“I was going to keep him with people we know,” Luykas said softly. “He’s not going to be a grunt with the majority of the force. I think we can use him in other places and keep him in smaller units.”
“Good. I was going to recommend that. Maybe you can find someone in the Company who’s willing to take on a nemari. Or let him approach a few people. It’ll put him on the same missions as them and keep him close.”
“And help finish his education,” Luykas said, his tone making it obvious he liked the idea. “I’ll do that.”
Emerian was handed a wooden scythe and sent into a circle before he realized what was happening, still thinking about the nemari thing. Rain had been the king’s nemari before officially becoming a consort. An assistant, an Andinna in training under a noble or a high-ranking warrior—that was all he knew about it.
I need to focus.
His first sparring session didn’t go well, with Luykas barking at him that they had gone over it all before.
His second sparring session was a draw.
His third was a victory.
Nevyn kept throwing people at him as he talked to Luykas about something in private as they watched. Emerian was able to flip one massive male in a move that should have sliced through the male’s knee. He accidentally hit the next male in the neck, a clear win. The Andinna didn’t know how to fight against the scythe nearly as well as Trevan. He was smaller and faster as well, most of them massive males while he was more Mave’s size than Luykas’ or Nevyn’s. He slammed his wooden handle into the face of the sixth sparring partner, who went down, yelling about a broken nose.
“That’s enough!” Nevyn stepped into the circle, smiling. “He’s good, Luykas,” Nevyn said appreciatively. “Who has he been training with?”
“Me, Mat, and Trevan mostly,” Luykas answered.
“You and Matesh don’t know how to fight against the scythe all that well, either, which means we should be thanking Trevan for this,” Nevyn said, chuckling as he waved a hand at Emerian. “Elvasi soldiers get that training to put down human peasant revolts.”
“They do,” Luykas agreed. “And I know a thing or two about fighting it. I had a much more thorough training than Mat, but you’re right. Trevan is good with a sword, and he did well with Emerian.” Luykas walked to his side. “So Nevyn and I talked our way through the Company. There’s really only one possibility for you to have as a nemari. Nevyn and Varon worked together, and Varon’s muteness would make it hard if not impossible. I’m becoming the spymaster, so I won’t see much fighting anymore. Mat and Zayden aren’t in the right position to do it and don’t know the first thing about having a nemari. Alchan won’t take on another one. Kian is about to have a kid, so you don’t want to be near his family when that happens. Which leaves…”
“Mave,” Emerian said softly, his eyes going wide. “But…”
“You’ll need to convince her. I can’t force her into it. If you can convince her, you’re one step closer to being an official Ivory Shadow.” Luykas thumped his shoulder. “If you can’t, we might have to wait for you to join a larger campaign run by Nevyn and Varon, but you won’t get any of the private training being a nemari will get you. I want that for you. And about the other thing? This will give you a chance to figure out how you really feel if you can convince her to say yes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go on. And good luck with Mave.” Luykas grinned, turning back to Nevyn. “Now, we need to find a home for Trevan.”
Nevyn had a response, but Emerian didn’t catch it as he jumped, leaving the conversation and the field, heading to the sky.
He was going to fight in the rebellion. A year ago, he thought the entire idea was insane. Now, he couldn’t wait, something deep inside of him rejoicing at the chance. A piece he had always pushed away was now overjoyed with the possibilities.
He just needed to convince Mave Lorren to take him on as a nemari.
Skies help me.
8
Mave
Two days after Seanev arrived from the north, Kenav returned. Mave wasn’t upset as people cheered for the return of the second campaign. She wasn’t upset as Kenav jumped off his horse and greeted Alchan, proclaiming his victories the same way Nevyn did.