Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1)

by Ashleigh Bello

  Arianna opened her mouth to speak, to scream, to question… really anything, but nothing came out. Before she could find the words to say or the emotions to feel, another surprise came stalking out from the tunnel.

  “Talis!” She felt both shocked and happy as she ran to hug him. “I’m so sorry, Talis—” He put a finger to her lips.

  “Hush girl,” he said. “Fate is fate, and your little adventure was just the beginning. You can’t argue with destiny.” He strode past the girls, towards the edge of the cliff. “I believe you taught me that. Right, Solomon?”

  Solomon slunk out of the shadows and put an arm around Talis’ shoulders, leading him to the edge of the waters. “What an enchanted place they’ve found here,” said Talis. His eyes searched the glimmering caverns, the twinkle of the firebugs reflecting in his eyes. Solomon gave a slight nod, but Arianna noticed something more, like some untold secret lingered between them as they scanned her utopia.

  Talis ran his fingers along the wall of the cave, caressing the jutting, jade stones in his palm. “Ouch,” he said, tearing his hand away as a stone pierced his skin. The two masters stood only feet from the girls, so Arianna could detect the blood trickling down his pale hand as she strained to see what happened.

  Solomon grabbed Talis’ wrist to observe the wound. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, I’ll be fine.”

  Trying to hold back a laugh, Solomon grinned as he let Talis’ hand drop back to his side. Disbelief coursed through Arianna’s mind as she saw the tiniest hint of a light emanate from his palm and the blood trickling from the gash cease. Where is the wound? She stood on her tiptoes to try and get a better view but saw nothing but wrinkled skin.

  “What are you looking at?” said Lessa, turning her head in the same direction.

  “It’s nothing. I just… I swear my mind is always playing tricks on me in these caves.” Arianna’s voice trailed. Shaking her head, she turned to face Lessa who stood waiting, looking bewildered and just as nervous as she felt.

  Arianna prepared her next words as Lessa fidgeted with her robes. She had wanted to say them for so long, and nothing, not the strange animal on her shoulders or her vivid imagination, could put them off any longer.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t more careful. You’re in this situation because of me,” she said, bowing her head. The caves quieted as everyone waited for Lessa’s reaction. Even the firebugs seemed to stop humming until her voice finally filled the quietness.

  “When Talis told me the regulators were coming after me because of the letter, because of you… I was angry at first,” she said, “But Talis is right. Fate is fate, and this ours.”

  Lessa pulled a parchment from her own robes, and Arianna recognized the letter she wrote to her in the Healer’s District. She felt her body relax as the guilt she had been carrying began to disappear little by little.

  “Besides, I was getting bored stiff anyways,” she said, smiling. “This old man had me training day and night after the accident until Solomon sent the news. Now, I’ve wriggled my way out of participating in the Free Falls.” Talis scowled.

  “But you haven’t wriggled your way out of the Four Corners. Have some humility. You’re not out of this yet,” he said, shaking his head as he came to stand nearer.

  Lessa rolled her eyes and continued on. “In fact, maybe I should be thanking you, Arianna!” She laughed as Talis grumbled in the corner, trying not to smile. She winked at him, breaking his wavering frown.

  Solomon joined in with his own roaring laughter that always made Arianna’s heart leap. She was glad as the mood shifted to somehow jovial as the four began to get to know each other a little better.

  “Lessa, meet Solomon,” said Talis. “He’s an old friend of mine and Arianna’s master as you well know. The universe has played an interesting card by introducing both of our apprentices after so many years, but I know this is the safest choice. He’ll take good care of you until we figure out how to handle this.”

  “How do you do?” said Solomon, taking her dainty hand into his. He bowed, flashing those shiny teeth, and Lessa flushed a bright pink.

  “Pleased to meet you, Master Bell.” Arianna crossed her arms, shaking her head.

  “Ara, I believe you’ve found your fiery-eyed monster,” chuckled Solomon as his eyes shifted to Sano still perched atop Lessa’s shoulders. “You might want to watch your back at night. Sure you’ll be okay?” Arianna turned red, pursing her lips.

  Lessa looked from Sano to Arianna, unsure and confused, as Solomon patted the animal’s head. She had a pack slung across her back along with her bow, so she laid them on the ground, careful not to disturb her furry friend.

  “Tell you later,” said Arianna. She nudged Solomon in the ribs.

  He squeezed her around the shoulders and then turned his attention to Talis. “So is that what I think it is?” he said, nodding to Sano again.

  “I believe so,” said Talis. His face twisted into a smile.

  “Well I’ll be damned.” Solomon rested his hands on his hips as he shared Talis’ amusement.

  “It’s just a monkey,” said Arianna. “Why are you both acting so strange?”

  “Just admiring two promising young girls,” said Talis. “There’s more hope than you know in your futures.”

  Lessa raised an eyebrow. “Why are you always so cryptic?” He only shrugged.

  “So that is a monkey, right?” asked Arianna, changing the subject.

  “Yes, of course!” said Lessa. Her face lit up as Sano finally became the topic of choice. “Can you believe it? I woke up after my fall, and Talis said Sano had been by my side the entire time.” She patted his head and Sano cooed.

  “I’ve never seen one before. He’s quite extraordinary. May I?” Arianna’s voice came out small and hesitant, but she still needed proof that it was no monster.

  “Sure, he’s very friendly.”

  Arianna moved forward, removing her gloves to be able to feel Sano. The white fur felt so soft between her fingers and somehow soothing to her hands. She noticed his paws, shiny silver on the padding. Sano nudged her cheek, pushing its tiny head into the palm of her hand as it crooned at the contact.

  “Good, he likes you!” said Lessa. Arianna grinned. He truly was extraordinary.

  “Perfect!” Solomon’s voice sounded loud over the drumming of the waterfall, startling Sano and everyone else in the room for that matter. “I’m very glad we’re all acquainted. Now, this will be tricky business, but I believe it’s our best plan of action. Do you have everything you need, Lessa?” he asked, turning into serious Master Bell.

  Arianna could tell he was fond of her already. She wondered if this ghost from the Healer’s District even realized when her charisma charmed people. Probably not.

  “Yes, sir,” she said with a huge smile. Dimples played on her rosy cheeks as she scratched Sano under his chin.

  “Okay, well let’s get going. Help Lessa with her pack,” he said, waving to Arianna.

  She complied as she bent to lift the heavy rucksack from the ground. Lessa grabbed hold of her bow and turned to Talis.

  “Goodbye, Master,” she said, giving him a long hug. He teetered, returning the embrace for only a moment.

  “Take care of yourself and stay out of trouble, you hear? I’ll be down for the Free Falls in three weeks.” Talis glanced between Arianna and Lessa who nodded back.

  The Free Falls lasted for one week per district, consecutive to each. Arianna’s came last.

  “How could we get into trouble with such little time?” said Lessa, grinning.

  Talis huffed, looking to Solomon for reassurance. “Are you sure this’ll work? Lessa is a bad luck charm when it comes to misfortune.” She frowned.

  “Don’t worry, friend. I have experience in dealing with trouble.” His eyes shifted to Arianna, and she shrank besides Lessa. “Besides, they’ll never think to look for a healer in the Warrior’s District, and you said the regulators have been watching you like a ha
wk. What other chance does she have?”

  He sighed. “Yes, they have. It’s quite exhausting, really. It was all I could do to keep her hidden before I could arrange a meeting with you,” he said.

  “Please, relax a bit now.” Solomon placed a hand on both of the girls. “The regulators in our district have already executed a young slave who was out past curfew the night this all started. They’ve held her responsible for the murders of Das and Akias. With her unfortunate death, the commotion has died down a lot on our side.” Solomon continued on as Arianna looked to her feet, ridden with guilt. “In fact, it’s you who should be careful since they know of Lessa’s treason. Will you be alright?” Solomon’s face twisted to concern.

  “Oh, I’ll be fine,” said Talis, wiggling his fingers. Solomon let out another howl of laughter, shaking off the sinister mood that began to settle in. “They’re speculating I’ve done off with her myself. She was always misbehaving,” said Talis.

  “If not, I’m sure your magic fingers will keep them at bay,” said Solomon. Arianna stiffened. “If that’s all, then we should be going because I want the cover of the crowd to sneak them in before curfew.”

  “Farewell and see you soon,” said Talis, stalking off towards the entrance of the passageway to the Healer’s District.

  Arianna chewed on her lip as she pondered her situation. It felt strange to see Solomon and Talis fitted into the backdrop of her utopia, but fit they did. The jade stones twinkled in acceptance and the firebugs swirled in tornados of light high above their heads. A shared secret didn’t seem so bad anymore.

  “And take care of that monkey, Lessa,” said Talis. His voice trailed as he disappeared into the underpass.

  “Let us be off then,” said Solomon, gesturing them to follow. He led the way back past the steaming hot springs towards the Warrior’s District, ducking his head to clear the low ceiling. They reached the small mouth of the entrance to the district, rolling the stone to the side as they scanned the road.

  Nearly curfew; waves of red-robed warrior-slaves scurried back to the safety of their quarters. After the scene a few days ago, nobody dared be out after that last ring of the bell. No slave had ever been tortured for as long as a week, but apparently there was a first time for everything.

  Solomon and Lessa slid out first from the secret entrance. They blended into the crowd as elders, slaves cowering away from them as they walked. Talis had been right to give Lessa his robes. Draped in the same white fabrics as Solomon, Lessa looked like any other elder, the healer’s crest shimmering on her back in azure threads.

  She kept her hood tight around her face for extra protection from prying eyes, but elders from all districts traveled anywhere they pleased without any restrictions. Citizens even visited from outside of the Four Corners to watch the Free Falls, so this time of year many new faces wandered the streets. Nobody noticed her.

  Arianna watched them disappear down the windy road, and, after a couple of minutes, she slipped out as well. She tried to dodge the people flying through the streets but found it an impossible task. Moments later, she collided with someone, hitting the ground hard.

  “Watch where you’re going, slave!” said a regulator. Disheveled, Arianna heard the sound of metal sliding from a sheath, and she glanced up to see none other than Sir Dean Westing. His silky, black uniform clung to his muscled body, and his robes hung around him with an impressiveness most couldn’t achieve. She slunk back at the sight of him, shocked at her string of bad luck.

  Saying a slight apology and prayer in her mind, she rose to her feet, trying to inch away. He pulled her to his face by her collar, squinting as he scanned her up and down. Don’t recognize me. She stood so close she could smell the scent of whiskey on his breath. Akias recognized me. She began to sweat, her gaze dropping to his feet as she prayed he couldn’t read minds as well as her master.

  “You look oddly familiar,” he said. Arianna said nothing, but her mind screamed in panic. He knows! He remembers me.

  Sir Westing tilted his head as he surveyed her, scratching at his stubble as he tried to place her in his mind. “I suppose you’ve been in trouble before. Second chances are quite rare here in this district, and we certainly don’t give out thirds. What’s your identification number, slave?”

  Arianna’s heart stopped, and her mind froze. “I… my…”

  “Out with it! What is your numbe—”

  “Sir Westing, give the orders now. It’s time for curfew, and the assembly will take place in the Learning Center,” said a deep voice from behind. Arianna looked upon black boots and a thick, fur-lined cape scraping the ground in front of her.

  Sir Westing turned and bowed his head, forcing Arianna’s lower. “Yes, General Ivo.” Arianna’s mind flip-flopped, and for a moment felt glad Sir Westing held her upright as her knees wobbled.

  Sir Westing turned his attention back to hers. “Today is your lucky day,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “I don’t have time for this. Get out of my sight.” Throwing her to the dirt, he stepped over her as more slaves gave him a clear passage through the crowd.

  Arianna scurried away as quick as she could, the ring of the bell buzzing in her ears, her body trembling from the encounter. She ran the rest of the way to the Dueling Arena. Everyone already emptied, so she moved freely across the large grounds toward her sparring room, towards safety. Lessa and Solomon greeted her at the door, worry clear on their faces.

  “I’m glad you made it safely,” said Solomon, resting his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, but I must be off now. I’m expected at an assembly. Cyn will bring food later once the meeting commences and security is much less. In the meantime, please show Lessa her new home,” he said, pulling Arianna inside the doors. “And fill her in on recent events.” Giving the girls a reassuring smile, he left, this time locking the door behind him.

  The girls stood in silence, Lessa scanning the large training room. It smelled musty compared to the clean air in the jade tunnels, and dirt clung to every surface. “Nice, place,” she said. They both laughed, breaking the awkward silence.

  “It’s not much, but its home… for now,” said Arianna, shrugging her shoulders as she moved further into the room.

  Lessa nodded. “Master Bell seems wonderful.”

  “Yes, Talis too. We’re lucky to have them as our trainers.” Arianna giggled. “Although, I think Solomon may trade me in for you if he gets the chance.”

  “I think he might regret it if he did,” said Lessa. “I’m not sure I could hold my own with a sword.” She nodded over to the pile of weapons and flinched as Sano jumped down from her shoulders to explore the room.

  Falling victim to Lessa’s charm, it didn’t take long for Arianna to realize she adored her as well. She decided to trust Lessa as Talis and Solomon did, relying on their better judgment. Well, she would trust her until she gave her a reason not to, as was her usual way. She still claimed Liam as her only go-to friend, but, at the moment, he wasn’t really an option. She stored those thoughts for later, making peace with her situation… with their situation.

  As the girls warmed to each other, they began to explore their chaotic worlds, each divulging stories of their not-so-different lives and dreams. There, behind locked doors, they exchanged their secrets, pasts, and hopeful futures. An unbreakable bond formed then, something stronger than friendship. They would search for the key to their freedom together.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  FALLING STAR

  The girls peered towards the door hearing the soft click of the lock, anxious to see who came to visit. Feeling a little on edge, Arianna clutched at her thigh where her dagger awaited command. The door burst open, and a delicious scent filled the room, followed by Arianna’s rosy-cheeked caretaker, Cyn, who came by with supper.

  When she set eyes on Arianna, she gushed and flew across the room, almost dropping the food. Lessa caught it as Cyn flung her arms around Arianna, knocking her backwards.

  “Oh…” she sobbed. �
��It’s been so long since Solomon has let me see you! I thought something happened after I left that night. Let me look at you.” She released her from the embrace, examining her up and down.

  “Relax,” said Arianna. “It’s just been a week.”

  “Oh dear, has it really only been seven days?” she said, clapping her hands with a sudden burst of excitement. “And who might this lovely young lady be?”

  Lessa, who observed from a corner, stepped forward to introduce herself. She extended her hand and a warm smile.

  “My name is Lessa, ma’am… Lessa Thur,” she said in her sweetest voice as Cyn took her hand.

  “Well, aren’t you a beauty. But shouldn’t you be in your quarters by now? Oh my, yes. It’s well past curfew,” she said, biting her nails. She glanced up towards the old clock that hung on the wall. “The regulators will do more than slaughter you if they find you out now. After what happened last week to that young girl who murdered Das and Akias…” Cyn repressed a shudder.

  “What all did Solomon tell you?” Arianna decided to pry before she divulged too much information to her caretaker. She didn’t want to rope her into anything more than she had to.

  “He just told me to bring you dinner and that you were hungry enough for two. I brought extras.” She smiled and looked around. “Now where did I put all that food?” She began wandering about the room, scratching her head.

  “It’s here, ma’am,” said Lessa as she waved her hand towards the large tray on the table.

  “Do call me Cyn, dear. How old do I look?” Her eyes grew wide as she smoothed out her hair, and Lessa smiled. “Now, tell me, what’s going on here?” she said placing her hands on her hips.

  Arianna glanced at Lessa whose lips were zipped tight. She had hoped Cyn would forget her questions. It surely wouldn’t be the first time, but unfortunately now she persisted. Feeling quite unsure on how to handle this situation, the silence dragged on.