Page 92 of Darkness Births the Stars #1
CHAPTER
Rada
T he handsome lines of Tristan’s face hardened with determination as he swung his sword in a graceful arc toward Noctis’s head, the blade a mere silver gleam in the air.
He was quick, I noted, having never seen him fight before.
Not that Noctis had any trouble countering his attack.
The way he didn’t even raise his own weapon held more than a hint of self-assured insolence.
With a swift sidestep, he rammed his shoulder into the young Human, his elbow crashing into Tristan’s extended arm, sending him sprawling across the training field as his sword skittered over the packed earth.
“Oh, that must have hurt,” a deep voice rumbled behind me as Tristan lay on the ground, not getting up at once.
Our first training session with the militia had drawn quite a crowd.
Not only had the Council of Elders insisted on attending, but Ulyss and Dolores had also followed us out to the cluster of barracks next to the river, accompanied by Kyree and Alona.
The young Drakuul girl had embraced me with a wide grin, while Kyree’s smile was taut, the healer painfully aware that my presence in Dalath was not under pleasant circumstances.
Still, all the spectators were a small price to pay for the ease with which Noctis and I had convinced the village elders that strengthening the militia and investigating the threat to Dalath’s safety was wiser than relying on help from Rasga.
With one notable exception. An amused smile tugged at my lips as I recalled the exasperation on Noctis’s face as Portia Sommerhalt had relentlessly critiqued every minute detail of his training methods, her thin lips pinched in disapproval.
It was rare that he encountered someone he could not charm effortlessly. Not that he bothered all that often.
Humiliating Portia’s son in training would surely not win him her favor. A frustrated flush colored Tristan’s cheeks as he struggled to his feet and fetched his sword, not for the first time.
“Damn, he is good,” Ursa remarked as she and Ria approached me.
The pair could not have been more different, the blonde Northerner towering over the slim half-Elf, who hailed from Laurelin Forest. I leaned casually against the stable wall, which bordered one side of the training space while the other opened up to the river, allowing a gentle breeze to cool the combatants.
Ursa’s blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced at me.
“And he’s quite the sight while crushing his enemies. Is he that fierce in every situation?”
I bit my lip, unable to mask my captivation as I watched Noctis in combat. His movements were filled with lethal grace, a barely contained violence that set my heart racing. “As I said, we are only friends.”
Ursa laughed, clearly not believing me. “Now, no need to be shy with us.” Her large hand landed on my shoulder in a hearty clap. “I mean, good for you, girl. You’ve been living alone on that farm for far too long.”
“Speaking of the farm…” Adesh joined our conversation, his face twitching with empathy as Tristan hit the ground once more, although this time he managed to hold on to his weapon.
“Ursa and Ri a, after training, you are going to ride over and take the grain the mayor bought with you. You have the first round.”
I tensed as Noctis and Tristan squared off again in the middle of the open space.
“This is not a game, Sommerhalt,” Noctis said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
“Could you at least pretend you are trying to hurt me?” My decision to let him test our recruits while I observed their skills might not have been as wise as I had thought.
I had clearly overestimated his willingness to keep things impersonal.
“Really, Commander? We have to go to the farm?” Ria grumbled beside me, leaning forward to catch Adesh’s eye. “I want to fight. I wouldn’t mind the chance to shove my sword up those beasts’—”
“Hush, love.” Ursa gently pulled her back with an indulgent smile. “Our time to fight will come soon enough.”
“I fear that’s true.” My tone was somber as I pushed off the wall, deciding it was time to intervene. “Let’s hope we get a few more days to train before the next attack.”
I had agreed with the mayor and Adesh that our best strategy for now was to increase patrols in the area and ask around if anyone had noticed something suspicious.
While most local farms were as remote as mine, people tended to come to the village at least once every moon.
A horde of Rakash accompanied by one or more strangers could not simply vanish without a trace.
My gaze wandered to the dark sky over Milford Ridge. Briseis had not arrived yet, and I couldn’t suppress a surge of worry. It was unlike her to miss the farmer’s market, especially after we had agreed to meet in the village.
Before I could interrupt Noctis and Tristan’s latest round, Portia Sommerhalt’s sharp voice cut through the air. “I fail to see what us watching you defeat every single opponent is supposed to accomplish. Should you not teach them to become better fighters? ”
Inna Farrows, the baker, nodded in agreement, and I noticed several other elders cast questioning glances at the mayor. My jaw tightened. Trust Portia to sow discord within the Council.
Noctis drove the tip of his sword into the ground and leaned on the hilt, seemingly unruffled by the comment.
“It allows Rada and me to assess the skill level of every fighter,” he replied calmly, his head tilted as he regarded the Sommerhalt matriarch.
“And then decide who needs the most attention. So I fear, if you have come here to watch some impressive battle skills, you will be disappointed.”
“How long did you say you served in the armies of Order?” Theron, the miller, interjected. “You seem quite young for someone with this level of skill.”
A twinge of unease coursed through me. Some of the older citizens of Dalath, like Theron, had fought in the war themselves. Noctis would have to tread carefully.
“Sometimes it feels as if battle has been my entire existence. After a while, there is only the fight, the struggle to survive just one more day. I learned because I had to, because weakness meant death.”
I needn’t have worried. The way Noctis’s eyes grew cold and inscrutable as he lifted his sword once more effectively silenced all further questions.
Only Portia seemed discontent, a frown on her face as she pressed on.
“Being a skilled fighter does not equate to being a competent protector. We have already lost some of our own to this mysterious threat, so forgive me if I don’t trust the word of a stranger to ensure the safety of this village and its citizens. ”
Mayor Brim cleared his throat, attempting to defuse the tension. “Now, dear Portia, you surely do not want to question Rada’s dedication to Dalath’s safety. ”
That sharp gaze immediately shot to me. “Oh, no, of course not. We all know how enthusiastic our Rada is in applying her skills and attention to the wellbeing of Dalath’s citizens.
” Portia’s thin-lipped smile held no warmth.
She motioned at me and Noctis. “Perhaps the two of you should give us a little demonstration?” She threw a cold look at Noctis.
“I’m sure at least she is able to match your skills. ”
I could guess why Portia was suggesting this. After seeing Noctis fight, she was sure he would best me, and it was in her petty nature to take pleasure in my defeat.
Noctis tried to dismiss the suggestion at once, gesturing to my skirt. “I don’t think Rada is dressed adequately for a fight with me.”
I had dressed with more care than usual this morning, knowing I had to speak in front of the Council and that some of its members took note of such things.
Still, there had been enough moments in my existence when I had been forced into battle without the luxury of changing my attire beforehand.
And Noctis had had enough fun on the training grounds without anyone truly challenging him.
A playful smile tugged at my lips as I stepped into the training space. “I can still kick your ass.” Dark eyes locked onto mine, a flash of surprise quickly replaced by a wild, eager gleam. “Even in a skirt.”
“Is that so?” Noctis did not try to dissuade me, the smirk he threw at me frustratingly self-assured. “I distinctively remember more than one time when I bested you.”
I bared my teeth in a grin, not hiding the thrill rushing through my veins. It had been ages since we had last sparred together, and a reckless part of me burned to do so again. “Maybe I went easy on you in the past,” I taunted.
The look on his face would have sent me scurrying away if I had even a shred of self-preservation. Instead, giddy excitement coursed through me. “Get your weapon,” he growled. Ursa tossed me my spear, and I caught it with ease, the wooden shaft smooth and familiar in my hands.
The entire courtyard fell silent at the sudden tension between Noctis and me, all eyes on us. Even Alona, who had been idly playing with her stone, the bright lapis lazuli catching the sunlight in dazzling sparkles, sat up on her perch next to Kyree.
“You’re ready?” Noctis asked, moving into a fighting stance, his broadsword raised.
“Always.”
The word was barely out of my mouth before I sprang into action, the tip of my spear slicing through the air toward his head.
At the last moment, I shifted my aim, redirecting my thrust toward his legs.
He countered just in time, but I had anticipated it, already twisting to the side, my weapon a blur as I whirled past him.
Once again, he managed to block me, steel clashing with steel in a sharp, resonating clang.
I jumped back at once, disengaging. I had to rely on my speed to outmaneuver him since he was physically stronger.