by V. St. Clair
Hayden found a small spring and everyone eagerly filled up their canteens and drank their fill while they waited for Tess to return, and not even Oliver complained about the possibility of water-borne illnesses this time.
Hayden kept an eye on the sun’s progress through the sky, though it was difficult within the shelter of the trees, growing more and more worried for Tess with each passing hour. Just as he was getting ready to demand that they ignore her directions and go search for her, she came tromping through the underbrush with Mittens at her heels.
“I got it,” she said tiredly, sinking down beside the trickling water and accepting Hayden’s full canteen, upending it and drinking it without pause until it was empty. “Ah, that’s better.” She handed it back to him and he filled it again from the small stream, along with hers.
“I don’t see any deer with you,” Oliver frowned at her, and Tess pointed back in the direction she came from and said, “It’s far too heavy for me to drag. Mittens, get something to drink and then take the dragons back there to collect it for us. They should be able to carry it between the two of them.”
The thought of Bonk and Slasher trying to carry a deer much larger than both of them combined was a little startling, but he knew better than to argue with Tess, who was clearly better at living off the land then the three of them combined. Oliver shrugged and watched the familiars depart, while the rest of them enjoyed their respite from the heat. Relaxing in the shade with all the water and food they could eat had already raised their spirits considerably.
“So, do we actually have a plan for what to do when we get to the Forest?” Zane asked, apparently drawing energy to think about what lie ahead now that he wasn’t thirsty.
“It depends on how things look when we get there,” Oliver explained. “The Forest of Illusions didn’t get that name for being easy-to-navigate. If it’s surrounded by sorcerers then we’re going to have a hard time getting in without killing them. If they haven’t completely breached the Forest yet then we’ll have room to hide out inside, as long as we keep our familiars close by to guide us.”
Hayden had spent time in the Forest of Illusions at the end of last year, and had hoped never to return; ‘eerie’ was the nicest thing it could be called, in his opinion. It was a strange place full of deceptions and illusions, with animals that were constantly changing shape and were too smart for their own good. He supposed it would be better with Bonk there, and knowing that his friends wouldn’t be crippled by a faulty Resonance Crystal this time around, but it still wasn’t an inviting prospect by any means.
“Do you think we’ll really have to kill people to get inside?” Tess frowned. “Maybe we can sneak past without them seeing us…we’ve got magic that will help hide us.”
“And they’ve got magic that will detect us,” Oliver countered. “We’re headed into a war zone: if you don’t think you have the stomach to do what it takes, then go back to Mizzenwald now.”
Tess glowered at him but said nothing. Zane looked mildly ill, and Hayden thought he knew how his friends were feeling. The prospect of going up against fully-trained sorcerers who knew strange magic they’d never seen before and would be aiming to kill was not exactly how he’d choose to spend his summer vacation.
But I did choose this, he amended. And for whatever insane reason, they chose to come with me.
“We were doing extra combat practice up until the Fias showed up and put a hold on weapons,” Hayden spoke aloud. “We’re as prepared as we can be. When the time comes, we’ll figure something out…somehow.”
Fortunately Bonk and Slasher returned with the dead deer then, casting a shadow over the bushes as they flew. They looked odd carrying such a large creature in their tiny talons, but neither dragon seemed to be overexerting itself, and Mittens led the way on the ground until they were back amongst their masters. Hayden couldn’t help but admire that Tess had taken the deer in one shot, the arrow shaft still sticking out of its chest.
This time Tess didn’t wait for anyone to volunteer assistance, taking Oliver’s knife again without even asking permission and hacking into the deer with alarming efficiency. Oliver built the fire (with wood, not magic), though he kept shooting furtive glances at Tess while she worked, like he wasn’t sure what to make of her. After cutting off decent-sized steaks for each of them and setting them over the fire, she excused herself into the woods to use the bathroom.
Zane took the opportunity to turn to Hayden and say, “Remind me never to make Tess angry when she’s holding a knife. She even makes Oliver’s heirloom dagger look lethal.”
“Too true,” Hayden mumbled in response, thinking that she could skin them all within five minutes if she ever put her mind to it. Even Oliver looked like he had a greater respect for her now that he’d seen her at work, and Hayden felt an odd stab of possessive pride in her, though he had nothing to do with her success.
They decided to stay in the copse for the night, resting their tired bodies and eating and drinking their fill. Everyone’s temper improved so much that they were even getting along with Oliver for a change as they discussed what might be happening back at Mizzenwald right now and what they might expect in the Forest of Illusions.
Will wonders never cease?
Bonk and Slasher continued to behave more like their normal selves, and the former hadn’t had a nightmare or a hard time eating since they’d left Mizzenwald. Either he knew they were headed to save his friend, or maybe he was just enjoying the change of scenery; either way, Hayden was immensely relieved to see his familiar recovering, and that night he went to sleep with hope in his heart.
It took a full week for them to reach a town, and when they saw posters with their descriptions and names on the front of prominent-looking buildings, naming them criminals and offering a large reward for their capture, they quickly departed.
“Man, it looks like the Fias are taking our absence really personally,” Zane whistled nervously. “I’ve never been a fugitive of the law before.”
“I wonder if these are up all over Junir, or if it’s just the towns nearest to Mizzenwald,” Tess mused out loud.
“I hope they’re not everywhere, or it’ll make it that much harder for us to get supplies we might need until we cross over into Amvale,” Hayden grimaced.
“This looks like Alyria,” Oliver observed without interest, ignoring their conversation or the startling news that he was a wanted man. “If we make a sharp turn west, we can be in Amvale in a few days, and then we’ll turn south again.”
Hayden trusted Oliver more with geography than he did himself, so they agreed to the plan and continued west this time.
Things seemed to get easier as the days went on, though it was probably only because they were adjusting to their new routine. Often the familiars went hunting for them, though sometimes Tess took to her bow to bring down larger animals, while the others would divide chores and gather water, nuts, or berries, and tend to the cooking fire. Tess had even begun to show them how to properly dress their kills, though Zane was the only one who proved a quick learner and was able to help her in the evenings.
They occasionally talked about what they might expect from the sorcerers when they encountered them, but as none of them really knew much about their northern counterparts it was hard to make any solid plans along those lines. They did inventory of all the magical weapons in Hayden’s bag, swapping out some on their belts for others that were better suited to them, and in the evenings they made sure to study their new instruments and practice as much as was safe. Hayden stayed near the fire, despite the infernal heat, or else he wouldn’t be able to see through his prisms once the sun set. He could usually look through the violet one now without giving himself a headache, as long as he didn’t rotate it too fast or try to use anything too complex.
It took them almost another week to cross over into Amvale, and another three days to find a town that was large enough to stop in, as the roads in Amvale tended to lead to small trading outposts r
ather than residential areas.
“It’s weird to think that it’s the summer holiday right now,” Zane said to no one, as they approached the town with caution. “Everyone else has gone home to their families by now, or is staying at school to do some extra reading…though I don’t see who would want to stay at Mizzenwald with the Fias hanging around.”
“Maybe we’ll be back by fall term,” Hayden offered hopefully, but Oliver snorted.
“We’ll be lucky to reach the Forest by fall term at this rate. I underestimated how long it would take to walk all the way around the cape and back north to the Forest—it looks different on the map.”
In truth, Hayden had underestimated the distance as well. On the maps he’d seen at school everything seemed so close together, but he was beginning to appreciate just how large the continent was. He shuddered to think of making this journey all by himself, if the others hadn’t insisted on coming with him while he was being stubborn and in lead-Binders.
They tried to look as inconspicuous as possible as they entered the town, just a few school-aged mages on summer holiday traveling through Amvale. They made it all the way to the cobbler before they saw a poster with their names and crimes on it.
“We’re even wanted in Amvale?” Zane made a horrified face. “That means these signs have to be up all over Junir…even in Calypso!”
“Why does that matter?” Oliver scowled haughtily while Tess debated going into the cobbler’s to replace her shoes, which had holes worn into the soles by now from all their walking.
Zane turned to Hayden and said, “I really hope we die in the Forest of Illusions, because if I make it back alive, my mom will kill me.”
“Are you telling me you fear a lecture from your own mother more than dying at the hands of strangers?” Oliver asked incredulously.
“You’ve never seen my mother angry before. Nothing the sorcerers can do to me will be worse than that.” He shuddered.
Hayden chuckled darkly as Tess made up her mind and entered the cobblers’, Zane following behind her. Hayden was about to step inside as well when Oliver grabbed his arm and said, “This way. I saw a guild bank up that street, and we’ll need money before we go too much farther.”
“But the others—”
“There’s no reason to bring them along; I doubt they have credit to draw upon. Now come on—the sooner we leave, the sooner we can be back and out of this town. Your friends are buying shoes, not battling sorcerers—they’ll be fine.”
Hayden allowed himself to be led away, up the road that Oliver had pointed to a moment ago. He knew that guild banks were typically used by the magically-inclined, since they were the only ones who understood enough about magic to make appropriate loans and deals. He’d never had reason to enter one before, since he never had any real money to his name, and his mother hadn’t been able to use magic at all.
Oliver walked in like he owned the place, glancing around with casual interest at the polished hardwood floors and marble countertops. Even as dusty and travel-worn as he looked, something in his bearing made it apparent that he was wealthy and belonged here. Hayden tried to figure out exactly what it was that made him look so entitled, but wasn’t able to pinpoint it before they reached the counter.
“Can I help you?” A middle-aged woman with faded red hair asked politely, surveying them with a critical eye.
“I am Oliver Trout. I need to draw funds on a loan against my estate,” he explained easily, and Hayden wanted to punch him for strolling into a place where they were wanted fugitives and announcing who he was.
The woman raised her eyebrows in surprise, and Hayden knew that she had seen the posters calling for their arrest.
“Mr. Trout…” she began quietly, glancing around the room to see if they were being overheard. “It is…I’m surprised you came here, given the charges laid against you.”
Oliver put on his haughtiest expression and said, “Idle threats made by jumped-up commoners do not worry me. Surely you don’t believe that the oldest scions of two Great Houses would have any cause for legal troubles with accountants.” His tone implied that only an absolute fool would doubt his family’s ability to pay.
The woman looked conflicted.
“Well, no…my coworkers and I did think it sounded odd, especially when we heard such prominent families were involved…” she looked between Hayden and Oliver, obviously guessing who the former was by association.
“The Fias governing Mizzenwald overstepped their boundaries, and when we left school they invented some jumped-up charges to try and teach us a lesson,” Oliver continued in an almost bored tone. “Surely you haven’t received any letters stating that my estate is no longer solvent?”
Hayden had to admire Oliver’s sheer pompous nerve at moments like this. He managed to suggest that the accountants were after their personal funds and not anything associated with the school. It also brought to light just how little Hayden knew about the moneylending world where mages were concerned.
“No, of course not.” She tapped her pencil against the marble countertop. “How much would you like to borrow?”
“One-thousand, mostly in small denominations,” Oliver said easily, and like that, the deal was done.
Hayden watched in silent awe as the woman wrote up a letter, had Oliver sign it, and then simply handed him the money he asked for, which he tucked away in his pocket. He thanked the woman cordially and motioned for Hayden to follow him out of the bank, neither of them speaking until they were walking back down the road towards the cobbler.
“How in the world did you manage that without getting arrested?” Hayden marveled. “That woman just handed you money on your name alone…”
Oliver gave him a withering stare and said, “You really don’t know anything about Great—”
He broke off with a curse word and pulled Hayden off of the roadway abruptly, peeking around the side of the tea shop.
“What’s going on?” Hayden asked worriedly, chancing a look for himself, his heart plummeting when he saw what was happening. Tess and Zane were being disarmed and carried off in irons, kicking and screaming the entire way that this was all a big misunderstanding. Hayden immediately went to equip a prism and go after them, but Oliver grabbed him by the arm and pulled him further behind the tea shop.
“Use your head, Frost,” he snapped. “If we go in there blasting commoners out of the way it’ll create a whole mess of trouble that we don’t want or need right now. We really will be fugitives.”
“We really are fugitives right now, no matter how pompous you sound when you’re lying to bankers!” Hayden retorted, blood boiling as he heard Tess struggling against her captors.
“It’s not our fault they got themselves caught,” Oliver argued, still holding Hayden back. “Look, they’re not going to be thrown into a dungeon and tortured—their only supposed crime was disappearing from school in the company of you, who are wanted for a list of crimes as long as my arm.”
Hayden scowled but couldn’t disagree with him.
“They’ll be locked in a furnished room and given three meals a day while someone from Kargath comes to pick them up.”
“And then what happens to them?” Hayden was still debating ways to shake Oliver loose and go after his friends.
“Then their very concerned parents show up and take them home, making them promise to be good boys and girls and return to Mizzenwald in the fall,” Oliver finished with an eye-roll. “Besides, do you really want their deaths on your conscience?”
Hayden stopped struggling long enough to demand, “What do you mean?”
“Don’t be simple, you know what I mean. We’re walking into a death trap and you know it.” He didn’t look even remotely worried as he said the words. “Now don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mourn if you were eaten by wolves, but I don’t deny that you’ve got a stupid amount of raw power. When you’re not being ignorant and hot-headed, you even manage to use it properly.” He looked like this grudging compl
iment caused him immense pain.
“I happen to be extremely skillful with magic; perhaps you noticed last year when I dominated the I.S.C. in Powders,” he continued. “Between the two of us, there is an infinitesimal chance that we might survive this idiotic plan to go find our missing allies. Tess is handy with knives and bows, and Zane isn’t useless with conjury chalk, but do you really expect them to be able to make it out when we’re being attacked by half the northern continent?”
Hayden frowned, not liking to admit that a small part of him heartily agreed with what Oliver was saying. He didn’t want to risk his friends—especially Tess—and he knew there was very little chance of any of them coming through this alive. His only real plan so far was to wander into a forest full of people with vast amounts of skill he didn’t possess and rely on his natural power and dumb luck to help him recover Cinder and anyone else who might be alive, before Bonk could die of exhaustion from sharing their pain.
“I…but I can’t just leave them behind. They’re on my arena team, they know that I never leave my teammates behind…” he argued feebly, not knowing what the right thing to do was anymore.
He hated the prospect of going off with no one but Oliver for company, but he would feel more at ease knowing that at least his own stupidity wouldn’t get his closest friends killed. Oliver could clearly see him wavering.
“I’m sure that’ll be a really comforting thought when you see them murdered in the Forest. You’ll be able to say ‘At least I didn’t leave them in Amvale where it was safe!’ ” Oliver snorted.
They’d been arguing so long that Hayden could no longer hear any struggles. When he peered around the corner he saw that the street was clear, which meant that Zane and Tess had been carried off to whatever holding room they were going to be placed in until someone from Kargath arrived. To get them out now, he’d have to break in and cause a huge scene with magic, which would just get them all in even more trouble.
