Fourth Wing: The Beginning

•°•▪︎|CHAPTER 5|▪︎•°•

"You honestly seemed to have every history answer nailed down, and you asked all the right questions in Battle Brief," Rhiannon remarks, directing the first part of her comment at Vi and the latter part toward me. As we stand on the sidelines of the sparring mat after lunch, we watch Ridoc and Aurelie, clad in their fighting leathers, move gracefully around each other.

They're equally matched in size: Ridoc is on the smaller side, while Aurelie, much like Mira, is robust and athletic. It makes sense given her legacy from her father's side. "With your knowledge, you probably won't even need to study for exams, will you?" she adds. Around us, the first years are clustered together, while the second- and third-years have formed a line on the opposite side.

Those upper-year students definitely have the upper hand here, having already undergone at least a year of combat training. "Well, she was groomed to be a scribe, and I spent every spare moment with her and her father in the library," I say with a shrug. The vest Mira made for me catches the light, shimmering slightly with the movement.

Aside from the occasional flash of scales beneath the camouflaging mesh, the vest blends well with the standard-issue tops we received yesterday. All the women are dressed similarly, though their leather cuts vary according to personal preference.

The guys, on the other hand, are mostly shirtless, believing that shirts offer opponents an extra handle. I'm not disputing their reasoning; I'm just appreciating the view... respectfully, of course. This means keeping my focus on our squad's mat rather than the twenty others spread across the massive gym that occupies the first floor of the academic wing.

One wall is entirely composed of windows and doors, all propped open to allow a breeze to circulate, but the heat is still oppressive. Sweat runs down my spine beneath my vest. I've always dreaded summer; autumn and winter are more my style, and maybe even spring, but summer? Definitely not my favorite.

I scan the hall for my brother, but Xaden doesn't seem to be here yet. This afternoon, three squads from each wing are participating, and unfortunately, First Wing has sent their third squads, including Jack Barlowe, who has been staring daggers at me from two mats away since my arrival. I met his gaze defiantly, smirking when he eventually looked away, conceding our silent stare-down.

"Looks like academics aren't a concern for either of you, right?" Rhiannon says, raising her eyebrows at us. She's opted for a leather vest similar to mine, but hers cuts in above the collarbone and secures at the neck, leaving her shoulders free. I can't help but wish I'd chosen that style as well.

"Stop circling each other like you're at a dance and just attack!" Professor Emetterio commands from across the mat, where Dain observes Aurelie and Ridoc's match alongside our squad executive leader, Cianna.

I catch Violet practically drooling over Dain, and I have to suppress the urge to reach up and swat her on the back of the head. "I'm worried about this," she says to Rhiannon, nodding toward the mat. "Really?" Rhiannon raises an eyebrow in skepticism. Her braids are styled into a small bun at the nape of her neck. "I'd have thought a Sorrengail like you would be a formidable hand-to-hand fighter."

"Not quite," my sister replied. At our age, I've had twelve years of hand-to-hand combat training, while she's only been at it for six months. It wouldn't be such a concern if she weren't as delicate as a porcelain teacup, but here we are.

Ridoc lunged at Aurelie, who ducked and swept her leg to trip him. He staggered but managed to stay upright, quickly pivoting and pulling out a dagger. "No blades today!" Professor Emetterio shouted from beside the mat. I sighed; a few cadets with cuts and bruises wouldn't have been the worst thing.

He's only the fourth professor we've had, and I'm not particularly fond of him. "We're just assessing!" Ridoc muttered, sheathing his knife just in time to block a right hook from Aurelie.