“How is that different from any other day?”
Alex didn’t let it go. “What did you do?” He lowered his voice. “Please tell me you finally gave the prince the thrashing he deserves—” My brother didn’t get to finish. Ella had elbowed him, hard, in the chest.
I stared at the sky in frustration. I wanted to move on. I did. But no matter how hard I tried, there was always something or someone there to remind me. Alex knew this, of course. Since the ascension ceremony, he had tried to keep his outrage to a minimum, but it still slipped out whenever he wasn’t careful.
Alex swallowed guiltily. “Sorry, Ry.”
I stood up, ready to fill up a plate of my own and leave the uncomfortable exchange behind. “Don’t be. If I couldn’t be imprisoned for attacking a king’s son, I probably would have done just that.” I left the table without waiting for a response.
A FLURRY OF DAYS, and then weeks, swept by before I even had a chance to catch my breath. I quickly got used to the stifling conditions of Devon’s giant training camp and the constant presence of the king’s court in our early morning practices. I even got used to interpreting the stony silence of my mentor.
I avoided the prince at all costs.
Before noon every day, Byron had us wielding axes. The sword was the weapon of choice for the Crown’s Army, but far be it from our master to pick anything but the prince’s favorite blade instead.
Out of all the battleaxes, we drilled with the poleaxe and halberd most. The training master was quick to point out how easily they could break enemy lines. We spent most of our days nursing wounds from slashed mail or dented armor.
When we weren’t drilling on the ground, we fought as cavalry, against one partner or a cluster of teams. The axes made a formidable opponent against crowds. Their haft was ideal for mass attacks on horseback.
We learned when it was better to bludgeon and slash, when to thrust with the spike’s head, and how to disarm an enemy in a sleight of hand.
It was an endless cycle of drilling, but by the end of the second week, I had no reservations going up against Ian. He was a formidable opponent; being the son of a blacksmith brought many advantages. Any time I held back, I got a painful reminder why that was a mistake.
Ian still wasn’t talking to me, but he treated me like an equal. If he’d really wanted to hurt me, he could have held back in his attacks. There was nothing worse for a warrior’s training than an easy teacher, and for that I was grateful.
Our midday lessons were spent in one of the camp’s largest tents. Crown’s Army meetings were held inside the palace walls, but for our training purposes the tents would do. Local command, including Eve’s father, Commander Audric, and even the Colored Robes made an appearance from time to time to assist with lecture. Most of the military’s special strategies were released on a need-to-know basis—especially given past rebel activity—but the officials did give us plenty of other things to consider.
The majority of the time, men and women of the Crown’s Army stayed on base training, enforcing Crown Law, and assisting Devon’s local farmers. Only a small grouping regularly patrolled the countryside. The army was too expensive to house in the capital, so the camp was at the city’s outskirts.
The soldiers who resided in camp took care of its upkeep and any services that needed rendering. Units took turns cooking, cleaning, hunting, and building to keep the costs to a minimum. Still, the commander made it clear the army’s salaries alone ate away at the Crown’s coffers. Housing a large army was an incredibly expensive feat.
While we didn’t get to learn as many specifics as I’d hoped, the leaders did spend a great deal of time addressing each mage’s role in the event of a siege. Devon was the most important city of Jerar, and as such there were certain tasks that needed to be seen to first.
I was so distracted with all of our learning that I’d almost forgotten the mock battle was the following day.
To calm my frazzled nerves, Ella suggested we spend an evening outside of the barracks… Which was exactly how Ella, Alex, and I found ourselves in one of Devon’s local taverns the night before the big fight.
Interestingly enough, we weren’t alone. Half the factions’ apprentices and some of the Crown’s Army were already crowding the tables by the time we arrived. The Lusty Wench was, apparently, a local favorite.
Waiting for the others to get back with the drinks, I pulled out Derrick’s most recent letter and read:
Dearest sister (and Alex who never writes back—for shame!),
I’m a soldier! I know, I know, you never had any doubt, but it is still such a relief to be out of Demsh’aa for good. I love our parents dearly, but I believe the three of us have all seen enough herbs to last a lifetime, eh?
They already have us stationed along the northern border… I’ve only been here two months, but the Cavalry instructors weren’t exaggerating. There’s already been two raids since we arrived. Both times I was asleep, and by the time my section of the barracks was awoken, the enemy was gone.
I know it’s not good thinking, but I really hope I get to serve during the next one. Some of the others are already bragging that they made their first kill. I don’t want to kill anyone—I know I will have to; it’s only a matter of time—but I would like to serve Jerar and keep those Caltothians out.
How is the apprenticeship? The two of you are still surviving, I’m sure. Gods, I don’t envy that. It’s so nice to be serving instead of drills and lessons.
Write back and say hello to your pretty friend Ella. Tell her if Alex messes this one up, I’d be happy to prove not all men in our family are halfwits. Ha.
—Derrick
I set my brother’s letter down with a chuckle. It might be my most challenging year yet, but at least Derrick was having a good time. Someone should be.
Alex snorted loudly, having finished the letter over my shoulder just moments after. “That little pest is full of himself now that he’s made himself a man.”
Ella grinned. “I don’t know, Alex, Derrick is a handsome boy.”
Alex choked. “He’s three years younger!”
I let them continue their banter. I couldn’t wait to be stationed up north with Derrick next summer. Everyone knew Ferren’s Keep was one of the four cities the apprentices trained in, and it was only a half a day’s ride to the border from there. I had missed many things since Alex and I had first set out for the Academy three years ago, and my family—especially Derrick—I missed the most. Already my younger brother had matured from a feisty twelve-year-old into a young man. The Cavalry didn’t have a four-year apprenticeship period like the other war schools, but I still couldn’t believe Derrick was a soldier.
Next year couldn’t come soon enough.
“Do you think we will lose? We’re mentees this time.”
I glanced up over my plate of roasted boar to frown at Ella. She was talking about the mock battle. “You think we will?”
“We are mentees. The odds aren’t exactly in our favor.”
Alex put his arm around the girl’s waist. “We won our first year, and we were the underdogs then.”
“Yes, but we won because Ry was able to bat her eyelashes at Ian instead of fighting him. Somehow I don’t think that tactic would work quite as well this year.”
“Hey!” I huffed indignantly. “I can fight him.”
“Sorry, hun, but he is your mentor. I’ve seen the two of you in practice.” My friend looked sympathetic.
I cringed. She was right, of course. Ian did beat me most of the time. The last two months Byron had let the fourth- and fifth-years cast on their own. Without the master’s split-second commands, I’d struggled to keep up with the random assault of attacks. Still, I liked to think I had done better than most of the other fourth-years, and Ian was the best fifth-year, not fourth.
That, and I was still better than Ian at pain casting. Darren and I were better than all of the fifth-years who could pain cast… but that didn’t really matter when
the third-years were still much better than our second-year mentee teammates.
Overall, the mentors still outperformed us in casting and physical prowess.
“If you think about it, since we started the apprenticeship, the mentees have won every year.” Ray joined us at our table, drinks in hand.
“That’s true.” Ella stirred a cider with her finger. “And that’s uncommon enough as it is. Perhaps the streak will continue.”
The tavern was noisy, but not so much so that I couldn’t hear the door swing open for its newest customers, especially when the whole room went suddenly silent.
I swung around in my seat just in time to see Priscilla, Darren, and Blayne appear in the entry, all conversing with an unknown companion at their right.
My blood turned to ice. I was all too conscious of his presence. I fought myself to keep from staring.
I shouldn’t have gone out tonight.
To redirect my thoughts, I studied the stranger instead.
The girl was of islander descent like Lynn, with the same straight black hair and almond eyes. The material that made up the stranger’s gown and cloak was something I had only seen once before, in one of the merchant stalls in Langli. A special Borean silk.
What really caught my interest was how the girl held herself. When she spoke to the crown prince and his brother, there was no hint of awe, no fear, none of the usual signs of someone addressing their better. Either the stranger knew Blayne and Darren very well, or she was royalty.
“Is that…?”
“Princess Shinako!” I watched as Lynn ran up to greet the girl in the fine dress.
The princess instantly broke off her conversation to embrace her old friend. The two started to exchange excited chatter, but Blayne interrupted with a curt, “Shina!” The princess rolled her eyes, and then Blayne grabbed her arm, whispering something that made her scowl.
The princess murmured an apology to her friend and then shoved her way past Blayne to strike up a conversation with his brother instead.
“What do you think he said to her?” Ray wondered.
“It’s Blayne.” Ella’s gaze followed the princess, sympathetically. “So probably something horrible.”
Alex darkened. “If I ever catch him or his brother in an alley alone…”
“You won’t do anything.” Ella gave my brother a sharp look, but her voice softened as she added, “Because if you do, you’ll be thrown in prison, and what life would that leave us?”
Alex gripped my friend’s fingers tightly.
Neither of them said anything more. They didn’t need to.
I turned to Ray, feeling uncomfortable with the exchange. I was happy for Alex and Ella, I was, but every time I saw how easy it was for them, a dark, gnawing jealousy began to eat away at my chest.
Ray gave me a nudge. “Romance only slows you down.”
I tried a smile and found it came a bit easier than it would’ve three months back. “Thanks.”
“What are you thinking for tomorrow’s strategy?”
The tavern door swung open again, and I found my eyes unwillingly tearing toward it. A second later, I regretted the action when I realized who it was.
It took Ian even less time to spot me. The moment he did, irritation crossed his features.
The fifth-year turned heel and strode back through the exit.
Ian would not be partaking in the festivities tonight, not as long as I was part of them. The door slammed shut and I heard Ray’s low whistle.
“Guess it slows others down too.”
16
“Why should he lead?”
The entire grouping of second- and fourth-year mentees swerved their heads to look at me. Even Ella and Alex looked surprised.
I held my ground and repeated myself. “We didn’t even vote. Darren shouldn’t get the role of command just because he’s a prince. There are other fourth-years who would like the opportunity to try.”
“Like you?”
I swallowed as Darren’s gaze fell to me. For a moment, he almost looked hurt, but any residual surprise quickly morphed into indignation.
“I led us for two years.”
“And only once to victory, which you wouldn’t have been able to do without me.” It felt good, I realized, to speak out.
“Last year we failed because of your and Ella’s flagrant disregard for orders.”
“Your orders were wrong.”
“I was the leader. Even if my orders were wrong, you should have listened to me!”
“So I should just blindly follow an idiot?”
“Enough!”
Both us stopped arguing as Eve stepped in between us. The girl, usually soft spoken, was unusually loud.
“I don’t want to hear about any more of our past battles. We won one. We lost one. For everyone’s sake, I am going to offer myself as commander. I don’t agree with Ryiah’s assertion that Darren was chosen for his bloodline. I happen to think he is very good at leading, but I do think it would be a nice change to let someone else take the reins for a day. And, no, Ryiah, I don’t think it should be you. You and Darren are too much alike. Both of you are risk-takers. It’s time we had someone who approached things more cautiously.”
I bristled at that last insinuation. The idea that Darren and I were the same in anything irked me to no avail. I was not reckless. Darren didn’t look too happy either.
“I second Eve.” Ray stepped forward, shooting me an apologetic smile. I remembered our first-year trials and the stunt I had pulled during our duel. Maybe I was a little reckless. I couldn’t fault him for his vote.
“I as well.”
“Me too.”
Within seconds, the mentees had all agreed to a change of leadership. Even Ella and Alex. The only person who did not was Priscilla, but she was outvoted.
“Sorry, Ry,” Ella murmured as Eve launched into strategy talk. “I’m sure you would have done well, but I think everyone knows Darren would not be very cooperative if it was you, and we need all of us working together to win this.”
I sighed. Once again the prince had found a way to make my life difficult. No one wanted me as a leader if it meant our most powerful fourth-year was against it.
How could I have ever fallen for someone like him?
We spent the next hour following Eve’s directives. I had to admit she knew what she was doing. Having a father in charge of the Crown’s Army had made her the ideal commander for a mock battle in Devon. She had the Alchemy apprentices busy mixing magicked oils to strengthen the weak armor our team was supplied. Restoration was already scouting the southern district, looking for possible safe houses to mark with our agreed upon sign.
Combat, of course, was busy planning the attack. Eve led the discussion, citing the best and worst locations for an ambush.
The entire city had been evacuated for our mock battle. All around the edges of its agreed upon border were families of merchants, farmers, nobility, and any of the King’s Regiment and Crown’s Army who had received the day off. They were all watching alongside our factions’ masters and Commander Audric.
It was intimidating.
For the day’s event, each team had been allotted five horses, six breast plates, five chain mail shirts, a handful of wooden shields, six poleaxes, five halberds, a rucksack of woolen bandages and salve, and a small barrel filled with the ingredients Alchemy needed to cast their potions.
We quickly divvied up the components and gave the second-year mentees the magically-fortified plate armor, halberds, and horses. They would need the most advantage and plate armor was too heavy for quick movement on foot.
Eventually, it was time to begin.
I FELL HARD, my palms slapping the ground and the rustle of small metal ringlets ringing in my ears. Moments later, a spiraling torrent of ice slammed into the wall behind me, just inches from where my head had been. I barely had time to choke out a small gasp of relief, and then I was on my feet, sprinting as fast as my legs could carry me.<
br />
I threw up a barrier behind me and prayed it would hold. It was a costly casting—something I usually didn’t like to invoke since the sphere tended to drain my magic’s stamina much faster than a shield. It was a combination of phantom currents: steel, wind, and crackling power all thrust into a giant purple globe. But I didn’t have time to predict my pursuers’ next casting, not while I was out in the open.
My feet pounded along cobblestones as I searched for a safe house, wishing desperately I had remembered Eve’s instruction from earlier that morning. The mock battle had been going on for three hours, and I already seemed to have forgotten most of our strategy.
“You can’t run forever, Ryiah!” Laughter echoed down the street.
I kept running.
Alex and the rest of his Restoration mates had spent twenty minutes going over the safe houses. Our signal was supposed to be a small splatter of mud at the bottom right corner of a doorway, inconspicuous to all except one who knew exactly what to look for… but try as I might, I could not spot any in the buildings I passed.
I must’ve heard wrong.
I knew a safe house had to be somewhere close—just two shops further and I would be crossing into the northern half of the city where the mentors patrolled. At the start of our pre-battle planning, the masters had assigned us the southern section. Which meant, if I didn’t pass a safe house soon, I would be forced to turn back and face my two attackers alone. It was reckless to go into mentor territory, and there would be no help there.
If I found a safe house nearby, I could get another Combat apprentice to help me take on my two followers. The houses here weren’t just a haven for Restoration and mentees in need of healing, they were also where Alchemy and Combat mages could confer until they were ready to come back out of hiding. If I fought the mentors pursuing me now, I would win—but it would cost almost all of my magic to do so. And who knew how much attention the attack would draw. If more mentors spotted me, I’d be forced to surrender in a second.
The Black Mage: Complete Series Page 45