Free The Bonding (The Song and the Rhythm) by Brian C. Hager

Rush walked up and joined the others, his brown-haired cousin behind him. They sat side by side across the fire from the others and added twigs and small pieces of wood to the flames when they weren’t picking apart their rabbit portions with their delicate hands.
    “Merdel’s been spouting off about his Great God again, this time in regards to Vaun, and Drath and I have told him to leave the lad alone.” Thorne picked up a small stick and switched at the elves’ hands to prevent them from stifling his fire, muttering about how Rush and his stone-brained cousin could smother a forest fire.
    “Why? Everyone should have a chance to feel the love of the Great God.” Rush said with a joyful smile.
    Thorne groaned, obviously regretting mentioning a topic about which the elf, and all his ilk, felt strongly.
    The blond elf glared at Thorne. “Just because you want to spend eternity in utter darkness and misery doesn’t mean the rest of us do.” He took a drink from his metal tankard to emphasize that was all that need be said. “I’d wager Vaun eventually does find a path that leads him to the Great God.” Rush glanced sidelong at his cousin, expecting a reaction, but Dart contentedly chewed the last of his meal.
    Merdel thought it strange that Dart had not bet against Rush as he usually did, remembering how the two would bet on almost anything. He felt sure that they made up things to bet on if they couldn’t find anything on hand. He then turned to watch their young companion approach, carrying his scabbarded sword in his left hand.
    “Why are all of you staring at me like that again?” Vaun joined them around the fire, accepting his meal and water from Thorne.
    “No particular reason.” Rush waved his hand as if the subject were not important.
    Drath knew Rush wanted to talk to their new companion about what all elves called the “wonder of the Great God,” though the tall man was glad he and Dart had expressed that it wasn’t the right time. He also obviously wanted to prove to Thorne that elves could restrain their religious enthusiasm, although Drath felt certain it wouldn’t stop the cousins from praying for Vaun…or Thorne for that matter.
    “I’m sure.” Vaun took a generous bite of his cooked rabbit. It had been their standard dinner ever since the journey began five days ago, and he still apparently enjoyed the taste quite a bit, thanks mostly to the various spices Thorne added.
    “How are you coming along?” Merdel deftly avoided the subject of the Great God, knowing, as Drath did, the harm pushing too hard for conversion could have.
    Vaun swallowed. “I think you’ll have to ask my teacher that. I’m not a good judge of my own progress.”
    When everyone turned to him, Drath hurriedly swallowed what he’d been lazily chewing. “I think he’s coming along quite well. He’s improving rapidly, and in a few days he should be ready for almost anything. He counters very well and moves smoothly from one stance to another.”
    Vaun finished eating. “I learned that from the fights with my friends.” Wiping his hands on his pants, he drew his sword and took out a whetstone to hone the already keen edge of the blade. “They liked to gang up on me, so sometimes I was fighting six or seven at once.” He smiled, never once looking down to make sure the stone didn’t scrape anywhere but the edge of the blade. He let his hands be his eyes.
    Drath turned back to the others. “Aye, I’d thought so. I think he’ll be able to handle himself fairly well in combat, but of course we’ll have to wait and see. Also, I…Vaun, why are you doing that?” He indicated the youth’s hands. “I’d doubt the sword needs it.”
    “What?” Vaun looked down. “Oh! This? I don’t know. I didn’t even realize I was doing it. But it does need it a little. It doesn’t have quite the edge I’d like.”
    They all stared at him speculatively, each attributing this strangeness to virtually the same