Vera chuckles. “I can see why you might think that. I like to think of him as eccentric.”
“Here we go! Got a little bit of everything I can get my hands on.” Jax plops a huge tray overflowing with food on the table in front of us. He takes a seat and exhales dramatically. “The crowds are crazy.”
I take a grilled tempeh steak and sink my teeth into the juicy flesh. Vera picks at the vegetables, and Jax stuffs his face with sweet and savory food all at the same time. When I grimace at that, he only laughs.
“Heavenly combination, Phoenix darling,” he says, licking his fingers clean. “Care to try it?”
“I’d rather not. Sounds like a recipe for diarrhea.” Vera and Jax both bark a laugh. I turn to Vera. “Noire served as the General’s second.” She nods. “And now he serves as the temporary Ezkai General for the duration of the trials.” Another nod. “Why hasn’t he entered the trials himself? Being the General’s second makes him the most qualified person, no?”
Vera smiles, but it’s a sad smile. “Noire is more than qualified to serve as the Ezkai General. He’s been a Taaslord for three generals. But he never had this ambition, to be the EzkaiGeneral. He’s not a warlord. His strength lies in his role as an advisor.”
“It’s rare for men to know their limits, and true callings,” Jax says. “Not many are able to put their egos aside and not be tempted by such power when it’s so readily available to them.”
“Indeed.” There’s passion in Vera’s dark eyes. “That’s what makes Noire who he is. An exceptional, fair, and honorable Ezkai. The most valuable asset the Order has.”
I mull over her words while I eat.
“I’m stuffed,” Jax says, patting his stomach. “Jaakii has the best street food.”
“We do know how to eat,” Vera says. “Should we get some spiced plum cider before we check out the games?”
“I won’t say no to that,” I say and Jax nods.
We’re on our feet, and back in the crowd once again. As we look for the spiced cider stall, we stay together, shoulder to shoulder. I must admit, it’s nice. To be part of a group again. It’s almost like…being part of a family, even if we’re not blood-related.
During my time at the Ezkai Academy, I struggled a lot to fit in. Even as an Ezkai, it wasn’t like I was accepted with open arms by all my unit soldiers. With Vera and Jax, there’s no struggle.
After a little mingling, we find the stall and get three cups of spiced plum cider. It’s warm and smells of nutmeg, cloves, and a plum orchard in the fall.
We walk around the fair, enjoying the frenzy of celebration around us and the drink. My belly is full and warm, which makes me feel sleepy. That is, until we come across the game fair and I see archery targets lined up against the wall.
My feet take me there before I realize what I’m doing. Vera and Jax follow me. In front of the targets stand people. One has an apple on their head, while the other balances a whole-asspumpkin. I snort. Balancing that on the crown of their head is an art form itself.
The archers are lined up three yards away from their targets, bows in hand. One shoots the arrow and it lands right above the pumpkin.
“Almost! Better luck next time, buddy,” a game master says to the man as he ushers him away so another can take his space.
Vera and Jax are behind me, and before I even realize it, I’m standing in line waiting for my turn. It doesn’t last long, though. The moment the game master notices me, his eyes widen a fraction. He says something to his assistant in a hushed tone and then gestures for people in front of me in line to move.
They part, making way for us, and the game master bows at his waist.
“Welcome, Ezkai Phoenix, the honorable champion ofVal’taz Ezkairin,” he says. He gestures at the marked spot on the pavement. “We’re honored to have your interest. Please, go ahead. Allow us see what you’re made from, bless us with your gifts, and appease the spirits of the gods.”
I glance back at Vera, unsure whether he’s mocking me or if the game master is serious. She nods and jerks her chin towards the targets.
Okay, then.
All eyes are on me, burning with curiosity. I murmur my thanks to the game master and his assistant when he hands me the bow. The white chalk X under my feet is bright. Getting into the position feels as natural as breathing.
So does lifting my arms and drawing the string of the bow.
One breath, and the whole world stills around me. The noise of the celebration floats far away from me. My gaze narrows in on the target in front of me: a young, tall man with a large, round pumpkin on top of his head.
My breath travels through my bloodstream; I sense it in every single cell of my being. It’s the most serene state, that split second before I let the arrow go. It whizzes through the air faster than the eye can see and lands right in the middle of the pumpkin.
The crowd cheers, startling me. I blink and look around. A rather large crowd is gathered to watch me.
“Next!” the game master orders and the young man exchanges the pumpkin for a smaller round melon with deep red stripes.
