by J E Mueller
“You should rest up anyway. You’ll be perfectly ready to go regardless, I’ve no doubt of that,” Delmar stated as we finished up dinner.
“I agree.” Soleia nodded. “Resting would be perfect.”
“I can do that tomorrow,” I muttered. I doubted mother would allow me to practice once I got home anyway. The duel wasn’t supposed to be until the day after I returned.
“You won’t. You’ll be anxious as prey in a tiger’s den. That’ll be a great time to go over everything once more. Rest now when you can,” Soleia insisted.
“We could go for a walk if it helps,” Aylum suggested.
I sighed. It was already getting too cold out at night for walks and I would rather not freeze. “No, it’s fine. I hate the brisk nights.”
“Agreed. Hopefully, winter won’t be so harsh this year.” Delmar nodded.
Aylum and Soleia shrugged.
“Being naturally warm does have its advantages,” Soleia smirked.
“This is a nice time of year really.” Aylum agreed as he chuckled.
“Darn dragons,” I muttered while Delmar shook his head tiredly.
“Well, if it’s all the same to you, I think I will take a short stroll before they lock us up for the evening.” Delmar got up and stretched.
“I’ll join you.” Soleia got up as well. “Better get up and moving now before I have to deal with the mistress of Idleworth.”
I gave a small laugh. “Thank you for coming with me. Mother is going to be dreadful at best. Perhaps because I have company she won’t be as loud.”
Soleia snorted. “I would say that’s plausible but we both know it’s not.”
I laughed as the two left them for their walk.
“So can we practice then?” I asked Aylum.
He sighed. “You’re really not going to give in easily are you?”
“What else is there to do?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
He thought for a moment before smiling widely at me. “I’ve an idea.” Aylum dropped his voice. “Meet you in your room shortly.”
That did nothing to answer my question, but I was curious. What idea could he have? I headed upstairs, hoping to have my questions answered in short order.
Of course, it took him more than a few minutes to appear. By that point, I was flopped down on my bed reading one of the books I had grabbed from the library the other day. He knocked on the balcony, my room already silenced since I knew he was appearing soon.
“Well, what did you grab?” I asked as I motioned for him to come in.
“This!” Aylum stated excitedly as he held up a small wooden box.
“I don’t think that answers my question,” I replied.
“Sit down.” He laughed, sitting on the corner of the bed and setting the box down.
I sat down in front of him as he lifted the lid off. There were eight smooth white oval stones, twelve smooth black oval stones, and one smooth blue oval stone. He set the blue stone in the center of the seven by seven board, with the white stones taking the squares to surround it. The black stones he moved to form a perfect triangle in the middle of the north, south, east, and west parts of the board.
“Interesting. So what sort of game is this?” I looking from the board to him.
Aylum smiled widely. “Ard Ri. It is a bit of a strategy game sort of like chess, except far fewer rules.”
“Fair enough. How does one play?” I hadn’t gotten to play a strategy game in ages. A puzzle to keep my mind busy sounded like an excellent idea.
“The blue piece is the king, the white the defenders. The king wants to get to any corner to capture the land. The black pieces don’t want their land captured and must stop the king.” Aylum explained motioning to the board. “There is one move per turn, and it can be in any direction, so as long as only one piece takes up one space at a time. The king is the only one who may occupy the center.”
“How does one stop the king?” This game looked small, how hard could it be?
“The king needs to be surrounded on all four cardinal points, but it does not count if he can move onto the throne.”
“Ah, so drawing him out is important, but he also needs to reach a corner. What about the other pieces?”
“You can capture them by either sandwiching or flanking them from either side. If a piece moves into a sandwich it does not count. The king can also help with taking out the other pieces.” Aylum smirked. “And that’s it. The game can also end if one side cannot make a legal move.”
“This does sound tough, but interesting. Okay, let’s give it a go.”
Aylum smiled and motioned for me to move. “Pick a team to start.”
It didn’t matter what side I chose. I lost again and again for several rounds before I finally bested him once. It was amazing how it seemed like no time had passed, but before long I was yawning, well aware of how hard it was to keep my eyes open.
“We should probably rest.” Aylum yawned. “Traveling is already tiring.”
I nodded, not really wanting to end things just yet. “If I didn’t think I needed to duel him, I’d let Soelia wrap this up. I really don’t ever want to see him again.”
Aylum closed the box and moved to hug me gently. “But it will be over soon and you will never have to see him after that. If you do want him gone sooner, I’ll gladly make sure he doesn’t arrive.”
His face was neutral but his tone held just enough of an edge to it that I knew he was serious.
“As much as I would love that, I want to best him. I need him to know I am not one to be trifled with. I… I just need it.” I leaned my head against Aylum as he continued to hug me.
“I have every confidence that you will win.” He kissed the top of my head softly.
I nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Nineteen
Breakfast was going exactly as any before heading home did. I was stalling and extending it as long as possible, driving the table slowly mad by my ability to eat microscopic bites and push things around on my plate.
“Please finish so we can get this carriage ride over with,” Soleia groaned loudly.
“No,” I muttered, having less than two bites left on my plate.
“You have turned slow eating into an art form. Please stop.” Delmar laughed, not nearly as annoyed as the other two.
Aylum sighed. “It’s only one more bit of trouble and then you don’t have to worry about it again.”
“I’ll still have to go home again,” I grumbled, taking one of the last bites.
“Maybe on different terms?” Soleia mused. “I venture with different arrangements you might be able to travel around with a new, better Promised.”
I glanced over at her, surprised I hadn’t thought of that. “True, that could change things. Not that Mother will be less terrible, but maybe somewhat more tolerable.”
“Tolerable is the most any of us can hope for with her.” Soleia sighed. “I’d rather deal with actual banshees of legend than her.”
“I hope you’re saying those are another story because I don’t want to imagine dealing with a world that includes both banshees and my mother.”
Soleia snorted. “No, as far as I’m aware, there are no ghostly creatures.”
“Thank the skies for that,” Aylum agreed. “I can’t imagine the chaos that would bring.”
Soleia gave a light laugh. “Come along Delmar. Let’s head out so these two can talk.”
“Well, that is certainly a blunt way to point out they may want a brief moment of alone time.” Delmar laughed heartily.
“No reason to dance around it in a case like this.” Soleia winked at me.
I leveled a glare at her. “What happened to manners and discretion!”
“That ended about ten minutes ago while you were breaking your food into impossibly small bits.” She got up and waved at me, Delmar following just behind her laughing the entire way.
“I do enjoy her bluntness once in a while,” Aylum laughed.
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I finished the last of my food and shaking my head. “Not when it’s aimed at me.”
Aylum laughed a little more. “Let’s get going. We can walk slow.”
I shook my head but got up with him. “It’ll be nice when this is all over. Not entirely sure what to expect next. It feels like I’ve been working to solve this for so long.”
Aylum paused in the hall, “Well, what exactly do you want to have happen?”
I bit my lip. “Putting such things into words feels like it would destroy the chance of it coming to fruition.” Or I just did not want to say it aloud. He could decide on that one.
Aylum chuckled, and gently tugged me to the side, draping us in his invisibility magic. “Are you still interested in us possibly being together?” he asked softly, barely above a whisper.
I somewhat hated being invisible. While I could see him since we were under the same spell it was very different. On the bright side, he couldn’t see how fiercely I was blushing from his question.
“My feelings have not changed.” Was that a good reply? Was it appropriate? Should I add more? My heart wanted to race around us, doing laps instead of reacting calmly. It was not as if I didn’t know his feelings for me or him mine.
He chuckled lightly. “I’ll take that as a yes.” We stared at one another for a moment. “May I?” Aylum asked, caressing my jaw with his thumb.
I appreciated his caution. So many things were ruined by that short experience with Eastyn. Aylum was different though, always so much kinder and never forceful.
“You may,” I agreed, so quiet I wasn’t sure if he had heard.
He leaned forward, kissing me softly, but earnestly. These moments never seemed to last long enough. I hoped that could change soon.
As I sat in the carriage with Soleia, our conversation quickly went from ‘ugh home’ to ‘let’s read a book’. I loved reading and it was second only to listening to Soleia read. I leaned against her, vaguely looking at the page as she read aloud until the chapter was done and she switched to me. The positions shifted and I wondered if she enjoyed being read to as well.
Arriving home had the exact fanfare as before. We exited the carriage and were directed to the prayer room. Soleia had been here before, so I didn’t feel bad about not showing her around right away. I still felt bad that she was instantly dragged into my mother’s woes and drama.
We paused at the door of the prayer room. Mother was bowed down, head nearly touching the base of the statue. We entered slowly and knelt in front of the dragon statue. My eyes lingered on it for a moment, as they always did. The gold glittered in the light, inviting you to get lost in the details. It was a masterpiece and I wondered if the artist had seen dragons before. Mother would die if she knew that I not only believed they were real but had befriended at least two.
She was one I would never want to have know about the dragons. She would undoubtedly use it to her full advantage, trying to find a way to make it benefit her. I wasn’t sure there was a way to do that. If dragons wanted to remain hidden, well, as I heard them say several times: humans are very breakable.
They didn’t say it as a threat, instead usually as an annoying fact.
Mother finally rose her head and resumed a normal kneeling position. She let out a slow breath. “My sources tell me nothing at school changed since our last talk.”
I didn’t say anything. Of course, nothing had changed but I wasn’t sure what direction she was going with this.
After a moment of silence she continued, tone curt and tense. “And you want this duel that I must allow.” That wasn’t even a question, but she left it open for a moment. “Do you really think you can find better than a Lari? You’re certainly not going to land the prince you’ve never met.” She slowly turned to glare at me with cool eyes. “Well?”
I took a breath. “I believe I can do better for my heart. Mayhap I can’t win over a prince, but I only know nobles from school, so I know life will still be comfortable. I am content with a comfortable happiness.” Was that enough for her? No, because it was about me, not her. I wanted love, not to power climb a ladder that meant little to me.
Mother’s glare at me intensified for a moment before she turned her eyes to Soleia. “What would your parents say if you pulled such a terrible thing?”
Soleia gave the slightest of shrugs. “I’m unsure exactly what they would say, ma’am. They view the topic very differently, originally being from Dustarn. The concept of being Promised away with a lack of love does not make sense to them.”
Mother snorted as she turned her head back to the dragon statue. “They are from the home of dragons and they don’t believe in the good of arrangements? What fools.” She got up and left without another word.
As her footsteps faded down the hall I turned to Soleia surprised. “That went better than I anticipated.”
“It did.” Soleia nodded slowly. “I don't trust her, but there is no way to end this so I wonder if she has a new arrangement already set on the back burner.”
“That wouldn’t surprise me, but father did say I would have more of a say. Not entirely sure how that will go, but I believe him.” At least I had one parent mostly on my side.
Soleia nodded. “I’ll be keeping an eye on her, and especially tomorrow.” Soleia glanced over at the statue before turning abruptly to me. “What is her magic anyway?”
“Nothing grand from what I’ve heard. She uses a lot of potions, but can’t do much in the way of healing aside from make a mild bruise vanish. Honestly, I’m not sure she can manage most magic right.”
“Potions can still be dangerous so that's good to know.” Soleia nodded thoughtfully. “At least she can’t just cast a fireball at you or something on accident then.”
“Oh goodness no, she can’t do any destruction magic. Thankfully, healing and destruction paths rarely cross. If ever. That might just be for the books.” Being strong in white magic naturally balanced out with lacking dark magic and worked the same in reverse.
“For humans? That is for the books.” Soleia agreed as she dropped her voice. “In our half form, even white magic wielders can cast some fire.” She stood and offered me a hand. “Let’s go do something fun.”
“Oh? Is worshiping your own kind a bit too much?” I smirked.
Soleia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “We hold the originals in high praise. None of those exist anymore. Just us half breeds. For the best. The old ones were very overpowered and actually disliked humans overall. They couldn’t figure out how the humans kept getting magic. The closer the humans were to dragons, the stronger their magic. Dragons started to siphon the magic from the humans, leaving those they toyed with nothing but broken husks without a mind. Plenty saw that as a terrible thing, but it took eons to really get things settled.”
“I didn’t realize there was something like that involved in history.” The past liked to have its darker side. The present wasn’t much better and did little to hide its own darkness.
“There is a lot of history. It is long and drawn out with as many dark moments as there are good ones, but that can be for another time.” Soleia motioned to the door.
“Fine, let’s go do something.” I relented, not needing any more dark facts in my life.
I looped my arm in hers and we happily headed downstairs. It was too nice to stay in. After tea on the porch we started to wander, enjoying the gentle breeze and warm sun.
We spent the day outside, relishing in the perfect weather. Walking to the lake felt nice and there were plenty of things to collect along the way to make up potions. There were always potions to remake. I enjoyed the energy-boosting ones in the morning a bit too much. I only used the focus ones before testing and exams, or if class was extra dull.
The more I thought about it the more I realized I was a mild potion consuming addict. At least using them had no side effects. Those weren't allowed in the school and were more than a slap on the wrist to be caught with. I wasn’t interested in ruining
my life that way anyway.
Dinner was oddly quiet. Father inquired about school and classes and of course the wellness of Soleia’s family. He had only met them a handful of times but did enjoy the conversations he had with them whenever they were at the same party.
It was nice how anti-social mother was. Even if she was seething with anger, she was doing so virtually silent. Stabbing into her meat and clattering dishes were very tolerable. I suspected and greatly hoped she wasn’t going to say another word until the whole affair was over.
I had just said goodnight to Soleia and returned to my room when mother entered. My brain seemed to fizzle out for a moment. “Oh, I’m just getting ready for bed, Mother. Is there something I can help you with?”
She gave me an exasperated sigh. “No, you refuse to do your duty. Your father should have you locked up until you come to your senses. You’re lucky he is a man who honors the law. You’re just going to make a fool of yourself and, in turn, us.”
Ah, so she wanted to yell at me some more. Oh well. It had been a fairly peaceful day without her ramblings. “If I’m going to just fail, why are you so concerned?”
“You’re a terrible child, not caring about how you make your family look. I don’t know what I expected. No child of mine would behave this way, but of course, I can’t have any.” She grumbled the last part.
I started at her part shocked and confused. “What did you say?”
“You are a terrible child, and not even mine,” she stated coldly, almost mockingly. “Who cares where you came from, you got me this far, and you will get me where I want to go.” Before I could ask what she meant a knock sounded at the door behind her. “Always a distraction,” she grumbled before opening it slightly. “I need another minute.” She closed it again.
“Who was that? What is this all about?” I demanded.
She took a step over to me, closing the distance between us. “Nothing. You’re failing me so I am taking matters back into my own hands where they belong. You would understand better if you read the letter I left for you instead of being off playing all day.” Mother motioned to my writing desk.
