Lex chuckled under her breath. “Come on. You’ll both make me late for my fight.”
The stadium was high on the cliff east of their castle. The road around the castle walls was steep. Dreamers and Belwarks both made the trek up the path and filled the great seats. Aydra and Nyssa entered the stadium to their platform. The crowd gave a great cheer upon their entering. A few of the Village Nobles had made the journey, each giving bows and widened eyes upon seeing the pair reach where they would stand. Shortly behind them approached Rhaif and Dorian. A wide smile was spread on Dorian’s face as he waved at the jeering people, as the day was for him, after all.
Aydra swore he was getting taller by the day.
She turned her attention to Lex standing at her side, watching her Second as she examined her sword in the bright glint of sunlight coming down on them.
“Are you sure about this?” Aydra asked her.
Lex whirled her sword in her hand, staring out at the coliseum. “Looks like a good day to slit kneecaps, don’t you think?” she answered with a coy brow.
A deep breath entered Aydra’s lungs, and she nodded. “Yes it does.” She gave her Second a deliberate once over, allowing a smile to rise on her lips. “Show them the ferocity they’ll need to be worthy of the Second Sun position.”
Lex winked at Aydra one last time before turning on her heel and going back down the steps towards the tunnel entrance.
The words Rhaif spoke as he announced the trials, Aydra barely heard. Her raven landed on her shoulder, Nyssa’s eagle on the banister. The crowd cheered upon his announcing Lex as the champion volunteer. Her reputation preceded her, and Aydra’s chest swelled with pride.
Dorian’s figure came to stand beside she and Nyssa, and Dorian pressed a goblet of wine into her hands. Aydra glanced sideways at him. She noticed how calm he seemed, the cool of his white blue gaze staring at the rumble of people around them, smile spread over his growing features.
“For someone who’s Second is being chosen, you certainly are calm,” Aydra muttered to Dorian.
“It’s Corbin,” Dorian muttered as he pressed the goblet to his lips.
Aydra felt her brows narrow. “Come again?”
“Discussed it with Lex yesterday,” he answered. “I want Corbin. He’s of your company and not Rhaif’s. He’s trained beneath Lex on more than one occasion. He’s bold, brave, loyal…” He paused a moment, the pair watching the Belwarks warm up and stretch around Lex below them. “These trials are simply a formality on this round. Something to keep the people entertained.”
Aydra’s weight shifted as she stared at her younger brother. “Why are you growing up so quickly?” she mused.
Dorian smiled a crooked smirk at her. “Tell me, sister… why did your lover run off so hastily last he was here? Did you scare him?”
Aydra’s core froze at the mention of it, but she tried to brush it off. “You know me. Scaring is what I do best,” she managed.
The horns blew, and Aydra felt her weight shift. Lex crouched in the middle of the Belwark circle, eyes darting around her as she dared each of them to storm at her.
“Are you nervous?” Nyssa asked her.
“About Lex fighting? No,” Aydra said fast.
Nyssa raised a brow up at her. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“Shut up,” Aydra grumbled. “As are you.” She pushed her arms behind her back pointedly and watched Lex as she moved, knees bent, sword drawn. “Pay attention to how Lex remembers where each of them are at all times,” she told Nyssa. “She’s no powers of an eagle or otherwise to tell her where her enemy is approaching from. She must use her senses. Whenyoufight, you’ll have your eagle—” Aydra reached a finger up to her raven, giving it a scratch under its neck “—she will watch out for you, let you know from what side your enemy is approaching.”
The fight began, and the shouts of the Belwarks echoed in the air.
Swords clashed. Some fought with each other, each of them charging at Lex on their own time. Lex was fast. She dodged and moved from their advances, bouncing around them and then running at the ones who annoyed her with sweeping glances.
“Do they ever use bows in Belwark trials?” Nyssa asked.
“I’ve never seen it,” Aydra answered. “How are you doing with your training?” she asked, having been absent from her sessions since before the last meeting due to helping Lex prepare for the trials.
“Fantastic,” Dorian said from the other side of her. He beamed around Aydra at his sister, and Nyssa shook her head at his proud face. Aydra smiled at the tug Nyssa had on her lips, biting back the grin that threatened her lips.
“He’s exaggerating as usual,” Nyssa argued.
“She’s being modest,” Dorian muttered. “Should have seen her yesterday on the cliffs. Firing arrows three at a time now.”
Aydra’s smile widened at her sister. “Perhaps I’ll join you tomorrow. See how much your brother is truly exaggerating.”
