Sighing, she took one last look at herself before walking back out. She still had an entire day’s worth of work to do, and she certainly wouldn’t accomplish it by hiding away in her room. Elric would never let her hear the end of it if he walked in and caught her ogling herself in the mirror like a stuck-up noble.
She snorted at the thought. The day she started acting like a noble would be the day Elric finally decided to retire. Neither was ever going to happen.
Chapter 2
VERA
The remainder of the day went by quickly. Vera let herself fall into the rhythm and methodical motions of her work; the sounds and smells of steel and leather, their own form of comfort.
She was just finishing up her morning duties when a loud banging sounded against the outer door. She smiled, knowing the knock indicated Elric needed her, and she’d be allowed to step outside.
Making sure her plait was still tucked into the back of her tunic, she reached into her pocket for the length of fabric she always carried. She tied it around her throat, effectively covering and pinning her hair against the nape of her neck. Pulling the collar of her tunic up as much as she could, she secured a black mask over the bottom half of her face.
All Matherin guards and soldiers wore masks. The emperor believed they helped the men stay focused while looking intimidating. Not only did it force the men to fight without seeing their opponents’ entire facial expressions, but it also hid their own and helped prevent them from forming attachments.
At least, that was the theory. But Vera had seen the way the guards spoke and laughed with each other and knew many were friends outside of training when the masks came off.
Personally, she hated wearing one. It fit just under her eyes and reached down over her jawline, effectively covering her nose and mouth before stretching back over her ears to latch behind her head. It made her face scratchy and sweaty.
She couldn’t comprehend how the men wore them for hours at a time in the heat. It had to be miserable, and the thought of their potential tan lines underneath was humorous, to say the least.
Thankfully, Vera rarely had to wear one, so she tried not to complain, especially since wearing the mask was the only way Elric let her leave the armory during training hours.
Given that she was a woman, Elric worried—stupidly—that it would distract the men to see her walking amongst them while they were training. He wanted her to blend in. As it was, he’d only started allowing her outside during training hours in the past few years.
So far, as long as she wore a mask, no one gave her more than a passing glance or took any specific interest in her. For all they knew, she was just another faceless guard.
She cracked the door open and peeked out. The training yard was a large open area nestled between the palace walls and the Slumbering Peaks that watched over them. It was secluded and could almost pass for serene if you ignored the sporadic yells and grunts from the men.
Vera saw most of them sitting in the shade offered by the towering mountains behind them, drinking from flasks, while others were laughing amongst themselves, enjoying the short break.
She recognized most of them, even with half their faces covered. Their heights, body builds, eye and hair color, and overall mannerisms enabled her to tell them apart fairly easily.
Okay, not easily, but she’d observed them enough over the years to be able to at least recognize them while they were nearby. She also knew several of their names from the few times she’d witnessed Elric shouting at them. The few she couldn’t yet name, she’d simply made up her own, which were probably better suited anyway.
Like Boulder Shoulders, a massive giant of a man who she’d never heard speak and who usually kept to himself. He was either shy or hated everyone. Either way, he’d never been on Elric’s bad side so she’d yet to hear his name. She was pretty sure he could crush her head between his bare hands.
Then there were Snake and Serpent. Two sides of the same coin, from their bald heads to how they moved their bodies during bouts. They were fast and mean when they fought and stuck together when they weren’t, sneering and whispering like they believed themselves above the rest.
They also made a habit to stare at her anytime they happened to catch sight of her unmasked. It didn’t occur often, especially not in recent years, but they never failed to give her the creeps.
When she confirmed no one’s attention was directed at the armory, Vera slipped out and stood by the door beside Elric. She took a deep breath. The air was almost pungent with the smell of sweat, but she breathed it in happily, content to be outside.
Tilting her head toward him, she asked, “Miss me already?”
“If there was even a chance I did, it left the moment you opened your mouth.”
“Don’t be sore, Elric.”
He gave her a loaded look, about to respond, but he cut himself off when he noticed all the men’s attention directed to the far side of the yard.
They both turned and watched an unknown guard strut into the training area. From what Vera could make out, which wasn’t much given the distance and his mask, she didn’t think she recognized him.
Elric squinted and pulled himself up, looking like he was about to call out when the guard crossed his arms over his chest and spoke with force. “I find myself in need of a good spar.”
He paused, apparently a fan of dramatic effect. “I will buy an evening of drinks for any man who can beat me.” Uncurling his arms, he laid one hand on the pommel of his sword. “Don’t be shy. Who would like to be first?”
Vera still didn’t recognize him, and his voice didn’t sound familiar at all. He had blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck, broad shoulders, and a tapered waist. He remained standing on the other side of the yard so she couldn’t make out details, but he seemed relaxed.
Elric; however, was not. From the moment the guard opened his mouth, he’d tensed beside her, agitated and wary. It wasn’t like him and instantly put her on high alert.
She was about to ask what was wrong, but he hissed under his breath, “Go back inside,” and left her standing there alone.
Several guards had already stepped forward. The temptation of a free night of drinking was enough to entice most to try their hand at a spar. It was bound to be more entertaining than their usual training exercises anyway.
Vera frowned. She wanted to watch the newcomer spar, especially since Elric was apparently going to allow it without so much as a word. Her interest was piqued, and she’d always had a habit of making stupid choices when she was curious.
So instead, she remained where she was and pretended she didn’t hear his order. If Elric noticed, she’d simply feign innocence and tell him to speak louder next time. No one was looking at her anyway, one of the perks of being invisible.
Vera grinned. It felt like forever since she’d last got to witness a good spar, and as she watched the guard rush at his first opponent, she had a feeling she wouldn’t be disappointed.