Bastial Explosion (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 3) (21 page)

“Glad to hear he’s back,” Alex commented.

Within the following hour, the Redfield bell began to chime.

“I don’t feel comfortable leaving Effie alone,” Reela said. “I’ll stay with her.”

“I’ll remember everything Terren tells us and report back to you,” Steffen said.

Reela smiled. “I’m sure you will.”

Students filed out of their houses. Steffen noticed a lot more people were locking their doors than usual.
Even though it’s over, the distrust the spies created will linger for weeks, maybe longer.

They didn’t speak on the way to Redfield, and neither did other students walking in groups near Steffen.

To break the silence, he eventually asked, “Alex, did your brother come with the King to the Academy?”

“Being the commander of the King’s Guard, I’m sure he must’ve. But I haven’t seen him.”

Again, they were silent.

The lack of chatter as everyone filed into the circular stadium made for a somber mood. Steffen could see it on their faces—everyone around him felt the same as he did. It was as if they’d already lost the war and were just waiting for death.

But when he sat and Terren walked into the middle of Redfield, Steffen’s next breath gave him hope that his attitude would be turning soon.

“Please be seated,” Terren boomed. It put some life back into the stadium, students now moving quicker with excited murmurs exchanged between them.

Once everyone had found a spot on one of the many benches, Terren lifted his arms and waited for silence.

“I know you’re all hungry and tired. Food will be available outside the dining hall when we’re done here. Battle training will be put on hold until our facilities are back up to standard. The dining hall needs some serious repairs, but it still stands for now thanks to our skilled Sartious mages who managed to stop the fire.”

Terren paused for a deep breath, placing his hands on his hips as his gaze fell to the ground. Steffen thought he saw the headmaster shaking his head.

Terren ran a hand through his blond hair, moving it out of his face as he spoke. “Let’s start with the numbers.” He spoke solemnly. “There were twenty-two spies, twenty students and two instructors. Five of them made it out of the Academy. The rest were killed. None went through the Fjallejon Pathway, so they must’ve gone east to get around the mountains between here and Tenred. King Welson has sent men after them, and a message was delivered to our men on the Fjallejon Mountains to watch for them. Once they’re found, they’ll be interrogated and executed without trial. Now for our death count.”

Terren looked to be going through physical pain as he rubbed his chin, every muscle in his face tight. “Nothing truly can prepare us for the death of our comrades. Not only do we fight together, but we’re friends. Every person we lost will always be more to us than a number. Twenty-five buildings were damaged and four need to be completely rebuilt. Many crops were burned, and we’re still figuring out what kind of damage our recently planted caregelow seeds took. But worst of all, we lost forty students and three instructors.”

A flood of gasps burst from the audience.
Forty-three deaths from twenty-two spies?
Steffen couldn’t help but think,
that’s nearly two deaths per spy.

“But the spies didn’t commit forty-three acts of murder. Unfortunately, some of our men and women were killed by each other during fights caused by fear and distrust. Each of these deaths is being investigated, but we won’t punish those who’ve made mistakes. We place the blame of every death on the traitors, not each other. The names of the fallen men and women will be engraved along the Redfield wall by tomorrow morning. We’ll commemorate them each year when we hold the Redfield competition for the champion title.”

Terren glanced around the stadium. “I know this feels like a time to grieve, and you’re entitled to.” He balled his hand into a fist. “But don’t let your spirits be broken. That anger deep within—find it right now. It’s a seed buried in the pit of your stomach. It might grow into rage, burning and insatiable. Or it could swell into sadness, becoming a depression that takes over your whole body. Don’t let either of these happen to you.”

Terren extended his arms and squeezed his hands. “Hold on to that seed tightly. You can control what it becomes. This seed will always be a part of you from now on. Just don’t let it sprout yet. It might feel harder and harder to contain it as time progresses, but have solace knowing that you won’t need to hold onto it forever. When it’s time to fight, you’ll release your grip on this seed of anger. You’ll remember what Tenred has done, the lives they took, the buildings they burned, and the lies they’ve spewed in our faces. Your seed will sprout—bursting open and fueling your body with concentrated rage.

“So hold on for now, and don’t let go. Remember who your allies are, who your
friends
are. Save that rage for Tenred, and get ready, because we're taking the fight to them!”

Many people stood and cheered, Alex being one of them. Steffen clapped with excitement but was too exhausted to want to jump from his seat. He couldn’t help but notice Zoke give quick looks of confusion in each direction.

I’ll tell him about applause later.

When the clapping started to die down, Terren continued. “I know many of you would like to visit your families at this point, but we have a lot of hard work ahead. In these upcoming weeks, there will be a number of aggressive missions beginning, and those who are chosen will be leaving the Academy. It’s important we keep our minds focused on training. We’ll still allow family to visit you, though. Now get some food and then rest. Tomorrow, you’ll report to battle training at your usual time. You’re dismissed.”

Everyone stood at once, a storm of dialogue bursting out.

“I’m glad Terren’s back,” Alex commented. “I expect us to be going on one of those missions sometime soon.”

Steffen had the same thought. “I hope Effie gets better before then.”

Chapter 17:

EFFIE

When Effie awoke in her own bed, it was as if all she’d done was blink. She remembered everything that had happened with Brady as if it was seconds ago, but she knew better. She was so groggy she barely could lift her head, and it was night out now.

Effie noticed Reela in bed beside her. She was on her side, facing the other way.

Pushing herself upright and whispering took the rest of Effie’s strength. “I’ve been asleep for hours?” Effie put her hand on Reela’s arm, but Reela didn’t move.

Oh, she’s asleep.

Effie found the strength to get out of bed. She had questions that needed answering, and nothing was stronger than her curiosity—until she realized how badly she needed to relieve herself.

Shit!

Effie slammed against the walls as she staggered down the hall through a sea of dizziness. She heard doors opening behind her as she neared the front of the house.

“Effie, you’re awake!” It was Reela’s voice.

Steffen’s came soon after. “We were so worried…where are you going?”

“Reela, help me to the bathhouse!” Effie gave up moving on her own and, resting against the wall, waited for her friend.

Reela rushed over and took her arm, guiding her out the door and to the nearby bathhouse.

When Effie was done, the grogginess had faded enough for her to walk on her own, but she clung to Reela anyway.

“How are you feeling?” Reela asked, putting a hand against Effie’s cheek as they walked back.

“Tired and angry. What happened?”

“You have any idea how long you’ve been unconscious?” Reela’s tone made Effie uneasy. It was unlike her friend to speak so nervously.

“I thought it was just half a day.”

“
Two
and a half days, Eff.”

“No wonder I’m so hungry.”

Reela showed her a wide smile. “We’ve saved you some food just in case you woke after serving hours were over.”

Zoke was up as well by the time they got back inside. The four of them sat around the kitchen table as Effie ate and asked about what happened.

When she heard that Marie had been killed, her appetite vanished. The volume of tears that Effie shed ended up surprising her. She didn’t realize how close she’d felt to her instructor until then. And even more so, Effie had been relying on Marie to lead the mages into battle. With her gone, it felt as if their whole army had been cut in half.
First Vithos, now Marie,
Effie thought.
Who’s going to be next, Terren?
A voice answered,
maybe me.

In the two days since the attack, she was told, much of the King’s staff had taken residence within the Academy to help rebuild.

After all of Effie’s questions had been answered, Reela advised, “You’re supposed to go to the medical center for an evaluation in the morning. But I think I know you well enough to guess that you’re going to skip it.”

“You wouldn’t?”

“No,” Steffen and Reela both answered in unison.

Effie shrugged.

“Alex was here earlier,” Reela said. “He’s been worried about you. When he’s not out on Warrior’s Field or asleep in his own bed, he’s been in your room with you.”

If Marie’s death and Brady’s betrayal weren’t weighing so heavily on her mind, Effie might’ve surprised Alex with a visit. But sleep was what she really needed.

It seemed strange how tired she felt after already spending two and a half days in bed, but Effie wasn’t about to argue with her body. That never ended well.

As usual, Effie was out of bed before anyone else the next morning. Just as she reached for the knob to the front door, it opened on its own from the other side and Alex stepped in.

“Effie!” he blurted in surprise. “Are you alright?” She couldn’t help but notice how tired he looked. There were thick bags under his eyes, and his jaw seemed slack.

“I’m fine. You should be getting more sleep.” She nestled in for a hug.

“I will now.”

“I’m off to the dining hall, will you join me?” Effie asked, already knowing the answer.

Alex extended his elbow.

Once they were outside, he asked, “When did you wake up?”

“Last night. They’ve already told me everything that happened.”

“I’m so sorry about Marie.”

“Me, too.”

Alex let out a sharp breath that cut through the air. “I’m going to kill Sawdar, that bastard. I can’t believe I didn’t know who he really was.”

“Zoke already promised he’s going to kill Sawdar.” Effie patted Alex’s arm with her other hand. “It looks like only one of you will get the privilege…unless I get to him first. And Brady’s going to die as well. I can’t shake the feeling that he played a major role in the whole thing.”

“Why was he taking you?” Alex asked, the words spewing out with such force it seemed as if he’d been holding in the question.

Embarrassment came over her body with a flush of heat. “He wanted me to come with him.”

“Did he say why?”

“He told me…well, he said that…” She couldn’t figure out the best way to word it. “He said he loved me—but he’s crazy!” Effie quickly added.

Alex had the worst response of all. He was completely silent.

As they walked, she watched his face for clues, but he simply stared ahead, his expression indifferent.

“Alarex?” Effie wasn’t sure why his full name came out. Perhaps it was from how distant she felt from him in that moment.

“I’m glad Zoke found him. I can’t believe how close Brady was to escaping with you.”

So that’s what this is. He’s panicked because he almost lost me.
From the pain in his eyes, it even seemed as if he might blame himself.

“Yes, I owe Zoke a great debt” was all she could think to say.

A few paces later, Alex said, “I should warn you before we get there that the dining hall isn’t a pretty sight.”

“As long as there’s food, that’s all I care about.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Effie noticed Brady running toward her. She jumped, nearly screaming as she got behind Alex.

But it turned out it wasn’t him, just someone with the same short brown hair. The man ran by with a curious glance, clearly unsure why he’d startled her so badly.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked. “Do you know him?”

“It’s nothing. I…” It was embarrassing to admit. “I thought it was Brady.”

Alex pulled her to his chest and kissed her head. “He’s gone, Eff. The Academy was swept many times, and two guards watch each entrance day and night.”

“I know. It was a stupid thought.” She held onto him for a breath longer, enjoying his warmth.

Chapter 18:

EFFIE

During the next few days, it seemed as if everyone in the Academy was doing everything they could to ignore what happened and get back to normal. Battle training resumed. Effie had a new teacher by the name of Penny, who made it clear the first day that rather than try to copy Marie’s teaching methods, she was going to do things differently.