Arbitrate or Die (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 2)

by Sarah Noffke

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Wilder was taking forever, Sophia mused, deciding to take a seat on the beach, and began to doodle in the sand.

  For some reason, she couldn’t shake the restless feeling in her chest. She felt like she should be doing something, but what she didn’t know. Wilder had followed the trail. The dragons were attending to Tala. The Castle was taking care of Mahkah. There didn’t seem to be anything for Sophia to do. So she simply sat on the beach, making pictures in the sand.

  The beast opened its mouth, showing a chasm of black that could easily swallow Wilder whole.

  He kicked off the treasure chest and shot up for the surface. A piercing echo shot through the water that had to be from the sea creature.

  Wilder didn’t look back, knowing he didn’t have a second to spare. Not only did he need to get up to the surface, but he had to get across the Pond, and the chances of making that with a hungry monster pursuing him weren’t good.

  It was ironic to him that he had the most powerful bow in the world but couldn’t use it on the enemy chasing him. He was full of combat magic, but it did him no good as he swam in the murky waters of the Pond.

  When he was almost to the surface, Wilder dared to look over his shoulder. The monster had strangely paused. He did too. Their eyes met. With the light overhead illuminating the beast, he noticed that it looked like a giant eel. Its long body wiggled behind it, telegraphing its next move.

  The monster wasn’t standing down, as Wilder had hoped. It was gearing up to launch itself at him.

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Something seemed to scream in Sophia’s mind, making her bolt to a standing position. She didn’t know what it was and couldn’t hear anything. It was a feeling, an emotion that had sound in her body. Color in her vision. It made her heart pound.

  Searching the surface of the water, she looked for Wilder. The placid waters of the Pond seemed to stare back at her rebelliously, hiding what lay beneath.

  Wilder had been under for a minute or more. She’d lost track, and somehow, deep in her spirit, she knew something was wrong…no, not wrong…but about to be.

  Then a splash stole her attention as Wilder broke the surface. Unlike before, his arms were waving wildly, and even from a distance, she could read the panic in his eyes. Furiously, he swam in her direction.

  There was nothing that she could see pursuing him. She assumed that his warming spell had worn off and he was freezing.

  Sophia rubbed her hands together, preparing to create a warming spell to dry him off once he got to shore. He’d be shivering.

  She pressed her hands together and felt the warmth pooling.

  Behind Wilder a monster shot straight into the air, shrieking so loud that it shook the ground under Sophia’s feet.

  When it was twenty feet in the air, the monster curved and dove back for the surface. It was then that Sophia realized the sheer size of the long creature. It reminded her of a giant eel, its black body sleek and covered in long fins.

  When its head went under, the creature’s body rippled behind it like a ribbon being whipped on the ground.

  Wilder continued to swim fast, but there was no way he could outrace the monster. Sophia saw then that it was messing with Wilder. Taunting him until it decided to seal the deal and take a bite.

  Standing on the shore of the Pond, Sophia felt helpless.

  She thought about reaching out to Lunis again but she didn’t want to be the reason anything happened to Tala. She needed the dragons, and Sophia needed to help Wilder. She had gotten him into this mess, after all, taunting him to dive into the Pond.

  “Come on, Wilder!” she called, knowing that when she had been at her lowest, small words of encouragement had helped her to move faster, harder. “Come on!”

  Her words were drowned out by the giant splash behind Wilder as the sea creature shot up again, shrieking once more—a noise that sounded like a victory cry.

  “That’s a bit premature!” Sophia yelled and threw her hand in the air, muttering an incantation she’d never tried but knew by heart. The blast shot off her hand and flew toward the monster but missed it by inches.

  Undeterred, Sophia shot three more blasts at the beast. The first two missed their target, but the third hit it as it dove for the water again, about to disappear. When the blast connected with the creature, a net shot out in all directions, encapsulating it. It stretched and contorted, making huge splashes as the magical net worked to corral it.

  Wilder finally made progress away from the monster as it thrashed, throwing itself into the air and wiggling to free itself. Everything it did made Sophia’s net tighten around its body.

  With a shriek that sounded more like a defeated groan, the monster finally sank below the surface of the Pond, its glowing green eyes the last thing Sophia saw before it was gone. She was certain she’d made a permanent enemy of the thing, but hopefully, it would realize she’d spared it later on.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Sophia had burned out her magic by the time Wilder dragged himself out of the water. She couldn’t warm him up as she’d wanted, having been depleted by attempting not one but four spells she’d never done before. The net spell was something she thought of using on the fly. There had to be more efficient ways to do it, but at that moment, she hadn’t known how. She was now depleted, and Wilder was shivering.

  “Do you want my cloak?” she asked, rushing over to him.

  “No,” he said breathlessly. “I’m fine. My warming spell, remember?”

  She nodded. It had simply been the sea creature that had scared him, not that that wasn’t enough.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, looking him over, thinking back to when Evan had nearly lost it in the water, escaping a modern-day sea creature known as a submarine.

  He nodded, gulping. “Yeah, thanks for saving me.”

  Sophia made to smile but found herself too shaken.

  “Interesting approach with the nets,” Wilder said, turning to regard the Pond, which had magically gone completely placid like there hadn’t just been a battle on its surface.

  “Yeah…”

  “Tell me,” he said, wiping his hands through his wet hair, “why not just blast the monster and kill it? That would have cost significantly less magic.”

  Sophia thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, actually. It was just a feeling that I had, like I shouldn’t harm the beast.”

  “Well, it’s currently pinned in a net at the bottom of the Pond,” he argued.

  “It will get out,” Sophia stated.

  “Believe me, I know,” he said with wide eyes. “I saw that thing’s teeth. It will be out in no time.”

  “And unharmed,” she added.

  He shook his head. “You’re a strange beast, Sophia Beaufont.”

  Her eyes connected with the bow strung across Wilder’s back. The excitement of the moment had made her forget the mission. “You got it! Devon’s bow!”

  He smiled and pulled the bow off. “I did indeed. It nearly cost me my toes, but hopefully, it was worth it.”

  Sophia reached for the bow but paused when her fingers were only inches away. She pulled back.

  “What?” Wilder asked, sensing the hesitation in her eyes.

  “Is it the real thing?”

  The smile that lit Wilder’s face gave her the answer. “It absolutely is. I’ve never experienced a weapon like this. I’ve held every one in the Gullington, and they are all full of history, and things most shouldn’t see. However, this one, well, it’s more than a weapon. It was the beginning of a new experience. Before the bow was made, battles were different. Hunting was harder. Bows changed everything. I saw the moment of its conception, and it was a beautiful thing. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this, Soph.”

  He held out the bow for her. She shook her head, stepping back. “You’re welcome, but a promise is a promise. You hold onto that until after we defeat the Phantom. You deserve to wield that weapon in at least one batt
le before it goes to Subner, where I believe it will be safe.”

  Wilder winked at her. “Thanks. You’re honorable. And I can’t imagine how it can be safer than at the bottom of the Pond guarded by a sea creature, but I’m not arguing.”

  “I actually don’t know what Subner will do with it, but I trust the assistant to Father Time,” she stated.

  “If we can’t trust that man, then we are all doomed,” he said, holding out his hand. “Shall we head up to the Castle and prepare for our next adventure?”

  Sophia nodded and let out a deep breath, grateful that her friend had helped her and she him. That was what the dragonriders were all about at the end of the day. They saved one another so that they could save the world.

  Chapter Sixty

  “Oh, you two are in so much trouble,” Ainsley said to Sophia and Wilder when they entered the Castle.

  Halting in the entryway, Wilder gave the housekeeper an apologetic look. “Oh. I’m sorry for dripping water on the floor.”

  Ainsley waved her hand, drying up the water instantly. “That’s not it. Although I appreciate that S. Beaufont is wearing off on you. Before you wouldn’t have even noticed that you dirtied the Castle.”

  “What is it?” Sophia asked Ainsley. “Why are we in trouble?”

  Ainsley lowered her chin. “That’s cute. You’re pretending like you don’t know. Hamish was loud enough to wake the dead, and since I’d thought he was for the longest time, maybe he was loud enough to wake himself. You can be confident that Hiker knows about this.”

  Sophia and Wilder exchanged curious expressions.

  “Hamish?” Sophia asked.

  “Who is that?” Wilder questioned.

  Ainsley waved them off. “Oh, well, that’s just what I call him. I’m not sure what his real name is. You see, we’ve never met.”

  Sophia scratched her head. “Sorry, but I’m not following.”

  “I’ve made it as clear as I can,” Ainsley said with a sigh.

  “Can you try again?” Wilder asked.

  “Fine.” Ainsley sighed. “Hamish is the sea monster that lives in the Pond. I call him that, anyway. I’m sure he has a better name, something like Montgomery or Seymore.”

  “Those are better names?” Wilder asked.

  Sophia slapped him on the arm. “You heard Hamish…or whatever he is?”

  “Oh, yes, S. Beaufont.” Ainsley pointed up to the stairs, where Hiker’s office door was wide open. “More importantly, Mr. Grumpy Kilts heard him. He asked to see you straight away.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia said, trudging forward, bent on facing the wrath of Hiker.

  Wilder yawned loudly. “Man, I’m beat from that swim. Think I’m going to tuck in before—”

  “I don’t think so,” Sophia interrupted, grabbing him by the arm and hauling him up the stairs.

  To Sophia’s relief, Hiker didn’t start yelling at them as soon as they entered his study. Maybe it was because Mama Jamba was lounging on the sofa, her feet tucked up under her and an amused expression twinkling in her bright blue eyes.

  “Explain yourself,” Hiker said, stationed behind his desk, his chin tucked and eyes hooded.

  Before Sophia could say anything, Wilder launched into a speech. “Sir, I just want to say that if you’re going to be mad at anyone, if there’s anyone that you should direct your anger at, if someone should be punished, it should totally be Sophia.” He pointed at her.

  She whipped around to face him, her hands fisted. “Seriously? Friend?”

  Wilder cracked a smile, winking at her again. “Just kidding.” He lifted his gaze, looking at their leader. “Sir, I know you told me to never go into the Pond.”

  “But you don’t listen anymore,” Hiker boomed. “You do what you want because the Gullington is changing and because the world is changing all of a sudden. You think that means the rules are changing.”

  “Well, that wasn’t my exact reasoning, but okay,” Wilder said, taking a step back. “Your turn, Soph.”

  She tried smiling at Hiker, which made him angrier. “How is Mahkah?”

  Hiker shook his head. “He’s fine. So is Tala. Don’t change the subject.”

  “But I want to know,” Sophia argued.

  “As you should,” Mama Jamba chimed in, earning a seething glare from Hiker.

  He sighed. “We still don’t know what happened to him. We won’t until he wakes up and can talk. But he will make a full recovery. There’s no reason for us to think any differently.”

  Sophia nodded. “Okay, well, I didn’t know that we weren’t allowed to go into the Pond.”

  Wilder tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, Soph. We’re not allowed in the Pond for unknown reasons.”

  “Thanks,” she said.

  “I suspect you know those reasons now, don’t you?” Hiker asked, his eyes narrowed.

  “Yeah, Hamish,” Wilder said.

  “Who?” Hiker asked.

  “That’s Ainsley’s nickname for the sea creature,” Sophia explained.

  He rolled his eyes. “Of course, it is.” Suddenly, Hiker stood and began to pace behind his desk. “Now there will be a huge mess for Quiet to clean up, not to mention the balance this will upset, you two killing the sea creature who guards the Pond.”

  “We didn’t kill it,” Sophia cut in.

  “What?” Hiker asked.

  “She zapped it with this impressive net spell that pinned the creature until I could get away,” Wilder explained. “I would have just killed the thing, but she is a gentle soul.”

  Sophia glared at Wilder and wondered if slapping him again would make her feel better. She guessed it wouldn’t.

  “Why didn’t you kill it?” Hiker asked. “It was coming after you, right?”

  “Wilder, actually,” Sophia answered. “And I don’t know. I just didn’t think that was the right approach. I think you have to make a deliberate choice when you kill something. I knew I needed to subdue it, but killing it felt wrong.”

  “She listens,” Mama Jamba said simply.

  “Listens to what?” Sophia questioned.

  “To what’s important,” Mama Jamba stated.

  Hiker shook his head. “She makes strange decisions that somehow by a stroke of luck appear to be right.”

  “So you’re glad that I didn’t kill Hamish…or whatever he or she is called?” Sophia asked.

  “Hamish is a she,” Mama Jamba supplied. “Her name is more a series of notes.” She began humming.

  Hiker let out a long breath. “Yes, I’m glad you didn’t kill the sea creature in the Pond. It’s a part of the Gullington. I don’t even understand everything about it. If you want those answers, ask this one here, but fat chance of learning anything.” He pointed at Mama Jamba, who smiled wide and waved at them.

  “And why in the world did you go into the Pond when I expressly told you never to do so under any circumstances?” Hiker asked.

  “Old man, would you open your eyes?” Mama Jamba asked with a laugh.

  “What are you talking about?” he questioned, running his gaze over Sophia and then Wilder. When he saw the bow strung over Wilder’s shoulder, he leaned forward. “What is that?”

  Wilder pulled the bow off his back. “It’s what I went to retrieve. Devon’s bow. I guess you knew it was down there.”

  Hiker gave him a startled expression. “Devon’s bow? That was down there?”

  “I don’t think he knew,” Mama Jamba sang.

  “Of course, I didn’t,” Hiker stated. “How… Why… What…”

  “Well, you see, sir,” Sophia began, “Father Time’s assistant asked me to recover the bow and give it to him. In exchange, he helped me to convince Papa Creola to reverse events so I could bring back the Phantom and kill him again and therefore bond to my sword, bringing me one step closer to completing my training.” She took a deep breath, having rushed through the explanation. “I apologize for all the trouble I’ve created, but I was merely trying to do what you asked and finish my
training.”

  Hiker pressed his fingertips into his forehead. “Did anyone else hear the absurdity that I just heard, or am I hallucinating?”

  “I heard it all. Oh, and she left out a great bit,” Mama Jamba stated. “Like, that I’m involved, having loaned a bit of my essence to get Papa Creola’s compliance. And Sophia has to harvest the horn this time or the deal’s off with Papa. And she’s also recruited Wilder to help her and told him he can use the bow, but that’s only until the job is done, and then it goes to Subner.”

  Hiker stuck both of his hands to his head like it might help it from exploding. “Sophia, is it incredibly difficult for you to just train like a normal dragonrider, practicing on your dragon and doing combat exercises on the Expanse?”

  “Well, sir, I’m not a normal dragonrider, if such a thing actually exists,” Sophia began. “And I’m merely doing what I was told I needed to do to complete training. Mama Jamba told me that was of supreme importance.”

  “It is,” Mother Nature chirped.

  “It’s just that I’ve had many a rider, and none seem to get into the same shenanigans as you in such a short period of time,” Hiker said.

  “That’s kind of what I said,” Wilder stated with a snicker.

  Sophia cast him an evil glare.

  “And you,” Hiker fumed, looking at Wilder. “You agreed to go on this impossible mission? The Phantom? Really?”

  “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but I won’t go if you don’t approve, sir,” Wilder stated, straightening.

  “Her training,” Mama Jamba said, subtly, although her voice carried great power.

  “I’m aware,” Hiker barked. “And Devon’s bow, that belongs here. You were just going to take it off to Father Time’s assistant?”