LITMIR.BIZ

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take up paid work that does not break any of the aforementioned rules.

       A fully qualified, trained wielder must check in with a college once a year. Exemptions: Weltonians.

       Any wielder who breaks the laws in such a way that endangers the public will be tried by their senior peers and sentenced accordingly.

      Master Caren stopped walking, clasped his hands behind him, and looked at her. “When did you learn that?”

      It took a moment for Britea to catch her breath. “I heard it this morning in Warden Asteros’s office.”

      “And you memorized it that quickly?” If she wasn’t mistaken, Britea thought he sounded a bit impressed.

      “I also read more about it in the library when I went to register afterwards.”

      “Hmmm,” Master Caren muttered before he resumed walking.

      “Recall is essential both in peacetime and during battle. Considering your recent experience at sea and with the three young ladies, I strongly urge you to register for combat and defense.”

      Like I have a choice? thought Britea.

      Master Caren frowned at the expression on her face. “Speak your mind.”

      Oh, not likely! She quickly thought of something else. “Sir, why should I fear the Arkei family?”

      The weapons master raised an eyebrow. “What do you know of them?”

      “I met Lady Selina Arkei when she boarded the Windrider for a brief visit. She wasn’t very nice.”

      “And how do you view her younger sister, Lady Lianne?”

      “She’s not nice either.”

      The instructor laughed. “That’s a mild way of describing that family. The Arkei are a powerful family and enjoy close proximity to the royal court. Their influence can create opportunities or close doors, and they can build reputations as well as destroy them. You want some advice?”

      Britea nodded warily.

      “Know your opponent, but also know when not to engage. Fortify yourself with knowledge, and never, ever wield without supervision except in dire situations. Understand?”

      “Yes, sir.”

      “And now, welcome to combat and defense.”

      Britea looked up and realized they had reached two heavy, dark-oak doors. Already she could hear sounds beyond the two doors that filled her with both dread and excitement. She watched as Master Caren opened the doors and waved her in.

      She stepped down stone steps that led to a large exposed courtyard filled with students of different ages sparring and wielding. A long running track with eight lanes curved around the massive field. In the center was a green lawn that had been divided into two sections and separated by a wide white line. On the left, paired students were practicing either hand-to-hand combat or sparring with weapons. On the right, several students in a row were wielding at wooden or stone targets. She flinched when a wielder used air to carve a chunk out of his stone target. Through it all, the students paid her no mind as they continued their routines.

      “Today, you will watch and observe. If you get bored, feel free to study on the benches over there.” He showed her where four students sat on elevated benches close to the track. The students appeared as dazed as she felt. Britea suspected they were new recruits. Did Master Caren regularly go around poaching students?

      “Any questions?”

      “I noticed you had different ages in this class. Are Danai and Navos here?”

      The weapons master smiled at her. “This class is unique in more ways than one. First, we don’t have enough students for six different combat and defense classes. So, we created one general class. The youngest students are around your age and start by training in endurance.” He pointed at students running around the track.

      “Then, as their stamina improves, we pair them with older students who help train them.”

       Like I was trained by Kahl.

      “And yes, Danai and Navos are here, sparring somewhere on the field. Any more questions?”

      Britea felt she had asked enough for now. Besides, she could always bother Danai.

      “No, thank you, sir.”

      He nodded to her before she made her way over to the benches while trying to find Danai and Navos. To her relief, she saw the two in the left section of the courtyard. They stood on a surprisingly smooth dark floor laid on the grass and bowed to each other while an older wielder in a uniform similar to Master Caren’s looked on. Danai was barefoot but wearing a close-fitting, sleeveless black top with baggy trousers. A horizontal red stripe crossed the front and back of her tunic. Navos wore similar attire except his top had a white stripe to indicate his element. Britea sat down beside the other nervous recruits. She didn’t want to miss the show.

      “Good day,” said the young man beside her. He had light brown hair and wore a grey uniform with air-white edgings.

      “Uh, yeah, hello,” she said briefly, keeping her eyes on Danai and Navos, who were still facing each other.

      The instructor watching them issued a command. “No wielding allowed. Begin.”

      The two student wielders nodded without looking at him, then Navos charged without warning. Danai twirled out of the way, bent low, and aimed a strike at the back of his right calf. Navos stumbled but managed to swing at her. Danai dove to the ground as if doing push-ups, then twisted her lower body to swing both legs, one after the other, at her opponent. Navos caught her legs and smiled, but Danai, who was now upside down, used her hands to push herself closer to him. The sudden movement made him stumble backwards. Danai didn’t let up, and before he knew it, she was sitting on his shoulders using her body weight to topple him to the floor. She pulled her right hand back to deliver a punch but stopped just before the blow would hit his face.

      “Time,” intoned the instructor. Danai grinned at a groaning Navos as she got up and helped the bigger wielder up.

      “Amazing. Way to go, Danai,” said Britea in wonder.

      “You know her?” asked the male student beside her.

      “Yes, she’s my roommate.” She turned in time to see his stunned visage.

      “Oh, that must be scary. I hope you’re all right.”

      Britea blinked. “Excuse me?”

      “Oh, where are my manners? My name is Henrick Walters, third-year general studies, tier three, maximum wielder.”

      “Britea D’Tranell.” They shook hands. “What did you mean about my roommate?”

      “I heard she’s difficult to live with and quite rude and uncivilized due to her Weltonian heritage. To be near her is to invite bodily harm.”

      She had only known Danai for three days, but she felt Henrick must have her mistaken with someone else. “Who told you that?”

      “Oh, Lady Lianne Arkei and her friends warned several of us to stay away from her.”

      That name made Britea see red. “Lady Lianne is an idiot and has no idea what she’s talking about.”

      Henrick and the other three students stared at her.

      “But why would Lady Lianne lie? She’s related to the king and—” said one of the students.

      Britea couldn’t take it anymore. “Just because she’s royalty doesn’t mean she’s right. Have any of you ever had a conversation with Danai or even met her? No? Then, do that first before making false assumptions.”

      The students looked at each other. “You’re Weltonian, aren’t you? That’s why you’re taking her side.”

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