35. Esther
ESTHER
“Come at me again. I already told you, we’ll do the earth magic training when I say so,” Regent says nonchalantly, circling me like a predator playing with its prey.
For almost four weeks, I’ve been fucking training.
As of a week ago, he had no issues with teaching me the basics in earth magic, but suddenly, he only cares about hand-to-hand combat.
And I wonder if this has to do with his magic oddly depleting.
But I haven’t dared inquire about the ins and outs of his magic.
It’s too personal, and often too vulnerable.
For the last month, he’s kept his distance.
We train, and then he disappears, barely eating with the others as Blaze and I slowly integrate into their camp.
I’m mostly healed, but due to the harsh curse from the sirens, it takes longer; even when influenced by Sheila and Imogine’s potions and healing magic.
My hands rest on my hips. “You’ve seen what I can do.”
“And I can attest to that. I trained her personally as well,” Blaze calls out from the tree branch he casually lies on, one leg dangling as he teases Grimace with a piece of meat.
“And who the fuck said you could be here? Is there no other purpose you hold besides hiding in the shadows?” Regent says.
Grimace hocks a dead fish onto Blaze’s stomach, and the moment he does, he uses it as a decoy to swipe the meat away from Blaze.
I turn my smile downward, trying my hardest not to laugh.
“Why is it always a dead fish for me?” Blaze flicks the fish away as he sits upright and crosses his legs. “I’m telling you she’s efficient with a blade. You know this already. Besides, it was Sheila’s suggestion that I check on you two.”
“Your puppeteer might not have sway over you anymore, but I’m yet to trust you.” Regent points at Blaze, still brutalizing him for the enchantment he was under until a month ago. “The only reason you’re here is because if I killed you, she’d be biting at my throat.”
“Shall we have a second round to see who’s capable of killing who?” Blaze challenges.
“Enough,” I call between the two. “What the fuck has gotten into you both. We’re all on the same side, okay?
Blaze, I told you, Regent is going to help us return and face Dahlia.
She will be answering for what she did to you and everyone else we love.
And Regent, stop being such an asshole. I know it’s your default setting, but the big-dick-energy thing gets old fast. That stands for you too. ” I pointedly glare at Blaze.
“Well, I definitely know mine is bigger,” Regent says under his breath.
I throw my hands in the air. “You two are a fucking joke,” I say, exasperated as I lean over to swipe the satchel of water and down some.
I’ve already been training with Regent for over an hour, and my body aches.
I thought Master Kain and Blaze’s training was brutal, and it was, but I’d gotten used to their movement, and when I trained with Barbados, he always pulled his punches.
Regent, however, does not. His brute strength is overpowering, as expected from a six-foot-seven beast of a greer.
Comparatively, my five-foot-ten frame is nothing to him.
The tension, however, goes beyond the squabbles among ourselves, and it’s felt heavy in the air of the camp.
Dahlia’s soldiers started settling from the east days ago, setting up camp in one of Felia’s abandoned temples.
I haven’t seen it myself, but the Tahil hunters keep posts within the barrier that protects them.
Already in a few days, it’s grown in size, and we suspect Dahlia is making a move north to take over Hemmont Kingdom by making her way to Ethera’s city and docks where the king resides.
It’s all speculation at this point, but considering our location, cornered onto a cliff edge, so far all we’ve been able to do is wait until they move on, preparing boats in the meantime in case we need to retreat.
It also means we’re not able to leave until they move on, not wanting to jeopardize the Tahil clan’s location. And although Regent has been practicing with the Ariagem, it still depletes him quickly, and he doubts he can move multiple people.
“I’m teaching you not to become dependent on only your magic,” Regent reminds. “Tell me, what happens if you’re gagged or your tongue is cut out? You won’t be able to use a one-word chant to connect with the others’ magic, correct?”
“I don’t need it to use water,” I bite back.
“But you need to unlock all of the elements, no?” My jaw tightens.
I still don’t even know how to unlock each of them, but it works to my advantage to understand each at the very least in pursuit of that goal.
“It’s useless if you’re dead.” His stance widens, inviting me to another scuffle.
I’m insulted that this time he doesn’t even raise his fists.
“And what makes you so qualified to teach her?” Blaze says, his voice no more than a whisper, yet always able to subtly carry, especially when intended as a dig.
Regent pulls out both of his swords, flipping one over to offer me the handle. “If you want to play like an adult, then let’s dance.”
“That sword is too heavy for her; she needs a weapon—”
Regent cuts Blaze off. “I’ll have you know she’s handled my sword before.
” He lets the double entendre sink in, and heat rises to my cheeks.
“Perhaps you don’t recall, but she used one of these swords to fight you off while you tried to kill us.
You might’ve been under an enchantment, but I was not.
I saw when she had to use this very blade to defend herself against you.
So, let me assure you, it’s important to know one’s way around multiple weapons on a battlefield. Even if they are heavy.”
Tension ripples between the two. Part of me wants to go to Blaze to assure him it’s all right, when I know he only spoke up to defend me, but also Regent’s words hold truth. The reminder of being cornered in that barn, fighting for my life against my best friend, pushing me to pick up the sword.
I need to become stronger, not just for me but for all of us. I know how to fight as a Caldom soldier. But do I know how to fight against or as a Hemmont soldier?
The sword is heavy, much like the last time I held it, yet I appreciate its finery. Two faces of Neina in a prayer position on the hilt.
Who knows how long I will have to train, and despite my aching body and ribs, which still flare, I choose to push myself harder and faster than before.
I won’t always have the luxury of time to hide in a camp like this.
I won’t always have Blaze and Regent to protect my back, and I want to make sure I’m ready for that day.
For myself and for those I love.
I charge, and he meets me head-on with one arm, insulting me with the obvious difference in our strength. But I remember, much like with Blaze, to use my speed against him.
His coppery gaze studies me, more predator than man, pressuring me into an offense again. I divert my sword to the left, throwing my body weight with it, trying to push him off balance.
My legs are swept out from beneath me, forcing me onto my back and knocking the wind out of me.
“Your mind is drifting elsewhere,” he snarls, the tip of his sword coming to rest beside my throat. I bare my teeth.
He takes a few steps back, encouraging me to stand.
My body screams and groans in pain as if all the progress in my recovery is slowly unraveling. Yet I can’t help but meet his challenge, clinging to the desperation and lack of time looming down on us.
I wipe away the beading sweat from my forehead, wiping it on my skirt, which in itself is a nuisance to fight in. But none of these things can be used as excuses, because battle does not choose a perfect day.
I watch his body more carefully this time, slightly more timid in my approach as Master Kain’s voice lectures in the back of my mind. “You’re always too hasty. Watch your opponent first. Find their weakness. Wear them down with your speed. Then go for the kill.”
I inhale, ignoring the shift of the wind around us, and Grimace and Blaze, who play. I lose myself to the rhythm between Regent and me, using the subtle changes of his magic to my advantage.
We circle one another, and as if understanding, Regent makes the first move.
His weight is crushing as he comes down on me, and I defend myself, my two arms shaking against the strength of his one arm.
I let go of my limitations, digging further into my primal instinct to survive.
The swell of it is overpowering as I shift to the left and divert his sword to the right.
I’m shoved back into defense as he quickly recovers, rebuking the idea that I ever had any control at all.
I duck so I can kick him. But his hand hooks under my thigh, blocking the force of my kick as he flicks my sword away, and throws me over his shoulder.
My face hovers above the ground as I grab the blade at my waist, curving it against the thick vein at his throat.
The cold touch of his own sword presses under my chin.
“You left yourself open again,” he berates.
“So did you.”
“A truce is not a win, Esther. What is the point if your life is to be taken as well?” he says, lowering me.
The moment my toes touch the ground, I elbow him in the throat.
The sudden shock and closure of his windpipe gives me an opening as I lunge for him, kicking out the back of his knee, and shoving his arm holding the sword out to straddle him.
We come down hard as I bring my blade to his throat, but his hand holds my wrist, restraining me from getting any closer.
I need more strength. The difference is evident.
What I have now against him will never be enough.
More.
I need more.
His knee drives up hard, hooking me over the side, so he can roll over me, pinning my wrist to my side with the blade, and his sword at my throat.
That keen temper rises to the surface, my magic bubbling aggressively to defend itself again.
“Lin—”
A mound of mud fastens over my mouth, smothering my one-word chant. I fight against Regent, my magic and rage having nowhere to go. His eyes burn with irritation as he leans forward, his hot breath flushing over my face.
“You can’t even control the temptation. The magic controls you. You’re nothing but a beast defending itself in its most primitive state, and that will get you killed.”
The glint of silver wraps around Regent’s throat as Blaze hovers over him, blade prickling a pin drop of blood. “And what do you think it is that will kill you, earth greer? I’ll have you know that she also begged me to spare your life, but I must confess, the temptation calls to me.”
My chest rises and falls, my magic quickly bleeding back into the earth. The burn of my ribs rises again, and when I look into Regent’s eyes, there’s a deadly burn in his gaze. I’m suddenly unsure if him going for the kill shot was a ruse, or if Blaze came at the perfect time.
Friend or foe? I still have no idea what this tension that ripples between Regent and myself is, but he’s become grouchier as the days go on. His distance is obvious, until moments like this, where it seems he’s barely in control.
Regent removes his sword, a cruel smile stretching over his lips.
“Lucky you have a loyal lap dog.” He stands, barely threatened as Blaze removes his blade.
There’s a small gash of red trickling down Regent’s neck as he offers me his hand to help me stand.
“We’re done for today. I suggest you go back to the camp and have Sheila tend to your wounds. ”
“And where are you going?” I demand, my body aching.
But much like he has done for the last month, he avoids my questions and walks into the trees without looking back.
His magic is a gentle whisper behind him as mine calls out after his.
Part of me wonders if he’s become consumed with testing his limits with the Ariagem, but whenever I try to go after him, he’s nowhere to be found.
I look down at my matching blade to Blaze’s, and then to the sword that Regent left behind, his other sheathed at his back.
Regent isn’t the type to leave a sword behind thoughtlessly, and so I take a shaky breath and return Blaze’s partnered blade.
His eyebrows furrow, confused.
“Come at me with everything you have. I’ll train with his sword today.”
“You need to rest,” Blaze pushes.
“I need to become stronger.”