WHOS AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME, fourth wing

Chapter six

CHAPTER SIX

"You seriously knew every answer in history and apparently every right question to ask in Battle Brief," Rhiannon says, shaking her head as the girls stand on the sidelines of the sparring mat after lunch, watching Ridoc and Aurelie circle each other in their fighting leathers.

"You're not even going to have to study for tests, are you?" The rest of the first-years stand on our side, but the second- and third-years line the others. They're definitely at an advantage here, considering they've already had at least a year of combat training.

"I was trained to be a scribe." Violet shrugged
"Guess that means you're not worried about academics," Rhiannon says, her brows rising.

"Stop circling each other like you're dance partners and attack!" Professor Emetterio orders from across the mat, where Dain watches Aurelie and Ridoc's match with our squad executive leader, Cianna.

"I'm worried about this," Violet admits to the two standing on either side of her.

"Really?" Rhiannon shoots her a skeptical look. Her braids are twisted into a small bun at the nape of her neck. "I figured as a Sorrengail, you'd be a hand-to-hand threat."

"Not exactly."

Seren keeps her eyes on the match. "I trained you."

Violet rolled her eyes— she said it as if the six months of training will actually make her a formidable opponent against people who've been training for their entire lives.

Ridoc launches toward Aurelie, but she ducks, sweeping out her leg and tripping him. He staggers but doesn't go down. He pivots quickly, palming a dagger in his hand. "No blades today!" Professor Emetterio bellows from beside the mat.
"We're just assessing!"

Ridoc grumbles and sheathes his knife just in time to deflect a right hook from Aurelie. "The brunette packs a punch," Rhiannon says with an appreciative .

"What about you?" Violet asks as Ridoc lands a jab to Aurelie's ribs. "Shit!" He shakes his head and backs up a step. "I don't want to hurt you." Aurelie holds her ribs but lifts her chin. "Who said you hurt me?"

"Pulling your punches does her a disservice," Dain says, folding his arms. "The Cygnis on the northeast border aren't going to give her any quarter because she's a woman if she falls from her dragon behind enemy lines, Ridoc. They'll kill her just the same." "Let's go!" Aurelie shouts, beckoning Ridoc by curling her fingers.

"I mean...damn," Rhiannon mutters, giving Aurelie another look before turning back to Violet. "I'm pretty good on the mat. My village is on the Cygnisen border, so we all learned to defend ourselves fairly young. Physics and math aren't problems, either. But history?" She shakes her head. "That class might be the death of me."

"They don't kill you for failing history," Violet said as Ridoc charges Aurelie, taking her to the mat with enough force to make the three wince. "I'm probably going to die on these mats."

"No, you won't." Seren states with conviction. She turned to Violet and put a hand on her shoulder. "You are not dying. You need to have more confidence in yourself. Those six months you were training, you picked up everything I threw at you. You put in the work."

Violet shook her head softly; still doubting herself. But she gave Seren a thankful smile, her hand reaching to Seren's on her shoulder and giving a gentle squeeze.