Page 80 of Feathers and Thorns

They would go through each section of the training gauntlet five at a time and be rated on a scale of one to ten for overall ability in each skill. There were eight different sections to cover the basic groups required for ground attack and defense with some small changes made to accommodate for their enemies’ aerial attacks. The sections included hand-to-hand combat, archery, basic healing, survival skills, melee combat, equestrian skills, leadership, and mind training. Each section played an important part to ensure them the best chance at survival.

Enara was assigned as group leader for hand-to-hand combat, alongside Callan, while Meena and Evelyn joined a few other men and women to lead in healer training. Soren assisted in archery, working below a gentleman named Kristoff who could sever the tongue from a frog from one hundred yards away. Survival skills and leadership training were led by a few of the duke’s men, while mind training was left to a group of elders from multiple provinces.

Mind training was more important than most people knew. You could be the best fighter in Entheas, but if you lost your mind at the first sight of a dead body, you were about as useful as a bucket full of holes.

After some convincing, Rook was drafted alongside Jai and Baz to help with melee training. He might have grimaced the entire time, but Jai had to admit that his instruction points were valid, though his correctional manner could use some work.

“Again. But this time, look at where you are swinging your weapon.” He dragged out the word “look” as though he were speaking to an infant.

Jai considered showing him a gentler approach, but they did not have time to perfect everything. He figured if they couldn’t handle a little admonishment, they wouldn’t last long in the field, anyway. Instead, he opted to give them all a positive pep talk at the end of each group’s training session to help boost morale.

He was halfway through his pick-me-up speech when a familiar rider approached. It was the boy he had sent to Braexmirth before they had shipped off from Edras Mora.

“Your Majesty,” the boy said, dismounting to bow before the king-to-be. “I have news.”

“Rise and speak, young master,” Jai said.

The boy looked around. “It may be best if we speak without audience.”

If Jai was worried, he did not let it show. The last thing he needed was to panic everyone. Instead, he nodded and dismissed the group, commending them on their good work.

“Come; we will speak in the war tent,” Jai said, grabbing Amadeus’s reins and leading them away from watchful eyes.

The second they passed the canvas threshold, the boy blurted out, “Braexmirth was attacked.”

Jai gripped the table at the center of the room that was covered in papers and maps marking known attacks and potential strategies. “Shit,” he said under his breath. “And the king?” It was a loaded question. He did not know if Entheas would survive the loss of another leader so soon.

“Oh, sorry, sir, I did not mean to insinuate. King Elias is fine. He sent me to update you on goings-on across the border.”

“Go on, then,” Jai said, gesturing for the boy to sit in the armchair across from him while he leaned against the table.

“Olecastor, it seems, was a bit more well protected with its high walls and steep peaks. They are accustomed to fire and were able to contain most of the attack to a small area. It seems, in the enemy’s haste, they did not do much research into the province’s capabilities.”

“Good news, then,” Jai said, stroking his beard. “Did King Elias relay if his troops will be ready to fight?”

The boy nodded vigorously. “Yes, sir. He sent me ahead to inform you that they will arrive within a few days, weapons and armor in hand. Everything is as planned, though they were delayed due to the attack.”

“You’ve done well, William,” Jai said, grabbing the boy’s shoulder. “Go to the healer tent in the training grounds and ask for Meena. Tell her Jai sent you for accommodations. She will set you up in a tent with the other boys your age and get you some food. Tomorrow, I want you to join the equestrian instructors.”

Without question, the boy nodded. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” As he leaped to leave, Jai’s voice carried across the room.

“William.”

The boy turned swiftly, his light hair turning auburn in the lamplight. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Remind me to knight you when all this is over.”

The boy’s eyes beamed with delight as a smile won over most of his gentle features. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do with the compliment he had just been bestowed.

“You may go, William,” Jai said.

“Oh, yes. Sorry, Your Majesty. Thank you.” And with that, the boy was off and running, no doubt to tell all his friends the big news.

Jai let himself have a moment in silence to melt into the chair before returning to the training grounds. He found himself reinvigorated.

With Olecastor by our side, we just might stand a chance.

Soren and Enara stood side-by-side, mouths open in awe as King Elias’s forces arrived two days later. They marched in from the north, carrying flags of green and black and singing an old Braexian war song. They couldn’t understand the words, but Saoirse translated for them as they marched closer.

---