Kane
The sky above Ithrador was heavy with the promise of snow, a stark contrast to the tension that gripped my every step as I left the great hall. My mind was clouded with the weight of Aldric's words. He'd handed me a mission that could very well be the tipping point for the war. But there was something elseâFallon Draythar's name had been woven into that mission, and it gnawed at me. She was reckless, undisciplined, and yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being forced to rely on her.
The thought made my jaw tighten as I made my way toward the training grounds. I needed space to think. I needed to clear my head before making the decision about who to take with me. But the moment I entered the sparring room, there she wasâjust as defiant as I remembered.
Fallon was trading blows with one of the senior Valdyrs. Her form was sloppy, too aggressiveâunpredictable, in the worst possible way. She charged forward with a wild strike, but the senior sidestepped easily, countering with a move that sent Fallon to the ground.
She gritted her teeth and scrambled to her feet, glaring at the senior. "That was nothing," she spat, ready to go again.
I watched her for a moment, irritation bubbling in my chest.
"What are you doing here?" I barked, stepping forward.
She didn't even look my way, her focus still locked on the senior. "Training."
"I told you before, Draythar, your style is all wrong. You need control, discipline, not blind aggression."
She shot me a look over her shoulder, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I'm doing just fine."
I crossed my arms, standing taller as I watched her pick herself up again, the arrogance clear in her stance. She didn't seem to realize how dangerous her attitude wasânot just to herself, but to everyone around her.
"You're a liability," I said, my voice low but firm. "You can't even land a proper hit, and you're out here acting like you've got it all figured out."
Her jaw clenched, but she didn't retort this time. Instead, she turned her attention to the senior, who had already moved back into position.
"You're nothing but a child playing at war," I added, letting the words sting. "You think this is a game? You think you're ready for the real world?"
Fallon hesitated, the anger flashing in her eyes as she stood, fists clenched. But she didn't say anything. Good. Let her chew on that for a moment.
"Listen carefully, Draythar," I continued, my voice sharper than before. "I'm taking you with me. But this mission is going to test everything you think you know. There's no room for mistakes. If you screw up, it's not just your life on the line. Do you understand?"
For a long moment, she didn't speak, just glared at me. Finally, her shoulders dropped slightly, her stance looseningâjust enough for me to see the quiet storm beneath.
"Yeah, I understand," she muttered under her breath, but I didn't miss the flicker of defiance still burning in her eyes.
"Good. You better. Pack your gear. We leave in two days."
I turned on my heel, not waiting for her to respond, but I felt her gaze boring into my back.
As I stepped into the dark corridor of the academy, I couldn't help but think that I might have just made a mistake. Fallon Draythar was trouble, and I'd never been one to trust people like her. But Aldric's words kept echoing in my mind. Her role in this may be greater than either of us realize.
It didn't sit right with me. But war had never been about comfort.
â
Two days later, we were standing at the edge of the academy, the wind biting at my skin as the snow began to fall in thick sheets. Fallon stood beside me, her pack slung over her shoulder, her eyes flickering to the horizon. She looked ready for battle, though I had little faith that she was ready for what we would face.
"Don't get any ideas, Draythar," I warned, my voice low as I scanned the team I'd assembled. "This isn't some field trip. You follow orders, or I leave you behind."
Her lips curled into a thin, irritated smile. "I've got it, Kane. Just don't get in my way."
I ignored the urge to snap back at her. She was like a thorn in my side, refusing to listen, always challenging me, and yet... I had no choice but to drag her along. It would be easier to work alone, but Aldric's instructions weighed heavily on me. Keep an eye on the Draythar girl.
It was clear to me that Aldric didn't see her as some valuable asset. She was a toolâone I'd have to wield carefully, whether I liked it or not.
We gathered our things and made our way into the storm, the wind howling around us as the academy faded behind us. The mission ahead was more dangerous than any of us realized, but I couldn't afford to let Fallon's recklessness cloud my judgment. I had a job to do, and she was going to be a part of itâwhether I liked it or not.
And in the end, I would make sure she understood what war truly meant. There would be no room for mistakes. Not on this mission. Not when everything was at stake.
"Stay sharp, Draythar," I muttered, glancing sideways at her. "One wrong move, and you're out."
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't say a word as we disappeared into the storm.
War was coming. And I was going to make damn sure that Fallon Draythar didn't get us all killed.