Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) (25 page)

A Once Noble Man

Born of Noble Blood

To a Once Enchanted Land

And Noble Kingdom

Lessa’s voice trembled as she finished, and Arianna felt her emotions in turmoil as she tried to process the abrupt ending to such a beautiful world. Lessa turned the scroll over in her fingers, stroking the leathery parchment.

“I wonder who wrote this?” said Arianna. Her brow furrowed as she scanned the scroll over Lessa’s shoulder.

“I don’t know,” said Lessa. “But I would bet this cryptic signature was to keep his name safe from the King.” She unfolded her legs and stretched them across the mat.

“Does it say anything else about this
prophecy
?” asked Arianna. She sat on her knees.

Lessa shook her head, and Arianna slumped.

“I wonder how Talis even got his hands on a scroll with this kind of information…” said Lessa. “Can you believe it?” She pouted.

Arianna stood up and lit a lantern as the room grew dark. She carried it back over to where they sat.

“The story gives me chills. How can one person stretch their power so far?” she said, taking a long sip of wine.

“I suppose out of fear,” said Lessa. Her teeth tugged at her bottom lip as she pondered. “He destroyed all of those people, all of those creatures. He’s responsible for so much death.” She shook her head, rereading the scroll.

Just then Sano appeared on her shoulder. His eyes scanned the parchment alongside hers.

“Worst of all,” said Arianna, “he’s responsible for all of this!” She sprung to her feet, her hands waving around as she gestured to everything.

Both Lessa and Sano jumped at the sudden outburst.

Arianna began pacing the room. “We’ve been enslaved for centuries because of a king who was frightened of a prophecy?” she said. “I don’t even know what the loss of a mother should feel like because it’s been so long since the concept existed.” Her face burned red and her hands quivered. “There used to be love in this world, and he stole it out of fear.”

She plopped down, drinking the rest of her wine, and Sano went to curl up in her lap. She stroked him to calm the storm building once more inside of her. Staring up at Lessa, she saw a fire burning there as well.

“Being a slave,” said Lessa, “I just thought this was how things were supposed to be and had been forever. To think that people used to belong to their mothers and fathers seems so impossible now. Yet, this script here says it was so. If what this ‘once noble man’ writes is true, then the prophecy must be as well.” Lessa finished her wine in one gulp, gesturing to Arianna for more.

“That would mean there was still… hope” said Arianna. She poured them two more glasses and stood to return the bottle to the cupboard.

“Maybe you should just leave the bottle here,” said Lessa, frowning at the parchment. “We have a lot more reading to do.”

“Good thinking.”

The girls continued to pour over the scrolls, pouring the wine as they went. They looked for any hint as to what the prophecy might be, anything at all, but the only noteworthy clue was inked in
Olleb-Yelfra the Fallen
. Most of the other parchments only described different magical creatures or scattered history.

In one scroll, a man had been fated to the carnage of a scorned mermaid at sea. Another told of a sorry wizard who offered his own children to a dragon in sacrifice for his protection; the dragon took his life instead. They learned of a beautiful queen who lured men to her bed until her king found out and had her head, and they read of an enchanted forest where magic flourished in all crevices of the land. Travelers there found themselves very lucky or very dead.

They skimmed over talk of orbs and spell books with strange incantations. They read of distant lands with peculiar names. None of it mattered. Everything just seemed to blur together in a nonsensical fashion as expected from a nonsensical world.

Lessa scratched at her head as she picked up another scroll. “It’s hard to fathom that this land has seen so much war and survived,” she said.

“It’s hard to imagine that there once was a time filled with wizards and dragons after living seventeen years in this wretched place,” said Arianna.

“Well, we still have a few more stories on dwarves to get through,” she said, grinning. “And let’s not forget the pixies and avatars!”

Arianna shook with laughter, waking Sano. He perked up from his sleep, crawling back to his rightful place on Lessa’s shoulder.

“I could use some fresh air,” said Arianna, feigning exhaustion. “All of this wine and magic is going to my head. Duel?”

Lessa nodded and stood to her feet.

“Wine check!” she said. On three they washed their worries away, but it was only temporarily.

After piling all of the scrolls on the table, they both donned their robes and grabbed the key from under the pillow. In a twizzle of white and red, they flew out the door.

Feeling a bit flushed from the wine, Lessa a little pink and Arianna a little red, the air cooled their blood, clearing their foggy heads. Tonight seemed much cloudier than the last, and the snow gave signs of turning into a blizzard. Still, they took a turn about the arena to stretch their legs, trying to talk of more trivial things than the doomed Olleb.

“So any idea what the Free Falls will be like in your district?” said Lessa, pulling her cloak around her head. The white fabric blended with the heavy snow.

All of the blood drained from Arianna’s face. “Not a clue,” she said, feeling the onset of nerves. “Last year they were pretty horrific though. Seems to only worsen each year, but it’s always the same idea, kill or be killed.”

“I’m grateful you got me out mine,” said Lessa. “Last festival they partnered all of the participants up and lathered one with a cream made from Night Wasps that literally made their skin melt.”

Arianna shuddered.

“The other had to drink a concoction that caused internal bleeding. The cream and drink were both ineffectual for about half an hour, but if they couldn’t remedy each other before the time was up, then…” She shook head. “It was just a bloody mess, and that was only the first day.”

Arianna tried to shake the image. No use.

“Ours may be even bloodier with all the hacking away at each other that’s involved,” she said. “I may be a good soldier, but I’ve never actually killed anyone before. I didn’t even come close to killing Grinda.” She chewed on her lip. “Being in battle is thrilling. I love it, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to kill anyone…” Her voice dropped low, and she shrugged her shoulders, kicking at the ground.

Lessa couldn’t think of how to respond as an awkward silence spread between them. Letting her hood fall to her back, she caught the snow on her tongue, and Arianna followed suit.

She grabbed hold of Lessa’s hands, spinning in a circle. Faster and faster they went as the snow whirled in gusts around them. In the light of the lanterns lining the stone walls, their cloaks made them seem like an orbiting globe of white melting into crimson.

Losing control, the girls fell to the soft ground in laughter. They lolled there for a few moments, slowing their dizzied heads.

“What do you think will happen to us if I win my freedom?” asked Arianna, still gazing up towards the spinning sky as snow melted on her face.

“I suppose you’ll go on to be a great warrior somewhere,” said Lessa. “I’ll sneak away behind you as your caretaker.” She sighed. “When the festivals end, no one in the Healer’s District will doubt that I’m dead by the hand of my master. I’ll be free to do as I please as long as nobody asks for my identification.”

“I’ll make sure Solomon gets you documented. He apparently
has his ways
.” Arianna smirked at a memory. “I wonder what’ll become of our masters once we’re free.”

“Who knows? They’ll probably run off to bewilder two new young slaves.” Lessa’s hands and feet moved up and down in the snow. “Help me up, will you?”

Arianna wobbled a bit as she stood. Lending Lessa a hand, she jumped up with grace. Staring down at the impressions their bodies left in the snow, Arianna balked as she looked upon a giant blob rather than the figure of a real person like Lessa’s. “Hmm, that really looks like you!” said Lessa. Her face twisted into a smile, trying to keep the laughter behind her teeth.

Arianna didn’t hesitate to react, chucking a ball of snow through the air. It landed on Lessa’s head, turning her blonde head a pearly white.

“Outwitted,” said Arianna, her hands resting on her hips in triumph. She laughed wildly as Lessa stood shocked.

Moments later, a war of sparkling snow broke out between them as the sky continued to fall all around.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Solomon Bell and Talis Churry paced back and forth outside the Well Room.

“She’ll be fine,” said Talis. “She’s ready.”

“I know. I know,” said Solomon, exasperated. He knocked on the door. “Time to go!”

“In a minute!” said Cyn.

Moments later, the door flung open. Cyn ran out, fuming.

“Solomon Bell, if you make her any more nervous than she already is, so help me, I’ll whip a sword on you myself,” she said. She stood on tip-toes to stare him square in the eyes. Her rounded face flashed a dangerous red, and Solomon staggered backwards.

“She’s ready,” sang Lessa, walking out of the Well Room. Arianna followed at her heels, her head drooping to the floor.

Solomon beamed as he laid eyes upon his apprentice. Freshly bathed and clothed in a new outfit Cyn gifted her, Arianna looked stunning. Her pants, made of real black leather, like the ones she often wore, stretched and tightly gripped her skin, showing off her long legs. Emblazoned on the back of her red shirt, the warrior’s crest shone in gold thread, and she wore the same comfy black boots she always did.

Solomon lifted her chin so he could study her face. Her rich, brown curls pulled into a high ponytail, and the long tresses reached down her back and across her shoulders. Loose bangs curled about her face, framing her eyes, bringing out their chestnut sparkle. He looked down to see her dagger sheathed in its rightful place at her thigh, the blue hilt glimmering in the light. And the bronze hilts of her favorite double-swords sheathed at her back.

“You look magnificent,” said Solomon, gripping her shoulders. “Whatever happens out there, just know I’m so proud of you. Remember that.” She blushed at his declaration and pulled her cloak on.

“So, how do we do this?” she asked. Solomon still neglected to tell her of his plan. “Am I expected at the Free Falls, or am I still supposed to be dead?”

Solomon rubbed at his goatee. “We’ll use the art of surprise,” he said, smirking. “The general has well forgotten that you even exist with all the commotion of the Free Falls. He hasn’t mentioned you once, so we’ll just simply show up.” He chuckled as he sidestepped Cyn’s kick.

Cyn started to protest. “You’re just going to have her show—”

“I like this plan,” said Arianna, interrupting Cyn before she could start another babbling rampage. Her thoughts soared to the horrified look sure to be on Grinda’s face when she made her appearance back from the dead, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Do you know what I’m to expect for the challenges?”

“Expect a war,” said Solomon. “That’s all there ever is.”

“You’ll do just fine, dear,” said Cyn. She planted a kiss on her head. “I must be off now. I’m to help the Well Center prepare for anyone who the general deems worth healing after all of the swords are put away.” She shivered. “Take care. I won’t be able to watch.” Leaving in a hurry, she scuttled out the door, but not before Arianna saw her wipe a tear from her eye.

“We must be on our way,” said Talis. Lessa moved to don her cloak as well.

Talis stopped cold, observing Lessa with wry amusement. “Don’t be silly, girl. You aren’t going anywhere. It’ll be too risky to show your face with so many elders from the Healer’s District this day,” he said. 

“But Master…” said Lessa. “I promised I’d be there. I’m coming!” She glared at him with pleading eyes.

“My words are final,” said Talis. “Save your charm for another day. You
will
stay here.” Lessa opened her mouth to protest, but one look at Talis changed her mind.

“Don’t worry,” said Arianna, trying to sound brave.

“Well, good luck then.” Lessa gave her a short hug. “I’ll see you soon.” Arianna nodded, expressionless as all the blood rushed from her face.
Would she?

The two masters and Arianna walked out the door, leaving Lessa alone. She heard the click as Solomon locked the door behind him.

Arianna lifted her hood over her head as thousands made their way up the street to the Square. Not many outsiders traveled to the Four Corners for the festivals, but every elder in the slave city made an appearance. As they came upon the center of town, Arianna melted in with the sea of people clawing their way up towards the seating to watch.