Veridia

Chapter 13

Terramore, present

Geneva didn't look back. If she did, she wouldn't be able to make herself leave.

The horse she had chosen was a bay mare, probably a hunting horse for some uptight noble.

Horseback fighting and riding had been a mandatory subject at Valorborne, but that didn't make it any more comfortable for Geneva. She preferred when every element was in her control, and not reliant on a thousand-pound animal. The sun was barely up as she left, the faint glimmerings of dawn behind her as she rode.

The rural land soon became riddled with roads and building, and Geneva flipped her hood over her head. Her horse skittered through the streets, pedestrians leaping out of the way, shouts of surprise and fear echoing behind her.

The palace gates looked ahead of her, and she reigned her mare before the palace guards.

"What business?" The footman narrowed his eyes, putting on as much pompadour in his voice as possible.

Geneva threw her hood back from head, eyes flashing dangerously.

"Tell the king that The Phantom has returned."

~

"Geneva, my dear. We thought you were dead!"

Ha. Geneva tried not to scoff as King Romanov rose from his throne, striding down the aisle.

"It seems not, Your Majesty."

"Yes, yes. We'll host a feast in your honor. Now, to business."

That was it. No "welcome home." No "glad to see you alive."

King Nikolai paused in front of her, appraising Geneva like she was an expensive vase.

"I need you to go to Valorborne to prepare the students for war."

Geneva felt the warmth drain from her fingertips.

Valorborne. For war. The words ran through her mind, and yet no meaning had been connected to them.

ValorborneforwarValorborneforwar.

For war.

Geneva felt as if a monster had been creeping up on her and sank its cold claws into her back. Valorborne was not made for war. It was full of the deadliest people in the nation. Aethiria, for all its magic and supernatural abilities, wouldn't stand a chance.

She wrestled her face into a jade mask, quelling her roaring heart.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"You depart in the morning."

He didn't even ask how her mission went.

Probably because he didn't care, she thought bitterly. King Romonav didn't didn't give a lick whether she lived or died.

At least I see that now. At least I can save Veridia before it's too late.

~

Geneva had had a hasty breakfast by herself in her tiny room, barely waiting for the sun to rise completely before she was out the door.

Valorborne looked the same as always. On the outside, it was like a fairy mansion, completely bedecked with gold and silver. There were three towers, one for each of the orders. Red for soldiers, green for bodyguards, and blue for assassins. The orders rarely mingled together, except for graduation day, in which almost the entire kingdom cam to see the new batch of warriors that would be assigned to different corners of Terramore. The order of assassins, Geneva's order, was split into two classes based on weapon proficiency. There were the archers, who dealt in bows and arrows, and the swordsmen, which related to all bladed weapons.