I scan all of my friends, memorizing each of their faces. But Luna steps forward, a small bit of hope glowing in her eyes.
“The healers have already started looking into the prophecy.”
My head tilts to the side. “You were right all along.”
She nods. “If the rest of the prophecy is out there—we will find it.”
Lachlan squeezes my shoulder. The green in his eyes looking more dim than I’ve ever seen them. “Let’s get to training.”
Despair writhes in my gut like a living, snarling thing as we file out of the room and to the training grounds. The sun burns my skin, and the breeze soothes it away. We pass the field of poppies, their red petals still as vibrant now as the first time I ever saw them.
Everything—I’m trying to memorize everything.
I lead the group as we pass under the archway. The familiar words of discipline and honor feel meaningless as we step ontothe grounds. ‘Those who live without discipline will die without honor.’
Will my death be honorable? Have I lived with enough discipline?
Harald and Piominko circle each other, while Freya and Odr are locked into a fierce battle. Dirt flies and metal clashes.
Their training is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before. Freya moves with such speed and grace, that my mouth drops open. When Piominko strikes out at Harald, the resounding crash has me flinching away.
Gods.
They’re incredible.
Freya spies our group and calls for a pause. I give her a small wave and head in that direction.
“What did you decide?” she asks.
“We’re going to keep the information to ourselves. And continue on.”
She nods. “Very well. We’re here to help. Where do you begin?”
I appreciate her kindness and understanding. She doesn’t look at me with pity or judgment, just respect for my choice as queen of this realm.
“We start with some stretching and a light jog to get warm.”
“Come find me when you’re done.” She smiles and turns back to Odr.
We set off in a light jog, our marching footsteps echo like battle drums. Mathilda sticks close to Tane. Mina is squashed between Luna and Evander while Lachlan and I lead. We make five laps before stopping to stretch.
The light jog has warmed my muscles and eased some of the weight I feel constantly on my shoulders. In the middle of our last stretch, I wave to Freya. She heads our way with Piominko, Harald, and Odr.
“I know Piominko has been working with Tane on somebalancing techniques to adapt to his new way of life. But Harald had an approach he would like the group to work on.”
All eyes swing to Harald as he leans on his shield, not paying attention to anything or anyone except Mina. But his shield catches my eye. Carvings of wolves circle a singular image of a man wearing a wolf’s head.
“Harald!” Freya snaps. He lurches upright, grumbling something about bossy women.
“Uh, so your shield—” He hoists his shield up before realizing none of us have one.
“I’ll get them,” Lachlan supplies. “Evander with me.” They head off towards the armory attached to our training grounds.
Piominko and Tane begin discussing their latest training. Tane stretches his remaining limb out to Piominko, who begins pointing and whispering things that my ears can’t quite hear.
Mathilda tilts her head towards me as I watch Lachlan’s retreating figure. “We didn’t do any training while you were away. I have a feeling this will not be pretty.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
