“Really?” I asked. I felt aglow at the thought that I’d fulfilled Cyric’s suggestion exactly.
He nodded. “Just go—”
Before he could point wherever he was going to, a soldier dressed in white and gold stepped forward.
“Alstric, wait,” he said, clearly addressing the sorter that was talking to me. It was Tobias. My brows went high in shock and disdain, but he didn’t look at me. “Where’s this one going?” he asked.
Alstric looked surprised, but answered with a short laugh. “Well, where do you think, Captain?” He laughed again.
Tobias was not entertained.
“She’ll be an attendant to the soldiers,” Alstric answered more respectfully.
Tobias was already shaking his head. “No. Where else can she be placed?”
Alstric glanced at me, then fumbled with the papers in front of him. “She could… be a travelling companion perhaps?”
“What about underground? Gem sorting or the like?”
Alstric frowned. “That would be very unorthodox, Captain.”
“All the same. I’d like her there.” Tobias handed the paper back to Alstric. “And I’ll be checking to make sure it’s done.” Tobias started to walk away.
“W-wait,” I said. “I—”
He put a hand up to quiet me. And then he kept walking.
My mouth dropped open.
Alstric shoved a new paper into my hands. “Take this over there,” he said, pointing to a line with only one other person.
“But, wait,” I said. “I want to—”
“Next!” Alstric shouted, and then he gestured for the soldier beside him to take me away. The soldier put a hand on my back and pushed me towards my line.
“No. Wait!” I cried. Everyone ignored me. “That’s not fair.”
The soldier dropped me off at the line and told me he would come back if I moved. I huffed. The woman in front of me was very old.
With a fierce look on my face, my eyes found Tobias. He was standing at the side of the square beside a woman that matched his dressings of white and gold. She had long, ornately braided hair; I would have assumed she was his wife if she were not so much older. But none of that mattered. I hated him. I absolutely hated him.
Put me underground? Trick my people into joining the Akadians?
I frowned at the slip of paper in my hands, then searched anxiously for Cyric. Another man now stood before the sorter. They didn’t have as many dividing lines on the men’s side; it didn’t take long to find Cyric in the midst of a group of other young Shaundakulian men. His eyes were bright and sharp on the Akadian soldier standing near them, and in his hands he held a sword
~ ~ ~
CHAPTER FIVE
ELLIA:
*
When I was a child, I read a book about creatures called Smites. They lived underground, much lower than the goblins, so low that their children grew to believe the sun was just a myth because they’d never seen it. They dug complexes of tunnels, whole cities, into the earth. They put torches everywhere; made from the rivers of lava that flowed through their largest tunnels. Because of that the only colors they ever saw were shades of orange and red, and they were always hot.
After a week in the tunnels beneath Akadia I decided that whoever had imagined those creatures and their land had at one time visited Akadia and its underground complex. Granted, I was not trapped there all the time. I slept at night in the same large rooms that I had when I’d first entered Akadia. But that was after dark, and I did not see the sun.
When I worked, I stood in a line of a dozen other gem-sorters before a long table. Upon the table other workers would come and dump jewels. We sorted through hundreds a day. Some had a distinct color, but many were similar, and while beautiful it was difficult work.
I would have thought it a valued position, but in Akadia the ore they cherished most was lead. The Akadians made everything from it. They smelted it, shaped it, refined it into different shapes and colors that I’d never known before lead could become.
Every day the workers and I walked through a large cavern, we were walking through it now, with a large metal contraption in the center. We watched as workers loaded it with lead and small bits of other minerals—sometimes the gems we had sorted. When they started the machine, it shot out huge bouts of steam. Whatever happened inside, what came out no longer resembled normal lead. It was red, clear like glass, and cut into shafts, like crystal.
We exited the cavern, now on our way back to our rooms. Soldiers didn’t lead us around anymore; they had no need to when the gates of Akadia were so high. Not just the ones that led outside the city—every section of Akadia was divided into closed off districts. We emerged into the square of ours, the production district, close to the new citizens district and farthest from the palace. A dozen tunnels led up into it, most of which were unloading now so that the square was full of workers.
But my gaze was for the soldiers on the high walls. I searched slowly and methodically in a circle.
As it had been every day, he was not there.
I sighed, then stood for a long time to watch the stars. They were a sacred thing in Shaundakul, bonded as they were with dragons. Living in the palace I had many times heard astrologers speak of the magic the stars possessed. I’d believed it back then—when they showed so bright and wondrously. But here and now they were dim; it seemed as if they had no power and never could have.
Feeling worse than before, I turned towards the street that led to the new citizens district. That was when I saw him. Tobias. He was moving across the square with a pack of soldiers behind him. By his clothes and position he was obviously their leader—but then he was Captain Tobias after all wasn’t he.
I pursed my lips, then balled my hands into fists and started marching towards him. I got close enough to see that he was wearing a casual smile and shouted: “You there!”
The few glances I’d already drawn multiplied and Tobias looked as well. “You,” I said, “You there. Stay where you are.”
Tobias’s brows went up; he pointed at himself.
“Yes, you,” I shouted.
Before I could get close to him, his pack of soldiers moved between us.
Another guard from the square grabbed my arm. “What are you doing, girl?” he asked. “Get back to your work.”
I shook his hand off and jutted my chin. “I will not. I’m done with my work for the day, and besides that I have business with this captain, according to whom I have citizenship in this city. I will do as I please. Tobias!”
The soldiers closed in tighter. The square guard grabbed my arm again.
Then, all of a sudden, a laugh came from behind the crowd of guards. Everyone else grew quiet. Tobias broke through the crowd. “Boys,” he said, “calm down. Especially you,” he nodded to the square guard. “When I need protection from a woman I’ll call for it.” He wore a wry smile. The soldiers backed away.
He finally looked at me, and I thought there was a sort of glow in his eye. Cyric did a similar thing when he was trying to tell me something, but I certainly didn’t know Tobias well enough to know if he was trying to—and even if he was I wouldn’t care. “Is there something I can do for you?” he asked.
I felt the eyes of every soldier, but I leaned forward undaunted. “Where will I begin? You…” I stuck a finger out to point at him. But before I could speak, he stepped forward, put a hand on my mouth, and said to the group, “On second thought, men, I do believe this is a private matter.” I glared as he nodded to them and added. “Head back to the barracks; I’ll meet you there.”
With a few of them sporting smiles, they started to move off. The square guard went back to his post as well.
Tobias released my mouth.
“Why, you—”
“Shh.” He gestured to the guard, who was still within earshot.
“I don’t care who hears me,” I said, shaking my head.
“If you want me to listen, you will,” he r
eplied, then he leaned closer. “Please. There’s nothing you have to say that can’t be told calmly.”
“Are you so sure?” I asked, though my voice was a bit softer. “You lied to me. You acted like you were good, then you deceived my people into joining your evil country.”
“That’s not what was happening,” he said.
I scoffed. “I suppose I imagined you up there, prancing around with your thinly-veiled tricks, bragging about your sparkling city as if it would be enough to hide the corruption inside of it.”
Very quickly, he shook his head. “I’d forgotten that you speak so.”
“Speak?” I repeated. “Speak? For days I have not spoken at all. I have worked in darkness and dirt thanks to you, when I could have been up at the palace. When I could have had a chance to be near my friend.”
“You’re friend?” he said. His eyes lit. “Did you find him them?”
“Yes I found him, once, for all the good it did. Don’t act like you have an interest in it.”
“I do have an interest in it,” Tobias urged.
I measured him with crossed arms, and then I scoffed. “How foolish do you think I am? I won’t be tricked by you again.”
He tilted his head. “My lady, before you jump to conclusions, perhaps you should consider why I would waste my time trying to trick a common girl.” He paused. “There is much you think you know of these things, but you do not understand.”
“I understand well enough. If you hadn’t spoken to my people the way that you did, they would have resisted. If I were a handmaiden in the palace district I would have been closer to my friend.”
He sighed and for the first time he sounded angry when he spoke. “Do you know what is expected of the female attendants in the palace distract, then? Have you seen the type of clothes they wear? Or wondered why it is the beautiful ones that are chosen? Or tell me, please, what would have happened in the square a week ago if I had not spoken and your people had resisted? Do you think—” he laughed darkly “—that they would have won? Do you think they would have gotten vengeance for what happened to Shaundakul?” His brow went dark. “They would have died in the street. Is that what you wanted, girl? Are these the things you understand so well?”
I took a step back, my features softening in surprise.
“I have only ever tried to help you and your people,” he said. “I am not your enemy.” He locked his jaw. The light of dusk was fading. “I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re…” he tossed a hand, “just a child. I shouldn’t say such things.”
“No,” I argued. “No. I…” I froze, unable to look away from his eyes, or think of any way to respond to what he’d said.
“Have you truly not seen you friend since the first day?” he asked after a pause.
I felt a stinging in my nose, so I looked down. Then shook my head.
Tobias sighed. “Do you know where he’s working?”
“I… I think he will be a soldier,” I said. “I saw him holding a sword after we were sorted.”
Tobias nodded. “He’ll be a soldier then. Is he young?”
I bobbed my head quickly.
Tobias took a deep breath. “In this, I may be able to help you. If you tell me his name, I can check on him for you and at least tell you how he’s progressing.”
“Is the training dangerous?” I asked, yearning for answers to the worries that had been plaguing me.
“It can be,” Tobias admitted. He shook his head. “But the ones that aren’t strong don’t last.”
“He’ll last,” I said truthfully, then I bit my lip. “How long until you can come and tell me?”
Tobias laughed. “You really are accustomed to service, aren’t you? I’m starting to wonder if you weren’t a countess in Shaundakul.”
I bowed my shoulders, trying to shrink, all the while thinking how preposterous that would be.
His laughter died out. “It shouldn’t take more than a few days. Just tell me his name.”
I took a deep breath. I couldn’t help but smile when I answered. “It’s Cyric. Cyric Dracla.”
*
CYRIC:
*
“Cyric Dracla!” Sergeant Carklay shouted.
It was so loud that I was sure they could hear it throughout the entire square—which was saying something because the place was big and noisy. It was the training grounds, smack dab in the middle of the military district—the district closest to the palace district, just below the red rock that held it up. At its center was a full obstacle course, currently fit with an entire company of Akadian soldiers running through it. That’s what I’d been watching when Sergeant Carklay had yelled so excessively at me.
Very slowly, I turned around. He was standing up on a platform, with the rest of my training group on the ground all around him.
“Over here, now,” he instructed through gritted teeth.
I made a sort of “whoops” face and walked over. I noticed immediately that the rest of my group had white bands wrapped around there knuckles. It made them look even more identical, as if our shaved heads and matching uniforms didn’t already.
Carklay passed me a similar long piece of cloth, then continued to address the group.
“Now, men as I was saying, today we’re going to be training in hand-to-hand combat. If you’re in the right place, you shouldn’t have practiced this yet, but do any of you have experience with it before coming to Akadia?”
The group stayed silent.
As I tied the white bands around my knuckles, I tried to hold back a smile. Hand-to-hand combat in Shaundakul? No chance. They were way too straitlaced for that. It was definitely never taught and highly discouraged, especially with the palace residents. The only person I’d ever seen try it without getting brought before the council was Ellia, who’d attempted to slap me more times than I cared to recall.
As long as it was something new I didn’t care much what we did. I liked fighting as much as the next soldier, but I’d swung enough swords, shot enough crossbows, and totaled enough dummies in the past week to do me for a while.
“I see I’ll be starting from scratch, then,” said Carklay, “Do you know what the straps around your knuckles are for?” he asked.
Once again, no one spoke. Even if I had known I wouldn’t have answered.
Carklay sighed. “Well, you are a dull bunch, aren’t you. They’re to protect your hands, keep tendons from tearing, bones from breaking, that sort of thing. It’s honestly not that complicated….”
He might have thought so, but the whole group looked suddenly terrified.
“To begin, I’ll call my assistant. Seraphastus!”
My brows narrowed skeptically. But when I saw the giant that walked onto the platform, with thick arms and dark skin, I decided he could pull off pretty much any name.
Sergeant Carklay cleared his throat. “Seraphastus is originally from the country of Kanth. Most of their warriors fight with spears there, but upon joining Akadia, Seraphastus has quickly become an expert in hand-to-hand combat. You will see that he does not wear bands on his fists; that is because he does not need them against such inexperienced opponents as yourselves. Now, who would like to begin?”
No one responded. I wondered when Carklay would give up on the asking questions thing. He threw out a hand. “Fine. You, there.”
“Me?” A voice in the crowd replied. I couldn’t see them.
“Yes, yes,” Carklay confirmed. “Come. Don’t keep me waiting all day.”
As the man rose to the platform, I recognized him as Jessup, the old man I’d met in the wagon on the way into Akadia. He looked shaky, and the days in the sun just hadn’t done him the service it’d done me. I crossed my arms as I watched Carklay measuring him with amusement.
“What’s your name, recruit?” Carklay asked.
It took the old guy a minute to respond. “Jessup,” he croaked.
“Mm-hmm, and where are you from?”
“Shaundakul.”
Carkl
ay nodded. “Aren’t you all lately?” he drawled. “Well, Jessup, pay close attention while Seraphastus shows us the basic position for hand-to-hand combat.” He gestured to Seraphastus, who in turn moved up on the balls us his feet and brought his fists up. “See this?” Carklay asked, pulling on Seraphastus’s elbows. “The most important thing in hand-to-hand combat is keeping your hands up like so. Strong. Tight. Unless you’re throwing a punch, keep your hands covering your chin. If you don’t—” He waved his hand and stepped away from Seraphastus.
The crowd jerked back as Seraphastus punched the unaware Jessup right in the face.
“Many of you doubted the strength of hand-to-hand, did you not?” Carklay asked, walking back to where Jessup was doubled over. He grabbed his chin and lifted his face towards us. “Look at that.”
Jessup’s left brow and cheek had blood on it. His eye was blue and swelling by the second.
Carklay released Jessup. “So, keep your fists up. Protect your face. Protect your eyes.” He walked to the side of the platform, then commanded, “Go ahead and try it, Jessup.”
Jessup coughed a few times, then I watched his hands form fists, but he didn’t bring them up, and I knew he was warring with the old customs of our people. I willed him not to be an idiot. Finally he lifted his fists as Seraphastus had.
“Good,” Carklay drawled. “Now try to block Seraphastus.”
Jessup turned to the big man. It looked like a brutally uneven match, but Jessup was still a warrior. I thought he could probably block it.
And he did. Once. Unfortunately the second hit came from the side. Jessup fell to the ground this time.
“That’s called a hook,” Carklay sighed. “You’ll obviously want to watch out for that to. When I say protect your face with your fists, I do mean all sides of it, men. You can get down, Jessup. You’ve done very well.” He didn’t wait for Jessup to walk off before he continued talking. “Once you can all block, we’ll start throwing punches. For now, I’d like another volunteer to test all we’ve learned against Seraphastus.” He looked around at us smugly, probably thinking that no one would volunteer.
He was more than a little surprised when one hand went up. The rest of the crowd turned to stare at me.
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