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Vagrant - Part VII


        It was a brisk night.  The moon shone full and bright in the sky, drawing Van’s eyes upward as he walked next to Finnian down the cobble stone street.
“Van?” Finnian’s voice drifted into his ears, as though riding the gentle breeze that was in the air.
“Hm?”
“You haven’t said anything since we left the coliseum.  How are you feeling?” Finnian asked.
“Fine,” Van said simply.  “I just…it’s hard to believe that a year has gone by so quickly and that tomorrow, I’ll officially be a soldier.”
“Do you have any regrets?” 
“Not at all,” Van turned to his friend.  “Thank you Finnian, for choosing me as your brother.  For encouraging me.”
“Ha, it was my pleasure my friend.  Just don’t cry.  I don’t know how to handle people who cry,” Finnian replied.
“Have no fear,” Van said as he let out a small laugh.  He let his head fall as he rubbed the back of his neck.  It was tense from the day’s fighting.  His eyes fell on the sword at Finnian’s belt.    “You wear your sword out in public?  When you’re not on duty?”
“I do, “ Finnian said.  “Ever since I first became a soldier all those years ago, it has opened up my eyes to the dangers that surround us all every day.  It does not happen to everyone, but it is a sad side effect of making a living off of combat.  And with a wife and child…I take nothing for granted.”
“I see.  Lucky for me I have no family to worry about, eh?” Van joked.
“You have me now,” Finnian said with no hint of mirth in his voice.  “And my family is your family.”
“I was only joking,” Van said bashfully. 
“Relax, I know,” Finnian said, smiling wide now.
“Ha, your amusement with yourself is incredibly pompous.  Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Better I find myself amusing then lecture people about how easy it is for me to learn new sword techniques.  ‘Some men are just born for this sort of thing,’ isn’t that what you’re so fond of saying?” Finnian replied.
“They are!” Van defended.  
“Fine!  Then some men are born to be amusing.  Charming.  Delightful.  I can’t help it if that’s who I am,” Finnian said.
They both laughed then.  It was a night to celebrate and everything was worth celebrating…even Finnian’s sense of humor.

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            “Yes,” Van replied simply, still with a smile on his face.   “Undoubtedly.   Finnian Pell is still my brother.   You were my brother too, once.” “I still am,” Thrace barked.   “Perhaps an older brother, admittedly.   I think the two of you are fools and I do not believe this is a good idea.   Van, you have natural talent but it takes discipline to be a soldier.” “Thrace please,” Van grew earnest and let the smile fall from his face.   “Let me prove to you that I am not a cynical man.   I simply have not found what I was put on this earth to do.   I want to do something I believe in, with people I believe in.   Let me fight for you.” Thrace looked hard at Van, studying the resolve of this would-be recruit. “You’re drunk,” Thrace said simply. “A bit, yes,” Van admitted, the smile returned so easily.   “But I’m honest when I’m drunk.” “Please Thrace,” Finnian pushed....
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