Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1)

by Ashleigh Bello

  Arianna knew Cyn to be an honest friend, but she also knew her as an unruly gossip. Her brain filtered nothing out, and her mouth simply said whatever thoughts flitted through her subconscious. It would be quite risky to confide in her such a large secret. She still struggled keeping the last one.

  Cyn glanced from Lessa to Arianna and back who wouldn’t say a peep.

  She sulked, “You know that Solomon has about run his course. I’m going to have a serious talk with him.” She started tapping her foot, and Arianna just shrugged. “I don’t know who you are child, but I’m certain you aren’t from around here now that I get a good look at you…”

  Lessa opened her mouth to speak, but Cyn stopped her. She held up her hands and scrunched her eyes closed. “No, I don’t even want to know. I’m stressed enough with the festivals just weeks away. People are dying left and right. Oh, Solomon will hear from me alright.” She started to mutter to herself now.

  Lessa and Arianna tried to keep their laughter at bay, but it proved difficult as Cyn continued to ramble and fume.

  “Bye dears. I’ll be back tomorrow to deliver your meals. Just let that Solomon try and stop me.” She pinched their cheeks and flew out the door. This time Arianna heard no click. The key lay forgotten on the table with the food.

  Dinner looked superb. Solomon’s weeklong punishment included the remnants of mush from the Dining Hall, so this meal looked like a juicy feast in comparison. The two girls split up the food and began to eat. Arianna dug her teeth into the large chicken breast at her plate as Lessa fed tidbits of fruit to Sano. He licked at her fingers before crawling away to a corner to chase at spiders.

  Taking a swig from her cup filled to the brim with red wine, a treat she snuck away in her rucksack, Lessa vied for Arianna’s attention. “So tell me,” she started in a serious tone. “Who did the regulators blame for the deaths of those two that Solomon killed?” Her eyebrows lifted as she crossed her legs, anxious to get some information.

  Arianna blanched, almost choking on her food. She grabbed her glass of wine and threw it all back in one gulp, washing away the foul memory now lingering before her eyes.

  For a week, her mind tried to process the unfortunate events that had surpassed the night she snuck away. The memories still came clear and fresh in her mind, transporting her back to that horrific scene. She felt the shiver run down her spine as Akias searched for the letter. The icy desire in Das’ voice still rang in her ears as he threatened her life with his sword, and the blood still stung her nose as their bodies fell before her eyes by Solomon’s hand. But Lessa’s question discomforted her even more so than her vivid recollections. Who did they blame? Who suffered on her behalf?

  Lessa poured Arianna some more wine from the bottle. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up,” she said, picking at her food.

  “No, it’s alright. It’s just… I knew the girl. We were roommates. Her name was Pippa.”

  Lessa cringed at the detail, clinging to every word as Arianna began to relay the terrible events from that night, starting from when Akias and Das caught her red-handed.

  “…Then Solomon told me what happened when he returned to the house that night,” she said, chewing on her lip. Her voice fell to a whisper as her mind recalled his words.

  “He told me that the general had already declared the murderer.” She looked at her hands. “You see… just minutes before the regulators were discovered dead, General Ivo had made a find of his own.”

  “What did he find?” Lessa leaned forward.

  “Another slave had snuck into the Dining Hall after curfew and very close to the scene,” said Arianna. “She tried to run and could have gotten away, but, by that time, the whole force was out looking for a slave out of bed… looking for me. They caught her easily.” Arianna bowed her head to her hands. “Pippa swore it wasn’t she who’d killed them, but the evidence was unquestionable. They even found blood on her hands and cloak!”

  “Really? But whose blood was it then?” asked Lessa. Arianna just shrugged her shoulders.

  “My thoughts exactly, but it’s irrelevant now. All the evidence was there. Of course, Solomon tried to make General Ivo see reason. The possibility that an inexperienced girl like Pippa could have bested two strong regulators… it’s ridiculous!”

  “He wouldn’t rationalize?” Lessa understood.

  “No, he wouldn’t,” said Arianna, tears starting to well in her eyes. “General Ivo isn’t a very rational person. He rules by making examples of people with any excuse, so he deemed Pippa at fault for the murders and had her tortured for almost a week before he threw her to the Pit.” She stifled a sob.

  Lessa looked away, lost for words.

  “It’s all my fault!” said Arianna. She banged her fists on the table, and their drinks sloshed onto the wood. “She was my friend.”

  Arianna couldn’t control the painful emotions threatening to overcome her while Pippa flashed through her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears as Pippa’s faint, tortured screams reverberated through her head. For almost a week she had endured this sound coming from the Square, and it came to haunt her memories still. She began to weep uncontrollably for the pain poor Pippa must have felt.

  “Solomon said the regulators made a show out of her torture in vengeance for their fallen officials,” she said through the tears. “I was glad to be holed up in my training quarters then, so I didn’t have to watch. Still, I heard the screaming.” Nobody in the district could have block out the sound.

  Lessa laid a consoling hand on her shoulder as Arianna continued to share her grief. “On the way to the caverns today, I passed by her body. I could barely stand to look.” Her chest constricted with agony as her heart pounded through the pain, and she tasted salt as streaks ran down her cheeks and wet her lips.

  Her mind flickered to an image of the ravaged girl at the bottom of the Pit, almost every part of her body whipped to excruciating detail. Her pale, blue eyes bulging from her head, and her hair matted with blood. It’s all my fault.

  Never again would she hear Pippa’s sweet lullaby coaxing her nightmares away. She died because of me. Never again would she hear the droning lectures of her caring friend when she cut curfew too close. She didn’t deserve this.

  A deep pang of regret formed like a stone in her gut. “During our last encounter I even yelled at her!” Arianna bowed her head and instead tried to picture Pippa’s soul soaring over the sea, forever free like that lucky bird in the song.

  The two girls sat in silence for a long while, sipping wine and picking at their food before anyone spoke again.

  “This isn’t your fault,” said Lessa. “Even if no regulators had been found dead, she would’ve still been punished. You know that. She was out past curfew with blood on her hands. She would have been sentenced to the Pit regardless, so don’t blame yourself for this. It’s much too big a burden.”

  Arianna stared at her plate, absentminded from the conversation. She tangled a strand of hair around her finger, contemplating Lessa’s calming words.

  “I suppose,” she said, finding her voice. “I just wonder why Pippa was even out past curfew in the first place. It wasn’t like her. She was always so punctual and obedient.”

  A dark thought crossed her mind then, a clue she remembered. For now, she chose to ignore it. She had enough on her plate without adding to the pile. Taking a deep breath, she wiped away the last evidence of her tears.

  “Come, enough of this talk,” she said. “I want to show you the rest of your new home.” The mood lightened a bit as Arianna drummed her fingers on the wooden table.

  “I like how you think,” said Lessa, beaming up at Arianna who shifted the forgotten key from the table into her pocket.

  With their plates licked clean, Arianna stood. “Have you finished your wine?” she asked.

  “Of course! Talis taught me never to let a drop go to waste.” Lessa winked as a hiccup escaped her lips.

  “Ah, I see Talis
and Solomon must have learned that wisdom together. Have you ever done the check?”

  “Oh, yes,” said Lessa. “Wine check on three?”

  “On three,” agreed Arianna with a grin, her mind relaxing.

  Together they sang, “One, two, three!” Lifting their wine bowls, they turned them upside down over their heads, not a drop to be found.

  “Good drinking, soldier,” said Lessa as she patted Arianna’s head. “Solomon taught you well.”

  “Come on, grab your bow,” said Arianna, trying to put on a happy face.

  Lessa stood, quick to follow as Arianna collected her double-swords.

  She gestured her forward. “I think it’ll be safe enough now to show you the grounds. There aren’t sleeping quarters near here, and the regulators will be patrolling elsewhere,” said Arianna as she pushed the door open, stepping out into the open air. Lessa called to Sano, but he didn’t stir, so they left him to his dreams.

  Arianna surveyed the grounds with Lessa at her heels as she explained the routines of a warrior-slave. As she talked, she permitted the fresh air to wash away her troubles, to momentarily let her mind be free of thoughts of Pippa’s abrupt ending in this world. The breeze bounced back and forth between the high walls, whistling around the architecture which seemed to be inspired by the Blancoren Mountains itself.

  “It’s a jar within the Jar,” Lessa noted before looking towards the sky. “It’s quite something, huh? Definitely nice to see at least one familiar face.”

  Arianna lifted her head to follow Lessa’s gaze. She saw the moon a full, bright globe of orange light and had never witnessed so many stars dotting the night before, never saw the sky so clearly. “Yeah…” she whispered.

  As they looked on, the sky rewarded them with something even more spectacular, a falling star.

  “Look there!” said Lessa.

  “It looks as if someone lit it on fire.” Arianna gaped at the blazing trail through the sky as the star soared across the night.

  “Maybe so,” said Lessa with a saddened expression.

  They watched until the fiery star fell out of sight behind the walls of Blancoren and darkness shrouded them once more.

  Arianna tossed a quiver of arrows to Lessa. “I want a rematch,“ she said.

  Lacing her bow without a second thought, Lessa let an arrow fly through the air, too close to Arianna’s head.

  “Are you mad!” she said, ducking. “I’ve had enough near-death experiences, if you don’t mind.” Her voice echoed across the arena as she whirled around to see where the arrow had landed. It vibrated dead center of a target a few feet away.

  “I’m sorry,” said Lessa. “You seem to be a bit disgruntled. Would you like another demonstration?”

  Arianna pivoted, expecting to see Lessa, but instead found another arrow breezing past overhead, splitting the first one clean down the middle as the wood curled and splintered.

  “What the—?” Her mouth dropped open.

  “Over here,” said Lessa, tapping Arianna on the shoulder. She jumped, startled to find Lessa hunched over in a fit of laughter.

  Arianna couldn’t help but join in on the fun. “Well, I must admit, you are damn good with your weapon,” she said.

  “Many thanks,” said Lessa, bowing low.

  Just then, Arianna unsheathed her black-stoned dagger. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it flying in Lessa’s direction, missing her only slightly. It sliced through the air and landed on the same target with a thud.

  “Call it a tie?” said Arianna.

  “I suppose I haven’t got a choice!” They shook hands, laughing.

  “So, are these just for show then?” asked Lessa as she pointed to the swords at their feet.

  “Oh no,” said Arianna. She bent down to her knees and rested her hands on the hilts, smiling up at Lessa. With one quick move she spun around in a gallant display of silver and red. She captured Lessa’s neck in-between the two blades, careful not to graze her porcelain skin.

  Lessa stared wide-eyed and unmoving with the blades only an inch from her skin on either side of her neck.

  “I have my tricks as well,” said Arianna. “I’ve been practicing for the Free Falls with these ever since I can remember. I hope they don’t fail me when the time comes.” Her expression grew sullen as she let the swords swing back at her sides.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be there cheering you on. You’ll be competing for both of us now.”

  “So, have you ever handled a sword?” Lessa shook her head.

  Arianna dropped the swords to her feet and gathered up two wooden ones near the wall. She tossed one to Lessa who didn’t hesitate to catch.

  “Shall I call you master?” said Lessa, smiling as she tied her golden locks into a ponytail at the top of her head, removing her cloak and bow.

  “If it pleases you.” Arianna beamed as she removed her cloak as well and began to circle Lessa. “Now, bend your knees and steady your sword like this,” she said. “You must be firmly grounded so you can have complete control. I’m going to test your stance.”

  She slammed her sword down on Lessa’s without hesitation. Lessa wobbled at the weight but then found her balance, copying Arianna’s instruction.

  “Good,” said Arianna, nodding. “Again!”

  Splinters of wood flew, and sweat drenched their bodies as they trained through the night. For exactly what, they were thus uncertain.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  TRUTH BE TOLD

  The girls undressed and washed for bed in the wee hours of the morning, worn out from the night’s exertions.

  “What’s that there?” asked Arianna.

  “What’s what where?” Lessa said, turning her head from side to side, looking for something amiss.

  “That, there on your neck.” Arianna pointed at her back.

  “Oh.” Lessa didn’t quite know the answer herself. “It’s just a scar from when I fell.”

  “It looks so… Well, I’ve never seen a silver scar before. How could a wound heal like that?” Arianna leaned closer to get a better look, seeing the mark twist in a spiral of silver as if the trim of the elders’ robes had been stitched to her skin.

  “I really don’t know how,” said Lessa, shrinking back from her scrutiny as Sano appeared on her shoulder.

  He curled his tail around her neckline, covering the scar from view. As Sano’s bright orange eyes flicked between them, Arianna became once again mesmerized by the creature. She still couldn’t believe something so small and gentle had given her such a fright.

  Wanting to change the subject away from her skin mutation, Lessa dropped her voice to a whisper as she stole a nervous glance over to a table covered in parchment. “I notice Talis gave you some reading as well,” she said.

  “I know a bit more than I would like to,” said Arianna, her tone harsh.

  Taking the hint, Lessa didn’t press on the subject, but Arianna was certain Talis had told her the same bizarre stories. Magical, unfathomable stories.

  Yawning, Arianna said, “Solomon will surely have our heads for staying up all night. Let’s get to sleep.”

  “Sure thing,” said Lessa. “Oh, don’t want to forget this!” She bounced over to the door. Locking it from the inside, she placed the key under a pillow on the bed. “For safe-keeping.”

  Within minutes, they fell sound asleep with Sano curled at their feet.

  “Rise and shine ladies!” Solomon bellowed at the top of his lungs as he swung open the door to the Well Room. Daylight flooded into the room, piercing the pleasant darkness of their sleep.

  Arianna groaned, pulling the covers up over her eyes.

  “Good morning!” she heard Lessa sing.

  Arianna lowered the covers, feeling like she had just drifted to sleep. She rubbed at her eyes as they adjusted to the bright light and sat up. Both Solomon, Cyn, and Lessa were hovered over a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast in the next room. Arianna sniffed the delicious air. “Okay, I’m up.” She ran
to join the others at the table.

  “Morning, dear. Here, have some breakfast,” said Cyn with a warm smile. Arianna looked from Cyn to Lessa and then back.

  “Relax, Arianna!” said Solomon. “I’ve told Cyn everything. Eat your breakfast because we’ve a long day ahead of us.” He shoved his face full of food and threw back a glass of fresh milk.

  “Solomon, could you be more of slob?” said Cyn, wagging her fork at him. Scraps fell to her lap and Sano leapt after them, making her squeal.

  Before Solomon could retort, Arianna chimed in to save the day. “What have you planned for us today, Master Bell?” she asked.

  “Well, there’s much training to do,” said Solomon. He turned his attention to Lessa. “I believe Talis has left you some lessons as well?” He raised his eyebrow at her while he shoved another forkful in his mouth.

  “Yes, of course he did,” she said, less than enthused.

  “If you all are going to start poking swords at each other again, I think I’ll be off.” Cyn pouted. “I’ll send Solomon with supper.”

  They waved goodbye, cleared their plates and set to work. Arianna started to stretch her arms and legs, her muscles tense from last night. She practiced controlling her breathing as she warmed up with different forms that tested her body’s flexibility limits.

  “With only twelve days ‘til the festivals, you’ll have to train doubly hard,” said Solomon. Arianna’s brain reeled at the number. Her meditation broke as she staggered forward. Only twelve days?

  “That’s less than two weeks.” She ran her hands through her hair, and they tangled in the messy curls.

  “Don’t worry. You’re already ready. I just need to tweak you a bit,” said Solomon, nodding. “Let’s begin.” He gestured towards the training floor.

  Arianna watched Lessa as she unpacked her rucksack, placing a number of strange mixtures on the table while Sano bounced around the room. She had a few glass tubes of red liquid and a sticky, white paste that she began to measure out in doses.