4: Tough Love

Deanaro's Father's POV

       I stormed out of the tent "I can't believe he got drunk last night! I mean come on he knew that we were supposed to confront the opposing forces." I let out a sigh and ran my hand through my thick dark red hair.

       I had decided at the last moment not to stay by the tent. I was too angry that I was sure that when Andrew stepped out I would strangle him. Stomping down the rows of tents. I heard panicked bickering and angered agreements as I walked aimlessly through the crowded passageways. People running around getting ready to head out or they were just helping others to get ready for the upcoming war. I shook my head and ran my hand through my thick dark red hair for the fifth time. "Hey, Nigel! Are you OK? Did something happen? You look stressed." I looked over to the voice that has called out to me. I saw my good friend Captain Luset. "My son is what's wrong." I said letting out a sigh, "he got himself drunk last night when he knew that we are supposed to head out today and spot each other." Luset gave me an apologetic smile "maybe the boy was super nervous and didn't know how to handle it any other way." I shook my thinking that he might be right. "But now he is far worse shape than he's ever been and I'm afraid that he might get us both killed."

       Luset chuckled softly "he is your son. Didn't you tell me that you trained him all of his life? Because if I remember correctly he took on 10 guys at the bar that one time completely intoxicated. I'm sure that he will be fine today and so forth. So don't fret" he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder to soothe me. I closed my eyes and nodded "yeah you're right Luset" this time it was his turn to nod. "Good to hear it, but you should be more careful out there today. Don't let your guard down." I shook my head with a sigh and a mumbled yeah.

       Taking into consideration that my son must have been frightened I decided to head back to our tent to make it up to him for yelling.

       On the way back I noticed that almost everyone had on the gear and we're getting their weapons ready.

        For his sake I hope he has the gear on, otherwise, I'll smack him. The thought of getting yelled at by the commanding officer put me in a rage. But despite my worries, he was dressed with his weapon in place. Two rare and powerfully enchanted swords strapped to his thin waist. One sword The Dawnbreaker held the power of the sun's hellfire, while the other Chillrend held the power of ice from a dying star. He sat under the shade of the large tree standing tall and proud beside our tent. He was hunched over while covering his eyes with his hands. He looked like he was truly in pain. Cautiously I walked over to him "you OK son? " as I stared down at his dark hair I noticed some dark silver that sprouted in random parts of his black hair. Shaking it off as if it were nothing, I tilted my head to the side. "Can I sit?"

       He buried his head into his knees and nodded. Not saying another word, I sat down beside him with my back planted firmly into the tree's trunk. That is when I noticed that not only was he hiding his face in his knees but he was also clutching his eyes. Letting out a sigh and looking away from him to watch the rushing soldiers.

       "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you. I had no right to do so nor did I have that right to be mad in the first place, I did not consider your feelings. It is after all your first war, and frankly, I cannot blame you. It is not my place to tell you what to do unless the things you are doing are harmful to those around you or yourself. However, I do think that you should not have gotten drunk. Our lives are on the line-" He shook his head slightly "then I'll just have to fight twice as hard" was all he said. I nodded in agreement "I guess that means I can't let you one-up me." I said with a cheesy grin turning my full attention to him once again. The grin fell almost instantly at the sight of his sunken face as the pained expression began to fade.

        More silver strands of hair seemed to have appeared in the short time frame that we have spoken in. "Hey, son? .... are you truly alright?" Andrew had finally lifted his head with a harsh sigh, he paused for a split second before opening his dazzling hazel green eyes now speckled with a dark scarlet color. If I wasn't as close as I am now I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

      "Yeah, I'm just a little out of it. Forgive me" and with that, he stood up and bowed slightly towards me. I stood up faster than I ever have in my life and put my hands on his shoulders. You never have to apologize to me, for you have done nothing wrong, my son. Nor will I find anything you do to be wrong, as long as you're fighting for the people or person you love nothing you do will be seen as wrong." He stood up straight and gave a small smile "Then I will do everything in my power to protect the people that Love at any cost!" He said with determination."That's my boy!" I said with a stupid grin plastered once again upon my face. "Now that means my life is in your hands and yours is in mine I promise that we will make it home." I placed my arm around his shoulder and pulled him into my side he grunted at the force of my pull and the hard armor that he just got slammed into. "Now let's go get those horses ready for the big fight." Andrew nodded with a small smile.

Deanaro's POV

      I sat up only to realize that I was laying on the bank of a river koi had surrounded my legs that were still submerged under the clear waters. The water although lively seemed as calm and still as a mirror. The morning sun that begun to rise seemed to glitter off the river a gentle touch of light that reminded me of the gentle touch of fireflies landing ever so slightly on the edge of my figure. But although the animals, as well as the sun, were up and lively my head felt heavy but empty as if everything seemed to have wiped its self clean. Squirrels chased one another up trees and over banks, deer had come to the other side of the river to drink the clean clear water. Otters played with one another the birds sang their familiar songs to one another. While I sat still and motionlessly as the world moved about as if I were invisible or just not there at all. I felt at ease as I did in that dark world I dreamt about. 

        I sat there watching as the koi continued to kiss my legs and feet only to pull away for a second to what looked like they giggled the way girls did when they saw my brothers walking down the street. Giggling and talking about how handsome they were and how much they wished to kiss them. But when they saw me they would become silent as they stared wide-eyed at me speechless.

        I never understood why they did that even most men would give me the same look but I don't know why. I think I'm ok looking although my height isn't ideal I have startling whitish-silver hair, a jawline sharp enough to cut down an entire forest, a slim but lean figure although I work out just as much as my brothers that have a built figure I don't have that luxury. At that moment I heard distant footsteps coming near but the animals around me didn't seem to notice or care in the slightest. Not knowing where the sound was coming from I sat straight with keen eyes that scanned the forest and its contents. That's when I noticed a dark tall figure making its way towards me.