Belvedor and the Four Corners (Belvedor Saga Book 1) (7 page)

Liam seemed content with her answer as she watched him relax. She chewed on her lip, still feeling nervous. Noah already scraped at the bottom of the bowl, feigning to listen.

“What did the wench say this time?” asked Liam. His eyes narrowed in distaste as he braved the food in front of him.

“Just the usual vicious snake bite… You’d think I’d be used to it by now. She always gets under my skin,” replied Arianna, avoiding too many details.

“Well, just let her be,” he said. “In three months we’ll have the Free Falls, and then you may never have to see that snake again. Besides, you know she’s just envious that Solomon chose you over her. It’s about time she let it go.” Arianna blushed at the honorable mention, recalling how he let her win that duel in front of the panel. Liam was her truest friend.

“By default, you’re the best,” Noah said, nudging Arianna in her rib cage with his elbow. “Cheer up, Ara! The sun only shines on great days.”

Liam stood up to empty their meal trays just as Grinda and her entourage walked into the Dining Hall. Arianna gulped as she saw Liam relay a few short words that made Grinda grimace. She wondered what he said.

Grinda led her group to an empty bench within eyesight of Arianna and Noah, mouthing the word
‘
dead’ through bared teeth and pouty lips that looked as if painted in blood. Arianna put on a brave face as they studied each other.

She deemed Grinda’s appearance a perfect match for her menacing character. Jet-black hair curved at her shoulders and her bangs swooped at her eyebrows, standing out against her red cloak. She wore a permanent scowl on her chiseled face, and her skin seemed ghostlike. Nevertheless, her body looked strong and supple, like a warrior-slave capable in a fight.

Arianna saw Grinda put on a show many times during other Warrior’s Challenges. She almost always walked away unscathed. Her ferocity and fearlessness unnerved her opponents and made them doubt their skill.
Will I doubt my skill?
Arianna shuddered. She hoped not.

As she stood to exit the hall with Noah and Liam, Grinda turned her head to throw a malicious smile their way. Everyone at her table started whispering, snickering, and she cringed knowing the whispers to be rumors of the oncoming mêlée.

The gossip would spread like wildfire through the district, so Arianna rushed to tell Solomon before he learned the news from somebody else. People would fill the entire Square tonight for this Warrior’s Challenge.
Red Risso versus Arianna Belvedor at sundown
. She took a deep breath. This would be a bloodbath.

Arianna liked the notion of being labeled the best, but it didn’t bother her as much as winning her freedom. Grinda, on the other hand, prided her skill above all else.
I’m just as skilled
. Her confidence started building, her mind boosted with encouragement.
I can put her in her place… or in the ground.
She smiled, straightening her back.
Liam’s right. I’ve been trained by Master Solomon Bell.

“See you soon,” said Arianna, waving and flashing a smile. She headed off towards the Dueling Arena with a little jolt of hope.

Minutes later she came upon the gargantuan gates of the arena and stepped through. She hopped around the hundreds of duelers and pushed open the door to her private area. She hung up her cloak and began to warm-up before practice. Lowering her hands to the floor, she stretched the muscles in her thighs. Something didn’t feel right. Her eyes traveled up her leg to find the leather sheath strapped to her thigh like customary except for…

“My dagger!” she said, slapping her hand to her head. She slumped down on the floor and buried her head in her hands, her hope receding. “How could I have been so stupid?”

She couldn’t remember a more ill-fated day granted to her. To top it all, the clouds fought away the sun, and they looked ready to burst at any moment. She lifted her head to the small window as lightening slithered through the clouds in thin sporadic lines like snakes through dust. A loud clap of thunder shook through to her bones. Her heart pounded as the on-coming fate she planned for herself settled back in her nerves.

“What have I done?” she whimpered as she moved to shut the door to the sparring room.

“I don’t know,” said a deep voice. “What have you done, Arianna?” She jumped back, startled as Solomon towered over her like a giant in the doorway. His expression looked violent.
He knows.

“Master Bell… I’m so sorry. I should’ve just walked away. Everything is going so wrong.” She sat cross-legged on the floor and let her face fall to her hands.

“Tell me that what I’ve heard is false! Did you challenge Grinda Risso? Do you have any idea of the trouble you’ve caused for yourself?”

“I know. I… I—”

“The Free Falls are only a few months away! If she slights you in front of a crowd during a Warrior’s Challenge, then you’ll lose all of your honor and never be given a decent placement after the festivals. That is
if
you survive.” Solomon began pacing.

Arianna said nothing, his words sinking in as he continued.

“On your twelfth ceremony you showed promise in front of the panel. I chose you as an apprentice because you exhibited a passion for battle like I have only ever seen in myself.” His hands began to shake and his voice grew louder. “Because I saw this in you, because
I
said it was so, you were given a chance to prove yourself, an opportunity that few others have earned. But by gods, Arianna, that does not mean that you’re unsurpassed! You could be throwing away your one chance at a future.”

Arianna felt so lost. She knew it was all a mistake. “If I could take it back, I would.”

He held his hand up for silence. She would not test him.

“You have willingly signed up for a fantastic failure. Pray that luck is on your side tonight because if you’re bested in front of the thousands in this district, you’ll never be taken seriously as a warrior of the Olleb. If you manage to earn your freedom, you’ll just find another type of slavery waiting for you outside these walls.”

“Master, please. I didn’t mean—.” Her voice barely passed her lips, and she couldn’t meet his eyes as he glared down at her.

“You’re a fool, and you will either win or die tonight.” He shoved her aside and slammed the door to the training room in her face.

She felt complete fear wash over her in that moment, as if living one of her nightmares. Trying to remain calm, she decided the sky would curtail the tears that welled up inside her chest and pressed against her heart, no need for them to fall twice. She didn’t have time for that. The clouds only sprinkled now, but she knew there would be a storm to come later. 

When Solomon returned, his mood had not lifted. Arianna struggled through the strenuous training. Today he did not grant her the friend she needed, just her strict master. She deserved nothing less, but she wished she could break through his cold-shoulder attitude with a strike of her blade. She desired some of his wisdom at this moment, but he left her discouraged.

The day continued on until what little sun was left in the sky began to lower. She would have gone to the Dining Hall for dinner, but she feared her nerves might show. Arianna knew that by now everyone would know, so she didn’t dare step foot outside of the Dueling Arena.

After Solomon left, she rested for a couple of hours in the Well Room. As she massaged her muscles, he reappeared with a dreary look on his face. “It’s about time,” he said.

“Better get going, I guess.” She turned to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, the crack still apparent from when she fell the other day. She pulled up her hair into a high pony-tail that fell to the middle of her back.

For the battle, she donned a pair of black, worn leather pants. She saved these for the rougher fights because the leather protected her skin against the cold and the flat side of steel. Her boots hugged her ankles, also black, with gray fur lining to keep her toes from freezing. They had a thick one and a half inch heel to keep her steady and three small rusted silver clasps up the side to keep them tight on her feet.

As per regulations, the protection of armor was a privilege not granted to slaves. The King reasoned it would create weakness where strength should live, but, today of all days, Arianna wished for mail across her chest.

Her mind wondered over the
accidental
butcheries of Grinda’s previous opponents. She shuddered. One of her simple, black linen shirts would have to suffice. Slashed at her sleeves and stomach from old battles with Solomon, the shirt fit loose on her body. Every time she raised her arms, her belly showed. Stamped at the side of the shirt, the large emblem of the district glittered in red and gold.

“Here we go,” she said as she slipped on her fingerless, black-leather gloves. She patted her thigh where her trusty dagger should be and sank at the empty feeling.

“All ready for battle are we?” Solomon asked, coming around the corner. His mood seemed lighter than before.

“Master Bell, I…” Arianna lowered her head, ashamed at the trouble she caused.

“I know, child. I’m sorry for being so harsh with you,” he said, lifting her chin up high so she could see herself in the mirror. Her reflection split from the crack in the glass. She couldn’t see herself clearly. 

The crest of the warrior mirrored behind her reflection, and Arianna stood tall against the backdrop, looking strong as a warrior.
I am a slave.
She felt weak and sallow on the inside.

Solomon placed two hands on her shoulders and stared at her through the reflection. He began to issue the words of advice she yearned for all day long. “You are brave and you fight well, but, Arianna, you mustn’t let your guard down. Not for an instant. Do you understand?”

She nodded, her bravery starting to return from the passion behind his words.

“Grinda Risso is a fierce opponent to have. She has a pure disregard for her own life. She fights for blood with no fear or hesitation, so you must never give her a moment of weakness, or she’ll pray upon it until you’re at your knees.”

Solomon handed her the double long-swords with the bronze handles, her favorites. She sheathed them across her back.

“Now, you’re ready. Good luck,” he said as he headed towards the door. She could hear the wind pounding at the wood. “Master, wait,” said Arianna. “Will you watch?”

“I’ll be around if you need me,” he said as he slipped out of the room.

Arianna stood alone. Only thoughts of the bloody battle to come kept her company. Closing her eyes to relax, she felt a bit better after Solomon’s words, her motivation restored.

Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she donned her red cloak and set off through the melting snow. The harsh wind swirled her hair about her face and knocked some of her bangs free, giving her a wilder look. She pulled the fur hood about her face, trying to stay as warm as possible.

The sun neared invisible now behind the claws of Blancoren, and the crowd became denser as she approached the battleground, her nerves returning full-force. Just as twilight settled in, she entered the perimeter of the Square which was filled by what seemed to be every person, both slave and elder, who occupied the district. They layered on the old, stone stairs that encircled the amphitheater.

Even General Ivo took his place on the raised platform along with the regulators. The Square provided space for the morning line-up, ceremony celebrations, and the annual Free Falls Festivals. However, on occasion, it hosted the fiery-hearted slaves who initiated a Warrior’s Challenge with one another.

The general quite enjoyed the challenges as entertainment. He deemed it another act of ‘weeding out the weak’ as the King suggested. In fact, some trainers encouraged their apprentices to initiate a Warrior’s Challenge for the sake of practice. Some trainers, yes… but not hers. 

Arianna melted in with the crowd. Everyone wrapped their cloaks around them as the night grew cooler. Rain drizzled overhead, and she saw Grinda waiting, radiating strength, in the center. She looked more hostile than ever as she leaned her weight against a tall double-bladed axe, her weapon.

Grinda chose a very similar outfit to Arianna’s, save for her shirt of the same blood red as their cloaks, and her boots tied all the way to her knees. She shed her robes, her hair skimming the collar of her shirt as she cracked her neck. Lanterns flickered everywhere within the crowd to light the way of the battle, and the lightening in the sky gave way for an eerie effect over the sea of buzzing red figures itching for blood.

Arianna’s heart leapt as a booming voice quieted the crowd. “Slave number twenty-two, make your way to the center if you’re among us,” said the cool voice of General Ivo from the comfort of a throne-like chair.

Arianna choked on her voice. Beads of sweat dripped down her face under the warmth of her fur, and her eyes fixed open, unable to blink.

“Slave twenty-two, the time is now if you wish to preserve your honor,” he continued in a bored voice.

Her feet froze to the ground in the soggy snow, and her limbs numbed from the cold. “Arianna Belvedor!” He stood up from his chair, his roar tearing through the dead silence, the sound jolting her body awake. She lifted the hood from her face and stepped forward into the center.

“I’m here, General.” She bowed low, and the crowd roared.