Page 72 of Into the Isle

After finishing her bout, she limped away with her friend, who said, “Damn, babe, she fucked around and found out! You need to teach me to do that.”

“Teach you to punch people in the face?”

Randi Ranttir nodded. “Yes. Like that.”

They walked in my direction. I found it interesting Ravinica Linmyrr limped now, yet not during her fight. She found the presence of mind to tamp down the pain. I could use someone like that. Perhaps we could learn from each other.

I leaned against a short tree in the meadow, under the shade of its canopy, watching her interact with her friends.

The big one, named Grim, gave Ravinica a stern nod. “Good work, little sneak. You fought smart.”

Ravinica craned her neck, then looked down and blushed, trying to hide herself. “Thank you.”

“My offer of tonight still stands.”

“I . . . okay. We’ll see.”

Randi dragged away the hesitant girl. I heard her low voice as she leaned in, “You’re fumbling the bag with him, babe.”

“You don’t know what I know about Grim, Randi.”

I cocked my head. What have you learned about him?

I stood less than ten feet from them, yet they didn’t seem to notice or acknowledge me. I appreciated being forgotten for a moment. It reminded me of simpler times. Now, well, I had to hide myself so no one ever saw the true me. I didn’t want to fill the poor wretches with nightmares.

As Ravinica passed Arne Gornhodr on her way back to Hersir Axel, the whimsical iceshaper grabbed her by the elbow and stopped her. “A fine showing, little fox. Quick as a snake, you are.”

I flared my nostrils at the way he spoke to her. There was nothing “little” about Ravinica. She was strong, tall, with a powerful physique. Beautiful in every respect, even if she didn’t notice it. Soft curves, sharp eyes, thick legs and arms.

It wasn’t often I admired someone of the fairer sex, but there was a lot to admire with this one.

Arne Gornhodr, in my mind, was a tempestuous man. I may have only been an initiate, but I knew him from elsewhere.

She kept walking past Arne, after saying her thanks. Once she was past me and the tree I leaned against, I caught her glance over her shoulder at me.

I kept my face stoic, not revealing anything. The girl’s hair was silver as the moon, and she was fierce as any man. Much more controlled than her loud, blustering opponent, Astrid Dahlmyrr, who now stomped away with her tail between her legs to head for the infirmary wing.

I appreciated seeing the Tomekeeper’s snide daughter brought down a peg. The sight of her blood made a shudder run through me, making my own blood itch, and I had to fight down a pulse of intensity.

Hersir Axel was busy watching a few other bouts in Tyr Meadow. The initiates fought with wooden weapons. I knew my time would come soon. No one had yet challenged me.

I continued watching Ravinica and Randi, and noticed someone pushing through a small crowd of students watching the fights.

I shoved away from the tree and marched over just as Sven Torfen burst from the crowd, heading directly for Ravinica. Coming up behind her.

I intercepted him and grabbed his arm, spinning him.

Sven’s fist flew before he’d fully turned, and I dodged it, my head tilting to the side. I pulled on him, bringing him close, and whispered, “Keep away from her.”

The handsome man’s face twisted with contempt. “Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do, trench coat?” He pushed at me and I let him go.

His brother Ulf was on the way over to us. Ravinica hadn’t noticed Sven creeping after her and her friend. They were almost to Hersir Axel now.

My frown deepened. “I can be a nightmare, if given the opportunity.”

Sven seemed confused by my answer. “Fucking freak.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

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