Chapter 5

"Sway it like a warrior ready for a war."

Tatiana grasped the handle of her dagger and swing it on her flank, one pace backward, and whirled her back to trudge forward, sole throw before putting up with a speed and seized the dagger swiftly within her hands.

A boisterous clap shrouded their ground.

"You've learned well and imbibed the lessons I've taught you. For now, rest for a while and we'll continue this later."

Puffing, she nodded regardless.

However, a cup of water was positioned in front of her. When she looked up, she was greeted by her brother's dazzling smile.

A line arose in her forehead and became apparent. Tatiana nibbled her bottom lip while still panting for a bit. She accepted the cup later on.

"What are you smiling of?" she implored before gulping the water in one swallow.

"Nothing. I was just happy that you're coping up adequately. I never thought of this thing to happen yet you handle it so well."

Tatiana smiles a little. "It was my motivation that maneuvered me to my limits. Aside from that, I have important people to protect, Croft. Our family, exactly."

Croft's smile almost fade but he masked it before Tatiana can see. He was disappointed to himself that he can't do anything about this matter. That Tatiana has a lot of burden on her shoulders and he can't lift any of that.

Moreover, Tatiana clicked her tongue and suddenly caressed her brother's cheeks. Croft was startled for a minute before gaining his composure back.

"I know what you're thinking," she brought up. "Don't blame yourself for this. It wasn't easy to face everything but I have you, I have our mother, and that's enough for me to strive harder and fight for us, Croft."

A lone tear broke out from the corner of his eyes and Tatiana wiped it dry. She chuckled after that.

"No more shedding tears, brother. You don't want me to be sad, do you?"

He swallowed the lump shaping in his throat before wheezing a little and then grinned at her.

"Who says I'm crying? That person might be a liar."

Tatiana laughed while shaking her head. "You brute has plenty of words to say."

Furthermore, they had a small chit-chat while waiting for Erebor to arrive. It took half an hour before he came back and unexpectedly mandated her to go to the nearby forest, alone.

"What? It's too dangerous for her to wander alone. I can accompany her, Erebor." her brother argued but the man was stiff to his standpoint.

Glancing at Tatiana, his eyes held seriousness and the uprising verdict that cannot be stumble was whittled in his expression.

Tatiana heaved a sigh before stopping Croft to stir a fuss about this order.

"No need, Croft. I can do it."

Croft was about to open his mouth to oppose but one glare from her, he abruptly halted.

"I hope you understand that this task is for me and it has nothing to do with you," she muttered firmly while her eyes were locking at Croft.

Croft was hesitating to give in to Tatiana's decision but when her eyes glinted with determination to fulfill the task Erebor had bestowed upon, Croft helplessly loosened up.

"Fine. But please, come back safe and sound, do you hear me?"

"I appreciated your concern yet worry not. I will come back while completing my mission. That's a promise, brother."

Erebor can't help but bent his lips upward upon witnessing this kind of bond. He remembered that he also have this sort of connection with their father. The memories with his pal were still lingering in his mind and he doesn't like to let go of it. He will cherish it till he dies.

After convincing her brother, Tatiana gazed at Erebor.

"What does this Lotus flower look like?" she inquired, a bit skeptical by this flower she never heard of.

"The Lotus flower is an aquatic perennial. It also only comes out in pink hues or white. While the roots are implanted in the soil of a river or pond, and the leaves float on the surface."

Tatiana was intrigued even more and she eagerly asked, "Have you seen it?"

For him to have a piece of knowledge about this weird flower, Tatiana wouldn't doubt that he doesn't.

"No," he lied to her. He already saw the Lotus flower when Tatiana was born and he's sure of it that this might be the answer to the problem on why does Tatiana couldn't summon her wolf.

"Oh," her lips protruded. "How come you know about its appearance?"

"My ancestor told me about the tale of its origin." he quickly replied, afraid that she might sense that he's lying to her.

"That explained everything but how can I see it if it's just a myth?"

Erebor sighed in relief that she hadn't hinted at any of his lies. Then, he hastily answered her.

"I trusted you this one, didn't I? You're chosen to do this, Tatiana. Besides, you vowed to finish this off, right?"

Tatiana nodded, still having a question about this but she chose to shut up and listen to his guidance and at the same time, his warning about the dangerous beasts lurking around.

"You can only take this path and nothing else, do you understand?"

"Yes, Erebor."

"It's only you who can accomplish this, Tatiana. I believed you just like how your father did."

Tatiana stilled in her spot and she was struck by a bolt of lightning when she can't move to stride forward. Perhaps, she was anticipating his next statement but to her dismay, not an utter was even heard.

"Be careful on your way, Tatiana. I'll be waiting for your return."

It's her brother's last phrase that infiltrated her ears before drifting to the horizon until the fragments of her silhouette cannot be seen by them.

"Do you think that she can do this?" Croft suddenly asked Erebor.

Erebor tapped his back and a small smile appeared on his lips.

"She won't be a Thyagaraja for nothing."