Page 65 of On Wings of Blood

“Speed is something that we dwarves always need to work on,” Professor Stonefist said ruefully, approaching our ring. “You’ve got impressive speed,” she said to me. “Quick reactions and agility are valuable in a fight. But don’t forget, you need to be more than just fast. Strength and endurance are key, too.”

I winced a little, thinking about how Visha had certainly proven that the day before.

Professor Stonefist walked around me, observing my posture and form. “In the next few classes, I want you to work on building up your strength and endurance. We’ll focus on drills to increase your resilience. Strengthening your core and upper body will help you maintain control and get more power into your moves.”

I nodded. “Understood.”

The professor turned away. “Switch!” she bellowed. “Find a new partner. If I haven’t come by to give you an assessment, I will do so before class ends. Or you’ll stay late and wait. One or the other.”

I quickly found a new partner. First up was a slender dark skinned mortal boy named Vaughn Sabino who nearly had me matched in speed for a few minutes. But I wound up pinning him face-up against a wall. He was gracious about losing and made me promise we could spar again the next class.

“I’m usually the fastest in the group,” he said, with a grin, as I left the ring. “I’m looking forward to a challenge.”

By the time class ended, I was sore and tired but happy. Basic Combat was different from Advanced Weaponry, but in a refreshing way. The class seemed much more at ease–with theprofessor but also with one another. Even though we’d arguably spent the last hour fighting and competing, it had been in a good natured way. I sensed a camaraderie already starting to develop.

Professor Stonefist was tough but she seemed fair. I appreciated that she was mortal. It was a nice change of pace to be amongst mortal students and not highbloods, even though I was a little worried I wouldn’t have my mettle tested quite as much.

“So, what were you going to say when the professor interrupted us at the start of class?” I asked Naveen.

He flushed. “Oh. That. I was going to say that as we dwarves age, it’s easier on our eyes to be indoors. Artificial lighting isn’t as harsh as sunlight.”

I laughed. “That’s funny.”

“Why?”

“Well, a long time ago, I read in a book that it was vampires who had a natural aversion to sunlight. But here it turns out it was dwarves not vampires.”

Naveen smiled. “I’m not sure vampires are averse to anything. They don’t have many natural weaknesses.”

“What about each other?” I suggested.

Naveen nodded. “You make a good point.”

“Tell me about that civil war Professor Stonefist mentioned. Who fought in it? What happened?”

Naveen held up his hands. “Look, I wasn’t even alive then. You’d be better off asking Florence or taking out a book from thelibrary.” He paused. “Actually, I’m sure we’ll learn more about it in History of Sangratha.”

I didn’t want to wait that long.

“But all you really need to know, I guess,” Naveen continued. “Is that it involved the four houses. They split into factions. Two against two.”

“Who was allied with House Drakharrow?”

Naveen scratched his head. “I’m pretty sure it was House Orphos. All I know for sure is that it was House Avari against House Drakharrow. The other two houses were strong but not as strong as those two.”

“So House Mortis took House Avari’s side?” I thought back to Catherine, the leader of House Mortis who I’d seen strolling through the refectory with her two thralls the day before.

“Right,” Naveen said. “House Orphos was a little stronger then. But not by much. House Mortis and House Avari seemed to have the stronger alliance.”

“But who won?” Then I guessed, “House Drakharrow must have.”

“You’re right. How did you know?”

“Lord Drakharrow.” I scowled. “The Drakharrows seem to have the most power right now.”

“They do,” Naveen agreed. “Though they haven’t always. But yes, Viktor Drakharrow basically rules Sangratha. The other houses defer to him. At least, they do for now. I suppose the professor was right and it is an uneasy peace in some ways.”

“What happens to Bloodwing when the great houses fight? I mean, aren’t we supposed to be neutral? I thought all of the highbloods had sons and daughters here.”

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