by C. Ellsworth
Karine slammed her spoon down so hard Addy jumped. The bowls around them rattled. Then Karine stood from her seat and gave Ryan one last furious glare before marching out of the hall.
Ryan closed his eyes and shook his head. Then he heaved a sigh and spoke down to his stew. “Everyone here has a story. Not everyone wants to talk about it.”
Addy paused, looking between the four. Wasn’t anyone going to go after Karine? None of them got up. Not even Liah made a move, save to lift her spoon to her mouth. Where was the loyalty, the comradery? How did this place function when everyone was against each other?
Addy stood quickly from her seat and left the table, soft snickers from Traizen and Sorsia following. Rot take the both of them! She walked brusquely from the room. Hopefully Karine hadn’t gotten too far ahead, or Addy might lose her in the unfamiliar hallways. With luck, the woman was heading back to their quarters.
She ran from the room and into the main hall, but the path ahead was empty. Then she rounded the next corner and saw a flurry of blond hair as Karine disappeared up a flight of stairs. Where was she going? Addy followed, reaching the stairs and trying to take two at a time like Aeric had done. But once again, after a step or two, she slowed to just one at a time, her breath heavy. Muck and rubbish! If she had trouble on a simple flight of stairs, how was she supposed to save the world?
At the top, Karine bolted into an adjoining hall. If she would only slow down a little! Addy sucked in a deep breath. Should she be chasing her at all? Karine had barely shared a handful of words with her since Addy had arrived. Why would she want to talk now?
Addy continued the chase, the soft leather legs of her new pants chafing a little as she ran. The urge to tug them down was constant. She followed Karine to another set of stairs, these winding up in a spiral. Ah, the woman was heading up to the watchtower, which meant the chase was finally over.
At the top, Addy paused to catch her breath. Stairs were her new enemy. The land all around was painted a burnt amber now from a late sun slipping below the horizon, the writhing smog of the Twisted Lands looking somehow more ominous in those hellish shades. Icy needles pricked her spine before she tore her eyes away.
Karine was resting her palms atop one waist-high section of the wall that encircled the watchtower, standing between two crenellations. Her dark, tear-filled eyes were focused on the Tower in the distance, its blue light a bright beacon in the fading day. Addy stepped quietly to lean a shoulder against the wall beside her.
Karine breathed a sigh and wiped at her tear-stained cheeks. She wasn’t breathing heavy, as Addy was, despite the run through the barracks. How long before Addy could do the same? “Look at me,” Karine sniffed. “The perfect example of a guardsman, right? For more than three months I’ve been in this place, and yet here I stand crying like a babe.” A chuckle escaped her pouty lips, sounding more forced than felt. “What am I doing here?”
Addy gave her a soft smile. “Does being a guardsman mean you have to stop feeling?” If it did, Addy might prove a worse example than Karine before the six months were up! “Words can still bite as hard as any blade.” Papa had told her that once.
A pained expression appeared on Karine’s face, another tear trickling over her cheek, but she wiped it away and smiled, the expression seeming a little more genuine this time. “Thank you. You’re very kind . . . Adele.”
Addy smiled. “Please, call me Addy.”
Karine nodded.
Addy paused a moment and then grinned. “So . . . Jorgen Thamon?”
Crimson splashed onto Karine’s cheeks, and she turned away, but not before a smile had crept onto her full lips.
“Don’t be embarrassed!” Addy twisted to meet Karine’s eyes. “I don’t know him very well. Is he kind?”
“Yes.” Karine smiled. “He is very kind.”
“Is he gentle and courteous?”
“He is.”
Addy grinned. “Well, I’m happy for you.”
Turning back to a view mostly hidden now in the night’s shadow, Karine heaved a sigh. “I like you, Addy. But I . . . I cannot be your friend.” Her last words came out strained, her delicate brows bent with regret.
Addy blinked. “Did I do something to—”
“No.” Karine shook her head.
Addy paused. “Sorsia.” She turned to look at nothing in particular. There was little to see anyhow, now that the light was nearly gone. Here and there, the shine of a streetlamp flashed on, and torches were being lit around the barracks, casting a flickering, orange glow upon cold stone.
Karine let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Addy. One of the first things you learn here is that people like Sorsia are used to getting their way. And for some reason, she has singled you out. And Traizen . . .Traizen can’t think for himself. He does and thinks whatever Sorsia does. Sometimes I think they’re of a single mind.” She paused, her lips pursing to one side. “Did you know Sorsia’s father was a drunk before he died?”
Addy shook her head. She knew next to nothing about the woman, never cared to get to know her. Sorsia had always looked like the kind of person you’d steer clear of, even if you had to step through muddy puddles to do so.
Karine paused, staring out into the darkness. The last rays of the vanishing sun and the glow of the Spirelight bathed her face in soft purple. “He used to come home from the pub and beat her until she couldn’t sit or lie down for days. Good riddance to him, I say. He should have been hung long ago, but the retched man was the town butcher. The mayor has a lot of difficult choices to make these days.”
Poor Sorsia. Wait, no. That woman had torn her dress. She would earn no sympathy from Addy. Still, no one deserved that kind of abuse. “What about her mama?”
“She supposedly ran off with some other man shortly after Sorsia was born. He was apparently a little crazed from the Faege and ended up strangling her one night in a fit of jealousy. Then he ran himself through with a pitchfork.”
Addy’s mouth dropped open. “I’ve never heard of anything like that before.”
Karine smirked, looking rather devious. “There are things that go on in this town that would simply curl your toes. My father is convinced that if word got out about some of them, it would send the people into a panic and bring everything crashing down around us. He doesn’t have a lot of faith in people, I think.”
Maybe she could steer the conversation to something less troubling. “What about Traizen? What story does he have?”
Karine shrugged. “Surprisingly, there’s not much to tell with that one. He was orphaned at a young age and has spent most of his life here in the barracks. He comes across as a bully, but the truth of it is, he can’t seem to make a single decision without Sorsia. Or perhaps he’s just as afraid of her as everyone else is.”
Back to Sorsia again. A long sigh escaped through Addy’s teeth. “So why don’t you just leave if it’s so miserable here?” She winced. That had sounded a little too harsh. Still, it was hard to watch all the suffering around her and say nothing while Karine and her family gorged themselves with the best food, and dressed in the finest clothes.
Karine’s eyes widened, and she looked on the cusp of a retort, but after a pause, she let out a shuddering breath and lowered her head. “My father . . . is a difficult man. He has plans for everything, including me. And if things don’t go according to those plans . . .” A strand of golden hair fell into her face and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear. “Let me just say that life with Sorsia is . . . difficult . . . but also far less complicated.”
Addy nodded slowly, though Karine probably hadn’t noticed in the dim light. There was no moon out this evening, and the globes of light cast by the torches on the walls failed to reach their height.
“So . . . what do you think I should do about Sorsia?” Addy’s voice was just short of pleading.
“Put on a thick skin, Addy. Never show your tears. Perhaps in time she’ll ease up, maybe even come to like you. Or respect you, at least. Give it
time.”
Did Addy actually want someone like Sorsia to like her? Or Traizen, for that matter? A friend like that leaves no room for enemies, her father would say. But all she had here were enemies! Addy was all alone.
One day done and six months to go.
Chapter 12
The sun had not yet risen high enough to cast its light into the training yard, and the air carried with it a slight chill that pebbled Addy’s skin. In another month or so summer would arrive and the days would be warmer. And longer. Which meant there would be more time for training in the heat.
Luckily the night before had gone by without incident. When Addy and Karine had returned to their quarters, the other four had already settled into their beds, and only Sorsia had made a snide remark that received no response. It had not been easy for Addy to fall asleep, though, and when she had, her dreams made for a fitful slumber. The morning bell that called them to training woke her feeling like she’d been cut down and plowed over.
A yawn cracked her jaw, sending shivers from her head down to her toes. The five of them now stood side-by-side upon that sandy ground, all with puffy eyes and stifling yawns. Not one of the others showed signs of being nervous, but Addy’s stomach was twisting like rung-out laundry. What did the Guard Captain have in store for them?
Behind them stood five hay-stuffed dummies fastened on thick poles and an odd contraption consisting of hanging wooden beams and rotating poles as thick as a man’s leg. The wooden arms protruding from the poles would crack a man’s skull like an egg. It looked like a torture device one would find in a dungeon.
Aeric stood before them wearing a slight scowl on his whiskered face that only made the butterflies in Addy’s stomach flutter more fiercely. Would he go easy on her this first day? Just running up a flight of stairs had left her wheezing, so hopefully his expectations were low.
Saem, the young, curly-haired boy who she had spoken to on her arrival, walked into the yard pulling a small wagon heaped with clothing. The wheels dug into the sand, making his effort more difficult, but he still managed without too much struggle and brought the wagon and its load to Aeric’s side. The others let out soft groans. What was all the fuss about? What could be so terrible about a wagon full of clothing?
Aeric nodded to the boy, who then fell into place a few feet back with hands clasped in front of him. Then the Guard Captain regarded them all in turn, his gaze lingering on Addy for a moment longer than the others. “This is your first day of training for the next Affirmation journey. Most of you have been here long enough to have an idea of what will come, but only Traizen knows first-hand. Look to him as an example.”
Addy glanced down the line to Traizen, who stood oddly stoic. No proud smirk. No bragging grunts or fists pumping into the air. What had he seen the last time he had gone two Cycles ago? What had happened to those he had traveled with, the ones he was supposed to have protected? Could he be trusted to protect her? Aeric must have thought so, or Traizen wouldn’t be standing here right now.
The Guard Captain’s eyes scanned the line again. “There was a time, hundreds of years ago, when we could send two hundred trained men and women on this journey that you’re about to take.” He began to pace. “There was a time when there was not just one Proven, but a dozen. And the skeg were little threat against the many guardsmen that accompanied them. The beasts out there—wolves, bears, canth—were fought off with ease. There was little need for advanced training. But that time is gone.”
He paused, face turning down to the sand at his feet. “The months ahead will be long, the training hard.” He looked up, eyes moving again down the line. “But when it is done, I have every confidence that you will be ready for what lies past these walls, the dangers you will face in the Twisted Lands and beyond. You will do your duty and succeed in the task before you. You will do this, because your life and the lives of everyone in this town depend on it.”
Addy’s chest swelled. Yes! Yes, she would do this! She would train hard, fight through the dangers of the Twisted Lands and the Waste, and she would complete the Affirmation, the final Affirmation. And then Gevin would be whole again, healthy and happy! A determined smile creeped onto her lips.
Turning to the wagon, Aeric picked up one of the items of clothing from the top of the heap and held it out to show them. Beside her, Karine let out an audible sigh. In Aeric’s hand was a woolen vest covered in quilted sections that bulged with whatever was in them. So that’s what all the fuss was about. Weighted vests. Just moving in those would be difficult.
Aeric lifted the vest, demonstrating its weight. “Most of you are already familiar with this. Keep it on at all times during training. If you’re caught without it, you’ll be hefting rocks in the quarry.” He tossed the vest to Addy, and the weight of it nearly knocked her to the ground!
Addy slipped the vest over her head, the weight dragging her shoulders down. It was hot and itchy and smelled of old sweat. She wrinkled her nose. Did they ever wash the things? The others didn’t seem to notice, though, as they donned their own. Perhaps they were accustomed to it already. Or perhaps they had learned that complaining overly much served only to draw the ire of the Guard Captain.
When all of them were standing in their hot and heavy—and stinky—vests, Aeric gave a nod to Saem, who darted from the yard with the wagon in tow. Then he motioned to a corner of the yard where a thick rope hung from a sturdy, wooden support that protruded from the wall over three paces up. “To the rope! Take turns until I say stop.”
Addy followed the others, arriving at the rope as Traizen stepped up and grabbed hold. He was strong by the looks of his muscled form, but climbing to the very top couldn’t possibly be easy wearing that vest. If everyone else failed, then perhaps Addy wouldn’t look so bad when it was her turn.
Traizen leaped upward, scrambling hand-over-hand. He moved with the quickness of a cat being chased up a tree. Addy’s jaw dropped. At the top he slapped the bell and then climbed back down just as quickly as he had gone up.
After Traizen stepped onto the sand—a wide, boastful smirk on his face—Sorsia stepped up and ascended to the top in much the same way, the muscles in her bared arms bulging. She rung the bell and then climbed back down. How had she become so strong? Did years in this place do that to a person?
Ryan was next, stepping forward and grasping the rope before he, too, ascended with only a little more difficulty than Sorsia, gripping with both hands and legs as he went up. Addy’s eyes followed him. He was fair to the eye, with his dark hair in waves down to his shoulders and the strong set of his clean-shaven jaw.
At the top, Ryan slapped the bell, and then made his descent to the ground. When he stepped lightly onto the sand, his eyes turned to Addy, and a small smile curled one side of his mouth. What was that about?
Aeric looked on with a scrutinizing stare. “You’re up, Karine.” His voice was flat. No encouragement whatsoever. “Remember to grip with your knees and push up with your legs. You’ll tire yourself out if you make your arms do all the work.”
Karine heaved a sigh and wiped her hands over her heavy vest before stepping forward to take hold of the rope. Then she propelled herself upward, noisy grunts escaping her throat and arms shaking from the effort. She shouldn’t be able to do that with her small form and the extra weight, but she did. It took her much longer than the others—twice as long, perhaps—but she did eventually make it to the top to ring the small bell. She let out a triumphant squeal then climbed back down, her smile stretching nearly ear-to-ear.
As she returned to her spot, Addy gave her a smile. “Good work! I’m going to look the fool after you, though.”
“Thick skin, remember?” Karine gave a wink. “I never made it to the top before today.”
Well, if Karine had struggled then perhaps it wasn’t going to be so bad after all. How many buckets of water had she carried in her lifetime?
Liah was called next, and she scrambled up the rope with no more effort than Ryan had shown.
But unlike Ryan, not a single grunt escaped her lips as she went, just quick sharp breaths. She rung the bell at the top, and then climbed back down without a hint of satisfaction on her slender face. How does she stay so calm? What is her secret?
All eyes turned to Addy then, and her cheeks heated. Sorsia and Traizen stared without even bothering to hide their smirks. If they’re hoping for a grand failure, I won’t give it to them! I’ve climbed plenty of trees in the field, and I’ll make it to the top if it takes me all day!
“You’re next, Adele.” Aeric’s words sent her stomach twisting into knots, but she straightened her back and stepped up to the rope. Look confident, Addy. You can do this! She looked upward, the rope seeming to climb into the clouds. Why did the top seem so much higher from here? She clasped her hands over the twisted fibers. The rope seemed much thicker as well, now that she had it in her grip. You can do this, Addy. Just like a tree. Then in a single motion, she pulled hard and swung her knees forward to grip the rope firmly between her thighs.
And there she stayed.
Giggles erupted from Traizen and Sorsia as she pulled with all her strength, arms, shoulders, and back all quivering from the strain. The vest was like a hulking giant dragging her back down, keeping her from moving a single inch. She had failed. Utterly and completely. Her throat tightened.
After what seemed like minutes, Aeric finally barked, “Traizen, you’re up.” No word of support for her effort. No helpful tip. Not even a criticizing remark. He hadn’t acknowledged her at all, just dismissed her as if she hadn’t tried in the first place. She set her jaw firmly against the heaviness in her chest, the tears threatening her eyes. She would not cry! Not in front of them.
As Addy dropped the short distance—the very short distance—onto the sand, Traizen stepped forward and took the rope from her, his face repulsively smug. I’m going to smack that grin off his huge face! She merely made fists at her sides, though, and stepped back into place. Everyone had to be staring at her—Sorsia giving her the I-knew-she-would-fail grin—so Addy kept her eyes on her feet. If her cheeks grew any hotter, her face might catch fire.
