Each district within the Four Corners had access to an underpass, so the districts could receive provisions from other cities. Hundreds of paths under the mountains created the maze of the Vanishing Tunnels. She knew the story well. With only one way in or out of the labyrinth, elders held the only maps. No slave ever tried to escape… not unless the rumors were true about the one-year anniversary of the Four Corners at least.
Arianna passed the guards who blocked the tunnels, day and night, and walked along the mountainside. If she continued in a circular path along Blancoren, she would eventually end up back where she started. She passed some of the barracks where she and the other slaves slept. Hundreds of them stood against the wall of the mountains. Mounted on wooden stilts high above the ground, they seemed to sway in the wind.
She circled the quiet street. Feeling a little anxious as she always did when she snuck away, she ducked under the barracks and out of sight. Everyone was still busying about in the center of town, so she felt safe enough from prying eyes. After about fifteen minutes of walking underneath the houses, the smell of rotting wood began to sting her nose. Her fingers traced the frozen mountainside until they found a particular stone, the size of a small child, which wobbled under her touch.
Pushing her fingers on the stone, it fell inward, landing with a thud. Her mind lurched backwards as she placed her hand in the center of the cold rock, remembering the moment which had led her there so long ago.
“I’m trying, really I am,” she said, breathless.
“Not hard enough!” screeched her trainer. “Pick up your damn sword, you lazy excuse for a girl!”
Another swing came at her head, but she lifted the heavy, wooden blade. She moved quick enough to block the strike, but the weight of the blow left her back on the ground, sweating in panic. Mud covered every inch of her, and a large gash bled above her elbow.
“Come on, get up!” said her opponent, a boy in her ninth-year group. Everyone always praised his skill. “Practice makes perfect.”
His sword pointed at her face, waiting for her next feeble attack. He looked like a real warrior standing over her then, a scar across his chest.
“I swear on the High King, if you don’t get back on your damn feet, I’ll have you thrown in the Pit, twenty-two,” said the trainer. The man stayed faceless in her memory, but his voice sounded cold and rigid.
Nothing scared her more than the Pit. No slave could survive that punishment. Even with the fear of that fate weighing on her, she knew she couldn’t win this battle.
“I can’t… I can’t fight anymore. I’m not strong enough,” said young Arianna. “I yield.”
Her sword dropped to the ground. The other slaves in her group laughed, all except one, a flaxen-haired boy who just stared in the other direction. Liam.
“You’re pathetic. Absolutely not worth a single second more of my time,” said the trainer. “In this world, you earn your freedom! You’ll be lucky if you ever even see a glimpse.” She prayed for that luck.
He turned and walked out of the arena with the others at his heels, leaving her alone with the boy who mocked her with his smile. As beautiful as he was, she hated him then. “Next time at least make it a fight. You’ll be dead and buried in the tombs before you reach your next ceremony,” he said with a smug smirk.
The boy slung his wooden sword to his side and then spat at her feet. He left her there alone, whistling the tune of the Free Bird as he went.
A few weeks later, he died
“This is the destiny you choose if you forget your place here,” said General Ivo. “Look upon the child that was destined for greatness. Now he’s nothing more than a rotting corpse. May freedom find you in death,” he said with a sinister smile as he dropped a single white rose into the Pit.
Arianna had never before seen such a beautiful flower outside of books and scrolls. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the darkness as it swallowed up the rose. She wondered at that moment if the general spoke the truth.
Would his soul be set free even though he died a slave? She hoped not. She hated that boy even in death.
“Mark my words,” said the general. The entire crowd silenced in order to hear. “You are nothing more than a number here, and I’ll not hesitate to snuff out the slightest hint of defiance inside of these walls. Dismissed.”
The crowd dispersed to get back to their duties, and Arianna found the motivation to train harder.
As Arianna climbed through the hole in the mountainside, she reflected on the emotions of that day in her past. The embarrassment she felt, and the humiliation that had led her to hide under the barracks all came back to haunt her now.
Desperately wishing for a way to escape the little boy and the taunts of her ninth-year peers, something had answered her prayers all those years ago. When she had leaned her small body against the loose rock, she revealed a secret like none other. Now, at seventeen, she had traveled there countless times.
Replacing the stone in its rightful stance, she became blinded in momentary darkness. After a few moments, the ceiling of the hidden cave began to glow like sparkling red and gold lanterns hung just for her special arrival. Millions of firebugs hummed a few feet above her head, guiding the way to her destination. The light they surrendered swirled all around her, buzzing with electricity.
As she traveled down the long, narrow passage, the air grew warmer. She removed her heavy cloak and clothes, stripping down to her undergarments. Here she was simply Arianna.
After a few minutes, the tunnel grew wide. A large opening spread out before her, lit even brighter than the entrance. “My paradise,” she said as she took in the brilliant backdrop.
Standing at the mouth of the cave, the area opened into a huge dome bigger even than the Dueling Arena, and firebugs covered the walls and ceiling. The top of the cave jutted down like inwardly built crowns, sparkling with dripping water, and massive, glittering, green stones projected from the walls and sat in the large lake that submerged the center of the floor.
As she moved further in, she saw a small cliff protruding from the side of the cave where foot holdings led up to the top. Arianna circled the cavern, climbing to the top of the cliff as usual. From up here she could see other twisting tunnels on the far side of the cave, but she had never found the guts to venture down any of them.
Her eyes transfixed on the water pouring from an unrevealed source high above her head. As it crashed to the pools below like thunder, she let it flow between her fingers. Then, turning around to face the edge of the cliff, she pushed her heel down with all her strength and sprinted forward.
The ground disappeared, and her body reveled in the rush, in the adrenaline, as she fell through the air. Nothing else mattered until her feet collided with the pool of water below. Waves splashed all around her body, engulfing her in a sweet sensation as she plunged down through the water.
Making her way back up for air, she reached the surface, willing her body to float around the giant pool. The temperature grew much hotter in the middle, and her tense muscles started to relax with the heat. The waterfall thundered down the cliffside behind her, creating more waves that rippled under her skin. She closed her eyes, imagining that the world outside the Four Corners must be this peaceful and serene. This utopia had birthed a fighter. It gave her motivation for a future such as this.
As she floated there, her mind at ease and dancing with thoughts of battle, she heard a subtle splash at the opposite end of the springs.
With swift reflexes, she let her body be immersed into the water. All but her nose and eyes melted into the pool as she tried to blend into the shadows, her curly locks drifting in a dark train behind her like a lethal creature lurking in the depths.
She stilled as she heard more splashing noises begin in the distance. Trying to see what caused the disturbance without getting too close, Arianna stayed stone-still for fear a monster roamed the surface. Even though the law forbade that kind of imagination, stories still got around the d
istrict through whispers and gossip. Every slave heard their fair share from the older years, and at bedtime they had exchanged the tales with the regulators out of earshot.
Now, as she waited, she recalled these childhood nightmares. The stories of scaly creatures that prowled dark waters and ripped apart the bones of careless wanderers burned in her mind. Her fear grew palpable, thinking of Solomon as these fables clawed their way into her thoughts. Of course… he’s always right.
If she was truly honest with herself, which came on odd occasions, Arianna could not form a true picture of what the real world might be like. Surely not filled with the creatures of her imagination? No way to be sure of what she might face, she held her breath, careful not to make any sound.
Determined for answers, she waded closer.
Impossible. Her eyes widened for only a moment before the rest of her body slipped underwater.
CHAPTER FOUR
GHOST
Deeper and deeper Arianna drifted under the dark waters. She hoped her movement wouldn’t stir any attention from the surface, but she needed a closer look to be sure that what she saw was no illusion. In her district, the regulators rationed water for drinking and bathing purposes only, but swimming came naturally to her. Many years she had practiced moving herself through these hot springs.
She kicked her legs hard as she moved in the direction of a massive jade rock sunken in the water near the bank on the other side. As the warm liquid massaged her skin, her thoughts reeled with the unpleasant possibilities of what she might soon encounter. How could she feel unsafe here, in the place that was her own? Without a sword, she was vulnerable and exposed to danger, to a threat that was never supposed to be.
She carried only a small dagger strapped to her thigh—a gift from Solomon on the day of their first lesson and something she made sure she was never without. She knew nothing of treasure, but this was hers. Patting its sheath, she made sure it wouldn’t fall loose in the waters. If she didn’t reach the safety of the rock soon, she’d have no other choice but to resurface and face the danger.
Maybe she could convince the illusion she’d created to disappear, to go back to where it came from? No use. Her mind continued to suit up for battle. Struggling for air, her lungs started to tighten and her muscles tensed, begging her to breathe. Just when she felt likely to drown, her hands grasped the giant rock, and the rest of her body came to rest on the smoothed sides. Arianna pushed upward with her legs and surfaced.
She inhaled the cool air in a gasp that filled her shrunken lungs with much needed oxygen, and it flowed back out of her body in a long exhalation. As the air left her lips, she let out a sigh of relief, clasping her hand around her mouth all too late. Did it go unnoticed? She prayed so, less the monster of her imagination really lurked ahead.
In silence, she listened to her surroundings. Nothing. No sound but for the firebugs glued to the walls. What she thought she saw, just moments before, had vanished. She closed her eyes, relaxing a bit. It’s nothing.
Moving around the stone to the shallow part of the water, she rested her feet on the muddy bottom. “The dark does play tricks,” she said as she went to exit the waters.
“Indeed it does.” The words startled Arianna so much that she slipped backwards into the lake, stirring the mud all around her. Pulling her dagger from its sheath, she waved it in all directions, targeting the unknown voice. It felt too light in her palm, but she knew that its sharp blade proved a lethal threat to anyone who found it in their back. This she knew reassuringly well.
Its blade sparkled like tiny black diamonds in coal, and a bright blue metal inspired from the sea and the sky in a tangled battle formed the hilt. Traces of deep violets and greens laced the blue as an elaborate outline of a winged beast or god (to which, she was unsure) made up the guard. Finally, a large black jewel encircling a slither of bright yellow, like a captured lightning bolt, completed the pommel.
“Who are you? Show yourself at once,” cried Arianna, tightening her grasp on her weapon. The firebugs occupying the stone took flight in a cloud of golden light that momentarily disarmed her, scared her. For the first time, she felt her life to be in true danger. Of course, she engaged in many battles over the years but always during practice, and every time she had been prepared. This was different. This was real, and she had no idea what to expect.
“But I’m not hidden. You simply can’t see me because you’re not looking right,” said the voice with a delicate laugh. It belonged to a girl. This revelation did not ease her mind or body in the least. Who is this ghost?
Arianna turned in circles, trying to locate the source of the voice, but she saw no one.
“Still haven’t figured it out?” said the girl.
As soon as the girl spoke, Arianna let her dagger fly through the air towards the sound. She heard a loud splash in the water where it landed.
“Well that was a wise decision.” The ghost girl snickered.
“Face me, you coward!” Arianna turned in circles.
“You’re the one acting out of fear. Your startled heart has lost you your knife.” Arianna struggled to keep a hold on her temper.
“Enough games,” she said. “Come out from the shadows, and I’ll show you my heart!” Arianna threw her arms out wide in challenge, her impatience at an end.
“If you wish,” replied the voice, softer and more threatening than before.
Arianna lunged past the boulder to meet her opponent. Her movement stirred the mud even more, clouding the pool. Again, she found nothing. Splashing her hands in the water, she searched blindly for the dagger until she felt her fingers slip on the cold steel of the hilt. Grasping for it, she pulled it up from the springs.
“Too late,” said the honeyed voice that haunted the cavern. “Let the water claim your weapon, or I’ll claim your life. I offer no other choices.” Arianna could feel the glare of eyes on her back.
This girl… or ghost, whatever it claimed to be, had cornered her. Arianna stood stunned, waylaid by a voice. Nonetheless, Master Bell taught her well in all areas of battle, of conflict, so she pulled a piece of his advice from her mind.
Never bargain with your life. It’s always an unwise gamble if in fact the right hand leaves you lucky and the left leaves you dead.
Remembering Solomon’s words, she could now see the wisdom in what was once just a hypothetical situation. For all she knew, this ghost girl could have a sword an inch from her back. On the other hand, she could be playing tricks. Arianna wanted the truth of the matter before she gave up her dagger, her dignity, but her master had warned against it.
If it’s your weapon or your life, choose your life. Maybe then, you’ll live to fight another day.
In a slow gesture of forfeit, the black-stoned blade sank back to the floor of the springs, and Arianna raised her hands above her head as she did so often when defeated during duels. “Yield.” Such a sour tasting word.
“Turn around.” Arianna’s face flushed at the command, her fear replaced with pure animosity towards this cowardly ghost as she turned to face the opponent who claimed victory without a fight.
Arianna was stunned when she laid eyes on the girl behind the voice. Ghost? Sword? Not in the least, but still, a dagger would have done her little good here anyhow, assuming this girl was quick with a bow. Her brow furrowed as she stared at the sharp point of a long arrow, and the archer behind the bow surprised her just as much.
Arianna surveyed a girl who stood at about the same height as she, maybe an inch taller. Lean muscles tensed as her opposer tightened her pull on the arrow. She seemed well trained with her weapon.
Long arms held the bow and arrow steady at Arianna’s waist. She pulled the string back with her elbow extended at exactly eye-level, with perfect form. Arianna didn’t know much about wielding a bow, but she knew enough. This mystery girl had a sharp aim.
In the Warrior’s District, the law required slaves to learn and accomplish the basic skill-level for at least three weapons.
Arianna chose archery as one of her three but never took it past the early stages. She left the bow to practice the mastery of her swords, like most of the slaves did. People teased archers during their training. Some said they would never need to show up for battle since they could fight from a high ground or in the safety of the trees.
Either way, Arianna found herself without bow, without sword, and without dagger… no battle to be fought. If she made one wrong move, she would end up with an arrow in her belly. As miserable as life proved day in and day out, she refused to let hers end in the depths of the mountains.
“I said I yield, ghost,” said Arianna in an icy voice. Her body slumped in defeat, and she narrowed her eyes in contempt as a last resort scare tactic.
“Very well.” She eased her stance and lowered the weapon. “But if you try for your dagger again, I will release my arrow.”
“And if it missed my heart and fell to the water to lie with my dagger, then where would we be?” She stared ahead in defiance, rivaling with undisciplined arrogance. The girl glared back with large, pastel blues which stood out bright against her porcelain skin.
“I never miss a target.” Of course she didn’t.
She seemed so delicate though… with cherry-colored cheeks and straight, sun-yellow hair sweeping just past her shoulders. The several untreated bruises up and down her legs and stomach may have also proved her theory, if not for the bow and arrow attached to her arm.
“So, now what?” asked Arianna. She began to fidget, her arms still raised.
“Now, we talk.” The mystery girl lowered her bow a bit. “Tell me no lies. Who are you, and how did you find this place?”
“I should ask you the same thing.” She took a slight step forward. “How did you evade my sight so easily?”
The girl stiffened, aiming her arrow just inches from Arianna’s heart. “I think I’ll be asking the questions here… if that’s okay with you?” Arianna stopped dead in her tracks.
Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) Page 3
