by Dixon, TJ
“I’ll just be a moment.” Jenny says and ports away. She is back a few moments later with Dairon. I explain that I’d like him to help us with wind magic, and he happily agrees. We go into the forest at his request.
I have Cherry demonstrate her ability first. Dairon explains a few things she can improve on. They are simple but I can immediately see an improvement. I have her practise further whilst Tabi demonstrates her skills. Again Dairon sees where she can improve and she does so straight away. Midori is next. Dairon is unsure at first but after a few demonstrations he gives her some advice. The result is spectacular.
I have everyone practise what they’ve learnt whilst I work with Dairon. We go far enough away to get a bit of privacy. I demonstrate my seriously weakened powers, but Dairon is at a loss. Time and again I demonstrate and he does try to give me advice, but it is nothing new to me. It seems like common sense really. The trouble is that I’m already doing it. It just isn’t working. After a while I have Dairon help the others again. They are all making great progress. I just wish we had a little more time before the first battle.
After everyone else leaves I practise through the night with Dairon, but I am no closer by dawn than I was before, and my magic is exhausted. I take some power from Dairon and port him back home. Then I port to my room. Although Hermes got the message that I might not be back until morning she doesn’t look like she got much sleep.
I have to attend lessons, but I skip training. Dairon already knows to train Helski and Yu Kii so I am not really needed. I would like to train further but I need to recover both physically and magically. I allow Rin to make the final decision about who will take part tomorrow, based on progress today.
The morning arrives and I am refreshed and ready. My power is still weak but everyone has made such good progress so I am confident of victory. We meet at the arena. Rin and Yu Kii are already there. It seems the final team will be me, Rin, Yu Kii, Helski, Cherry, Midori, Tabi, Yusa and Aventurine. It will be nine against ten, most of the group are only Year 3s, and I’m not going to be much use, but other than Rin everyone has trained with Dairon. It will be a tough fight but I am still confident we will win.
Our team is here now and the arena is full. We enter the arena and prepare to be ported to the battle ground. Apparently magic will be used to allow the audience to watch the fight. The judge approaches me.
“This crystal is your freedom. Lose it and you will lose the battle and your freedom. You must remain within the designated area. The borders are clearly shown by a purple light at the edge. Anyone who enters or crosses the light, including by porting, will leave the battle permanently. If you or the crystal do so though, you lose the battle.”
“I understand.” I say nodding. Hermes explained it all to me already so it’s not a surprise. I have no idea what the battlefield will be though, so there is little planning I could do.
“The other team seems to be late. The battle will commence immediately once I port you.” She says sounding annoyed now.
“I’m here.” A girl from our class says sounding very nervous.
“And the rest of your team?”
“They’re not coming. I wish to withdraw from the competition.”
“Impossible.” The judge says and suddenly we are ported. We are in the forest, and it seems to be nine against one. Hardly fair, but I would rather have an unfair victory than a fair defeat.
“Yu Kii and Cherry, use your senses to find her. Everyone else guard, and be prepared for an attack. Don’t get careless just because it should be an easy win. We’ll take her alive if possible, and it certainly ought to be.” I quickly command and everyone obeys.
“Found her.” Yu Kii says.
“How close?” I ask.
“A long way. We’d better port closer.” Yu Kii says.
“Share the location with Yusa. Yusa will port the group.” I tell her.
“Ok.” Yu Kii says and then does so. We gather around Yusa who quickly ports us.
“That way.” Yu Kii says quietly.
“Yusa and Rin prevent her porting. Everyone else focus on capturing her.” I say quietly too.
When we arrive she falls to her knees holding her gem out. It could be a trap, but I think she truly means to surrender. Regardless Cherry quickly pulls the gem out of her hand with wind magic. It doesn’t feel satisfying to win like this, but it is much better than losing. Suddenly we are back at the arena.
“A disgraceful and unentertaining battle.” A woman who appears to have been acting as commentator says, and the crowd hisses and boos us. “Regardless, the result is a win for the boy Peter. The coward Marian, with approval of the royal judge, is hereby declared by royal decree slave of Peter, and Peter will advance to the next battle. The rights of the family of Marian are eternally forfeit. Let’s hope that Gillian of 2D will put up more of a fight, and that she was not foolish enough to enter the competition without a team.”
I look at Marian and she shrinks back a step in fear. She is a little taller than me. She is blonde haired, blue eyed and pale skinned like many Contractians. Her hair is short and she is not overly fat, but neither is she overly thin. I wish I could read her aura, but I can’t.
“Come here.” I say as unthreateningly as I can. She does so but she is shaking and clearly terrified. There are tears welling up in her eyes.
“Everyone port to the training grounds. I’ll meet you there in a minute.” I say and then taking her wrist port her back to my room. Hopefully without the crowd she’ll be able to calm down a little. Hermes is waiting. It seems she ported back before me. Trying to calm Marian I say. “There’s no need to be afraid.”
“What will you do with me?” She asks in a shaking voice.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Sit down.” I say gesturing towards my bed. She does so but still seems just as scared. “Why did you enter the competition?”
“I wanted to be promoted to 2C. My friends did too.”
“Why didn’t they help you today?”
“They heard how powerful you were. That you could even cut through the academy walls. They were terrified of you.”
“If you join my club, I’ll return your freedom to you.” I say and she blinks. Then she looks at me in disbelief.
“That’s all I have to do? Join the club?”
“That’s right.”
“But, you could do anything you want to me. Why just that?”
“Is there something you want me to do to you?” I ask confused.
“No! I’ll gladly join. I just don’t understand.”
“You’ll need to join my independent company if you join the club. I may also ask you to fight under me in the competition. You’re also not allowed to do anything to undermine me or the club.”
“I wouldn’t dream of undermining you!” She protests.
“Hermes, do you have the contract ready?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s here.” Hermes says.
“Read it, and if you are happy with it then sign it.” I tell Marian. She quickly reads it and signs it right away. “Hermes, have Jenny meet me at the town hall.”
“Ok.” Hermes says and ports away.
“What’s your element by the way?” I ask Marian.
“Fire.” She says nervously. I decide it would be best to get her officially free before we talk any further. Besides I don’t want to keep Jenny and Hermes waiting.
“We need to sort out some paperwork to return your freedom to you.” I say, and taking her wrist I port us to the town hall. Jenny and Hermes are there moments after we arrive. It isn’t long before Marian is officially free again. I have her spend the rest of the day with Jenny who will train and assess her. I figure it is best to let them spend the time just one to one for today. Meeting everyone properly can wait until tomorrow. Leaving them I port back to the training grounds.
It seems the whole club is here. I had only intended for the team that fought today to be here. Then I notice a couple of new faces. They are talking to
Rin. I walk up to them wondering what they are doing here.
“Hello.” I say. They turn not having noticed my approach. Rin noticed me of course, but didn’t say anything.
“Peter.” One of them says grimly, whilst turning to face me. “What do you plan to do to Marian?”
“Who are you?” I ask not even trying to pretend to be friendly. They aren’t in uniform so I am unsure which year they are in, but it seems likely they are her friends.
“I’m her sister, and this is my friend, Hail Firebreath, of the Firebreath nobles. We’d like to buy my sister back from you.”
“Well you’re too late.” I say and before I can explain further her eyes widen.
“What have you done to my sister?” She says in both shock and anger. Her friend clenches her fists, which are now covered in flames.
“I freed her, on the condition she join the club.” I explain and this clearly wasn’t what they were expecting.
“You… what?” Her sister asks unable to believe she heard me correctly.
“I freed her. She’s now a member of my club, but otherwise a free person. Of course the royal decree means your mother no longer has any rights over her. Like the rest of the club, she will have to join my company, and therefore the army when she is older.”
“What made you decide to free her?” She asks still in shock, but now also in relief.
“That was always my intention. I was a slave myself once. If I have the choice, and someone hasn’t done something to make me truly hate them, I have no intention of forcing them to be slaves.”
“I can’t say I understand you, but you have my eternal gratitude.” She says in relief. “I am already graduated and in the army, so there is little I can do to help you, but I know my sister will not let you down. I was allowed to watch the battle, but I must return to my position. I wish you the best of luck, Peter of the Wind.”
“I must return too but, strange boy as you are, I also wish you the best of luck, Peter of the Wind.” Hail Firebreath says and they port away.
“So you really freed her, just like you said you were going to.” Rin says shaking her head.
“We now have one more Year 2 student. If we get far enough we’ll get enough members just by using the people we beat.” I say confidently.
“The way most people in Contractia think, it is simply unimaginable for a boy to free girls he has enslaved. Perhaps you may change some of their minds, but I fear they’ll just see you as a weird boy, like those two did.” Rin says sounding sad.
“Don’t worry about it.” I say shrugging. “We have more important things to worry about. Besides why is the whole club here?”
“To celebrate the victory of course.” Rin says smiling.
“Hardly a cause for celebration, considering why we won. Much better to train and prepare for the next battle. We only have a week.” I say annoyed.
“Let them celebrate a little. It’s good for their confidence. We can train later.” Rin tells me firmly.
Chapter 14 (Peter)
It is the end of our final training session before the next battle. Marian is working really well with the club, but her power is too weak, and Dairon is of course unable to help with fire magic. I would like a fire user but I have no choice other than to keep the same group as before.
My own power seems to be returning to normal on its own, but it isn’t there yet. Hopefully it should be back to normal by the time we go up against 2C, but for the next battle it seems I am still less powerful than Cherry. That said, Cherry and the rest of the group have made excellent progress. I have focused most of Dairon’s time on the group that will be fighting, but I have made sure everyone who he can help gets some time with him.
Cherry comes up to me. I can tell from her aura again that it is Cherry, although I haven’t mentioned it yet. She seems nervous but determined about something.
“Hi Cherry.” I say.
“It’s Sherry.” She says and I blink. “I’m sorry about lying to you last week.”
“You didn’t lie to me last week, but you did just now. Even if it is for your sister’s sake, I can’t describe how disappointed I am in both of you.” I tell her, and I can see she is in shock. “My power isn’t fully recovered, but it has recovered enough to tell you apart. Since it is so important to you, have Sherry come along with you tomorrow, but don’t ever lie to me again.”
“I’m sorry…” She starts to say but I glare at her and cut her off.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now. Go. Now.” I say angrily. She ports away instantly.
“You should have gone easy on her.” Rin says.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing that from you.” I say looking at Rin. “Who argued most against allowing Sherry on the team after lying last time?”
“Sherry was unstable. Cherry on the other hand is one of our strongest team members at the moment. She isn’t going to be at her best tomorrow though. Not after that. I’m still not happy you let Sherry join the team either.” Rin says calmly.
“Sorry.” I say.
“Don’t expect an easy battle tomorrow either. It seems that Gillian has managed to get support from our class to field a full team of the best students in 2D. I know we can beat them, but we need everyone at their best.” Rin tells me.
“I really don’t want to talk to Cherry right now.” I say stubbornly.
“Then let me.” Rin says.
“Fine.” I say. “Anything else?”
“No.” Rin answers.
“Ok. Let me know if I need to do anything. I’ll be in my room.”
“Good night Peter.” Rin says.
“Good night Rin.” I say and she ports away. I port back to my room. I feel frustrated, angry and a little guilty. I really shouldn’t have snapped at Cherry, but I trusted them both, and they both betrayed me. It was a trivial betrayal, but even a trivial betrayal destroys the trust I had in them. I suppose Cherry was only trying to help her sister make up with me, but…
“What’s wrong Peter?” Hermes asks.
“Nothing. I’m just tired.” I say. I look to my left arm, or rather where it should be. I really do feel tired. I’ve already lost my arm. What if I lose my freedom too? Before I would never have even considered losing, but I feel weaker now. Not because of the loss itself, but because of what almost happened.
“It’s ok.” Hermes says and I feel her arms around me. I hadn’t even noticed her approach but now she is hugging me. I blush for some reason. Then as if reading my mind, Hermes says firmly but kindly. “You will not lose. I promise.”
Feeling awkward I look into Hermes eyes. They are really close.
“Ahem.” Rin says and we both jump. “Interrupting anything, am I?”
“No!” Both Hermes and I say together. Hermes steps back.
“Peter, it seems you really do need to go there. Cherry is distraught. She’s in tears, and if you leave her like that you may as well forget about including her in the team. It also isn’t like you to leave someone in tears like that.” Rin says.
“Ok. I’ll go right away.” I say almost glad of an excuse to get away from Rin. She has the eyes of a devil right now. Hermes looks pleadingly at me but it is no good. I port away feeling guilty for a different reason now. I knock on their door and Sherry opens it. Cherry really is in tears. She’s in bed face down but I can hear her the moment the door opens. I quickly enter and close the door before anyone else hears.
“I’m really sorry.” Sherry says and falls to her knees. “I put her up to this. She didn’t want to lie to you, but I forced her to. Please forgive Cherry. You can kick me out of the club, or do anything else to punish me, but please forgive Cherry.” I can tell she is mostly telling the truth. Perhaps ‘forced’ is a slight exaggeration, but only slight. I sigh in exasperation. Kicking her out of the club is the last thing I want to do.
“Why didn’t you just apologise yourself, instead of getting Cherry to do it for you?” I ask.
“I was too embar
rassed.” Sherry says looking down at the ground.
“But not anymore?” I ask.
“I don’t want to hurt my sister like this.” Sherry says and there are tears in her eyes too. I pat her on the head and sigh again.
“Do you promise not to lie to me again?” I ask Sherry.
“Yes.” Sherry says looking down but I can tell she is serious.
“Cherry, do you promise not to lie to me again?” I ask. She turns her head to face me. Her face is tearstained and she is still crying but she manages to sob an answer.
“Yes.” She sobs. I stroke her short blonde hair. It is as soft and warm as it looks.
“I forgive you.” I say gently. She stops crying as hard.
“Do you really?” She asks rubbing her eyes.
“Yes. I promise you that I forgive you. I forgive both of you. Now get some sleep both of you, and try not to worry about it.” I say.
“What about my punishment?” Sherry says.
“Seeing your sister like this was more than enough punishment for a silly mistake.” I say.
“Are you sure? I’m prepared to accept whatever punishment you want.” Sherry says firmly, though she is trembling a little.
“I’m sure. Now like I said, get some sleep. I want you both fresh in the morning for our battle.”
“Both?” Sherry asks confused.
“Yes, you’re on the team tomorrow. Consider it a test to see whether you are ready. We will be facing a full team, so it would be good to have a full team ourselves.” I say. “Goodnight Sherry. Goodnight Cherry.” I say and port back to my room to face the devil. As it happens Rin is gone.
“How did it go?” Hermes asks.
“I think it went well.” I say. “It seemed to. I’ll have to get a better control of my emotions though, because I don’t want to hurt my friends like that again. Rin seems to be much better than me at this. Maybe Rin should be our leader.”
“No. You are the leader we all trust.” Hermes says firmly. “Besides, Rin doesn’t want to be the leader. She trusts you as much as we all do.”
“I hope your trust is well placed.” I say and fall into bed.
