Page 38 of War Hour

“Oh, shut it, Ardis,” Sar says without an ounce of anger behind it. “Ignore them. You are exactly right, which is why it’s very rare for someone to Trial more than once. None of the courts want to give the others an advantage, so they only allow Trials from citizens within their court.” Sar pauses before gesturing to Torryn. “Unless you have something to convince them otherwise...”

I catch her peeking to Torryn.

What did Torryn have over the other courts, making them amenable to him Trialing there?

“That’s more than enough, Sar,” Torryn interrupts, stopping in his tracks.

I’m ready to disagree, the words on the tip of my tongue. But then Torryn stiffens as he stares at the castle looming above us, far closer than it had been before. He clenches his teeth.

I’m not the only one who notices the sudden change in Torryn, as Ardis clamps a hand on the young lord’s shoulder and pats it before leading the way. Sar leaves my side, brushingTorryn as she passes. She gives him a single nod, following behind Ardis.

Glancing between the three, I’m unsure of what I seem to have missed. Not planning to be the last, I trail after Sar, stopped by a firm hand grabbing my wrist.

Suddenly far too close to Torryn, I hold my breath at the fierce frown settling across his features. Not planning to back down, I crane my neck to glare at him.

“You’ll find while at the capital that the Court of Valor is very different from the other courts. Drytas used his power openly and encouraged others to do the same. You won’t find that to be the case here.”

I open my mouth to interrupt, but Torryn continues, tone leaving no room for question.

“Your ability is your strength. The more people who know your strength, the weaker you are. Until life depends on it, you do not reveal what you can do. Now I cannot stop you from telling whoever you want, but under no circumstances will you utter a word about Sar’s. I’m hoping that, if you’ve trusted me to take you this far, you’ll give me the same respect about my powers, but it isn’t an option about Sar’s.”

Torryn’s dark eyes search my own, letting silence follow his speech. I nod once, showing my understanding, and he relaxes.

“Then, it’s time for your introduction to the capital.”

Chapter 16

Crossing the threshold of the capital, we step through shining doors. Channeling the light of the dying sun, the glass refracts rainbows across our faces and onto the gleaming white floor. A grand staircase cascades at the back of the space, spreading out into the center of the room. White marble steps flow seamlessly into the surrounding tiles.

I can’t help but rub the sides of my leather boots together, worried that, if I walk any further onto the clean floor, a dirt footprint path will follow me in.

It’s hard to fathom—how the grand hall that stunned me a week ago is now so easily surpassed. But no one would dare compare the likes of this castle to Falland, and certainly not the streets.

The room hums with conversation, floating from the groups of people gathered in the entry hall. Everyone wears fine clothing made of silk, velvet, and other expensive-looking fabrics. My eyes lower to my grass-stained pants, and hot shame pinks my cheeks.

When Torryn steps ahead, a wave of silence moves down the room, heads turning in a chain reaction.

I sigh in relief when the stares barely skim my face, instead narrowing in on Torryn with startled looks.

My muscles tense as I catalog the fearful faces of those gathered in the room. They stare at Torryn with wide eyes, following his every movement, as if waiting for something to happen. A few reach for the swords hanging at their sides, but none of them move to unsheathe the blades.

Despite this, Torryn doesn’t flinch as he stalks further into the room, head high with an air of importance.

Ardis and Sar a step behind him on either side.

I hesitate to follow them, shirking away from the attention they draw.

I whip around, body tensing for a fight, when someone screams, just in time to see a figure barreling out of the crowd toward us. Torryn stiffens in front of me, hands twitching, as if bracing for the hit.

A flash of metal shimmers, a blade. Heart racing, I raise my hands to bring up a shield, but Torryn grabs my wrists, yanking me behind him. He gives me a warning look before letting me go to move toward the attacker.

Torryn sweeps forward, grabbing the wrist of the man and maneuvering the knife away from him. Before I can blink, Torryn has the man unarmed and restrained on the ground, all without breaking his cool composure.

Looking up from his attacker, Torryn flicks his hair out of his face before calmly surveying the room. Ardis, without hesitation, comes up behind to take over restraining the man so Torryn can stand. When he does, it is almost as if I’m seeing him for the first time.

This is a man trained for battle, separate from what powers he may have. It’s obvious he’s a force without them.

Torryn calls out to a pair of guards standing nearby. “Would the two of you like to do your jobs, or shall I have you put in the dungeon next to his?”

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