by Lisa Cassidy
“You’re a mage too, Alyx?” Amelda asked.
“I might be, but I don’t have any magic yet.”
“Brynn, tell us what it’s like. We want to know everything,” the girl with the pigtails asked eagerly.
“That might take a long time, Dana.”
“I’m sure Father won’t make us go to bed early tonight?” She turned a hopeful look on the man in the chair.
He chuckled. “I think we can make Brynn’s visit a special occasion. No bedtime tonight.”
The girls chorused their excitement, and Alyx couldn’t help but smile.
“All right, well, I’ll start from the beginning.” Brynn leant forward. “DarkSkull Hall is full of ghosts and monsters that hide in the shadows.”
Amelda and Dana gasped, eyes going wide. “Really?”
“Yes, and they like to eat little girls.”
“No they don’t,” Alyx intervened, laughing. “Brynn is trying to scare you. I haven’t seen any ghosts or monsters.”
“Thank you, Alyx,” Amelda said crossly. “Brynn, tell us the truth.”
“You spoil all my fun, Alyx,” he mock-complained. “All right, what do you want to know?”
Massie bustled in as they were talking and gave Brynn and Alyx a bowl of steaming stew with a hunk of bread. The bread was dry, and there was hardly any meat in the stew, but Alyx ate as if it were the most delicious thing she’d ever had. The strange thing was, she enjoyed it more than any meal she’d had at DarkSkull.
They stayed up talking late into the night. As Alyx observed Brynn and his family interacting with each other, she felt a hollowness inside her chest. She’d never had brothers or sisters who adored her and teased her and eagerly awaited to hear what she had to say. She didn’t have a mother who doted on her like Brynn’s mother clearly did, one who had turned a small, poor home into a place of warmth and love.
She understood better now where Brynn’s warmth and good humour came from, and how he had the strength to cope with DarkSkull so well. He had people who loved him and supported him no matter what. He had the memory of this home everywhere he went.
Alyx adored her father, but the huge mansion they lived in was cold and empty compared to this tiny cottage. He was often busy, either at the palace or in his study. She wondered what it would have been like if her mother hadn’t died, whether she’d have had a home more like Brynn’s. Cayr was her only other family, and tonight she missed him more than she ever had.
They retired late. Alyx felt awful when Brynn’s brothers insisted they would sleep on the lounge floor so that she could have their bed, but she couldn’t refuse.
Out of habit, Alyx woke at dawn the next morning. The house was so small that she could hear that everyone else was already up and about.
Brynn was in the tiny kitchen, helping his father make breakfast. Through the kitchen window Alyx saw his mother out feeding a small group of chickens.
“Morning Alyx.” Dana ran into the room.
“Good morning, Dana.”
“Sleep well?” Brynn asked.
“I did, thank you.”
“Listen, there’s only enough here for the kids, so I’m going to head into the village to buy some more bread,” Brynn said. “Interested in coming for a walk?”
“Brynn,” his father scolded. “Alyx is our guest. Allow her to eat some breakfast. We can make enough for her. I’m sure Jorin can wait a little longer to eat.”
“No, it’s fine,” Alyx protested. “I’m not really hungry. I’d prefer to go for a walk.”
“See, Father?” Brynn headed for the door. “We’ll be back soon.”
The first few fingers of sunlight outlined the village roofs as Alyx followed Brynn towards the town square.
“I feel guilty,” Alyx admitted. “Your family doesn’t have much food. I shouldn’t be a burden on you. I’m sorry, I should have let you come alone instead of intruding.”
“Please don’t feel guilty,” he said earnestly. “One extra meal will not cause the family to starve, I promise you.”
“Are you sure? I can leave, take an earlier carriage?”
“Alyx, really, it’s fine… oh.”
Brynn stopped dead on the road, a beatific smile lighting up his boyishly handsome face.
Alyx looked to where he was staring, and saw that some of the villagers were already moving through the green. Brynn’s eyes were focused on a girl making her way to the village well. She had golden hair tied back in a bun and wore a plain homespun dress.
“Sarah!” Brynn shouted, then burst into a run.
The girl looked up at his shout and a stunned smile broke across her face. She was beautiful. Brynn reached her in five strides, and swept her up into a bone-crushing hug. They hugged tightly for a long time, then he pulled back and kissed her softly.
“Hi,” he whispered down to her.
“Brynn, how did you… I mean… what are you... I missed you.” Her eyes were shining.
“I missed you too, Sar’.”
They kissed again, and Alyx looked away, feeling she was intruding on a private moment.
“Alyx!” She turned back as he called her name. “This is Sarah. Sarah, this is my friend Alyx.”
“Hi,” Sarah said shyly, offering her hand.
“It’s lovely to meet you.” Alyx conquered her uneasiness with years of trained politeness.
“Alyx helped me come and visit,” Brynn explained. “I have to go back this morning.”
“I understand.” Sarah took his hand. “I’m so glad you came.”
The three of them wandered through the village together. The couple made an effort to include Alyx, and she felt herself warming to the shy village girl who Brynn clearly adored. It was obvious there was something powerful between them. They leaned in close to each other when they talked, and touched often. There was a palpable vibe between them that shouted deep love and companionship.
Alyx hoped she and Cayr looked like that to outsiders.
Brynn’s entire family, as well as Sarah, walked with them to the coach stop after breakfast. They hugged and laughed and talked until the carriage came. Brynn was clearly sad to be parting from them. He and Sarah moved a short distance away and had a murmured conversation before hugging fiercely.
“It was wonderful to meet you, Alyx,” Massie said. “Thank you for helping Brynn. We were so happy to see him.”
“I was glad to be able to help,” she said.
Massie leant forward and hugged her, tears in her eyes. Alyx stiffened awkwardly, unused to such forwardness from strangers, but tried to relax so that she wouldn’t cause offence.
“Will you come back and visit us?” Dana asked. “Please?”
“I’d like that.”
“Take care of Brynn for me,” Sarah asked in her quiet voice as they stood a little separately from the others. “I worry about him.”
So he’d told her everything about what DarkSkull was like, Alyx thought. It was good that he was honest with her.
“I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll try.”
“It was very nice to meet you, Alyx.”
“I feel the same way.” Alyx returned the girl’s smile.
Brynn’s sisters chased their carriage down the road, waving and calling out goodbyes until it became too fast for them.
“I wish we weren’t going back,” Alyx sighed, having enjoyed the brief respite from DarkSkull.
“I know what you mean,” Brynn said, gaze distant. “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you for this, Alyx.”
Uncomfortable, she shook her head. “Don’t mention it.”
Chapter 23
The carriage arrived back at the stop on the main road near DarkSkull Hall late in the morning. The weather continued to comply with the Master Alaria’s prediction, being sunny and warm but not too hot.
To Alyx’s astonishment, they walked into the valley to see the green fields surrounding the lake at DarkSkull filled with small wooden stalls—most of them decorated
with brightly coloured ribbons. A slight breeze provided relief from the sun, and most people were strolling around with rolled-up sleeves and open collars.
“It’s completely transformed.” Brynn’s voice echoed Alyx’s astonishment.
“Who knew DarkSkull could look so bright?” Alyx said. “Let’s find Tarrick and the twins.”
After some searching, they found Dawn and Finn walking together and looking a little forlorn. Dawn brightened at the sight of Alyx and they hugged briefly.
“Tarrick is furious at you both,” Finn said.
“Sorry for abandoning you,” Alyx said. “It was a last minute decision.”
“And completely my fault, so don’t be angry at Alyx.”
Alyx smiled. “Brynn has a girl he hasn’t told us about.”
“Really?” Finn raised his eyebrows. “Do tell.”
“Her name is Sarah.” Brynn levelled a mock scowl in Alyx’s direction. “And we intend to be married after I finish my mage training.”
“She’s lovely,” Alyx said firmly. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
“There you are!” Tarrick’s strident voice carried clear through the crowd.
“Tarrick, we made sure Galien and Fengel were—”
“I don’t care. You don’t go wandering off without telling me! I can’t protect you like that.”
“We’re sorry,” Alyx said.
“It won’t happen again,” Brynn promised.
Tarrick glowered. “You better mean that.”
“Oh, there’s a manuscript library,” Finn exclaimed. “I’m off. I’ll find you all later.”
Brynn also peeled off soon after, spotting a jewellery stall where he wanted to buy something for Sarah. Tarrick didn’t want to remain with the girls and left when he found a stall selling weaponry, including some beautiful knives and daggers.
“Don’t leave the crowd on your own,” he lectured them sternly before leaving. “If you need to go somewhere else, come and find me.”
“We will,” Alyx promised.
“I suppose it’s just us.” Dawn smiled at Alyx once he’d gone.
“Yes, come on, look at those beautiful ribbons over there.”
“That was nice, what you did for Brynn,” Dawn said later as they strolled together.
“His family is amazing. They love each other so much, yet they have so little. I was envious. I adore my father, but he’s all I have.”
“I didn’t realise how much I’d missed my father until yesterday,” Dawn said wistfully. “I wish we could go home.”
“Me too.”
“Imagine what it must be like to be Tarrick, to be stuck here and knowing your family doesn’t love you enough to accept your choices?”
Alyx nodded. “That would be hard.”
“It says something about Tarrick though, doesn’t it? That he stuck by us all this time even knowing his parents might react the way they did.”
“Honour is very important to him.”
“Yes, it is. I should stop mocking him for it.”
Alyx, searching for the boys, spotted Ladan sitting at a table on his own by one of the stalls. Something about the serious look on his face and the loneliness of his posture tugged at her.
“Let’s sit with Ladan for a moment,” she suggested.
“He does look lonely, doesn’t he?” Dawn sighed. “All right.”
Ladan looked up as Alyx approached, and she smiled. “Can we sit for a moment?”
Ladan shifted his gaze to Dawn, and then back to Alyx. “Suit yourself.”
Alyx smiled again and sat opposite Ladan, with Dawn prudently deciding to sit beside Alyx, rather than opposite her and beside Ladan.
“Are you looking forward to the displays this afternoon?” Alyx asked him.
He shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Has your magic broken out yet, Ladan?” Dawn asked nicely.
“Not yet,” he replied, his tone warming a little. Alyx stifled a smile—he obviously found it as hard as she did to remain terse and cold in the face of Dawn’s warm bubbliness. They’d interacted a few times on the occasions Ladan had attended Howell’s class, but that had mainly focused around Dawn trying to reach Ladan’s mind well enough so that she could contact him if necessary. Howell had tolerated his attendance at a few lessons, but once it became clear Dawn was having no luck reaching Ladan telepathically, he’d sent him on his way.
“Just like Alyx,” Dawn continued.
“Not quite.” A slight smile tugged at Ladan’s mouth. “I do much better in Rothai’s classes, and I’m pretty sure I could take her at Zandian grammar.”
“Ha-ha,” Alyx scowled at him as Dawn chuckled.
“I’m sorry I had no luck reaching you in Howell’s lessons,” Dawn said apologetically. “I need to get better before I can reach people I don’t know well.”
“It’s probably more my fault,” Ladan muttered. “I find it hard to let my guard down.”
Ladan participated no further in their conversation but seemed happy enough to continue eating while the two girls chatted away. Alyx and Dawn discussed what they’d like to buy at the stalls, and wondered who would win the competition matches. They’d just finished eating when Dawn spotted Finn and Brynn approaching.
“Better go. Bye, Ladan,” she said quickly, rising and walking over to the boys.
Alyx rose to follow. “Have a nice day, Ladan.”
His gaze, which had been following Dawn walk away, returned to her. “You too, Alyx.”
Brynn greeted Alyx and Dawn with a smile. “How is Ladan today?”
“He spoke at least two full sentences,” Dawn smiled back. “I consider that progress.”
“There you are.” Tarrick ran up. “We should go and watch the demonstration fight between First and Second Patrols. They’ll be starting soon.”
Finn nodded. “Lead on.”
Alyx followed, halting when she saw Brynn hadn’t moved, his gaze unfocussed and distant.
“Brynn? Are you all right?”
He shook his head. “Yes. Sorry. Let’s catch up to the others.”
A series of raised, roped-off platforms sat clustered together in the middle of one of the fields. A crowd was gathering around the central one already, and the intensity of anticipation could almost be felt in the hum of conversation that pervaded the area.
“There’s no way to beat a mage of the higher order, but Nordan’s patrol should put up a good fight against Galien and his crew,” Tarrick said.
Alyx frowned, meaning to ask what he meant by a mage of the higher order. It was a term she’d heard a few times now, and everyone but her seemed to know what it was. The question was put aside, however, when Dawn exclaimed and pointed upwards.
The southern sky had darkened with ominous black clouds that were slowly spreading to cover the horizon, dimming the brightness of the day.
“Looks like a spring storm,” Brynn said.
“Master Alaria didn’t mention a storm.” Dawn frowned.
“They can blow in without much warning. Tregaya is famous for them. I hope it holds off until the festival is over.”
“Brynn is right. Apparently Tregaya is a bit of a hotbed for interesting weather phenomena,” Finn added.
“You both read far too many useless books.” Tarrick rolled his eyes.
“I was born here, remember?” Brynn punched him in the arm. “I didn’t need to read a book to know what the weather is like.”
Tarrick returned the shove, sending Brynn stumbling, but there was a smile on his face as he did it.
“It’s starting.” Finn grabbed their attention. “It’s looks like Fengel and Nordan are kicking things off.”
Both young men stood calmly as Rothai barked last minute instructions at the patrols before stepping back and signalling the start of the match.
Fengel was a mage with fire magic, and Nordan an ice mage. Their powers made for an impressive display as they duked it out with sizzling fireballs and spe
ars of ice. Galien prowled the edges of the ring, waiting to step in if Fengel needed it. The other members of both patrols seemed almost sidelined.
The spectators crowded closely around the ropes, some of them cheering while others watched in stunned awe at the display of warrior mage power. The day gradually darkened as the storm clouds scudded across the sky and a stiff breeze whipped up. Annoyed with her long hair flicking across her face, Alyx reached up and twisted it into a loose plait as Dawn had taught her. The other girl did the same.
A distant rumbling of thunder cut over the cheers of the crowd, and some spectators began looking uneasily up at the sky. Fengel’s fiery attacks glowed brightly against the rapidly darkening day, and soon all traces of the sun were gone.
Some of the villagers began leaving, likely wanting to return home before the storm hit. The exhibition carried on with all the DarkSkull students forming a large cheering crowd. Unsurprisingly, most of them were cheering for First Patrol.
Alyx jerked as thunder growled again and a spear of blue lightning lit up the southern sky.
“Maybe it will go around the valley,” Finn shouted over the strengthening wind and the shouts as Nordan scored a hit on Fengel. Oscar stepped into the ring to support him, and then one of Nordan’s team joined the fight too.
“I don’t think so,” Tarrick said. “It’s coming right for us.”
“That means the festival will have to end early.” Dawn’s face registered disappointment.
“Do you think they’ll cancel the dance too?” Finn’s shoulders drooped.
As if to underscore Finn’s words, thunder ripped across the sky, this time the roar coming from directly above the valley. Another brilliant fork of lightning lit up the southern hills. Seconds later, heavy drops of warm rain began to fall. When another deafening crash sounded, Alyx initially thought it was the thunder again. Then the tenor of the shouts nearby changed to fear, and turning, Alyx saw a pillar of fire erupt from the north-eastern corner of the valley wall.
Screams now cut over the hiss of rain and wind. Alyx was knocked sideways as two students closest to her turned and ran towards the main hall. Around her, the remaining crowd turned into a seething mass of panicking people.
