Onyx Blood [True North series book 2/3]
Chapter 13 - the Army

I nearly choked on my food. “Rip them to shreds?” I repeated in shock.

“Well, yes,” Warrian said helplessly, “most of us don’t eat them. But we do, you know, end them.”

I widened my eyes. “Most of you don’t eat them,” I mumbled, “some do, then?”

Warrian shrugged. “I guess? It’s just meat, at some point. It’s basically hunting. Didn’t you used to hunt?”

I quickly downed the rest of my water. “I did,” I squeaked, “animals, though. Not people.”

Warrian stuck both hands in the air. “Same difference,” he said.

“Not really!” I protested, “those are people, War, with lives, and families.”

“Hey, I don’t eat them,” Warrian said defensively, “plus, maybe whatever prey you hunted had families too.”

I swallowed thickly and looked at my plate. I suddenly didn’t feel hungry anymore.

“Suck it up, Eloweth,” Aricor said, “you better clear your plate. This is only the second out of five meals. You can’t give up yet. We need to get some meat on those bones.”

I reluctantly took another bite of my food.

“Anyway,” Warrian said, shifting uncomfortably, “we defend our borders against them. Ardanis hasn’t initiated any violence since way before I was born. I think the Queen made us a pretty peaceful Kingdom.”

“Good,” I said, and ate the rest of my meal in silence.

Once I had finished, I looked at Aricor, scared he was going to make me go out and exercise again. I could already feel my muscles start to stiffen up. Luckily, he had other ideas.

“Go take a bath,” Aricor said, as he got up, “I’ll send Maista to your room with some sort of healing herbal concoction to help with the soreness. I need you to be able to move again tomorrow.”

I grimaced at him. “Wonderful,” I said sarcastically, “I’m looking forward to getting my butt kicked again.”

Aricor flashed me a sly grin. “And I’m looking forward to do the kicking,” he chuckled.

“At least I’m not the one hurting myself,” I countered, and used the last of my powers to lift Aricor’s hand toward his face threateningly. It made him burst out in laughter, which sparked some more pride within me.

“Save your strength,” Aricor winked, and turned around. “I need to go see Thoridor. Go take that bath.”

I tried to get up too, but my muscles had already turned leaden. “He’s quite a cruel instructor, isn’t he?” I whispered to Warrian, as I made a futile attempt to push back my chair.

Warrian chuckled as he pulled me to my feet. “He’s the Royal Master of Arms,” he said, and there was an edge of awe to his tone, “you’re really quite lucky he’s willing to train you. His time is quite precious.”

I limped after him, wincing with every step I took. “Why do you think he’s willing to train me?” I asked, “I bet he has better things to do. And I also wager someone of lesser status would be able to do all the basic training with me.”

Warrian shrugged. “He might see something in you. The blood wielding — that’s pretty mesmerizing. He might wonder what else he can get you to do. Maybe he wants you to join the Royal Army. And besides, you’re good company.”

“Wait — go back,” I said, “join the Royal Army? You don’t actually think he expects me to do that, do you?”

Warrian apparently took pity on my limping, because he hooked his arm under my armpit and basically carried me the rest of the way.

“Why not?” he asked, “if you can expand your powers, you’d make for an excellent warrior.”

I swallowed. “Are there females in your army?” I asked slowly, as Warrian gently shifted my weight back to my feet when we got to my door.

“Of course,” Warrian replied, “why wouldn’t there be females?”

I shrugged. “There weren’t any in the human army, I think,” I said, “I don’t even know why.”

Warrian inclined his head in the direction of my bathing chamber. “Do you need help? With the bath, I mean?” he asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I couldn’t help but return it.

“I think I should be fine,” I said, “Maista should get here soon.”

Warrian raised an eyebrow. “You think you could lift the bottom of the tub in your state? You couldn’t even get off your chair. At least let me help you fill it. I’ll leave right after, I promise.”

“That would be pretty helpful, actually,” I admitted. Warrian marched into the bathing chambers, and moments later, the sound of water filling up the tub drifted into the room. He joined me in the doorway again.

“If you can’t drain the tub after you’re done, just leave it. I’ll come help you after dinner.”

I raised myself to my tiptoes, gritting my teeth through the pain that action caused, and kissed Warrian on his cheek.

“Thanks, War,” I said, and dropped back to my feet unceremoniously, bracing myself against the doorpost to accommodate the shooting pain in my calves.

“Am I interrupting something?” a voice sneered from the hallway. It was Maista, carrying a basket of flasks and bottles.

“Yes, actually,” Warrian said, challenging her.

“No,” I corrected Warrian, and sent him a warning look, “you aren’t. Thank you for coming by, Maista.”

Maista’s sharply pointed eyes narrowed into slits as they darted back and forth between Warrian and I.

“Does the Crown Prince know his mate kissing another male?” she said, her words dripping with disdain.

“I am my own person,” I fired back, “this so-called mating bond does not mean I am anyone’s property. But yes, in fact, he does know.”

I focussed on the sound in the back of my head, trying to pick up on Thoridor’s presence. It was silent, like it had been most of the time since I had talked to Thoridor in my head that first time.

I flung a thought his way, just to see what would happen. “Hi,” I thought. The humming immediately picked up, and then Thoridor responded.

“Hi, love” he replied, and I could tell he was smiling, “I’ve missed you.”

I swallowed, trying to ignore the effect his words had on me.

“Okay,” I replied, “you can go away again. I just wanted to try it out.”

I could hear Thoridor’s laugh echo through my mind. “Alright,” he said, “I’ll be here if you need me. Especially if you need help with that bath you’re about to t—”

“OUT!” I yelled at him, and Thoridor’s laughing slowly faded, until it seized completely, taking the humming with it.

My mind was my own again. I refocussed my eyes on Maista, who was staring at me like I had just turned into a frog.

“Thanks again, Maista,” I said, gesturing to her basket, “I assume these are for me?”

Maista nodded reluctantly and handed me the basket. “Add them in all at once,” she said, “and don’t leave the bath until the water has gone cold.” Then she turned on her heels, and strode away.

“I bet she added that last part just to get me to sit in a cold bath,” I whispered to Warrian.

“I wouldn’t put it beyond her,” Warrian whispered back, “but she’s the healer. Best listen to what she says. See you at dinner,” he said, and winked at me before leaving too.

I locked the door behind me, and limped toward the bath.

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