22. 22 #3
“Stay within the sparring circle. Step beyond its boundary, and the duel is null. Neither of you will advance, and you will repeat the match until you learn to stay in. Magic is strictly forbidden during this phase of training. You fight with your knowledge, your instincts, and your blade, not with spells. Speaking of blades—” he motions to the Pearlguard off to the side, “—in a moment, you will each receive similar daggers. No tricks. No unfair advantages.”
The rules echo through my mind, but the mention of magic claws its way into my focus. Does everyone here have magic? Or is it only being mentioned because Zevrin knows I do? Before I can follow the thread, his voice cuts through again.
“Keep your focus. Be aware of more than just your opponent. Know the rhythm of the room. Feel how the energy shifts around you. And finally—respect your opponent. Recognize their weaknesses, yes, but more importantly, learn from them. That is the mark of a true warrior.” Zevrin takes a breath before adding more.
“Typically, both fighters wear comparable armor. However, today is a . . . unique case.” His gaze shifts toward me.
“The land-dweller shares our king’s form, and her armor is written into her scales. ”
He turns to Orion now, his expression shifting. Something I don’t recognize, but can feel. Like he’s watching someone he helped build.
“Perhaps your majesty can ensure Sarah understands how to use that gift fully—to cover herself as her opponent is.”
Orion acknowledges Zevrin’s words by simply looking in my direction and giving a slight nod, which I can only interpret as, Show them what you already know.
With that, I wave my hands in a delicate fashion around my torso.
The glow is soft and expands into a bright gleam as I transform my upper half from just enough scales to cover my chest, to now scales covering my entire back, hips, and upper chest, while still leaving my neck and arms exposed.
It resembles a corset, but is fully made of scales.
After I transformed that first night, plus my own private practice sessions in my room, I learned I can command a single scale on me all the way to covering my entire body.
I would never need to actually do that, but it was a nice trick to know.
Almost like testing the boundaries of this magic and how much I can actually do now.
I didn’t catch what Zevrin’s face looked like before or even after I shifted, because my face was solely locked on Orion.
From the dais, he smiles. And not his usual smile, but a knowing smile.
As if he never doubted my abilities and knew I would catch on easily.
I wonder what else he knows about me that I'm still unsure of . . .
Being pulled from my thoughts, Zevrin’s voice rings through the space, “Well, is that not something! Your majesty, her abilities are exquisite.”
Orion gives a subtle wave, like the moment was never in question. Not for him.
With this, Zevrin removes himself from in front of us and is replaced by the Pearlguard, holding two daggers in each hand. They resemble the ones I've been training with, but the hilts are a different color.
They have the same coral design, but the blades appear to be forged from the same Xhiphate metal Nyxalene told me about. They take on a faint amber sheen when tilted into the light filtering down from above, and their sharpness is apparent even before the weapons are placed in my hands.
I would think any metal would have the same results above, on land, and become rusty after being exposed to salty waters for too long.
I tried asking Nyxalene how that was possible, but got no response.
She didn't seem inclined to want to entertain human questionings.
Though the questions still ring in my ears.
What makes these so different? A different metallic compound?
Shit, the Pearlguard said something. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
“Miss?”
Orion speaks before the Pearlguard can repeat his words. “He said these daggers are made to fit each of your hands. Whoever wins today’s duel gets to keep the daggers they used. And will be given a protection spell to protect them from being used on their holder.”
Amazing... More days pass, more information, and even though it's (at times) chaotic, it's becoming my favorite pastime. There's just so much to learn, on top of getting to know Orion; don't even get me started on memorizing everything!
I inspect the daggers some more. The coral handle curves to my hands, and each one has a smooth finish on them, but unlike my opponent, whose hilt is ivory-colored, mine are emerald.
Just. Like. My. Eyes.
I don’t get more time to soak up every detail on the daggers before Zevrin places himself next to Orion. “At this time, each opponent may turn and take opposite sides of the sparring ring.”
I turn and head to the side I am closest to and place myself at the edge of the ring, grasping both daggers firmly in each hand, when a Pearlguard blows into a shell.
And with that, the duel begins.