"Really, man?"

"You should've seen yourself!" Harken pointed and continued laughing.

"Dude, seriously. Come look at this shit. It looks like someone with no hands drew these pictures. For this being some ancient technique from a crazy strong Demon Lord, you'd think he'd have an artist or someone do the drawings."

Harken stared at the scroll. "They say he created this scroll near the end of his life. He was around two hundred and twenty when he died, so..."

Ryan and Harken both stared at the scroll on the ground.

"No wonder no one has been able to master it. Am I being punked?"

Ryan began to look around as if he were searching for someone.

"What are you looking for?"

"A dude in a red trucker hat?"

Harken shook his head. "I don't know what that is." Harken sat down. "What if we try and draw it ourselves?"

"Well, do you want a scroll that looks worse than this one? Because that's what you're suggesting."

Ryan sat next to Harken with his arm folded.

Harken leaned back against his arms. "Hey, you!"

A trainee sprinted in front of Harken and stopped.

"Go fetch Isla. Tell her I have a favor to ask."

Ryan turned to Harken. "Isla?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Are we playing a game? You want me to guess who she is, or are you going to tell me?"

Harken chuckled. "She is a dancer, and also my sister. She is very artistic. I think she can help us."

"What does being autistic have to do with this?"

Harken snapped his head toward Ryan. "What is autistic?"

"What do you mean? You said it."

"I did not."

"You did. You said she's a dancer and autistic."

"I said dancer and AR-tistic."

"Ohhhh." Ryan pointed at Harken. "That makes much more sense."

The trainee came running back and stopped, bowing in front of Harken. "She is on her way, sir."

Harken flicked his hand at the demon as he bowed again and disappeared.

Ryan turned his head as he caught a glimpse of a woman walking into the training grounds. His jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. He stared at Isla as she walked in front of the two and stopped. Isla stood around five foot five. Long black hair flowed down her back, and a single horn protruded from her forehead. Her eyes were crimson and her skin was a light black. She was thin and had the body of a dancer. Harken turned and noticed Ryan staring. He cocked his hand back and punched Ryan in the side of the head. Ryan fell over onto his side from the impact.

"That's my sister, man."

Ryan shook his head and sat up. "Dude, totally unnecessary." Ryan rubbed his head and continued looking into Isla's eyes.

Harken gestured as Isla sat down in front of them. Ryan began to smile slowly under his mask.

"What can I help you with, brother? And why is he staring at me?"

Harken slapped Ryan in the back of the head. "Seriously?"

"Uhh, yeah, I... uh... sorry... you're just...uh... gorgeous."

Isla chuckled. Ryan leaned into Harken's ear. "You sure you're related? You're, like, hella ugly."

Isla laughed a little louder as Harken stood offended.

"Isla, this scroll is the Demon God's Twin Fangs. I wanted to see if you could redraw what is here and help this asshole learn it. Many swordsmen have tried in the past and failed. Maybe a different perspective will help."

Isla turned and stared at the scroll. "It may take a few days. The movements seem like they flow together like a dance, not a normal sword movement."

"Can you get started now?"

"I can." Isla stood and rolled the scroll up.

Ryan stood and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you need any help? I am sure I could do whatever you need to make it easier to finish."

Harken appeared behind Ryan and lifted him by his collar. "We will be here training, my dear sister. I'll place guards at your door so no one disturbs you." Harken turned Ryan and stared at him. "Including this one."

Isla smiled and turned, heading to her room.

"Come on, man, what's the big idea here? Stop me from finding true love?"

Harken threw Ryan. "Find it with someone else."

As Ryan landed, Harken charged him, and the two began to spar until night fell.