by P B Hughes
“Our story?” said Nera with a laugh, running her fingers through her knotted hair like a comb. “Like if our life was a book or something?”
“Please paraphrase,” Jude inserted as they began to walk again. “Only the important things.”
Nera looked up at the sky pensively. “Paraphrase my life story, huh? Where to begin? Well, my name’s Nera Gallagher and I’m fourteen years old, born in the valley of Techa—further south of here on the border. My dad and mom are technicians—they work in a factory building Sky-Whales.”
“What’s a Sky-Whale?” asked Gregory, brightening with interest.
“Giant balloons—” she spread her hands across the sky “—flying machines built to transport goods. It’s dangerous work, and it doesn’t pay well. Neither of them are Miraclists, and none of my brothers and sisters are either—I’m the only one out of all my ancestors.”
“That’s odd,” said Daniel. “Miraclism typically runs in the families.”
“Yeah, but not mine—it’s just me. The Empire came to take me away to study at Dalton Ridge, when I was six. That’s where I met Jelani. I was pretty scared and would cry a lot for my parents.” She smiled up at Jelani. “I guess he felt sorry for me because he gave me a really pretty rock, and he told me he’d be my friend. I lost the rock, but we’ve been friends ever since.”
“You must have a strong bond,” Ari said with a smile. “Do you get to visit your parents often?”
“Not as often as I’d like—two or three times a year. Once a year they come to visit me. But that’s better than what Jelani gets. I don’t remember the last time you were able to visit your parents. Do you, Jelani?”
Jelani nodded. “It has been a long time. Six years ago next month.”
“That is quite awhile, but Daniel and Jude have you beat,” said Gregory. “They’ve still never met their parents.”
Jelani gave them an understanding look. “There are many orphans in the Southern Kingdom. The goblin hordes ravaged our land many years ago. I should be grateful to know my parents. My father is a royal official, Oba Uboko, in charge of many men. My mother is the sage in our village—a wise and revered woman. When they discovered my power, I was immediately sent to school. I was five. The other children teased me at first because I looked different.” He held up his swarthy colored hand and studied it. “But I grew like a weed. I grew so large, that if someone called me a name, I would take them by the shoulders and give them a good shake.” He threw his head back and let out a rumbling laugh. “No one would dare tease me after that.”
“That is a good tidbit of knowledge,” Gregory said as they walked along the deserted streets. “Especially for me.”
They arrived at the hotel to find it deserted, save for a gloomy fellow seated behind the reception desk. Everyone was still out celebrating and enjoying the festivities.
“Excuse me,” droned the man as they walked by.
“Yes?” said Daniel.
“A man came by to see you three.” He yawned. “Claimed it was urgent.”
“Did he say what he wanted? Who he was?” asked Jude.
“I told him you were out. Didn’t ask who he was.”
“But if it was urgent, why wouldn’t you ask him his name?” Daniel questioned, growing impatient. “Now how are we to contact him?”
“Not my problem,” said the man again, slowing picking up a book and opening it.
“What did he look like?”
The man shrugged and turned a page.
Jude gave a grunt of frustration, and all six of them stole up the stairs and stopped at the door to their room. Daniel pulled out the key from inside his cloak and slipped it in the keyhole. It was unlocked.
“Strange—I know I locked it as we left this morning,” he said, giving it a push. The door creaked open. Daniel froze. There, lying on Jude’s bed was a ghostly white sphere, blinking softly.
Jude pushed past him and stared down at the orb for a moment. Then he picked it up and turned it over in his hands. “Shut the door,” he said sharply.
Daniel ushered Ari, Nera, and Jelani inside, the three of them craning to see the orb.
“Is that a Spyball?” asked Nera.
“It is,” replied Jude.
“Get rid of it.” Gregory said emphatically. “Smash it—I don’t want anyone spying on me.”
“We’re not going to get rid of it—use your head Gregory,” said Jude, holding the ball up over his head, examining it from all angles. “If they wanted to spy on us, do you think they would put it in plain sight? No—whoever put this here, wanted us to see it.”
“Boys!” called out a voice throughout the room.
All of them began to stare about to find the source of the sound.
“Who said that?” Daniel asked.
“Boys! It’s me, Mordecai—Jude, can you hear me?”
“Mordecai?” Daniel said frantically. “Yes, we can hear you!”
“Look into the Spyball,” said the voice again.
They peered inside, and to their astonishment, there was Mordecai’s face, hovering inside the glowing orb. He looked gaunt, with a swollen black eye and blood caked around his brow. His hair was matted against his head and his chin was covered in stubble. Despite his distress, he appeared relieved.
“It’s about time you got back—good to see you’re safe,” Mordecai said, looking them over. “Are Martha and the children okay?”
“Of course we’re safe,” said Daniel. “Why wouldn’t we be—what’s going on?”
“I’ve been imprisoned in the Imperial Dungeons, though I fear they will soon move me. I am concerned for each of your safety—I’ve learned terrible things.”
“If you’re in prison,” said Jude, “how are you able to contact us?”
Mordecai smirked. “I have friends in high places too, my boy. But listen closely, there isn’t much time. You must destroy the Spyball when our conversation is over. Understood?”
They nodded collectively.
“I have reason to believe an attack is being planned on the Imperial City,” Mordecai continued. “The removal of the troops is a ploy by Greavus to empty the city of its defenses.”
“I knew it,” said Daniel. “I sensed something was going to happen—we can spread the word. Don’t worry Mordecai; he won’t get away with it.”
“No!” Mordecai commanded. “Don’t say a word, or you will end up where I am, or worse. I called Greavus’ motives into question in front of the entire Senate. I will be hanged for treason.”
Ari gasped and pulled the orb away from Jude.
“Sir—it’s me, Ari Celeste. We will do everything we can to get you released. I will speak to my father!”
“Thank you, my dear. Your father is a good man. But I dare not jeopardize his current position—we need him where he is now, more than ever. Now boys, listen up.” He began to glance away from them, speeding up his speech. “Be on your guard—an attack could come at any time. I’m not sure from whom—I’ve informed Tiberius as well, but he is duty-bound to carry out his orders. I heard from an inside source…” he cocked his head and paused. “They’re coming for me—listen, do not trust anything Greavus tells you. This is his brain-child, a ruse to overthrow the Emperor and establish himself as king!” His voice dropped to a low murmur. “If we are attacked, one of you must get to Tiberius—it is our only hope.”
They heard chains clink and a door creak in the distance.
“This is the last you will hear from me—continue competing—act as if nothing is wrong. Oh, and know this: Judge Marriott is—”
The Spyball went dark.
“Marriott is what?” Jude shouted into the orb.
Jelani snatched the ball from Jude and hurled it against the stone wall, shattering it into dust. There it lay on the ground, tiny blue sparks flying up from the debris.
“I have heard of this Mordecai,” said Jelani evenly. “He is a good man, strong and wise. He has told us what to d
o, and do it we must.”
“Jelani is right,” Ari said softly. “I know the future looks bleak, but I’m sure Mordecai knows what he’s doing.”
“But we can’t just let the city be attacked,” said Daniel, pacing the room. “Innocent people will be killed—someone has to stop it!”
“Even if we are attacked,” Nera inserted, “this city is impenetrable. If an army came, they would be delayed for days trying to break inside. Our troops will have plenty of time to return.”
“She makes a valid point,” Jude said. “Besides, we haven’t enough information. It is impossible to know where and when they will strike.”
“It’s a waiting game,” said Ari. “In the meantime, we must remain vigilant.”
“I will not let Mordecai hang,” Daniel said vehemently. “If they so much as touch him, I’ll drown the lot of them.”
“Your fervor is admirable,” Jelani said, placing a massive hand on Daniel’s shoulder, “but we must do what Mordecai requested and continue down our own path.”
“Yeah, you heard what he said,” Gregory chimed in. “He told us to keep competing, to go on as usual—so I say we get to figuring out how to beat Caden and the goon squad.”
“Agreed,” said Daniel. “I’ll wait, but as soon as more information comes in, then it’s time for action.”
With that, the six of them sat in a circle on the floor, discussing what they would do to overthrow Caden’s team. Jude made it clear that it was of the utmost importance that each of them be made a Guardian instead of the members of Caden’s team. There would be no sacrificing one for another—they competed for the good of the team, the whole team. Otherwise, Caden might be their Alpha.
“I’d rather not be a Guardian than fight alongside that boy,” Nera said, crossing her arms tightly.
“Caden has no honor,” Jelani grumbled from the corner of the room. “He is a tiger in a lion’s role—a proud, solitary hunter, using those on his team to advance his goals. He is no leader.”
Ari did not speak, her shoulders hunched as her gaze remained on the floor.
“And that’s how we beat him,” said Jude, smoothing the rug beneath him with his hands. “Caden is predictable—he looks after himself first. With that in mind, we know that his primary concern will be eliminating Gregory. If they can get rid of him first, then Caden will be made a Guardian regardless of whether his team loses. Thus, our primary goal must be to keep Gregory safe.”
“Now this is a plan I can get behind!” said Gregory, bobbing his head approvingly.
“Good,” continued Jude. “Because you will be our bait.”
Gregory froze. “Bait?”
“We lure them in—make them think we are careless enough to leave Gregory alone. They see themselves as hunters. Let them. For a hunter is falsely secure—never considering his prey will fight back. But we are more than hunters. We are assassins. Just when they think they have won, we will spring our trap.”
* * *
The day wore on into evening, and soon it was time for dinner. The six of them made their way downstairs and into the dining hall, which was packed with wealthy guests and very few students, all seated around rows of tables, a dull roar filling the room. Upon their entry, the roar turned into excited cheers, whoops, and even a whistle here and there. They stopped, stunned by the reception. Across the room, Miss Prim swooped in on them.
“There you are!” she called out, her green dress flapping about her feet. “We have been waiting for you.”
Daniel looked about the room to see whom she was addressing, then realized that her eyes were on them. “Are you talking to us?”
“Of course!” she replied. “Who else would I be talking to? The other Miraclists have already arrived. You’ll be seated at the table across from them.”
Sure enough, sitting around a table near the front of the hall was Caden’s team—Sneed, Elenora, Brawn, a buck-toothed girl in green they hadn’t seen before, and the Amethyst Miraclist that had teamed up with Ari back in the arena.
“Please, take a seat and your food will be brought out to you.” Miss Prim then turned to the people seated at the other tables. “Now, ladies and gentlemen I’m sure you would like to question our future Guardians, but that will have to wait until after dinner, of course!”
“Absolutely not,” Jude muttered as they made their way to their table. “I refuse to be interrogated by this mob—we leave as soon as dinner is over.”
“Oh, lighten up!” said Nera. She pulled out her chair and stepped up on top of the table. “Ladies and gentlemen,” she called out as if she were a Master of Ceremonies. The crowd silenced, all eyes fixed on her. Jude’s face turned red and he slumped down into his chair. “Welcome to our fancy dinner that no one told us about! If I had known you’d all be here, I might have brushed my hair or something. Anyway, we appreciate the support!” She smiled down at Jude, clearly enjoying his discomfort, then sat back down, picked up her fork, and dug into the meal in front of her. The crowd let out a cheer and began to eat.
“What did you do that for?” growled Jude.
“Come on Jude—you’re going to have to get used to addressing crowds sooner or later if you want to be a Guardian,” Nera replied, her mouth full of rice pudding. “We’re going to be the mouthpiece of the empire.”
Jude’s skin turned a lighter shade for a moment and a distant look crept into his eyes as he gripped the sides of his chair.
“Still sure you want the position?” Gregory said as he patted Jude on the back.
“I doubt any of you will have to worry about public speaking any time soon,” jeered a cold voice from behind them. They turned around in their chairs to see Caden, his team of Miraclists standing behind him guffawing like cackle-birds.
“What do you want, Caden?” Daniel asked.
“Shut up, boy—Caden’s speaking!” Sneed barked as he stepped forward. The scowl across his brow made his pinched face look even more like a weasel.
“Yeah, shut up!” said the girl in green.
“Now, now,” Caden said with an evil looking grin. “Sneed, Hespa, let’s be civil—there’s no need to be rude to the bottom-rung of society.”
“Oh, Caden,” said Elenora, draping herself across his shoulder, her red hair blending in with his cloak, “you’re so benevolent.”
Daniel felt slightly nauseated by the sight. He let out a little cough, feeling embarrassed for the both of them.
“I see you’ve downgraded since we last spoke, Caden,” Ari said, raising one eyebrow as she gave Elenora the once over.
Elenora tore herself from Caden’s side, her face contorted with anger. She pointed a red-painted fingernail in Ari’s face. “You’re just angry that your man has found someone better. Admit it, Celeste, you’ve always been jealous of me!”
“Be quiet, Elenora,” Caden snapped, causing her to shrink back behind him. “You may consider yourself to be high-class, Ari, but you’re filth, just like the rest of them—guilty by association. I ended things with you, cutting off a limb so that the disease could not spread.”
Gregory doubled over in his chair, laughing.
Caden turned his eyes on him, a sour look on his face. “Well, what is it? What’s so funny?”
“Oh,” said Gregory, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Oh, that’s rich. You told your team that you broke things off with Ari?”
Caden’s ears reddened.
“That’s a good one because I distinctly remember her ending things with you.”
Brawn took two lumbering steps forward, glowering down at the seated Gregory.
“What do you want, you big ape?”
Brawn snatched Gregory by the collar and picked him up. “You shut up when you are talking to me!” he snarled. “Your talking makes me mad. I will smash you!”
“Shut up when I…” Gregory paused a moment as he dangled from Brawn’s fist. “I’m not sure how to comply with your request.”
Brawn roared in Gregory’s face, spittl
e flying out and sticking to the end of his nose.
The whole room fell silent as the crowd watched them with eager anticipation, many hoping there would be a preview to the battle tomorrow.
“Brawn,” Ari said, her voice rising, “release him this instant.”
“I don’t listen to you anymore,” he responded, his teeth gritted into a growl. “Caden says you just dumb girl!”
Jelani stepped forward and placed a massive hand on Brawn’s arm, lowering it and Gregory to the ground. He then stepped in front of him. “You believe being born into a high class family makes you noble?” he said, loud enough for the whole room to hear. “It is not where you are born that determines the measure of a man—it is what you do with your life that makes you noble.” He turned to Caden, his voice deep and thunderous. “Go back to your table, or I will make you go back.”
Caden stared up at Jelani with hate-filled eyes and began to speak, but Jelani reached down and picked him up by the collar, just as Brawn had done to Gregory, and lifted him to eye level. Brawn made a move to stop him, but Jelani stayed him with his free hand. “My threats are not empty, Fire Prince. Wait until tomorrow—then you may show us what you are truly made of.” He set Caden down, and then gave him a little push backward with the tips of his fingers.
“Come on then,” Caden said, adjusting his collar and turning to his team. “We’ll end this tomorrow.” They started walking back to their table, when Caden turned and said, “I’m looking forward to seeing the humiliation on your faces when they make you bow to me as your new Alpha.”
Daniel watched as Caden’s team—instead of sitting back down—exited the hall. When they had disappeared, Jelani re-took his seat with a sigh. Daniel looked at him from the corner of his eye with a newfound respect, and then looked at Nera. He had a feeling they would get along just fine.
“Are you angry?” asked Jude softly to the lot of them.
They nodded collectively.
“Good—use it to fuel our victory.”
With that, they returned to their meal.