Warrior's Mind (Book 2 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 63

"Very good!" Leyla clapped her hands three times and stood back. The Light soldiers rushed to line up in front of her, bows in their hands. After only three weeks of training, they were already showing marked improvement.

"Darwin, raise your bow."

The auburn bearded guard placed an arrow on his bow, doing as he was told.

"You are all becoming more accurate shots, but the targets we are working with are all stationary and in plain sight. Out there, if your enemy is within sight, it means you too are visible. So what will you do when you are faced with an archer and have nothing to hide behind?"

The soldiers watched her in silence, hanging on her every word. It had taken a while for them to get used to her methods, but now, the Light soldiers followed her lead as if she were one of their own. Every day, Leyla came to the training field before sunrise and stayed till it was time to turn in. The officers in charge had all accepted her presence and although nothing was discussed, Commander Harvey passed her tasks and sent more and more soldiers her way. Even Delphine and Michael's presence had become common at the soldiers tent during meal times.

With the Leader's continued delay in returning, everything had fallen into a strange and comfortable routine.

"When you're facing an arrow, cover is the first thing to look for. If that is not available you have one option left" Leyla turned to Darwin, spreading her fingers at her sides. "Shoot."

The soldiers shifted in surprise around her, while a look of panic came over Darwin. "Consort, I can't..."

Bloody Diya. Her status as the Prorex's fiancé was forever getting in the way. If only these men knew that Raphael hadn't been to see her since the day of the trail, maybe then they wouldn't be so overly concerned about her safety.

Attempting to push past her frustration, she tried again. "Aim for my shoulder if you must."

"Your shoulder?" Darwin's voice went up another octave. "Consort, I dare not..."

Leyla heard the bow string being draw taught before she saw the arrow pointing in her direction. She had no time to register the features of the figure approaching from the sidelines, before the arrow came flying at her. Steading her breath she reached out, catching it just as it was about to whiz past her shoulder.

Dropping the arrow to the ground, she looked past the shocked soldiers to Raphael. Handing the bow back to a startled soldier, he walked towards her with the head of the Light army by his side. Leyla was captivated by the hint of a frown on his lips, his golden eyes, the way his midnight hair glistened under the sun...she pulled her gaze away, annoyed at herself for staring. He was ignoring her wasn't he? So she would do the same.

Looking at General Lanark, she gave a curt bow. He reciprocated, then after a quick glance in Raphael's direction, turned to the gathered soldiers who were still gaping at what they had witnessed and spoke: "Dismissed!"

"Yes, sir!" The company saluted, then dispersed quickly. To Leyla's surprise, the General followed the men towards the tents, leaving her alone on the field with the Prorex.

Deciding she too needed a water break, Leyla took a step in the direction of the tents when Raphael grabbed her wrist.

"Don't ask anyone to shoot at you again. You could get hurt."

"As if you would notice." The childish response was out before she could take it back. By Tevvuk's Beard, she was making a fool of herself! Embarrassed, she tried to shake him off, but he held on tighter.

"Why would you say that?" The genuine confusion in his voice had her facing him. It was a bad move. From this distance, his sharp cheek bones, the hint of stubble on his jaw, the way his shirt bling to the muscles of his arms - everything was too close.