Page 27 of The Ruins of the Heartless Fae
Mímir tapped the earth with the steel toes of his boots, as if waiting for the vines to spring out. “No, I’m just checking up on everyone. I mean, this is a very important and dangerous mission, so I’m just making sure everyone is on the same page and that there’s no nervousness or something I should know about. How are you both holding up?”
Eyfura and Kolfinna exchanged glances. Other than worrying about a particular black rank popping up at any second, Kolfinna was relatively fine. Not great. Definitely nervous. But otherwise fine.
Eyfura gave a thumbs-up. “I’m peachy. And you? This is your first time leading a mission, so you must be nervous.”
His eyebrows pulled together as if he hadn’t expected her to ask him a question, and he rubbed the nape of his neck. “I’m actually doing really well. I’m excited, actually. I had begged Captain Asulf to put me on this case because it’s something I truly wanted to do. I’m eternally grateful he allowed me to lead this mission. I’ve always loved history, so this is right up my alley. I mean, I’m sure it’ll be difficult, but I’m hopeful that all will go well, and I really hope we get to see some neat stuff. I also want to prove my worth. So I’m really excited and hopeful that all will go well.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great!” Eyfura grinned. “There’s no one better than you to do this.”
Mímir looked over at the soldiers milling around the campgrounds. “Yeah … except the military’s not so happy that a Royal Guard is leading the mission, but I’m sure it’ll go well.”
“You’ll do great!” Eyfura repeated. “And who cares what they think? They’re just mad that one of their own isn’t in charge.”
“This mission is really important to me.” He sounded lost in thought, his expression different—darker—before it changed again. “And you, Kolfinna? How are you doing?”
“I’m all right.” Kolfinna kicked the fallen branches and intertwined bramble with her toe.
“This is your first ever mission, so I’m sure you’re nervous.”
“A bit …” Kolfinna wasn’t sure what she was more nervous about: the ruins themselves or confronting Blár Vilulf.
“Let me know if you need anything,” he said. “I’m going to make the rounds and see how everyone’s doing.”
“All right, see you around.” Eyfura waved as he went to the next Royal Guard. Her voice dropped low and she turned her head toward Kolfinna. “He’s doing surprisingly well in a leadership position.”
“Why are you surprised?”
“He’s too nice,” Eyfura said with a sigh, and Kolfinna was reminded of the first time she met Mímir and how she had been annoyed at how polite he had been. Thinking back on it, he had treated her with respect despite her being a fae. Eyfura continued, “And too soft when making rules, so I figured this would be hard for him.”
“But isn’t he a lieutenant captain? Why would this be hard for him?”
“He got the position a few days before Captain Asulf brought you in, so it’s not like he’s been in that position for long.” Eyfura lifted her shoulders. “There are ten lieutenant captains in the Royal Guard, and each of those lieutenants have their own unit of men. Our previous lieutenant captain retired, so Mímir was appointed as the new lieutenant. However, not many were happy with that decision. So he really has to prove himself for this mission to solidify his position.”
“Ah, I see.” Kolfinna wasn’t the only one who had a lot riding on this mission, she supposed.
Eyfura’s cheerful expression quickly soured. “Ugh, don’t look now, but there’s a girl headed our way. There are few people I dislike, but Ireallydislike her.”
Kolfinna followed her gaze just as Eyfura swatted her shoulder. “I told you not to look—”
A short soldier with bobbed brown hair and matching eyes walked toward them with a sly grin curving her plump lips. She couldn’t have been more than a few years older than Kolfinna.
“Who is she?” Kolfinna whispered.
“Truda. An air elemental user. We went to school together. She’s an absolutedelight.”
“Eyfura!” Truda’s voice was shrill and grating. She stopped in front of them and rested a hand on her hip. The light gray military uniform clung to her athletic body snugly and she too had donned glittering earrings. “I see you’re doing well. I was surprised to see that Mímir was leading the mission and not you. I thought you wanted to be in charge and rise up? That didn’t work out, did it?”
Eyfura’s smile was steely and her voice flat. “You’re so full of charms so early in the mission.”
“I just came to say hi.” Truda laughed and tilted her head to the side, taking in Kolfinna’s black trainee uniform that clearly wasn’t meant for a Royal Guard. Understanding dawned in her eyes and she covered her mouth in mock shock. “Oh my, is this who I think it is? The infamous fae!”
Kolfinna rolled her eyes. “Did my pink eyes give it away?”
Truda’s eyes narrowed a fraction of an inch as her sharp gaze cut to Kolfinna’s face. She ignored the quip and instead turned to Eyfura. “Who would’ve thought the Royal Guards would stoop so low! I had heard the rumors, but I didn’t think it was true. You let a murderer in your ranks.”
Eyfura gasped. “What are you saying? Take that back.”
“I don’t think I will,” she said in a singsong voice.
