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Alora swung her legs off the bed, struggling to sit up. Arista rushed to help her, supporting her shoulders with surprising strength. But Alora felt a wave of nausea, her mouth filling with saliva as her discernment gift flared, indicating evil in close proximity.
There was no mistaking it... the evil came from Arista.
It was kind of weird. Rather than emanating from inside Arista, the evil clung to her, like when your clothes smell like smoke after you roast marshmallows. Where could she have picked up the scent of evil?
“Arista... have you been traveling lately? I mean, have you been anywhere outside of Laegenshire?”
“Of course” she replied, laying a cloth across an empty bed and spreading the selection of dried meats, goat cheese, berries, and a crusty fire-baked bread known as sabmel. “I hunt in the surrounding woods, every day.”
“Ha! That’s not what Papa says.”
Arista jumped, swatting at her brother. “Jireo! You frightened me.”
“A warrior should always be on guard. That shows you still lack the years to be a dependable warrior.” He placed a jug on the makeshift table. “I’ve brought water. Markaeus and Kaevin are coming with mugs.”
As always, Jireo delighted in baiting his sister about her non-warrior status although he still lacked a year of having the nineteen required to be officially labeled a warrior. However, Morvaen had made allowances for both he and Kaevin to fight alongside the other warriors, since their defender bond enhanced their giftings, a situation that caused no end of irritation to his sister. Arista painted a nonchalant smile on her face, but Alora could sense her frustration.
“What did Papa say about me?” She dropped the empty basket on the floor and kicked it under the bed.
“Nothing I haven’t observed for myself since returning two days ago. You claim you’d rather hunt and provide for the family than help with cooking or tending the garden, yet you sleep late every day.”
“But I only want to be a warrior. Setting snares adds nothing to my skill, and I can’t hunt with a bow without journeying a day or more away.” Her lower lip protruded. “I’ve no one to travel with since you’ve been in Montana.”
“Ah, so you’re losing your weapons skill. Morvaen may not want you as a warrior, even after you have nineteen years.”
“I’ve not lost my skill.” Arista twisted, her hand flashing. In an instant, her hand was at her brother’s throat, the blade of a wooden spoon against his jugular.
“Very nice, sister.” Jireo murmured. “But I’ve already impaled your heart.”
Arista sucked in a shocked breath, looking down to where Jireo held a similar wooden “knife” against her chest.
“I was faster,” she argued.
A merry chuckle burst from Jireo’s lips. “I wouldn’t be so certain. I believe even Alora might be faster than you. You should see how she wields a knife now, even without gifting. I taught her how to...”
The words died on Jireo’s lips as his eyes locked on something behind Alora. Ice cold fury rippled up the back of Alora’s neck, as she heard something shatter on the floor.
“Don’t stop speaking simply because I’m here,” said Kaevin in a voice as glacial as his wrath. “I’d love to know what you and Alora have been doing behind my back.”
“Jireo taught Alora how to use a knife.” Markaeus piped in, having obviously arrived with Kaevin.
Bracing herself, Alora turned to face him.
There wasn’t even a hint of humor on his face. “Is that so? What else did he teach her, Markaeus?”
Alora made a don’t-say-any-more face at Markaeus, but he didn’t catch it.
“He taught her knife fighting and how to shoot a bow and arrow and how to transport him about during a fight. It was supposed to be a surprise, but now it’s spoiled.”
From the pained look on Jireo’s face, Alora figured he regretted involving Markaeus in their training sessions. But there’d been little choice after the night he discovered them practicing in the barn. The impudent little brat had seen the light from his window, and he was too curious for his own good.
“Believe me, Markaeus... I’m still surprised,” Kaevin growled.
“Don’t be mad, Kaevin,” Alora begged. “It was my idea, and I talked Jireo into helping me.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better? My soulmate and my defender brother work together to deceive me, and I’m supposed to be glad it was your idea?”
“Kaevin—” Jireo began.
