“Thirteen seconds,” Atticus announced, smiling proudly at Autumn.
Candi looked murderous. Blood streamed down her face in a torrent and she clutched her ribs with claw-like hands. When Atticus blew the second whistle, Candi charged. Autumn rolled out of the way just in time as Candi stumbled to the ground. Before she could stand up straight, Autumn leapt on top of her, pinning her to the ground.
“Nine seconds,” Atticus called loudly so that everyone could hear.
Murmuring erupted from the crowd of waiting elves and the two other judges whispered behind Atticus. Autumn held out her hand for Candi to shake, but the Warrior pretended she didn’t see her as she trudged off the field. Autumn smiled confidently as she entered the Training Tree.
“Wow, that was fast,” Jastin said, “Tom just came in a minute ago.”
Victor looked up from the bench on which he was seated with an eyebrow raised. “You’re already finished?”
“No need to sound so surprised,” Autumn said as she sat next to him.
Victor didn’t say anything. He seemed lost in thought.
“How long did it take you?” Charlotte asked.
“Twenty-two seconds.”
“For which part?” she asked.
“Both,” Autumn stated. “Thirteen for the first part and nine for the second.”
Charlotte’s mouth dropped open, along with everyone else within earshot.
Just then Luke walked in beaming. “Fifty-seven seconds in all,” he announced. “Not as fast as you, Rose, but good enough.” He took a seat across from her.
“That’s great!” Autumn exclaimed.
“Man, I can’t believe you pinned that stripper in just nine seconds,” he said, shaking his head in awe.
“Stripper?” Autumn laughed.
“Come on. Her name is Candi. She has to be a stripper.”
Autumn burst out laughing as the others stared at the twins in confusion.
Another few hours passed before a different Warrior came to retrieve them for the final test. After this test they would be dismissed and the hardest part of the day would begin—waiting for the results.
Their group followed the Quinn Warrior onto the field for the third time that day, awaiting Atticus’s instructions.
“The last test is quite simple. You must demonstrate your Power for the judges. Tyler Ike, you may remain on the field, everyone else, clear off.”
Tyler had the Power of Reading. He could read an entire book by placing his hand on its cover, immediately acquiring the information. Autumn doubted very much that he would make the Warriors.
It was difficult to watch Jastin demonstrate his Power. Atticus had him use it on each of the Quinn Warriors and every one of them collapsed into shouts of misery and despair, even the men.
Luckily, the sky had darkened enough for Victor to demonstrate his Power of Light. He let his light start out small and made it grow steadily brighter until it was so blinding Autumn could no longer keep her eyes open. The warmth of his Power pulsed from the field. Then the light went away and Victor left the field.
Charlotte was up next and immediately filled the field with a dense fog so thick no one could see two feet in front of them and, just as quickly, she pulled the fog back in, leaving the area as clear as it was when she arrived. Smiling, she pranced off the field.
Drake showed the judges his Power of Speed, running as fast as he could up and down the entire field in a matter of seconds. He then made the mistake of running around the judges’ table, causing their papers to swirl around them. They shot him disapproving looks as he walked off the field.
Autumn entered the field after Thomas Norris had shown the judges his Power of Bubbles, which were still floating around in the air above her head. Atticus gave her an encouraging smile as she opened her mouth to sing, first aiming her Song at the remainder of the 4th quarter elves waiting off the field. Every one of them went still and silent, their eyes glazing over and their mouths falling slightly ajar. Then demonstrating her ability to concentrate her Power on one person, she focused her Song on each judge individually. She finished by hypnotizing the entire field: judges, Warriors, and the waiting elves alike.
When Autumn finished, she turned and exited the field, breathing a sigh of relief. It was over. Now all there was left to do was wait.
Autumn met up with Victor, Charlotte and Jastin near the path that led to Arbor Lake, where everyone had planned to wait for the Warrior results. She was pleased to see that Charlotte and Jastin were actually speaking to Victor. Jastin complimented him on his fighting abilities and Charlotte nodded in agreement. Victor looked unsure of them, but thanked them quietly.
Luke soon joined them, soaking wet, but beaming.
“It went well, then?” Jastin asked, grinning.
“Yeah, my thunderstorm got a bit out of hand and the judges got a little damp, but they looked impressed, especially when I conjured up a nice-sized tornado and a blizzard.”
They walked down the path towards Arbor Lake together. Autumn spotted Crystal and Avery near the water, their backs to the path. When Autumn said, “Hey guys.” Crystal jumped about a foot off the ground.
“Oh, Autumn!” she said. “How’d you do?”
“All right, I guess.”
“All right?” Luke interrupted, sitting down next to Crystal. “She had the fastest time during the second round.”
“That’s amazing!” Crystal said as she pulled Autumn to the ground, hugging her.
“I could’ve beat her time, but I wanted to make her look good,” Luke said with a haughty smile.
“Right,” Charlotte said from behind them.
Autumn looked around for Victor, but he had disappeared. No one else seemed to notice his absence, so she turned to join in the conversation.
Within an hour, the grounds around the lake were packed with people from the Test. One of the Warriors brought all the waiting students more sandwiches and fruit, which they wolfed down because hardly anyone had eaten more than a handful of food all day. The more time went by, the quieter the elves around the lake became. At half past eight the grounds began to empty as elves returned to the field to await the announcement of the Initiates. At fifteen till nine, Crystal suggested that they head towards the training grounds.
The field was dead silent as they waited in anticipation for the three judges, who had been deliberating for two hours, to emerge from the Training Tree. Floating torches filled with fay light were suspended above them.
A few minutes before nine, Victor came to stand by Autumn’s side in silence. She gave him a questioning look, but his eyes were focused on the Training Tree. While they were away, someone had erected a platform at the base of the field where Autumn was sure Atticus would proclaim the names of the ten Initiates.
When the campus bells began to chime, Autumn felt the anxiety of the elves around her increase. On the ninth chime, Atticus emerged from the middle Training Tree, followed by Gregorius Dodge and Alphreda Hopkins. The nervous tension was palpable as the three judges made their way onto the platform. Atticus turned to face the crowd of elves and Luke grabbed Autumn’s hand, squeezing so tight she had to stop herself from yelping in pain.
“After long deliberation, we have made our final decision,” Atticus stated. “We will begin with the four alternates, who will take the Initiate’s place if they are unable to continue on. The four alternates are: Ember Burns, Edric Ogden, Catherine Heath, and Griffin Vance.”
There was polite applause at this.
“Now for the Initiates,” Atticus continued. It felt as if everyone around Autumn was holding their breath. Luke still had a death-grip on her hand. “When I call your name, please come onto the platform and stand in a line to my left.” Everyone stood still, in nervous anticipation. “Cera Tillman. Power: Gravity.”
Cera, the pixie-like blonde and Autumn’s fellow snowball fight winner, let out a shout of joy and pranced onto the platform. Atticus shook her hand as she came to stand to hi
s left.
“Forrest Akerley. Power: Animal Communication.”
Forrest whooped and flashed his friends an ear-to-ear smile as they patted him on the back and congratulated him. Avery gave him a quick “guy hug” before Forrest jogged onto the platform.
“Charlotte Locke. Power: Fog.”
Charlotte squealed and received a tight hug and a kiss from Jastin. She smiled widely as she skipped onto the platform.
“Jastin Lambert. Power: Psychological Pain.”
The crowd cheered as Jastin bounded onto the platform to join his girlfriend.
“Kyndel Butler. Power: Invisibility.”
Autumn frowned as Kyndel pushed past her to take her place on the platform. Not only was Autumn disappointed that Kyndel made it, but now five Initiates were on the stage…and neither hers, nor Luke’s name had been called.
“Victor Lavigne. Power: Light.”
Victor’s eyes blazed with light as he glanced down at Autumn. This would definitely help in Autumn’s cause to help Victor find friends. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with a Warrior? Even if he was an Atrum. He kissed her lightly on the forehead before walking briskly onto the platform.
“Crystal Everly. Power: Ice.”
Crystal half sobbed, half laughed, as Autumn wrapped her in a hug. If anyone deserved this, it was her. Avery and Luke gave her a quick hug as well before she ran up onto the platform.
“Avery Burke. Power: Strength.”
Avery let out a sigh of relief and turned to face Autumn, giving her one of his intense looks as he wrapped her in a tight embrace. For a second she thought she might pass out from the forceful pull her body felt towards him. It almost hurt when they broke apart.
Luke’s hand was damp with sweat as they exchanged worried looks. Two more.
“Luke Oaken. Power: Weather.”
Luke let out a choked sound. Autumn’s hand went limp as she looked into his face. She wanted to be happy for her brother, but she couldn’t quite make her expression translate this. “Congratulations,” she whispered, unable to speak any louder.
“You’re going to make it too, Rose,” he said, squeezing her tightly before turning to join Avery and the others onstage.
She felt a dark weight fall on her shoulders. All of her friends were going to become Warriors and she would spend her days stuck in the library at the castle while they spent their time training and making a difference in the Underground. It wouldn’t be so horrible, would it? After all, she did enjoy reading. Though she hadn’t done much reading lately. But this was because everything else was so much more exciting. Without her friends and Luke, though, life would be as it was before, only lonelier.
Atticus broke through her reverie then. “And the last Initiate is…”
Autumn’s heart was racing. She could hear it in her ears.
“Autumn Oaken. Power: Song.”
Warrior Duties
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Autumn let out a cry of relief before bounding onto the stage. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes as she and the other nine Initiates stood tall above their peers, who were looking up at them with a mixture of resentment, admiration, and awe. She could now completely relax. She was a Warrior. Well, almost.
The following week was somewhat of a blur. School was even more overwhelming than usual what with all of the staring eyes and autograph requests. The Initiates had a number of new duties on top of school. Every day was something new. Right after school let out they would meet on the training field and have a grueling two-hour practice with Atticus. Then at some point in the afternoon/evening they would have some sort of public appearance or Warrior duty.
Monday they saw a professional designer who had been appointed to fashion their Warrior uniforms. The material was made from a deep green dragon hide so it was nearly indestructible. During her fitting, Autumn found that the supple material was surprisingly comfortable and breathable, as were the high-top boots to match. Once the uniforms were finished, the Initiates would wear them to each public event.
On Tuesday, they had the Initiate “Meet and Greet” in City Circle, giving the residents of Arbor Falls a chance to meet their new Warriors. Elves streamed into the center of City Circle, chatting excitedly. Young elves craned their necks and climbed onto their parents’ shoulders to get a good look at the new local celebrities. The ten Initiates stood on a raised platform surrounded by the sea of elves. Autumn felt strangely like an actor on a Q&A panel.
After Atticus had introduced the new Initiates and spouted off a short bio about each individual, they then demonstrated their Powers for the crowd. Each Power elicited thunderous cheers and applause from the steadily growing crowd. Once the Initiates had all done a little showing off, they sat in a row of high-backed chairs as the crowd formed a line to walk across the stage, shaking hands with the Initiates and congratulating them.
Autumn and Luke seemed to be the most intriguing to the elves of Arbor Falls because of their royal status. Autumn figured Kyndel was quite piqued by this because she kept shooting her glares full of resentment and loathing.
Many of the women seemed rather infatuated with Victor. The fact that he was an Atrum had less of an effect on them now that he was a Warrior Initiate, apparently. They giggled and batted their eyelashes as they shook his hand, and one girl in particular seemed reluctant to let go. Autumn snorted with laughter when she overheard the girl ask him if he was single. Victor glanced in Autumn’s direction as he said, “No, I’m afraid I’m not.”
Autumn winked at him and his face lit into a smile. Luke made a gagging noise beside her.
On Wednesday the Warriors had dinner with King Olympus, which was clearly a great honor to most of the Initiates. Autumn and Luke had dinner with him every few weeks, but they were happy for the extra time with their grandfather.
Autumn was surprised to find that a few of the Initiates had never even set foot inside the castle before. Forrest had been to visit Avery, Victor met with Olympus when he first came to Arbor Falls, and Kyndel had come with her father a few times, but this was a first for Charlotte, Jastin, and Cera. Autumn noticed the look of awe on their faces as they took in the grand interior of the castle and imagined that was how she had looked when she first arrived.
Dinner with the king was extravagant. A large, twelve-person table was set up in Olympus’s private dining quarters, and was covered with a feast of every food an elf could ever imagine. There were rolls, various forms of potatoes, several vegetables, meats—including a plate full of dragon meat—creamy soups and thick stews. After dinner the waiters brought out a tray full of delicate and rich desserts. The Initiates ate and laughed until they left, sleepy and full, to pass out in their beds before they had to wake up and do everything all over again.
Thursday was an autograph signing in City Circle and, by the end, Autumn could barely open her hand from holding her leaf quill for so long.
Friday was their group picture. Autumn watched in amazement as the photographer pulled out a large, gray paper that shimmered slightly. He arranged everyone in a group pose and shined a pulsing light through the paper. He did this several times and each time the gray paper turned a brilliant white before an actual picture formed on the page.
“What is that?” Autumn asked in amazement.
“Memory paper made from a memory tree. If you shine a light through the page, it will record whatever image is before it,” Crystal said.
Autumn shook her head in disbelief. The Underground never ceased to amaze her.
It was now Saturday and the Initiates were told that, in seven days, the traditional Warrior Initiation Ball was to be held in the Arbor Castle grand ballroom to formally initiate them as Quinns, to acknowledge the Unum Warriors who would soon be retiring, and to graduate the other Warriors up to the next level. It was rumored to be an elaborate event with dancing, music, and ball gowns.
Later that night, Crystal came to Autumn’s branch to take her measurements to make sure that the ball
gown she would be making her would be absolutely perfect in every way.
“Will you be able to make a ball gown in a week?” Autumn asked doubtfully.
“I already have all the material, design, and details made up. I just have to sew it.”
“What about yours?”
“Oh, I already made it.”
“When?” asked Autumn, surprised.
Crystal blushed. “Well, it took me about a month to make it perfect. I know it sounds presumptuous, but I knew there would be a ball for the Warriors and I wanted to have the perfect gown in case I did make it.”
“Is that what you were really doing all those times you said you were helping your mom?” Crystal nodded and Autumn laughed. “I think we all hoped we’d make it. Don’t worry, I’m not judging.”
“I have to go get started on your dress!” Crystal said, dashing out of the room.
Autumn was shaking her head in amusement at Crystal’s hasty departure when she heard a loud thump resound from her balcony, where the double glass doors were standing open to let in the cool, fall breeze.
She whirled around to see Avery casually leaning against the railing as if it was completely normal for him to suddenly appear on her balcony. Autumn raised her eyebrows as she walked towards him.
“How did you get up here?” she asked.
He smiled mischievously and said, “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Autumn crossed her arms, waiting.
Avery chuckled. “I climbed down from my balcony. It’s right above yours, remember?”
Autumn looked up to see his balcony, which was slightly to the left, but still above her own. She examined the bark of the tree castle. It was similar to the bark of an ash tree, smooth and bone white. “How did you climb down? There’s nothing to hold on to.”
“Did I say climbed? I meant jumped.”
She shook her head at him. “You’re crazy, Burke.”
Oaken (The Underground Series Book 1) Page 17
