by Candy Crum
There was a loud laugh from the man that had shouted from the corner. Talia looked over to see him stand from a table and step forward.
He pulled off his shirt, her eyes fixated on what she found to be beautiful flaws, ones she wished she'd witnessed—or caused—herself. Deep scars and burns up and down his arms, chest, and she figured his back was covered as well.
“You see this? And you want us to go back to that damn factory?” the angry patron asked. “Most of the men here spent a long time there. Weeks. Months. To anyone else, that doesn’t seem like a long time, but when every moment of every day is filled with fear and torture…” He paused for a moment as he looked down to the floor before casting his gaze back on Andrew. “That’s a damn long time.”
Andrew stepped forward and pulled his own shirt off, revealing scars that were similar to the patron’s though there weren’t as many. “I understand, friend. When I initially thought of going back… I couldn’t even imagine it. I know it’s hard to consider, but things are changing. That factory will be used to build materials that Boulevard people have never had before.”
The other man shook his head. “And what do you figure we rebuild it with? Our good looks? ‘Cuz in case ya didn't notice, I ain't got so much of that left now.”
The other patrons laughed. A few slapped him on his bare, scarred back.
Andrew seemed confident to Talia as he continued. “I know many of you in here are only able to buy drinks because you’re working outside the city. Cutting wood and doing runs to the nobles outside the walls building homes. Why not cut a bit extra and bring it back here? Why not grab a few extra stones? It'll go a long way. The city plans to give us things we've never had before. A real chance at a normal, good life. Basic necessities.”
“Like what? Running water?” the patron said, shouts erupting around him.
Talia wasn’t exactly sure what was transpiring, but it occurred to her then exactly how she could get into the good graces of the city and make her job so much easier in the process.
Once her name was synonymous with hero, it would be very hard to discredit her. Then she could find the allies she needed and begin planning to overthrow Amelia.
“Yes!” Andrew said, a smile on his face. “We will have running water! We need volunteers to help us rebuild the factory. With the help of magicians, it’ll fly by. Once we get the factory up and running, we can have an export again. The city will begin to make money again. The rebuild will come, and we will have everything that we need.”
Talia continued to listen to them talk about the total overhaul of the city, the patrons slowly coming around to the idea of helping the government as the government tried to help the people.
“So much for a clear mind,” she mumbled out loud to herself before draining the rest of her glass and pouring another. Time for a distraction… I think I should work on my next move.
13
Arryn looked down the shaft of each of her newly-crafted, river cane arrow shafts to ensure they would be straight enough for a good shot. She’d already stripped them, dried them—which was a much faster process, thanks to nature magic—straightened them, and had just finished cutting them the way that she liked.
All that was left to do was assemble them. She wanted to fill her quiver before they set off. There was still plenty of time given Cathillian still needed to take the Versuch, but she wanted to be prepared.
“How do they look?” Elysia asked.
Arryn looked up, giving her a smile. “Looking great so far. This is my last bit for the day. The first couple dozen turned out great. So far, so good on these. There have only been a couple of duds.”
“I’m proud of you,” Elysia said. “You grew up right in front of my eyes, and I never noticed. You’re a woman now.”
“Depends on who you ask.” Arryn smirked. “Cathillian seems to think of me as a little brat. But that’s OK. Because he drives me batshit crazy, too.”
“That’s because Cathillian cares more for you than he might admit,” Elysia said. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Arryn put her hands in the air for a moment before dropping them. “Trust me—I didn’t hear a word. He’s an overgrown man-child. He inherited it from your father, I think.”
Elysia sighed. “Don’t even get me started. I’m not sure if it skipped a generation, or if it’s just the men in this family that are just naturally born missing something in their brain, but there is definitely a correlation there. I agree.” She sat down next to Arryn and picked up an arrow, looking down the shaft. “How soon are you planning to take off?”
Arryn finished tying off one of her arrowheads before once again looking down the shaft to ensure proper placement. “I think I should leave soon. There’s a lot that I need to do. Housing won’t be much of an issue. I can sleep outside for all I care. It’s obviously not a problem, but I really want to look around the city. I worry about how I’ll feel going back, but I have to.”
“For your father?” Elysia asked.
Arryn put the nearly complete arrow down before picking up another one to begin securing the next arrowhead to the river cane. “My brain tells me he’s dead. Thinking like that is the only thing that kept me from running for Arcadia the moment I heard it had been liberated. Hope, however, is another matter. I can’t accept that he’s dead. I hold enough hope to pull me back there to find out—one way or another—what happened.”
She smiled then as she finished tying off her arrow and pulled it to eye level. “And if I get to spit on Adrien’s grave, then I can assure you that it will not be a wasted trip. I just have to know for sure.”
“From what Samuel said, it seems like things are going much better. I understand why you need to do this.” She paused for a moment again as she twirled a bare shaft in her hand. “Please don’t forget about us. About me. If you decide that Arcadia is more home to you than here, please know you’re always welcome home here. Don’t make yourself a stranger to the Forest.”
Arryn smiled as she looked at Elysia. “I could never forget you or what you’ve done for me. Everyone here—aside from Jenna anyway. She just hates me, and I have no clue why.”
“It’s a long story,” Elysia said with an exaggerated sigh. “Her older brother, Aeris…”
“What?” Arryn finally asked after Elysia paused.
“He left when you came.” Elysia’s eyes cut away toward the woods. “She blames you for it.”
“Me? Why would she blame me for it? And why hasn’t anyone told me about this before now?”
“Because we didn’t want you to worry about it. The truth is her parents are very against outsiders. They resisted us bringing you in, but a vow was a vow. I wasn’t about to cast a child to the Arcadian Guard or to the lycanthropes and let her die. I told them they’d have to accept and respect my decision as an Elder if they couldn't respect me as a fellow druid, or they could leave.”
Arryn sighed. “And the brother chose to leave, I take it.”
Elysia nodded as she inspected another of the shafts. “This one’s slightly off. You might wanna heat and adjust it.” She put it in a separate pile. “Honestly, I’m shocked all of them didn’t leave. Their dedication to our people was the only thing that saved them from being removed—I do know that.”
Elysia’s body had gone a bit rigid as her annoyance for Aeris grew.
She took a breath before continuing. “Still, their behavior and Aeris’ departure did nothing to reassure us. I’ve always kept an eye on them—especially when it came to you. Aeris left with little warning. He didn’t even take the Versuch. He said that druid laws were shit if we could break them at will whenever we wanted to fit our selfish needs. I believe the words, ‘harbingers of chaos’ left his mouth.”
Arryn laughed. “Harbingers of chaos? You guys? Now, that is hilarious. It’s also insanely dramatic. Well… then again… You did choose to name your familiar Chaos.”
Elysia laughed. “Oh, my. I didn't even think about that.
He must be right. As for his theatrics, that's not the worst of it. He wound up going to the dark druids.”
Arryn looked at her inquisitively. “The dark druids actually exist?” She sighed, her eyes closing for a moment as her hands fell to her lap. “You know, I’m starting to get the idea that someone might have kept a thing or two away from me.”
“I’ve learned we made several mistakes with you, but we’re fixing them now. That’s what matters. Right?” Elysia asked, nudging Arryn with her shoulder.
Arryn was amused by Elysia’s behavior. It really seemed like Elysia opened her eyes and saw Aaryn was all grown up. Like she’d been blinded to it the entire time.
Arryn playfully pushed back against Elysia and smiled. “Better late than never, I suppose. So—tell me more about these dark druids that I never heard of before today.”
They each picked up another arrow shaft and continued talking as they worked.
“Well, there are good and bad in all classes and types of people. In all forms of magic. So, naturally, they would exist. They split long ago, their Chieftain was a very dear friend of my father’s. Shortly after we came here, there was infighting and squabbles. Eventually, he and my father had a falling out, and they left. They’re rotten to the core. Even their magic is dark and corrupt. When they harness nature, their magic poisons it. The crops they grow are consumed by bacteria and insects, but they eat it anyway.”
“Fucking gross! I can’t even understand how it’s possible to grow things like that, let alone eat it. How the hell aren’t they all dead?” Arryn shivered and picked up another stalk of river cane to occupy her mind from thinking too far in detail.
“Our bodies have adapted over the years, which is why we look like we do. They’re no different. Their bodies have grown used to eating that way and can filter out the harsher poisons by healing, but it doesn’t get rid of everything.”
Elysia and Arryn both shared a disgusted shiver at thinking of living that way.
“Their terrible diet and twisting of nature turns their skin an ashen grey that varies from light to dark, and their green eyes have gone mostly grey, too—though a hint of green still exists around the edges. It’s even brighter when they cast. If you ever meet one, you’ll never mistake them for anything else. Their magic destroys them, yet somehow they still manage to live long lives.”
“They sound far more terrifying than any lycanthrope.” Arryn said. “Why would her brother join them? That takes being a little whiny bitch to a whole new level.”
“Because they’re lawless and have no responsibilities to anyone or anything except each other. Even that’s negotiable.” Elysia sighed as she fumbled with another arrow. “Like I mentioned earlier, he said we were all chaotic. Our laws were pointless, and he refused the stay under the rule of Elders that couldn’t even follow their own laws.”
“We were better off without that bastard. Don’t let it bother you.” Arryn shrugged before setting down another arrow with a freshly tied arrowhead. “I’m sure as hell not bothered by it. Little Suzy Sunshine needs to watch her ass, though. I understand problems with family better than anyone, but I didn’t cause shit by coming here. You didn’t cause anything by accepting me. Her brother made those choices. I won’t be nice if she comes at me or anyone else like that again.”
Elysia smiled. “If you do come back, I think you should train to be a warrior. You’d make one hell of a fighter. Cathillian told me that you asked him to train you. He's wonderful, but if you come back, a structured experience with many instructors will do you good.”
She scooted closer and put her arm around Arryn’s shoulders, pulling her close. “Please listen to Cathillian. He might be just as goofy and ridiculous as his grandfather, but he would give his life to protect yours. He’ll teach you the right way. In ways that I never could. I tried, but he’s always had a better connection to the way you learn. Just pay close attention. He’ll keep you safe.”
Arryn nodded. “This whole thing just started a few days ago, but I’ve already figured out exactly how much I have to learn. So, don’t worry. I’ll listen to him, I promise”
14
Cathillian stood in the middle of the pit, taking in the sights around him. The birds chirping, the sun shining, and the cool air that surrounded him. He pulled the sword from its sheath on his side and began swinging back and forth as he fought an imaginary opponent.
It wouldn't be long before he had to take the trials. He wanted a few moments to himself to gather his thoughts and practice. Like Laurel’s before him, only his mother, his grandfather, and a few of his closest comrades would be there to witness.
Even over the swishing of his sword cutting through the air, he could hear Arryn’s soft footsteps as she approached. “How are you feeling?”
His concentration was unbroken, even by the sound of her voice. Cathillian continued to swing and block with his sword as though he were fighting a real opponent. “I'm actually more nervous than I expected.”
He lunged, and the sword thrusted forward. He pulled back, coming to stand still for a moment as he looked Arryn over.
“They paired me against Nika. I was surprised, given that she’s already participated in a trial with you just a few days ago. But she’s our strongest warrior, so it was the only one that was fair. Ryel’s good, but not nearly as good as she is.”
Arryn smiled. “Not scared, are ya? I can see why you would be, being a loser and all. Comes natural, I’d say.”
Cathillian laughed before returning back to his preparation. “I don't think you understand just how much I let you get away with sometimes. You're the loser, not me.” He turned back and winked at her. “Never forget.”
Arryn shrugged. “Well, all I’m saying is I actually kicked Nika's ass. You're the one sitting here all worried about it, and you're the trained warrior. I think you might be more worried about it than I was.”
She loved to give him a hard time, and he knew it. They both enjoyed their mutual torture of one another.
Right then, however, he wasn’t sure if she was trying to distract him from his worry or annoy him to fire him up enough to win. Either way, he knew that her ribbing was for more of a purpose than obvious good humor.
“Do you give everyone a hard time, or am I just special?” he asked.
She smiled. “I guess you're pretty special. I like to give everyone a hard time, but don’t be jealous, sweetheart… I could never treat anyone as shitty as I treat you. You’re the best girl for me.” She fluttered her lashes, her hands clasped in front of her to exaggerate her sarcastic innocence.
He turned only his head to meet her amused gaze. “To quote a moderately attractive, extremely abusive girl I know—who needs enemies when I have you?”
Arryn’s left brow rose as her hands went to her hips. “Moderately attractive?”
Cathillian shook his head. “That’s the negative you took away from that? Not the extremely abusive part?” He said as he went back to swinging his sword.
“My vanity knows no bounds, good sir,” Arryn replied, twirling her long, black braid around her finger.
“Good to know.” Cathillian looked to the sky, checking the placement of the sun through the trees. “It won't be long now. They should be on their way.”
Arryn nodded, going silent for a moment before speaking again. “And here I thought I was distracting you with my great sense of humor and moderate attractiveness.”
“You were doing a great job. I’m just focused. I don’t want to screw this up. I know how much it means to you, and you go nowhere without me. I know that’s shitty. Eventually, you could take the Versuch again and go alone, of course, but I know you want to go now.”
Arryn waved a hand in the air. “I hate you lots, you know that. But…” she sighed, stepping forward and placing her hands on one of the posts surrounding the pit. “If I’m to be completely honest, there are only two people in this world in whose hands I’d place my fate.”
“My mother and
grandfather?” he asked, turning his head just enough to give her a wide smile.
“Yep! Exactly!”
At that moment, Echo’s screech cut through the sky as she announced herself, coming to rest on a post just to the left of Arryn. With just shy of a twelve-foot wingspan and just over four feet tall, the golden eagle was the largest bird that Cathillian or Arryn had ever seen. Not quite twice the size of others like her, but she’d gotten close.
The bond between she and Cathillian had made her larger, one of the few bonds in the tribe that had changed the size of their familiar. Echo was a terrifying bird to encounter for anyone that didn’t know her.
Arryn smiled at Echo as she reached out to give her broad chest a scratch. “I guess she came to see the show. So, are you ready yet?”
Cathillian sighed as he swung his sword back-and-forth again, reminding himself then of a small, nervous child. “I’m nervous. But… I've been around long enough to know that nervousness keeps you on your toes. To give you a straight answer—yeah, I think I'm gonna kick her ass.”
Arryn smiled and nodded. “Good luck, loser. Knock her dead—literally. Wait. No, not literally. She’s pretty cool. But break a leg. Not yours, hers. We’ll fix it later.”
Arryn walked away, leaving Cathillian to his thoughts. His trials meant a lot more to him than just his freedom. That was something he'd always wanted, but was afraid to seek. But this was for the future of someone else, someone that he’d come to care quite a lot for.
Arryn stood outside the barrier of the pit, Elysia and the Chieftain approaching. Nika had only just arrived, and she had her weapons sitting to the side just to the edge of the barrier.
As promised, there were only three other warriors to witness, and Ryel was among them. Arryn could tell that Elysia was nervous. It was her expression, her smile, and her body language. Still, Elysia acted as though she weren’t bothered by anything.
