The Lost Heir's

Chapter Nine

Echoing in the empty training field.

Why was this so difficult? She watched as new members joined over the months and picked up on the sword play. Why couldn’t she?

What was she doing wrong?

“Who goes there?!” a voice erupted from within the barracks, followed quickly by the sound of a door being thrown open. Aria turned to see a guardsman at the top of the outer wall stairwell, his helmet askew on his head. Aria jumped to her feet, clutching the sword to her chest as the man looked at her dumbly founded.

“Hey, you there!” the guard bellowed. “Put that down you thief!”

Aria froze for only a moment, staring fearfully at the rapidly approaching guard. Her nerves finally snapped when he hit the training field, drawing his sword. She bolted, carrying the sword and hearing the man bluster behind her. Suddenly, Aria heard the sound of a horn blaring from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder only to see the guardsman hold his lips to a curled war horn. Aria shook her head and continued to run, heading straight for the main entryway of the barracks. The easiest way out with her prize. Sounds of chains rolling and creaking, protesting, as they began to move.

She began to panic as she saw the gateway slowly close. She pushed herself harder, only to see the door shut. The sound of the doors crashing together resonated with a thud. Aria skidded to a stop, looking frantically for a way out. But all she saw was walls entrapping her.

She was trapped.

She turned to see the man who had begun to run after her, his helmet back in place and sword low. Turning, she faced the stone walls and breathed in deeply.

“It’s now or never.” She whispered as she put the sword under her belt. She closed her eyes and focused her mind, pushing away the immediate threat until her thoughts were as calm as still water. It was then that she felt it, the power deep within her ̶- within all the dragon’s blood. For a moment, her senses seemed acute, superhuman, time slowing to almost a crawl. Aria opened her eyes and rushed at the wall, sprinting like the wind before taking a leap. Her feet hit the stone wall, but she did not stop, she propelled herself up the stone face like a stone launched from a trebuchet.

Before she knew it, she was in the air, clearing the wall entirely and disappearing to the other side. She caught a glimpse of the guardsman’s face, agape with disbelief, before she passed over the battlements, landing silently on the other side. She heard a yell from the other side and the gate chains creaking as they worked on opening the door.

Aria fought down the urge to cheer and bolted, heading for the questionable safety of the tree line and putting the whole situation behind her. Not realizing what she had just done.