[Featured by @YAFantasy and @Fantasy]
As the world of Aslurene descends into a political game between rebels and royalty, Danika Regime Goldheart struggles to find her place. Bred as a military Lieutenant of Midway, she deserted the Battle of Ozyrn...
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❝She will rise. With a spine of steel, and a roar of thunder, she will rise.❞
~ Nicole Lyons
♕♕♔♕♕
The room was dead silent except for the constant shuffling of clothes and bags. Everyone was unpacking into a large room with six huge beds, setting their space, and praying for the trial to come.
"Do you mind if I...," a voice called behind Danika.
She turned around to see a warm smile.
"Hey Aiden," she said, glancing at where the brunette pointed, "go ahead."
Her face broke into a bright grin before she threw her bag on her side of the bed.
"So," she started, taking out her blankets and winter wear, "If you don't mind me asking, how did you get the head lieutenant into you?"
Danika choked back a disgraceful laugh.
"Me," she said incredulously, undoubtedly beating up Egan in her head, "I was at Norton's tavern and he just walked up to me when he saw me staring at a flippin' poster for this contest thing."
"Sounds just like him," Aiden chuckled before going back to work, not hinting Danika at her thoughts.
They worked in silence, setting their beds, organizing what they had packed. Since there was a shortage of rooms at the arena, everyone was situated in one huge hall and a curtain was placed for Aiden and Danika, because they were the only two girls in the batch of contestants.
"Do you want to work together for the first trial," Aiden said after she finished, taking a seat on her side of the bed while playing with the beautiful set of twin daggers she had brought from home.
A family heirloom, Danika recalled from their last interaction.
She didn't answer for a while, taking out her weapons and carefully placing them on the bed.
"Do you know how to hunt in Mediae Saltus," she asked warily. Hunting was her area of expertise and moreover, it was a matter of pure survival... she had to be harsh otherwise someone would end up being food for a dragon... or worse.
Aiden understood the cause of her tone and smiled kindly.
"I hunt in large, normal forests," she admitted, "But I'm sure I can hold out for a few hours in the Midnight Queen's domain."
Danika barked out a laugh, "You have no idea what lives in those forests Aiden... and if you don't, you're dead."
She sighed defeatedly before quietly pointing out, "I have a better chance with you than I have with any of the rest."
Danika glanced at the rest of the men through the little gap in the curtain. She so badly wanted to yes. In many ways, Aiden reminded her of a more mature version of Rose. Her smile, her kind eyes, the points she brought up... but that's exactly the reason why she didn't want to take her along too. For so long, Danika had been looking out for herself. Even during Winged Crown missions she would work alone. Her fear of getting someone killed as per getting herself killed was a raging river that she was terrified of crossing. But Aiden had a very valid point. If she worked with the other men, there was a very likely chance she could get killed by their carelessness or even get raped by the honorless ones.
