As if there had been time to eat anything between training with Tyr and getting her shoulder fixed.
Aya threw a biscuit at Tova, grinning as her friend shrieked.
‘She trains hard. You both do.’ Pa’s voice was filled with pride as he looked between the two friends. ‘The break for the festival will be nice.’
The Dawning marked a night of worship and celebration for everyone – farmers, weapon-makers, tradesmen, merchants, the nobility. The Royal Guard and the Dyminara.Some even traveled throughout Tala to reach the capital for the ceremonies that lasted until dawn.
Aya had been raised on stories of Evie’s sacrifice. Of how her parents, some of the worst of the Decachiré practitioners, had chased immortality: the truest sign of a god. They attempted to achieve it through a horrific ritual that sacrificed their mortal lives. Evie tried to put a stop to the ritual, but her parents died, and their power passed to their young daughter, making her the most powerful Visya to ever exist – the likes of which this realm had never seen before.
Years later, when the War reached its pinnacle and all seemed lost to the Decachiré, Evie, rumored to have power to rival the gods’, climbed to the tallest peak of the Mala range and managed to summon the veil.
She tore it open, calling in the gods to erase the Decachiré from the realm.
The effort killed her.
But the gods banished the Decachiré practitioners to the seven hells, and bound each Visya to a single affinity, so that none could use raw power to push the limitations of their wells again.
Before they retired to the Beyond, before they sealed the veil once more and vowed that the next time they were called to interfere, there would be no sparing the realm … they scattered the Visya across the lands and decreed none would rule again; only a human.
The Visya’s purpose would be to use their affinities in service of the gods and protection of the humans of the realm – the innocents, who had suffered in a conflict that was not their own.
Of course, the interpretations of such roles had evolved over the centuries and across the kingdoms. Many had long since abandoned the Old Customs of worshipping thegods, expanding the use of Visya affinity, especially in Trahir, where most Visya used their affinities not to protect and serve, but to enhance and prosper.
But Tala had held true to the gods’ intentions since the War. The Visya of her kingdom understood their power was a blessing from the gods. It was an honor to protect humans and serve their realm. And while not all Visya served in such a way – some were merchants, and Gale had even risen to a position of power in Tala Council – they were still the Original Kingdom. The birthplace of the Visya. They cherished the gods more than most.
Aya let out a long breath as she sat back in her chair. Festival aside, she wasn’t sure there’d be much of a break, especially if Will had his way.
Tova sighed dramatically, as if following her train of thought. ‘If we make it. With three more days of training, the issues with Trahir, and the demonstration at the school, I may die of exhaustion before then.’
The Dyminara were expected to visit the Visya school the next day to lead training exercises. As the strongest of the Visya, it was mostly so they could impart wisdom. But they’d also look for any standouts who might make a good addition to the elite force in the years to come.
‘Trouble with Trahir?’ Pa frowned.
‘It’s nothing, Pa,’ Aya said lightly, shooting Tova a look. Her friend knew better than to run her mouth.
Tova gave a slight shrug. Pa made it too easy to be comfortable.
‘Well, either way, a night of feasting and dancing will do you some good,’ Pa said, changing the subject. ‘It is deserved.’
Aya snorted. ‘Don’t encourage her to dance. You know what happened last time.’
Tova flipped her silvery hair over her shoulder and settledback behind her book. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘You nearly broke poor Nel’s foot.’ A flush crept up Tova’s cheeks. She raised the book even higher, hiding her face completely.
‘She had no rhythm. And that table was far too close to the square. Who puts wine near the activities, anyway? It’s hazardous.’
‘Hazardous to anyone who dances like you. That merchant’s wife screamed so loudly, I thought someone had died.’ The woman’s white dress had been doused in wine when Tova twirled Nel right into the refreshments. Needless to say, the dress was ruined.
Nel and Tova called things off shortly after – from Tova’s pride or Nel’s desire for a …calmerlife, Aya wasn’t entirely sure.
‘Should I warn poor Danté about what he’s in for?’
Tova had been flirting with the handsome young merchant for weeks. Aya knew she was coveting a dance or two with him this evening.
Or a victory romp of her own.
The book snapped shut. ‘I will burn you alive,’ Tova growled.
