“No,” answered Reeve with a laugh. “She got drunk and invited herself.”
Maeve’s mouth fell open. Reeve continued.
“I am here to ask you to help defend Aterna from Shadow and her Dreaded Dead army. If Aterna falls, Earth is next.”
Demevirld snarled, the sound similar to a laugh. “Earth.” He fell quiet for a moment, then the sound that erupted from him brought Maeve’s hands straight over her ears. The shrill spikes, mixed with pulsing guttural booms of sound, danced across the mountains. When he quieted, a reply came from a nearby concealed shadowed creature. Then another. Demevirld continued to communicate with the other Dragon in their natural tongue. At last, he exhaled, the wake of it steamy and hot.
“We will consider your words.”
Chapter 40
“Why are you training with a blade?” asked Zimsy curiously as they walked to the Senshi Armory and arena.
“Because wielding one will grant me access to Aterna Magic.”
Zimsy hummed.
“And since when do you watch me train?” asked Maeve with a knowing look.
Zimsy didn’t look over at her. “We’ve been apart for some time,” she said. “I thought you’d enjoy my company.”
Maeve shook her head, fully aware it was not her company Zimsy sought. Eryx stood in clothes that were casual for an Immortal, similar to what Reeve wore on most days at the palace. It was rare she saw either of them in Aterna formal or in their armor.
It was clear Eryx’s greeting was all for Zimsy. “Good morning,” he said.
When Reeve told Maeve Eryx had offered to train her on a blade, Maeve had merely smiled.
“Making nice, then, I see,” she had said.
Reeve had popped a single finger on her nose and said, “You be nice.”
Until then, Maeve had been practicing siphoning the Magic in various swords and daggers, letting it flow through her and back out at her target. A target who, until then, had been a training simulation in the form of Reeve’s Magic.
Eryx wrapped his hands in a long piece of linen as Maeve picked a small blade off the wall.
“Bigger,” said Eryx. “I can’t fight with something that small without shattering it.”
Maeve’s hand remained on the hilt of the sword she wanted. “Then control yourself and pull back. I don’t do well with a larger blade. It throws off my balance.”
Eryx didn’t argue further. He picked a blade still more substantial than Maeve’s, and they entered the Arena. Zimsy took a seat silently.
“Let’s start slow,” said Eryx. “I want to see how you move on your feet.”
Maeve nodded as they took their positions opposite one another. Eryx gave her a quick nod and advanced. Maeve sidestepped him with ease, their blades not even making contact. She countered, raising her sword as he dodged her in return. Their pace quickened into a steady sound of metal on metal.
One particular shift, and Maeve’s blade tapped against Eryx’s shoulder.
She smiled.“What’s got you so distracted?”
Eryx scowled, but Zimsy rocked forward in her seat and her lips curled into one another.
“How are you so arrogant?” he said, circling her. “Yetagain.”
Maeve shrugged. “In my blood, I guess,” she said coolly.
“Were you trained in the sword before?”
Maeve made a sound like that was partly true, then said, “I was quite good at fencing at Vaukore.”
