10th of Inandyl - 2nd Auryn

  In Combat class, Professor Blackclaw instructs us to get with our partners to prepare for the mock exams next week. Before we do, he first gives us an overview of what we should expect and the objectives of the exam. As always, he is a stickler on the rules we are to follow.

  The objective is to incapacitate a golem. He stresses the word “incapacitate” and defines it to us by comparing it to the word “destroy”. The golem will defend itself with various offensive spells and counter-attacks to mimic a real combat scenario. While this is not a timed exam, he explains that there is a finite number of spells that you can cast at your target. That number is three. No more than that or our grade will suffer. This limit does not count enhancement or defensive spells used on yourself, but only pertains to attack-type magic. Once all has been explained, he bids us discuss our strategies in our pairs.

  I meander over to mine and Calas’ spot, feeling that strange loss of Chou as if I’m missing something. I left her back in the Sanctum, not wanting her to get damaged as I thought there might be a good chance that we would be practicing offensive spells today. Besides that, there is no way for me to explain to her even the concept of Calas Duskwood. Just the thought of him is something I have been pointedly attempting to ignore this week.

  Unfortunately, there is no way to ignore him when he is standing right in front of me. Likewise, it is impossible not to notice how he pulls back the long messy strands of his coal dark hair away from the shorter side strands, securing them with a leather cord. As I close the distance with him, I try not to stare at his lean frame in his normal sleeveless shirt, the glint of the light playing with the tattoos on his arms. He shifts his focus to me and I avert my eyes much too quickly to be casual.

  Since I realized that those intense gazes of his might not be malice after all, but rather something more cordial, even friendly, I have been dreading to see him again. I still have no idea why I feel this way or rather how thinking about him—just thinking about him, now— sets my nerves on fire! It is equal parts apprehension and anticipation that rushes through my blood; both an anger and an exhilaration that has been plaguing me since I realized that I actually care what this mischievous beast thinks.

  I suppose I’m just angry that I might have been wrong about him from the start. Or maybe it was more the fact that, try as I might, I can’t not care considering he actually has given me solid, helpful advice this term. On the other hand, why does he have to be so infuriatingly smug about it? And why, by the sundered World Tree, does he have to play the villain in every conversation outside of just the two of us? It is frustrating how different he becomes when in a group, like he doesn’t want anyone to know that he might be a decent human being instead of a wild, untamed beast.

  “Are you… awake, mouse?” His voice startles me from my brooding about him and I catch a glimpse of him quickly before looking away once more.

  I feel his questioning eyes on me and push down the compulsion to meet his gaze. Instead, I nod emphatically in response, thinking through why it is that I can’t bring myself to look at him. It’s not like he has changed at all in the past week. He is in the same outfit as always, in the same spot as always, so why do I now not mind so much when he calls me ‘mouse’? The thought is surprising to me in a way I had not expected. I don’t like it, but now I don’t seem to mind it either.

  “Ooookay.” His tone is clearly confused by the drawn out sound. “Anyway,” he tries to move on with the conversation awkwardly, “How do you intend to thrash this golem?”

  I shrug, trying to convince myself that he would do this for any other scribe he was assigned to. This is normal, right? It’s just combat class. “Golems are generally earth-based magic,” I start in a very mouse-like tone, “so that rules out fire. And earth and air would not be as effective as water most likely.”

  “So glad you decided to join the conversation, mouse.” This comment is more of an aside and Calas sighs before his real response. “Yes, water is likely the best for offensive spells in this contest. What do you plan to use?”

  I think about the most powerful water-based spell I have seen thus far and can only think of Greyson’s massive wave of water wiping me out of the dueling box. “Tidal wave.” I say flatly.

  Calas scoffs a laugh, but my expression and demeanor doesn’t change and there is a pause before he speaks. “You’re joking.” It is a hope on his part, but I purse my lips together with stubborn pride, saying nothing.

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  “You’re not joking.” He determines just as flatly as my first statement. I remain silent, willing my lips to remain in the uncomfortable, closed position to keep from saying something stupid or mean. In the ensuing silence, there is a tension in the space between us like a tangible thing looming around just the two of us. Finally, with a measured breath, he breaks through it, his voice tight.

  “You are, of course, aware that tidal wave is an incantation, which is not exactly your strong suit.” There is another pause, but I only shift uncomfortably to cross my arms around myself under the scrutiny of his gaze. “Did Cira put this wild idea in your head?”

  “No!” In my offense, I forget all my insecurities and meet his gaze. I know immediately that this is a mistake.

  Concern and confusion mingle with a sprinkle of frustration that all mix within his expression and body language. His arms are crossed over his chest like mine, mirroring my aloof posture, but my attention is on the intensity in his golden stare as he regards me. My heart jumps and I take in a sharp breath to combat it, telling myself that there is no logical reason for my outburst. This only makes me more frustrated with him, but mostly, it is aimed inward. In all my convincing that this is just a natural assumption on his part, I completely forget what we are talking about.

  Averting my eyes, I recall something about tidal wave. “Weaving it would take too long and I’ve been practicing incantation in Professor Moonshadow’s class.” I pause, recalling my disastrous results of that very practice this week. “Not that it matters much how much I practice…”

  “This isn’t like you, mouse.” There is almost an accusation in his tone. “I know preparing for exams can be stressful but—“

  “—How do you know what I’m like? You don’t even know my name!” I cut in with vehemence, my own confusion and anger finally boiling over.

  His expression darkens, golden eyes narrowing, but in a flash he smooths out all the features of his face. The only hint of frustration left to the eye is a small tightening at his jaw. Calas closes the distance between us, just a large stride for him, and I feel him loom over me like he had outside the Void of Reflection. I dig in my heels, the defiance plain on my face as he leans down, his voice a dusky whisper. “I have known your name since day one, Seretra Crowfoot.”

  I try to keep my breathing steady despite the chills down my spine. Sure he had written it down the day I chose to be Vodalysa, but to think that he actually remembered my full name is a shock to my system. I don’t want him to know that he has this effect on me, whatever this effect may be. I know now it isn’t fear like I thought when we first met, because I don’t feel like running from this beast anymore. If I am being honest with myself, it is kind of fun when we throw spells at one another. When he stands straight, I feel my face has softened.

  “I also know you will pass this and the rest of your exams if you keep your head on straight.” His tones are still quiet and it dawns on me what they are; words of comfort. He has been trying to comfort me and pick me up this whole time, hasn’t he.

  Uncrossing his arms finally he moves to step back, but I reach out without thinking, taking him by the wrist and halting him. On the subject of honesty, there is one thing I just have to know. “Why did you say I was cursed?” My voice is a hushed whisper, the only way it would come out of me at all.

  He glances down at my hand on his wrist, covering part of the panther’s tail before shifting his gaze to my pleading eyes. I find genuine alarm in his eyes, “Gossip again, mouse? You think I said those things? Where would you even get that idea?”

  I release the breath I had been holding, a sense of relief washing over me like rain; a cold one. I had known it was seeming more and more like Calas hadn’t said those things and now… Now I have some kind of proof that he didn’t. My view falls to my hand clutching his wrist and I take back my hand quickly. Embarrassment keeps my eyes away from meeting his as I mutter a response to his question, “Kishi told me in the clinic.”

  An exasperated sound escapes him and my head whips up to see his face in his palm, shaking his head lightly. “Uhg, that slimy toad.” The words are muttered almost too softly for me to hear and it is likely I wasn’t meant to. He shifts his hand after rubbing at his face to cradle his jaw and speaks this time so I can hear it properly. “Well, that does explain a few things.”

  I give a scoff, head tilting in confusion. “It does?”

  Calas gives his own sardonic laugh, “To me it does, but that is kind of a long story.”

  I glance around the room from side to side and find all the other pairs around us practicing spells or talking about strategies. I shrug, keeping my voice light, “We’ve got time…” I sneak a glance at him with my suggestion.

  Calas laughs more genuinely this time. “I have all the time in the world, but you have mock exams next week. Do you really have time for old gossip right now, mouse?”

  My head falls back and I can’t help but roll my eyes at the very logical, very responsible turn about. “Fine, fine. You’re right.” I let the briefest pause linger. “But this is something you will tell me, right?”

  A mirthful laugh escapes him as a similar smile blooms on his face and I mirror it, indulging in the authentic sound. “I’ll make you a deal. If you pass all your mock exams, I will tell you that very stupid, long story.”

  I nod, feeling satisfied with this outcome. “Deal.”

  Calas offers his hand to me this time and I take it firmly.

  “Now then,” He dons one of his mischievous smiles before going on. “about that golem…”