Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4) (39 page)

“My Bastial stars, does it have to be so embarrassing?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll do the same to Alex if Cleve’s team wins?”

“Yes.”

Reela started laughing nervously. “Fine.”

They shook hands.

“Cleve better win,” Reela muttered.

Cleve attacked Zoke with a hard slash as soon as Sneary yelled for them to start. But the Krepp blocked it with his weapon. They had both hands on their swords as they pushed against each other, trying to knock the other off his feet.

Alex was busy fending off Cleve’s partner but managed a quick swing at Cleve’s side. He turned and kicked Alex’s arm before the wood reached him. Zoke took the opportunity to swipe at Cleve but missed, for Cleve already had rolled forward toward Alex, who was distracted fighting with Cleve’s partner.

“Behind!” Zoke yelled, and Alex leapt forward to avoid Cleve’s unseen sword. Cleve must’ve known Zoke was going to attack him, for he turned with his sword ready to block the overhead slash before he had time to see it coming.

“Hit!” Sneary yelled.

Effie was confused at first, for she was certain Cleve had blocked the attack. But then she noticed Alex’s opponent hopping around and nursing his hand. She’d won the bet, but she was too awestruck by what she’d seen to enjoy her victory.

“Bastial hell, how is Cleve so agile at his size?” Effie wondered.

“He has good manipulation over Bastial Energy. Whenever he’s fighting, it’s constantly flowing through his limbs, giving him extra strength so he can move quickly.” Reela squeezed Effie’s hand. “Please don’t make me go over there and kiss him.” Her cheeks already were red.

Before Effie could decide if her guilt outweighed her desire to see the ridiculous sight, she noticed that some of the warriors were turned toward them and seemed to be talking about them. Alex and Cleve walked over to listen.

Reela confirmed it. “They’re talking about us.” She sounded curious. Effie took it to mean the psychic didn’t know whether it was good or bad.

Someone must’ve said something heinous, for one laughed while the others shook their heads and stepped away. It left one man shrugging—the one who must’ve spoken first. He had very short brown hair and a square jaw.

“What?” he said, laughing. Effie barely could hear him. “Am I wrong?” he asked loudly.

Effie had never seen such anger on Cleve’s face. He trudged toward the young man, practically frothing at the mouth.

But Alex was closer to the short-haired man, and he punched him in the face with a wide swing of his arm. The man grunted and fell. He grabbed his cheek and moaned.

Cleve stopped and unclenched his fists. Sneary came over, drew his sword, and hit Alex in the back of his leg, causing Alex to groan and fall to a knee.

“Now run a lap!” Sneary yelled. “Around the entire field, not just our section!”

Alex hobbled off and started into an awkward jog.

When Sneary turned to rejoin whatever conversation he was having with a different cluster of warriors, Cleve knelt down and grabbed the back of the short-haired man’s neck. He said something Effie couldn’t hear. Then Cleve nearly lifted him by his neck and shoved him. The man gladly let his momentum take his body away from Cleve and joined a small circle of other warriors with a quick look over his shoulder.

With some anger still in his eyes, Cleve quickly walked toward Effie and Reela.

“What was that?” Effie asked him.

“Nothing. Stupid warrior stuff.” He put his hand on Reela’s back, turning her south—away from the field. “You both should go.”

Reela turned and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you at the dining hall,” she said.

Cleve nodded.

“There,” Reela said as they continued toward their student house. “I kissed him.”

“Fine,” Effie said.

They walked together silently, the image Effie had just seen repeating over and over. She hooked her arm around Reela’s.

“That definitely wasn’t just ‘stupid warrior stuff,’ ” Effie said, imitating Cleve’s deep voice.

“No, it wasn’t.”

Effie had a feeling she didn’t want to know what had really happened. But her curiosity wouldn’t let it go.

She had her chance to find out later when she and Reela went to the dining hall and found Alex eating alone. They waited in line for food and then sat with him.

“You’re all by yourself?” Effie asked.

“Sneary made me leave battle training early as punishment for hitting someone.” He was unusually distant, his tone sad.

“What happened with that warrior?” Effie asked. “What did he say?”

Alex looked across the table to Reela. He swallowed his food, his gaze falling back to his plate. “Nothing.”

“So it was about me.” Reela spoke calmly. “You know you’re going to have to say it. Just get it over with.”

“Cleve won’t be happy with me if I tell you.”

“Then he doesn’t have to know,” Reela said.

“Fine, but keep in mind that Kwin is an idiot.”

“Is that the short-haired man you hit?” Effie asked.

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t seem like you to hit someone like that,” Effie commented.

“I wasn’t going to hit him. I was going to point out his ignorance. But then I saw the look on Cleve’s face as he came at Kwin.” Alex chuckled. “I was worried Cleve was going to kill him, so I intervened.”

“It was about my scar, wasn’t it?” Reela asked.

Alex nodded. Going back to eating, it seemed he wished to say no more.

“Tell me exactly what he said,” Reela insisted.

“Why does it matter? He’s an idiot, like I said.”

“Wouldn’t you want to know?” Reela asked. “I’m going to make you tell me if you don’t just get it out.”

Defeated, Alex sighed and looked around to make sure Cleve wasn’t there. “Someone else said that it was sad what happened to your face. Then Kwin said, ‘Oh, is that Reela? Yeah, she used to be pretty. Now she’s just another ugly, useless psychic but with big ears.’ ” Alex thrust out his hands. “But others don’t think that.”

Reela’s eyes were watery. There was a tremor as she spoke, “What? That I’m ugly or that I’m useless?”

“Neither!” Alex whispered with furious intent. “He was just being mean for the sake of it. He doesn’t know what you’re capable of. He’s never seen you fight.”

It was too late, Reela already was deeply saddened. She didn’t cry, but she neither ate nor looked up from her plate. Effie was about to get up and hug her when she saw Cleve and Zoke come into the dining hall.

Alex muttered a curse. He leaned over the table and whispered, “Reela, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to tell you. Try to ignore what Kwin said. It’s not the truth.”

“I’m sure there are many who think that, though.”

Cleve noticed them and started over before joining the queue for his food.

Alex stood and cursed again. “Reela, Cleve’s coming.”

She took a deep breath. Cleve came to her side and put his hand on her back.

Alex quickly sat and focused on his food.

“Hi, Cleve,” Reela said, her tone still sad.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

Cleve looked straight at Effie, holding her eyes in his harsh gaze for a breath. Then they shifted to Alex. The silence was dense as Cleve studied his face.

Cleve must’ve seen guilt in Alex’s expression. He balled his fist and shouted, “I told you not to tell her!”

Alex jumped up from the bench. “I didn’t want to, but she made me.”

Cleve started toward him, but Reela grabbed his shirt. “I would’ve made you tell me if he hadn’t, Cleve. Don’t be upset.”

“You were better off not hearing it,” Cleve said. “I wouldn’t have told you.”

Reela rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Please, like you could’ve kept it from me. Go get your food. I’m not hurt.” Surprisingly, her tone had its usual strength back.

Cleve didn’t move, staring at Reela in disbelief.

“Go on,” she said, giving his rear a slap. His back stiffened. “I’m fine. Just try not to kill anyone on the way back.”

Cleve hurried off to join Zoke in line. Reela had a long breath, then started eating once again.

“I’m sorry, Reela,” Alex said.

She waved her hand to stop him from saying more. “Don’t be.” Then Effie could hear it in her tone once again. She was still hurting.

“This damn scar,” Reela muttered. “I’ve never hated anything about myself so much.”

Effie joined Reela on her side of the table. She hugged her, then kissed her good cheek. She wanted to tell Reela that she was just as pretty as before, that no amount of melted green flesh could ever make her look any different. But unfortunately, Reela would know better. Effie thought of what else she could say, something completely genuine. That’s what Reela needed to hear.

“You’re still pretty,” Effie said. “Don’t let one man’s idiocy change how you feel about yourself.”

“I wouldn’t,” Reela said. “The problem is I already think differently about myself even if nobody else says anything. My own sense of my beauty is practically gone. So when someone compliments me, it just reminds me of what I’m constantly trying to ignore.”

It was utterly depressing to hear Reela speak that way about herself. She’d always been proud of her appearance, especially after she let her ears show.

“Reela, yes there’s a scar on your face,” Effie said. “But that doesn’t mean the rest of what makes you beautiful is gone. Your hair practically glows. Your eyes are greener than any I’ve ever seen. Even with the scar, there’s beauty everywhere I look along your face.” Effie folded her arms. “And let’s not ignore your breasts.” She unfolded an arm to point at them with her thumb. “I could only imagine if I had those things. I’d probably rule Kyrro.” She snapped her finger at Alex. “Don’t you dare say anything.”

He had his mouth open but closed it the moment she was done talking. His shoulders and neck slumped as he went back to eating.

Reela laughed halfheartedly. “I know you’re right. It’s just difficult to think that way.” She carefully brushed her hand against her scar. “I’ll never stop hating it, though. It still hurts whenever it’s touched.”

With a full mouth, Alex managed to get out, “Those bastards in Tenred will pay.”

Chapter 28:

STEFFEN

Steffen finally was beginning to feel that everything was as it should be. He figured it had to do with Cleve and Rek returning to Kyrro. It had been like completing a puzzle, only to find out days later that two pieces had been put in the wrong place. Now it was finally done, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the whole thing had to be taken apart.

He still missed Marratrice, and he figured the pain would be there for the rest of his life. Though, from what he’d read about grief, it was his understanding it should get easier—and it had.

He’d spent yesterday in Effie’s group helping translate between the Slugari and the mages. But today he was back with the other chemists, fighting on Warrior’s Field. Ironically, with a sword in his hand again, it was easy to forget how it was just a matter of time before he would have to use it for real, and that his life would depend on his skill with it.

Steffen yearned to hear that Tenred had agreed to peace. It needed to happen before the Krepps attacked, otherwise Tegry could have his army join them. Everyone knew how small their chances would be in that circumstance. During his visit to Oakshen, he’d spoken with Gabby about the Krepps. People were trying to determine when they would attack, but there was just too little information to go on.

Not an hour into battle training, the Redfield bell beckoned. Everyone froze after its first chime, waiting for the next.

When it rang again, Steffen’s lack of nervousness about a third chime was surprising. He was ready. If they had to fight, so be it.

But it didn’t ring again. Many chemists around him let out a loud breath as they started toward the stadium.

He found Effie and sat beside her. The stadium seemed to fill quicker than usual.
Everyone’s eager to hear good news,
Steffen thought. Terren took his spot in the middle. He didn’t need to raise his arms to quiet everyone. They were nearly silent already.

“I have important information to share, some good and some bad,” Terren said. “I’ll start with the good.”

Effie grumbled. “They should always start with the bad,” she whispered.

“Haemon, one of the Slugari who led the Krepps, has been killed.”

Steffen already knew that, but he enjoyed hearing the gasps and seeing the smiles of those around him.

“He was killed before he made it back to the Krepp camp, shot with a poisoned arrow by our own Cleve Polken, who was accompanied by the powerful psychic some of you may have heard of, Rek Worender.”

Everyone applauded. Steffen could hear people shouting to each other.

“How did they do that with all the Krepps around?”

“Cleve’s Terren’s nephew, right?”