by Marian Gray
His question gave me pause. For the last five and a half months, I had been spoon fed information about the magical world and not once had someone asked me my opinion. “I think it’s rather ambitious and perhaps dangerous to have one governing body regulating the entire world. It seems easily corruptible, and as though everyone believes it is—so I don’t think a large number of people have faith in the system. Also, you don’t think it’s unfair to the countries that didn’t establish it? Those six founding countries have a permanent voice while the rest of the countries in the world have to rotate and share another six seats? The balance of power is heavily skewed.”
“Interesting. I agree the power is unevenly distributed amongst the world’s nations, but I don’t think the system is entirely inadequate. I’ve seen many different sides to the Chamber, and you’d be surprised how quickly peoples’ opinions change about the organization once you leave this country. It’s only in developed countries that you’ll find strong opposition.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Life is not black or white but gray, and the Chamber possess every shade of gray imaginable.”
“What about you? Are you more towards the light or dark side of things?”
A sultry look in his eye gleamed as he stared at me. I couldn’t tell which he enjoyed more—flirting or reeling me in. “I’d like to think I have some sort of moral compass. But the more your life resides inside the public eye, the harder it feels to be a good person. It’s as though they want us all to be terrible people.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I’m the village idiot.”
“And I’m the playboy.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You’re not?”
His head leaned away from me, taken aback. “Absolutely not.”
“So then you didn’t cheat on your last girlfriend?”
“No.” He shook his head. “She cheated on me, and then she ran to the press the very same day I discovered her affair. She twisted the story. She cheated on me,” he repeated in a huff.
“I’m sorry.” I had upset him. “I didn’t know.”
“And that’s the problem. Nobody knows the truth because the Emporium never requested my side of the story. They ran her words as fast as they could. And now the world believes I’m this unfaithful whorehound. But I’m not.” He shook his head. “My mother raised me better than that.”
“I guess that’s the price of fame, no? Your life is inaccurately put on display, and nobody doubts its validity.” I sighed. The past five months had been the longest of my life. “How did you know I wasn’t the embarrassment that Ojeda and Rivera painted me to be?”
“Why do you think I don’t believe it?”
“Because you gave me the spot on the team.”
“That does make it rather obvious, huh?” A half smirk curled his lips. “I knew from the faculty gossip. You do realize that the professor leading my apprenticeship is your casting professor. He makes small talk about his students every now and then and would tell me that while you’re not the best, you weren’t nearly as awful as they made it seem. And when you started to work harder—well, you outperformed both of our expectations.”
Red heat burned in my cheeks. “I hadn’t considered that people, least of all my professors, had been talking about me to you.”
“People talk.” He shrugged. “I’m sure you heard things about me over the summer.”
“Sure, but it was always positive. The world adores you, especially the women.”
“You can have all the women in the world fantasize and fall for you, but it’s meaningless in the end. At least it’s meaningless to me. I’m a monogamous type of man. I have eyes for only one woman at a time, and the rest melt into the background.”
I scratched the back of my head. “Who do you have eyes for now?”
He grinned. “That’s a conversation for another day. Let’s get back to our lesson.”
Chapter Twenty-One
There were more than twenty of us on the pitch, dressed in our official Ivory training gear. Cloth pants and light leather boots clung to my feet. Atop my shoulders hung an ox hide chestpiece. The material was stitched together in a subtle scale design that made it both lightweight and flexible. The formal chestpiece, allowed only at official games, was cast from enchanted steel that exponentially reduced the harm from impact. I was eager to try it.
Eli stood before the large huddle of students, staring at a piece of paper. Two precise creases separated the paper into thirds. More than once the letter folded in on itself as Eli glanced over it, forcing him to give the flimsy sheet a little whip to straighten it out. When he had finished, he folded it into a small square and tucked it inside his pants pocket. “All right, is everyone here?”
Ryan held out his index finger and counted heads. “I think that’s everyone. We do have a team assistant that’s currently ill but Kinsey is missing still. I bet you want to wait for her, huh?” He winked.
Eli glanced around the arena. “She’ll show up. She told me she would be late. Let’s go ahead and get started.” His arms folded across his chest. “Thank you all for coming out tonight. I know our schedule is difficult. Before we launch into the physical aspect of tonight, the school wanted me to go over a few basic rules. Even if you are a reserve or an aide, the university still views you as being a part of the team; and therefore, you will be held to a higher standard regarding conduct and grades. As and Bs are expected. High Cs are tolerated. Low Cs will bring you into probation, and anything below will result in team dismissal. Tutors are available for free upon request, should you need one in order to maintain your grades.
“Conduct is a bit more strict. Every offense now has heightened consequences. We tend to have higher incidences of fights with holmgang players involved, and therefore your behavior will be rigorously monitored. Fighting on campus grounds in an unsanctioned duel is a serious offense. For every normal student, it can be grounds for suspension. For us, suspension is immediate, and permanent removal from the team as well as the university are both considered when deciding proper disciplinary action.
“Another problem with conduct we commonly run into is skipping class. It’s a smaller offense, but as maintaining your grades is paramount to remaining on the team, the university believes your butt being in that seat during class time is also pertinent. If you miss class, even if the professor overlooks the absence, you will still be required to give me a medical note from the university clinic. Failure to provide a note thrice will lead to termination from the team.
“Lastly, any wrongdoing that can be viewed as having transpired due to your participation on this team, will lead to your dismissal. So, if you have a big paper due the same week as a big game, and you plagiarize the paper in order to attend practices or practice more in your own time—that’s seen as a wrongdoing having transpired due to your participation on the team. Not only will you receive the usual disciplinary actions—academic probation—but you will also be kicked from the team.
“Now, if throughout the year you find being a part of this to be too cumbersome, just talk to me. I’ll sit down with you and work out a plan to keep you on the team, should you wish, or you can leave without any judgment. There’s no punishment involved. You’ll be allowed to tryout and participate next year should you wish, and no one will think worse of you. There’s a reason we have six reserves and twelve team aides. I don’t expect to see all twenty-five of us at the end of the spring semester.
“Let’s move on to introductions. As most of you already know, I am Elijah Harlow, an apprentice in casting and captain of the holmgang team.” His eyes turned to Ryan, ushering him to introduce himself next.
“I’m Ryan Rosewall. I’m an apprentice in casting as well and have been on the team for three years now.” Ryan’s toes picked at the ground.
“I am Beth Anderson.” A woman with long brown hair tucked into a pony tail spoke up. She had a thicker athletic build than most females but it looked powerful. “I am a magistrand in alchemy and can brew bet
ter potions than Ryan and Elijah combined.”
The small group broke into a subtle, “Ooooh”.
Beth grinned and continued, “I joined the team as a reserve during first year but got bumped up to first team as a semi and have enjoyed four years with the team.”
“I’m Andres Castillo,” a man with a tan complexion and thin build began, “I am a magistrand as well and specializing in augmentation. I joined the team as a tertian after being a team aide during my second year.”
“Hi.” A lithe woman stepped forward with long wavy blonde hair and green-stained lips. “I’m a tertian, focusing on divination—for now at least. I don’t think Professor Soh likes me much.” She released a mad cackle. “My name is Maggie Nguyen. This is my second year with the team.”
“And finally,” Elijah said, “I’d like the honor of introducing our newest member, Kim Blackwood.” He held out an open hand toward me, directing the audience’s attention. “She comes from Ivory’s very own Berenger Blackwood, for whom this arena is named, and despite what the Emporium says, I think she shows great promise. Kim?”
“Hello, everyone,” I said, struggling to find the volume in my voice. “I’m Kim Blackwood.” I hated having all of their eyes on me, examining me. Some were even frowning or glaring. “I’m a bejantine, this will be my very first year on the team, of course.” I could tell just by their roaming, scrutinizing glances that none of the reserves believed I earned or deserved my spot. “I haven’t chosen a specialization yet, but I prefer the more active branches of magic—casting and augmentation.”
“Thank you, Kim, and you other four veterans as well. As a side note, I don’t plan on deciding who will participate in single or triple competition until the winter break. So, keep an eye out for that in the next few months.” Eli clapped his hands together. “All right, let’s move on to getting some actual work done.”
I had no idea what I was in for. I assumed it would be similar to a casting practical, but there was far more physical activity than I had anticipated. The first half of the allotted time was spent on strength and cardio exercise. I hadn’t played a sport since middle school, and it was evident. Seven other people and I had to take a short break for fear of vomiting everywhere. Just before our official break, Maggie spewed neon green puke, which she claimed was from a gallon of juice she had drank right before practice. After the break, we ran through magic drills and game strategy. I struggled to keep up. My arms burned from holding out my wand arm for so long, and my legs shook when maintaining stance.
The incumbent players fared far better than I did. Eli and Ryan had little trouble during the workout. They didn’t even pant or grit their teeth during the strenuous activity. The only clue either had participated was the sweat that marked their brow and backs. Beth, Andres, and Maggie stayed above water during the first half, but were outclassed by the apprentices during the magical drills.
When all was said and done, everyone was dismissed back to their dorms except for the six starting players. We hauled our sore bodies from the field and wound down into the belly of the arena. The six of us poured into the locker room, sticky with sweat and blemished from dirt and grass. It wasn’t a large room nor was it very regal compared to the rest of the school’s infrastructure. A wooden bench drew a line down the middle of the room. There were three wardrobes on opposing walls, making a grand total of six. To the right of each wardrobe was a small bench big enough for one with a last name posted above the seat. Harlow, Rosewall, and Castillo were listed on the left, while Anderson, Nguyen, and Blackwood graced the right. Boys on one side, and girls on the other.
“It’s unisex?” I scratched the back of my head.
“Yes.” Beth nodded. “But there are drops you have to put in your eyes before unclothing or entering the showers. They maintain the modesty.” I wasn’t sure how eye drops could do such a thing.
“That was an excellent practice you all. I was worried the summer had done some damage. I know a few of you did nothing during the entire break.” Elijah’s eyes flew to Andres and Ryan.
Andres shrugged his shoulders. “I had to visit family in Spain and then drink the wine in Italy.”
“What he said.” Ryan held up his hands in his defense.
“Well, it’s time to clean yourselves up. Eat well; sleep a lot; and no alcohol.” Eli sat on the bench under his name and released an alleviated sigh.
“Who has the drops?” Andres grabbed the hem of his shirt, eager to get undressed.
“I do,” Elijah answered.
The idea of stripping naked in front of Elijah horrified me. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just separate us instead of requiring eye drops?”
“What’s the point?” Ryan shrugged. “The team changes every year, and that means gender distribution changes every year. It’s actually rather unusual for the sexes to be equal. Plus, eye drops save on construction costs.”
“And it allows us to monitor the filthy things the boys have to say.” Beth folded her arms.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “I made one comment. One, singular comment about her body!”
Beth shook her head. “You shouldn’t have said anything at all.”
“We weren’t exclusive.”
“So? Do you want to hear my thoughts about my boyfriend’s body?”
“One, he’s not your boyfriend. You guys are just dating. And two, you can talk about how disappointing it is all you want.”
“All right you two.” Eli stood, opening his wardrobe and pulling out a vial topped with a dropper. “None of us want to listen to this, and I doubt Andres, Maggie, and I can survive another year of two bickering about it.”
Ryan opened his hands in defense. “If she wasn’t so controlling, it wouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’m not controlling. It’s normal for someone not to want to listen to a person that they’re interested in drool over another’s body.” Beth’s voice cracked like a whip. “You’re an immature brute.”
“Cats and dogs.” Andres sighed.
Eli turned to him. “Maybe I should stick them both in triple. It’d be a good last laugh before graduation.” He tipped his head back and placed a drop of opaque ooze in each eye. He stuck the dropper back in the vial and passed the small glass container to Andres, who did the same. The tiny potion made its way around the room.
"I think it’s kind of romantic.” Maggie placed the drops atop her eyes and handed me the vial.
“Romantic?” Ryan’s brow scrunched into several lines, stunned. “You’re a special one, aren’t you?”
The group discussion broke down into teasing comments and jokes as my fingers pinched the rubber head. The milky goo sucked into the glass tube with an audible suction sound. My head tipped back. The mixture stung. My eyelids fluttered a few times, blinking through the tears. Within seconds the pain eased, and my lids dried. Nothing appeared different. The lights still shined as usual, and everyone was still clearly visible.
Andres was the first to undress, and the others followed suit as soon as they saw his shirt come off. Reluctance sat heavy in my stomach, but I refused to step out of line. If other women had done this for decades before me, I could do it too. It wasn’t until Beth’s bra came off did the potion work its magic. Her breasts were blurred from my vision, but unlike television, her skin tone didn’t maintain its color. It was an iridescent rainbow that fluctuated with her movement in conjunction with the light’s strength and placement. The same effect distributed across everyone’s private areas, but when I looked down at my own body, I saw my full nakedness.
“I never could quite get over how surreal this is.” Maggie’s eyes swirled around her five teammates. She stopped at Ryan. “I mean, you’re standing here before me, naked, yet I can’t even see your penis.”
“Yeah, that’s what most women tell him.” Eli slapped his friend on the back, snickering behind his smile.
“Ha, ha, ha.” Ryan mocked the groups’ laughter. “So original, the lot of you. Yeah, keep laughing,�
� he added, heading down a long hallway labeled BATH over its arched mouth.
It was only a second or two before the team followed him. Just as they hit the threshold into the showers, the floor changed from a pristine white tile to small glass squares that swirled into Romanesque mosaics. Waterfall showers lined the stone walls while the center of the room was consumed by a large rectangular bath. Steam rose and swirled off the water’s surface, filling the room with a rose aroma.
As soon as I stepped beneath a large spout, warm water splashed down upon me. Goosebumps pricked across my skin. It was a relief feeling the dirt and grime peel away.
“So, Elijah, what’s it like working with Dart?” Andres asked.
Soap suds smeared across Eli’s torso as he ran his hands over his body. The sight made my blood run hot. “It’s not that bad, actually. I know he comes off as icy at times, but he is passionate about the subject. Why? Are you thinking about switching and trying to get him next year?” His arms lifted to wash his hair, and two large biceps bulged under the skin. The strands of blonde were massaged into a flurry of white before being rinsed. The ends touched below his shoulders.
“Not bad to watch, huh?” Maggie whispered from the shower beside me.
My head whipped forward. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
A wicked giggle spilled from her lips, catching the attention of the others. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
I glanced at my teammate. Her wavy flaxen hair straightened from the water’s weight. The curtain shrouded her face, but I could still see the wild look in her eyes. “Why is the tip of your wand green?” I had noticed it during practice.
“That’s a fine question.” Maggie nodded. “Do you want the truth?”
“Y-yes?”
“Because I drink a lot of green juice and eat a lot of green jello, then suck on it. It’s a bad habit. I know, but I can’t help it.” Maggie giggled louder than before when she witnessed the shocked expression upon my face.