Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns: An Epic Fantasy Dragon Novel (Dragonia Empire Book 1)
Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns – Chapter 22

The first sun appeared over the horizon, its red glow lighting the courtyard. Devarius stood at attention, Aquila and Paedyn standing on each side of him. A few others of his party had come as well, but most stayed behind. He couldn’t blame them; they were exhausted. Though, admittedly, not everyone was meant for fighting. The Resistance would not be able to survive if everyone was a fighter. Some of his party would be put to use with their other skills. There was a blacksmith, a baker, and several seamstresses, which would be just as valuable to the Resistance as a fighter. Devarius didn’t know what his talents were. He hoped to learn by training.

Tynaer studied each of them, his hands behind his back, his head shaking as he studied one person, then the next.

“Many of you have been training with me for a while. Others”—he paused, glancing to Devarius—“have just arrived. All of you still have a lot of training before you will be useful at all. I expect hard work from each of you. There can be no less. We’re not going to defeat the Dragonia Empire without hard work.”

“How are we going to defeat them?” Devarius asked.

Tynaer stepped in front of Devarius. “Excuse me?”

“They have dragonriders. Do we have a way to defeat such creatures?”

“That is not an answer you will have before your first day of training. Do you understand?”

Devarius’s lip curled. “Yes, sir.”

“We have ideas, strategies, and plans. More ideas are being developed, but you will not have access to such things your first day with us.” Tynaer glanced to the others. “Is everyone ready to begin?”

A chorus of, “Yes, sir,” echoed through the field.

“For those of you who have been sparring, continue to do so. Remember the sword forms we have been studying. New recruits … we have to condition you. We have spare platemail for you to put on.” He gestured to neatly arranged piles of platemail. “Then you will follow me.”

“Follow you where?” Paedyn asked.

“We will jog through the mountains.”

“Wearing that?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir.” He sagged his head to the side. “You sure don’t ease into it. Are you sure we can’t jog through the mountains one day without the armor first?”

Tynaer stared blankly at Paedyn.

Paedyn shrugged. “Guess not.”

Devarius, Paedyn, Aquila, and eight others from their party dressed in the platemail, from steel helm to steel boots. Each of them felt at least a hundred pounds heavier.

They followed Tynaer out of the city and around the mountains. They kept up with him better than he seemed to think they would. But they were exhausted. They were used to traveling, used to being pushed hard by Devarius. But they weren’t used to so much weight. Devarius was grateful they were in the south and winter was approaching. He couldn’t imagine wearing the thick platemail in the northern summer.

They took breaks during their hike, but not many, and each one less than ten minutes. Tynaer pushed them hard. He seemed impressed all of them were able to keep up. No one had fallen behind, though a few had come close. However, except for a few brow raises, Tynaer said nothing. He didn’t seem the praising type. Devarius would have to encourage his men and women himself at the end of the day.

They didn’t return to the city until the two suns were falling below the western horizon. A beautiful scarlet glow illuminated the sky as the red sun disappeared below the horizon, leaving only the orange sun at the edge of the west. When they followed Tynaer back to the courtyard, they found the men and women still there, sparring with each other.

“Today’s practice is over,” Tynaer said.

Everyone stopped sparring, bowed to each other, and sheathed their weapons.

“Are we doing the same tomorrow?” Devarius asked.

“Two weeks. Every day. Then strength training begins.”

“When does weapon training begin?” Paedyn asked.

“After you complete conditioning and strength training.” Tynaer pointed to Paedyn. “If you are to join our army, you will not be falling out during our travels. You will be conditioned, and strong enough to keep up and help carry our camp. Those two things are more important than being a brilliant warrior. But I will make sure you can do all three.

Paedyn gulped. “Yes, sir.”

“I suggest you get some sleep. Your muscles will ache tomorrow, and the conditioning will feel much worse.”

“Will we have a day off?” Paedyn asked.

“There are no days off with the Resistance. The Dragonia Empire doesn’t take a day off, and neither will we.”

“Understood,” Devarius said.

Tynaer dipped his head, turned around, and disappeared into the night.