Page 1 of The Study of Fire
CHAPTER1
Valek leaned on the fence, watching the soldiers train in the yard outside the castle complex’s barracks. It was day thirty-six of the cooling season, and his breath fogged in the crisp morning air. However, his thoughts warmed him. They were on Yelena and their last night together.
Yelena had revealed she would be allowed to travel to Ixia now that the Commander’s order for her execution had been nullified. Filled with joy over the news, he had said, “I’m looking forward to your first official visit as the liaison between Ixia and Sitia. But don’t wait too long. Please.” Valek had been only partially successful at keeping his pleading tone to a minimum.
A familiar ache throbbed in his chest at being parted from Yelena, but they both knew she needed to continue her magical studies. At least she had promised to visit soon.
“Fancy a challenge, sir?” Janco asked.
Valek’s thoughts jerked to the present. He turned to Janco, who stood with his partner Ari, and Maren inside the training yard.
“It depends,” Valek said.
Janco smiled at the familiar response. “On what?”
“Whether or notyoucan offer me a challenge.”
“Normally, I’d be insulted, but you have a point. Which is why I’m not challenging you alone.”
This was new. Valek straightened. “You’re not?”
“No.Weare. Allthreeof us.”
Interesting. “Is that allowed?” Valek asked.
“Nothing in the rules says it isn’t,” Ari said.
“There are rules?” Valek asked.
“Not officially.” Ari gestured to the soldiers in the yard. “But we all know that if someone beats you in a fight, they’ll win the right to be your second-in-command. You can turn down the challenge if you’re so inclined, and, if you don’t, the challenger chooses the weapon. That’s it.”
“There’s nothing that says we can’t team up,” Janco said.
“Nothing official,” Valek confirmed.
“So, make it official,” Maren said with a huff of impatience. “Decide if we can attack en masse or not.”
Valek had expected Ari and Janco to eventually team up and challenge him, adding Maren was a new wrinkle. It’d only been four days since they’d returned from their adventures with Ambassador Signe in Sitia, but Valek was well rested. The extra time spent in the Avibian Plains with Yelena had rejuvenated his body and soul.
He sized the three of them up. Long and lanky, Janco matched Valek’s height of six feet. Ari stood another four inches taller than them. He had broad shoulders and thick muscles that belied his flexibility. With her athletic build, Maren could hold her own. As usual, her long blond hair had been pulled back into a ponytail.
“How long does it take to decide?” Janco asked. “Can we fight you three against one or not?”
“You can, but there will be rules,” Valek said. “You can’t gang up on me. No tackling me from behind.”
“Gang up? Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Janco asked.
“It’s different. Your goal will be to disarm me, but two of you can’t grab and hold me while the other attacks.”
“That’s more like street fighting,” Janco said. “And that would be cheating.”
“Then you agree to my terms?” Valek asked.
“Yes, sir,” all three said in unison.
“Weapon?”
“Bo staff.”
