Frost and Flame, Foes in the Dark (book 2)

Chapter 7 The Path of Redemption

Year 783 Octavus, day 15 of the seventh month of Domorus

Sword clashed, the air was thick with tension as Sidastir rolled out of the way from the incoming cut. With one simple motion, he disarmed his opponent who could only reply with a shocked expression.

"How long?" asked Sidastir

"Can't have been more than ten seconds," Magnus replied, and Sidastir grimaced at his opponent who stumbled out of the ring, dizzy from the beating.

"Our selection is starting to get worse for each person showing up."

"The only one with a spine is Mar Frisgris!" said Magnus in a boisterous grin and Sidastir replied with an eye-roll. Magnus had tried to convince Sidastir to hire Mar with every opportunity that presents itself. Currently, it wasn't such a bad idea since he is the only one who actually defeated Sidastir.

Hiring him as the leader of the guard would give the boy a bit more experience, which would aid him in the future as the leader of the Furies along with Akana.

"He better show some spine since I want him to keep an eye on the errand boy of the Phoenixprincess."

Akana had presented Alacer Nemoris and Sidastir had immediately disliked the man. He did not trust the Phoenixprincess and certainly not her personal guard.

Sidastir had wanted to follow Akana to meet with the princess today but Akana had convinced him to try to recruit some guards by saying that they can meet up later in the camp. Akana wanted to inspect the recruits. Sidastir had a feeling Akana didn't trust his choice of guards.

"Line up," Sidastir hissed between clenched teeth and stared grimly at the stumbling recruits. Most of them seem distracted though as heads turn toward a commotion at the entrance of the camp.

The relevian soldiers' eager voices could be heard all over the camp as whatever excited them slowly came closer. Soon Sidastir spotted what created the commotion, or more exact, who created the riot.

A man in silken clothes, a white toga, and a glittering silver iron torso armor decorated with golden leaves. He wore a silver wreath that showcased him as a close relative to the Fire Empress. Considering the man's age, he must be one of her four sons. If she hadn't birthed more kids in Sidastir's absents.

"How many children have the Empress, Magnus?" asked Sidastir as he tried to count the kids he remembered.

"How would I know? Five according to my father but she might have gotten some on the side. Why did you ask?" said Magnus as he turned around to stare at the prince basking in the attention from the soldiers.

"So which of the children is that? Or has the old crow gotten a younger consort?" Sidastir gestured towards the man as he let his sword rest upon his shoulder.

"I'm not sure calling the Fire Empress an Old crow will go over well among her soldiers. But if I don't remember wrong, two of her sons are trained in battle. Laus and Laurus. I know Laurus through my father and trained the boy. Nice lad. That is not Laurus so it could only me Laus. "

Laus turned towards them but Sidastir just ignored the man which seems to really make the prince sour. Bitter enough to walk over to them. Eyes followed the footsteps of the prince, but Sidastir still refused to look at the man.

"I would have to apologize. I almost missed you in the crowd, Rial!" Laus's voice echoed above all those willing to listen.

"No small accomplishment considering my race. I assume manners and general knowledge was something the empress didn't give to her sons," said Sidastir with a detached expression on his face. Magnus released a groan in frustration.