1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter XV ⚠️

Alistair Wardwell

"Again!" Jasper yells at me with such a force that it rings my eardrums. Though I was one of the most skilled combatants of my coven, I was used to striking down others with my wand or my dagger; not a sword or a bow and arrow. Turns out Lycans, choice of weapons were diverse and they took their combat with great pride. Jasper Wolfe trains me and still for the thirteenth time, he has bested me at a swords duel. If I hadn't had these stupid witch hazel cuffs; I'd blow through every single one of the Lycans here. "I'm done!" I protest. "I don't fight like this." I say with anger.

"Too scared magisso? My little sister can hold a sword better than that? Now get up and show me again!" He commands. I get up, holding the sword in my grip.

As I'm ready to lose again cause of my inexperience I hear snickers behind me. Three tall men walk towards us; all of them wearing training uniforms similar to Jaspers. One was at least 7'0 and didn't crack a smile in the slightest. He had a scar running down his eye and muscles so prominent he looked like he could cut through steel. Next to him was a man who looked almost identical to him if it weren't for their differing heights. This one was at least two inches taller than me at around 6'6. He had a ruggish beard and long hair that touched his shoulders. He was laughing along with the third man. I recognized the third almost instantly. When I watched Elysia, he would come to the manor often to chat with her brother.

Damian Lacero was his name. He was the Beta Advisor whereas Jasper was the Beta Mentor. Damian was savvy with math and navigation and was also bright in terms of inventing.

"This should be interesting." Damian says with crossed arms. "Now, don't watch us. Finish what you were starting" He urges.

I roll my eyes and look at Jasper with a determined look. I could not lose in front of an audience. That was almost unacceptable to me. I was a prideful person in all areas of my life. I prided myself on being the best artist, the best assassin, the best friend and the best brother I could be. With the evidence being clear as day I've been a shitty friend to both Killian and Vanessa and the worst brother to my late sister.

I couldn't lack in this area as well. As me and Jasper stood head to head, our swords were brought forward and outstretched to show our clear stances. I straightened my back to mirror Jaspers and actually took in the time to observe him. He had been left handed and that was one of his advantages I assumed. His left hand came full swinging which catches his opponent off guard in time to defend themselves. His right leg and brought back and from the likes of his strategy; I was guessing he'd go for my arm next. He was an offensive swordsman who took first aim. If I'm confident enough, I could leave room for winning this.

I raised my sword and aimed it to his right side which he efficiently blocked with ease. Jasper's sword clashed with mine like a symphony, as he tried beating me; I counteracted all his incoming attacks with parallel speed and motion. Then he started using force. Jasper's strength provided him the upper hand to uphold my sword above my head with his deadly blade. I took the moment to step back and clash my sword along his at a forward facing moment to prevent myself from falling and losing yet again.

"Can't keep up?" Jasper asks me with harbored breaths. I ignore him and use my sword to turn to left. Jasper aimed his sword forward to thrust it. He wanted my sword to drop and so I copied his movement; my blade gliding along the sharpened edge of his. Jasper smirked at me; completely impressed at my resilience to avoid his striking attacks.

As we finished at a tie; the small crowd that wanted to watch us clapped with respect. I looked to them and waved. "Who are they?" I said faking dumb with sweat pouring down on me.