An Assassins Crown

Chapter 17- Verian

 2 weeks had passed since I had found out about the war. Katara was distant, I don't know what changed with her. Everyone is training until there bodies feel like there about to break. All the magical beings are tired and hungry.

Katara keeps denying most of her food and instead gives it to whoever seems to catch her eye. She hasn't been allowed to use her powers since the incident. But she has been working hard in her own training, even helping others. Her skills are unparalleled to any other magical being.

The mines are running smoothly. There extracting every possible source for weaponry and forging it to make sturdy weapons.

In but a few days time all the magical beings will be moving to the wall which is at least a week long journey if not more.

Father has been busy with preparing how to prevent this war and readying the main kingdom for the event of an attack. Rumour has it the South Kingdom Latira has magical beasts.

As a tradition the kingdom holds a small ball of sorts to have one last celebration before the possibility of your death. Its grim but tradition, so it is necessary. At the ball you are supposed to wear black and red as a symbol of bloodshed and war. Sort of as a nod to those who have lost there lives before us.

Zalora's tradition are tedious to say the least. But I must say, I dont hate to dress up in finary every now and again. The only problem I have is doing it days on end. Its strenuous and infuriating.

Father says that the magical beings may be in attendance but will have to stay outside because they are "Dirty and don't deserve a place in my castle. But to honour tradition they must be in some sort of attendance."

And you don't fight with a king's words, especially when you know the punishment. I get reminded every day when I look in the mirror.

Today is the last evaluation day for training. As decreed by my father every person must be evaluated in each skill to choose what squad they should be in. The main ones are obviously the front lines, the stealth squad, backup and any other roles that are necessary. The front lines are obvious, they are our first line of defence.

The stealth squad is to retrieve any and all captured soldiers that are essential to our victory. To spy on the enemies. They are also for any general things we may need of them. Backup is to reinforce the front lines and help healers when they are not in direct action.

Hand to hand combat is a crucial component of any training so that's why today's evaluation is as such. The first person to yield or get out of the circle is out. As simple as that.

Three soldiers around each sparring ring, twelve sparring rings in this area and 20 in another area.

Ironically Katara is in the same sparring ring Milo, me and another soldier are supervising. 10 magical beings also surround the sparring ring awaiting their pairings.

She avoids my gaze which only makes me frustrated with myself more than anything else.

"As you already know" Milo says in an authoritative tone "today is hand to hand combat." If they knew what they were doing this for they would probably purposely do bad just to end up in reserves. "Partners have already been assigned based on previous days" I nod in agreement.

I look at the list of pairings I hold and call out the first parring "Fern and Quill." They both step onto the ring and prepare themselves. Fern looks terrified and Quill looks at the child with sympathy but I can tell he won't go easy on her.

I don't blame him.

After many matches we finally get to the last one "Katara and Roy." Her eyes widen immediately as she raises her head. Katara smothers her emotions quickly not letting them stay long enough for someone who wasn't paying attention to notice.

She takes a step onto the ring flexing and unflexing her fingers.