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 .

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"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 pa.s.sed 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 wonder where the Lady is?" Talis asked as the water forced him back a bit more, despite his attempts to stay ahead of the current . Verone glanced over at him then up at the sky .

"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 gra.s.s .

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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 s.h.i.+ft 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 .

"You are too young to remember but there's a reason she lives there . Don't bring it up again . " Verone's voice was almost icey, a clear signal that his brother was quickly approaching the bottom line . It was not antone he used often, but it was a definite end to that conversation .