The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 34

Mira

Getting men and women twice her age to bend to her will wasn't the easiest task for Mira, but the rush of excitement she got every morning she met with her subordinates to further train them made it all worth it. It had been six days since Adelaide had huddled her, Andrew and Henry into the back of Andrews shop, asking them to join her in her rebellion.

It hadn't taken but the skip of a heartbeat for Mira to decide she was going to join Adelaide. Adventure was what she lived for, the threat of death one of the only things that made her feel anything anymore.

"Morning, general."

An older man that Mira grew to know as 'Jack' greeted her as she stepped onto the training grounds. The sun was still making its ascent over the horizon, casting golden beams over the sparring rings. It had become Mira's favorite place to be in her time at the camp.

"Morning, Jack," Mira replied warmly. Jack had been one of the first to accept Mira's position as their general. All it took was Mira winning a sparring match against one of their strongest men, and he pledged his loyalty. He had also been a great help in corralling other soldiers who weren't quite as keen to bend to Mira's will. "Sleep well?"

Jack smiled, his salt and pepper mustache lifting at the gesture.

"I always sleep well when I'm a free man, miss."

"Good, and let's keep it that way, aye?" Mira laughed, grabbing a set of daggers from the weapons table. Jacks smile only widened.

Mira moved to the opposite end of the training grounds. Sycamore, maple and Cedar trees lined it's edge, making perfect targets for Mira's knives. She distanced herself to be thirty feet from the treeline. The first knife easily found it's cedar target. Mira took two steps back, putting more space between her and the trees. She threw a second dagger. It landed just two inches above the first. Two more steps back.

"Do you ever take a day off?"

Andrew's warm voice sounded behind Mira. She couldn't help the smile that crept onto her features. She turned, meeting his bright hazel eyes and full golden-brown hair. His smile was gentle as he wrapped and arm around her shoulder, examining the unfortunate tree ahead.

"You can't take a day off when theres a war to win, Andrew." Mira scolded him, but she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her as Andrew poked her side, shutting her up.

Andrew was the closest thing to having a brother that Mira could imagine. After Adelaide had disappeared back at base, which Mira now knew was because she was training to become a spy, her and Andrew and Mira had spent most of their days together. Whether Andrew was clumsily attempting to be Mira's sparring partner, or Mira would sit on the stool of his little shop, watching him as he skillfully welded metal into amour and weapons.

They had grown to reply on each other as the months passed by. Andrew had become Mira's family. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt safe to stop being strong when he was around. He was always first to defend her when her soldiers made fun of her, or defied her orders. Even before Jack was there, Andrew stood beside her. He was one of the bravest men she knew.

Andrew's humble demeanor often tricked people into believing he was naive, which Mira couldn't stand to witness, but she had grown to learn that Andrew was very, very wise for a man his age. Mira could sit and listen for hours as he spoke about the stars every night. Every sunset, Mira and Andrew would sit outside and eat their dinner together, and Andrew would always point out which constellations had made an appearance that night. He told her ancient stories of how the pictures in the sky came to be, and what they could say about your future and past. Mira could always see the twinkle light up in his eye as he talked about astronomy.