A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released

Chapter XXI - The Calm Before ...

Sonya walked in the makeshift ring that the soldiers of the resistance created around her and her target. The light of torches shined off the plate mail on her torso as she spun the wooden ax in her hand. Placing the handle within her mouth, she reached up and tightened her ponytail before resting her black hair against her back. "Let's see what you got."

She raised her wooden axe above her head before swinging it down on the soldier in front of her. The soldier quickly parried the strike and returned with her own strike of the wooden sword. Parrying the attack, she redirected the soldier before quickly striking the axe into her side and kicked her away. Falling to the ground, the soldier frustratedly slammed her fist into the stone below. "Damn, not even a scratch on you. Double or nothing!"

"You said that three times so far," responded Sonya as she spun the handle in her hand before resting the curved wood on her shoulder. She dusted off her chain mail that stuck out from the straps of the plate mail that covered her torso. "You have not touched me once, but do not feel bad. I have been hunting and fighting since I was a little one."

The surrounding crowd laughed as the soldier raised to their feet and grunted in anger before turning to a friend. The friend dropped a few coins in her hand before the soldier turned to pass them along to Sonya. Smiling as she placed the coin in a pouch on her leather belt, she nodded. "Anyone else want to test their skills against my own?"

Sonya moved the wooden axe off of her shoulder before dusting off her bare arms and smiled at the group as they all took a step back. She watched as some raised their hands in defeat before she laughed. "It is fine to admit defeat."

"Enough sparring with my men," said Phe as she walked into the small group before they dispersed at the words. "You all will need rest before nightfall. The task ahead will take everything you have."

Sonya smiled as she secured the pouch to her waist and turned towards Phe. She stopped smiling as Phe stared at her, tilting her head forward. Sonya stared into her brown eyes before Phe crossed her arms. Sonya shrugged and responded, "I was just helping them blow off some steam before the siege tonight. I can see the stress in their views. It is less than a day away and wanted to make sure they were relaxed."

"They need to be fixated on the fight ahead, not sparring with a warrior that could defeat them in her sleep. They will be on the frontline at midnight tonight, keeping the castle's gaze directed on them," said Phe as she tapped her feet. "Not all will make it through the night."

Phe walked over to a small table near the two of them and moved pieces around on a map. "My men need to be focused."

"They know what is at stake," Sonya spoke as she walked closer to the table. "Some will not survive the siege, but if they do what is needed, then tomorrow will be a better day for all."

Phe tapped held a small wooden piece in her hand and tapped against the wood. She stayed quiet as Sonya went to the table next to her and sat on the edge. Sonya watched as Phe ran her hand through her short black hair on the top of her head and turned to meet eyes. "What about your brother? He tried to kill Alexis. If he were not your own blood, I would not think twice about feeding him to that wolf, but..."

"He is my flesh and blood... and that idea has crossed my mind," said Phe as she placed the wooden piece down before placing a hand on the table while rubbing the bridge of hers with her other hand. "I am keeping him locked away for now. I have apologized to Alexis for what he did, but I am truly sorry for him being so blind in his rage for her and that I let it happen."

Sonya glanced over at her. "And Alexis? How does she feel about it?"

"Alexis still feels the guilt of that moment with our uncle and sister. She has said nothing about that night, but I can see it within her heart. For now, she is letting me decide his fate as I saved her life by sending those extra soldiers to watch over her," explained Phe as she stared at the different tents and structures under the ceiling of the underground base.