Arranged (37 page)

Alison was already dizzy from just watching her. Then she noticed a figure also watching nearby. Vin's eyes were glued to Adalia, watching her thoughtfully.

Adalia repeated the steps, but Alison hardly watched. Instead, she was transfixed on the look Vin was giving Adalia. He looked…love-struck. Her heart ached. She wanted someone to look at her that way.

Adalia must have noticed that her student was no longer paying attention because she followed Alison's gaze to Vin. Then she walked to him and playfully smacked him. He smiled devilishly as he reached for her, broken from his trance. She danced out of his grasp, chiding him in Vidarian.

He teased her right back, grabbing her hand and pulling her to him. Before she could squirm from his grasp, he wrapped his arms around her, stilling her. She smiled up at him, no longer struggling, but now cupping his cheek. He murmured something down at her before covering her mouth with his.

Alison looked away; it was hard for her to watch. At the same time she was very happy for Adalia, if anyone deserved a good man, she did. But Alison couldn't stop the ache that watching such affection brought. All through her life, she had never once witnessed such actions. Her father had remained single as she grew and her uncle never invited women to the manor so she had never known what love looked like, before now.

Suddenly she felt a hand gently on her shoulder. Adalia looked at her, worry sketched on her beautiful face. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she lied.

Adalia narrowed her eyes slightly, then Alison felt the soft buzzing in her mind as Adalia tried to read her.

"I'm fine, really," she insisted, stepping away.

Adalia withdrew her power. "Tell me what's wrong."

Alison looked around. As soon as Adalia had broken away from him, Vin grudgingly went back to work, stretching a new canvas over the hollow of a drum. When she was sure he was far enough away, she decided that it would be all right to confide in Adalia. She had to confide in someone or burst.

"You and Vin make a beautiful couple," she started off, wrapping the strands of her braided belt nervously around her finger.

"But that's not what's bothering you," Adalia nudged gently. "Come with me." She grabbed Alison's hand and tugged her toward the tent opening. She threw someone instructions in Vidarian over her shoulder before the pair exited.

"Where are we going?" Alison asked.

Adalia ignored her as she continued to walk toward a nice dark patch of grass. When they had settled themselves, Adalia turned all her attention to Alison. "Tell me what's on your mind."

Alison couldn't find the words to explain what she was feeling, but she knew it was safe to confess her scrambled thoughts to Adalia. "Watching you two makes me…lonely."

Adalia tilted her head slightly as she continued to listen.

"I've never seen affection the way you two show it. I…I guess I would like to feel that way someday." She lowered her eyes, not wanting to see the pity in Adalia's eyes. The darkness surrounding them helped.

"I'm sure Qwinn would show you that affection."

Alison's eyes darted up in shock as a blush so deep lit her face that she could actually feel her head throb. "What…?" she asked. "W-why would you say that?"

Now Adalia had an amused smile playing on her lips. "I've been watching him these last few days and I've seen the way he looks at you."

Now Alison twirled the strings of her belt more tightly. "How does he look at me?" she tried to ask sounding as if she didn't care, but knew she failed. The butterflies in her stomach were in such a frenzy that she could hardly keep the shake out of her voice.

"I'm sure you have seen it too. He likes you."

Alison could hardly meet her eyes. Deep down she had hoped he would like her, but immediately doubts started flooding into her mind. "How do you know?"

Adalia giggled slightly. "It's obvious actually. I think he's more protective of you than he is of me! He's always staring at you, and…" she trailed off dramatically.

Alison met her gaze with curiosity. "And?"

Suddenly her playful mood changed into a serious one. "I've noticed he's been reigning in on his temper more. The only reason I can find for that is because of you."

Alison felt lightheaded. Was she telling the truth or was she just saying these things because she felt sorry for Alison's loneliness? "Adalia…why would he like me? I'm human."

Adalia shifted closer and gently touched her arm. "Alison, you are so much more than just a race. If there is anyone I could pick for my brother, it's you."

At that moment, Alison began to cry. She was as much surprised by the tears as Adalia was. Taking it in stride, the Vidarian princess pulled Alison into a tight and comforting hug.

When Alison had gotten control of herself again, she pulled away and wiped her eyes. "Thank you…but I don't think he likes me."

She studied Alison with a knowing smile. "You like him, don't you?"

Alison's blush returned. "No!...I mean, he's a good friend…"

Adalia giggled again, the sound tinkling through the air. "Don't worry. I won't tell him. It's too much fun to watch him squirm," she said with a smile. She helped Alison up.

"But…I don't like him," Alison offered lamely. Adalia patted her shoulder and laughed again as she led Alison back to the tent.

QWINN STUDIED THE LINE OF SOLDIERS CAREFULLY. They stood side by side in a line, waiting for his order. They were an impressive group; each had been trained to be deadly in battle. Many began training when they were youth, as he had. However, he knew they needed more training if they were to be ready for the battle that was coming.

He lifted his chin, pacing the line with hard eyes. "I have called you together today because our people are being threatened." He noticed a few begin to shift in anticipation. "The Torin have terrorized this land long enough. We have destroyed their military structure and left them confused without their leader. Now is the time to strike them down!"

Some nodded in agreement, others grunted.

"I have a week to make sure you are trained to be the most lethal soldiers ever known in Vidarian history, for, after the Eclipse, we are going to war with the Torin!"

Now all of his men shouted in agreement, cheering.

"We are men of honor," he yelled, gathering everyone's attention once again. "We will protect our families. We will protect our land. We will not stop until every one of them is destroyed."

Another ear-splitting chorus of shouting, Qwinn's heart began to pound with adrenaline and excitement. It had been too long since he had a good fight. He summoned the captain and gave him a list of instructions. Together they split the mass of soldiers in two. There were many and the dirt courtyard was packed, but they managed.

He gave one team wooden swords and his captain handed the others dull claw looking weapons that strapped steadfastly to their hands. When everyone was armed, again they waited. The teams faced each other and glared, some calling out insults while others growled. Qwinn raised his arm from platform set above the courtyard and his men grew silent. Without a word, he firmly dropped his hand and the fight began. Both teams rushed each other, meeting with a loud thunder of shouts and clangs as the soldiers fought, one the "Torin" and the other Vidarian's.

As they fought, Qwinn and his captain watched with a critical eye from their platform. They had done this exercise numerous times; however, today they were searching for a few lethal fighters to be a part of the surprise attack they had planned.

As people began to "fall", Qwinn closely watched the ones who were still fighting. A large man, who was well over two heads taller than Qwinn was barreling through soldiers as if they were nothing but bales of hay. He swung his clawed hand and knocked two Vidarian's off their feet. His head tilted back as he made a war cry. The next moment, he turned his sights on more fighters.

Qwinn marked the big man's name down on his paper. His captain pointed out another man, this one thin and faster than anyone he'd ever seen, despite the fact that he had hooves for feet. This man "cut down" a few Torin and darted out of the way as another slashed a clawed hand at him. In a blur of motion, he was suddenly behind his opponent, smashing his wooden sword against his opponents armor and bringing the soldier down. Qwinn scratched his name under the first.

Another soldier was plowing through men, literally throwing them over his shoulder. He was very stout, but had mighty arms. He rammed into men with his shoulders, taking out their legs. Since he was very short, they tripped forward over him. The sight was slightly amusing, but the man was indeed making a pile-up of stunned and aching soldiers. Another name.

The fighting continued until only a handful of men were left standing. The captain bellowed, gathering everyone attention. As soon as all eyes were on them, Qwinn stepped forward. "Very well fought, now break into groups of ten. I want to see hand-to-hand combat. Return your weapons to the racks."

His men followed orders, returning their weapons then grouping amongst themselves. Again, his eyes trained carefully on the groups. His men had different strengths. He needed an array of skill and talent.

Qwinn and the captain separated, making their way slowly through the sparring circles, watching the way the men handled themselves. The air was filled with grunts and shouts as the men wrestled and tried to overcome one another without the use of weapons.

Qwinn narrowed his dark eyes as one of the fighters was thrown out of the circle and fell in a heap at his feet. He looked up to the fighter and was surprised to find it to be a gaunt man, who even Alison looked like she could beat. Raising his brow, he stood by the circle, ordering another man to fight him. A larger man entered the ring, taunting the thin man, but soon found himself on the ground with his arm pinned over his head and the skinny man with his legs wrapped around his neck in a death grip.

To say that Qwinn was impressed was an understatement. Again, he ordered another man to fight him. This time, a man with four muscular arms stepped in the circle. He looked as though he could crush the smaller man. Qwinn was sure that he had the smaller man beat. The four-armed soldier advanced, snarling. The smaller man simply stood where he was, allowing the large man to draw closer.

When the two were within a few feet of each other, the big man raised his arms as if to smash in the smaller ones head. The lanky soldier darted to the side seconds before his opponent could render a deathblow and darted behind the large man. In the blink of an eye, he had climbed onto the large man's back and locked an arm around his neck. Four arms flailed, trying to tear the slender man from off his back, but failing. The small man planted his legs into the back of the large soldier and held on tighter.

Everyone stood by and watched as the hefty man began to turn purple in the face. Qwinn watched in amusement as the large soldier fell to his knees, gasping for air. A few more seconds and the big man lay unconscious, but not dead. Qwinn clapped his hands slowly, stepping into the circle. The small soldier, hardly out of breath, placed a fist over his heart.

"That is very impressive," Qwinn praised. He clapped the small man on the back. "What is your name and where did you learn to fight like that?"

The small man tried to fight his smile. "Larius, your majesty and the fighting comes to me. Ever since I was a child, when I enter a fight, my heart speeds up and time slows down."

Qwinn wrote his name on the paper and motioned for everyone to continue, pulling the smaller man aside. "How long have you been a soldier?"

"Only twenty years. My father wanted me to do something useful with my skill."

Qwinn nodded, "You are a very valuable member. I have a special job for you."

The smile finally grew on the Larius' face. "Anything sir."

"You have heard about the human woman who has been brought here?" he asked, moving them farther away from the men, keeping their conversation private.

Larius nodded. "Your future wife."

Qwinn smiled, glad that he had heard respect in his voice, Larius didn't hate her, but then again, he hadn't met Alison yet. "Yes. The closer it gets to the eclipse, the more I need someone to watch her carefully. The other guards…leave more to be desired. I need someone who will protect her until we are married."

Larius bowed his head slightly. "I would be honored to sir."

Qwinn clapped him on the back and chuckled. "I'm glad you said that. Meet me after the training and I will give you further instruction."

Larius bowed again and returned to the sparring circle. Qwinn couldn't help the good mood he found himself in, though they were talking about war today. He was relieved to know that now Alison would be protected properly until she was bonded to him and could better protect herself.

He continued studying the fighters, writing down more names as he went, then meeting with his captain and discussing the possible recruits for the secret mission.

The captain took over a few drills and they continued to train, honing their skills. Qwinn explained to the soldiers, who had never fought the Torin face to face about the poison they spit onto their enemies eyes, blinding them. He taught them how to notice the signs that the poison was coming, and then he had them practice dodging slingshots of water, which represented the poison.