Constantine (Daughter of War #1)

Chapter 34: The Bane

The days fly by with no problems resolved.

Sir Kendrick is still being possessed, Galennus Asa's role amidst the chaos is still unclear, and there's the imminent threat of the ghost army. There'd been no return of the ghosts so far, but all of Perinus—or in the very least, the capital city is on high alert. Guards patrol every corner and every alley at all hours, just to be safe. King Terrell himself had issued and approved messages to the rulers of our continent, relaying a report of the ghost's attack on our fortress.

As of late, my mind is in a constant state of stupor, unable to find a solution to these problems. No matter how I try to snap myself out of a lull, to tell myself to focus and do my duty as Champion, I can't. Thus, I barely notice when two weeks slip by.

I'm cataloguing a few books in the common library now. Sir Isaac sits across me, doing the same. How mundane, how tedious compared to everything else, these squirely duties! I think with scorn. What in the Seven Heavens has to happen so that Gilbert and I are relieved of these duties?

"The second assessment is in a week and a half's time." Sir Isaac's voice cuts through my thoughts.

"Mmph," I manage, my mind half-awake.

The papers in my hand are suddenly torn away from my grasp. I stare at my trainer incredulously, as though he is being possessed by Diomedes. Maybe he is.

No, he's not, I tell myself fiercely. Just because he has a tendency to growl and scream at every single thing you do doesn't mean that he shouldn't be respected.

"Sir?" I raise a brow at him.

He flaps the papers in my face. "You're not concentrating. You've barely gotten through the Cs."

I sigh inwardly, trying not to show any signs of weariness on my face. "I apologise sir. I'll do better."

"No you won't," he snarls. He slams the papers onto the desk with a powerful thump; I struggle to maintain a neutral expression. "You, my boy, are going out for a little riding lesson."

"Sir?" The old knight is beginning to frighten me.

Ignoring my startled yelp, he gets up, walks over to my side and yanks me up onto my feet by the elbow, dragging me towards the exit. Looking back at the unkempt mess all over the table, I open my mouth to suggest that we should at least clear up the papers and the books, only to have him interrupt me before I say anything: "Don't even bother to speak until I tell you to do so. If not, ten laps around the field, my boy."

I hold my tongue for the rest of the walk.

******

"You feeling a mite better, lad?"

I quickly down a bowl of water from a nearby well. Then, looking at the knight seated on a stool next to me, I nod. Sir Isaac forced me to saddle up a chestnut mare and take it for a few laps around the field. Without him by my side to scream in my ear every few seconds.

The action earned confused looks from some of the passers-by—no one, much less a humble squire, ever trains during the afternoon, unless they truly intended to transform themselves into hard core, sunburnt warriors. Or if they intended to collapse from heatstroke. Usually the latter.

Surprisingly, in the emptiness, in the gentle breeze that lessened the heat, I felt my head beginning to clear. For a few snatched moments of pure bliss, I could've been anyone. I even urged my steed into a gallop, riding with the wind—becoming the wind. For a moment, I was...me.

For now, I happily savour the sweet tang of blooming flowers in the air, the scent of pine trees tickling my nostrils, and the sight of the clear blue sky, like a mirror reflecting Heaven itself.