I swear to do no harm. To raise no blade. To honour life. To heal what is broken. From this day, until my last day.
–The Healer’s oath of House Hale.
As soon as the trial ended, Cass was lifted down from the shield. An Arcalon healer came to meet her on the arena floor, but she waved off magical healing, her arm being wrapped in a rough sling instead.
Once Sebastian had gotten Sienna safely down from their team’s pillar, he went straight to Cass.
“You alright?” he asked, crouching beside her, checking her arm himself.
“I’m fine,” Cass said, her eyes lingering on him.
Kara looked away, shoving down the uncomfortable twist in her chest. Sebastian returned to stand with them in front of the Council’s box as the scores were read out. Kara’s team got their lowest score of the competition so far – a two. It could have been worse. Henry’s team got no points at all. The competition had split wide open.
The Fire Trial would be the decider.
“The Fire Trial will be held at the fourth bell,” the judge said. “All teams will report to the delegates’ tent by the east gate until you are called.” She surveyed the teams with a knowing look. “You will not see the other teams complete the trial. You will not speak of it until all teams have completed.”
Low murmurs rippled through the crowd, but the moment the judge raised her hand, silence fell.
“In this trial, you may use magic,” she finished.
There was a collective sigh of relief amongst the teams. Morra’s hands glowed yellow and she sent out ribbons of light that danced around her. She wasn’t the only one. Kara dropped down beside Sienna’s ankle and threaded warm emerald through it until the swelling faded away. Sienna took a few tentative steps, testing the weight on it.
“It doesn’t hurt at all now, Kara, thanks,” she said gratefully.
“No problem,” Kara replied.
“Well, now we just have to get roasted alive for points. Can’t wait,” Jax interjected, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Better than falling to our deaths,” Morra said.
“Debatable,” Sienna said darkly.
“Oh, you wouldn’t have died, Sienna,” said Oryen reasonably. “The shield prevented it with Cass – just serious injury.”
Sienna laughed humourlessly, “Well, that’s better then.”
Kara looked to Sebastian. He was fire-born – his magic came from the Arcanth Fire Shard. He’d likely do well in whatever the next trial was. She wanted to thank him for helping with Sienna, for coming back when no one else had. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, all she managed was: “What do you think the Fire Trial will be?”
Oh, well done.
“Something dramatic, no doubt,” Sebastian said, crossing his arms. “They’ll want a spectacle for the final trial. Fire draws the biggest crowd.”
She nodded as if that was exactly what she’d intended to say all along, but her cheeks had started to burn. She fell in step beside Sienna and Morra before he could see. Sebastian frowned, but then turned his attention to Jax as they climbed the hill away from the arena.
The afternoon passed quickly, with food and quiet conversation. Kara hadn’t managed to eat anything though. She’d tried to tell Alys that the disqualification wasn’t her fault – but Alys had brushed her off. Henry had disappeared into his chambers. No doubt reading up on past Fire Trials – hoping for an edge. None of their team were speaking to Corrin. He’d gone for a walk alone, as soon as they’d returned from the Air Trial. Sebastian had watched him go, but said nothing.
Kara couldn’t stop thinking about how many times she’d used her magic this Arcalon. Last year she had used it once. Once. This year, she hadn’t gone a trial without it. That alone said enough about how dangerous they’d made it. And fire was arguably the most dangerous of all.
Before they knew it, they were back at the arena. All the teams’ delegates were ushered into the green canvas tent that had been erected in the grounds outside. Team One was called first.
“Good luck,” she said to Thomel as he walked by, offering a small smile. He nodded at her, his lips pressed together, anxiety radiating off him.
Kara hadn’t spoken to him since the casting, but she’d heard his team talking before what had happened to Rosalie. They hadn’t been happy with his performance in the Earth Trial. This Arcalon would do more than damage his reputation. Thomel had been hoping for one of the medic posts on the Navyrian merchant fleet. That was unlikely now.
It didn’t take long before heat began to pulse from the arena, thick and heavy. It made the air inside the tent stifling. Kara stood abruptly, intending to stretch her legs, but the moment she got to her feet, her vision swam. She swayed–
A hand caught hers. Sebastian, steadying her. “You alright?”
