Heir of Shadows and Destruction

Chapter 9

The sun is less and less prevalent with each passing day. Sky a once breathtaking baby blue is now mute light grey. 

More trees die off only leaving the plucked raw bark. Withered fingers grasping for the sun that had betrayed them. 

It's interesting how fast change can happen. One moment I was in the grand castle in Rooster, the next, I was fighting for my life against every possible threat. Last night I had a dream that a fork tried to kill me.

It wouldn't be shocking if Kesha found some way to make forks kill me. She has had it out for my head since I won the team exercise two weeks ago. Arthur has also made it clear that any chance he gets I'm dead.

To be honest it's exhausting having people always hating you. It doesn't help that I have to lie to everyone. 

Having to lie to Kowel about my past to get him off my back; was hard enough as it is. Hopefully, the lie was convincing enough for his shelter.

Like he said I'm a valuable asset to have on the fireflies. Too bad he doesn't know he let a snake into his chicken coop. 

Vorrun sees me for who I truly am. Since I got bitten by the boy he's been watching me differently. Jamila had commented how he seemed to want to rip my esophagus out. Even though it was prevalent, I stomped on the accusation; that is what he wants to do.

Luckily I have Kowel wrapped tightly around my finger so much Vorrun can't change it. So I will continue working forward with my plan without worry.

Starting with my new leathers. Vorrun had said that any candidate can alter their leathers. So I did just that. 

I had traveled into the forest and gathered shed wyvern scales. Now I'm sewing them into the ribs and spine of an extra jacket. 

The jacket is all cut up. Straps and buckles line the edges to secure the scales to my skin. They sit flush barely outlining my tightest leathers. Which is needed if I don't want to get caught with my upgraded armor.

It will be attached to me constantly, then I will get some sleep. One could only hope in this miserable place.

I dress quickly and quietly, sneaking out before the barrack wakes. For the last two weeks, I've snuck out thirty minutes before training starts. It gives me time to warm up in advance of being run into the ground.

Vorrun has been harsher than ever. Going back to the wanting to rip my esophagus out. 

I'd like to see him try. He wouldn't get out of it alive, neither will I but at least he would die with me.

It would be a glorious death to first-year standards. Most of us die from Wyvern fire or plan idiocy. Very few of us will ride a wyvern and graduate to cadet. 

People begin filing into the Colosseum sand after twenty minutes. Talk to one another about whatever happens between the hours of sundown to sunset. 

Which should not be much, so I don't understand why it's so gods damn loud.

" Holy Wyvern shit. Alex, you should fix your face." Jamila is grinning from ear to ear as she walks up with Mason. 

Theo folds his arms on my head leaning, " Seriously, Andria, you look like someone's horse pissed on your leg." He bends down to my knee and makes an auditable sniffing noise. 

When he waves his hand in front of his face pretending to gag; I gently kick him in the shoulder.

" This is why Mason is my favorite. He understands. People are annoying asses in the morning." Mason slowly nods his head in agreement, looking as pissy as I feel.