By The Skies

by J E Mueller

  Soleia stayed close to one side, with Orabella on the other.

  “Remember last night?” Soleia asked me softly. When I nodded, she continued, “It is exactly that.”

  I didn’t say a word, hoping no reaction crossed my face. This was bad, but what more could I do than try and get everyone back safely?

  A figure stepped out of the trees as we started walking, causing us to stop abruptly, almost falling over one another. Dressed in a dark cloak, they blended in so well with the sudden night that there was no way we could have seen them sooner. The scene felt strange; oddly familiar as deja vu wove it’s way through every millisecond of it.

  It hit me, and as the figure cast out their arms I threw up a ward with all my might. The impact from their spell caused my head to spin. Soleia supported me, holding me upright.

  The reason I knew to react in that vision was because it was not the first time I had seen it. I should have been grateful to see it, to know, but instead I was infuriated it was happening at all. The figure laughed at us as my ears rang. I let my ward drop, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying, everything felt muffled and I realized I was still suffering from the magic drain. This sharp pull of power was only causing my body trouble.

  My jaw clenched as I noticed something behind the figure. A larger group was rushing over that I quickly recognized. The men's team!

  “Whatever rubbish you’re trying here has just left you surrounded,” I shouted at him, unsure exactly how loud I was.

  I could see the figure mouth ‘what’ as they turned around and I knew exactly what I needed to do. The fog was easy to call, likely since it was something I enjoyed creating regularly. The girls gasped as I prompted them to hold hands.

  “This way,” I whispered, tugging those around me along. We’d make a wide arc back, or at least over to the guys. Whatever was going on, we’d be able to defeat this being together. I hoped.

  Soleia moved away from me. “I’ll make sure they follow.” I could barely make out her words, the sound still felt muffled and far away.

  I didn’t argue, instead, I continued onward, letting my magic spread out far and wide. I could sense everyone much better this way. It did nothing to make me feel better. It seemed the being I wanted to avoid was making a beeline straight for me.

  “Keep leading them.” I put Orabella into the lead, knowing Soleia would stay on her task and make sure none were lost in the fog. “You only need to go straight.”

  “What?” Her panicked voice cracked. “I can’t.”

  “This man is tracking my magic. I need to move away. Go straight, and get help. I’ll lead them away. You’ve got this. Just keep straight,” I insisted.

  “I’ve got it.” She didn’t sound convinced but she reassured herself with enough commitment that I could believe she would make it through this.

  I moved away from the group, doubling back, and could feel the cloaked figure following my new path. Why me? Did he say why? His magic was like a beacon, the path he was taking was easy to tell. I was surprised he wasn’t even trying to hide it. I could hear better now, but that didn’t do anything for earlier. Did he say something important? I couldn’t figure out what anyone would want with me. Maybe it wasn’t me and they were just tracking based on my magic. The others just needed to keep away from me and they’d be fine.

  With my mind made up, I took off sprinting in the complete opposite direction. Trees were easy to avoid but thin low hanging branches and roots blended in until I was nearly on top of them. My fog was doing a fantastic job. Too well for even me. I couldn’t sense much of the land around me. My magic felt more and more frazzled. Normally I wouldn’t fall, every branch was so easy to sense, but the magic fatigue made it nearly impossible to tell what was what, crippling my senses. I was moving too fast to think and just hoped luck would remain on my side as I ran.

  Luck wasn’t often my friend, so it didn’t surprise me when I tripped over something and fell, crashing hard into a thorny bush. I hissed in pain as the points pressed into my clothes and tore into my skin. There was no easy way up, nothing to get a grip on but more thorns as I tried to get my feet under me.

  “You are trying my patience,” I heard a voice echo not too far in front of me.

  “It’s what I do,” I replied, not entirely sure what was going on. “To be fair, I don’t know what you want.” Back on my feet, I took off running again getting a few paces away before something snaked around my ankle, pulling me to the ground once more.

  The same voice clicked their tongue at me as they made their approach. “You heard me, I saw the looks on everyone’s faces.” I grappled with what felt like a vine on my ankle but it was magically woven and wouldn’t release. I tried to search with one hand for a rock to cut it with as my other hand tried to loosen it’s hold on me.

  “No, they heard you. My ears were ringing from putting everything into that ward,” I answered honestly, trying to strike the vine with a rock. What did it matter if he knew I didn’t hear? Getting up was a more pressing concern. Except I couldn’t break it.

  There was no fighting the damned vine. My brain racked for a solution. I tried to pull a thread of magic, willing it to weave into the unnatural night and force away the oppressive darkness. My magic was too weak to do much but a pale sliver of moonlight pooled on the soil around me, forcing back some of the blackness. For a moment, it was as if a spotlight was on my location. It didn’t last. Darkness resumed, though not nearly as thick.

  “Your magic won’t save you.” The voice laughed.

  “Why does it need to save me? I'm not interesting enough to want! Why are you even here?” I demanded desperately. My mind frantically raced through the options, of which there were few left. If I could get my hands on them I could attempt to put them into a deep sleep. It was touched based, and I didn’t dare hope I’d get close enough for that to work.

  “To complete my master’s bidding. You are in her way.” The figure stepped into view, but the faint starlight was hitting them all wrong. I couldn’t make out a single feature.

  “Load of hogwash that is. I spend all week in school minding my own.”

  “No matter.” The figure chuckled darkly as they raised their hands up.

  I did the first thing that came to mind and pushed my magic with all it’s might to send my injuries to them.

  They hissed sharply in pain, their magic dropping enough that I could shake off the vine and run.

  Falling had taught me nothing. It was a risky gamble to use the fog again. While it made me easier to track, and drained my magic, if I made it dense enough the fog would slow them down. Every extra second could only help me. I pulled up the fog even more harshly than before, hoping the bet was worth it. My ears rang as I tiredly ducked and dodged branches and trees, hoping this plan would work. If it was a dragon like Soleia seemed to think then their vision would be too good in the dark. I needed to maintain the fog.

  I pushed myself as hard as I could, my lungs burned from running, my breath coming up ragged. My head spun from the overuse of magic. My lungs refused to take in enough air. Spots danced before my eyes and I hoped distance would be enough. I begged luck to bring me help. By the four dragons, may luck come to me.

  I crashed hard into someone.

  “Kareia, are you okay?” I heard Aylum ask, his voice distant despite his arms wrapped around me.

  I tried to nod but felt too light-headed, the spots covering too much of my vision.

  “Release your magic. It’s okay,” Aylum promised. “Soleia is giving that dragon a few pieces of her mind. And trust me, they aren’t going anywhere easily.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned against him as I let the magic go. A weight lifted as I released it from me, causing my head to spin for a moment before I could get my bearings.

  “Is she okay?” I asked softly, voice still ragged but glad my vision was starting to return to normal.

  “More than fine,” he reassured me, rubbing small circles on my back. �
��Let’s get you back.”

  “Did everyone make it back okay?” I had to know.

  “They did.”

  I moved to take a step and nearly fell over as exhaustion pulled me to the ground. Without a word, Aylum scooped me up and started to head back.

  “What did they even want?” I managed to ask. “I’ve no idea why they were trailing after me.”

  “Someone said that they heard them say something along the lines of ‘you will pay for your crimes against my master’ but that’s all I’ve got. I’m unsure who they work for,” Aylum answered, anger lacing his voice. “We will figure that one out as soon as possible.”

  “That’s basically what he said to me. Something about ‘you are in her way’ as if I am in anyone's way.” I shook my head tiredly and let myself relax against Aylum.

  “Hmm…” Aylum sounded more angry than thoughtful.

  “You’ve an idea on who?” It would help but it worried me just as much to know.

  “A vague idea, but I’d rather not say anything until I’m sure. I would rather not speak ill against someone until they deserve it.”

  I didn’t push it, instead, I closed my eyes and rested. Getting back to the cabins was going to bring more questions and worry than I was ready to deal with.

  Chapter Twelve

  The teachers were scared. Students clustered together, encircled by the defensive teachers that had fire spells ready. Professor Winfield inspected me over, but by the time I had been brought to her, all the injuries had healed themselves. All that remained was magical fatigue and muscle soreness.

  Once Soleia made it back, looking a little rough around the edges, it was decided we would all head back to school at once. I wanted to heal her, but Winfield was keeping a sharp eye on me. She healed the handful of cuts on Soleia’s arms while asking about her injuries. Soleia muttered a story about getting lost in the fog and falling into a thorny bush.

  The small branches and leaves in her hair and stuck on her clothes complimented her story. Winfield didn’t look convinced but accepted it for the moment so she could resume talking with the other professors.

  The teachers were having trouble dispelling all the magic the unknown person created. They had no idea who could be behind this. There was no way for them to figure it out either, none of them knew about dragons after all.

  I wondered how I was able to lift the darkness if they weren’t able. Professor Winfield was a better healer than me, her strength in white magic was known throughout Arix. Maybe I was just better at that niche talent? It was the only thing that made sense. After all, she had far more experience than me.

  Bags were quickly packed and we were on our way in record time. Frightened people packed in a frenzy and it was unlikely anyone would notice if something was left behind. I nudged Soleia as we were tiredly waiting for our carriage.

  “What happened?” I asked, being sure to keep my voice low.

  “We fought.” She gave me a sideways glance as if she wasn’t sure how much to share with me. “They’re tough, but they weren’t prepared for a fair fight. They were less prepared for me to be a bit stronger. When he took wing and fled I came back. Didn’t get anything useful from that beetle-headed man.” Soleia shrugged her shoulders, eyes watching the perimeter around us.

  I nodded slowly. “I won’t lie. I was hoping for a little more.”

  “So was I.” She handed her bag off as the carriage stopped in front of us.

  I did the same and followed her. Orabella and Keti joined us, and I cut our conversation off. I didn’t want them to worry.

  “Think this was a planned attack?” Orabella asked quietly.

  “Didn't seem like it,” I lied easily. “Sounded more like a drunken overpowered mage.”

  “I agree,” Soleia joined in with my tale. “They seemed so confused once the fog struck. If they had planned this, they would have been ready for us to defend ourselves.”

  Keti let out a breath. “That’s good to hear. You’re right. If they planned it, we would have had real problems. They didn’t know what to do at all.”

  “Thankfully. I hope they find the person,” Orabella agreed.

  “I’ve no doubt it will be highly investigated. Likely not just by the school,” Soleia tossed in casually. “I’m sure our families will want to help. Answers will come quicker with more involved.”

  “I like that idea. I’ll have to mention it. I’m sure word will be sent home ahead of us. It always is.” Orbella sighed.

  The conversation died. Everyone sank into their own thoughts, our shared fatigue quieting the carriage into a sleepy silence. Being on the brink of exhaustion, I dozed off a few times only to be jolted awake by bumps in the road.

  Getting back to the school was a relief. Anxiety had kept me from truly sleeping. I needed walls to feel safe again.

  But, this wasn’t a human I was dealing with.

  My anxiety tripled as I realized the walls meant nothing. It was completely useless when a dragon could just fly over it, land on my balcony, and try to kill me once more. The spells didn’t extend into the skies, but my heart rate had no qualms soaring into the clouds.

  “Stay with me,” I nearly demanded of Soleia, the whisper coming out more harsh than I intended.

  “Of course.” She didn’t question it and looped her arm through mine, following me back to the girls dorm.

  No one seemed to be listening to all the rules tonight anyway. Most of the girls stuck in small clusters as we headed back. Not that it mattered, the girls weren’t closed off from each other's rooms, just the boys. We could travel between our floors if we chose to.

  I finally let out a sigh of relief when we reached my room and saw it was untouched. “This is going to take a while to get over, isn’t it?” I asked, already knowing that was exactly the truth.

  “Likely. He’ll be caught before break ends,” Soleia stated so firmly I almost believed her.

  “No one knows what he looks like. It’s impossible.” I shook my head as I sat down on my bed.

  Soleia shut the door and crossed her arms. “Silence the room.”

  I raised an eyebrow but did so. “Go on.” I motioned toward her, curious what she had to say.

  “I fought him long enough that I have an imprint of his magic. I can track him,” Soleia explained.

  “I don’t want you getting hurt.” I shook my head, knowing it didn’t matter. Soleia was exactly like me. When she set her mind to something it would be done. I could only try and get her to be smart about it.

  “I won’t be going in alone. Nothing to worry about there. I will have plenty of backup, and my clan’s protection. Not to mention they broke some serious dragon laws here tonight so having this needed information will also ensure even more dragon aid.” Her lips curled into a confident smile. “He is as good as caught, and if he didn’t realize I was strong enough to track him, he’s going to be caught even sooner.”

  I sat down on the edge of my bed. “That’s kind of nice to he-” A knock at the balcony door caused me to jump.

  Soleia didn’t look surprised and casually walked over, carefully opening the door to see who it was before allowing Aylum in.

  I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I’d be safe here. Soleia and Aylum wouldn’t let anything happen. At least I believed they could handle that particular dragon again.

  Aylum frowned. “Still wound up?”

  “I’m not used to being the target.” I pulled my legs up, curling my arms tightly around them. “Usually I’m just the obnoxious know it all in class. Only remembered when needed. I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight and this is infinitely worse.”

  Aylum came to sit next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out. I’m sure Soleia has an idea of where to find him.”

  “I just finished explaining the tracking when you arrived,” Soleia agreed. “I assume I have your clan’s aid?”

  “Of course. With this type of crime, you’ll ha
ve all the aid from anyone you need,” Aylum confirmed.

  I breathed a little easier hearing that again. It did little to help me feel safe though. “You don’t think he’ll be stupid enough to try something here?”

  “No,” they replied in unison.

  “If he comes here, I’ll kill him,” Soleia replied as if she did such things daily.

  “I’ll let her too,” Aylum agreed. “Deserves no less.”

  “You should wash up,” Soleia told me. “You’ve healed fine, bless that magic of yours, but you’ll feel better after you’re clean.”

  I bit my lip. I knew she was right, but I didn’t want them going anywhere.

  “I’ll stay,” Soleia promised.

  “I can stay as well.” Aylum offered a smile.

  “It’s really not fair to keep you both here.” I shook my head, trying to be reasonable.

  Soleia snorted. “Aylum go shower and come back. Being protectors for a night isn’t so bad, right?”

  “A fine idea.” Aylum got up and gave a small bow. “I’ll return shortly then.”

  Soleia waved her hands in a shooing motion to me as Aylum left. “Now go. Anyone comes, I’ll knock them off their block.”

  “You’re pretty rude and bossy when you’re trying to be protective, you know?” I gave a small laugh.

  Soleia smirked. “Good. You know I’m serious then. Now get.”

  I shook my head as I got up and grabbed a few things to change into. “Fine, but I’m going to do a proper bath. By the Four, I certainly need it.”

  “Even better.” Soleia gave me a relaxed smile. “I didn’t want to push you too much but I’m sure your magic is greatly depleted.”

  I nodded, grabbed a few things, and left, closing myself in my bathroom. I started the water and tossed in a few potions, putting together as perfect a magic replenishing bath as I could without properly preparing.

  The hot water stung for a moment but soon it coxed my muscles to unknot and start to relax. The pain in my shoulders was the most stubborn, refusing to uncoil for several minutes before the last of the tension washed away. Soleia was right, I needed this.