Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4) (6 page)

“That damn thing is too loud!” she complained as they started toward the stadium in the center of campus.

But Steffen’s concerned expression made worry replace her anger in an instant.

“What’s wrong?” Effie asked.

“I was thinking what this announcement could be about, and I think I know.”

“What?”

“Before the Krepps attacked, Terren announced we would be taking the fight to Tenred. So that’s probably what this is. I think the King wanted to send his army into enemy territory but had to delay it because of the Krepps coming here.”

“Already? They can’t expect us to fight again so soon.”

Steffen shrugged. “Why not?”

Because that isn’t fair.
Effie didn’t say it. That had stopped being a reason when she was twelve.

“And he’s probably going to give us the death count,” Steffen added.

Effie sighed. Steffen was right too often to doubt him.

Reela knows people; Steffen knows everything but people. What do I know? What am I good at?
It frustrated her that she didn’t know the answer.

They sat along the wooden benches, waiting for everyone to find a spot. Effie saw Vithos and Zoke enter together, his dark gray skin making the Krepp stand out far more than the Elf. They’d shared Cleve’s room last night while he was in Reela’s bed.

Effie wondered if Zoke and Vithos shared the bed or if one of them slept on the floor. The thought of them in the small bed together, fighting over sheets, made her grin.

Even after all the time Zoke had spent in the Academy, he still was the subject of stares. He didn’t see Effie and Steffen, so he and Vithos sat on an empty bench.

Reela and Cleve were nowhere to be found. Effie figured they were in the stadium somewhere, which she noticed was emptier than she’d expected…a lot emptier.

How many died last night?

Terren took his spot in the center, raising his thick warrior arms to quiet everyone.

“Congratulations to everyone on our victory.” The headmaster paused to applaud, only half of the audience joining him. Effie clapped while Steffen didn’t. “Although we didn’t get to kill the Slugari that led the Kreppen Army, we did slay over eight thousand enemies before they retreated, three thousand of them killed by our forces here at the Academy. We owe our thanks to each other, our instructors, and the men and women who gave their lives fighting for Kyrro: four hundred and thirty-one of them. Their names will be engraved on the Redfield wall, and a memorial will be held when this war is over.”

Terren placed his right hand over his heart, waiting for everyone to stand and mimic him.

“Life goes on,” the headmaster boomed. “But not without the memories of those we’ve lost.” Terren let down his hand and motioned for everyone to sit. “We’ve gotten questions about visitation. We know you want to see your families and friends, but we can’t allow visitors.”

Effie heard discouraged mutterings from the crowd.

“We need your complete focus and dedication, especially during these next few days,” Terren continued. “We mustn’t forget that this war isn’t over until Tenred agrees to peace and the Krepps are defeated. So that’s the next step for us. We’ve defended our homes. Now it’s time to show Tenred how strong we really are when we tear down their enormous walls.”

Effie felt anxiety squeezing her ribs together.
Steffen was right.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Tenred has been severely damaged by an explosion, and now King Welson Kimard is sending nearly his entire army through the Fjallejon Pathway to scare them into agreeing to peace. All third-years from the Academy are required to go.”

The stadium buzzed. Effie couldn’t decipher if it was from worry or excitement, so she checked the faces of those murmuring.

Worry,
she concluded.

“First-year and second-year students are asked to come but aren’t required. It’s necessary that some stay behind in case the Krepps attack Kyrro before our army returns from Tenred. The remaining instructions will be explained by your instructors. Meet in your usual spot for battle training.”

Is that all?
Everyone was still seated, but Terren already was walking toward the instructors, who were getting up from their seats.

It was the first time Effie had been summoned to Redfield and Terren had left her feeling worse than when she’d entered.

Another battle, but at least I’m not forced to fight.
Finally students started standing and filing out.

“Are you going to fight?” Steffen asked her.

“No, are you?”

“No.”

Many had stopped outside Redfield to pose the same question after they found their friends. Effie and Steffen ran to catch up with Zoke and Vithos.

“Will you both fight?” she asked.

“Yes,” Zoke answered. “The only reason I’m here in Kyrro is to fight.”

“I fight,” Vithos added. “You not fight?”

“No,” Effie replied.

Steffen shook his head.

“Where Reela?” Vithos asked.

“I don’t know,” Effie said.

“She not there.” Vithos pointed to the stadium.

“How can you tell?” Effie asked.

“Psyche. I can sense her.”

A new worry took over. Where did Reela and Cleve go after visiting Terren?

Effie met with the other Group One mages and her instructor, Penny, in their usual classroom. When it became clear that a few students were missing, Effie realized they weren’t just late. They’d died. The thought was like a slap to her heart.

“We’re going to the Group Two classroom,” Penny announced. “I have to tell them their instructor fell in combat. After, I’ll explain the plan for Tenred.”

They followed Penny to the classroom next door.

There weren’t enough seats, so Effie and the other Group One mages stood along the walls. It was a painful sight to watch sorrow fill the faces of so many students when Penny delivered the news. A few of the girls started to cry.

Effie thought about her last instructor, Marie Fyremore, and she cried too.

“Your new instructor will be here tomorrow…for those of you who haven’t gone to Tenred,” Penny said. “I’ll remain in the Academy to train those who stay from Groups One, Two, and Three. For the third-years in the room, and anyone else thinking about going, this is what you need to know.”

Penny cleared her throat and unrolled a scroll. “I’m not as good as Terren at speeches,” she admitted with a smile. “Forgive me if I must read the rest.” Her finger found a place on the paper. “For those who didn’t know, our continent of Ovira is small in comparison to Greenedge. If we exclude Sumar to the south of us, the territories in Greenedge—Goldram, Zav, and two others—each have about the same landmass as Ovira. So although we have nearly one hundred thousand people living in Kyrro, and that number may seem like a lot, in Goldram alone there are nearly seven times that number. Our army, threateningly large at twenty-five thousand, is actually barely formidable compared to the one hundred thousand in Goldram.

“Considering those numbers, each person’s ability to fight is worth that much more here in this war. Think about that when you’re deciding whether you should attack Tenred or stay here. The chance of the Krepps coming while our army’s away is extremely slim. The Krepps that were here last night are still retreating back to their encampment, and it’ll be about ten more days before they reach it. So while we need some people here just in case, we’re expecting half of the first- and second-year students to volunteer. Each of you is important; four times more important than any one person in Goldram’s army.”

Penny looked to have finished. She glanced around the classroom with a grin, as if expecting something. Then she muttered, “I spend half the night writing this thing and I don’t even get one clap? I don’t know how Terren does it.”

Effie and the others applauded meagerly.

Her instructor blushed. “Anyway,” she said, “make your decision tonight. Those marching to Tenred will meet by the northern gate after breakfast. You’ll be led by the commander of the King’s Guard, Hem Baom.”

Effie nearly jumped as she heard the name of Alex’s brother.
If Hem’s going, Alex will too.

“The purpose of this attack isn’t to kill everyone in the Tenred Army,” Penny continued, “but to push them back deep into their territory while we take down their walls. Once their walls are no longer protecting them, they should agree to peace.”

Penny made it sound so simple that Effie was tempted to change her mind.

One student asked, “How will the walls be destroyed?”

“They already were heavily damaged during the explosion. I believe the King has siege weapons, but I don’t know specifics. However, I was told that as long as the Krepps don’t come to defend Tenred, it should be an easy victory.”

Chapter 5:

EFFIE

The rest of Effie’s time with Penny and the other mages was spent discussing the battle strategy for Tenred. Effie didn’t pay much attention after she’d definitely decided she wasn’t going. She was more worried about Alex. Being a warrior, he could be part of the front line.

Zoke would be safe, fighting alongside Vithos. Effie needed to convince Alex to stay around the psychic as well. She visited his house when Penny concluded her lecture.

But Alex wasn’t there. She figured he was still with the other warriors, probably involved in the same discussions.

Shortly after she arrived at her student house, she heard someone come in and slam the door. Effie poked her head out of her room to find Reela with fists clenched. It was strange and frightening to see her friend so angry.

“What happened?” Effie asked.

“Cleve and Rek left, and they didn’t even tell me. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this furious.”

Effie was confused, but she didn’t want to pry. She would’ve offered a hug, but Reela seemed in no mood. Her eyes darted around, as if looking for something to break.

“I can’t believe they did that.”

“Where are they going?”

“Some men came for Cleve when we were at Terren’s house. I talked my way into going with him. They took him to the castle to meet with the King. I saw Rek there. We talked for a while, but then he and Cleve left while I was in the privy. I thought they might’ve been summoned to a meeting, but a guard told me they were sent to the Krepp encampment with the insane task of killing the Slugari leaders. They’ll be gone for many days, Eff. They might not come back, and they didn’t even tell me!” Reela’s teeth were clenched. “They just left without a word!”

“Maybe they had to leave immediately,” Effie suggested. It was the only thing that made sense.

“No. They could’ve waited, and it would’ve made no difference. They just didn’t want me coming with them. I’m sure they knew I would try.”

“You wanted to go with them?”

“They’ll need as much help as they can get. They’re sneaking into the Krepp encampment to shoot Doe and Haemon. It’s suicidal.” She turned and muttered to herself, “And they just got back from Greenedge.”

She doesn’t want to risk losing them again
.
“I’m sure they didn’t tell you because they didn’t want to put you in danger.”

“I don’t care about their reasoning. You don’t just leave with the chance of never returning…” Reela’s voice was cut off with a whimper. Tears fell from her eyes. “Without telling me.”

Effie moved in and squeezed Reela, letting her cry on her shoulder.

“They’re bastards,” Reela said.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Effie soothed.

A woman opened their front door. Given her age, she likely was an instructor.

“Reela?” the woman asked. She stepped in and folded her arms. “Why weren’t you in class?”

Who was this woman to just come into their house? Effie already was annoyed.

Reela glared. “You don’t even knock?”

“It’s my right to search for my students when they don’t show up. You can be severely punished for this, Reela.”

“Terren gave me permission to leave. It was very important that I did.”

“You must’ve used psyche for him to grant it! You know that’s not allowed. There was an important announcement at Redfield and an even more important discussion later.” The woman’s burning gaze shifted to Effie. “Did you tell her about Tenred?”

“Not yet.”

“Leave us,” the instructor pointed at the door. “I need to speak to Reela without distraction.”

The audacity of this woman.
“This is our house,” Effie said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Reela held her shoulder. “It’s alright, Eff. If you don’t mind?”

Effie checked Reela’s expression and saw her strength had returned.

“I’ll be back later,” Effie said, thinking she would try Alex’s house again. She did need to speak to him before morning came.

He was home this time. They kissed, and he shut the door behind her. He lived with a friend from Oakshen who didn’t appear to be home at the moment.