“So, what can I expect from the next trial?” The men snicker under their breath.
“Iza and Lilah are taking care of it.” Caelan laughs under his breath, “Misneach,help you, boy.”
I don’t know much about Iza or Lilah, other than the stone faces they wear when they see me, like I am unwanted vermin, a blight in their otherwise pleasant day. The other men laugh along with Caelan, so maybe it’s not just me, maybe that’s just how they look at everyone, like we are the scum beneath their polished boots.Either way, I dread to think of what horrors they are planning.
“Tomorrow morning, you’re going to meet this sorry lot at the training field. See if you can handle a weapon.”
My eyes perk up, and excitement must read all over my face, because Caelan holds up his palm at me.
“Before you get too excited, you’ll be using baby weapons: wooden swords, arrows with dull points, you get the idea. Don’t want you maiming someone too soon.”
I barely hear a word Caelan says.
My thoughts race, deciding which weapon I want to try first.
The next morning, I wake up before the sun, the anticipation left me with an unsettled night. Yawning, I skulk down to the mess hut, but I am up so early that the doors are firmly closed. Even the birds are still asleep.I wander around instead, always hoping to find a secret exit, but finding none.
From my perch high up on the mountainside, I absorb the immense size of the valley below, cradled in the crescent-shaped mountains with a large lake at the horns. The only way in iseither through the pass, which is invisible, or by boat across the lake, which would be seen long before an ambush could take place; thanks to the sentries vigilantly watching overhead.
Last night, Caelan told me a little about the security measures in place that keep everyone in Nu’cov safe. The sentries on the mountain tops have eagle sight, thanks to a magical element embedded within gold rings, containing a purple amethyst. A gift from a priest who resided in this hamlet for a short time.
Each ring provides its wearer with excellent vision, allowing them to see further than normal human eyes. Giving them the ability to see fully in the dark, the same as they would during the day.
Between the lake and the village is a sporadically dotted tree line before being swallowed up by a dense forest of pine trees. The path towards the village is hidden, unless you know where to look. But even if you happen to stumble upon the obscured gap in the trees, you have to make your way through a maze of twists and turns, most likely, you’ll find yourself kicked back out to the lake.
How long would it take me to figure out the route through the forest? If I ask around, folk will get suspicious. Caelan has thought of everything when it comes to the safety of his village, keeping all the Unbound safe. It seems he truly has their best interests at heart.
The early morning sun peeks its head over the horizon, and its glowing crown sends streaks of light over the sleeping village. Farmers begin tending to their daily tasks, nursing their crops and livestock. The chickens, hearing the crunch beneath the farmer's feet, creep out of their pens as their food is scattered to the ground.
I never noticed the beauty of the valley on my tour yesterday, I was too busy taking in the variety of inhabitants that lived within the safety of the village and mountain cover:humans, elves, dwarves—although they often stayed within their mountain tunnels—and wood nymphs.
Arel swears there is a species here which I have yet to encounter or hear from other folk. Sytha, a being similar to water nymphs, where both can reside on land or deep under the watery depths. The difference is that they aren’t limited to one type of water but can roam freely in fresh and salt water.
According to Arel, they are known to be petite and beautiful. The most beautiful creatures said to walk this plane. Their skin glows a metallic green-purple sheen, any man who beholds them is entranced and will leave their spouses to get to the Sytha.
But growing up on tales of mythical creatures, this is one I have never heard of. But I am smart enough not to air my mistrusting views. Just in case.
The village hums below as folk begin to waken from their slumber, heading to their jobs, some making their way to the training field. Excitement soars through my veins as I rush down the hill to join them.
Arel and Kaleb wait for me at the entrance to the field, watching someone pivoting around with two large daggers in careful, graceful movements. Much like a dance, luring his enemies with his fluid motions. My head sways and bobs in time with the silent music he is fighting to.
A swoosh beside my ear snaps me out of my trance, turning, I see the glint of steel lodged in the wooden post beside my head. Missing me by an inch.
“What the…” A bead of sweat drips down my face, wildly eyeing the dagger jammed hard into the wood.
Ronan scoffs, arms folded across his chest. “Distractions will get you killed.”
I’m glued to the spot as Ronan stomps over, yanking his weapon from the wood, spinning it in his hand, and sheathing it in one quick motion.
Arel whispers to me, “He does that to us all, hates the attention.” I try to force out a laugh, but no sound comes out, my heart is wedged in my throat. I use my sleeve to wipe away the beads of sweat from my forehead. “Come on, time for laps. Let’s see how fit you think you are.”
My legs ache from running around the valley four times. Six damn miles, at least. If that wasn’t bad enough, it wasn’t just a straight line or a nice gentle path around. No. There were hills and sharp turns, weaving in and out of jaggy bushes.
I can’t believe how out of shape I am. Panting and gasping for breath, I stumble during the third lap. Arel helps me up and bears some of my weight for the remainder of the lap. The second I arrive back in the training field, my knees buckle, and I lie on my back trying to steady my wheezing breath. Staring at the sky, I wonder why there are stars out during the day.
Jumping out of my skin, an ice-cold bucket of water is dumped on top of me, my clothes now clinging to my skin. Kaleb grins, holding the bucket.
I peel my top off. “You… son… of a…” My teeth chatter so much I can’t finish my sentence.