Fugitive of Death

9

 When Xander's eyes left me, they did not return.

I barely registered a word he said as he explained in detail the plans he sent to the front, warning of Byssia's impending attack. All I could do was stare in utter confusion. By the time our debrief had ended, Xander slipped away without a word, no chance for me to ask him what exactly changed between last night and this morning.

The sound of snapping brought me back to my senses.

"Wake up, Bibi," Markos said. "You gonna tell me what happened with the Captain?"

I looked for any sign of Xander but he was long gone. Instead, I noticed someone else making her way out of the amphitheater.

"I'll tell you later," I said, brushing past him, taking the stairs two at a time until I caught up with the dark-haired woman.

"Excuse me," I said, "Master Thalia."

She turned, pale blue eyes so intense it was hard to maintain eye contact. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, actually," I said, vaguely aware of the fact that I was at eye level with someone for the first time in my life. "I was hoping to switch my specialty to knives."

Her angular eyebrows furrowed. "That's not something that can be done. You're an archer, right?"

"Not a very good one but yes, I train with Master Noktos."

"Then you best get to the archery range. He's not a man that likes to be kept waiting." She turned to leave but I jumped in front of her.

"Master please," I said, my tone growing desperate. "I've been working morning and evening to hone my skills. I think the Lysidorian Army would benefit if I were able to perfect them under your training."

She narrowed her eyes. "Once a specialty is chosen, it cannot be changed." Her expression softened for half a second, voice lowering. "You're a target enough as it is."

"But I can defend myself. I made a mistake choosing archery. Knives are what I'm good with." I really didn't want to beg but the possibility was fast approaching.

"Is that so?" she asked. "Is there any proof of this?"

I bit my lower lip. "Well no. But I've been training—"

"She's good," Iris said, swooping in out of nowhere. "Dare I say a natural."

Divines, I could kiss her. How many times could one woman save my ass?

Master Thalia raised her eyebrows. "Iris, you're one of the best I've ever trained. Are you endorsing her claims?"

Iris hesitated for a moment, then rolled her eyes. "I suppose yes."

Thalia looked back and forth between us. Her shoulder slumped."Let me speak with Master Noktos."

As she disappeared, I turned to face Iris. "I don't know how to thank you for stepping in."

"Then don't," she said. "Stop getting into trouble and we'll call it even. Remember we share a tent. Whatever shit you get into eventually blows onto me as well."

"I'm starting to think you actually just like me," I said with a wry smile.

She wrinkled her nose. "I think you're insane."

"I think you're going to get yourself killed," a voice said from behind us. "Correction: I'm going to kill you myself."

To no one's surprise, Yiani leaned against a marble pillar, picking the dirt out from under his fingernails. Aeson and Phoebe trailed behind, watching my every move.