Aurora

8

Arrabella

nine

“What did I tell you about doing that? That isn’t fair, Claire.” Slone glared at her.

“War isn’t fair.” Claire grumbled in return. I rolled my eyes as I stood up, brushing myself off. I looked over in Tessa’s direction and saw her standing there with her eyes wide.

“You okay?” I asked when I was standing in front of her. She blinked before nodding.

“That was invigorating, though it didn’t last long.” She sighed and I laughed.

“Yeah, she just really doesn’t like these training things. She loves ending them before we’ve barely started. She’s the reason why we don’t do them much.” I explained and she shook her head.

“Training is important for physical and mental growth. She should acknowledge that.” Tessa said. I nodded, opening my mouth to reply but didn't get the chance to.

“We’re going out to eat dinner today.” I heard Slone say as she landed behind me.

“Oh, where to?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at her.

“One of the border cities with Airenna. Without permission, of course.” She laughed and I shook my head. I looked at Tessa again and tilted my head.

“I don’t think it’d be safe if I left you here alone. Someone would probably try to kill you.” I looked at the ground, attempting to be nonchalant.

For no reason, of course.

“I guess I’m going with you guys then. It wouldn’t be very good for you all if I died.” She laughed and I frowned.

“No, it most definitely would not.” Slone said before putting a hand on my shoulder. “Meet us at the topmost tower in fifteen minutes.”

“Well we better hurry. I better go get changed. Come on.” I motioned for Tessa to follow me as I speedily walked away.

I tugged my dirty, dark brown cloak over my plain gray tunic and black pants before turning towards Tessa, who was sitting on the lush grass in my room. Her auburn hair was tied back and up, and a cloak similar to my own covered her body.

“Let’s go.” I said and she stood quickly and followed me out of my room.

“These clothes seem pretty plain for a person of your stature.” She said and I giggled softly.

“Yeah, well, the border cities are some of the poorest in the kingdom. We can’t exactly walk in donning gold and silver all over our bodies. It’d be rude and demeaning.”

“I'm sure your father doesn't share your sentiments.”

“Of course he doesn't.” I sighed.

She stared at me for a moment before nodding softly and looking away.

We speedily walked along the halls in silence for a while before Tessa spoke again.

“Which city are we going to, exactly?” She asked curiously.

“Ironwood.” I told her and she turned her head to look at me, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Ironwood? That doesn't sound like a word in Na’aine or Daketi.” She said and I nodded.

“That's because it isn't. It's an odd assortment of letters that, I assume, used to be a language millenia ago. Actually, almost all of the names of the towns and cities and such are in that odd language.” I explained and she nodded.