As Kyler left, Lola leaned close to Brandt. “When the captain finds out you’ve disobeyed direct orders again, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Could you recommend me for your position? I think I’d be better at it than you.”
Brandt grinned. “You’re welcome to my third stripe whenever the captain rips it off me. I’d hate to deprive you.”
Lola smiled. “You’re a good man, sir.”
Ana overheard the exchange. “If the captain didn’t take his stripe after Tinsworth, he never will.”
Brandt tried to look hurt. “That wasn’t my fault!”
“You led us straight into the enemy encampment,” Ana replied.
“Because I was sure we could win!”
“Because you forgot how to count?” Ana asked, a smile on her face.
“We won!”
Ana was about to reply, but mercifully, Kyler ended the conversation when he brought the next round of beers to the table, the mugs laughably small in his large hands.
Brandt leaned back after he grabbed his mug. This time, he guarded his beer zealously. Conversation quickly turned to other matters. Kyler wondered if anyone had heard any local ghost stories, and Lola asked if any well-regarded warriors lived here she could train with.
Brandt sipped his beer and relaxed.
The wolfblades were loud and obnoxious.
But they were his, and that was enough for him.
6
Alena worried she might run into Niles in the street before class. She tensed as she turned the corner to the academy, then relaxed when she saw no one waiting.
The entire day passed without event. Bayt’s warnings unnerved her, but if Niles missed the coin purse, he made no public show of it. Thankfully, he also seemed to have forgotten about their small confrontation. Though they shared several classes, he didn’t so much as spare her a glance.
She did have to sit through a wolfblade’s visit. The man was a giant, standing two heads over their martial arts instructor. He carried a hammer taller than her and gave the usual speech about duty to the empire and the benefits of service. No doubt, Jace was swooning on the other side of the room with the younger students.
Alena was interested in the man’s forms. Despite his size, he moved gracefully, his oversized hammer whistling through the air with ease. She didn’t know much about the wolfblades, but Alena was certain this man was the strongest warrior she had ever met. Even their instructor looked impressed.
Dozens of questions followed, and Alena’s attention quickly drifted. The wolfblade looked like he wanted to be in the academy about as much as she did.
Most of her thoughts focused on Niles Arrowood. Bayt had offered good money for more information about the family, which had piqued Alena’s interest. Bayt rarely parted with money without good reason. Alena glanced over at Niles several times during the presentation, wondering what could possibly be so worrying about the boy or his family.
The presentation ended with the wolfblade sparring empty-handed with some of the students in the class. Even though the outcome was inevitable, Alena still found her attention drawn to the fights. She wasn’t sure she would ever be an expert martial artist, but she loved the exchanges, the subtle movements of balance and power that could win or lose a fight.
A number of the students in the class had developed their martial arts to a high level, at least for their age. Jace was among the first students to fight the wolfblade, and although he was flat on his back within a few heartbeats, he came away beaming. Alena couldn’t help but chuckle to herself as she shook her head. Her brother was hopeless.
She wanted to see Niles fight the wolfblade, but he didn’t volunteer himself. Was he scared of being beaten? Or did he possess a secret family technique? Alena had heard many named families did, but she didn’t know one way or the other.
The presentation ended and classes resumed as normal. Being as both Alena and Niles were on the university track, their schedules collided throughout the day. Every class she had with him, she found her gaze drawn to the boy.
She didn’t like that there were two stories about him in her head. In the first he was a spoiled, wealthy child who enjoyed lording his named status over others. But Bayt’s reaction indicated something more. The second story was more sinister, filled with conspiracies and secrets. Alena knew she wouldn’t be able to rest until she’d resolved the difference.
Alena left class early again, but she didn’t travel far. She changed out of her academy uniform into a faded tunic and pants. She tied her hair up tightly and threw a hat on. Unless he was supernaturally observant, Niles wouldn’t recognize her when he left.
Her wait didn’t take long. The streets were busy at this time of day, so she had no fear of being spotted. A group of Etari traders in their red cloaks attracted most of the attention in the area.
If Bayt’s warnings were accurate, she was taking on more risk than was healthy. But she didn’t believe Bayt. Perhaps Niles’ family was one to worry about. Crossing a named family was never wise. But perhaps Niles was the weak link. He certainly hadn’t shown her any skill worthy of concern yet.
She promised herself she would be careful, but she planned on getting answers.
Niles left the academy with the rest of the students. He walked for a few blocks with a group of his new friends, then peeled off. Alena followed, leaving plenty of distance between her and Niles.
After another two blocks, Niles turned right into a narrow alley. Alena didn’t follow. The alley was empty except for the academy student. She waited away from the entrance, watching her peer.
At the end of the alley Niles turned right again, walking back the direction he had come.
The hairs stood up on the back of Alena’s neck.
Niles was trying to lose a tail.
Did he know that she was following him,
