by Tacori Bean
“Previous sentence?” I interrupted.
She nodded, “This isn’t the first time I exposed battle plans...”
“A friend of mine from the academy was the only one left in my original recruiting group after I was promoted to commander. His wife died years ago in childbirth, and he wanted to take his son to Yaffu for… for a new start.” A shadow crossed her face.
My eyes wandered down to my hands, “So you told him of the attack…”
She nodded, “How could I not!” Her voice cracked, giving away, “I wasn’t going to just let him die, he was my friend for heaven’s sake.”
“Once Calvin found out, I told him I was willing to accept the punishment, but he spared me. That is until I did it again… That’s when the beatings started, along with Calvin’s amusement of practicing his magic on me.”
The look in her teal eyes reminded me of when I met her so long ago. And then something was made clear in my mind as she spoke.
“But it wasn’t enough for him…” She trailed off, her eyes wandered to her bandaged hands.
I placed my hand on her shoulder, “What did he do?”
“One day they let Carnell into the prison to see me. I was weak, because my body was still fighting off the dark magic Calvin used on me the day before, but I remember him… coming up to my cell… and telling me it would be alright. H...He went to push my hair out of my face, and his hand barely brushed my cheek... Th- poison that Calvin used on me the day before in his magic, was lethal if anyone touched the person who was affected. All of the guards knew, but nobody told Carnell…” A haunted look crossed her face, but was quickly changed into rage, “I screamed and yelled for them to make it stop, but they just stood there! And Carnell died… because of me. I stood there and w-watched him… die.” Her voice dropped.
“It wasn’t your fault, Ozara.” I tried to steady my shaking tone.
Her eyes shot up at me, “I tried to save him from death once, only to watch him suffer and die a slow and painful one…”
Neither of us talked for what seemed like eternity, the only noise coming from Ozara’s occasional sniffle.
“He’ll pay…” I mumbled.
Ozara looked up at me, “What?”
“He will pay for of the lives he took! I will make sure with every part of my being that he pays for what he did to everyone that has had the misfortune of meeting him.” I turned to walk out the door.
“Journey, wait! You cannot act so rash! The kingdom is in chaos already.”
I turned back to her, “What do you mean?”
“Everything that he is doing is only a game to him. I overheard him speaking one day about the plans he had and how parts were not coming together as he hoped, and the kingdom is paying for it.”
I returned to my seat and listened closely.
“Calvin wants power, and he has stopped at nothing to get it. He has been poisoning Lady Ashton so she would be too sick to remain queen. He took the throne and the crown, then threw her into prison on a crime she never committed. He has held floggings and executions daily to put fear into the people. Then he sent me here as a warning of what is to come.”
This can’t be right.
“How do I know I can trust you? Your allegiance is pledged to Calvin, what if you’re just another distraction in his sick game?”
“My allegiance is pledged to Lady Ashton!” She quickly stopped me, “I would never swear my allegiance to Calvin even if it meant my death!” She spat.
“Does he have Carnell, is he blackmailing you?”
“I already told you, Carnell is dead! Gone!” She yelled with so much raw pain filling her voice.
I stood up pushing the chair far across the room, “If he is making you do something against your will-”
She sat up further, her long bobbed hair falling in her face as the empty cup slid from her hands and crashed onto the floor, “He is coming for you, Journey!”
I stopped.
“He wants to enter Althea’s realm and obtain her relic, he wants Althea’s power for himself. He must open the portal, which he planned to do by having two people give up their lives to open the portal. He couldn’t find anyone, so now-”
“What does this have to do with me?” I lost my composure.
She jumped slightly, “H-He needs to drain Althea’s magic to open the portal, and Althea has to be in the realm for the relic to activate its magic.”
“He has done all of this just to get to me?” I asked.
She shook her head, “The book he took from Yaffu tells of the three ways to open the portal and how to properly do it.”
“All those people died because of that!”
She nodded.
Look at her. A voice in my head stirred, If she is changed by war, what makes you think no one else will be? You should have listened to me in your dreams, young one.
I stood and looked down at her and thought about how my own people would be treated the same.
It seems you are finally understanding what is happening now. It spoke again, It is not too late to accept your fate. But if you still choose not to, then you must decide how many lives you are willing to let end up like her at the hand of this evil.
~19~
I PULLED MY cloak tighter around my neck, as the crisp wind cut through the branches of the tall winding trees─evergreens that pointed towards the darkening sky. Trudging lightly through the soft dirt, I marveled at the scenery.
My thoughts continued to wander back to Ozara’s words.
You're supposed to be clearing your head, Journey. I reminded myself.
The trees rustled from the wind causing some snow to shift from the large evergreens to the ground with a thud.
Trying my best to warm my exposed hands, I fiercely rubbed them together and blew hot breath on them.
Stopping for a moment to enjoy the forest clearing, I realized it was quite eerie with the wind howling and the snow crunching under each additional step I took.
Chills ran down my spine as I pulled my eyes away and turned back towards the patched forest ground. I held my breath and my throat closed, no scream was able to come from my mouth.
A cloaked figure held a large black sword inches from my face.
He looked up from beneath his hood and dropped his sword, “You’re unarmed?” He questioned.
I spun on my heels and ran back through the dark forest.
“W-Wait!” He called after me, “I didn’t expect it to be you…”
Though my mind was in a panic, the soft call of his voice made me freeze, and turn to face him. His hood had fallen and his eyes met mine.
He stood tall, maybe six foot or so with a strong build. A dark cloak hung back from his broad shoulders. He carried a holster on his hip though his sword sat in the patches of snow. Despite the fog and cold his skin was more tan than pale, but like us all his softly chiseled face was pink from the cold. He crossed his strong arms as he looked at me with black eyes. Silver specks scattered around the dark surface.
Nola’s words came to my mind as he hesitantly stepped towards me, “A-Azguard…” The name flowed fluently from my mouth.
“Actually it’s Asmund.” He offered his hand.
I stared at his hand before he ran it through his thick, messy, jet black hair.
“Y-You're Althea?” He asked, looking up with a smile tugging at his lips.
“Journey.”
He nodded and reached down for the leather wrapped handle of his sword, and very carefully placed it into his holster.
I eyed him, “I don’t suppose you have a valid reason for holding your sword to me.” I inquired while keeping my distance.
“I do apologize, M’Lady.” He mocked a bow, “From back in the trees, you look much different… tall- tougher, if I may.” A teased look came to his eyes.
“Thanks…” I paused, watching him take a seat on a fallen log, “So what brings you to Secret Hollow, Asmund?”
He met my eyes, “Actually, you do,
Journey.”
I stepped forward, “And why would that be?”
“Well… from one Mystic to another-”
“So you are a Mystic?” I interrupted.
Giving a small laugh, he rubbed the back of his neck, “I was raised a relic user.”
“I thought the relics were hidden a long time ago?”
A surprised look crossed his face as I took a seat next to him on the fallen log, “M-My family was the one in charge of keeping Azguard’s relic hidden. It chose me as a host when I was very young. While I never quite took to the magic, I can still feel it flowing through me.”
“Why did you not take to Azguard’s magic?” I inquired.
I met his gaze, “I was hoping you knew.”
“I barely know anything about my magic, how would I know anything about yours?” I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.
“How interesting… it seems you have the same problem with you're fighting. Tell me, how do you expect to win a war when you know nothing about fighting?” He said, nodding to my empty holster.
I froze. This was something I had thought about since I uttered the very sentence that started this whole mess. Damon and August said they would teach me and Tristan, but we all knew they were much too busy to worry about it. There was always another option.
“You’ve been thinking of sacrificing yourself to save the rest of your people.” He muttered, pulling me away from my thoughts.
“It has crossed my mind a few times. At the moment it seems like my only option the only way to save my people. Calvin wants me after all.” I stared at the dirt.
“Well, I guarantee if it was up to… Calvin, he would have all of us, not just you.”
My eyes shot up and met his, I couldn't help but find myself lost in them. They seemed as though they were an endless void, full of stars as last pictures of hope, “All of us?”
“The Mystics.”
I managed a small laugh, “Sorry, I’m just used to it being only me.”
“It's not anymore. You have me now, so you have no reason of being alone.” He laughed. To him it seemed like a joke, to me; however, it was more real than anything.
“So... you don’t think it’s foolish to think of sacrificing myself for my people?” I asked the question, I repeated to myself a million times in my head.
“Saving your people isn’t foolish. There isn’t even another choice. But for this kind of situation, I don’t think it is the only option.”
I went silent.
“Though you should heed caution, it’s no secret that Calvin isn’t afraid to use the things you love against you.”
I stood, “Thanks for reminding me…” I looked back at him, “Do you need a place to stay? We have room in town.”
“Thank you, M'Lady,” He over- exaggerated another bow, making me stifle a laugh, “But I would much rather keep my company within the forest.”
He stood up from his bow and started towards the hills before turning back and flashing a charismatic smile, “But don’t worry. If you need me, I’ll be around.”
~~~
I quickly ascended the stairway of the guard tower. The voices stopped as I entered the room.
His arms crossed against his chest, Tristan leaned upon the far wall. His dark hair fell in his face as his head snapped towards me when I entered. Ozara stood next to him, her ash blonde hair pulled up behind her. Parts of her body were still bandaged and bruised, though she had recovered greatly.
Damon leaned on the large window ledge, but moved towards me when I entered, “Journey, is everything alright?” The concern lingered in his tone.
I searched around the tower until my eyes landed upon the sword hanging on the wall. I pushed past Damon and grabbed the holster, slipping it into the holster attached tightly to my hip.
“I think it's time Tristan and I learn to fight. We have a war to win after all.” Confident that I could ignore the other option that haunted my thoughts.
Damon opened his mouth to speak but Ozara quickly held her bandaged hand up, “I will teach you.”
I hesitated after she spoke. It was no lie she was strong but after what she had been through… I didn't need her pushing herself more than her recovery allowed. Her eyes met mine and the passion that burned in them was enough to ease my worries. The fire that flashed in them was not anger or revenge, but rather determination. No matter how hurt she may be, the spirit inside her was enough to fight away even the worst of fears.
~20~
THE SUN’S RAYS gleamed on my back as I stood next to Tristan in the harvested field, Ozara demonstrating the basic stance of a fighting position.
“No matter what attack you use, this will always be the stance you return to.” She stood with her feet shoulder length apart, and her sword clutched in her left hand.
“Understand?” She stood back up and locked eyes with us.
Tristan glanced my way and raised his brow before nodding at Ozara.
She smirked, “Then give me your holsters.”
I quickly handed mine over, but Tristan hesitated and eyed her as she threw both on the ground beside her.
“Face each other and prepare to fight.” She walked away.
“But you haven’t taught us any attacks.” Tristan spoke up.
Ozara turned and looked him up and down before motioning him to come towards her.
She lined up with him, “Prepare to fight.”
“What?” Tristan asked as Ozara moved into the basic position, putting her hands up in front of her, “B-But you're injur-”
Before he could finish his sentence, Ozara’s fist made contact with his jaw. He stepped back, wide-eyed. He went to speak again. Ozara threw another punch. It hit its mark with brute strength behind it. She kicked him in the abdomen, and he fell to the ground.
“You should always be prepared to fight.” She held her hand out to Tristan.
A flustered Tristan accepted her hand and refused to look her in the eyes as he rose.
“Go stand with Journey and prepare to fight.”
Tristan came over with a dazed look in his expression and faced me, putting his hands up in front of him as I took the basic stance and did the same.
“Begin.”
Tristan was clearly uncomfortable, and as bad as I felt I knew I could use it to my advantage.
He tried to make the first move by throwing a weak punch, which I easily moved away from. I blocked the next punch, grabbing his fist and fighting to keep it.
“Take the opening, Journey!” Ozara yelled.
I looked at him and quickly realized he was off balance. Jumping to the side I kicked the back of his knees and stood back as he fell to the ground.
“Very good, Journey.” Ozara praised as I reached my hand out to Tristan, “If you can incapacitate your opponent, then it will be easier to determine your next move.”
“You mean kill them.” Tristan muttered my exact thoughts.
Pieces of her ash blonde hair falling out of her ponytail, she shook her head, “Not always... Line up and start again.”
We continued to spar through the colors of sunlight, Ozara stopping and correcting our stance or movement frequently. Once Tristan grabbed the basic stance, he easily excelled, beating me a few times.
“Good attack, Tristan.” She came over to us and they both helped me from the ground.
“Go ahead and take a break.”
Sweat dripped from my forehead despite the cool weather. My muscles ached, bruises began forming on my skin, and I winced every time I tried to take a breath. Tristan, being in the same shape as me, fell to the ground, gasping for the crisp air to enter his lungs.
“An important aspect of fighting is knowing what your weapon’s strength and weaknesses are.” Ozara came and sat beside Tristan, carefully examining my sword.
“ Journey, your sword is white steel. Very durable and sharp, but heavy to use continuously.” She explained before removing Tristan’s from his holster, “This is obsidian very hard an
d strong, but brittle and dulls easily. This may work well in a sword-to-hand fight but not a sword-to-sword fight. Here try this one instead. It is black steel, similar to Journey’s, but slightly lighter as it is thinner. It will cut nicely, but not hold a lot of resistance in a block, so don’t rely too much on blocking attacks.”
Tristan nodded and accepted the sword Ozara handed him.
She handed me back my sword and motioned for us to line back up to fight.
“Fighting with a sword is similar to fighting in hand-to-hand combat, but it is much more dangerous and injuries become more lethal.” She stood back, carefully evaluating our stances.
“Ready, begin!”
Tristan lashed at me with his sword, but I ducked under it, before striking back with my own sword. He sidestepped, and returned with a slice across my chest piece, causing a screech to pierce the silence. I was about to fight back when Ozara stopped us.
I turned to Ozara in disbelief, “I could have returned that attack!”
Before she could speak I felt a hard blow on the back of my legs, making me fall on the ground where I stood.
Tristan laughed from behind me, “Never turn your back on an opponent.”
I looked back at him and began to laugh. Ozara joined in despite her soberness about the situation.
Tristan helped me up and I brushed the dust from my clothes before re-braiding the loose pieces of golden brown hair into a new braid.
“I think you two should rest. You have done a lot and made a lot of progress.” She handed me my sword as I finished tying off my braid.
“How did you get so good at fighting?” Tristan asked, while I gathered our holsters.
“I learned to fight with a sword from the academy. My hand-to-hand fighting came from my brothers. All young, male Metronites are taught to fight. So, they taught me...” She explained.
“You're a Metronite?” I questioned, handing Tristan his holster.
She shook her head, a sad smile coming to her face, “I was only raised by them.”
She began to wander into the distance before we could bombard her with more questions, but it was probably for the best.
“Did I say something wrong?” Tristan searched my face.