The Hidden Princess: Secrets Revealed (Book Two)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Your Hope Was Not in Vain

"I vote to cancel training tomorrow. It's Sam's birthday after all," Kole said, as the four Dragon groups with apprentices lay stretching after a mock battle against one another. It had been a month since Erik and Chloe's wedding.

Brooks, Kole's lieutenant, walked by and smacked him on the back of his head. "If we cancel training for every Dragon's birthday then we will miss over a month of training each year," he said.

"Then how about you just let us apprentices off for a few hours to celebrate. I mean Sam should get at least some time that is about her, she hasn't really got to celebrate her last two birthdays," James argued.

James' lieutenant, Pierson, shook his head. "How about you apprentices quit complaining and trying to find ways out of training when you could use every moment you can get," he said.

James glared at his brother. "Are you saying we aren't improving?" he challenged. Kole, Rowen, and I joined in with encouraging words and head nods.

"Oh no," Luke, who led Rowen's brothers, spoke up shaking his head. "You all are improving day by day. However, if we want to avoid any incidents like this morning you all need as much training as you can get," he smirked.

We stopped short and dropped our heads. We had done a four against four battle. The apprentices against their lieutenants We got our rears handed to us.

"However, tomorrow's training will look slightly different. We are going to have a Dragon's training session outside of the city. Each Dragon group will be participating in a challenge of strength and mind," Benedict said. The four of us quickly turned to him. "Orion informed us that we will each be getting a letter to protect and in that letter will tell us which Dragon group has our key to victory. We are going to head to Carters Clearing after breakfast tomorrow," he said, bringing grins to our faces. Anything to get out of the everyday routine was a cause for excitement.

The following morning we were making our way to the clearing. "I hope whatever that letter says that I get to take out Luke," I said as I walked beside the other apprentices.

Luke glanced back over his shoulder. "Again I was just following orders!" he smirked.

Glaring playfully at him I shook my head. "I don't care. You nearly gave me a heart attack when I took off your mask," I said. James, Kole, and Rowen laughed, causing me to glare at them as well. "Just wait until it's your turn! You'll hate whoever Orion puts you up against," I said. As we neared the clearing we split into our brother groups. We each had instructions of our starting point. Our group was on this side of the clearing so we wouldn't even make it to the clearing until the drill started. We came to our spot and sat waiting for the time to begin.

"When the time starts we are going to send you out as the scout Sam. You're the best at unseen movement out of us. We'll hang back and fortify our location while you figure out where our target is," Benedict said, holding the sealed envelope that couldn't be opened yet. As soon as the time came Benedict ripped open the envelope and pulled the card out. He grinned as he looked up at me. "Looks like you got your wish, Sam. Our key to victory lies within Luke's envelope," he said.

A grin spread across my face as I nodded my head. "Well then, I should get going. We have a traitor to eliminate," I said standing. With a few short words I moved out. I wasn't far from the clearing when a bag came down over my head.

"Looks like it's me who got the revenge. I still have a scratch from where your sword came too close to my face," Luke's voice said.

"You know you aren't doing anything to gain back my favor," I said struggling in his grasp. Unfortunately he wasn't the only one holding me. "Who else am I gonna kill? Miles? Chandler? Ares?" I asked as I named his brothers. However, the chuckle that followed wasn't any of theirs. "Really, Rowen? I thought we were friends!" I said.