Arianna began pacing the room. “We’ve been enslaved for centuries because of a king who was frightened of a prophecy?” she said. “I don’t even know what the loss of a mother should feel like because it’s been so long since the concept existed.” Her face burned red and her hands quivered. “There used to be love in this world, and he stole it out of fear.”
She plopped down, drinking the rest of her wine, and Sano went to curl up in her lap. She stroked him to calm the storm building once more inside of her. Staring up at Lessa, she saw a fire burning there as well.
“Being a slave,” said Lessa, “I just thought this was how things were supposed to be and had been forever. To think that people used to belong to their mothers and fathers seems so impossible now. Yet, this script here says it was so. If what this ‘once noble man’ writes is true, then the prophecy must be as well.” Lessa finished her wine in one gulp, gesturing to Arianna for more.
“That would mean there was still… hope” said Arianna. She poured them two more glasses and stood to return the bottle to the cupboard.
“Maybe you should just leave the bottle here,” said Lessa, frowning at the parchment. “We have a lot more reading to do.”
“Good thinking.”
The girls continued to pour over the scrolls, pouring the wine as they went. They looked for any hint as to what the prophecy might be, anything at all, but the only noteworthy clue was inked in Olleb-Yelfra the Fallen. Most of the other parchments only described different magical creatures or scattered history.
In one scroll, a man had been fated to the carnage of a scorned mermaid at sea. Another told of a sorry wizard who offered his own children to a dragon in sacrifice for his protection; the dragon took his life instead. They learned of a beautiful queen who lured men to her bed until her king found out and had her head, and they read of an enchanted forest where magic flourished in all crevices of the land. Travelers there found themselves very lucky or very dead.
They skimmed over talk of orbs and spell books with strange incantations. They read of distant lands with peculiar names. None of it mattered. Everything just seemed to blur together in a nonsensical fashion as expected from a nonsensical world.
Lessa scratched at her head as she picked up another scroll. “It’s hard to fathom that this land has seen so much war and survived,” she said.
“It’s hard to imagine that there once was a time filled with wizards and dragons after living seventeen years in this wretched place,” said Arianna.
“Well, we still have a few more stories on dwarves to get through,” she said, grinning. “And let’s not forget the pixies and avatars!”
Arianna shook with laughter, waking Sano. He perked up from his sleep, crawling back to his rightful place on Lessa’s shoulder.
“I could use some fresh air,” said Arianna, feigning exhaustion. “All of this wine and magic is going to my head. Duel?”
Lessa nodded and stood to her feet.
“Wine check!” she said. On three they washed their worries away, but it was only temporarily.
After piling all of the scrolls on the table, they both donned their robes and grabbed the key from under the pillow. In a twizzle of white and red, they flew out the door.
Feeling a bit flushed from the wine, Lessa a little pink and Arianna a little red, the air cooled their blood, clearing their foggy heads. Tonight seemed much cloudier than the last, and the snow gave signs of turning into a blizzard. Still, they took a turn about the arena to stretch their legs, trying to talk of more trivial things than the doomed Olleb.
“So any idea what the Free Falls will be like in your district?” said Lessa, pulling her cloak around her head. The white fabric blended with the heavy snow.
All of the blood drained from Arianna’s face. “Not a clue,” she said, feeling the onset of nerves. “Last year they were pretty horrific though. Seems to only worsen each year, but it’s always the same idea, kill or be killed.”
“I’m grateful you got me out mine,” said Lessa. “Last festival they partnered all of the participants up and lathered one with a cream made from Night Wasps that literally made their skin melt.”
Arianna shuddered.
“The other had to drink a concoction that caused internal bleeding. The cream and drink were both ineffectual for about half an hour, but if they couldn’t remedy each other before the time was up, then…” She shook head. “It was just a bloody mess, and that was only the first day.”
Arianna tried to shake the image. No use.
“Ours may be even bloodier with all the hacking away at each other that’s involved,” she said. “I may be a good soldier, but I’ve never actually killed anyone before. I didn’t even come close to killing Grinda.” She chewed on her lip. “Being in battle is thrilling. I love it, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to kill anyone…” Her voice dropped low, and she shrugged her shoulders, kicking at the ground.
Lessa couldn’t think of how to respond as an awkward silence spread between them. Letting her hood fall to her back, she caught the snow on her tongue, and Arianna followed suit.
She grabbed hold of Lessa’s hands, spinning in a circle. Faster and faster they went as the snow whirled in gusts around them. In the light of the lanterns lining the stone walls, their cloaks made them seem like an orbiting globe of white melting into crimson.
Losing control, the girls fell to the soft ground in laughter. They lolled there for a few moments, slowing their dizzied heads.
“What do you think will happen to us if I win my freedom?” asked Arianna, still gazing up towards the spinning sky as snow melted on her face.
“I suppose you’ll go on to be a great warrior somewhere,” said Lessa. “I’ll sneak away behind you as your caretaker.” She sighed. “When the festivals end, no one in the Healer’s District will doubt that I’m dead by the hand of my master. I’ll be free to do as I please as long as nobody asks for my identification.”
“I’ll make sure Solomon gets you documented. He apparently has his ways.” Arianna smirked at a memory. “I wonder what’ll become of our masters once we’re free.”
“Who knows? They’ll probably run off to bewilder two new young slaves.” Lessa’s hands and feet moved up and down in the snow. “Help me up, will you?”
Arianna wobbled a bit as she stood. Lending Lessa a hand, she jumped up with grace. Staring down at the impressions their bodies left in the snow, Arianna balked as she looked upon a giant blob rather than the figure of a real person like Lessa’s. “Hmm, that really looks like you!” said Lessa. Her face twisted into a smile, trying to keep the laughter behind her teeth.
Arianna didn’t hesitate to react, chucking a ball of snow through the air. It landed on Lessa’s head, turning her blonde head a pearly white.
“Outwitted,” said Arianna, her hands resting on her hips in triumph. She laughed wildly as Lessa stood shocked.
Moments later, a war of sparkling snow broke out between them as the sky continued to fall all around.
PART THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE FREE FALLS
Solomon Bell and Talis Churry paced back and forth outside the Well Room.
“She’ll be fine,” said Talis. “She’s ready.”
“I know. I know,” said Solomon, exasperated. He knocked on the door. “Time to go!”
“In a minute!” said Cyn.
Moments later, the door flung open. Cyn ran out, fuming.
“Solomon Bell, if you make her any more nervous than she already is, so help me, I’ll whip a sword on you myself,” she said. She stood on tip-toes to stare him square in the eyes. Her rounded face flashed a dangerous red, and Solomon staggered backwards.
“She’s ready,” sang Lessa, walking out of the Well Room. Arianna followed at her heels, her head drooping to the floor.
Solomon beamed as he laid eyes upon his apprentice. Freshly bathed and clothed in a new outfit Cyn gifted her, Arianna looked stunning. Her pants, made of real black
leather, like the ones she often wore, stretched and tightly gripped her skin, showing off her long legs. Emblazoned on the back of her red shirt, the warrior’s crest shone in gold thread, and she wore the same comfy black boots she always did.
Solomon lifted her chin so he could study her face. Her rich, brown curls pulled into a high ponytail, and the long tresses reached down her back and across her shoulders. Loose bangs curled about her face, framing her eyes, bringing out their chestnut sparkle. He looked down to see her dagger sheathed in its rightful place at her thigh, the blue hilt glimmering in the light. And the bronze hilts of her favorite double-swords sheathed at her back.
“You look magnificent,” said Solomon, gripping her shoulders. “Whatever happens out there, just know I’m so proud of you. Remember that.” She blushed at his declaration and pulled her cloak on.
“So, how do we do this?” she asked. Solomon still neglected to tell her of his plan. “Am I expected at the Free Falls, or am I still supposed to be dead?”
Solomon rubbed at his goatee. “We’ll use the art of surprise,” he said, smirking. “The general has well forgotten that you even exist with all the commotion of the Free Falls. He hasn’t mentioned you once, so we’ll just simply show up.” He chuckled as he sidestepped Cyn’s kick.
Cyn started to protest. “You’re just going to have her show—”
“I like this plan,” said Arianna, interrupting Cyn before she could start another babbling rampage. Her thoughts soared to the horrified look sure to be on Grinda’s face when she made her appearance back from the dead, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Do you know what I’m to expect for the challenges?”
“Expect a war,” said Solomon. “That’s all there ever is.”
“You’ll do just fine, dear,” said Cyn. She planted a kiss on her head. “I must be off now. I’m to help the Well Center prepare for anyone who the general deems worth healing after all of the swords are put away.” She shivered. “Take care. I won’t be able to watch.” Leaving in a hurry, she scuttled out the door, but not before Arianna saw her wipe a tear from her eye.
“We must be on our way,” said Talis. Lessa moved to don her cloak as well.
Talis stopped cold, observing Lessa with wry amusement. “Don’t be silly, girl. You aren’t going anywhere. It’ll be too risky to show your face with so many elders from the Healer’s District this day,” he said.
“But Master…” said Lessa. “I promised I’d be there. I’m coming!” She glared at him with pleading eyes.
“My words are final,” said Talis. “Save your charm for another day. You will stay here.” Lessa opened her mouth to protest, but one look at Talis changed her mind.
“Don’t worry,” said Arianna, trying to sound brave.
“Well, good luck then.” Lessa gave her a short hug. “I’ll see you soon.” Arianna nodded, expressionless as all the blood rushed from her face. Would she?
The two masters and Arianna walked out the door, leaving Lessa alone. She heard the click as Solomon locked the door behind him.
Arianna lifted her hood over her head as thousands made their way up the street to the Square. Not many outsiders traveled to the Four Corners for the festivals, but every elder in the slave city made an appearance. As they came upon the center of town, Arianna melted in with the sea of people clawing their way up towards the seating to watch.
She looked around, desperate to see a familiar face. Too many people blocked her vision as everyone blurred together. Three quarters of the amphitheater was already filled with a herd of blood-red cloaks, and the commotion reminded her of the day she died. She tried to shake the unwelcome thought as her lost battle with Grinda flooded her head. The only section not colored crimson stood reserved for the elders and General Ivo.
As she pushed through the crowd, trying to keep Solomon and Talis in sight, she heard a chant coming from some of the already seated slaves. She felt a lump growing in her throat. No matter how many times she had sat and watched the annual Free Falls, she never grew desensitized to all the death and dying. Never once had she participated in the chants or cheers that many of her fellow peers enjoyed.
Regardless of how hard she tried to turn off her emotions for the sake of her sanity, she always felt a small pang of sadness for those lost during the festivals. Now that she stood as a contestant, she hoped her friends sitting in the crowd knew better than to smile at the pain of others.
“This way.” Solomon gestured for Arianna and Talis to follow as he carved a path through the crowd. “Talis and I must leave you now to join the elders,” he said. “Go make your way around to the bottom with the other contenders. I’ll slip your number into the pot. Wait for directions. The general will be relaying them soon.”
“But what if I—”
Solomon rested his hand on her shoulder, stalling her growing panic. “Don’t worry, Ara. I know you can do this. You were meant to live, and so you shall. Go now, and earn back your freedom.”
Talis gave a reassuring nod, and Arianna whimpered as she waved goodbye. They sauntered away, taking leave with the other trainers who hoped their apprentices lasted the night.
After a few minutes, Arianna pushed her way through the roaring crowd of people. She saw the large group who shared her ceremonial year. They huddled about on the floor of the cleared Square, waiting for their destinies to show their faces. Now, she joined them in the spotlight.
Looking up towards the sky, she saw the flag of the Four Corners limp in the still air. So many times her eyes rested upon that flag. So many days she’d counted to see the hour when she would look up to this flag waving over the Square on the day of her judgment. Now that day was here, and she would never need to look upon that flag again.
Her eyes tore from the sky and swept the stone steps, the display of people overwhelming. She couldn’t remember there being this many people around for any other Free Falls Festival. Then again, she never paid this much attention before.
Her head snapped up as Grinda’s chilling voice filled her ears. Tensing at the sound, it took all of her willpower not to make herself known. As much as she wanted to cut out her tongue, she waited for the element of surprise as Solomon advised. Patience… she just needed patience.
Arianna looked around at her peers, judging them to be just as nervous as she. She hoped they fared well in the festivals, but from past observations she knew better than to get those hopes up too high. Her heart sank at the thought.
“I’ll be fine, now go on,” said a familiar voice. “Get out of here, and cheer me on like you’re supposed to.” Arianna’s heart began to flutter, and she turned to find Liam with Noah close by his side.
“Okay, okay,” said Noah. “I’m going. I’ll find you after. Keep your head on out there!” Liam smiled and pulled Noah to his chest, rustling up his already shaggy hair.
Arianna fought the urge to scream his name. Between Lessa Thur and hunting down knowledge of a veiled, magical history, thoughts of Liam and Noah faded into the background. She couldn’t help but feel ashamed. Now they stood so close, so near, and she longed to make her presence known. Patience.
“Will this year’s contenders please make their way to the front,” echoed the booming voice of General Ivo. The crowd grew excited, and Arianna felt all the nerves in her body spring alert.
With heads hung low, the group ambled into the huge center of the Square where General Ivo stood in his long robes, perched high on the elevated platform. Arianna raised her eyes to his.
As she waited for instruction, she felt someone grasp at her elbow from behind, yanking her close to his body. She froze. “I know your secret, Arianna Belvedor,” said the man. The icy hiss sounded all too familiar, the smell of whiskey clinging to his tongue.
The man let go of his grasp and shoved her aside, knocking her into other wary slaves. She gaped as Sir Westing moved through the slow-moving crowd of her group. Glancing back, he caught her eye, and she thought no one ever had worn such a sinister smile be
fore.
Sir Westing walked up the stairs and took his place by the general’s side, wearing a soft expression. He looked rather at ease in the presence of his master. Arianna wished for hers. Her mind roared as it flipped through all of the possibilities of his words… I know your secret. She kept so many secrets these days, but she felt sure any one of them meant an assured spot in the Tombs of Blancoren.
The general raised his hand, and the amphitheater fell silent. It seemed as if even the birds stopped chirping and the wind ceased howling in order to usher in the start of the week-long festivals. Arianna pushed aside Sir Westing’s words for later. She couldn’t process more than one threat to her life at a time, so she decided to focus on the matters at hand, the Free Falls.
Squeezing through the hundreds of contenders, she tried to get nearer to where Liam stood and as far away from Grinda as possible. General Ivo opened his mouth to speak, and everyone in the crowd leaned in to listen.
“I am delighted to commence the 287th annual Free Falls Festivals of the Warrior’s District!” he said, his voice booming through the air, reaching the ears of all. A few scattered people began to clap, but they froze as the general continued.
“Now, let us not waste any time. If you recall, last year’s festivities were quite successful. One of the highest success rates we’ve seen in all of history.” His eyes narrowed as he wet his cracked lips. “I do hope you all have trained as hard as your predecessors for we have something quite challenging in store for you this week.”
Arianna felt sweat begin to drip down her forehead as her nerves began to build. The temptation to expose herself because of the cloak’s discomfort became hard to ignore. Even in the bitter cold and snowfall, she felt her skin burning. Glancing around, she noticed others shared her panic. If anything, it made her feel comforted watching others swallowing back tears and fighting the urge to run. At least she wasn’t alone.
A pair of roaming, light brown eyes caught hers and she found Liam staring straight at her across a row of slaves. He faltered, mouth agape as if trying to decide if she was real or a figment of his imagination. Arianna forced her lips into an apologetic smile and mouthed ‘hi’.
Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) Page 18