Swords of Cinder

Chapter 3: Embrace of Lions

Chapter 3: Embrace of Lions

It was almost evening by the time we got to the training ground which was a lot larger than I expected. Dozens of white, stone buildings formed a perimeter around a sandy arena which was marked off in sections with red lines. The buildings, which I assumed were made up of barracks, storage, and other training facilities, were built off one another, and they seemed to form a wall to prevent people from getting in or out.

In the center of the sandy arena, a crowd of recruits had formed. Girls, boys, women, and men, all huddled together, chatting amongst themselves. Once we were well inside the ring, the soldiers that had escorted us from Rhea, headed out of the giant wooden portcullis which seemed to be the only way in or out.

Hesitantly, our group made its way to the crowd of recruits. As I got closer, I noticed the sects that had seemed to form within the mass of people. Closer to the center of the group, the most lively and animated people were talking to one another, and I noticed that many of them were wearing cerulian shawls which shimmered with opal beads. I recognized the garment they were wearing. Some of the merchants that passed through Rhea had worn similar pieces; it was distinct to the Arya region. They were far from home too.

Split from the crowd, a group of people in crimson cloaks watched from the shadows of the arena. I felt a cool, piercing gaze fall upon me, and I met the person's menacing silver eyes. He sneered in disgust, which marred his pretty face. He snickered to his friends, and I turned my attention back towards the rest of the recruits.

Llyr was casually conversing with Aly and another boy that I didn't recognize, but he was wearing a beaded shawl. I walked over to join them, listening in to their conversation. They were talking about the training process...

"It's about six months of general training, before you choose your specialization," the unknown boy said. Llyr noticed my presence, and he nodded over to the boy.

"Eli, this is Orion. He's from Arya," Lly introduced. I smiled warmly at Orion. He definitely had the typical Aurian look: white blonde hair, porcelain alabaster skin, and pale blue eyes. I wondered if he was an Aura, the Elites who had control over airlike properties. Aura were particularly abundant in Arya, so seeing one here was quite odd. I was about to ask him about it, but he began speaking before I could.

"I'm from Vernia, which I believe is near Rhea..." Orion looked over at Llyr, to try to get a confirmation out of my friend, but he only gave a slight shrug. He didn't know either.

At the corner of my eye, I noticed the group of crimson cloaks walking towards the center crowd. They seemed reluctant and revolted at the thought of intermixing with the mass of recruits. "Who are they?" I asked, indicating towards the group.

Orion scowled in distaste. "They're Elite trainees, nobility," he answered. "They've been training their whole lives for this, and they make it known to everybody."

"The Sage Guard?" I quizzed.

"Nah...they don't even come close to the prestige of the Sages. They're just wannabes..." the fair haired boy replied. "Some will make it, some won't," he added thoughtfully. He must have noticed that I was watching the silver-eyed boy.

"That's Castille, Councilman Cypress's son," he said, answering my unspoken question. "You should probably avoid him, he doesn't take kindly to anyone," Orion added as an afterthought.

Castille's black hair swept lightly across his face as he walked with a feline grace. His eyes were cast forward, and they held a challenging arrogance and a deathly warning to anyone who dared to cross him. People parted as he walked to the center of the group; the Elite trainees followed behind him.