Mathis is here, standing near one of the weapon racks, inspecting a sword. A wave of relief washes over me at the sight of him, and before I can second-guess myself, I walk over to him.
“Mathis!” I call out, my voice a mixture of surprise and relief, hoping it’s my friend Mathis and not Captain Corvane who’ll greet me.
He looks up, a smile spreading across his face as he sees me. “Eira,” he says warmly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here so soon. How was your first session with Rylan?”
I can’t help but grimace at the memory. “It was… difficult,” I admit, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “He’s not exactly the most patient teacher.”
Mathis chuckles, nodding in understanding. “Rylan’s methods can be a bit… intense. But he’s one of the best. The strongest magic wielder I’veevermet. If anyone can help you unlock your potential, it’s him.”
I shrug, not entirely convinced. “It doesn’t feel that way right now.”
“Give it time,” Mathis says, his tone reassuring. “You’ll get there.”
Before I can respond, a group of about fifteen people enters the room. They’re all dressed in training gear, their expressions serious as they assess the space and each other. I notice twofigures break away from the group and make their way toward us. One is a tall, muscular man with short-cropped hair and a stern expression. The other is a woman with a lean, athletic build, her eyes sharp, appraising.
The man speaks first. “I’m Master Kaelen, the weapons master here. And this is Chasina,” he nods toward the woman beside him, “our hand-to-hand combat expert. We are the senior trainers here at Aetherhold.”
Chasina steps forward, her gaze appraising as she looks me over. “You must be Eirabella,” she says, her tone neutral but with a hint of curiosity. “New to combat, I assume?”
I nod, feeling a little out of my depth. “Yes, this is all… new to me. I give a good headbutt, but that’s about it.”
Chasina smirks, a glint of something almost predatory in her eyes. “You won’t be saying that for long. I’ve already assured Prince Rylan.”
I glance at Mathis, hoping for some reassurance, but he’s just nodding. “Listen and learn from them, Eira,” he says with a wink, echoing Rylan’s earlier command.
My stomach drops at those words, but I nod, determined not to show any weakness. “What exactly do I need to learn combat for?” I ask, my tone a little sharper than intended. “I thought Keepers just used their Strengths.”
Mathis gives me a sympathetic look. “Do you know what a Keeper does, Eira? They’re the protectors of the realm, and that means being prepared for anything. Understanding combat and fighting is essential. You’ll learn about military strategy as well. It’s not just about wielding your element. It’s about using it effectively in battle, alongside traditional methods. Remember when you mentioned how you liked how we used our water and fire to fight in the woods? This is where you’ll learn it.” Then he adds, turning to Master Kaelen and Chasina,almost as an afterthought, “Also, Prince Rylan told me to tell you two: Don’t go easy on her. He’llknow.”
Chasina leads me over to an empty spot on the mat. “Your magic is a weapon, but so is your body. But you know what else your body is? It’s your weakness. If you can’t fight hand-to-hand and you ever get separated from your magic, you’re vulnerable. And out there, vulnerability and weakness can and will get you killed.”
The gravity of her words settles over me, and I nod, understanding a little more about why this training is necessary. “Oh, I know all too well about not having use of my magic. All right,” I say, rolling my shoulders. “Where do we start?”
The next houris a blur of movement, frustration, and pain. Chasina drills me on the fundamentals—how to stand, how to move, how to throw a punch without losing my balance. It’s all overwhelming, especially with the group of nearby, more experienced trainees watching, their eyes occasionally glancing my way with a mix of curiosity and judgement.
It becomes clear very quickly that I’m the least skilled person in the room. My movements are awkward, my strikes lack power, and I’m constantly losing my footing. Every time I make a mistake, Chasina is there with a sharp correction, her tone growing more impatient with each failure.
“Come on, Eirabella,” Chasina urges, her voice rising with impatience. “You need to hit harder than that. You’re holding back.”
“I’m not—” I start to protest, but she cuts me off with a swift kick to my ribs that sends me sprawling to the floor. The pain is sharp, instant, taking my breath away, and I curl up on the ground, clutching my side. The room spins around me, andfor a moment, I wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake accepting the king’s deal.
Chasina steps back, her expression unreadable. “Back on your feet. Lesson one: Pain is inevitable. It’s how you react to it that matters.”
I grit my teeth, forcing myself to my feet despite the throbbing pain in my side. “I never said I was in pain,” I manage, though I can’t hide the wince as I straighten up.
Chasina nods, a glimmer of respect in her eyes. “Good. Lesson two: never ever let your guard down. Again!”
I’m still holdingmy side, the hair in my braid trying to escape in every direction, when I step into the disciples’ quarters, grateful that I am just a few steps away from collapsing in the privacy of my room. My hand reaches for the handle when I hear a soft voice call my name.
I look up to see Queen Annalyne herself shuffling toward me, flanked by two of her ladies-in-waiting. “Eirabella,” she says again gently, her voice like a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “I’ve been told you’ve had quite the day.”
I nod, unsure of what to say, and manage a small curtsy, trying not to grimace from the pain. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
She smiles, reaching out to offer my arm a comforting pat. “You’re doing well, my dear. It’s not easy, what you’re going through, but I believe you’ll come out of it stronger.”
“You’re very kind, Your Majesty,” I reply, a burning in the back of my eyes, grateful for her kindness, even if I’m struggling to believe her words.
The queen’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before she nods to her ladies-in-waiting and begins to leave. Before I can disappear into my room, though, one of the women hangs back, her expression sharp and disdainful.
