Chapter 38 | Ravinica

Chapter 38

Ravinica

I RODE THE HIGH ALL day. I was ecstatic from my success. Passing the Runeshaping Basics midterm bought me more time at Vikingrune.

I was just glad my plan had worked, for one, and that Hersir Selken had seemed amused enough to let it ride. Obviously, Astrid didn't like it, but I didn't give a shit what she thought these days. She had become a nonentity to me ever since I punched her in the face my first day of class and sent her to the infirmary. Her words had no affect on me.

Word started to spread of my deeds. By next morning at the mess hall, I heard people whispering.

One girl from a table behind me, not doing a good job of keeping her voice down: "Yeah, that's her. The bog-blood who used a bloated condom to pass Basics."

Another girl: "Bottom feeder gameplan from a bottom feeder. Makes sense."

"Yeah. But it worked."

"I hear Astrid is pissed. That the swamp-rat girl clowned her during class."

"Would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that test. She may be a swamp rat, but Astrid's a bitch. She's also a swamp rat, don't forget."

"True. Not a half-blood, though. Just a bastard silvermoor."

"Wouldn't you be a bastard if you got socked in the face and then owned during midterms months later?"

There were two types of bastards, and apparently Astrid was both. I ignored the conversations around me and grinned as I ate my egg sandwich.

Randi came up and clapped me on the shoulder. "I've never heard of such a useful condom before."

I spluttered, cackling, and nearly choked on my sandwich.

Dagny showed up ten minutes later, setting her tray beside us. The three of us girls were the Three Amigas.

Dagny said, "Is it true? How it went down?"

"I mean, I guess," I said with a nod. "Not sure about all the fanciful bits I've heard. Like, that it was a used condom I strapped to the arrow? Fucking ew."

They both laughed.

Chomping into some cereal, Dagny tucked her hair behind her ears and readjusted her glasses. "Are you two ready for today's midterm?"

I tensed, nodding slowly. Randi had a similar reaction.

"Ready as we'll ever be," I said.

I looked around the mess hall for any of my guys—Grim, Magnus, Arne—and couldn't find them anywhere.

I wanted to have a talk with Grim, since we hadn't cleared the air since frolicking in the woods during the full moon. In fact, we'd taken a short break on our nightly strolls, and that made me sad. I hoped he wasn't ashamed about what we'd done, or how he'd been in an uncontrollable trance during it.

Hells, if I wasn't ashamed, he shouldn't be. I had wanted that just as much as he did, and had no regrets.

I just want to do it again.

With Arne, I wanted to ask the flighty man if he could introduce me to some more of the Lepers Who Leapt soon.

Most of all, I hoped to see Magnus. Our nightly foray in Mimir Tomes was coming to an end, and I felt like I was on the verge of losing him. That sucked.

On top of that, it would be nice to see the draug, because I would need him today.

The midterm for Combat & Strategy wasn't a pass-fail like Runeshaping Basics had been. It was more for bragging rights, and to see how far our trios had come in the first few months of class.

The concept was simple: Capture the Flag. Three against three. Each bout took place in the woods south of Tyr Meadow, with Hersir Axel watching as referee.

In this particular version of the game, fighting was encouraged. Our weapons were wooden. There was strictly no killing—which was baffling to even have to point out. That's what happened when you pitted bloodthirsty, power-hungry warriors against each other.

Naturally, we wanted blood. We wanted the glory of victory. We wanted pride for our group, our coach Grim, and bragging rights against whoever we defeated.

The flags were staked on either side of the southern woods. The space between flags was only a quarter-mile, which was short enough that the event would be over fast, but far enough apart to allow some sneakiness.

If you captured the enemy team's flag, you had to bring it back to your side for the victory. One strategy was to play defense, outwait your opponents, and then beat them down once they showed up to take your flag.

The problem with that strategy, was even if you knocked them out and ventured off to find their flag to bring back, when they woke up they'd still be next to your flag . . . which would be defenseless.

So, the smarter move, Grim decided for us, was to go no-holds-barred and charge to the other team's side. They would probably do the same, we'd meet somewhere in the middle for a face-off, and the winner of that face-off would end up being victorious.

I felt confident about our chances—even more than I had during Runeshaping Basics, when I wasn't sure if I was a genius or if I was about to get disqualified. Thank the gods for Hersir Selken's rebellious spirit and amusement in bending the rules for me. I mean, hells, she never said I had to use runeshaping to put out the flame. She only said I couldn't touch the flame. And I didn't.

Hersir Axel was more traditional about the rules. I didn't expect he'd allow any ridiculousness to taint his test. Then again, he'd allowed me to take the bow and arrow from the garrison. So maybe his unbending stoicism was more for show than anything else.

As I walked up to Gharvold Hall, my team was already outside. Randi was stretching. Magnus was lazing under a tree. Grim was being quiet and pensive, arms crossed as he stared out to the edge of the trees beyond.

Walking up, I caught sight of Astrid, who Sven had chosen for one of his trainees. Her dark green hair seemed to glimmer in the hot afternoon sunlight.

I vaguely heard the end of a conversation she was having with one of her hangers-on girls as I walked toward my people.

Her minion said, "When is he going to bend you over that table and take your ass, huh?"

I blinked, eyebrows rising. I slowed my pace imperceptibly, because I wasn't against spying for gossip.

Astrid scoffed.

"I mean, Sven didn't even have you during the Lunar Night? What's up with that?"

With a sneer, Astrid said, "Whatever. He was busy gallivanting around with his siblings. After I win today, I'm sure it'll go down. He'll claim me, Marin. Just you watch. I'm gonna give him no choice."

I lost track of their convo after that, and shook my head as I neared my group. Go for it, Astrid. You two are perfect for each other. Silvermoor and silver-tongue.

Magnus pushed off the tree as I approached. Randi finished stretching her legs out and hopping up and down. Grim faced me with a frown.

I stopped. "Why does everyone look like someone just shit in your cereal?"

Randi scratched the back of her neck. "We got the call, Ravin. We're facing off against Sven's trio."

I flared my nostrils and instinctively looked over my shoulder. Astrid was staring daggers into my soul. Ulf Torfen was alongside her, looking at Randi with an odd mix of apprehension and mirth. Their last member was Rolf Blisdan, the big man Arne had brought here as an initiate, who had tossed Randi around during their initial sparring session.

Behind them all, Sven Torfen smiled his torturously attractive smile, arms crossed just like Grim as he zeroed in on his next prey.

"Of course we fucking are," I muttered.

"We have our gameplan?" Magnus asked me and Randi. We were huddled around our yellow flag, which was hidden among some bushes on a grassy knoll in the woods.

Somewhere out there, not far, was a blue flag with our names on it.

"Hells yeah," Randi said, punching a small fist into her open palm.

"Contestants, ready yourselves!" Axel Osfen's voice carried through the trees, somewhere in the middle of the competition arena.

I drew my dull-tipped spear. Randi had a couple of wooden daggers spinning in her hands. Magnus opted for bigger wooden instruments: two handaxes.

A whistle blew shrilly, sending birds flying into the air.

"Go!" Grim yelled at us from behind, near our flag.

He wasn't allowed to participate, and could only watch helplessly if our flag was getting taken. It was a shame, because he was the scariest hand-to-hand participant in Combat & Strategy, far as I was concerned.

I jumped into action, sprinting from our clearing into the woods. Randi was right behind me, and we ducked left under some low-hanging branches toward the enemy's side.

Magnus cut away from us to the right. None of us took the middle lane, which was the most overgrown area with thick trees, foliage, and greenery that would've made our run treacherous.

We opted to go around, staying inbounds of the invisible markers Hersir Axel had set. Using this trajectory to get to the enemy side was all well and good, except it also meant we were more likely to run into our adversaries who had the same idea.

The first one we ran into was Ulf Torfen.

We stutter-stopped to a halt with a tree in a wishbone shape between us. Our lips firmed, our hands tightened on our weapons—he held a wooden sword and shield—as we stared at each other through the opening of the separated tree trunks.

Sucks that I'll have to kick your ass, Ulf. You've actually ended up being the Torfen I hate the least . . .

Randi scampered up next to me.

. . . because of her.

Ulf's eyes went wide, unfocused, shifting over to Randi. Lost was the determination to bring me down, the resentfulness he and his family held for me.

"Hey, babe," Randi said coyly, waggling her fingers at him.

Ulf flared his nostrils. "Ran. I'm obligated to stop you."

Every second we stood here was wasted time. The gods only knew where Astrid and Rolf were.

"I'll blow you later if you let us pass," Randi quipped.

Ulf's head reeled. "W-What?"

I charged at him with a yell. "Go!"

Randi snickered and darted off to the right, into the thick foliage.

"What the hell, Ran!" Ulf called after her—

Just as I shoved my spear through the wishbone tree trunks.

Ulf barely lifted his shield in time. With a thunk , my spear slid off the middle boss. He was instantly flustered by Randi's diabolical offer.

I spun around the tree, yanking my spear back.

Ulf's sword came down at me, wobbling in place.

I easily slid under it, sidestepped, and stabbed my spear toward his side.

He caught my spear on the shield again, and we both stepped into each other—where he thought he'd have the advantage bringing himself close to me.

I was ready. I whipped the backend of my spear as we tangled, smacking him in the face. His head snapped back, blood spurting from his nose.

It gave me sick satisfaction to see his blood after our initial meeting and how he'd treated me. He'd also chased me and Grim through the woods, and who knew what would have happened had the Torfens caught us.

He deserved this beatdown.

Momentarily stunned, Ulf staggered back. He lifted his sword and board close to his face while trying to recalibrate. His footing was unsure. He snarled and spit blood out on the grass.

When he looked over the rim of his shield, I was already gone—sprinted past him during his temporary blindness.

"Fuck!" he yelled, realizing I'd pulled one over on him.

The beatdown could wait. I have a midterm to win.

My legs churned as they carried me through the trees. I was alone now, in my element, eyes scanning my surroundings for anything out of the ordinary.

I caught a flutter of movement to my right, and two shadows collided together.

I heard grunting. A girl yelling in a high tone.

Veering my course, I burst through a grove of trees and came upon Rolf and Randi locked in combat.

Big versus small.

"Remember what Grim showed you!" I cried out, and begrudgingly carried myself onward.

Randi was low to the ground like an animal, crouching just a few feet up. Just as Grim had taught her. She lunged in quick strikes and backed up before the bigger man could retaliate.

Rolf stood tall. Once he saw Randi's foundation and strategy, he also got lower. I lost sight of them after that, bounding into the trees.

"Already on it, babe!" Randi cried out, her voice reaching me as I streamed past them.

I wanted to help her. Randi being a diversion and distraction for Ulf and Rolf was useful to our cause. I knew if she got her ass kicked by Rolf, but we ended up winning because of it, she would gladly take that outcome.

I passed the halfway point of the arena—a small clearing—where Hersir Axel stood off to the side, head whipping left and right to gauge the outcome of the trial.

I gave him a small nod as I scurried by.

Less than a minute later, I caught an unnatural glint of blue shimmering in the sunlight.

I came at the enemy flag and slowed my roll, tensing. With a measured march, I went up and yanked it and the flagpole it was attached to out of the ground—

As I noticed Sven off to the side, the coach, who could do nothing but glower at me as I winked at him.

My body filled with elation, knowing we were this close to winning. Now I just had to bring it back to our side.

I spun around and sprinted through the middle of the arena, knowing Rolf, Randi, and Ulf were somewhere off to my right. I took the less trafficked area, though it slowed me down with its thick undergrowth and bushy trees.

I found the clearing where Hersir Axel stood sentinel—

And Astrid Dahlmyrr pushed into the glade from the opposite direction just as I did.

She held our yellow flag.

Our eyes both went wide. Her green hair glimmered, my silver hair shimmered.

I tossed the flag off to the side, near Axel, without a second thought.

Astrid made the mistake of keeping our flagpole clutched to her chest, like a teddy bear she didn't want to let go of. Her one chance at vindication.

I charged the silvermoor with my spear drawn, both hands on the haft. She jerked clumsily to the left and right, narrowly avoiding my strikes.

My spear bonked into a tree trunk, so I spun the opposite way to bring the heat.

Astrid twirled her own spear around—opting to use the same weapon as me just so she could prove she could best me, most likely.

She used the flagpole and her dull-tipped spear in unison, showing a surprising amount of ambidexterity. I was forced back on my heels in a defensive stance.

I knew, since we had each other's flags, we could stay locked in combat until one of us won.

Astrid growled and charged hard at me. "Scared, bog-blood?"

Her weapons whistled over me, the wind of her powerful attacks loud in my ears, mere inches away.

When she brought her spear and flagpole around for a back-swing, I slapped them down to the ground together, spinning my spear over her.

I smacked the staff into her wrist, and she dropped the flagpole with a yelp.

A shadow appeared to my left—close to Hersir Axel.

Magnus burst into the clearing, landing his gray eyes on me and Astrid for a split second. He swooped down and grabbed the blue flagpole I'd tossed away, all without breaking stride.

He disappeared into the trees a second later, running toward our side, passing Astrid and sprinting like a bat out of Hel.

"No!" Astrid cried out.

She had been too enamored with taking me out to consider that I had backup, and that this wasn't all about my solo match-up with the bully.

For Astrid, defeating me was the prize. For me, winning the trial was the ultimate victory.

Astrid growled and tried to disengage so she could grab the yellow flagpole on the ground next to us. I charged, tossing away my spear at the same time.

The look of surprise on Astrid's face was similar to the look she'd given me shortly before I punched her in the nose during our first altercation in this class.

My arms wrapped around her middle and we went down to the forest floor hard, a tangle of arms and elbows and legs. I wrapped my strong biceps around the burly girl and we both clawed and kicked.

She roared in my ear, thinking that would have some effect—losing herself to battle-fury.

Then the strangest thing happened: I started to lose my grip on her. She became . . . smaller. My hand wasn't on her shoulder anymore. My legs weren't tucked around hers like a pro wrestler.

I rolled around in the dirt and grass and twigs, flabbergasted. Bouncing up to my knees, I searched all around—

Just in time to see a black raven appear from under a pile of clothes, hopping toward our flagpole.

My eyes widened. She's a raven shifter, just like her mother, Tomekeeper Dahlia Anfinn. The "finn" comes from Odin's legendary ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

As she closed the yellow flag around her dark beak with a squawk, I rolled to my spear on the ground and grabbed it.

Her wings beat and she took to the sky, bringing our flag with it, ripping it free from the pole on the ground.

I cocked my arm back, closed an eye, and aimed.

She reached the end of the glade, almost to the trees—

And I hurled my spear through the air, from my knees, tossing it like a javelin.

Another squawk. Our yellow flag fluttered toward the ground like a floating feather. The black blob of Astrid plummeted toward the ground a second later.

I winced when she landed hard on the dirt. I hadn't gotten a direct hit on her with the spear—I'd been lucky to hit her at all, clipping enough of her wing to send her sidewinding.

She shifted on the ground, back into a human, naked and desperate. Crawling to the flag, she coughed and grabbed it.

I wobbled to my feet, disoriented from everything happening so fast. Determined not to let her get away.

Why didn't she just shift into a raven from the get-go?! I wondered. Fly over the trees, get our flag, and fly back?

The answer hit me a second later, as I bore down on her. Because she was too caught up in wanting to bring me down. She let her hatred of me blur her strategy. And strategy is half the name of this gods-damned class.

Astrid got up from her knees with our flag, her bare ass bouncing as she tried to bolt away to her side of the field.

A whistle blew close to my ear. I jolted in surprise.

Hersir Axel shouted, "Game, yellow team! Grim trio."

Magnus had returned to our side with the blue flag. I took a shuddering breath. Astrid slowed her run and her shoulders slumped.

She screwed her team over by making the trial about me and our perceived "rivalry."

Now she'd lost the whole damn thing because of it.