Ever
Sitting in the food hall, we pick over the food that Perrin and Capella fetched. We’re all at one table, squashed in, although Kalan and Lyle are still on opposing sides.
“So, what now? Are we just waiting for Rowan or others to come storming in here to detain us?” Ten asks, and I hear his argument from earlier, wanting to keep me hidden and safe.
“No. We’re going to raid the training centre for weapons,” Calix states as he takes another bite of his food.
“We are?” I look at him.
“Why not. We don’t know if we’ll need them against friend or foe, right? And we don’t know when they’ll come. Although the full moon’s only a few days off, and I can’t see them launching an attack when we’re at our strongest.”
“They’ll be at their strongest, too. Don’t forget, we’re fighting Kirrians,” I remind him.
“If no one else needs healing, I’m going to run interference. But you won’t be able to wait it out here. Not for much longer,” Perrin says.
“Thank you.” I offer a tight smile.“Ten, are you… better?”
“If by better, you mean did Perrin fix up the torn-up scars and cuts that didn’t heal properly? Yeah, I’m good.”
“Come on then, Calix. You lead.”
He nods to me, and we all stand to leave.
When I first arrived, I hated that I was kept aside from everyone else’s training and was given a wooden sword and a dummy, while the others had proper instruction.
However, after having been forced to hold a blade—to use one—I didn’t relish the idea now and wished that we’d only need wooden weapons again.
Ten hands me a sword, but I don’t take it and violently shake my head. “No. I don’t want a sword. Not after…” Visions of the torture we inflicted on each other pour into my mind unchecked, bringing every ounce of pain and suffering back. I step away.
“This will be different,” Ten encourages, holding the blade out to me again.
“And if Fenix turns up, able to force our will?” I remind him. “You’ve only just been healed.”
“We’re in Kirrasia now. Our magic is stronger. We can shield. Block. Fight him with everything we have.” He plunges the tip of the weapon into the ground before standing in front of me. With the tip of his finger, he lifts my chin so I’m looking right at him. The urge to throw my arms around him is right there, burning the muscles in my arms, but I resist, especially after last night. “We will fight him, the Usher, and whoever we need to. It won’t be the same, Ever. I will endure whatever Aslendrix has in store, as long as you’re still by my side, remember.”
“Ever, do you need any pointers with a blade? I seem to remember you were a little rusty when it came to this,” Calix calls to us.
We’re at the edge of one of the training rings, closest to the resident building, a cache of weapons and training aids in front of us, including the wooden and straw dummies and swords.
“Find me something other than a sword like this.” I look pointedly at Ten, then go over to where Calix has two swords strapped over his back, the hilts framing his head.
“Your sister helped me—trained me—when she could. Even though there was so little time, she made me better. Even with everything Fenix forced us to do.” The words bring a sting to my eyes, and I turn away from him to swallow the emotion before the tears drop.
“You don’t want a sword?” he questions, noting that I didn’t take what Ten offered.
“No.”
“Daggers or short swords mean your enemy will be a lot closer. You’re more at risk.”
“I don’t care.”
“I guess you’ll use your magic, throw a forcefield or something?”
“Or something.” Our words hold a bitter-sweet note. He fought to protect me, to train me, and he’s still here.
“If you want to be with your father, the Warriors, I’ll understand. You don’t?—”
“It’s fine, Ever. Really.”
