Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Sixteen ⚜ Fortress (pt. 2)

She looked at the equations on the paper and felt her mind burning.

"My brain is being fried." Valeriana groaned. "But if they went down because of something else, then what? This is probably related to the demon issue of the gates opening and shiz."

She was interrupted by a couple of knocks on the door to which she replied with a yell. "Come in! It's open."

The doors hatched and a young girl in staff clothes came in. "Good morning, miss. I'm sorry to interrupt, however, Lord Keelan wishes for your presence in the training ground if you've already gotten settled."

"Keelan? Oh yeah. How long has it been?"

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure. Twenty minutes, perhaps?" she replied.

"Thanks. I'll come." She stood and followed the maid out of the doors and into the hall, leaving the book on the table as well as her notes.

They were quiet for most of the way as she walked in deep thought about her recent discoveries. Maybe she should consult Charles? But how was she supposed to contact them—with no phones?

When they got to the training grounds—which was ten times bigger than the one they had back in the academy—there were several knights or guards training among the crowd. There were obstacles, dummies, a big, open field, some benches on the sides accommodating several guys. Some girls.

Brindon stood watching what Valeriana realized was a fight between Keelan and one other person. Looking more closely—it was Eres.

"Holy shiznits, I gotta see this," she told to herself and ran to Brindon's side, excited at the exchange between the two brothers.

The weather was warm, the skies fair with clouds. Keelan gripped the spear with one arm, the shaft between his torso and limb as he hit the ground with it. His legs parted to form a stable stance with his weapon. One thing more noteworthy was that he was shirtless, showcasing his sharply contoured muscles rippling with every movement.

"I wonder why Keelan doesn't have a girlfriend." Valeriana sighed, shaking her head.

"Food," Brindon replied blankly.

"Yeah, why did I even forget?"

Eres, on the other hand, did not pale in comparison. Although he and his brother were about the same height, his stature and overall form looked far stronger—Keelan's being more lissome and nimble-looking. Eres packed eight buns on his abdomen—but so did his brother.

Valeriana fanned herself. "The testosterone is so thick in the air, I think I'm turning into a man."

Keelan shifted his foot as he moved forward cautiously. He raised his spear, the blade crossing with his brother's. He feinted a high raise before jabbing to target the chest. Eres evaded the attack smoothly, leaning to the side as he rounded the spear to target Keelan's shoulder.

Their movements were precise—both hands shifting holds on the shafts of their spears. Eres moved forward for offense, moving his spear overhead to swipe it forward like an axe. Keelan put forth his own spear, meeting his brother's blade with his to defend himself. The blunt end of Eres' spear then came swinging forward in place of the blade. Keelan held up the second attack, but he did not see the blade swinging for his side. He wasn't able to react by the time he noticed as his brother's speed had reached greater heights.

"Blind spot," said Eres, his blade halting just before Keelan's underarm. "Your defense blocks most of your sight."

"You attacked there on purpose!" Keelan exclaimed.