𝙎𝙃𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙒 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀

𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿

Maven

I spend the mornings training and training and training. My clothes always end up dirty and drenched by the end of the day, making me look as worn out as I feel. I'm summoned early to the practice grounds every day to train with a group of new soldiers, even though I was supposed to join Cal, but he's with more advanced fighters. I arrive at the training field before sunrise and leave with the sun high in the sky for a new set of lessons on the technicalities of war. We do laps as General Lerolan guides the group through exercises. He yells a lot. Everyone here yells a lot.

Cal's group trains with us sometimes, guided by General Samos. Those days are the worst.

"Calore, keep up the pace!" Lerolan barks.

I run despite the burn in my lungs and try my best to not lag too far behind.

"Keep that up, Calore!" I hear General Samos shout from the other side of the training grounds. Cal's group is here today. He leads them through the laps.

We move to the east side of the field as Cal's group moves to the west, working on different skills.

"Raise your knees higher!"

My group jumps over obstacles and I glance over the field to see my brother working on combat.

"Well done, Calore!" his General shouts.

"This isn't Whitefire, Calore, try harder!" Lerolan's screams are worse when they're directed at me.

"Nice shot!" I hear on the other side.

"Use your hands!" I'm struggling to keep my stance while avoiding the targets thrown at us.

"Yield to Calore!"

"Are you even trying?"

"That's how it's done!"

"Throw like you mean it, Calore!"

"Let's put two in the arena!"

"Aren't you a burner?"

"Nicely done!"

"Use your flame, Calore!"

I run to the showers after practice dripping in sweat, shame, and hurt. Mother would scream if she saw me. Father would look away and say nothing. I keep my eyes down as I strip myself to step into the water. My cheeks are burning up. I try not to think about all the other people watching. The other Silvers, sneering, and even the Red workers passing by the training grounds. So many eyes and ears. I hear the words they don't dare speak out loud to a prince.

Weak. Small. The second prince.

Voices from other people coming in from the field reach the showers. I step inside a cubicle just as Cal's group arrives.

"Here's our future King!" someone yells and I hear laughs.

"Come on, I'm still years away," my brother's voice answers easily.

"Right, Queenstrial is first."

"I bet the ladies are lining up for you and fighting for your hand."

"Stop it," Cal laughs.

I let the water drip down on me quietly. I tell myself this isn't new. It's nothing I didn't already know. It stings anyway and my mind goes back to the things Mother has told me. My brother doesn't bring me any good. I shouldn't be so attached. But sometimes it's hard because of everything he does for me. Sure, he isn't perfect and can be shortsighted, but he sees me. He may be the only one. And yet, he also seems to be the one that hurts me the most.

I hate the front. I hate everything about this forsaken land. I miss home. But then again, I don't even feel at home back at Whitefire.

I finish taking a bath without speaking to anyone and avoid my brother by leaving while he's in the shower. No one stops me or speaks to me. After all, I'm just a shadow.