Mythia glanced up to see a pair of brown leather shoes above her. She could not tell who they belonged to. Her hands began to ache, and she could feel blisters forming on her palms and fingertips. Her muscles were weak from the summer months of malnourishment and stiff in the cold morning air. Pink hues slowly infiltrated the dark blue as the sun began to rise carefully into the sky. Birds woke up to sing, an occasional raven cawing out loudly in the still air; the only other sounds were the grunting and huffing of her neighboring recruits.
Mythia’s legs and arms were shaking; her lungs burning with each breath. The rhythm she had found began to feel off as the mountain side straightened up more vertically. This alone would have been an extreme challenge, but the armor she wore added on a lot of extra weight, and she felt that there was no way she could make it. She stopped, clutching at a jut in the wall and looked down... and regretted it immediately.
A rock bounced against the edge of the mountainside, all the way down to the bottom, which was so far away, the trail beneath looked like a sliver of rope in the dim morning dusk. A wave of nausea passed over her and she could no longer find her breath. She squeezed her slippery, sweaty hands more tightly to the rock until her knuckles turned white. Sweat dripped down her cold forehead and fell through the air down, down, down.
“Rule number one of mountain climbing… never look down,” a voice rang out so suddenly Mythia nearly lost her grip. She looked up quickly to see a young, red haired man directly above her. The owner of the leather shoes. His smile reached up to a pair of friendly brown eyes surrounded with freckles. He held on easily to the edge and looked back up, finding his next step. “Follow my footing.”
Mythia kept her eyes on him and swallowed the lump in her throat. She carefully pulled herself up again, and again, and again. As long as she kept focused on the leather shoes, watching as he confidently lifted himself up higher and higher, she was able to keep steady and find the right grooves to place her hands and feet.
The sun had fully emerged as they reached the top. Someone offered their hand to help Mythia shakily to her feet. She stepped onto the flat surface with a layer of powdered white snow, relief washing over her, to find the red-haired man looking happily back at her. She looked around and saw everyone else was smiling hugely, shaking out their limbs and stretching their arms.
“Thank you,” Mythia breathed. She wished her limbs would stop shaking.
“We need to look out for each other,” the man shrugged. “I’m Zane, by the way.” He offered her his hand. She took it carefully, it felt rough with callouses.
“I’m Bestia.” She swallowed, the name feeling strange on her tongue. “Is climbing a mountain a regular thing for you?”
Zane chuckled. “Living inside a mountain has that effect on people. Not much else to do around here.” He smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. Mythia felt a smile form on her face.
She looked quickly around at everyone else. Eldrid was standing with his arms spread out in the thin air, taking in a deep breath. He looked out from the edge of the cliff they just climbed, facing south, a huge peaceful smile on his face. Mythia turned around and immediately saw what he was looking at.
The entire kingdom stretched out in a hovering fog before them, illuminated by the risen sun. The four cities and the surrounding forests and valleys, the meadows, even the volcano of Draconis, reflected against the golden light of morning like a magnificent painting. The clear sky opened and engulfed the kingdom in a dome of pale blue. She spun around, soaking in the incredible view and quickly walked to the northern end of the mountain top, all pain and exhaustion from the climb forgotten, replaced with the serenity of beauty. She reached the edge and strolled around a huge boulder. There was a long ridge of taller mountains blocking the view here, but from within a gap she was able to make out something she had never seen before.
“That’s the water that surrounds Terra,” Zane’s voice rang out from behind her. He must have followed her there.
“A lake?” Mythia asked, more to herself. Within the gap, from beyond the rows of mountain ridges she could just make out shimmering dark blue waters, stretching out as far as the horizon. But it was not quite like the lake she had encountered back in Fenniks, it was massive, and moving as though alive.
“No way,” Zane said quietly. “Water surrounds the land of Terra, but it's so vicious and far down from the cliffs that no one could ever reach it. It has claimed many lives through out the years though. There are a few Rejicio stories about it, mostly involving lovers throwing themselves off the cliffs because they could not be with their beloveds... not the happiest lullabies."
Mythia looked at him, furrowing her eyebrows before turning back to study the strange sight. The water seemed to be breathing, rippling in dark rows.
“Back at attention!” Eldrid’s voice rang out harshly with an echo across the thin air. Mythia and Zane jogged quickly back to the center of the mountaintop, lining up with everyone else.
Someone bumped into Mythia, nearly knocking her over. “Oh! So sorry!”
Mythia looked up to see the only other woman there, with light brown hair grazing her shoulders. Her eyes were round and pale blue.
“It’s all right!” Mythia replied in a whisper. She immediately straightened back up and faced Eldrid.
“I’m Krea,” the woman breathed out quietly from the corner of her mouth.
“Bestia,” Mythia muttered back. They exchanged quick smiles just as Eldrid began to speak.
“Congratulations. You made it up the highest, climbable peak in the Borealis Mountains.” He paced back and forth in front of the line, eyeing each one of his trainees in turn. “Strengthening the muscles we use to climb also strengthens that which we use for the sword. Just like in battle, your mind must work quickly and instinctively, your stamina never wavering. You must learn to continue through the burning of your lungs and perseverance of fear. But one other thing… you must work together as a team, never leaving a soldier behind. Those who made sure everyone made it to the top, even when it slowed you down… I applaud you.” He glanced quickly at Zane who grinned back. “Others continued to climb without even glancing at their comrades.” He walked slowly over to a dark, burly looking man with a shiny, bald head, and narrowed brown eyes. “Do not forget,” Eldrid spoke softly, but strength was woven into his words as he stood face to face with him, “that we work as one unit. We do not seek personal gain or attention to stand out. If that is what you seek, you are in the wrong place. For those who stand out, will be the first ones killed in battle.” The dark man kept his eyes narrow, his face steady, without even so much of a flinch. Eldrid backed away and faced everyone again before suddenly disappearing off the edge as he climbed quickly back down.
Mythia raised her eyebrows for a second before following everyone else as they shuffled straight to the mountain edge to follow him. Her arms and legs were still shaking from the climb up. What have I gotten myself into? She thought desperately.
Her entire body trembled. She forced her mind into a trance; next foot, next hand, next food, next hand. All she could see was the gray and white rock in front of her, nothing else existed in that moment. There was no past, no future. Just the next step, the next groove in the rock.
It was past noon by the time they, miraculously, reached back down without anyone falling. Mythia let out a huge shudder the minute her feet touched solid ground, her entire body shaking violently from exhaustion. Someone scrambled away to vomit, the sound of it splashed against the ground, the acrid scent filling the crisp air. She tried to ignore it, feeling nauseous herself, as she stretched her arms above her head and shook out her legs. She wanted desperately to collapse down and stay still for the rest of the day, or the week even, but since everyone else was still on their feet, she stood her ground.
Before she could even catch her breath, Eldrid was waving them on again. They all followed him quickly, running in a line back into the Rejicio mountain. Her legs throbbed painfull
y with each jolting step. An insane smile slowly made its way across Mythia’s sweaty face from amongst the adrenaline and fatigue, as she realized something. None of the trainees here knew who she was. They had no idea she held the title of the queen, or the responsibility of the kingdom’s suffering. And for once, Mythia’s smile widened even more, she spent the entire morning without thinking of anything other than the task at hand. No pain, not even that within her left side, had passed through her that day. No memories or aches for anyone or anything. As they ran through the cavern and into a downward slope that led to a small dining hall filled with circular tables, she could hardly even remember who it was she had been unbearably missing all this time.
8. THE REJICIO LEADER
“She should be done training, by now,” Titus said through a yawn. He cracked his neck and got up from the table along with the Doctrine. “We were usually done around supper time for my first two weeks of training.”
The Doctrine walked over to the door, eager to leave. Eager to see Mythia, who he missed greatly. His worry for her safety never ceased throughout the summer. “Let’s go then.”
Titus glanced at Ustrina who was busy cleaning their plates from supper. He walked quietly over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She continued her work, scrubbing the plates in a bucket of water. He kissed her softly on the neck. “I suppose there’s no surprising you, eh?”
She smiled, placed the plate down and faced him, her blazing blue eyes staring into his. “Never. But at least I know how to surprise you,” she winked. The Doctrine stood patiently, scratching the back of his head. It was difficult for him, he had to admit, to watch the two couples express their love for each other around him. Not only did it make him feel like a third wheel, but his heart had still not healed. He still had a confused mix of feelings for Mythia. Just when he thought he was starting to figure them out, he watched her fall in love with Prince Regulus. And who was he, to even attempt to compete with a prince- and not just any prince, but one as worthy, handsome, and brave as Regulus? He slowly opened the door and cleared his throat loudly.
Titus quickly kissed Ustrina one last time before pulling away. “We won’t be long, I promise.”
A strange look crossed her face. “Stay safe, my love.” She smiled at him as he tore away from her and joined the Doctrine at the door.
They crossed through the city quickly and entered the long hall that led into the training cavern. They walked down the stairs and searched around for Mythia’s group amongst the other soldiers that were clearing up for the day, but she was nowhere to be found.
“You won’t find her here,” Bello’s sharp voice spoke suddenly from behind them. They whipped around to find her standing tall, arms crossed over her chest. A small man stood at her side, carrying wooden boxes full of rolled up parchment.
“What do you mean?” Titus asked suspiciously.
“You can’t see her until her initiate training is over. She can’t afford any distractions,” Bello answered with a sneer.
Anger flashed in Titus’s eyes. “That’s not fair, Bello. You can’t enforce something like that. She’s our friend, we want to see her.”
The Doctrine looked seriously at Bello’s face. “We only wish to speak with her for a moment. We won’t take up much of her time.”
Bello narrowed her cold, gray eyes. “Keep in mind you are no longer in Trigonus, and if you wish to stay here, you will take heed not to forget who’s in charge. You may see her in a fortnight when her training is complete.” The small man nodded his head vigorously in agreement.
Titus opened his mouth to argue, but the Doctrine laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Come, Titus. We can wait until then.” The Doctrine tugged a glowering Titus quickly back up the stairs.
“This is ridiculous!” Titus blurted out the moment they were back in the long hallway.
“Something is wrong,” the Doctrine agreed. “Actually, something’s been wrong since Mythia returned from Monoceros.”
Titus stopped short. “What do you mean?”
The Doctrine looked at him, his face profoundly serious, and sighed. “I am not sure whether or not Bello is to be trusted, Titus. And the fact that Mythia had so willingly signed up to fight for her is very, very concerning.” The Doctrine quickly lowered his voice. “What kind of leader allows a queen to lessen herself to the status of a soldier?”
Titus’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure. I always thought Bello was an admirable leader. Not many people can take a bunch of renegades and turn them into an organized city with a giant army.”
“Exactly, Titus.” The Doctrine looked back toward the entrance to the training cavern, a dark look upon his face. “Exactly.”
◆◆◆
A hand landed suddenly on Mythia’s shoulder. She was sitting at one of the round tables in the dining cavern with the rest of her training group. This cave was much smaller than the others. The ceilings hung low with stalactites, pillars, and glistening walls.
Mythia turned around to find Bello standing behind her with a small man following her trail. He was clutching several wooden boxes of parchment that looked to be far too heavy for him. “Once you are done eating, I would like to see you in the meeting room. You’ve been there; the small room off from the training cavern close to the entrance.” Mythia nodded quickly as Bello jerked her head to her assistant and slid away. She looked down at her dinner, a plate packed full of roast boar, baby red potatoes, and sugared strawberries. She was surprised by how much food the army had and wondered how they were able to provide so much sustenance. At lunch time they were served lamb pies with a side of goat cheese and fresh bread, and the helpings were just as huge. But Mythia was already ravenous again, since they spent the afternoon lifting, moving, and throwing boulders. She thought back to how Eldrid lifted the boulders so easily above his head, tossing them with perfect precision. She could only pick the smallest ones off the floor and was easily the weakest out of all the recruits, closely followed by Krea. Her shoulders now ached, and it was difficult to move the fork from her plate to her mouth.
“What does Bello want with you?” Zane asked curiously, his mouth full of boar.
Mythia shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Krea brought a metal cup of mead to her lips and spilled it all down her chin. She quickly wiped it up, frowning. “Bello’s an interesting character, isn’t she?”
“What do you mean?” Zane asked. They both sat on either side of Mythia, who felt a satisfying sense of relief being able to blend in so easily with other people, all while not being in mortal danger, for the first time in her life.
“Well, she’s always got a look about her,” Krea said. She poked a potato with her fork. “Like she’s, I don’t know, plotting something.” She shrugged, popping the potato into her mouth.
“She is interesting,” Mythia mused. “There’s something about her. I’m just not sure what it is yet.”
“I think she’s all right,” Zane shrugged, shoving more food in his mouth. “I mean, she always needs to be calculating; constantly having to figure out the best moves for the Rejicio people. Running an entire city off the grid can’t be easy.” He swallowed and looked closely at Mythia, his tone changing suddenly. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you with the Rejicio before, Bestia.”
Mythia tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “That would be because I’ve lived on my own till now.”
Krea looked at her sadly. “That’s a pity. No one should have to be alone.”
Zane raised his cup to Mythia. “I’m glad you found us, anyhow.”
There was a sound of clanging metal as Eldrid tapped his fork against his goblet. A hush fell around the twelve recruits. He stood up and raised his goblet high. He cleared his throat. “I’d like to make a small toast… I am honored to have participated in training each and every one of you today. You all show great promise. Those old,” his eyes roamed around the table and landed on Mythia’s, “and new.” At this, everyone glanced in
her direction. She kept a smiled plastered to her face but felt her skin burn hot. “I encourage you all to get to know each other and become trustful friends. Learning how to battle is only a small part of being a Rejicio soldier. You can have five thousand men trained with the sword but throw them into battle and they are guaranteed to lose, unless they know how to work together.” The twelve trainees casted sideways glances at each other. Eldrid raised his goblet up even higher, as everyone else around the table did the same. “To my newest recruits… Et in nomine tuo.” Voices repeated the now familiar words. This time, Mythia’s voice was among them.
Long shadows casted themselves against the walls, the fire crackling and popping in the otherwise silence; the training cavern completely empty of sound and people. Mythia quickly found the meeting room and peeked inside. Bello sat in a chair behind the small rectangular table, studying a long piece of yellowed parchment.
“Come in,” Bello ordered. Mythia crossed the tiny room quickly and sat right down, across from Bello. She still wore her chainmail and dark tunic, her once braided hair completely disheveled. Bello smiled as she took in her appearance. “Long day?”
Mythia let out a sigh. “You can say that.”
Bello stood up. “It’s about to get longer.”
Exhaustion clouded over Mythia. She stood up reluctantly, her eyebrows furrowed questioningly, but saying nothing as Bello led her out of the small room and into the large training cavern.
Bello slid her sword out of its sheath- the movement smooth and natural. Mythia noticed for the first time Bello’s hilt and blade had the same dragon design as hers.
Bello raised her sword. “Take out your weapon.”
Mythia unsheathed it as told, wishing her awkward movements were as smooth as Bello’s, as the silver blade glistened against the flickering torchlight. A sharp pain suddenly pushed against Mythia’s throat before she realized Bello was holding the tip of her blade to her neck, her gray eyes piercing. Mythia’s heart quickly sped up. She thought desperately back to the very few sword fighting lessons she had with her father and whipped her sword up quickly through the air while ducking her head backward, knocking Bello’s blade away.
Mythia: and the Awakened Beast Page 10