A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Friendships Past

A low vibrating grunt escaped Elvin's mouth as he swung his sword against his opponent. The weight of Elvin's attack ripped through the tired soldier, sending him stumbling backward at the force. His bruised back slammed harshly into the hardened training ground. Elvin advanced and held the wooden training spear to his throat. Had this been a battle, the soldier would be dead trice already.

Years of battle experience made training too easy. Despite how skilled his warriors were, few could hold their own against the prince. How could they? As soon as Elvin could stand, he was trained to be as sturdy as a mountain, as fierce as a lion, and as deadly as a cobra. He knew it not as a child. But he had been raised for one purpose and for one purpose alone. To take the Alchadian kingdom. And so he had.

"Again," Elvin ordered.

The poor soldier keened as he stood and rubbed his bruised jaw. He would have to visit the healers after this session. Swellings decorated more than just his face.

"Don't you think you should let him rest, Prince Elvin?" A low and amused voice came from the weapons rack.

Elvin turned to the source and smirked at the sight. There leaning against a rock, was his childhood friend. Aron's golden eyes twinkled with amusement as he picked non-existing dirt out of his nails.

"Why don't you take his place?" Elvin asked, eager to have a challenge. But more than that, he was glad to see his friend had fared well in his last mission.

"And beat your royal ass? With pleasure!" Aron smirked. His deep red hair flickered with excitement at the thought of battle. Aron was a beast to be recon with. He could crush the skull of any man under the weight of his combat boots. He was built like a horse and had the stature of a brown bear. Growing up, he had used that to easily send Elvin to the healer. But things were different now. Elvin had learned. Such stature made Aron slow against Elvin's much more agile form.

"You are a dismissed soldier," Elvin ordered the beaten man who watched silently from across the pavement. A small sigh of relief left the soldier as he bowed and turned. Elvin turned once again to his friend, spear still in hand. "I remember you being the one with a sword to your throat last time we fought."

"Only because I got distracted," Aron grunted. Grabbing a training ax, his favorite weapon of choice.

Elvin knew well why Aron got distracted. Estel had stopped to watch them practice. What a terrible friend he had been, to not notice it sooner. He should have never accepted her invitation at the high solstice. "Not a proper justification for a soldier. So, focus your peanut brain this time. I don't want to hear any excuses when you end up on your back," Elvin smirked.

The sun shined brightly above them. It cast a warm blanket over the circling pair.

"So, what's got your knickers up in a twist?" Aron asked, swinging his ax casually at Elvin's neck.

Elvin stepped back with ease and trusted his spear forward, forcing Aron to hop away from its reach. "I know not what you speak of."

"Really? Then why were you beating that soldier to a pulp? You only train as such when you are frustrated?"

"I thought you wanted to train, not gossip."

Elvin was the first to move this time. He pulled his spear back, giving more room for Aron to advance. Once Aron was within reach, the prince twisted around and swung the spear at his feet. Aron jumped, missing the edge of the blade. Before Aron's feet had fully landed on the grass, Elvin stuck his spear in the ground and propelled himself forward. Muddy boots smashed into Aron's chest, sending him tumbling into the weapons rack.