Matutinus   {Dawn} 

Arya collapsed on the ground beside the archer. She gingerly lifted her fingers to remove the beautiful mask and to confirm that was indeed Silvia. Brown eyes stared back at her and Arya lifted a mouth the cover her hand in revulsion.

She was almost speechless but croaked out the words that were haunting her, "why?"

Silvia sighed. Her fingers were covering the wound that Arya had given her and they both knew she had lost a lot of blood. It was useless to bring her to the healers. The only thing Arya could do was find out the truth for her sake as well as the Kalvarian Army.

"Lord Jagmior is my uncle."

Arya shook her head. She couldn't believe that she hadn't pieced it before. They both had red hair, were phenomenal archers and now that Arya though about it, they did look alike.

"Why did he even declare this war?" Arya asked her voice a bit harsh.

Silvia looked taken back but she didn't say anything. She coughed slightly, spewing some blood before continuing, "The story goes back to a time where my father was alive. He was delivering a message for the king but one of the Kalvarian knights had a misunderstanding and though that he was an enemy."

Arya starred at the sky. She had a feeling about where this was going.

"The knight killed my father and then he learned that my father had only been a messenger. However, it was too late. My father was dead." Silvia said with bitterness. Arya had never heard her speak in such a tone.

"Uncle Jagmior was furious and from that moment he vowed revenge. He snuck into the palace that night and killed the knight that had been responsible for my father's death. Nobody knew since he didn't leave a trace and nobody suspected anything."

Arya had a sickening feeling she knew the name of the knight that Lord Jagmior killed. It was Sir Letholdus, Aaron's father. It was true that nobody figured out how he died but it made sense if Lord Jagmior had snuck into his room and dispose of him before any of the guards had arrived.

"That was not the end of Uncle Jagmior's plans." Silvia said with a chilling voice. "He began to train me and under his tutelage I became one of the finest archers. My power rivaled Lord Jagmior and almost a year ago, he sent me on a mission. I was to pose as a student in the Narvian Academy and gather as much intel as I could."

Arya couldn't believe it. Silvia had been a spy from the very beginning. Had their friendship been real? Or did Silvia pretend to be Arya's friend so she could simply get information?

"Meanwhile, Lord Jagmior was working behind the scenes. He had already convinced the Haxovolian King of the benefits to attacking Kathoria but the king had said that he needed more support in order to declare war. Lord Jagmior accomplished this by visiting Mavera and Guevara and he gathered their support. Soon they had all agreed to a pact."

Arya shivered. Lord Jagmior had gone to such lengths for revenge? Was this man even sane? He had put the lives of so many people at risk.

"So you were the spy," Arya said in a cold voice.

Silvia flinched at her tone. It was the voice she reserved for enemies. Although Arya had gotten closer to Silvia, the bond was now broken by what she had done.

"Yes," she gasped out. Her breathing was slowing down and Arya watched as Silvia's life left before her eyes.

"I didn't want to do it after I grew close to everyone and the academy became my home but it was too late. My uncle wanted information and he would do anything to get it. I was a central part in this war of his and if I turned on him, he probably would have tortured the information out of me."

"Then you should have let him rather than betray your friends," Arya spat on the ground next to her.

Silvia smiled softly. Arya didn't know why she was smiling. Didn't Silvia realize that she was dying?

"I'm sorry for all the pain I have caused everyone but thank you for everything Arya. You made my life worth living and made me want to be a genuine academy student. Your name fits you, fidelem the faithful one. Even though you despise me right now, I know you will bury my body." Her voice became softer and more restrained. "Thank you for all the kindness, but now it's time for me to join my father and atone for my sins."

The life drained from her eyes and Arya watched in shock. Silvia had died. Arya slowly walked up to her body and closed her eyes, "rest in peace my friend."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And that is why Lord Jagmior knew of all our surprise attacks." Arya finished.

She had just explained to Sir Samuel, the twins and Aaron what had happened. She had yet to tell Yasmin about Silvia's death and she didn't know how she was going to do it in the first place.

"It's a lot to take in." Sir Samuel said ending the silence that had taken over the room.

"It's also hard to believe." Prince Zander spoke shaking his head slightly. "But then again, this changes the tide of the battle."

Lady Zelie shot him a glare before her face morphed into a softer expression. "This stays between us." She looked at every single member in the group. "Silvia will be given a proper Kalvarian funeral."

Prince Zander looked as though he was about to protest but Lady Zelie held up her hand. "I think," she said slowly, "that deep in Silvia's heart she didn't want to be a spy but circumstance made her to be. So she will be given a proper burial." Lady Zelie's voice sounded final and nobody else said anything.

"Arya you are allowed to leave. I'm sure Yasmin would like to know what happened." Sir Samuel said.

Arya nodded and she left the tent. A few minutes later Aaron also walked out. "Are you okay?"

Arya shook her head. "No, but I will be soon enough."

"That's my girl. Do you want me to stay?"

Even if Arya would have loved having Aaron by her side, she knew he had a greater responsibility. The Kalvarian Army would be leading more surprise attacks and she was sure that Aaron had a part to play in it. She couldn't keep him tied to her. So she answered, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Aaron looked conflicted but he stepped forward and brushed a kissed across Arya's forehead. "I'll see you soon," he whispered before leaving her to watch his retreating figure.

As soon as he was out of sight, Arya began looking for Yasmin. She had to tell her about Silvia's death. Arya checked Yasmin's tent and she saw her cleaning her sword. There was blood coating the silver blade and Yasmin was cleaning it off. Silvia's things were still in the tent and a sad smile made its way onto Arya's face.

Silvia had been here minutes ago spending time with them in the camp but now she was gone.

"Is everything alright?" Yasmin asked her.

Arya looked up, "Why wouldn't it be?" she asked a bit harshly.

"You just had a sad look on your face," Yasmin said slowly as if she was speaking to a three year old child.

Arya sighed. She had to break the news to Yasmin before someone else did. So, Arya sat down on the floor and not on the empty cot in the tent because it didn't feel right sleeping on a dead person's bed.

"There was a casualty today..." Arya began.

Yasmin stopped tracing the cloth over the sword and she looked up at Arya before sharply saying, "Who was it? Walter?"

Arya shook her head before running a hand through her hair. Informing someone that one of their closest friends had died was much harder than Arya had originally believed. "I don't know a better way to say it, but... Silvia's dead."

Yasmin's blade dropped to the ground with a loud thud before she swore loudly. The sword had pierced through her skin and crimson drops of blood fell to the ground.

Arya felt sick looking at the blood as it reminded her of Silvia but she rushed forward anyways to find a cloth to cover Yasmin's wound.

Yasmin's voice broke, "How?"

Arya looked up and saw tears streaming down her face. It only made things worse. Arya felt extremely guilty and she couldn't bring herself to tell Yasmin that it had been her blade that had killed her friend. She couldn't tell her that she didn't try to bring her to the healers. She couldn't tell her that she hadn't shed a single tear over her death.

So instead, Arya lied to her friend. "It was a swordswoman. She pierced it through her abdomen and as a result, Silva lost a lot of blood."

Arya didn't tell her that Silvia had been a traitor. Yasmin had obviously been deeply affected by Silvia's death and if Arya exploited her as a spy, it would break Yasmin's heart. Arya pulled her into a hug and muttered softly, "It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arya's morning had been a lot better than her night. Nightmares about Silvia's death had plagued her making it impossible for her to get any sleep. Surprisingly, Jennica had stayed up with her even going so far as to try and console her. Arya knew they were not going to become very close friends but there was a comfort in knowing whatever feud they had was long gone.

This morning, Sir Samuel planned out another surprise attack and Arya had been one of the few people that had been chosen to lead the mission. They had caught the Haxovolian group by surprise and in a matter of minutes they had all been assassinated.

Arya was thrilled that the Kalvarian Army had been able to finally get the upper hand on something, but she also felt a pang in her heart because she knew it was due to Silvia's death they were able to get the upper hand.

"Are you ready?" A voice called out from beside her.

Arya looked in surprise to see Aaron standing beside her. He was wearing his silver battle armour and he looked ready to fight. Due to his injury, the last few days Aaron had been kept out of the battle but now he looked better than ever.

Arya unsheathed her swords before replying, "Ready."

The two of them charged into battle as they tried breaking through the Haxovolian lines. Arya was immediately caught in a battle with three enemy knights surrounding her but she did not panic. Instead, she picked up the sword that was lying on the ground nearby before quickly running both the swords through the male next to her.

Arya's speed caught him by surprise and his body fell to the ground. He was gone soon after. Arya looked up to see his companions, a female and male that looked vastly different. One had olive tone skin while the other was of a deep chocolate complexion.

"You'll pay for that," The olive toned female snared at Arya.

"I'd like to see you try." Arya said in the same tone. She was confident of her skill and she knew that if she was in actual mortal danger, Aaron was nearby and he would step in. With both swords in her hand, Arya got into a defensive position waiting for her enemies to strike.

They did soon after but Arya dogged their attacks with agility which only prodded them further. There attacks had been sloppy in the beginning but they began attacking with uniformity and that's when Arya knew they were not going to be easy targets. It was the first time Arya had used two swords in the war she was still getting used to the weight of the second blade.

Arya wasn't able to doge the second attack and she felt warm blood fall to the ground from where the olive-toned girl had hit her. The male tried attacking Arya soon after but step sided his attack. He was significantly slower than his partner and Arya knew it would be easier to eliminate him first.

Ignoring the blood that was seeping through her thigh Arya focused on her opponents. She didn't give them a moment to breathe before she sprang into action. She whirled both of the swords and didn't stop. Right, left, right, left she continued her attacking pattern not giving her opponents any time to counteract. The flurry of attacks was having an impact on the both of them and Arya saw that the male was having harder time breathing.

Arya was satisfied. This battle was going the way that she wanted it to after all. Taking a deep breath, she swung Anaz sideways and the man's blade went flying. Arya didn't let him take another step forwards before she hit his head with the hilt of her sword. The man collapsed to the ground. Arya turned towards the olive-toned girl with a serious expression on her face, it was game time.

Arya discarded the extra sword to the side so she could solely focus her attacks with Anaz. The girl rushed towards Arya but she was able to block the attack with her own sword. The metals clashed with an eerie sound before the girl stepped away.

They went back and forth each blocking the attack that the other was planning. Arya was impressed. She would go as far as to say she had almost met someone equal to her and Aaron. That's when an idea struck her.

She discreetly signaled to Aaron who was standing a few steps away. He was not looking her way so it took a couple of tries. When she finally got his attention it was as though they could communicate with only their eyes. She was sure that Aaron understood what she wanted him to do when he gave a slight nod before disappearing into the shadows.

Arya turned back to the girl and tried taking her focus off of what was to come. She launched many more attacks trying to slow the girl down as much as possible. When Arya spotted the blue tunic, she stepped back and let Aaron do his work. The girl was caught by surprise as Aaron's blow to her stomach did not bode to well for her as her body slumped to the floor beside her comrade.

"A job well done," Arya said with a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

Aaron shrugged his shoulders, "You did most of the work, and I just finished it off."

"A team effort," she concluded.

Aaron echoed her words with a soft smile on his lips. Arya started at him, entranced by his beautiful silver blue eyes which were looking at her with adoration. She still hadn't told him that she loved him out loud. It was a secret she had buried deep within herself.

"Is something the matter?" Aaron asked her, completely oblivious to her thoughts.

Arya was about to answer when something behind him caught her eye. A flash of red hair passed through the army and when the arrows began to fall, Arya knew it was Lord Jagmior.

Aaron's gaze followed Arya's own and his mouth turned into a grimace. Arya's mind turned fuzzy in anger and she took a step towards Lord Jagmior but a hand clasped her wrist.

"Don't go," Aaron said in a soft pleading voice but there was determination hidden within.

Arya knew that Aaron would not let her go so she did the only thing she could think of. She kissed him long and hard. Her fingers tugged through his blond hair while his hands rested on her waist. Arya broke the kiss and she felt dazed. Looking at Aaron, she knew he felt the same way but Arya took advantage of the moment.

"I love you," she said before escaping his grasp and running towards Lord Jagmior's direction.

She heard Aaron's shouting and swearing from behind her but she paid him no heed. The space between them had been filled with knights from both countries and Arya knew that Aaron had probably become occupied with enemies to fight. Arya's plan at distracting Aaron had worked but it had been at the expense of using the words she had told herself she would not use.

Arya saw a knight rushing towards her and hot fury filled her body. She normally wasn't very impulsive but seeing Lord Jagmior had ignited the flames of hatred within her. Without a second thought, Arya drove her sword through the knight with a clean hit before moving closer to Lord Jagmior.

She repeated the same movement multiple times. Whenever someone would dare to attack she would drive her sword through them without a second thought. It was as though her brain had been turned off and the only function that was working was the one telling her to kill Lord Jagmior.

When Arya was able to get a clear view of Lord Jagmior she knew she was close. There was a line of guards protecting him but Arya saw an opening. It wouldn't be easy or an ideal situation, but it was better than facing four people at once together.

Arya slowly got closer to Lord Jagmior taking extra care to make sure that she was not seen. She hid behind the other knights crouching close to the ground. It took a while but Arya had arrived at her opening. She slipped through the guards and before anyone could see she raised he blade and brought it down on Lord Jagmior.

The red-haired lord didn't even blink an eye as his bow blocked the power of her attack. The guards around him snapped into action with their blades almost pressing into Arya's skin. Lord Jagmior didn't look fazed and he smiled lazily at Arya as if she was his prey.

"Leave this one to me," he said to his men. "I can handle her."

One of the men looked as though he wanted to protest but though better of it. A few seconds later, the ring of guards disappeared and an area opened for the two of them to fight.

"Arya was it?" Lord Jagmior asked her.

Arya gritted her teeth but choose to ignore him. He was already getting under her skin and she couldn't let him do that any further.

"I can see the hatred lining your eyes," Lord Jagmior said in a cold calculating voice. His red hair was pulled into a tight bun and up close Arya could see the similarities between him and Silvia.

She was mad at herself for not seeing the similarities between the two of them at the Heres Gladii. Maybe then she would have been able to prevent Silvia from becoming a spy and dying on her hands.

"I'm going to kill you for what you did to Silvia and everyone else." Arya said in a soft lethal tone.

Lord Jagmior laughed. "Ah, so that is how the Kalvarian Army was able to get the upper hand today! My dear niece has been found. How is prison treating her?"

"She's dead," Arya said flatly.

Surprise flickered in Lord Jagmior's eyes but it was gone soon enough. "She was a stupid fool. I taught her everything she needed to be successful yet she felt close to your pathetic academy. Her death couldn't be helped."

Arya did not know how such a bitter man was born. He barely cared for the death of his niece. It seemed as though he had lost his mind.

"Little girl, if you think you can defeat me you have a lot to learn." Lord Jagmior spoke.

"I'm not a little girl." Arya said venom lacing her words.

Lord Jagmior ignored her outburst. "Since my army is already winning this war, I have plenty of time so, I'll humour you."

Arya was done talking. She took Anaz and aimed it to his side but he blocked it once again with his bow. Arya tried attack after attack aiming at different parts of his body but he blocked them all.

"Is that all you have?" he asked with a mocking smile. "You're like a little bug." He got his bow and arrows into position with lighting speed before he started aiming them at Arya.

She tried stepping away from where they were going to land and if she didn't have enough time to do so, she simply blocked it with her sword. Back and forth the two of them continued but Arya knew she could not let this battle drag on longer.

She was tired from the other enemies she had faced since the morning while Lord Jagmior barely had to lift a finger. The strength and skill level between them was vastly different. She had never faced an opponent in which she was so severely outmatch. Arya had a sinking feeling of knowing how this battle was going to end, with her in a grave.

Lord Jagmior raised his bow and Arya knew where the aim was, her heart. She didn't have any time to doge the attack all she could do was try to make it hit another part of her body. Arya squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the attack.

Only it didn't come.

When Arya opened her eyes, she saw the flowing blonde hair and the royal blue Kalvarian Uniform. Lady Zelie had come.

"That was extremely foolish of you." Lady Zelie chided her.

Arya suddenly felt ashamed. She had never been scolded by Lady Zelie mostly because she never did anything stupid. Attacking Lord Jagmior had been impulsive and now Lady Zelie had to save her.

"We meet again Princess." Lord Jagmior said cutting through Arya's thoughts.

Lady Zelie replied with a curt nod. Lord Jagmior dropped his bow and grabbed one of the swords from his men.

"It will be delightful to kill one of the leaders of Kalvaria." Lord Jagmior said with a sick smile.

"I doubt that will happen but you're welcome to try."

And those were the last words exchanged before Lady Zelie and Lord Jagmior went at each other with their full force. It was as if the stars and flames were colliding with one another. Lady Zelie did not hold back and neither did Lord Jagmior. Arya took a couple of steps back so she could get out of their way and also analyze their movements. If she stepped in right now, she would only be getting in their way.

The metal blades clashed against one another and sparks flew all over the place. Many of the knights around the two of them had stopped fighting just so they could see two mighty forces going at each other. Arya had never seen Lady Zelie fight in this manner. She was vicious and didn't stop for even a second. She was always moving, always blocking or attacking and it was the same for Lord Jagmior.

Arya didn't let her guard down for even a moment while the two of them battled it out but she was surprise when Lord Jagmior dogged Lady Zelie's attack and came rushing towards Arya. Arya was able to block his attack at the last moment but it was taking every ounce of her strength not be crushed by his powers.

Lady Zelie was back at Arya's side in a matter of seconds and she spat at the ground near Lord Jagmior. Lord Jagmior stepped back and Arya was free from the deadlock.

"It's pathetic to turn away from the one you are facing only to attack someone else."

Lord Jagmior merely smiled. "It's not when the two of you are both of my opponents."

Arya understood his meaning. Lord Jagmior was saying that if Arya didn't join the battle, he would still attack her from time to time because he couldn't just let her go. Arya knew that the Haxovolian Army was watching and if Lord Jagmior showed any sign of sympathy, his knights would no longer respect him.

Arya gritted her teeth and got into an attacking position. She turned to Lady Zelie, "Shall we dispose of him together?" she asked.

Lady Zelie saw the determination in Arya's eyes and she nodded a hint of smile on her face. "It's amazing how much you have grown in the past few years. It's time to show Lord Jagmior the extent of our powers."

Arya and Lady Zelie didn't waste any time as they both attack Lord Jagmior from opposite sides. Lord Jagmior dogged Arya's attack and parried Lady Zelie's. Arya took the time to aim between his legs but he jumped back quickly and that's when Lady Zelie struck her sword towards his right side. It barely nicked his tunic but they had landed an attack.

Arya felt as though this battle was finally getting somewhere. Lady Zelie and Arya had gotten into a firm rhyme and they knew how to work together without getting in each other's way.

"Do you want us to join My Lord?" One of the originals guards ask.

Lord Jagmior's response was curt, "No, just throw me another sword."

The man looked surprise but he did as he was told. Arya steeled herself. Lord Jagmior was equipped with two swords now and he would be better at defending himself from both sides.

It was Lord Jagmior who attacked the two of them. His metals blades swirled around his fingers until he landed an attack on Arya and Lady Zelie. The two of them held their ground and it was a battle of wits. Lord Jagmior tried pressing his blades further in order to dis-balance them but Lady Zelie and Arya held on.

Arya stepped back as did Lady Zelie. The two of them charged at Lord Jagmior with Arya sliding on the ground and Lady Zelie attacking from above. Lord Jagmior jumped with grace when Arya's blade nearly made contact with his legs. He stabbed his sword at Arya's fallen body but she rolled to the side before he could make any contact.

He did however, managed to make contact with Lady Zelie's skin and blood oozed out from her left arm. Arya looked up concerned for the princess but Lady Zelie just ignored her injury.

"I'll be fine," she said to Arya's questioning glance.

Arya didn't question her further. If Lady Zelie said she was fine, she was probably fine. Arya was the one that led the attacks against Lord Jagmior and Lady Zelie followed her movements. Lord Jagmior was able to block all of their attacks with ease. The skills he possessed were on a different level.

Nevertheless, Arya was determined to win the battle. She regrouped with Lady Zelie and the two of them stood back to back their swords drawn.

"Have you been able to identify his attacking pattern yet?" Arya asked Lady Zelie.

She shook her head. "No, he keeps it hidden and likes to change it. We are at a disadvantage because we have not seen him fight with a sword before and he has."

"Let's try to keep drawing out the battle and see if we can see the similarities in his moves. No matter how skilled a knight may be, they are bound to reveal their attacking pattern at one time or another."

Lady Zelie nodded, "I'll take the right side and you take the left."

Arya nodded and the two of them split off to attack Lord Jagmior once more. Lady Zelie attacked from the right side first and then Arya went in from the left side. But instead of taking out his sword to parry her thrust, Lord Jagmior made a swinging motion which left Arya paralyzed in fear because she knew this was going to be the attack that killed her. Except it didn't.

It was déjà vu as Arya watched Lady Zelie step in front of her body for the second time. Only this time, Lady Zelie wasn't able to block it and she used her body as a shield. Arya stood their frozen in time as Lady Zelie's delicate body slipped to the cold hard ground. 

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Once again not sorry for the cliffhanger! This chapter was particularly difficult to write which is why the late update. Also it was super long. Chapter 40 will be split into two parts as well because it would be too long. What did you guys think of this chapter? Silvia's backstory? Arya finally uttering those 3 words? The cliffhanger? Comment below I always love to hear your response. ;) 

p.s thank you so much for @beautlies for giving HOTS a shout out!