The Wielder Trials. Franca Ogbonnaya

frowned then smiled as she took a bite of her food. “This is divine. Now back to the visitors from the navy. Are they that stupid?”

      “Not only that, they seem blind as well,” added Pietor.

      “The Namirans are obviously lying to us; even our latest novice saw through that official report.”

      “Hmmm, speaking of which, I recruited her to my combat and defense and class.” Sammel and Eowise stared at Pietor.

      “She just got here. We barely know what she’s capable of,” protested Sammel.

      Eowise nodded. “Just because she fought in one sea battle doesn’t mean she’s a warrior.”

      “That’s precisely why I picked her,” said Pietor with a grin. “At her age, I doubt I would have even dared think of negotiating with an Alkynaia or dream of wielding in tandem with a Dyhaeri. Yet she did so and adapted admirably. I think she may be more capable than we give her credit for.”

      Sammel gave him a wry look. “Just like you thought with Danai? Tell me, has she finally agreed to participate in the Wielder Trials?”

      Pietor sighed. “Alas no. However, she has agreed to help train the contestants. But she has so much potential and her skills in hand-to-hand and wielding are quite impressive.”

      “I was a bit surprised when you first told me about Danai’s skill at physical combat,” said Eowise after taking a sip of water. “Especially when one considers the pacifist ideology of the Weltonians.”

      “Mmhmm,” agreed Sammel.

      “Danai is a determined young lady,” said Pietor. “I can give you that much, and if I can convince her to stop holding back, she would be a perfect candidate for the Naval Wielder’s Division. The problem is that despite my obvious hints, she has no inclination of applying for military training.”

      “As Eowise pointed out, the Weltonians are largely pacifists, so you’ve got no chance of changing her mind,” said Asteros.

      “So, now that we’ve destroyed Pietor’s dream of creating an Admiral Danai Riverun, I guess Britea will be the next candidate?” teased Eowise gently.

      Pietor smiled at his roommates. “From what our esteemed Sammel here told me, she handled herself quite well when the Windrider was attacked, and she’s no pushover, especially when confronted by Lady Lianne Arkei and her two hangers-on.”

      Eowise sighed in dismay. “Oh, by the Maker, what did those three rich brats do now?”

      Pietor described what he had witnessed.

      The female instructor shook her head. “I predict more troubling encounters between Britea and those three airheads.”

      “Maybe we should put them in separate classes,” suggested Sammel.

      “No.” The other two turned to Pietor. “Britea is going to run into others like the Arkei family in the real world. She might as well learn how to deal with it now, so she’s better prepared.”

      Sammel looked at Eowise, who nodded. “Fair enough. Let’s talk about a happier topic, shall we?”

      CHAPTER 3

      Kahl slid sideways on the wet deck as he tried to dodge the blow Mat aimed at his head. This was their fifth day on the Peacekeeper , but to Kahl, it felt like eons.

      On the second day, the Weltonian captain, Lanead Riverun, had told them in excruciating detail that for the foreseeable future, they were to learn how to interact with humans.

      Mat had been shocked, then enraged, at the idea, and Kahl was still trying to figure out how to cope with the news. He had been relieved when Lanead had suggested they start with daily early morning sparring. At least that was familiar.

      But now he was wondering if he had been a bit hasty in his relief because he was half convinced Mat was trying to kill him.

      Kahl swung his spear to the left to deflect another strike from Mat’s trident.

      “Hold!” yelled Kahl. “I yield for respite!”

      That was the prearranged signal indicating he’d had enough, but for one split second, he expected Mat to ignore him. But then the older Dyhaeri dropped his weapon, breathing heavily. His cousin looked away from Kahl, frustrated.

      Slow clapping made both of them turn to see Lanead approaching.

      “When I suggested sparring, it was meant as a way to let off steam and stay battle ready. The intention wasn’t for you to attempt murder.” The captain glared at Mat.

      Kahl looked at his cousin, expecting him to attack the Weltonian, but something in Lanead’s gaze made Mat drop his.

      “I may have gotten carried away.”

      “Really? For the past three days?” asked Lanead sarcastically. “I was told you both were responsible, level-headed Dyhaeri, but that’s not what I’m seeing. My advice to you two is to sort out whatever it is preventing you from working as a team because once you start your assignment amongst the humans, you’ll only have each other. Your animosity is only going to get you killed in enemy territory.”

      Both Dyhaeri stared at him. Lanead spoke as if he had something against the humans. But wasn’t he also human?

      “Now, for wasting my time, you’re both on below-deck duty for the next two hours.”

      “What?” gasped Mat. Kahl blinked. What did that mean?

      “Report to Tracee.”

       #

      After being handed a mop and a bucket of soapy water, Kahl had a fair idea of what below-deck duties were.

      Tracee looked at him sympathetically. “The quicker you clean this area, the sooner you’ll be above deck.” Mat glared at his own mop with such anger Kahl was surprised it didn’t instantly combust.

      “Thanks,” said Kahl before Tracee left. He started working from one corner of the cargo hold. To his relief, it didn’t smell that bad, and he didn’t see any sign of rodents. Not that he had ever seen one aboard the Peacekeeper.

      Kahl was all too aware of his cousin at the other end of the hold. They had been here five days and shared the same cabin, but Mat refused to talk to him. Their only communication was their sparring.

      Working with his back to his cousin, Kahl first heard a muttered curse, then he heard Mat pick up his bucket and walk over to Kahl’s section of the hold.

      They worked in silence for several minutes before Mat broke the silence. “You still haven’t told me why you did it.”

      Kahl glanced at his cousin. Mat refused to look at him as he continued mopping. “What are you talking about?”

      Mat went still, then slowly turned to glower at him.

      “You have the gall to not know how you betrayed me and our people?!”

      Kahl took a deep breath and chose his next words with care. “I’ve done a lot in the last two months. So, yes, it would help if you were more specific.”

      The cousins glared at each other.

      “Fine,” said Mat through gritted teeth. “Why did you train the human girl?”

      “I was ordered by the high priest to do so.”

      “Did he give you a reason why?”

      “He said the Sea Mother willed it. And for the record, the king was also aware of the assignment.”

      Mat glanced to one side. “Why am I not surprised those two were up to something.”

      Kahl frowned. “You do realize they are our leaders, right?”

      “That doesn’t mean they