by CM Raymond
Hannah stared, ignoring the question. They both knew the answer.
“In the same way,” Amelia continued, “our people… your people… the ones in the Boulevard, they believed it was impossible for them to wield magic because they’d been told it all their lives. And the few brave enough to try were punished—often killed on sight. But, now we need to change that!”
As the women talked, the people continued to exit the tower and find their places in groups in the grass. Most of them simply stood around talking while kids played nearby. Despite the horror they had all just emerged from, Hannah could see the joy they were taking by just being in nature. It was the same way she felt when she first arrived at the tower.
“Back to my question,” Hannah finally said. “If it’s in all of them, what the hell are we doing trying to pick people out? There are enough people here to do some damage.”
Amelia laughed. “Like I said in the meeting, if I had months, I could probably train any of them—well, almost any of them. But we’re on a time crunch. My hope is that we might be able to inspire those with powers already emerging to step out. To join the fight. Problem is, they’ve been beaten too hard for too long. They’ve come to believe a certain story about the way the world works. It’s a damn lie, but they believe it all the same.
“The nobles, on the other hand, have been told all of their lives that they were special, that they had powers. We need to figure out how to get our people to believe a new story, a better story—then the magic users among them will step forward. I just don’t know how to tell it.”
As she spoke, the doors to the tower opened, and Karl came out, a large group at his back. Hannah turned to Amelia. “Karl’s going to start the hand-to-hand training. I better go with him, just in case. But meet me in the main hall tonight, after dinner. I think I have an idea of who might be able to help us tell this better story.”
****
The would-be army stood shivering in the early morning sun. Most of them were men who had been enslaved in the factory.
Their bodies, still emaciated from their time in captivity, stood erect as the rearick paced in front of their line with his mighty war hammer on his shoulder. Gaunt eyes watched the short, stocky warrior as he took each and every one of them in.
Hannah stood in place behind Karl, watching him in action.
“Ya ain’t much to look at now,” Karl grinned, “but ya sure as hell brought the shitstorm down on them Capitol Guards. I was proud of ya, and ya should be proud of yourselves.”
The men, fifty strong with a few stout women mixed into the group, nodded. Life in the Boulevard had made them tough; their struggle for survival had made them proud.
“Damn straight,” a particularly bold man said. “Each of us could kill a hundred of those rat bastards, easy.”
The others laughed, enjoying his brazen remarks.
Karl walked toward the man and looked up at him. “What’s yer name, soldier?”
“MacIntyre. People call me Mac.” With the rearick nearly stepping on his toes, his face turned to granite—eyes focused ahead.
“Alright, Mac. Let me tell you something. That big victory of yers was something to behold. I won’t shit you about that. But it was a frenzy. Piss and vinegar rushed through yer veins. You surprised them sons of bitches and were so filled with rage, I imagine you could have taken a spear through the brain, and yer body would have just kept fighting. It was a good fight, but that don’t make you a fighter.”
The man’s eye twitched. Karl stared, daring him to talk back.
“No, sir. You’re right about that.”
Karl smiled. “Good. Yer smart. Either you know yer limits, or that ya damn well better lie to my face to cover yer arse. I like you, Mac. Gonna like you even more by the time I make you into a half-grade soldier.”
“Half?” Mac asked.
“Yeah. Only got time for half right now.” Karl’s eyes narrowed. “But keep yer body warm and above ground, and I’ll fill out the other half in time. You can bet yer cock and balls on that.”
The men laughed, and the women smiled along. Through years of travel and negotiating with friends and foe alike, Karl had developed a charm uncharacteristic of his fellow rearick. His ragtag group of soldiers already loved him. In a few days’ time, they’d be willing to die for him.
“Alright, ya bastards.” His eyes cut over to a woman who threw him a scowl. He nodded. “Pardon me; I’ll try again… Alright, ya bitches and bastards—”
A short woman in the front snorted. “No need to make exceptions for me, rearick. I’m as much of a bastard as any of these men. And most of them are more of a bitch.”
Karl smiled as Hannah nearly doubled over in laughter. “Alright, bastards it is. Grab yer weapons.”
Everyone squatted and grabbed a makeshift practice sword, fashioned from the limbs of an old fallen oak. They awkwardly held them in front of their bodies.
“Now, take yer weapon in both hands and hold it over yer head.”
The group looked at each other until finally, Mac raised his with both hands as far as his arms would reach. Others followed suit.
“Good. Just like that until I say you can put them down.” Karl walked back to Hannah and stood quietly next to his friend.
After a few minutes, faces twisted in discomfort and arms started to tremble. Only the strongest of the men and women stood sturdy in front of their new commander.
One by one, they each eventually lowered their arms—except for Mac and another man that was built like an ox. Finally, Mac too was worn, and he lowered his, leaving one man standing.
“Aye, nice work,” Karl said to him as he approached.
The man’s brow furrowed which caused the long scar down the side of his cheek to dance. “This is bullshit. If I wanted to play with my log, I would have done it up in my room with a warm towel.”
“Is that right?” Karl grinned. “Well, being a fighter is more than just having a big stick to wave around. Come face to face with the trained men from the Guard, and you’ll feel like a little noble boy playing with his twig.”
“Not likely,” the man said, his face starting to grimace. “I’ve seen action.”
“Aye, lad. You already told me. You and yer warm towel. Drop yer damn hands.”
The man complied, shaking out his shoulders while keeping his eyes on Karl.
“Let’s see what you can really do with yer log then, shall we?” Karl asked with a wink. The man’s eyes cut to the war hammer on the rearick’s shoulder. Karl laughed. “Not me. Don’t think you’d last a minute. You’ll be fightin’ her.” Karl nodded toward Hannah.
All eyes turned toward her. If they hadn’t seen her in action, they had certainly heard stories by now of the Bitch from the Boulevard. Her powers had become legend amongst her old neighbors.
The big man’s lower lip twitched. “Not a chance. Can’t fight magic with a damned length of wood.”
Karl nodded. “Aye. It’ll be a fair fight.” Looking over his shoulder, he said to Hannah, “No magic. Just the strength of arm and mind.”
Hannah extended her right arm out parallel with the ground. Her eyes flashed red, and a branch, nearly as long as the one that the man from the Boulevard held, shot from the ground into her hand. “My pleasure.”
Karl smiled and looked back at the man. “What’s yer name, big guy?”
“Vinny.”
“All right, Vinny,” Karl said, a little louder than a whisper, “get ready to have yer ass handed to you. It’s going to hurt. Mostly yer pride.”
The rearick stepped aside, and Vinny gripped his staff hard enough to turn his knuckles white. Eyes locked on the girl from the Boulevard, he advanced as she playfully spun her staff in the air.
Letting out a battle cry, he rushed her, swiping his makeshift sword down from overhead. Hannah defended with a flick of her own weapon, she stepped to the side and let the man’s momentum carry him. She spun and gave him a light tap on the ass. It was a move she h
ad seen Parker use in the Pit.
“I like your spirit. But from what you said, I thought you’d know how to handle that stick. Guess you’re not used to having a woman around when you do.”
The crowd laughed, and Hannah gave them a slight nod. Though embarrassed, Vinny couldn’t help but grin. “Give me a chance, and I’ll show you what my staff can do.”
She gave him a wave. “Right here waiting, baby. Come to momma.”
The man rushed again and faked a swing from overhead. He stopped short, ducked a shoulder and tried to hit Hannah low in the body. But she saw it coming. She sidestepped him again, this time she used her branch to ring his head like a bell.
Faking a yawn, she said to the crowd, “Afraid I’m going to bed tonight dissatisfied.”
They laughed, and this time, Vinny got up with a sneer on his face. “I’ll show you—”
Before he could finish, Hannah dropped to a crouch and spun her staff at the back of the brute’s legs. He dropped like a sack of flour at her feet. Placing a knee on his chest, Hannah swung her staff to his throat, resting it on his jugular.
“I think we’re done here,” she said.
Standing over him, Hannah reached a hand down. Grinning, the man took her small hand in his and let her pull him to his feet. “You're good,” he said.
Hannah pointed toward Karl. “Learned it all from him. So, you damned well better pay attention. We have one enemy, and he isn’t here. Adrien is back in his tower in the Academy making a plan even now to finish us.” She scanned the other men and women. “We must come together, or he’ll do it. You must learn to fight. There will be blood. The question is, at the end of the battle, which side will shed more?”
A few people nodded in response, and she heard a cheer from the back. She remembered Ezekiel’s words about being a leader, and she decided to put in some practice of her own.
“This isn’t some bar brawl we’re training for, but a revolution. When the sun sets on our war, who will stand victorious in Arcadia? Do your part, and it might just be us! Go soft on us, and you might as well wish you’d never been freed from that factory. Now, show’s over. Get to work.”
Hannah dropped her stick, gave Karl one last smile, and walked off toward the tower. She could feel every eye on her.
“You heard the lady!” Karl yelled. “Pick up your sticks. We’ve got some pricks to kill, and I mean to teach you how to do it.”
****
Parker stood over his bed taking a mental inventory of his gear spread out on the threadbare blanket. They were packing light for the run to Arcadia. If they hit trouble and had to hole up for the night, he could always find sustenance.
Life in the Boulevard had taught him that making ends meet wasn’t hard for anybody willing to hustle, and he’d been hustling his whole damned life.
“Don’t forget to pack a big set of balls; you’re going to need them,” a voice interrupted Parker from the open door behind him.
Knowing the voice, Parker grinned. He turned to see Hannah leaning against the doorjamb. “I never leave home without ‘em, darling. Don’t you worry about it.”
“That’s what all you guys say until it’s time to… fight,” she quipped, then her face fell serious. “But really, Parker, be careful. You can’t just waltz unseen into Arcadia like we used to do when we were a couple of stupid, pickpocketing kids in the market. Everything’s different now. They’re going to be on high alert for anything outside of the ordinary. And you are definitely out of the ordinary!”
Parker looked down at himself and smoothed his tunic. “Me? Just another asshat from the Quarter.”
Hannah raised a brow. “You definitely are not from the Quarter. I should know; I spent weeks playing that part. And, with all of your street preaching, you’re more recognizable than I am.”
“I know. Popular guy.” He shifted and started to pack his things into his leather satchel. Without looking over his shoulder, he said, “I don’t trust that sonofabitch Marcus one bit. I’m with our rearick friend on that one. I’m just glad your boyfriend’s going with me…”
Hannah let out a snort and a laugh and covered her mouth with her long fingers. “My boyfriend? The way you two have been chumming around, I was starting to think he’s your boyfriend.”
“Now, now,” a voice broke in from the hall as Hadley entered the room. “No need to fight, my lovelies, there is enough man right here for the both of you.” The mystic struck a pose and ran a hand across his chest, making his friends break out into laughter.
“You couldn’t handle her, mindnut,” Parker said. “We about ready to go?”
Hadley’s face went stern. “Yeah. Us and everyone else. Gregory and Ezekiel are about to set off, too.”
“Where the hell are they going?” Parker asked.
Hadley shrugged. “No idea. I don’t even think Gregory knows. You know how the old man is. And, I’ll be damned if I could get inside his greying head for a second.”
Hannah stepped back so she could look at both of the men at once. Her heart skipped a beat. She hated the fact that they were both going out on such a dangerous mission together, she had no idea what she would do if something happened to both of them. “Seriously, guys. No horseshit out there. We need you. I need you. Stay on high alert. Get the weapons and get out.”
Parker threw his bag over his shoulder and pulled Hannah into a hug. “Don’t worry,” he whispered into her ear. “We’ll be fine.”
She flushed and pulled away. “I know. And make sure Hadley has his.”
The mystic’s brow furrowed. “My what?”
“Your balls,” Hannah said with a grin as she left the men to go off on their mission.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gregory had grown up with more money than most of the community in the tower would ever see in a lifetime.
Going on a trip for his family had always involved massive trunks packed full of everything they would need and much they wouldn’t. His mother wouldn’t leave Arcadia without three horse-drawn carriages and enough hired hands to make life beyond the walls more convenient than her world within the Quarter.
In his new world, packing for a trip meant stuffing a bedroll borrowed from Parker into the old, worn, leather satchel he’d pulled off a Disciple bleeding out on the streets on Arcadia.
The journey made him nervous, but it wasn’t the traveling itself or even sleeping outdoors in the woods—which he had never done. It was the thought of being alone with Ezekiel—the Founder—for days that made him sweat.
It wasn’t that Gregory didn’t like the wizard. On the contrary, he admired him perhaps a bit too much. Just being around Ezekiel for a minute made him nervous enough to trip over his words and sweat like a dog in heat.
Ezekiel was nothing like the legends he had heard all his life, but Gregory couldn’t help but view him as godlike.
Shouldering the bag, Gregory took one last look around the room that he shared with Parker and Hadley and turned for the door. Opening it, he nearly jumped when he found Hannah standing in the doorway, knuckles raised to knock. Her face was covered with dirt mixed with dried sweat from training with Karl and his people.
“Pretty good timing, hmmm?” Hannah said with a smile. She looked down at his bag. “You about ready for your little trip with Ezekiel?”
Gregory pushed his hand through his dark hair and shrugged. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for anything with Ezekiel.”
Laughing, Hannah nodded. “I know what you mean. Ezekiel and I, we started right here. Those first days in the tower, I didn’t know what to make of him. He’d healed my brother all right, and then the guy took me out here for meditation and tea. Let’s just say those first few days I slept with one eye open. After that, I was still a little intimidated by him. You know… after I saw how much he could do.”
“Is this supposed to be a pep talk?”
Hannah shrugged. “I never was very good at pep talks. This is just a normal talk.” She reached up and placed a hand
on his shoulder. “You should be proud. He could’ve asked almost anybody to go with him, but for some reason, he asked you. He thinks pretty highly of you, and what you’re able to do. He knows what he’s doing—damn guy almost never makes mistakes. Well, except for that whole training Adrien thing.”
Gregory was silent for a moment and then said, “I hope that was his first and last mistake. Who knows what he was really doing for the last forty years. Maybe after this, we’ll have to overthrow old students of his all over Irth.”
“Maybe. But whatever secret trip he has you going on now, you’ll be fine. Zeke will keep you safe. Just make sure he doesn’t do that thing where he…” Hannah grew silent for a moment, and then finally said, “oh, nevermind.”
“What thing?” Gregory cried.
Hannah’s deadpan face broke into laughter. “I’m screwing with you, Gregory. Zeke’s a funny dude. But he’s the best I’ve ever met. Make the most of it.”
Gregory forced a smile. “Will do.” He stepped to pass her through the door and then stopped. “Hannah, here’s a little pep talk for you. Don’t go easy on those nobles. They’re part of our team now, and life’s been easy on them for too long. I know; I was there not too long ago. You need to give them a good kick in the ass, just like you did with me.”
“Always like kicking some noble ass. Especially yours,” she said as she pulled Gregory into a hug. “Be safe out there,” she whispered into his ear, “or I’ll kick your ass all over again.”
****
With a towel over her arm and her only other set of clothes slung over her back, Hannah made her way to the far end of the tower’s first floor.
During their first week there, Gregory had worked with some of the other men and women from the Noble Quarter on rigging up a magical bathing system for the people. It was a luxury the nobles couldn’t do without. At first, she complained about the wasted resources, but everyone—even Karl—seemed happy to take advantage of it.
