Cordell

I was quite displeased with this turn of events, I realized shortly after the carriage started, that he meant Bonita was his concubine. I'm not sure she had realized that yet because if she had, he would probably be in need of medical attention. We had been on the road for a couple days and I had barely spoken to Will. I guess saying I was displeased was quite an understatement. I am furious.

"Will!" I couldn't take it anymore and I started yelling at him. "How could you possibly think this is a good idea?"

We had stopped for the night and tomorrow would be the first day we actually had to act married, if he got his way about this.

Will responded in his usual calm tone he had adapted for this persona, "What are you talking about my dear?"

"Drop the act Will," I almost whispered, but it was venomous as a coral snake. "Just talk to me like you did a few nights ago and I'll consider forgiving you."

"Alright," He took off the cloak and overcoat. The fire was beginning to heat up. "We'll talk about it over your training."

The training had continued even after this change that had overcome him, the only thing that reminded me of the old Will. He seemed like a completely different person. He sat down for a moment as I retrieved the weapons from the secret cargo location. Bonita had disappeared to somewhere, but it didn't matter I needed to speak with Will, alone preferably.

Will stood after a moment of meditation and faced me with a different look on his face, "I'm sorry for the secrecy, Cordell."

I held my breath in anticipation of the answer he had been hesitant to even consider.

"You must be wondering why you were even needed to come with us," He smiled slightly as he took the short sword. "Let's mix this up a bit."

The light had yet to fade and I could see Bonita was still in the carriage now. I had changed into pants, for now, as I always did before training. To be honest I always wore pants under my dresses, it was a suggestion I'd been given. Dresses did not lead to quick escapes or easily fighting. He backed up a lot as we fought and we were soon a good distance from the campsite.

"Finally alone," He whispered. He swung much too hard but it gave him a chance to turn around and see behind him without being suspicious. "Very alone."

I couldn't stand the wait any longer. A little more angrily than I would have liked, I said, "What is it William Thrisfalen?"

He smirked slightly at the sound of his name and swung his weapon into my sword and pushed my arms back as he drew his face close to mine. He whispered in my ear, "I figured you wouldn't mind too much about the married part, but I guess your parents never told you." I pushed back against his sword and forced him back.

"Never told me what?" It had gotten much darker by then.

"It's time to step up your training," He said as he drew back into the darkness. "Follow my footsteps and attack."

I tried to follow but I was attack almost instantly. I received an explanation, "You too must become a shadow. Your mother was a Leeran who was banished. You have the talent buried inside your body to become a weapon and to become more than a target, more than a victim."

"I thought Leerans were a myth my mother had told me about," I said to myself. "Wait."

He struck again and I could barely block in time, "Close your eyes and see with your ears."

I started to walk much slower than before but it was mostly silent, "Why me still?"

"My father said I owed you a favor through your mother," Will explained. "He didn't say what."

"So to repay the favor you are going to protect my life?" I could almost feel him nod. I was still following his footsteps. I parried perfectly at his next attack and even felt his blade as a countered.

"That's good enough for now," He said.

I opened my eyes and saw the campfire in the distance.

"Let's head back." I heard him say.

"You know you skipped explaining why we had to be posing as married." I mentioned.

"I know." I could feel the smirk on his face and I punched his arm in the darkness.