Interlinked

please underestimate me

«The strongest weapon you have at your disposal is that you will often be underestimated»

—correspondence found between cadet Xaden Riorson and Eris Riorson

The chest is heavy. I struggle to breathe, no matter what position I put myself in, no air can pass through my lungs. My chest burns, I see everything white and blurry. The healers are worried. Where I am? On a cot. Why am I surrounded?
I can't breathe, it hurts. Are they healing me? What are they remediating? It hurts so much. Why can't I breathe? What are they doing to me? Why isn't it working?
I can not breath. I can not breathe.

The evaluations began, and one thing was clear: they were trying to eliminate the weakest.

While the others thought I shouldn't worry, as Xaden's sister, and being directly in his chain of command (Apparently the fourth wing is famous this year, between Aetos and the Sorrengail - although luckily mine team leader is not Aetos, but Bodhi- could be a great deal of drama).

Pair that poor frail boy with Jack Barlowe? Imogen with little Sorrengail? Smart, I'd say.
I may be a Riorson, but not the best in fight. I had strong mentality, great willpower and initiative, but my body was slowly and silently failing me. And I think, when they were deciding who to appear, they took this very small fact into consideration. I was a woman and sick. They don't consider me a danger. But when I was called onto the carpet with a boy from the second wing, I felt a huge sense of comfort and terror at the same time. He was twice me, but his nervousness was palpable. Performance anxiety?

When I was still too small and weak to defend myself from the outside world, my mother taught me that the best weapon a woman has to win is to be underestimated. And since I set foot here, no one has seen me as a danger. They are not afraid of me. They are afraid of Xaden and what the other marked ones would do if I were to be hurt, or worse. So the anxiety of this big beast is reasonable. If he were to seriously harm me, Xaden would probably skin him alive.

We started circling each other on the carpet. 

Please, please underestimate me.

I studied his movements, and when he started throwing blows, I was quick to avoid them while trying to figure out his fighting pattern. Big and thick, but without great technique. His fighting method was leaking all over the place, and while I had to take a few hits and ended up with a split lip, I quickly adapted to his fighting scheme. Knowing him, I could anticipate his moves and stop him before he could hurt me further and win the match. He was physically strong, but beyond his fighting technique, he seemed terrified, perhaps by Xaden's gaze that was penetrating his back? I took some quick hits, using as much force as possible. Frustration got the best of him as I kept moving out of the way of his blows, avoiding him. The frustration. The fear of failure. The nervousness. I don't need physical strength or a fit body to win if I can use my head. So I knocked him down, winning the match. I used the fact that he underestimated me. While my body screamed with fatigue I returned to my place with the others, next to Liam, massaging my cracked knuckles. I then glanced at Xaden, who was smiling at me. That smile? Like that of a proud father. My heart warmed at the sweet memory it brought me. At least I had my family here. A few carpets away, Violet screamed in pain as Imogen broke her arm. Ouch.

Was it really necessary?

I didn't love Violet, but I didn't blame her for her mother's actions. She was just a child, just like I was. But the other marked ones didn't seem to think as I did, and, when we gathered with the older ones for advice on how to survive, the topic was quickly brought up.''When can we kill Sorrengail?'' Asked a boy whose name I didn't bother to remember. While many agreed, I found myself in an unfavorable position, I glanced at Xaden, who was leaning against a tree, next to me. Noticing his silence, I turned and gave a look of disdain to some of the people in front of me. Are they serious? They first of all should know how much it sucks to be associated with their parents' actions.''Seriously?'' I said, speaking for the first time since the beginning of our little meeting - which among other things, was also illegal - ''is this what you're worried about? If you think too much about someone else's garden you will end up rotting your own.'' My voice was bitter. Contemptuous.''Really Eris? That girl's mother killed your father and burned down your house!'' A boy in front of me said, taking a step forward, as he pointed a finger at me. I could feel the shadows around me moving imperceptibly, like a warning from Xaden that he would protect me if necessary.''So? It was her mother! NOT her. We should all know first and foremost that the sins of parents often fall unfairly on their children."''Enough. It doesn't matter who is right. Leave the Sorrengail to me, I'll take care of it.'' Xaden said, finishing the meeting, and the little fight, here. Some of the Marked looked down before walking away. 

They knew I was right.