We finally made it into view of the grand bell mentioned in the trial letter but we both knew it was never going to be this easy.
"Well, here we are." There was no traffic going towards the bell. It would be too apparent if two people, one with a limp, just walked up the stairs and tried to ring the bell.
"It’s never this easy. There are hunters nearby." I said as he removed his arm.
"Behind us!" I whipped around and nothing was there. "I was just kidding." I bared my teeth at him.
“Do you want me to break your other ankle as well?” I threatened.
"Just trying to keep you on your toes." Aster held up his hands and smiled, pleased with himself.
"Well, you’re doing a great job. So, what do you think?" I looked back to the grand bell.
"At least two teams of hunters." Aster added.
"But where are they?" They couldn't be out in the open if nobody else was climbing the stairs. "Wait here." I ran out of the alley and found a middle-aged woman organizing some items in a wagon.
“Excuse me ma’am, but I need a favor.”
“I haven’t the time to be bothered. Shoo.”
“But I can make it worth your time...”
I came back and crouched next to Aster. "Now, let’s wait and see." After some negotiation the woman I found agreed to go up and look at the bell. Aster just didn't know the price yet. She walked up the steps and so far, nothing.
"Hm. This is interesting." Aster said through a yawn.
"Oh, shut it." The woman still climbed and once she reached the top step; four men came out and surrounded her. They grabbed her by the arms and yelled something I couldn’t quite make out. "Yep, two teams."
The woman ran back down the stairs looking behind her. At least she wasn't hurt. She came running back into the alley once the men on the stairs disappeared again. She came to us. The closer she got, the clearer her features became. She wasn’t precisely a middle-aged woman.
Her gaze landed on Aster. "Seven, it’s a great honor to serve you." He turned to me.
“What now?” Aster asked.
"You heard her, seven. Doesn't she deserve a reward?" I asked with a tilt of my head.
"Right. Um…” He cleared his throat. “Would you like to see a trick.”?
Did his voice get deeper?
"I was told I could receive a kiss." The woman said placing her hands on her hips.
Aster smiled at me and I winked at him.
"There are many ways to show gratitude," Aster told the woman. "I like tricks."
"If I don't receive my kiss I will go back up there and tell them where you are."
I did all I could to contain my laughter.
"Fine." The elderly woman leaned forward and grabbed the sides of Aster’s face to press their lips together. The woman’s nose was running from the cold and it touched between their lips. I gagged at the sight. She pulled away with a broad smile and sniffed the snot back into her nose. Aster looked as if he wanted to pass out. She tapped his cheek and walked away. I moved to the other side of the wall out of his reach.
"That was a smart move. Now, come back." Aster commanded holding out his hand urging me to come within his striking distance.
I started laughing uncontrollably.
"You are so dead." Aster threatened.
He couldn't help but smile the longer I went on. "Okay. I'm sorry. No more games."
"Yea..." Aster grumbled as he leaned onto the wall.
"I say we wait till midnight and make a wish to Lumo's moons. Maybe the hunters will be lazy by then and just let us pass." I suggested.
"Good a plan as any," Aster said as I sat down along the opposite side of the wall. "Not going to come back and sit next to me?" He was still obviously seeking revenge for the kiss with the elderly woman.
"No, not yet." I said.
"Damn," Aster grumbled.
We waited until later that night. I peeked my head out and nothing was in sight.
"Okay. You ready?" I turned to Aster. He nodded as I helped him up. We took a step out of the alley and Aster pulled on my top.
"Wait. Look there." Two hooded figures were running in the middle of the night.
"Dammit." They had stolen our idea. "Maybe we can use this, too. Wait until they are being taken away, then it would be two on two. Better chances."
"You have a lot of faith in the hunters."
"Twenty silver Tye is up there."
"Deal. We can’t have that much bad luck." He stood smiling but a wince covered his face after he put some weight on his foot.
"Don't worry. One way or another, this is almost over." A faint smile crept along his face again with my words.
We hid next to a wall in front of the bell. Just as I expected, the four figures came out casting. Two tumbled down the stairs. One rolled right in front of us.
Footsteps thudded closer. They would be here soon. I looked around. It was too late to go back from where we came. We shouldn't have moved yet. The winds got stronger. I looked back to Aster and his hands were in the air.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
Aster stood straighter. He tapped my face, and the wind plastered me to the wall. I struggled against it, but it was no use. He limped off to the body closest to us and threw it at one of the hunters.
"There’s another one!" someone yelled.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Captured
There was nothing I could do as the most substantial amount of magic I’d ever seen Aster cast was thrown every which way. Parts of the building chipped off and crashed onto the stone streets. I hoped the royal academy had a big budget for repairs.
Aster's wind drowned out all the sound. I couldn't yell for him even if I wanted to. Sparks flew everywhere. A blue shield erected around Aster right before black lightning ricocheted off the barrier and came right for my head. I ducked in order to avoid the blast.
Thankfully, his shield held. I wanted to jump in, but I knew this was a fight we would lose head on. That, and I would more than likely get in the way, being powerless and all. He was just buying me time and a distraction so they wouldn't come this far out and see me.
Again, and again Tye pounded that shield with his magic. The barrier started to crack and grow brighter. Aster must have sensed this, because his wind became faster, his casting, more erratic. Still, it wasn't enough.
The lightning hit again, shattering the orb of protection and throwing sparks everywhere. Aster fell face first onto the stairs. Tye won, along with the rest of the hunters. I backed out of the corner and hid behind some small bushes.
I spotted Tye at the bottom of the steps looking around. He yelled over his shoulder. "Noah can’t be far! Stay alert."
He marched back out of view and I let out a long breath. What was I going to do now? That had been pointless. Yes, it would have been harder to win with Aster, but that didn't mean I didn't need him. I had a choice to make. Should I attempt a rescue or not? It was a fast choice once I saw a way up and behind the bell.
I felt the grooves in the wall, and they were easy enough to grip. I placed my hands and feet on them and started to climb. Before I knew it, I was on top of the building on the side of the courtyard with the bell. I crouched low and walked along the edge. It was dark, but if anyone looked carefully, I would probably still be sighted. I could crawl, but it might make even more noise with my leather scratching against the stone. That, and some of the roofing was just thatch in places for quick fixes. This way I could adjust faster on my feet than stomach.
I continued step by step. After five minutes I found myself crouched along the wall behind the courtyard. I could now see where everyone was, staged and waiting for me. There were two groups to my left, and Tye's small camp behind another corner wall that I had stopped above. Then there was a group of captured in a closed off area. That had to be where Aster was. It was silent until Tye walked over to Aster.
"You’re a sight for sore eyes," Tye said.
Aster
smiled. Cocky bastard. “Ahh, I didn’t know you cared that much.”
Tye smiled back and grabbed him by the collar. Tye didn’t say anything as he rained down punches on his face.
I let out a deep breath. I had to stay calm. My knuckles became white. I would make him pay for every hit.
Not until he was finished did he finally ask, "Where is he?" in a barely audible voice.
"Who?" More punches. It took all my strength not to jump down and return the favor he was giving Aster.
“Bastard,” I whispered.
"Where?" Tye growled.
"We were separated." Aster’s head would barely stay up. "One of your hunter groups broke my ankle. After that, we made it back to the castle. That’s when we separated. Noah should have long been here. Hell, I bet he’s already right under your nose."
"So, he cut and ran. He looks the type." Aster spit all the blood gathered in his mouth into Tye’s face.
I winced. Why? I asked myself. Why do you want more punishment?
"That was a mistake." Tye bent down and I couldn't hear what he said. Aster just looked at him with a clenched jaw. I had to get down there. I moved and came down the wall where I found some grip. I was now in an alley right in front of the group of captured.
Tye dropped his grip and Aster fell to the ground. Tye spun on his heels and left back towards the bell, leaving me with one person to deal with. I whistled and let the man come to me. The closer he came, the farther I backed into the shadows. He started kicking around empty crates and other garbage into the alley. He turned around and that’s when I took my blade and hit him several times in the head with the pommel.
"Sorry," I whispered. I crouched and sauntered over to Aster. All eyes were on me now. I put a finger over my mouth, and everyone nodded their heads. "Aster." I bent down into the seated group.
Aster followed everyone’s gaze and he found me.
"Ah, you made it. Sorry, I don't have tea ready," he whispered.
I started to unbind his legs and arms. Everyone was beginning to move closer to me however they could.
"Wait," I said, trying not to panic. Things were tense and could quickly get out of control, but before I could wave them back, a mage broke the silence.
"Help me!" he cried out.
I finished with Aster and looked around. "I can’t. I'm sorry." There were just too many. If I released one and he ran he would give us away in an instant.
"Shut it," Aster said. Always the diplomat.
I slapped Aster on the back of the head.
"What?" He asked.
"If you don't untie us, I'm screaming right now." The mage who asked for help said.
"If you do that, I’ll take a shit then make you eat it. Got it?" Aster closed his fist and shook it at him.
A disgusting thought, but it worked. I put Aster’s hand around my shoulder and crouched along a small wooden bench.
"What now?" Aster whispered.
"No idea," I replied.
"Flawless thinking."
"Like you can talk." I rebutted.
"I got us closer, didn't I?" Unfortunately, he had a point. "However, I don't think we can wait—" Then, the man I’d knocked out started screaming and Aster and I dove back among the captured.
"He is here!" He stumbled out of the alley, checking his bloody head.
Tye sprinted over to the man. "What happened?"
Before the man could answer, the same captive who threaten to scream spoke up. "He is here!"
That son of a bitch. Oh, I'm going to remember you. I sighed and slowly stood up.
Tye started laughing. "You almost did it!"
The wind started to pick up and Tye looked for the source, not realizing at first that it was Aster.
"No, Aster." The wind calmed at my words. "Aster and I are touching that bell."
"And I'm here telling you, it won’t happen. But I’ll tell you what. You accept my challenge right here and now. If you do that, I’ll let you and Aster touch the bell."
I stepped over the captured and into the open. I couldn't possibly win in a free for all match. "Handicaps?" I asked.
He snapped his tongue. "None."
He had me beat. There was only one last thing to do. Keep this is as close as possible. I ran through different scenarios and they all ended badly for me. "Accepted."
Before he could call on his magic, I charged. I screamed while I took out my sword and threw it at him like a spear. If it hit, it would have done minimal damage. Father would be very disappointed. But I had to keep him distracted from casting. He dodged the blade, black lightning hit me point blank in the chest when I was within striking distance.
I didn't fall or even feel it. It became a pushing match between his magic and my physical prowess. The lightning-sparked as it hit my armor. The armor was getting hot and I couldn't stay in this standstill forever. I turned, letting the lightning hit the building behind us. The wall was cracked open. The wall coming down distracted him and I punched him in the face. He countered easily and sent me back two steps with another hit. He had much more impact than I did. I had to be careful.
He pressed his attack by attempting a tackle. I slid back, catching him, and then threw my elbows right into his spine. He screamed and backed up. Ramming my knee into his side I felt a bone give way. Tye lost his breath and his grip loosened. I went in for another punch, but his fist connected with my face first. The blow sent me flying to the ground. Blood gushed from my mouth. I rolled over and slowly regained my feet. He limped over and started kicking me in the stomach. The impact sent me to my back.
He spit into my face and rubbed the blood in with his foot. "Yield."
"Right after you.” I slid my head out, scratching it across the ground and he was forced to stumble forward. I was able to stand again, but I wasn't much better off than he was.
Lightning came rushing for me, but this time my leathers did nothing. I could feel the bolt scrambling me from the inside. I screamed.
Tye smiled at my pain. He stopped casting and I went to my knees. I couldn't catch my breath. The pain was too fierce. My chest was smoking as another bolt drove into me. This time I felt my skin burn. I fell and began to convulse before my body went completely still.
I couldn't move.
He could kill me right then, and I would be powerless to stop him.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Acceptance
"Get up!" Aster yelled. "Not like this!"
I met his gaze. He was crying. He’d put his faith in me. “Calm. Calm. Calm.” I said continuously. "Block out the pain," I whispered. "One foot in front of the other," I repeated my father’s words as I got to a knee and faced Tye.
"You’re tough. I’ll give you that. It’s a shame I wanted to see this mysterious power." I mumbled some words purposely, not letting him hear.
"What was that?" He took a step closer, then another. "Yield or I will strike you again, Noah."
I looked at him, jaw clenched. "Most important rule. If you can breathe, you can fight."
His eyes widened, surely realizing I wasn’t going to go down without a fight. If that’s what he’d been anticipating, he was sorely mistaken.
I grabbed for his leg, throwing him off balance. He went down on his back and then his hands came towards me, ready to blast me again but I kicked in his knee. It jerked in the opposite direction and guttural screams left him as he grasped at his wound. I did him the favor and kicked him in the face twice to knock him out. I looked around, beaten and bloodied to see if there were any other challengers. I could hardly keep my eyes open. I felt a hand on my shoulder and jerked back. I raised my fist.
"Wait. It’s just me." Aster brought me into an embrace. "You did it. It’s okay. Now lean on me. You look like you're about to fall face first into his piss."
I let out some tears when nobody could see. The pain was so fierce it was almost unbearable. Gaining control of myself, I spoke. "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"
"Eh, we
will call it even at the end of all this." We hobbled together towards the bell. When our goal was in sight, I looked at him. "What did he say to you when you are being an idiot?" He looked around, probably thinking if he should say it. Then, he found my gaze.
"He told me he was going to kill you right in front of me. When you hit the ground shaking... I didn't know what to do... I thought he had."
I grabbed his hand in mine to calm him. I reached out, and we touched the bell together. "He is going to have to try harder than that."
"This concludes this trial!" a booming voice announced into the night.
Were we the last ones?
I looked around through my good eye. Pieces of the buildings started to rebuild, and the mess Aster and the other students had made vanished as if we were never here. Names floated midair just as they did from the team challenge. The difference this time was that my name was number one and Aster’s was number two. Tye had moved to third but he was passed out and not able to see it. I looked to Aster and all he could do was smile. I couldn't even do that, I was in so much pain. I felt like my chest was going to explode right then and there, and I didn’t know how to fix it. I couldn't ask for help due to others possible seeing my breasts. What was I going to do?
Two mages walked up to us. "Do you require healing?"
“No,” I said. But Aster quickly answered in return.
"Yes. Please," He said for both of us.
They placed a finger to my head and darkness took over.
* * *
Next time I awoke, I was in a bed lying next to Aster. "Finally awake I see?" he asked.
"What happened?"
"Look at your chest."
I looked down in panic, only to find myself totally healed. Then, I realized the obvious. Someone must have seen.
I started to hyperventilate.
Aster eyed me in concern. "Easy. Hey, it’s okay."
He didn't understand.
"You’re in the healing ward. A quick potion and you’re back to new. Well, maybe with a couple of wounds."
I looked around and there was no group of mages waiting to take me away. No royal guards with irons. I took a deep breath. Calm. Calm. "Sorry, I just panicked for a second. I don't like being passed out."
The Prisoner of Fate Page 10
