Ashton Flare

I hate that my annoying brother is always right. Even when he suggests that the only way to save our little brother is for me to do it alone, he is right. I would have suggested for him to join me in the war, if only I believed he would live through it.

As talented as Arieon might be, he is not made for war. He is rather suited to the art of strategy. But we do not have enough time to prove that to these idiots. If our plan works, and I do get to Axel before the Shadow, it gets easier from there. Axel's sentinels and I can kill the rest if the crew and get more than enough information through house Xonos.

One of the only flaws in the plan is that is puts Arieon in danger. If these pests even suspect that I betrayed them before Arieon can escape, everything falls apart. I would have traded one brother for another. He is going to survive. Flares always do.

Katrin looks she is debating asking me something. I hope she does not. Pretending I was amused by my new room was hard enough. The brown wooden walls and the almost concrete bed was not to be compared to my room in any of our castles. The missing presence of my brother or the impending assassination do less to soothe my nerves. But my luck seems to wither when she does open her mouth. “Are you alright?”  

“Do you care?” I snap. The last thing I need is pity, especially not from the monsters that killed my parents. I wonder what Axel is going through. The court is not known for kindness. If anything, I expect a plan to take our power is already in motion. 

House Xonos might be looking through my father or mother’s memories right now. As a kid, I was fascinated by them. Most people in the house have the power to see the memories of anyone dead for a few days. Some of the families with much less importance chose to heal others with their powers instead. I have not met any as they are not invited to court unless it is absolutely necessary.

Arieon does not need to tell me that they might find one of our many secrets if they wanted to. Perhaps if we were at the castle, we could forbid them to do it. They are going to be harder on Axel, he is not officially a crown heir neither is he old enough to rule alone. I just hope he is able to save the crown on our heads till we get back.

“Not really. But I do know how it feels to leave your family behind in the name of change. And it is not all butterflies and rainbows.” This time she is the one to snap, her eyes lost in a distant painful memory. She takes a deep breath before walking faster to put as much distance between us as possible. By the way her shoulders move, I can tell she is trying to calm herself down. 

The corridors are empty, no indication of guards or cameras. Fools. Even the servant’s quarters held cameras back at the castle. That does allow me a small happiness though. I keep my hands locked at my back, creating small yet dangerous hurricanes made of fire. I am careful enough to keep them off the ground, not wanting to risk burning this place to the ground before Arieon and I are out. 

Fire would do little to harm us if we decide to burn this place to ashes, but the risk of getting captured is too great. We do not know how many soldiers are at this place, nor do we know the fastest way to reach Axel. Besides, fire is the most powerful weapon we have, letting our enemy know about it would be stupid. Arieon’s words of course. 

A few moments later Katrin stops in front of a door leaving me to catch up. She turns to me with the same sloppy grin she always carries, her face showing little indication of her outburst earlier. “You are fighting the general herself. Try not to lose a tooth.” She says and winks at me. I am much better while fighting with my flames, it is the perfect shield and sword a girl can have. But I am not bad with blades and my fists either. 

“I’ll manage.” I shrug and walk ahead pushing open the door. I am thankful for the adrenaline in my veins as it does not let me gasp at the sight before me. 

The perfect training ground with more than enough equipment and four cage like structures against each corner of the room made for us to duel is illuminated just by the sun above us. It does not surprise me that the training ground has no ceiling, soldiers need to train in the sun and under the darkness of the night if we expect them to survive out in the real world.

“You are late.” Leona says from inside the cage at the back of the room, in the left corner. I shrug ignoring the resemblance between her and my trainer back at the castle who care about each second in their lives. I suppose I would not be surprised to know they were born with a schedule in their hands. 

She motions for me to join her, so I do. She seems more composed, focused on decoding my tactics rather than getting high on adrenaline like me. I already know what the result to this fight. I try not to show it but the smallest of smirks escapes my lips.

~~♡~~

I bet if Axel or Arieon see my black eye or my bloody nose, they would double over their laughter. My face is not a pretty sight but Leona’s is not great either. I got a clean cut through her left foot, but she barely even notices it. 

We move along the net made of chains of the cage as if moving in a deadly dance in a ballroom. She adjusts her feet to knock me off balance, I notice it before she makes the move. The crowd gathered around the cage cheer her along, the noise is a distraction, but I pay no attention to it. 

I do not move my feet to dodge from her strike and end up getting knocked off balance. I pretend as if I can not get up and stay down taking short breaths. As usual this was Arieon’s idea, if I show them the full extent to my power they are bound to get suspicious. Hence I submit, presenting myself as someone weak. 

Leona wipes the blood of her face before offering me a hand, “You are good Ashton. Focus next time.” If these Wanderers have half the focus I had, they would not let the crown heirs to the kingdom roam free in their midst.

“I will.” I cough out through the blood and take her hand. “I will try to be ready by nine days, right in time for the attack.” I lower my voice so only she can hear me.

Leona looks confused, she narrows her eyes at me, “Nine days? We are leaving tomorrow. Get some rest.”