by Lisa Cassidy
“Wait here, please.”
He left her waiting for hours. By the time the door opened again, Alyx was yawning repeatedly, her head feeling like it was full of sand.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the girl who insisted that she’d never return.”
An instinctive smile crossed her face as she looked around to see her old teacher, Master Howell, in the doorway. Though she’d been suspicious of his motives and unable to fully trust him, something in her had always really liked the mage. He was unchanged, with his portly frame, neatly trimmed beard and twinkling eyes.
“Hello, sir.”
“Welcome back. Master Romas wanted me to tell you he’s given you an exemption for arriving late.”
“It took him that long to decide?” she said tartly.
Howell stifled a smile. “I suspect he wasn’t pleased by your late arrival.”
“No kidding,” she muttered.
Her master entered the room and took the seat beside hers. “Why did you decide to come back?”
She shrugged. “I decided I needed to give this place a proper go, figure out whether I’m really supposed to be a mage.”
“I suspect that’s not the full story, not with how desperate you were to leave and not come back.” He left that hanging for a moment, but when she didn’t respond, he nodded. “Off you go then, your old room still has a spare bed. Madam Grange will organise sheets and a pillow for you.”
“Yes, sir.” Alyx paused. “I mean it, sir. I came back here to be serious about learning.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll see you for classes on Sixthday mornings. In the meantime, I’m sure your friends will be able to fill you in on the rest of your schedule.”
Alyx perked up at his implication she would still be studying in the same class. “Are they all right, sir?”
“They’re fine. Run along now.”
She nodded and left the room. The clerk outside coolly informed her that an initiate had taken Tingo to the stables to be unsaddled and fed, then pointed to her saddlebag sitting on a nearby chair. She thanked him, picked the bag up and left.
Alyx had been inside so long that night had fallen outside. She trudged across the grounds to the dormitory wing, her exhausted body protesting bitterly as she dragged it up three flights of stairs carrying the weight of her saddlebag.
“Apprentice Egalion?”
Alyx turned, shoulders sagging at the sight of Madam Grange, the old woman who ran the female dormitory wing with an iron fist and zero leniency.
“Hello, Madam Grange. Master Romas instructed me to report here.”
“Yes, he sent a message. You’ll have the same room as you did last time,” Grange said, tone as terse as always. “The rules haven’t changed, so I hope you haven’t forgotten them.”
“I think I can manage.”
“Very well. Hurry inside, it’s almost curfew.”
Anticipation kindled in Alyx’s stomach as she stopped outside the door that had previously been hers. She knocked on the wood and heard footsteps approach before it swung open. Dawn stood there, mouth dropping open in complete and utter astonishment.
“Alyx?” Shock warred with delight in her eyes.
Alyx tried for a smile, but failed miserably. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you right now.”
Her entire body crumpled as Dawn leapt forward to throw her arms around Alyx, and she dropped her bag, returning Dawn’s hug fiercely. They stood there for a long time before Dawn stepped back, her gaze falling on Alyx’s bag. Hope flashed across her face.
“Are you back to stay?”
“I am.” Alyx sighed, leaning down to pick it up and follow Dawn inside. “Romas has given me an exemption for arriving late.”
“I can scarcely believe it!” she said in delight, before properly taking in Alyx’s state. “You look all wrung out.”
“It’s taken me three weeks to get here. We had to sneak between bands of patrolling Shiven to cross the disputed area from Widow Falls.” Alyx’s voice faded as she dropped onto the spare bed. “I’m so damn tired.”
“I thought I wasn’t going to see you again for months.” Dawn sat beside her, reaching out to squeeze her hand.
“And I never thought I’d come back here.”
“Did the king order you?” Dawn frowned.
“No.” Alyx sighed. “I chose to come back.”
The look of astonishment on Dawn’s face only deepened. “And Cayr?”
“That’s a mess. I love him, but he broke the trust between us and it’s going to take time for that to heal. Dash accused me of running away and maybe he’s right.”
“We don’t have to talk about this now,” Dawn soothed. “Get some sleep and I’ll wake you at dawn for breakfast. You’ll feel better once you’ve rested and eaten.”
“I really am glad to see you again. I missed you,” Alyx mumbled as Dawn tucked her under the covers.
“I missed you too, Alyx.”
Chapter 6
It seemed only moments had passed before Dawn was gently shaking her awake. Alyx blinked, taking a moment to register where she was. No nightmares, thank goodness.
“It’s a little before dawn, but I thought you might like to have a hot bath before breakfast. I’ve heated the water for you down the hall and laid out your clothes.”
“You didn’t have to do all that,” Alyx protested.
“It was nothing. Go on. I’ll come and get you when we need to go down to eat.”
The bath was as perfect as she’d dreamed about. Working hard not to succumb to the temptation of sleep, Alyx scrubbed herself from head to toe. Dawn came to get her just as she was drying off, taking a seat nearby to wait. It was heaven to pull on her leather breeches and long-sleeved tunic made toasty warm near the fire.
“How has everything been?” Alyx asked as she sat to tug on her boots.
“Much the same as last year. We have more classes, though, and at the end of this study year we’ll have exams for every class.”
“Sounds delightful.” Alyx grimaced, remembering how she’d barely paid attention the previous year. She’d have a lot of catching up to do.
“Even better, staff training with Rothai is five days a week now.” Dawn pulled her sleeve up to show Alyx a livid purple bruise decorating her forearm.
Alyx stared at it, the misery of training with Rothai rushing back. Her heart sank—she couldn’t expect it to be any different now just because she was here of her own free will.
“Have you had any trouble with Galien and Fengel?”
“We’ve seen them around,” Dawn said. “But Galien and his friends have kept their distance so far. That might change once he finds out that you’re back.”
Alyx finished lacing her boots and stood. “Well, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Dawn raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a chuckle as she took in Alyx’s appearance.
“What?” She scowled, sensing Dawn was amused at her expense.
“Trust Lady Alyx Egalion to be wearing an apprentice uniform made from the most expensive materials available and tailored by King Llancarvan’s personal tailor.” Dawn laughed.
Alyx sniffed primly, smoothing down the material of her vest. “I have to maintain some standards.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Dawn was still chuckling. “Come on, let’s go and eat.”
It was cool outside, the blue light of pre-dawn glimmering in the sky. A stiff breeze pulled at Alyx’s damp braided hair, but she was warm enough in her robe. The walk was so familiar that it felt as if it had only been yesterday the last time she’d headed to the dining hall at dawn for breakfast. The past two months in Alistriem were already taking on a dream-like quality in her memory. It was disconcerting, and she was glad when Dawn spoke, bringing her back to reality.
“The initiates haven’t gotten into the habit of waking up in time yet, so the dining hall won’t be too busy.”
“I remember when we could never manage to make
breakfast,” Alyx said dryly. “I never thought I’d survive the year.”
“Neither did I.” Dawn chuckled. “We must have been tougher than we thought.”
“Or luckier,” Alyx said. “I don’t recall doing anything particularly clever or brave.”
“That’s not quite true, but I see your point,” Dawn said, opening the side door to the dining hall for her. “The boys are going to be happy to see you.”
Alyx stopped dead for a moment as they entered the hall. The ‘boys’ were sitting at a table nearby, laughing at a joke one of them had told. It had been only a month since she’d seen Finn or Tarrick, but the changes in them were already noticeable. Tarrick had grown broader in the shoulders and any residual youth in his features was hardening into adulthood. Finn hadn’t grown much out of his small, wiry frame, but he looked so much older, they both did. They were suddenly young men. How had she missed that?
“Alyx!” Finn was the first to spot her, the expression of astonishment on his face comically similar to that of his twin the night before.
Tarrick’s head shot around at his words but Finn was the first to move. He scrambled around the table and then launched himself at Alyx, enveloping her in an enormous hug. She hugged him back warmly, her delight at seeing him escaping in a chuckle.
“Are you back to stay?” Tarrick hovered behind Finn, teeth gleaming in a wide grin.
“I am.” She couldn’t help her wide smile at the warmth of their welcome. “Romas accepted me and everything.”
“It’s really good to see you.” Tarrick reached out to briefly squeeze her arm. “We’ve missed you.”
“Come and sit down.” Finn dragged her to the table. “Dawn, get her something to eat will you?”
“How was the journey here?” Tarrick propped himself beside her.
Alyx chuckled and told them the story. Tarrick seemed pleased that Dashan had come with the Bluecoats, as did Dawn, if the slight pinking of her cheeks was anything to go by.
“I’m glad you left Rionn,” Finn pronounced. “That Cayr was a cheating rat, prince or no.”
Dawn touched Alyx’s hand in support as she shot a scowl at her brother. “Finn!”
“It’s okay,” Alyx said. “You all know the story, there’s no point dancing around it.”
“I have to say I’m not so interested in socialising with this prince of yours anymore,” Tarrick said with a hint of his Zandian hauteur. “And we won’t discuss it unless you want to.”
“I do feel embarrassed about it though,” she admitted. “I spent all of last year bragging about how wonderful he is, and look what happened.”
“It seems to me that what he did is something you can easily move past, with time,” Dawn said. “If you really love each other. He was truly sorry, I could tell.”
“I know he was,” Alyx said quietly. The truth was, she’d already mostly forgiven him. The problem was more that his betrayal had highlighted the fundamental issue in what she’d always wanted with him—would being queen be enough? But then, would a life without Cayr ever make her happy?
“And all that aside, he treated us well when he didn’t have to,” Finn acknowledged. “So he’s not all bad.”
“Thanks.” Alyx was warmed by their support.
“You can still marry him, provided he grovels in apology to my satisfaction first,” Tarrick said gravely.
The three of them dissolved into laughter at his proclamation, and he scowled, taking offence.
“I think Alyx’s father gets to approve who she marries,” Finn said, wiping tears from his eyes.
“You know what I meant.”
“I do,” Alyx said, and Tarrick’s stiff shoulders relaxed. “And I appreciate it. For now, though, Cayr and I are apart. We’ll talk about our future once I return to Alistriem.”
“And we will leave the subject alone unless you want to talk about it.” Dawn shot a pointed look at her brother, who assumed an expression of injured innocence. Alyx chuckled again—she’d missed her friends so much. It was almost worth coming back to DarkSkull just to see them again.
“How was your trip from Rionn?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Mostly uneventful,” Dawn replied. “Finn got seasick. Tarrick looked pretty ill too, but he refused to admit he was seasick.”
Alyx chuckled at Tarrick’s scowl. “Did it seem much longer than travelling through the disputed area?”
“It did.” Dawn groaned. “Endless days at sea with nothing to do.”
Alyx’s next question was forestalled as she sensed a pair of eyes on her. Looking up and towards the centre of the room, her glance fell on Galien. He was watching her intently, his food untouched in front of him. Her stomach tightened—the way he could exude such menace without saying a word was truly frightening.
“He doesn’t look surprised to see you,” Finn murmured, catching her look.
“He would have heard from Romas as soon as you arrived,” Tarrick said.
Alyx tore her gaze from Galien’s, ignoring his small smile of triumph as she did so, and scanned the rest of the table. Fengel, Tarran and Oscar were all there too, and other apprentices she remembered from the previous year. Only one initiate sat at the popular table, but he was too distant for her to make out much about him.
“Morning, team!”
Alyx looked up as a young man approached the table. As tall as Tarrick, but much leaner, he wore his apprentice shirt, breeches and robe as well-tailored as Alyx’s. A slight – but cool – smile graced a handsome face framed by neatly cut and perfectly coiffed light-blonde curls.
“Hello, Cario,” Finn greeted him. “This is Alyx Egalion. Alyx, Cario is a second-year apprentice like us. He’s part of Howell’s group this year.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Alyx glanced between her friends and the apprentice, not learning much from their expressions.
“Same here,” he said. He had startling blue eyes, but they showed nothing more than mild disinterest as they looked at her. “I’m surprised to see you here. I heard you’d failed first year?”
She raised her eyebrows, surprised but not overly bothered by his bluntness—she sensed no real malice in it. “No, I just didn’t plan on coming back.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “I see.”
“Cario was in Master Alaria’s class last year,” Dawn spoke into the faintly awkward silence. “Two of the initiates in his class didn’t pass first year, so the rest were transferred into other groups. Cario was placed into ours.”
“Master Howell had a space free, what with the disappearance of that poor initiate… what was his name?” Cario said thoughtfully. “Brynn?”
“He was our friend,” Alyx said quietly.
Cario nodded. “I’d heard that too. I’ll see you later at class, then.”
Alyx raised her eyebrows at the others as Cario walked away. She didn’t fail to notice that he headed straight for the popular table. Fengel shifted over to make space for him as he reached them. Not only the popular table then, but right in the centre of it.
“I don’t remember him from last year,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
“We haven’t quite worked him out yet,” Finn said. “He seems nice enough, but that might just be those formal manners he has.”
“He’s from a wealthy mage family,” she noted.
“Understatement,” Tarrick said. “His grandfather sits on the Mage Council, so his family is even more elite and pure-blood mage than mine.”
“A lot of the girls here swoon over him,” Dawn confided. “He’s very handsome, but a bit too cool for my liking.”
“Why us?” Alyx turned her attention to Tarrick. “If he’s what you say, he could have had his pick of any group. Why the least popular at DarkSkull?”
“I genuinely don’t know.” Tarrick shrugged.
“I heard a rumour he’s not very good,” Finn said. “Maybe he agreed to come into our group because it would mask that from everyone here.”
Alyx
decided to reserve her judgment on the apprentice until she knew him better, and dismissed him from her thoughts before tucking into her breakfast with gusto.
Chapter 7
Immediately after breakfast Alyx followed the others out to the sparring courts. As much as she dreaded what was coming, there was a definite sense of relief to be back in a place where she could relax and spend time with Tarrick and the twins without anybody worrying about the fact she was a noble and they weren’t. Her attitude was so different from what it had been the previous year, it made her wince. She wasn’t sure how any of them had put up with her.
They entered the yard, and Alyx separated from the others to go and speak to Master Rothai.
“Alyx Egalion.” A tiny smile curled at the edges of his mouth, the warmth of it just reaching his blue eyes. “You decided to return.”
“I did.”
“You’ve missed quite a lot, so it will be your responsibility to catch up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rothai turned away. “Apprentice Dirsk!”
Fengel glanced between Rothai and Alyx as he crossed towards them, contempt flickering on his face at the sight of her. “Sir?”
“You’ll be partnering with Apprentice Egalion for sparring class from now on.”
“What?”
“Sir!”
Their identical protests only deepened the scowl on Rothai’s face, and he rounded on Fengel, the movement enviably graceful. “The extra training you undertake as part of First Patrol means this class is essentially superfluous for you, and Apprentice Egalion could use the benefit of your skills. You will make an honest attempt to teach her or there will be consequences. Am I clear?”
Fengel’s expression darkened, but he gave a crisp nod. “Yes, sir.”
“I expect you to make an effort too, Apprentice Egalion. If I see any of that uselessness you demonstrated last year, you’ll be out of here so fast you won’t even know what’s happening,” Rothai said coolly before walking away.