Merrick gave a taunting smile. “Well, hate to disappoint, Princess. Nothing like that around here.”
She glared at him as his dark eyes swirled, and a smirk appeared on his face. She huffed and looked away.
Immeron gave an awkward nod, then headed back to his family, his adult children now walking toward my people.
After a moment of silence, I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I thought that maybe we could…train together while we are here.”
Everyone looked at me like I was nuts. I crossed my arms and stood up straight. “I’ve taught what I know about weapon combat to my friends, but I’m sure there’s still a lot we could improve on.” I met Silas’s eyes and then looked around the group. “And I figure we could teach you about magic. Not how to use it, obviously, but ways to avoid moves that can be deadly if struck with them.”
The group remained silent, exchanging glances with one another.
“It’s the only productive thing I can imagine us doing during our stay. By all means if someone can think of something better, let’s hear,” I said with my hands up.
“Very well,” Silas agreed. “We start tomorrow.”
Before Immeron and his family were to begin on our weapons, clothing, and Edmund’s leg, I asked nervously about any food they had on the mountain. Because of Ayla’s ability to control the weather, it was perfect up here for growing fruits and vegetables. Their sons and their wives were hard at work cooking up a large stew everyone could enjoy later while my people snacked on fresh fruit from their trees. Apples, bananas, dates—all different types spread across the mountain, with different climates accommodating them. It was truly remarkable. Silas handed a pouch of gold to Ayla, whose eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sight of it. While this place was well equipped to self-sustain, the near hundreds of us were not anticipated. The men were to venture tomorrow to the markets in Forsmont to see what they could bring back.
I wanted to bathe, as I’m sure the rest of my group did as well, but after two days on the road, all I wished to do was sleep. While the ground here was no more comfortable than the ground anywhere else, the comfort of having my people safe, my mother nearby, and even Silas here allowed me to drift into a deep sleep.
Chapter Forty-Nine
“IguessI’llsitthisone out,” Edmund mumbled as Silas lowered him on a boulder nearby.
Once morning came, and we filled ourselves with fruit once more, our little group decided to venture off to train. Erabella wasn’t pleased, and while I wished to lounge around as well, training would do us some good.
The sky was light blue, the morning air slightly crisp. A handful of my people were awake when we walked off, but most on the mountain were still asleep.
“I figure each of the Mages partner up with one of…you,” I said awkwardly.
“Ouch,” Roland teased with a hand over his heart.
I gave him an eye roll.
“I’ll take the Princess,” Merrick said, and I whirled to find him smirking at Erabella.
Her eyes widened at first, and I swear she blushed, but that was quickly replaced by a grimace as she crossed her arms. Before she could respond, I spoke. “Elowen with Hendry.” I glanced over to Viola.
I can either put her with Silas and risk her ripping his head off, orIcould go with him and be very uncomfortable.
I glanced over to Roland.
That wouldalsobe uncomfortable.
I heaved a sigh. “Viola, you go with the Prince, and please, don’t hurt him.”
Silas frowned, and Viola scoffed, but I could tell she was holding back a smile. She would enjoy an opportunity to rough him up.
Roland gave me a sideways smile. “I should’ve known you would pick me, Ginger Snap.”
I let out a dry laugh. “You won’t have that look on your face in a few moments,” I threatened.
I could feel Silas’s gaze, but when I turned to him, he looked away.
“So…” Elowen drawled. “How do we go about this?”
“I figure we learn first, get better at weapon wielding and blocking.”
“Uh, one problem,” Erabella interrupted with a raised hand. “I don’t know much about fighting.”
