Page 108 of Close Quarter
So Rhys had. And with a speed even Silas couldn't manage. "You're fast."
After a derisive snort, Rhys reached into the air and drew out his sword with an ease that sent prickles across Silas's skin. Everything about Rhys was quick, including his ability to learn.
Rhys looked down the length of the blade.
"The pattern's different." He offered the blade to Silas.
He took it and examined the fine etching down the center. The impossible thought that there could even be a second sword had blinded him to the differences. It felt nearly like his, but not quite.
And Rhys was correct. The weave that ran up the center was tighter than the pattern that ornamented his.
"I should have noticed."
"Didn't you? I saw you look at one point."
He handed the blade back to Rhys. "I had thought there was something odd. But put it down to my light-headedness and your handling of the blade."
Rhys laid the sword flat across his legs. "I'm not fast."
"You move like wind and water. Like a blade of grass in a stiff breeze." Silas paused. Sea grass and pine. "Where were you born?"
Rhys's skin took on a ruddy hue. "Nowhere special. Nowhere like Italy."
"There was no Italy when I was born. And I was rather provincial." He swallowed a laugh.
"Still am, in many ways."
"Provincial." Rhys imitated his accent again.
"You should see the way you look. The way you dress. Hear how you speak. There's nothing provincial about you."
"Rhys--"
"New Jersey. I was born in New Jersey."
Silas chewed on his tongue for a moment.
"Near ocean and pine."
"Close to the Pine Barrens. Why?"
"Curiosity." He took one of Rhys's hands in his own. "You're of the forest and the field but smell of the sea. And pine. I didn't understand."
"And do you now?"
"Shifting sand."
"Oh." Rhys twined his fingers between Silas's. "You mean I'm unstable."
Silas couldn't help the chuckle. "You're adaptive and quick. Whereas I am old and set in my ways."
"Grounded."
Opposites. Complementary. Gods below, if only there were land beneath their feet. Silas stood. "Come. Let's get a drink and watch the sun set."
Rhys rose and sheathed his sword back into the Aether. "Love to."
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