#Chapter 44: Morning Ride

Raven The morning sun cast long shadows across the training yard as I swung the wooden sword in a wide arc, sweat dripping down my forehead. My muscles screamed in protest from a morning spent training, but I gritted my teeth and continued the routine Ember had drilled into me. Block, parry, strike—over and over until the motions became second nature. “You are getting sloppy,” Ember called out from a few paces away, her arms crossed over her chest. “I’m trying my best.” “Trying isn’t good enough. Again.” I sighed and resumed the sequence even though my injured hand was bleeding through the bandages. We’d been at it since dawn, and I was beginning to regret asking for more intense training. Just as I was about to ask for a moment to catch my breath, I heard the unmistakable sound of hooves approaching. Glancing up, I saw Neil leading two horses toward us. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him—shirtless, his torso glistening with a