Page 23 of War Hour

Looking down the hall beyond him, I answer, “It wasn’t him. It was Belthan.”

He rolls his eyes, scoffing, and moves to start down the hall once again, but I grab his arm. His gaze darts to where my hand grips his forearm, and he shakes me off with a pointed look.

“Belthan says Lord Drytas’s plans have changed. We don’t have the months or weeks I thought we’d have.”

Ardis’s face pales. He chews his lip, deep in thought. “How long did he say we have?”

A spark of hope flickers to life in my chest, and I hurriedly answer, “He didn’t say, but it sounded soon.” Twisting my lip with my teeth, I wait silently for him to decide.

Even Ardis would face consequences if he fails to train me, and it seems he knows it, too.

Resolve settles over Ardis’s face moments before he orders, “You will meet me at the front entrance at six in the morning. Training starts then, so do not be late. And you’ll need to wear your guard uniform for them to let you out.”

Before I can agree or question his directions, he stomps away, leaving me and the Trial behind him.

It’sa quarter past six when Ardis strolls up to the entrance door. He doesn’t greet me or make any comment on the gray uniform I wear but just nods in one direction, gesturing for me to follow him down the street.

I’d stood just inside the door since five-thirty, having been up for an hour before that. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt any sense of excitement, but standing here, I’m barely able to keep the bounce out of my step as I follow.

Tilting my head to the still dark sky, I let the morning mist coat my face, breathing in a large gulp of air that reeks of dirt and smog. The odor brings a corner of my mouth up in a half smile.

They hadn’t allowed me outside since before being brought to Trial, and now, as the lungful of Falland’s freshest air fills my lungs, I realize how much it had truly bothered me.

“What is your plan for training me?” I ask, peeking subtly at Ardis.

I had pondered it for much of the night, thrilled at the prospect of controlling the power inside me. The power to protect myself.

Ardis grunts, seemingly not going to answer, before he clears his throat and answers in a thicker morning voice. “You could summon the shield before out of fear. It was an emotionally charged moment, and you were trying to defend yourself...”

I look at him in surprise at his defensive words.

“We just need to trigger your power without your life being at risk.”

I hum in agreement, letting the space between us fall silent.

His words don’t answer why we are headed to the lower city. How would we test my powers in the streets?

As we travel further into Falland, the sun’s glow creeps over the wall, hitting the buildings and chasing away the morning shadows. People emerge from their homes, walking the streets with a cautious air. When their eyes catch sight of us, they turn the corner or step into the next doorwell. Sneers plastered to their faces as we walk by.

That would have been me just a week ago, and now, I sit with guards for meals.

Things have changed so quickly.

I look at Ardis, expecting some reaction at their obvious distaste for him, when I realize he’s several feet ahead. In my examination of the city, he’d overtaken my pace.

Meaning—their hateful stares were for me.

My face burns, eyes misting, as I quicken my step to catch up with Ardis. I try to swallow the emotion choking me. It all feels similar, walking the same streets I always have until a week ago.

But it isn’t the same forthem.

I’m not one of them anymore, at least not in their eyes. All they see is the uniform harassing them daily, not the person wearing it.

All the excitement of being on the streets deflates in an instant. I fall back into step with Ardis and don’t say a word when he glances at me.

“This is where we will train.”

Ardis’s voice breaks the silence between us.

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