Page 101 of Ashes of Honor
I already knew I hit the bullseye. Of course I did. I was Reina Adelaide Moore. Honestly, the shocked mumbles and pangs of fear coming from the surrounding soldiers were a bit unnecessary. What’d they think I was gonna do, miss?
“Real guns?”
The question came from somewhere behind me. No way was I getting in his line. Alexiares was a nightmare when it came to teaching, well, among many other things, that made him scary.
Creaking wooden carts and the rhythmic clatter of shifting metal filled the air as a group rolled in crates brimming with weapons. Through the slats, I caught glimpses of polished steel and intricate carvings—Tomás’s unmistakable craftsmanship. He was a dang genius and there was a lot I could learn from him. The way his designs didn’t suffer from the beauty he etched along the sides. It all fed into magic enhancements that brought additional lethal components to play.Thosewere for later.
“Would you prefer us to assess you with water guns?” Alexiares’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Either set your piece up or get the fuck out of my line.”
Hard ass. I laughed quietly, slinging my bow over my shoulder and grabbing Hunter’s arm to pull him closer to the action. The distinct tang of iron and the earthy scent of sawdust surrounded us as we weaved through the gathered soldiers. Alexiares came into view, arms crossed as he stood there menacingly, Amaia at his side, face set with boredom.
“Then what?” his buddy asked, his tone teasing, but he kept his stare warily on Alexi. “Paintball style exercises?”
Amaia’s grin sharpened. She pushed off the fence of our little makeshift range with the easy grace of someone who had already won the argument before it started. Oh boy, I knew where this was going. Her agitation was evident from here, no magic necessary.
“They don’t say we got the best troops for nothing,” I stepped in, proud enough for us all. “Don’t worry though, the simulations don’t use weapons with lethal force but the weight and balance of it al?—”
The soldiers gave me a once over and turned toward each other with a burst of laughter. I scoffed, jaw on the groundas they brushed past me, talking like I wasn’t right there and couldn’t hear.
“Rude.” I shook my head. “Do you think it was the outfit?” I muttered to Hunter, re-tucking my tank top into my rolled-up shorts, focused on something that hardly mattered.
“I think it was a lot of things, Sis,” Hunter said with a light chuckle.
Amaia’s gaze shifted across the crowded field as she approached, sharp yet softened when it met mine. I loved seeing her this way. All in charge and stuff. ‘General mode’ in all her glory. Soldiers moved quickly when she passed, offering quick salutes or nodding in acknowledgment.
“Doesn’t matter what they think—half of them are still too scared to be on a squad with you after whatever the hell you pulled in the north. Besides, I can say with absolute confidence that you could outshoot them all. Speaking of which, still set on being a combat medic?” Amaia said, her voice steady, reassuring as the clattering of weaponry and the crackling magic continued behind us.
I shot a wary glance at Hunter, already bracing for his objection.
“Reina is an adult. She can assist where she pleases,” Amaia added before he could intervene over the sounds of magic and metal. The sharpwhooshof a magic-infused arrow hit its target behind her, the commotion making me feel small, not helped by the thud of boots stomping on the ground around us.
“She’s a healer, not a soldier.” Hunter’s voice cut through the noise, his tone firm. “Like hell she’s seeing any action that’s outside of a surgical tent.”
“I’ll go where I’m needed. Thank you very much,” I shot back, heat rising in my chest, though I knew better than to expect anything other than support from him. He may protest the hell out of a situation, but he’d never hold me back from doingsomething once I had my mind made up. Hunter had been my main advocate for leaving the ranch and going to college.
“She’s already seen combat. Why do you think she’s here?” Amaia said matter-of-factly.
Hunter snorted. “Emotional support.”
“Sexist much?” I shot him a glare.
The thrum of elemental power surged behind us. Air and earth elementals worked together, partnering up and calling on their power as they moved around rocks and earth from the ground, hovering them with trained efficiency.
“I’m your brother,” he said dismissively.
“That doesn’t make your statement any less shitty,” Amaia interjected, her eyes narrowing in amusement. She remained entirely unfazed as a wave of soldiers brushed against us in the process of changing stations.
“All I’m saying is, I mean it in an overprotective brother way not—” Hunter sighed, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “Ya know what? Screw it. What do you need from her, and how can I help her prepare?”
“Music to my ears,” I said, grinning as excitement bubbled up in my chest. Aerial drills began, sending gusts of wind swirling above our heads. My hair flew into my eyes, blinding me and catching in my mouth.
“Ramona isn’t here to train the cavalry since they’re needed on patrol now. That leaves Marco, Hayfield, and Wells to assess the othersandrun the exercises.”
“But they’re idiots,” I mumbled in confusion, still fussing with my hair.Okay, the Katniss braid was a bad call.
The three were good at doing their job, but their job was to follow orders, not instruct or call any fundamental shots. Certainly didn’t possess the brain power it took to help other riders figure out or overcome any hiccups.
“Exactly.” Amaia pursed her lips, a knowing glint in her eye.
