Page 19

L ilith woke up sick to her stomach and she was filled with anxiety.

Everyone had woken up before dawn and silently made their way to the hall.

They picked at their breakfasts, their nervous energy filling the air.

Lilith had thought about poisoning their teas, since most of her class drank some, but she was afraid of the repercussions if she were found.

She was not alone in her thoughts of manipulation: the women did not talk to each other, instead they eyed each other suspiciously.

“We’re not even competing yet, and we look at each other like someone will stab us right now,” said Juniper, breaking the silence. “It’s just a game, and we all have to co-exist after this tournament ends.”

“You’re right, Juniper. For us this is a game.

For our mentors, today is a chance to prove themselves fit for command.

I will be giving my best effort, so that if I were to cross paths with them after we graduate and they became my leaders, they would favourably remember me,” Meridith answered her. She excused herself and left.

“We’re to meet in the Incantations classroom,” Meira called out to her sister.

“She is feeling the pressure from her mentor. I’ll be glad when this is over.

” She left to find her sister. Andishmand’s teachings rang through Lilith’s mind: Worriment leads to indecisiveness. The twins will be an easy target.

Only the first years were allowed in the Incantations classroom.

They waited in silence and avoided making eye contact with each other.

The fifth years had disappeared to the competition area.

None of the regular classes were running today, so the hallways were a flurry of activity as people made their way to the spectator areas.

“The tension in here is thick,” Mistress Rhodes said as she went to the front of the class. Sir Tornbury followed close behind.

“It’s time. We will be patting you down in search of any hidden weapons and checking you for any enhancements.

If you are found with one at the competition area, you will be disqualified.

Any last questions?” Mistress Rhodes asked.

No one spoke. “Ladies, if you please.” She went to pat them down and Sir Tornbury searched the men.

Lilith was sweating profusely. Her stomach felt like it was churning and she felt both hot and cold from the swell of emotions.

Mistress Rhodes cast a spell over her, checking for any use of tonics.

She eyed Lilith with concern, but said nothing.

They followed the teachers out towards the courtyard, through the gate and then around to the first marker.

Instead of going upwards, they went to the right and followed a trail that led around the mountain base.

Their walk lasted for a while as they hiked around the mountain and ended up in front of a mural carved into its face.

Delicate knotwork formed an elegant arch.

Sir Tornbury placed his hands on the wall and it began to shake.

The beautiful design disappeared and opened a large doorway into the mountain .

Large torches flickered to life as they stepped though. The walls were made out of the mountain stone, forming a mammoth cavern. The sounds of cheering and laughter filtered through tall wooden doors.

“Through those doors are where the spectators will be watching. We head down,” Mistress Rhodes told them.

She turned right down a narrow corridor and reached the stone stairs leading down.

More torches flickered on as they descended.

They reached a small hallway with a stone wall on one side and archways with steel gates running through them on the other side.

They could peer through the bars into the arena that laid beyond.

“Each of you will spread out and stand in front of an archway. You’ll find a marker on the floor which indicates where you should stand,” Sir Tornbury called out.

The students filed down the curved hallway, each of them finding an engraved metal marker embedded in a stone on the floor.

They peered out towards the arena. It felt like they were in an ancient sacred space.

A place where there was no measure of time.

This is it. We’re going to be let loose into an all out assault.

Lilith could make out people looking down into the arena from stands encircling it.

In the centre was an enormous floating white orb that cast a bright glow onto the spectators.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, until a great voice beckoned them to quiet.

Lilith’s heart was racing. It’s only a game.

It’s only a game. She kept repeating that phrase to herself. She felt sick.

The large white orb flickered to life and showed Lord Helmer standing in a box with the other teachers. To his left was a separate seating area for the fifth years .

“Welcome students, faculty and staff. For many of you this place is unfamiliar. We are standing on the grounds of our history. Our forefathers once used this place as a temple and before that the great dwarves carved this place as a sanctuary for their people. Fifth years will remember this place as the location where we held their tournament. Their blood has been spilled on these stones. We are here to follow a tradition long held since Skilheim’s conception.

You all know what they feel. You have been competitors and showed us that you are worthy of your place at Skilheim.

Let us encourage our brothers and sisters as they go forth and give us their best.” He reached his hand out.

The arena shook. Lilith looked to her feet.

The marker she stood on now glowed. The large stone she stood on vanished and she was sent sliding downwards.

What is going on? I thought the archways would open!

She landed at a lower level. In front of her was a room made out of rough stone.

She tentatively made her way forward. It felt colder down here and it was dark.

There were little white orbs in the upper corner of the room that served as the only source of light.

She reached the front wall and looked to her left.

A small corridor veered off. This must be a labyrinth to spread us out.

She carefully walked down the left corridor.

A faint click sounded underneath her feet, and then fireballs flew at her from the sides.

She quickly formed a shield of water. The fireballs steamed as they deflected off of her barrier.

Fear flowed through her veins. There are traps.

She cast a fingertip of flame and held it in front of her to lead her way.

It would exhaust her mana, but at least she could see.

She made it to another corner that veered to the right.

She heard someone approaching and doused her flame.

She could barely make out Nym as he stepped into the shared hallway.

A feeling of uncertainty passed through her, as she sized up her classmate.

Just pretend we’re sparring, she thought as she shot a spear of fire towards him.

Nym reached out in front of him and forced a barrier of dirt to form.

He screamed as the fire spear lodged into the earth.

Nym dropped his barrier and shot out his counter attack.

She felt the earth rumble beneath her feet.

Moving with supernatural speed, she moved like a viper to close the distance between them.

She sent a ball of air hurtling towards him, which he ducked.

A move too predictable. She shot forward and kneed him in the face.

Nym let out a cry as she heard the audible crack of his nose breaking.

His hands flew to protect his face. She encased her fist in energy and punched forward into his stomach.

She laced her blow with air, sending him flying backwards into a stone wall, and he slumped to the ground.

He was quick to spar with her, but came in with no strategy.

She had witnessed such behaviour over the past month.

“Sorry,” she whispered. She felt a sharp pang in her stomach and vomited.

She carried on through the maze, her small ball of fire allowed her to narrowly escape the traps.

She quickly learned that there were small markers, similar to the ones she stood on at the beginning, but the size of a coin embedded into the stone.

If she pressed on it, it would set off some sort of trap.

Up ahead she saw something laying on the floor.

She cautiously walked towards it. An outstretched hand?

The body of Meira lay unconscious. Her body had marks on her, like she had been electrocuted.

Whoever did this had great mana. Maybe Storm or Orin?

She heard the soft footsteps of someone approaching and the faintest sounds of a girl whimpering.

Quickly dousing her flame, she poked around the corner and spotted Meridith coming towards her.

Lilith looked at Meria and had an idea. She laid herself next to her and closed her eyes.

‘ Desperation breeds recklessness, allowing men to make foolish decisions.’

“Meira?” whispered the voice. Her steps came closer.

“Meira! Oh gods, Meira,” said the voice loudly.

Lilith knew Meridith would be too preoccupied with Meira to notice her.

Lilith sprang up and cast a large ball of fire at her.

Meridith, who was still looking at her sister, did not shield herself from the blow.

Her uniform caught on fire. Lilith approached her quickly, an iced dagger forming in her hands.

I wont stab her, but pressure her to yield.

The closer she got, she could see Meridith had been pretty banged up.

Blood was dripping down her face as she screamed and patted herself down.

Lilith brought her dagger to Meridith’s throat.