The setting sun warmed my face, and I tried to focus only on that feeling to clear my mind. Lately, the only time I felt at peace was when I physically or mentally exerted myself. Resting was no longer a solace. My mind raced during the quiet moments, diving deeper and deeper into the worries brewing within. Over and over, I replayed the scenarios of my approaching escape.
I also thought of Erik, wondering why he had not yet made time to see me. Those thoughts had me feeling foolish. I was a prisoner. Why would he make time for me when he had more important things to do?
Iver’s comment the other day perhaps caused me the most unease when he casually stated that one did not need to be a Seer to know that I would soon be free of the Lysians. Though he had never mentioned it again, I was terrified to ask him what he meantby it. I could not shake the feeling that he somehow knew what I was planning.
Eislyn picked up one of the staffs, absentmindedly balancing it horizontally on one of her fingers while observing the view. “You have done well with training.” She turned to me while keeping the staff balanced.
I scoffed. “Yeah, sure.”
“You disagree?” She let the weapon roll off her finger and fall to the ground.
“Lysians have no weaknesses,” I pointed out.
“That isn’t true.” She smirked and asked, “In a fight of a Bavadrin against a Lysian, who would win?”
“C’mon.” I did not answer, for it was apparent.
“What? Not sure?” Her voice then got louder. “What do you think Iver?”
Surprised, I turned and found the prince stepping out from behind the building.
“You’re getting good at that, Eislyn.” He smiled, joining us, though he remained standing and leaned against the building while we sat. Eyes that now seemed even more clever than before viewed me from where he stood.
Did he know I did not intend to return from this next trip home?
It was impossible, unless he was also a Seer?
“Well?” Eislyn turned to him. “Lysian or Bavadrin?”
“Lysian,” he answered.
“Clearly,” I commented, rolling my eyes while trying to get the thoughts of Iver being a Seer out of my head.
“It’s to your advantage that everyone thinks this.” Eislyn smirked.
“How so?”
“Who has more to lose?” she pointed out.
“The loss would be the same for either side,” I answered. Whoever lost would do so with their lives. The cost was the same.
Iver joined in to help lead me to the answer they both wished for me to find. “Sure, but who truly has more to lose? Think of who everyone expects to win . . .” He laughed when he saw the look of confusion on my face. “You have more to lose, and so in a fight, you will invest everything you have. A Lysian fighting you will never truly give it their all, and that gives you a chance.Youwould fight like your life depends on it while the Lysian may get distracted, arrogant even, and make a fatal error.”
“A Bavadrin’s only hope is to fight a Lysian that is too cocky and thus makes some sort of fatal error.” I couldn’t believe that this was his logic.
“It would be a benefit, would it not?” He arched a brow. “As long as neither has conjuring capabilities.”
“So basically, I would only stand a chance if fighting you?” I said, trying to present a casual demeanor while within I feared the things he may know. Iver snorted, and I added, “It would be better to not rely on an opponent’s error.”
“Well, life is not fair.” He then turned to Eislyn. “Is it?”
“I’m not in the mood, Iver.” Eislyn’s voice was indifferent; however, her gaze turned cold as it cut toward him.
“Tell me, is it pleasure or pain that stimulates your mood this evening?” Unfortunately, he did not seem to care enough to heed her warning. I was thankful that she took his attention away from me. Even as the air around us turned cold and heavy with tension.
“Go away before you regret coming here,” Eislyn replied curtly.
Iver viewed me. “You appear confused. Do you not know the history yet?”
