We trained for another hour and I taught him necessary sword strikes. If I was doing my job right, tomorrow, he would start complaining about sore shoulders and arms. After a few more drills I stopped the session because I was hungry.
Aster picked up his bag after putting the weapons away. "Is this an everyday thing?"
"It can be." I grabbed my bag as well and headed back to the classroom.
"Don't give me the option... I’ll choose poorly."
"Then every day it is," I confirmed.
"I hate you for that." His shoulders slouched as we started our walk down the stairs.
Talking with Aster, you would have thought we'd known each other for years. There was something between us. A simple understanding. That, and the fact I was probably the only decent seven he had ever met. After our regular meal and bath, we went to bed.
That was what our days consisted of. We received no more hindrances from Tye or the other sevens. Every night when it was time to bathe, he was good on his word. He stood guard while I jumped in and out as quick as I could.
* * *
Four weeks in and I still haven’t been made to use any magic. Not that I’d ever have any to begin with.
I followed Aster down the hall towards the baths. "I do find it hilarious how rumors have spread about you," Aster said over his shoulder.
"Oh, and how’s that?"
"That you are the strongest seven at school. Tye is especially pleased about that rumor." He raised his eyebrows and smiled.
I let out a puff of air. "How does that even make sense?"
"You haven't had to use magic once. Everyone is too scared to challenge you. Haven’t you noticed the lack of invitations to fight?" I looked around and passerby’s in the hall bowed in respect, avoiding my eyes.
"Let me get this straight. I won once, and now I'm deemed the strongest. How does that even work?"
"It’s because you’re not casting. Everyone’s betting on what your magical focus will be." Aster paused in front of two double doors.
"Oh, and I assume you’re in on this bet?" I pushed past him and opened the door to the baths and walked in.
"I mean, if you just so happened to develop a lightning focus, I’d really appreciate it."
"I’ll try my best."
"Oh, come on, Noah. You can tell me what is it." Aster pleaded.
I smiled at him. Not in a teasing way, I just had nothing to tell him. "I guess you will just have to keep on guessing."
We walked in and sat on a bench, waiting for the stragglers to leave.
"Noah!" He dragged out my name. "Please."
I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell him that I had no powers at all. He was the only real friend I had here. "Fine. But you can’t tell anyone. This means giving up on the bet you have as well. You would just lose anyway, since its already placed."
"What, why? But it’s two gold pieces." He said standing up straight from bending over.
My eyes widened. "That much?"
Aster smiled and continued to remove his clothing and I focused elsewhere. "Students get bored." It was hard not to completely dodge the male physique here, but I’d rather not see my roommate naked. I might start to visualize whenever I saw him.
He sat back down and put a drying cloth around his waist to cover up. "Now, let me in on it."
"Not until you promise about the bet."
He frowned at me.
"Fine..." I leaned in closer to him and cupped one hand around his ear. "I don't have any yet."
He backed away and screamed, "Holy shit on a stick!"
I covered his mouth while trying to maintain a straight face. He looked around and only two others were staring at us.
As soon as I moved my hand, he said, "I knew I should have bet on that. It was ten to one. Dammit."
"You are the only one who knows." I pointed my finger at him. "Tell no one."
"I won’t. I swear. It just makes this all the better since you beat Tye without any powers."
"What’s with you and Tye?" I asked.
"He is only supposed to be the richest seven to come through the royal academy. They say his shadow lighting is just as powerful as his mouth is. He has racked up a record of six-one since your fight. I’d expect a rematch soon. That, and he is just a dick." He bit down on a piece of bread he brought with him from dinner.
I stole a piece from him and took a bite.
"Wait… Is that why you wear those old leathers all the time? They are enchanted, aren’t they?" He was too smart for his own good. I never once gave him any clue about my leathers other than wearing them every day. “I mean, I can’t think of another reason why a person would wear those shoddy things when their closet is filled with the finest leather.”
"Yes. My father gave them to me. Supposedly they are enchanted with some type of magic resistance. I haven’t had to test them out yet, thankfully."
"Wow. Consider me impressed. It’s rare to see something like that."
"A statement I never thought I'd hear." Every time he smiled, I found my own smile covering my face. It spread like wildflowers in the spring.
"I’ll be back. Going to go wash."
He stood and I averted my gaze until he was enveloped in the steam. Just like always, I sat there and kicked my feet as he took his usual hour, leaving me about ten whole minutes to myself. He came back, dressed, and let me know it was safe for me to get in.
I undressed close to the edge of the water and jumped in. I would never tire of its warmth and healing properties. My ribs had completely healed from my first ordeal with Tye. His lighting left an imprint of pain. I washed my hair and other essential spots as my father would tell us when washing with the warm water at home. My mother always prepared a separate bath for me using the excuse of being the seventh. I hadn't realized how clever my mother was for hiding me all that time.
I dunked my head one last time and came up. I jumped out and dried off before putting my clothing back on. I always wore dark clothes to prevent people from seeing through my clothing. It eliminated fifty percent of my worries. I slipped my boots on and out of nowhere a hand grabbed my shoulder.
I twisted and tried to kick the leg out from underneath him, but he simply lifted it. I came back up tried to create distance from whomever it was. The steam had covered the individual’s face. I pushed but the force just traveled back to me, throwing me off balance. I tried to kick his chest once I realized my upper body strength wasn't enough. He stepped back and I missed my strike. I looked up and the steam had dissipated from our movements. I then glanced up to set a new target and Jovanni came into view.
"Jovanni! Sir, I'm so sorry."
"Want to challenge a teacher, Noah? It would be the most fun I've had in ages." He smiled down at me.
"No, of course not, I was just taken off guard by the sudden grasp."
"Pity. And I apologize, I should have called out first."
How did he even get in here? Did he see anything? Where the hell is Aster? That and a thousand other questions ran through my mind.
"Come and sit. I wish to know more about you." He sat down on a changing bench.
"Wait. Really?"
He gestured to next to him. "Really."
I followed him and noticed that the pool did not grow cold. It stayed heated. He must be the one who controls it every night.
"Tell me, where are you from, Noah?"
"Old Urn, sir," I replied looking down.
"Old Urn. I see. Is Keeger still the village head?"
"He is."
"When will he die?" He seemed frustrated with a clenched jaw. Another mystery surrounding a mysterious person.
"You know Old Urn?"
"Of course. There was a great battle their thousands of years ago."
"I’ve never heard this." I faced him.
"Most forget our past."
I recalled what Ian and I had once talked about. "But it’s the best way to learn for the future."
"How very true."
/> "How old are you?"
"I'm in my eighteenth cycle, sir." I started to shift in my seat due to how hot the room was. “Please excuse my directness but why are you having this chat with me? Is there something you want to know?”
"What have you heard about me?" Jovanni asked dodging my question.
"The truth?" I sat straighter. I wasn’t sure how well this was going to go over.
"Always."
"That you’re a mean, cruel, and narcissistic. Oh, and that you’re a seven. Only one on the council of seven. Which never really made sense to me."
He smiled. "That’s about right, I suppose."
He didn't deny it at all. Aster would have loved this confession. "Many things follow you through the years no matter how far you try to run from them."
Was he being apologetic for rumors he didn't even start? I wiped my head free of sweat. "Sir, what is this about, if I may ask?"
"You think I’m up to something?"
"Only the smart part of me does."
"I’d listen to that part then. We all have our agendas. What is yours, Noah Olsen?"
"I need a sponsor." I shrugged. No sense in hiding it. I wanted this conversation to be over.
He stood in front of me with his long gown skirting the floor. "I appreciate your honesty. Most would deny such a thing."
"I am not most."
"No, you are not, are you?" Jovanni said.
I stood to match him. I was tired of feeling small. But considering he was a head taller than me, standing did me no favors.
"I've come to warn you. You will be challenged soon. I hope you are prepared."
"Not much I can do about it if I don't know what the challenge is."
Jovanni snapped his fingers.
I flinched back as the room went cold and dark, though I could still see my own breath. What in the world? I looked around and saw Jovanni’s outline.
"I wish I could tell you, young seven. But we must all keep our secrets, mustn't we?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Sponsorship Trial
For the next month, Jovanni's words wrecked my mind. Had he found out that day in the bath? If he knew, why hadn’t he already said something? Had he known I was a woman? There were too many possibilities that could end badly for me and my family. I sat in my chair looking outside of the classroom.
“Noah..."
But there weren’t any other possibilities.
"Noah!"
I looked up at Professor Urani.
"Finished with our nap?" she asked.
"Sorry, a lot on my mind."
"There will be a lot more I'm afraid. See me after class." Urani picked up a piece of chalk from her desk.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Now, as I was saying. What is so dangerous about enchantments?" She half turned to the chalkboard getting ready to write.
"A number of things.” A student called out. “One being you never know who enchanted the item and how stable the magic is."
"So, quality and lineage. Very good."
She droned on for longer than I thought she would, but the class was somewhat interesting at least. She finally released us and I walked up to her desk.
"Aster, this pertains to you, too," Urani said as Aster headed to the platform.
He switched direction and came to my side.
"I'm here to tell you that tomorrow is going to be the first sponsorship trial. You have twenty-four hours to make a team of three. So, I’d assume finding another teammate shouldn’t be too hard. Unless Noah here has finally come to his senses and drops you like dung. Then two members would be needed for the team."
"I’m so popular here, Noah." Aster comforted me. “Finding someone should be easy.”
"I know, but we would be hard sought to find someone who actually likes you," I reassured.
"Oh, gods. You're becoming like each other," Urani said with a smile. "At any rate, meet by the bottom of the stairs and I will escort you to the area."
"The area, huh? Any more details we can get?" Aster asked.
"There will be magic," Urani answered briefly.
"Be careful. Noah might get swept away in the current of information we are getting." Aster replied turning his head towards me.
Urani grabbed his stick and hit him on top of the head. I laughed, and that earned me a hit as well.
"See you tomorrow, then." The Professor said.
As soon as Urani cleared the room, I punched Aster. "You got me hit."
"No, you laughed and got hit."
After our conversation with Urani, the class was empty. Finally, I could train with Aster.
“Ready, my student?”
“Favorite part of the day…” Aster rolled his eyes.
“I feel like you’re not being thankful for my lessons. Should I make them harder?”
“Gods, no…”
We instinctively walked out onto the platform and Aster took up his training weapon.
I focused on the distance with the thought of Jovanni taking over again.
Aster swung his sword around, probably thinking he was an expert now. "What’s going on with you?" Aster asked.
"It’s nothing."
"It’s not nothing. Tell me, Noah."
"I wish I could, but I have to keep this one problem close." I turned to face him.
"If you say so. But you know I'm here if you need something."
"I know, Aster. Thanks. I mean it. I can’t remember the last time I had a friend. When I was younger, I had one, but he left town when I was ten. Mother didn't like me socializing too much, for obvious reasons.”
"Don't get all sappy on me." He walked closer to me.
"Great Lumos, I wouldn't dream of it. Now, what are we going to do about our third?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. I already have someone. They are dying to fight with a seven."
"Even a magicless one?"
I smiled as I picked up a training sword out of the barrel and we began our training for the day.
"No, probably not, but they don't have to know, do they?"
“Very reassuring. Now, on to your next lesson.” We focused more on his rotating footwork. He would have to match my steps and counter appropriately. I had to train him as much as possible. I had a feeling I would need him tomorrow.
The next day Aster and I waited at the bottom of the stairs for Professor Urani.
"Where is the third?" Professor Urani asked.
"Don't worry, they’ll be here," Aster said holding his head high.
"I only see two of you. I hope you aren’t suicidal enough to go in with two." Urani’s eyes went wide.
Aster looked at me. "We can do that?"
"No, we can’t do that," I corrected him.
"In any case, follow me, I hope your final member shows up soon." Urani turned, letting out a huff of air, letting us know she was frustrated.
"Oh, they will. Don't worry about that," Aster said as we took off at a slow pace behind our teacher.
I wore my enchanted leathers and my father’s sword at my side. I only hoped that the leathers would work today. If they didn't, well... I was going to be very sore tomorrow.
We went outside under a long-covered walking path. It led behind the school and opened to an enormous arena. Screaming and shouting overtook my senses.
"Have they already started?" I asked.
"They have. I wanted you to get extra sleep. I know you have a handicap with Aster." Urani said.
Aster held up his hands. "Hey! I'm right here."
"Unfortunately." She turned and smiled.
I think Urani secretly liked Aster but wasn't crazy enough to come out and say it publicly.
We walked towards the sounds of the arena. Upon entering, we were directed by a group of student guides to a holding area, where we were supposed to watch the matches.
"Are they here?" I looked through the group of seated students in holding.
"Who?" Aster replied as we found our seats.
&n
bsp; "What do you mean who? The third, you goat shit."
"No need for name calling. They will be here."
"I swear if yo—”
A voice echoed through the stadium announcing the winner and cutting me off.
"Next bout is Aster, Noah, and unknown." My eyes went wide as I slowly turned to Aster.
"You didn't get us a third, did you?"
He smiled at me.
"I am going to kill you."
"Trust in Aster, my friend. Trust." He patted my shoulder.
"If you say trust one more time..." We hopped over the ledge as another professor came over.
“Ah, professor Tra. How are we today?” Aster asked.
"No third?" Tra simply replied.
"Oh, we have one," Aster replied. "Give me one second please." He turned around to face the audience in attendance. He put his thumb to his neck and his voice came out thundering. I had to cover my ears it was so loud. "My fellow schoolmates I have one question for you today! Who wishes to fight with Noah the Seventh!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
I stared at Aster. I was going to murder him, or at least remove an appendage.
"We seem to be one short. Any takers?"
Hundreds of students jumped out of their chairs and came running down the stairs that led to the fighting grounds. Aster removed his thumb and smiled at me. "Told you I had it."
"This does not qualify as having it." I crossed my arms and went to stand next to him.
Only six students had the nerve to finish their commitment of running towards us. Only one small female wasn’t breathing hard. I knew the school. Naturally, you couldn’t have other female sevens but female mages were fair game. I was sympathetic.
I pointed. "Her."
"Sorry everyone. Group is full." Aster announced.
An audible sigh left the small group that had gathered.
"What’s your name?" Aster asked. She was smaller than me and had black robes on. She wore glasses with short brown hair. Someone you could picture always sitting in the library.
"Elise, sir."
"Sir. Good pick." He elbowed me making sure I heard what she called him.
I just rolled my eyes. "Year?" I focused on gaining information.
"Third."
"Specialty?" I asked.
She mumbled under her breath, forcing me to lean forward to hear. "What?"
The Prisoner of Fate Page 6
