Reign of Embers

Chapter 13 - Splat

Aelin

A week passes with no incidents, everyone was hard at work sending scouts and warning kingdoms so we collectively decided to take a few hours off. I now stand facing our small collection of children, a light spring breeze brushing against us while the morning sun illuminates their smiling faces. Every child in our court attends training, even the youngest - three year old Zephyr. All the children stand just outside the training ring, all wearing their training leathers. The leathers are designed a bit like my old assassins suit - which I'm wearing now, my belly just starting to show- but without the hidden weapons. Another difference in the training leathers is that each child has a different colour and symbol depending on their powers and personality stitched onto their left arm. The children all huddle together in an organised mess, older kids at the back and younger at the front. Josie - light blue swirl - and Gavriel - gold sun burst with a leopard in the centre - stand at the back, Gavriel has been stood very close to Josie all week as he doesn't want any harm to come to her. Aislinn - light green swirl- and Asterin - red snow flake and wyvern- are trying very hard to stay still and wait for me to start talking, but are too interested in deciding what to play later, and which doll to behead. Zephyr - white bear- is staring intently at a butterfly and not paying attention. And Orion, who arrived just a few days ago, is only 4 so doesn't really understand what's going on, but is happy to be here. Orion has thick black curly hair, pale skin, freckles and dark brown eyes. He has his father Lorcan's strange darkness powers but on a much weaker scale, we think. Orion's symbol on his leathers is a silver moon.

I clap my hands and they all snap to attention.

"Now, as you know, you will all be staying here for a few weeks before returning home, so we thought it would be a good chance to develop your skills in combat. In two months you shall partake in the tournament. If you are under the age of five, as usual you shall not be competing, but will join in with training as it is good practice. Also, those of you old enough will be allowed to have a more intense magic battle and training. This only applies to Josie and Gavriel as they are above age 8. Although Josie has been trained in magic battles for the past two competitions, she has yet to actually compete in this category. This year Gavriel will join her and they will battle in two months for the competition. " I pause to allow the information to sink in, but it's the same information most years. As always everyone has a massive smile on their face, but Gavriel and Josefin have the largest. I move to continue talking when I see that Orion has his hand up.

"Yes Orion?" I ask smiling.

"Am I allowed to do it this year? I am nearly 5 after all, and I've waited sooooooo long. " He over exaggerates the entire declaration, ending in him pouting and making huge puppy eyes at me. His chestnut brown eyes sparkle in the sun, and maybe it's the hormones, but I nearly break.

"I'll think about it." I respond. Good compromise.

"Daddy would let me do it."

"Would he now? "

"Yes. He has been training me. Did you know that he is strongest fae warrior? I didn't until I heard him tell Gav-ril when we arrived. " My heart melts at his attempt at saying Gavriel, he's never been able to say it. I remember that conversation, Gavriel and Josie asked him about his life, he refused to tell them anything except that he was the strongest fae warrior. It was a good thing Rowan wasn't their as I would of ended badly.

"What about I ask your mummy?" Elide will probably not care as long as the fight is fair. She's gotten used to everyone wanting to constantly prove themselves in our court.

He nods his head vigorously. "Yes yes mummy is good."

I suppress my laughter, but hear giggles from the back of the group. I smile.