Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 38

"Are you sure?" Peter's brows drew together as he watched the archers aiming at their targets. "The Hayvani boy beside him seems stronger?"

"You're right," Leyla watched Tai pulling back the bow string. "But he has the heart for the sword."

The arrows flew across the the yard, each one hitting its mark. She gave a quick signal to Anne who nodded: "Retrieve your arrows and to the shed for water!"

"Yes, Sir!" The youngsters replied. Then they were pushing and shoving on the way to gather their arrows, obviously pleased with their improved performance.

"Tai!" Leyla called out.

The boy looked up from between two other boys, his eyes going wide at the sight of her.

"Protector!"  The archers who had just noticed her presence gave bows of respect, while Tai rushed forward to stand before her.

"What can I do for you, Protector?" Tai asked, his cheeks pink. Was he still embarrassed? 

This morning when her sex had been revealed, Leyla hadn't tried to hide it. After all, her disguise had not stopped Raphael from finding her, nor did it stop Alec from recognising her. She had decided she no longer had a reason to hide, especially in this camp full of her own people.

The Hayvanis reaction to the spreading news had come as quite a surprise. Since their beliefs spoke of the Hayvan Spirit as a mother to all beasts, they found the turn of events most natural. As for the rest of the camp, most everyone was behaving exactly as before...except for a few of the younger men. Leyla wasn't sure what was causing their embarrassment , but had noticed a tendency amongst peoples outside of the Warrior Kingdom to treat women differently than men. Were they worried that they might have erred? 

"Protector?" Tai asked again, looking more uncertain than ever. 

"Do you want to wield a sword?" Leyla asked, without preamble.

Tai's eyes grew wide as he looked from her to Peter beside her. "Will Commander Peter teach me?"

Commander Peter? When had they started calling him that? Leyla lifted a brow at the Warrior, her humour restored by the uncomfortable look on the man's face.

"Yes, Commander Peter will lead the sword training," she confirmed. "But, I will also train you personally."

"Y-you will?" Tai blinked. 

"'I will become someone like you'. Did you not say those words to me?" Leyla asked.

Tai pressed his lips together, remembering the day they spoke...the day his people were killed and his village was destroyed.

"You have the heart to protect these people," Leyla put her hand on his shoulder. "Now we need to make sure you also have the skills."

"Yes, Protector!" The boy said, wiping roughly at the wetness on his cheek.

"Good," Leyla smiled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Now, five laps around camp. Start running."

"What?" Tai's shoulders slouched, his face dismayed. "But we already did warm up today!"

"Ten laps," she raised her brow.

Tai opened his mouth, then shut it just as quickly, his cheeks going pink. "Yes, Protector!"

Peter chuckled as he watched Tai run off, "Poor boy, he's going to have it rough."

"All training is rough," Leyla shrugged.

"Not because of the training," Peter shook his head. "Because of his infatuation."

At Leyla's confused look, the Warrior let out a wholesome laugh. "Don't tell me you can't see the puppy love half these boys are harbouring for you, Protector?"