Chapter 9 #2
“I never take it easy on women. The world has no mercy for us, so we must push each other to be our best.” She crooked a smile. “But you should know that there are only two rules here. One, no killing. Two, the duel only ends when one of the opponents can no longer get up.”
I’d heard the Andalagar were tough, but I was beginning to see how much.
She lifted her sword. I braced myself, ignoring the pain in my ribs, and blocked her first move. As promised, she didn’t let up and steadily picked up her pace. When she slammed my bicep with the flat of her blade, my anger got the best of me.
This was ridiculous. I was tired of everyone pushing me around, forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do, and treating me like my only value lay in my channeling abilities. There was more to me than that.
Letting out a cry of rage, I pulled my magic into myself.
Then, with one big push, I sent a strong gust of wind at her.
Tamasine lifted into the air and flew backward, sailing past a dozen other pairs battling each other.
They paused to turn and watch. I let my powers drop once she reached the edge of the dirt field, then let her crash onto the blue-green grass.
My anger extinguished like a candle’s flame.
I’d worked so hard to keep it contained over the years that shame always filled me when I let it out.
At first, I worried the Andalagar woman would be angry that I used magic, but then I heard her laughing.
I jogged over and found her clutching her stomach, overcome with amusement. She looked up at me and shook her head.
“I began to wonder if you’d ever let go of that cool, calm demeanor. It took long enough, but you didn’t disappoint once you did,” Tamasine said, swiping at mirthful tears in her eyes.
I frowned. “You mean I could have used magic the whole time?”
“Remember the rules?”
“Yes, but I haven’t seen others using their powers here,” I argued. At least, none had used them overtly.
She ran her gaze across the field. “Our abilities tend to be more subtle and make us better at close-quarter battle. I can use magic to make my sword strikes more powerful and block an opponent’s attacks more easily. It’s why you couldn’t have beaten me with a sword alone.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling ridiculous. All the training I’d done with the fae hadn’t prepared me for the differences with the Andalagar. “Thank you for teaching me this lesson.”
She rose to her feet and dusted herself off. “Thank you for being wise enough to accept it without offense. Not everyone can, especially the young or arrogant.”
I smiled. “The day you stop learning is the day you stop breathing.”
“Well said.”
“Aella! Aella!” came a familiar female voice from across the field. I turned to find Sariyah running toward us, her long, brown hair flying behind her.
As soon as she reached me, she pulled me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
After everything that had happened in recent days, I’d never been happier to see her.
She’d always been the calm, reassuring voice when my world was falling apart.
I wanted to cry, comforted by her soothing arms wrapped around me.
I’d selfishly forgotten the danger she might be in now as well.
Thank the nameless ones she didn’t forget me.
“Are you okay? How about your father?” I asked, grateful for her arrival but also worried. With everything going on, had she come to hide from the dark elves?
Sariyah pulled back. “We’re fine—at least for now. I just came to see Orran…” She paused and cleared her throat. “Prime Chief Orran, and give him an update.”
The two of them had grown closer in recent months, with him looking for a potential bride.
Since she was a quarter Andalagar, she met some of the criteria for a tribal leader.
From what I’d seen and heard, they got along very well, and she visited here often.
I hoped it worked out for them because I wanted nothing more than for my best friend to be happy.
“Oh, well, he’ll appreciate that,” I said.
Concern filled Sariyah’s hazel eyes as she looked me up and down. “I heard what happened with your uncle. I begged him to let you go, but he was furious when I came to Ivory Castle. I swear there was no reasoning with him, and he made me go home. Are you okay?”
“I’m better,” I reassured her, touched that she’d tried to help. “But I’m more worried about you at Tradain with the dark elves invading all over Zadrya.”
Her expression soured. “My father has been gone since yesterday, meeting with Lord Ulmar and the other military leaders. All I know for sure is soldiers from Karganoth have taken over Balzour and the mines, but that’s the only part of Therress they’ve taken so far.
No one is talking openly about what’s happening. I guess for security reasons.”
I wasn’t surprised that the dark elves had gone for Balzour first. That gave them access to the holmium ore, which was vital for portal travel.
It was also located on the southern end of Therress, adjacent to the sea, providing easy access for travel by sea.
I idly wondered if the elf my uncle attempted to betroth me to, Baron Elgord, had been killed.
News of that sadistic man’s death would brighten my day.
“Did they say how many died in the battle for Balzour?” I asked.
She shook her head. “My father refuses to answer my questions and says I should stay out of it.”
“Keep trying, Sariyah,” Chief Orran said, joining us. “Even small details you learn could be useful.”
She gave him a beautiful smile. “Of course. Anything for you.”
He chuckled. “I’m pleased to hear that, but I’m afraid I cannot allow you to stay. The less you see here, the better.”
“What do you mean?” She gazed around her. “It doesn’t look like anything serious is happening, and I want to catch up with Aella.”
Orran put his arm around both our shoulders and began guiding us away from the training field.
“Perhaps nothing of importance is occurring now, but I would rather not take chances. Some dark elves have the power to look into people’s minds and see their memories. Do you have training to block that?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Precisely. Whether willingly or not, you could give away information that must be kept secret,” the tribal chief said, leading us down the dirt road.
I had no doubt we headed for the portal.
I really wished I could spend more time with my friend, but I couldn’t tell him what to do in his own territory.
Sariyah’s expression darkened. “My father hates the dark elves and would never help them.”
“That’s good to hear.” His gaze softened. “But I’m afraid that I can’t take chances with my people’s lives. If something happens to Commander Norvin, they may attempt to use you in some way, especially since you’re related to the king. Do your best to avoid drawing attention.”
“Maybe she should stay here,” I suggested, worried for my friend. He was right that a lot could go wrong with Sariyah staying at Tradain, and the dark elves had proven they wanted the royal family dead.
“No,” he said firmly. “She should remain close to her father. He will undoubtedly keep her well guarded, and we don’t want to draw attention to my people by hosting her here.”
My best friend’s face fell, and her eyes reflected the hurt. “You won’t protect me?”
“I must always put my tribe first.” He paused and gentled his tone, tracing a finger along her jaw. “It doesn’t mean I don’t care or want you safe. I’ll send word when you can come back, and if you’re truly in danger, we’ll see about you coming to stay on my lands, alright?”
She searched his gaze before finally nodding. “Okay.”
He gave her a tender kiss that had me looking away.
Sariyah told me a while back that they’d slept together, so things had progressed, but Orran was emphatic about taking things slowly.
Choosing her as his future wife was a big decision, and the rest of the tribe had to approve of the union.
She had to pass many tests, having only begun them so far.
After they broke apart, we continued our journey to the portal ring.
The tribal leader instructed Sariyah on what to do if the situation in Tradain became too dangerous for her, or if she heard anything significant.
It was about a fifteen-minute journey from the village, so we’d had time to talk along the way.
We hugged tightly before I channeled my power to send her home, gut clenching at the thought I might be sending her into danger.
How had so much changed in so little time?
After she was gone, Orran turned to me. “It’s good you didn’t mention the prince being here. I sent him inside the moment I received word that Sariyah had arrived, so thankfully, she didn’t see him.”
I hated all the secrecy but understood it. “When you mentioned mind-reading, I assumed I shouldn’t discuss the next in line to the throne being here.”
“Yes. She’s too far removed to be a real threat to the dark elves.
” He rubbed his face, showing a hint of the stress he must be experiencing, especially having to send her away.
“But I also have no doubt her father will make sure she’s safe if they are targeted.
Should I be wrong, I will reassess the matter after Prince Armin is safely in Veronna. ”
He was right that Commander Norvin would do anything to protect Sariyah. He doted on her in ways most wouldn’t expect from the stern Therressian military leader, but he’d loved his wife, and his daughter looked so much like her. I’d spent enough time around them growing up to know that much.
I drew a deep breath. “Let’s hope Darrow returns soon with the princess so we can get the royals to Darynia. That has to be the safest place for them.”
“Agreed.”