Powers of the Six (12 page)

At first Alec wasn’t sure if she was criticizing or complimenting him. But from the admiration on her face, he guessed it was the latter. Alec cleared his throat, excitement churning in his stomach. He wiped his sweaty palms on his legs. Even though he struggled to put two words together when around her, Alec couldn’t wait to show her how well he swung a blade.

A woman dressed in the male Rol’dan tunic and breeches stepped forward. Her hair hung down her back in a thick braid. She was in her middle years and much plainer than the girl who’d broken Alec’s legs.

“I am Captain Rohonin,” the Rol’dan said. “Today, we will search for the Shay of Speed.”

As she explained the marvelous attributes of the Shay of Speed, and how it was superior to any other dumb power sect, another group of Rol’dan approached.

General Trividar crossed the field, but all heads turned to the man beside him. King Alcandor, the supreme ruler of Adamah, had visited them after all.

Alec’s jaw dropped.

King Alcandor wore a uniform not too unlike the Rol’dan soldiers—leather breeches and a tunic—except instead of a leather jerkin, he sported an expensive-looking vest. His ground-length cloak billowed behind him, reflecting light in the golden fabric. A crown, of sorts, rested against black hair. It was more of a circlet—three intertwining gold bands with an unusual stone set in the center of his pale forehead. The stone changed colors with every movement he made. His ice-blue eyes scanned the group, pausing intermittently on a person from time to time.

Nolan mumbled something Alec didn’t understand, and then he darted around the outside of the circle and ducked behind a group of nearby Rol’dan.

“What’s that about?” Taryn asked.

“I have no idea. He’s been acting funny all morning.”

Taryn didn’t seem too worried, for her eyes drifted back to the king. Alec pressed his lips together. He guessed some might think the king was handsome. Several of the other girls whispered to each other, giggling. Alec should hate him—that’s what his father would want. But curiosity pulsed through him. His father told him King Alcandor never aged—he looked exactly the same as when Father was a boy. There were also tales that claimed he was centuries old. Crows! How did a man live that long and still look so young?

“Have you seen the king before?” Alec asked.

“No,” Taryn answered. “He’s not what I expected.”

Alec grunted. “Me either.”

“You may continue, Captain,” King Alcandor said as he took a place next to the other Rol’dan.

Captain Rohonin blushed, then regained her composure. Even she acted like an idiot.

“You will be first,” she said to a dark-haired boy across the circle.

He sauntered forward, looking to his friends. Alec folded his arms across his chest and grinned. This would be good. As soon as the boy turned, Captain Rohonin thrust a sword into his hands. He had barely enough time to move when her sword crashed against his.

The boy backed away, flinging his sword in pathetic swipes as he tried to block the captain’s blows. Occasionally, her sword would meet flesh and the boy would yelp.

Golden light shimmered in the captain’s eyes. Her Speed increased until her blade was nothing but a blur. When she stopped, the dark-haired boy lay curled on the ground, his arms and legs covered with numerous cuts. A trio of Healing Rol’dan surrounded him and got to work.

Unlike a normal duel where the crowd cheered their favorite to victory, this group fell uncommonly silent. As the trial continued, Alec shook his head at each pathetic attempt. He hadn’t realized how intense his training had been. Every mistake was obvious and every failed block absurd. And as each person lost, Alec got more excited for his turn.

The captain scanned the group. Her eyes locked on Alec’s. She opened her mouth to speak, but the voice of the king spoke instead.

“One moment, Captain.”

Captain Rohonin turned from Alec, gave a tense bow of her head, and stepped aside.

King Alcandor stepped forward and strolled through the inner circle of the competitors, occasionally stopping to examine someone, then continuing on. Then the king walked straight to Taryn and smiled.

“What is your name, my dear?” he asked.

“Taryn Trividar, Your Majesty.” Her voice shook a little.

“My cousin, Lord Alcandor,” General Trividar said.

“Your cousin? She is very beautiful, General.” The king smiled warmly. “So tell me, child, how have your trials fared so far?”

“Um, as good as can be expected, Your Majesty.”

“Very good, Miss Trividar. And I suspect you have avoided any unnecessary injury?”

“W-why, yes, sir.”

The king nodded. “Captain, this young lady will not need to take part in this challenge today.”

A murmur spread.

Alec stared, first at the king, then at Taryn. Not that he minded the king excluding Taryn, but he just couldn’t fathom why.

King Alcandor placed his hands on Tayrn’s shoulders, traveled down her arms, and grasped her hands. He took a step, pulling Taryn along with him. Heat flared in Alec’s cheeks. Why was he touching her? His sword hand twitched; his attempt at self-control was fading quickly.

He searched for Nolan. Nolan was level-headed. He’d have a proper perspective on this whole thing. He finally found him, hiding behind a grouping of Rol’dan archers who’d come out to watch. Nolan’s pale face gawked at Taryn with an expression of horror. Alec’s stomach dropped. What was King Alcandor going to do?

Alec followed their progress across the practice field, pushing people aside to better see. The king stopped in front of the other Rol’dan and examined Taryn. The violet light of Empathy shone from his eyes.

“Have I done something wrong, Your Majesty?” Taryn stammered.

“Of course not, my dear. Nothing at all.”

The king’s expression darkened. He reached behind her and yanked her close. She tried to object, but stopped, a strange haze clouding her eyes.

Alec’s chest heaved. He pushed two people out of his way. When the king reached down and pulled a dagger from a holder at his thigh, Alec reacted without thinking. He lunged forward, not caring if he was the king or not. But a Strength Rol’dan grabbed Alec in his iron hold.

“Leave her alone!” Alec yelled.

“Everything will be fine, my child.” The king positioned the knife under her ribs.

The cloud lifted from her eyes, and she moved her hand up to stop him, but the king grabbed her arm and pulled it behind her back.

“No!” Her voice trembled. “P-p-please, Your Majesty…”

In helpless shock, Alec watched King Alcandor push the blade in.

Taryn screamed.

“Shh … hush, hush now,” the king cooed in Taryn’s ear. He smiled and yanked the dagger free.

Her body shook, and her breath came in deep, ragged gasps. King Alcandor held her close until her head lolled, her eyes fluttered opened, and a faint green light glowed from her eyes.

Alec stopped struggling and gawked, his heart dropping to his knees. He took a step, realizing the soldier had released his hold. No. This couldn’t happen. Not her.

As the light of Healing faded in Taryn’s eyes, the king gently pulled her away.

“Captain Tiohan,” the king said.

An old Healer bowed. “Yes, my king.”

“Take our new Rol’dan to the lodge. She needs rest and has much to learn.”

Tiohan took Taryn’s hand. She staggered as he led her away.

Alec stared. He couldn’t wrap his head around the fact she’d become a Rol’dan Healer. Numbness came over him so thick he didn’t even notice the king approach.

“Who is this?” King Alcandor said.

“His name is Alec Deverell,” the general said. “He’s been difficult at the tournament this year.”

“That doesn’t surprise me, considering his display a moment ago.” A purple light glowed from the king’s eyes, and he circled around Alec, examining him.

“Did you say Deverell?” King Alcandor asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the general answered. “He’s the blade maker’s son.”

The king gave a curt nod. “This young man shall be tested next. General, you will conduct his trial.”

Alec’s head jerked toward the king, coming out of his stupor. He wished he hadn’t. When their eyes met, a strange sensation went through him, and he couldn’t pull away.

“Would you like to fight the general, Alec?” the king asked, smiling.

A surge of anger and hatred swelled.
Yes, I would
. There was nothing Alec wanted more.

“I see this pleases you,” King Alcandor said. “I will enjoy watching you use your skills, young Deverell.”

The general smirked, untied his cape, and flung it off to the side. Then he yanked a sword out of the ground and tossed it to Alec.

Alec caught it easily and swung it back and forth in an arc to get a feel for the blade. It wasn’t one of his father’s swords. The weight was off, and it was too bulky. Still, it felt good to hold steel.

The general unsheathed his sword and lunged in a single, fluid movement. Alec’s trained instincts met his blow. For several minutes, they circled each other, only swinging occasionally to test the reaction of the other. Alec’s nerves twitched at the meaningless duel.

Finally, General Trividar stopped and grinned. “Shall we fight, Mr. Deverell?” And in a burst of jabs and slashes, the true battle began.

Fighting him was amazing. Alec had never met someone with such natural talent. Father’s swordsman skills were of the highest repute, but this man goaded Alec like none before. Alec fought with every fiber of strength and will and determination he could muster.

As the battle stretched on, it would seem neither gained on the other. That is, until the yellow fire in the cheater’s eyes began to glow. Slowly and steadily, the general’s Speed increased.

Alec matched him as well as he was able. Sweat poured down his face, obstructing his view. Finally, the general struck Alec and his sword arm went limp. Alec cursed and grabbed the sword with his other hand to block another blow.

“You are multi-talented, Mr. Deverell,” General Trividar said.

“Only for you, General,” Alec said between clenched teeth.

Alec barely heard the crowd cheering as the general’s Speed increased even more. Several more gashes appeared on Alec’s body, so fast he didn’t see them come: one on each leg, one across his chest, and finally, one that loosed his sword.

He fell to his knees, trembling with pent up fury. Although Alec couldn’t defend himself, he glared at the general as battle pounded in his blood. General Trividar wiped his sword on the grass, crammed the blade into its sheath, and turned away.

Several Healing Rol’dan ripped open Alec’s shirt, and the all-too-familiar pulse of healing coursed through him. After they finished, Alec fell on his hands, his chest heaving with exhaustion.

“Splendid, young Deverell,” King Alcandor said. “I knew you would not disappoint me.” The king’s eyes glowed purple with Empathy, and that odd sensation shot through Alec again.

“Once more, General,” the king said.

Alec looked up.
Another fight? This is too good to be true.

“Your Majesty?” the general said.

“Fight him a second time, General.”

“My pleasure, Lord Alcandor.”

Before the general made a move, Alec pushed to his feet, grabbed his sword, and sprinted toward General Trividar, swinging with all his strength. The general’s sword seemed to appear from nowhere, blocking Alec’s blow with a resounding clang.

“Now, now, Mr. Deverell,” the general said calmly.

Alec couldn’t remember a time when he’d been angrier. His blood felt as if on fire. Alec couldn’t stop thinking of what they’d done to Taryn. Somehow, they’d taken her innocence and turned it into something putrid; she was too good to be transformed on her own.

Alec fought for Taryn and for his dead mother and for the memory of others wronged by the Rol’dan. He would give them a voice, even if for a short time. He turned and jabbed and blocked and dodged and swung. At least until the general’s eyes glowed.

It took every bit of his skill not to be completely overcome. Just when Alec thought it would be over, General Trividar slowed. If he meant to toy with him, Alec would gladly accept it and use it to his advantage.

Alec’s stomach lurched. He ignored it and raised his sword for a perfect strike. His sword arm began to shake, so he gripped the sword tightly with both hands. Tremors traveled up his arm.

The general sliced Alec’s side. He ignored the rush of pain and lunged, his sword finally connecting.

The general roared and only paused for a second before striking again.

Alec dodged the strike, and a wave of nausea nearly knocked him down. He pulled himself upright and gashed the general again.

He was elated as he got not one, but two strikes in. But why had the general allowed it? He should’ve overpowered Alec by now.

Alec pierced him a third time, and the realization struck him harder than any hammer blow. The general’s face no longer mocked. His expression showed concentration and hatred as the golden light of Speed flamed from his eyes.