A Crown Of Blades(ARTK, Book 3)

Chapter 51-52

Manor 12th,3330 A.G

  Because of how close they stood, their breaths visibly mixed midair. And after being within House Tomhend's walls so long, the woods around them sounded silent. Nara decided right then that she wouldn't allow herself to grow used to safety again, whether there was a war going on or not.

"Listen." Her father had said once, just a few months after her mother died. It was a little warmer than usual for that time of year, Nara remembered- but still within what was expected from the continent. "What do you hear?"

"I hear...." Nara had cocked her head, pretending to actually listen. "A middle aged man trying to teach an unknown lesson to his child who wishes only to go to bed-"

The slap had been hard enough she fell over, that Thorne had almost punched her father. And he would have, had Nara not done so first.

Her fathers laughter had filled the air so quickly she wanted to do it again- had she not understood what he said next. "You think this is all some jest? Listen to me, child. Your mother and I were not the greatest of friends. Sooner or later you may hear certain rumors, and many of them may be lies but this is the truth: With her gone I am the only parent you have left. So like it or not, I will have to teach you things from time to time."

Thorne. Tuyon. Aises. There was another that she knew had been friends with her mother, a tall man with blonde hair... but she couldn't remember his face or anything about him. She didn't know if this man were still alive, or if he'd long since followed her mother to the lodah.

"I will only say this once-" Her father continued after a long pause. "You must make yourself good at observing each and every detail around you. You are a Tomhend, yes- but you are also an Ashhand. The product of a minor and a major noble line, so sooner or later someone will try to kill you- and you may or may not be alone. Noticing something as subtle as a scratching sound against brick bellow your window or a figure hiding in a shadowy corner can give you the time you need to reach for your weapons."

If he'd taken his own advice, Nara likely wouldn't be queen yet- but that were just the way of the things. A noble father made stupid decisions, and a child of his took his power then some. This same cycle had been observed countless times throughout time-

"What exactly are you thinking right now?" Renard interrupted, frowning. "Usually I can tell. 'Good gods, will he stop talking?' 'I can't wait to kill him one day.' But right now..... I have no idea."

Nara did not look at him, only stepped away to give herself more room. Suddenly, the babe growing inside of her made her not want human skin to touch any part of her. The nausea rose, but she would not allow herself to give in out here. Perhaps later, in their chambers with guards outside their windows and door.

Her grip on the bow grew tighter as they reached blood stained snow. So it'd happened right here.

"That doesn't sound real." A very young Renard said, having never left his family's island and it's perfect climate with no risk of giants or sand crawlers. "A creature.... made entirely of ice.... with a black substance where their eyes should be that has never been ...identified?"

"That is correct." Amery Wilcock had nodded, an amused smile spreading across his face. He'd already seen much of the world, seen this creatures with his own eyes- so to speak with any one so innocent were refreshing. "They can be as small as a typical human man, though that is rare- or as large as four times one of us. And that is more common, though none of the books say so. I've only seen one small, two very large. Regardless- every single one of them could pick two men up at once and crush their skulls with a single hand-"