Darren's eyes met mine in amusement. "Yes?"
I glowered at him. "Fine! Fine! We'll do your ridiculous plan!" Was this always how it was going to be for us? I dropped his collar. "I don't know why it is so difficult to be friends with you."
Darren grinned. "Because it's us, Ryiah." Then he pointed to the edge of our trail where the passage became entirely paved in sandstone. A soft light reflected off the walls and into the bright blue sky above. It was just past those rocky structures that our enemy awaited. "You ready?"
I sighed. "As I'll ever be."
****
"Ian! Ian!" I whisper-shouted as loud as I dared. Bryce was just two hundred yards away, investigating a mysterious noise that had come from whatever Darren had just casted. The non-heir was slowly edging his way out of the shadows as the curious third-year passed him, searching for the source of the sound.
"Ry? Is that you?" Ian had turned and was peering into the entrance of the small cave-like formation I was hiding in. "Why are you calling me? I'm not on your t-"
"Ian, I-I'm hurt." I felt a stab of guilt as I whimpered the lines I had recited many times in my head. "I got lost – m-my team doesn't know where I am… I need to go to the infirmary and I c-can't walk." Then for good measure: "Ian, I-I think I b-broke my leg."
I was ashamed to say that I really did sound like I was crying. Curse you, Darren, I thought, for making me do this!
"Okay, Ry – I'm coming. Just stay still!" The curly-haired third-year was inside the cave in seconds, hazel-green eyes wide with concern. "Ryiah," he said, "I don't even want to think what would have happened if you'd been trapped here all day!"
My words were stuck in my throat. Shame squeezed at my chest. I couldn't remember why it was so important to win anymore. Ian looked so concerned...
I wanted the charade to end.
"Ian…" I could see Darren slowly approaching. He was close now.
"Can you stand?" Ian kneeled down to take my wrist and examine my "bad" leg.
I swallowed, hating myself. Ian run. Ian, get out of here before it's too late! "Ian, I'm sorry."
"Why should you be sorry?" He glanced up so that his eyes were level with mine. His humor was gone, and in its place was an emotion I couldn't place. The third-year kept his hand on my wrist, swallowing.
"Ryiah…"
There was something strange about the way he was looking at me.
"Ryiah," the third-year repeated softly, "there's something that I've-"
A thunderous wind roared across the cave and Ian was sent flying face first into the sandstone walls. He crumbled to the floor, unconscious.
"Darren!" I shrieked. "Why would you do that?"
The non-heir appeared, looking harried. "Come on, Ry, we've got to get moving."
"I can't just leave Ian here like this!"
The non-heir crooked his head to stare at me. "Ryiah, we talked about this. He'll be fine. The healers will come soon enough. We have to-"
"Well, well, if it isn't the princely leader and his assistant," a frosty voice drawled.
Darren and I almost knocked into each other in our haste to spin around. Too late. Caine was standing at the entrance of the cave, flanked by two fifth-years and Priscilla's mentor Bryce.
"Caine." Darren's voice was emotionless. "I should have known."
"Really, Darren, you think I'd just send in two defenseless third-years for you to pick off one at a time?"
"I had hoped you might. You never were known for your brains."
"Well I know you, Darren." The fifth-year smiled coldly. "I knew if I sent in two scouting parties you would send your best men after the fifth-years… But you would be too proud to stay behind when you saw a harmless pairing of third-years, even with that burn I gave you earlier. I figured you would go in alone but I see you had some sense to bring along this one as well… Not that it matters one bit since you both will be surrendering now."
"Ryiah." Darren's voice was low as he reached for his weapon. "Get behind me."
"Are you joking?" I whispered. "I'm fighting with you!"
A flash of blinding light lit up the cave and a thunderous roar filled my ears. Flames covered every inch of the rocky enclave from floor to ceiling. They stopped only inches from Darren and I. I gasped as I realized the cause.
Darren had thrust the curved end of his sickle sword into his open wound, blood spilling out across the stone floor as he cast out a barrier to hold the three fifth-years' casting back. He was pale and his defense was trembling.
Small spurts of smoke and ember were starting to break his casting's hold.
I barely had time to think before I grabbed Darren's hand and joined his magic with all the force I could summon.
"Don't-" Darren began, undoubtedly remembering what had happened during my first-year trials the last time I had attempted to pain cast.
Control, I told myself, my pain does not control my magic – I do. I thrust my right arm through the barrier, pushing it into to the hungry flames beyond. A thousand types of pain coursed through me, red-hot fire eating away at my flesh and my skin and my blood until my entire body was filled with a violent need to release.
Hysteria and agony rose up, fighting to take control of my casting. I fought them and clung to Darren with everything that I had. The flames seemed to pour right into my veins, an army of fire exploding all over my insides, drowning me.
My magic was a wild stallion raging within, rearing up against its prison of ember.
Shadows danced across my eyes, a red and orange waterfall of flame. My legs were quivering and the pain was too much. I felt the wave of fire taking control and the magic deep within me, threatening to explode-
Darren's hand tightened on my own. A sharp swell of coolness flooded my skin, erasing the fire and pain and returning me to myself.
We pushed back with magic. Together the two of us began to take one shaking step, and then another, until Blaine and his friends realized too late what was happening.
The fifth-years and Bryce hastily released their casting, but the force Daren and I had cast was too much. The four mentors were sent sprawling into the sand. Two of them were instantly knocked unconscious, colliding against a short boulder. Caine and Bryce crawled backward on their arms in an effort to escape.
Darren dropped to his knees. Our casting fell. I found myself struggling to stand. When I tried to call on my magic there was nothing left to summon.
I grabbed Darren's blade – my own lost during the chariot attacks earlier - and dragged it toward the fifth-years' leader. My legs shook so badly I stumbled halfway across, slipping with a cry as my burned hand grated against sand.
I attempted to push myself up - but the pain was too much. I couldn't do it.
Caine began to laugh, dirt and blood spilling from his mouth.
"Surrender, Caine!"
The fifth-year stopped laughing and I blinked. Three dark figures emerged from the sandstone passage behind us. As they drew closer I recognized Ella, Eve, and Ray – all of them a bit bloodied and bruised, certainly worse than when we had parted an hour before. Ray was limping and Ella favored her arm, but the three still looked heroic under the full light of sun.
They looked even better when they cornered Caine and held three curved blades to his throat.
The fifth-year spat at them and tore off his black armband.
We won.
Loud whoops filled the air. I heard – rather than saw - Darren collapse behind me.
The others ran over to check on their fallen leader. Ella found me and helped me up. I barely had time to point at the cave and murmur "Ian" before my vision, too, faded to black.
CHAPTER FOUR
"Ry, how are you feeling?"
Opening my eyes I saw that I was in the infirmary and surrounded by rows of empty cots. Beside me was Ella. I wrinkled my nose. The room smelled strongly of herbs and rubbing alcohol, and it was unusually chilly compared to the warmth of the barracks.
I sat up right away and stared down a
t my arm. There was only the slightest tinge of pink. Nothing else to suggest I had held it into a fire for several long seconds, and not a single muscle in my body ached. I felt as if I'd woken up from the most restful night's sleep – something I had never once experienced since I'd arrived in the desert. I took a deep breath. "How long have I been out?"
Ella looked down at me sympathetically. "Almost three full days. That burn on your hand…" She gulped. "It was terrible when the healers first brought you here." My friend gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Only you and Darren are still being treated now though – everyone else's injuries weren't as severe so they've already returned to the barracks."
"I'm surprised Byron let the mages heal us." I scanned the room, looking for the prince. I spotted Darren near the back, still sleeping and covered in blankets. One of his arms was hanging off his cot. He looked almost childlike with his black bangs falling to the side and his lips slightly parted. He looks so innocent, I noted wryly. Darren never looked innocent.
"Well, we are departing tomorrow for the Academy."
I had forgotten.
Ella continued: "None of the masters wanted a bunch of crippled apprentices holding up our progress to the school – it already takes ten days to reach Sjeka, as is. Besides, Loren told me they always do this after the mock battles. He actually said that we had less injuries than the one last year, can you believe it?"
I gaped. "Less injuries?"
"I know. My thoughts exactly." Ella grinned at me. "I'm excited for the feast tonight – the masters haven't formally congratulated the mentees yet and tonight the whole regiment will be there when the Commander gives her speech. Loren said they usually have it the second night but since you and Darren were still in the infirmary they decided to wait until the two of you were healed." She chucked. "It wouldn't be right if our two victors were unable to attend."
Memories of that battle in the sandstone gulley came flooding back. Many things stood out – Ian touching my face, Darren casting our barrier, the pain of fire, the sudden strength when I had been able to take control of my pain casting…
And Ian. Ian flying headfirst into that stone wall.
"So everyone else has recovered?" I found myself suddenly anxious. Where was Ian? Did he realize that I had tricked him?
Did he hate me?
"Of course they have."
I glanced at Ella and the carefree expression on her face. She had started talking about the feast tonight, going on about how excited she was for our win. I wanted to ask about Ian, but I was afraid of what she might say. Even though Ian had been on the opposing side, I didn't think she would approve of my tricking him. It was a rotten thing to do to a friend.
But I had wanted to win, and Darren's plan had been easy. Too easy.
If only Ian hadn't been so eager to help me, so innocent.
If only Ian had stabbed me in the back before I had stabbed him.
****
Priscilla found me later that evening, just as I was changing out of my infirmary clothes and into the outfit Ella had left behind. It would be the first dress I had worn since our naming ceremony, and the first one I could call my own. One of the perks of being an apprentice. With my new income it had been easy for Ella to talk me into buying it. Something special that an apprentice could wear to indicate her new status.
"Caine told me you and the prince spent a lot of time together in that canyon."
I spun around and found the highborn looking me up and down with distaste. "What do you want Priscilla?" I asked exasperatedly.
"You need to leave Darren alone. Whatever idealistic notions you've got running around in that head of yours, the prince will never leave me for a lowborn."
Not this again. "Priscilla-"
"My father is the wealthiest baron in the realm. Darren needs this marriage." She frowned. "Jerar has the greatest army in the world but if the Crown wants to keep it that way they will need my dowry. No amount of infatuation will change that."
"Just what exactly do you think happened between him and I?" I pulled the dress over my shoulders, marveling at the fluid blue shimmer. It was easily the prettiest thing I owned.
Priscilla just scowled at me. For all her words, I could still see the resentment radiating from her form. I wondered if this was really about Darren – who had never shown the slightest interest since we joined the apprenticeship - or the fact that I had done well in the mock battle while she'd been forced to surrender almost immediately.
I had come a long way since the two of us had first met. I wondered how I would feel if I was her – the beautiful girl who had once been third in our faction, now easily the worst one here. She was still an apprentice – and she still had Darren, but for once I was better than her. And it felt good.
I'm not that pitiful little girl you bullied last year.
"If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be," I told her smugly. "A feast in your betrothed's and my honor, I believe." I sauntered out of the barracks with the biggest grin on my face.
****
"Ry!"
The second I stepped out of the barracks my twin spun me around, laughing. "I can't believe you and Darren actually pulled it off!"
"Put me down you big oaf!" I greeted my brother chuckling. "You'll ruin my dress!"
Alex released me and held out the nook of his arm. "Do I have the pleasure of escorting a Combat champion this evening?"
"Am I your second choice?" I teased.
"No." My brother reddened. "Ella was already going with that Loren fellow."
I sighed and put my arm through his. "Then you most definitely have the pleas-" I froze mid-sentence as I noticed the couple descending the steps below us. Lynn, looking delicate and lovely, was being escorted by a certain curly-haired third-year with laughing hazel-green eyes. Ian.
My heart caught in my throat. I didn't realize I had stopped moving until Alex was waving his hand in my face.
"Ry?" My brother tilted his head to peer at me quizzically. "What's wrong? You look as if you've swallowed a bug."
I faked a smile. "No, I just spotted Lynn… and Ian." I tried to say it casually but I was pretty sure my voice squeaked near the end.
"Oh right." Alex nodded. "The third-years from your faction. Do you want us to go catch up to them? It's a long walk to the regiment's ceremonial hall, it'd be nice to have some company."
I started to protest but my brother was already off, dragging me in his wake.
As soon she spotted me my mentor waved and pulled on Ian's arm to wait for us. "Ryiah," she said cheerfully, "I am so happy to see you are feeling better! I wanted to let you know there are no hard feelings for what happened on the battlefield…"
I could not look at Ian.
"…You've got to do whatever is necessary to win." She giggled. "I guess I should be happy it happened to me in the beginning. Ian told me he got pounded pretty badly in those caves, can you imagine?"
My face was aflame and I felt like vomiting. I was holding onto Alex's arm to steady myself.
I forced myself to look at the curly-haired third-year who hadn't spoken a word yet. "How are you feeling, Ian?"
Indifferent green eyes met my own gray-blue ones. "Fine."
An awkward silence followed and Alex finally broke it – only to make things worse.
"Say, Ian, I don't think I've met your enchanting lady this evening? Who might she be, and is she taken?"
Ian's eyes fell away from me and he smiled at my brother. "Lynn is Ryiah's mentor. And she is taken." He reached down to take the third-year's hand in his own and brought it to his lips with a light kiss. "After suffering three years of my charm, Lynn has finally allowed me to court her."
My twin gave a dramatic sigh. "What a shame. The good ones are always taken."
A huge wave of jealousy had reared its ugly head and was raging inside my throat. Ian and Lynn? Ian and Lynn? What about Ian and I? I remained unable to speak for the rest of our walk to the hall, and as soon as we reached i
t I immediately parted ways with the third-year couple, citing some made-up excuse about finding my seat at the grand table.
I was so consumed with avoiding Ian and Lynn that I didn't even notice Darren and Priscilla standing right nearby.
"Ryiah." The second-year girl stopped me coldly in my tracks. "Ryiah's brother."
Alex gave the girl an incredulous look. "Well hello to you, too. And Darren." His lip curled. He didn't like Priscilla but he loathed the prince. The two of them had clashed last year over a misunderstanding between Darren and I.
The non-heir ignored my brother and met my eyes instead, smiling. "Hello Ryiah, are you ready to be the center of the masters' toasts tonight?"
I should have smiled back, or said something witty, but as I looked to Darren all I could see was Ian in the caves. Ian touching my face – about to say… Something. He had looked at me so tenderly. For a moment I had thought he'd been about to tell me… It didn't matter now. He hated me. I could tell from the way he looked at me.
It was Darren's fault. And it was mine for listening to him… but I wasn't in the mood to acknowledge that.
I didn't answer and Darren's brow furrowed. Good. Beside him Priscilla looked pleased by my reaction. I didn't do that for you, I thought sourly. The couple departed.
For just a moment Darren turned his head back around to stare at me but I avoided looking at him as I took my seat beside Alex.
****
"Tonight we celebrate the incredible prowess of our mentees. This is the first time in a decade that we have had the second - and fourth-year apprentices win one of our mock battles. I take this as a sign of great potential to come – and I hope all of you will keep Ishir Outpost in mind after you have taken up your mage's robes." Commander Ama looked out at the crowd, beaming.
"That said, there are two apprentices that stood out in particular for their performance. Never have two second-years been able to single-handedly accomplish what it usually takes a whole team to do… They both practiced advanced levels of pain casting with enough control to save their squad. I would like to toast Apprentice Ryiah for this huge victory, and Prince Darren even more so for his excellent command. May great things come of you both."
The Black Mage: Apprentice Page 6
