Page 20 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong (Lost Arts #2)

Chapter Nine

A fter breakfast, Perian headed to the Warriors’ training yard out of habit and boredom more than a belief that he was going to be allowed to practice.

Sure enough, Onadal took one look at him and pointed to the sidelines.

“You may watch to your heart’s content. I see you with a weapon or grappling with someone, and you’re going to regret it. So will they. Understood?”

“Yes, Captain.”

That was really quite clear.

But still, it wasn’t a hardship to sit and watch strong, pretty people fighting.

Mid-morning, he was joined by Bennan.

“How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good,” Perian answered. “Thanks again for your help yesterday. I’m not sure I would have made it to the doctor on my own.”

“You’re very welcome.” Bennan flashed a devastating smile. He really was stupidly attractive. “She gave you a good prognosis?”

“Yup. Checking in tomorrow, and no redness or heat or fever or dizziness that could all be signs of infection. I think it might just take a while to heal, unfortunately. She said the knife hit bone.”

His lips tightened, and he said firmly, “I’m glad he’s gone.”

“Me too,” Perian admitted quietly, and then: “It seems like so much unnecessary dislike. I mean, I’m not demanding that everyone like me, but he didn’t seem to have a good reason, you know?”

“Definitely not a good reason,” Bennan agreed firmly. “I mean, even if you do strongly dislike a person, do you go around trying to stab them with a knife?”

This made Perian laugh. “No, that’s true.

It just… sometimes it feels like there must be something, you know?

To cause that sort of reaction. But I reminded Brannal the other day that no matter what the provocation was, each person is ultimately responsible for their own actions.

As you said, even if I had a good reason to stab someone, the only person who actually chooses to do it—or not—is me. ”

Bennan nudged him, pressing their bodies together in a moment of camaraderie.

“Exactly,” he said firmly. “I’m glad you’re here, and I’m not the only one.”

Perian couldn’t help but point out, “He probably wasn’t the only one who wishes I weren’t.”

Bennan shrugged. “Also probably true. But they’ve learned what happens if they attack someone without provocation, claiming it to be training or not.

And that doesn’t just benefit you, that benefits everyone who might turn into one of their targets.

That sort of behavior is not all right, and it needs to be stopped. ”

Perian blew out a breath. “You’re really kind of awesome.”

They didn’t know one another that well, but Bennan had still taken the time to come check on him and reassure him.

Bennan grinned at him. “Thank you.”

“Bennan,” Onadal called, “are you finished flirting or do you need another minute?”

They both laughed.

“Oops, duty calls,” Bennan said with another ready grin, rising to his feet. “I’ll see you later.”

Perian nodded and watched Bennan jog off. (The view from behind was as good as the view from up front. Perian could honestly not decide which was better. )

He realized he wasn’t the only one staring when he raised his gaze from his blatant appreciation of the other man’s ass and saw that someone across the training yard was staring exactly where Perian had been.

He eyed the man, who immediately averted his gaze once he realized he was being observed. Hmm.

Over the rest of the morning, Perian kept an eye on the man.

He was big, bigger than Bennan, bigger than Brannal or Arvus, even, but his demeanor was entirely different.

He had lots of freckles and a shock of bright red hair—even brighter than Cormal’s—but he acted like he wished he could disappear into the background.

Now that Perian was looking, he could see the man’s eyes strayed to Bennan a lot .

Even more interesting, Bennan’s eyes strayed back a little more frequently than Perian would consider natural.

He wasn’t positive until he watched what he was certain was a gratuitous removal of Bennan’s leather armor, tunic, and then shirt.

(Perian considered himself a very good friend.

Instead of ogling as much as he very much wanted to, he looked to see how others were reacting instead.) The shy redhead’s mouth actually hung open for a second—but by the time Bennan got the shirt all the way off and could see again, the other man was looking elsewhere.

There was definitely a lingering glance from Bennan to see if he’d been watched.

And then, of course, he noticed that Perian had noticed and sent him a wink.

Which, naturally, the redhead saw, and then he was suddenly very busy going about his business.

Oh, no, that wouldn’t do at all. Perian was going to have to try to fix this.

He didn’t know how yet, but he’d figure something out. He’d have time, because Onadal had already told him he was out of practice until his arm healed.

“But surely I can—” Perian had tried to protest.

Onadal shot him an unimpressed look. “What do you think Summus is going to do to me when he finds out you were hurt?”

Perian eyed the man. “Absolutely nothing because I am perfectly fine, you’ve dealt with the situation, and I would stop him—verbally, obviously—if he tried anything?”

Onadal smiled faintly. “And if you got injured again because I let you start training before you were all healed?”

Perian made a face and sighed. “Sorry, nice knowing you, I’ll come to your funeral?”

Onadal snorted. “Exactly. We’ll let him find you in one piece when he gets back and then see about more training, all right?”

Perian had to concede that made sense—for the safety of both of them, really.

“However,” Onadal continued, “it’s been brought to my attention that not everyone here has gotten the chance to know you. I think it would be beneficial if we improved those connections. What would you say to having dinner in the dining hall with us tonight?”

“Oh,” Perian said, a bit surprised. “That’s a good idea, thank you. But I’m already engaged to have dinner with Arvus and Molun tonight.”

“Bring them along, if you like. Everyone is welcome.” Onadal shrugged. “Or tomorrow. It’s a standing invitation. I don’t think it’s been entirely clear that you’re welcome. You are.”

“Thank you,” Perian repeated. “That means a lot. I’d like to get to know people better.”

Onadal nodded. “I’ll hope to see you later.”

Filled with renewed purpose and feeling weirdly happy, Perian headed back to Brannal’s rooms to grab the picnic blankets.

Despite the attack yesterday, it seemed like maybe some good had come of it.

Everything had started thanks to Brannal, but maybe some of Perian’s connections were becoming more independent.

Even with the injured arm, it was the regular routine to get the picnic basket and make his way out to the garden. Molun was one of the ones guarding Renny again.

Was there always a Water Mage guarding her because wraiths had been the ones to attack the castle and kill and injure so many people six years ago?

The fear that something terrible could happen was hard to completely eliminate. He felt the same way about Brannal being gone.

Molun eyed him carefully. “No new injuries?”

Perian shook his head, his smile rueful. “No training, just happy ogling. Onadal rightly pointed out what Brannal would be like if I got hurt more .”

Molun snorted. “Yeah, have you ever seen a Mage Warrior on a rampage? Not pretty.”

The Warrior with him, a statuesque brunette, stifled a laugh. Perian was probably ruining Brannal’s image. Oh, well.

“So, no new training for me,” Perian said with a shrug, “but I’m still allowed to go watch and see if I pick up tips that way.”

Molun shot him a look that said he wasn’t fooled. “Oh, is it tips that you’re trying to pick up there?”

The Warrior gave in and laughed. Perian grinned at her .

“That reminds me. Onadal invited me to communal dinner today. Did you and Arvus want to come with me, or should I accept for tomorrow instead?”

“Tonight’s good,” Molun told him. “I mean, I’ll check with Arvus later, but I’m sure it’s fine. We’ll meet you in Brannal’s rooms, all right?”

Perian nodded. “Sounds great. See you in a bit.”

And smiling at both of them, Perian headed through the bushes. Renny was waiting for him, looking way more relaxed than she had yesterday, but she still carefully scanned him up and down as though looking for debilitating illness or injury.

He supposed he couldn’t really blame her.

“How are you?” she asked.

Perian explained anew how his wound was healing, there was no evidence of infection, and he was not participating in any more training until he was healed.

She nodded firmly. “Good.”

Since Perian would probably react the same way if anyone he cared about was injured, he couldn’t really argue. They fell into a conversation about what Renny was learning and the meetings and audiences she’d been able to sit in with her mother. And then there was the big news.

“Mother says I can try riding!”

“Oh, Renny,” Perian said, smiling at her, “I’m so happy for you!”

Her grin was huge. “It sounds like I’m going to be on the oldest, slowest animal that ever existed, and there are probably going to be a… a gaggle of horses and riders surrounding me so that I couldn’t fall off even if I tried, but I get to ride again!”

Truly, she was beaming, even with the restrictions she’d listed.

“That’s so wonderful,” Perian told her.

“It’s all thanks to you,” Renny said gratefully. “Thank you so much, Perian.”

“You’re very welcome. You deserve every good thing.”

She drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, repeating it a few times, and Perian realized she was trying not to cry. He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her.

“Let it out,” he said gently. “You don’t have to bottle it up.”

The tears spilled over, and she swiped at them with his handkerchief.