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“I’m afraid I don’t keep human food stocked without an RSVP, not to mention I’m a little shorthanded at the moment. As for the hair, well, I’m afraid there was no other way of disarming you and my guard got a little overzealous in the process. You’ve made a few enemies, it seems. Anything you find lacking, you can take up with the little murderous minx with a God complex.”
I snorted despite myself. I hadn’t thought about any of the consequences my failure to slay the mistress might bring beyond death. Of course at least one of the vampires slain would leave behind allies if not friends, and I’d slain dozens.
“I’m glad to see you have a sense of humor. It’ll make the next part much easier.”
“What next part?” I squeaked.
“This is your last chance to give me answers to my questions willingly. Do you accept?” Her voice came again, calmer. My heart raced, the calm tone reminding me of a snake in the grass, dangerous even in peace.
The thought of regular torture methods filled my mind. I knew I could withstand them all without issue, but the figure in front of me made my palms slick with fear. Still, I hadn’t come this far to betray the vulnerable to their enemy.
“Never.” I croaked.
The nightmare creature closed the remaining distance between us. I screamed, scrambling back against the wall. Rather than grab me, the form dove forward, entering my open mouth and my mind was no longer mine.
I was falling endlessly, snippets of memories rushing past me too quickly to count. Whispered commands tore through the abyss, pushing the blurred scenes this way and that.
The commands grew in volume until I hit the hard ground.
My three masters were circling the training ground. Master Eliza’s green robes billowed around her small figure. She was weaponless, her stance relaxed and eyes shining as she circled. Master Yinzu waited serenely in blue, a bow and arrow trained at me, their eyes unblinking. And finally Master Jericho’s large figure, cloaked in red, held a large two-handed sword casually in one hand. They made up the three rings of our Sun God’s trial. Beyond them stood his golden flag.
I stood silently in the center. Shoulders loose, feet pointed toward the flag, also weaponless. I’d done this a hundred times by now, but this would be the last. I would not be leaving without the flag or my birthright.
Without warning, I kicked dirt at Yinzu and dove. An arrow protruded from the ground I’d just left. I was now trapped in a barrel roll with Eliza, that took us into Yinzu’s line of fire. I kept spinning, my black leathers blending with her green robes as we grappled. When we stopped moving, I wrapped my legs around Eliza’s neck. She tapped twice, publicly accepting her defeat before walking to the side of the training yard. I followed and was given a choice between a shield and axe. I gripped the shield tightly and turned toward Yinzu.
They drew and released arrow after arrow. I dodged most but caught several in the shield. One hit in the same place as another and broke through, burying into my arm. I winced, dropping to a knee as my blood dripped into the dirt. They lowered their bow. And I, expecting that moment of mercy, lunged toward them. I was on them in a minute, grabbing the bow and looping it around their neck until they too, tapped out. I accompanied them to the fence as well. This time I was given the choice between a sword and bandages. I chose the sword.
Jericho continued to pace between me and the flag, waiting for the signal to begin. I adjusted the shield, breaking off the arrow that had punctured it, and threw the shaft into the dirt. Cracking my neck, I ran straight toward him. As he swung the sword, I threw the shield at his face. Changing his momentum to block the shield, I slipped behind him. Slashing at his bad knee, he took the hit without stopping, bringing the large sword down on top of me. Bringing my sword up with just enough time to block, I was knocked onto my back by his blow. Rather than keep still, I rolled a little further back from him and closer to my goal.
I did not once look at the flag, rather my focus was on the warrior in front of me. When my stance wavered, he spoke kindly, his deep voice full of concern.
“You’ve fought well, Rose, but perhaps we should try this again another time. Already you’ve littered the battlefield with your blood.” I ignored his use of my informal title, a taunt that I’d not yet earned the one I craved.
“The ground looked thirsty. How could I deny it a drink, Master Jericho?” I panted with a smile.
“Generous as always.” He huffed.
I clenched my shield arm, the blood dripping down my closed fist.
Then, with the speed of a cobra, I drew the arm back and let go. The arrowhead from the offensive arrow buried itself in the Master’s shoulder and he dropped his sword with a cry. I ran for the flag, using every bit of my superior speed to evade his strong grasp. I didn’t stop until I was gripping the crimson soaked gold in my bloodstained hand. Finally, I let out a cry of victory.
Master Jericho’s eyes sparkled with pride as he held his shoulder. Master’s Eliza and Yinzu approached with a large black trunk held between them.
“The flag if you please,” Yinzu’s husky voice rang out.
“Yes Master Yinzu,” I answered loudly.
They placed the cloth against a seal that glowed brightly until the lid fell away. Eliza motioned for me to approach. The inside of the chest was a mirror of the night sky, and under a black cloth was the star sword. Master Eliza spoke, her voice sweet and low, soothing but firm as she commanded me.
“Claim your birthright, Daughter of thorns. May this sword light your path and eradicate your enemies.”
All three continued in unison, “Made with the matter of a fallen star, no creature of night can withstand.”
As the memory faded, I felt my resolve strengthen, and I swore on the memory of the star sword. Creatures or not, shadows or not, I’d find a way to succeed in my mission. I’d find a way to destroy her before she killed or corrupted me. Even if it meant playing her games, getting close to her. I’d do whatever needed doing, so long as it meant my people lived. Mimicking the walls of my thorn cloaked castle, I began fortifying my mind. I would not let her take my secrets and endanger my people. I thought I had given everything, but now I swore I would forfeit my very soul to deliver her ashes to my God.
The whispers retreated, the void gone, and I hung on. Death couldn’t have me, not until I’d brought another to its darkened door.
Four
