Page 19 of Realms of Swords and Storms
"Only the exceptional ones." He spun away from my attack with fluid grace. "And you, Lady Cantius, are exceptional in ways I'm still discovering."
I refused to be distracted by the warmth in his voice. "You're still telegraphing your left feint."
His laugh was unexpectedly genuine. "And you're still dropping your guard when you prepare to lunge."
We continued our dance across the dew-slick yard, the sound of our clashing practice swords echoing in the empty morning. For these brief moments, I could forget everything else—my false identity, the constant vigilance, the nightmares. There was only the pure simplicity of combat, the challenge of matching my skills against his.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, the sun had fully risen above the Academy walls. The Academy bells began to toll, signalling the approach of morning muster. I gathered my training gear, acutely aware of his eyes on me.
"We should go," I said, turning toward the path that led to the cadet barracks.
Jalend fell into step beside me. "You know," he said after a moment, "you can tell me about the nightmares. Sometimes speaking of them diminishes their power."
I glanced at him, surprised by the genuine concern in his voice. "They're just dreams."
"Dreams powerful enough to drive you from your bed before dawn every day." His voice was soft, lacking its usual sardonic edge. "Dreams that leave you looking haunted even as you outperform cadets with years more training."
I kept my eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Why do you care?"
"An excellent question." He sounded almost amused. "One I've asked myself repeatedly. You're not at all what I expected when I first met you at the Academy trials."
"Disappointed?"
"Quite the opposite." He caught my arm gently, bringing us to a stop just before we would have emerged from the path into the main courtyard. "I find myself increasingly... invested in your wellbeing, Lady Cantius. Against my better judgment, I might add."
His touch sent warmth radiating up my arm, a dangerous, distracting sensation that I couldn't afford. I pulled away carefully.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Northreach, but I assure you I'm perfectly capable of handling a few bad dreams and petty rivals."
His eyes searched mine. "I have no doubt of your capabilities. It's simply that you don't have to handle everything alone."
The kindness in his voice threatened to unravel something tightly coiled within me. I looked away, unable to maintain eye contact without risking exposure of emotions I could ill afford to reveal.
"We should hurry," I said. "Legate Ferris doesn't tolerate tardiness."
Jalend sighed but nodded, allowing me to set our pace as we entered the courtyard where the other cadets were assembling. The moment we appeared, I felt the hostile gazes of Valeria and her followers—Cassia and Drusilla flanking her like protective hounds.
"Your admiring public awaits," Jalend murmured.
I straightened my shoulders, refusing to show any sign of discomfort. "Nothing I can't handle."
"Of that, Lady Cantius, I have absolutely no doubt." The warmth in his voice made something flutter in my chest, a dangerous sensation I couldn't afford to examine.
As we took our places in formation, I noticed how Valeria's eyes narrowed at the sight of Jalend at my side. Whatever game the noble-born cadets were playing, my apparent connection to one of their own clearly rankled.
Legate Ferris strode onto the training ground, his weathered face set in its perpetual scowl. "Pair off for combat drills," he barked. "Today we focus on defensive counters against multiple opponents."
I found myself paired with Drusilla and another female cadet named Lucia—both from Valeria's circle. The arrangement was too deliberate to be coincidence.
"Three opponents for Cadet Cantius," Ferris announced, and I realized with a sinking feeling that Valeria herself was approaching to join my opponents. "Given your performance in yesterday's assessments, I believe you need the challenge."
A few snickers came from the assembled cadets. Three against one was beyond challenging—it was punitive, especially when the three clearly had coordinated their approach beforehand.
I took my stance in the centre of the training circle, practice sword held ready as my three opponents spread out to surround me. Valeria's smile was coldly triumphant.
"Begin!" Ferris barked.
They attacked in unison, a coordinated assault that spoke of planning and practice. I deflected Lucia's thrust, spun to evade Drusilla's slash, and barely managed to block Valeria's strike at my exposed side. The force of it sent me staggering back, but I recovered quickly, using their momentum against them as I'd learned in the ludus.
