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  “So your father’s a tradesman?” she asked. “Or does he work in the manor with Nolan?”

  “He’s an arms maker,” Alec answered, feeling pretty good about the conversation so far.

  Taryn put down her fork, and a strange expression passed over her face. “By Brim! Your father isn’t the Deverell, is he?”

  How do I answer? It could mean anything, especially when his Father was involved. She stared at Alec, studying every detail of his face, waiting for an answer. Then thankfully, her eyes darted to someone standing behind Alec. She grinned.

  “Nolan!” she said.

  Alec took a bite from a roll and chewed vigorously. A twitch jolted his stomach.

  “How’s your meal?” Nolan asked.

  “Great,” Taryn said, “though I’m so nervous, I’m not sure I can eat much of anything.”

  Nolan attempted a smile. “You shouldn’t force yourself to eat.”

  “Why don’t you join us? You can have as much as you want of mine.”

  “No, thanks,” Nolan said.

  Nolan’s eyes held a strange expression, as if struggling with telling them something. “Like I said, no sense stuffing one’s self. That is, if you aren’t feeling well.”

  “Nolan!” General Trividar’s voice blared.

  Nolan’s cheek twitched. “Excuse me.” He returned to the idiot Rol’dan.

  General Trividar yanked Nolan off to the side, his face red as he jammed his finger into Nolan’s chest.

  “What’s that about?” Taryn said. “Who’s that?”

  “General Trividar.”

  “Kael?” Taryn sat straighter with more interest. “So he’s my famous general cousin. I barely remember him from when he left for the Rol’dan. Hm … he doesn’t seem as impressive as my Uncle Belen made him out to be.”

  Alec stabbed another serving of meat onto his plate. “No. He’s not impressive at all.”

  Taryn gave Alec a puzzled expression and turned to her cousins. General Trividar’s eyes roved over the tables, and a predatory grin spread across his lips.

  “Well, at least they’ve stopped fighting,” Taryn said.

  From what Alec had seen so far, it was never over between them. It wasn’t as if Nolan had committed a crime by coming over and saying hello.

  Alec’s stomach twitched again, not much, but enough to get his attention. What had Nolan said? Not to force himself to eat if he wasn’t feeling well? How would Nolan know how he felt? Did he look sick? Unless Nolan knew something the rest didn’t.

  Alec pulled his eyes from his plate to the others gorging themselves. He couldn’t help but notice the smirks on the faces of the Rol’dan. They laughed, as if about to pull some sick practical joke. He put a hand to his gut and pushed the plate away. He didn’t feel so well.

  As the last platter was emptied, General Trividar sauntered to the head of the tables. “Greetings!” he said. “Welcome to the first day of the Tournament of Awakening.”

  The group erupted in cheers, and a cluster of Rol’dan handed out tightly wrapped scrolls.

  “Did you all enjoy your feast?”

  The crowd cheered louder.

  General Trividar’s grin widened. “My men are handing out a document for your first trial. Once they have been distributed, we will go over them together.”

  Those who had already received their scrolls opened them and confused conversations spread. Alec unrolled the parchment and found a very strange list.

  1 Root of Tardock

  1 Mitimum Beetle

  5 Violet Taum Berries

  10 Perridrake Seeds

  1 Bonnie Bird Feather

  A middle-aged woman with her hair pulled tightly in a bun stepped forward. Her eyes darted back and forth, radiating the orange light of Perception. “My name is Captain Rossen. I will explain each of the items on this list. If you haven’t yet opened your scroll, please do so now. We will start at the top.

  “The first item: one root of tardock,” she began. “Its tiny outer foliage has yellow tips on its leaves. It can be found in large patches of weeds as it prefers shade.” She held a small green plant. “The best way to recognize the tardock plant is by its distinct fragrance. We will pass it so you may sample the fragrance.”

  Several soldiers walked around holding bundles of similar green plants. Alec couldn’t smell anything, except the stench of horse and day-old sweat from the Rol’dans’ hands.

  “Very good,” Captain Rossen said. “And when you dig up the roots …” She held a small, brown root branching in furry tentacles. Once again the soldiers walked around with the roots so all could see them properly.

  “Seems like quite a bit of traveling to learn about plants,” Alec whispered.

  Taryn snickered.

  Captain Rossen continued, “The mitimum beetle has a shiny, iridescent shell.” She opened a small wooden box and removed a beetle, no bigger than the nail on her little finger. She placed it on her palm and angled her wrist, like they were supposed to be seeing something more than a bug.

  “The next item,” the captain continued, “is the violet taum berry. It can be mistaken for a sickle berry, which is quite plentiful in this region. The difference between the two is the taum berry has a bitter taste when consumed.

  “However, you don’t want to eat them, for the inner meat of the sickle berry, although quite tasty, has been known to turn one’s skin purple for several weeks. You can obtain enough of the taste by rubbing them gently on your tongue, like so …” Captain Rossen held two small berries and brushed them on her tongue.

  Servants circled the tables with two bowls filled with dark purple berries. Alec took one from each bowl and examined them. They were exactly alike.

  Around them, a multitude of tongues dangled out of mouths as frantic hands rubbed berries against them. Alec considered tossing them in the grass until one of the Rol’dan soldiers cast him a suspicious glare. Alec turned his back to him, reluctantly stuck out the tip of his tongue, and gave both berries a quick swipe.

  Nothing.

  He stuck his tongue out farther and rubbed a bit harder.

  Still nothing. This was so stupid.

  He stuck it out the rest of the way and rubbed vigorously, determined he’d taste the nightforsaken things. Everything would’ve been fine if he hadn’t looked at Taryn mirroring the same action. Their eyes met and she smiled. And as hard as they tried to keep going, they had to stop. It was very hard to stick out your tongue and smile at the same time.

  Laughter rang from the yellow table where a boy sat, his skin now a strange shade of violet. The others around him rolled off the bench, tears running down their faces. The boy, on the other hand, was miserable.

  “Now, now,” Captain Rossen said. “You see what can happen if you don’t follow directions precisely.”

  A few whispered comments of “blue boy” circulated.

  “Let us continue.” Captain Rossen cleared her throat. “The perridrake plant can be identified by the texture. It has a plush, fur-like coating on the underside of the leaf. Once you find the plant, break open the pods near the base and obtain the seeds.”

  A soldier passed by with two leaves. One supposedly a perridrake and another some other common weed. Alec rubbed them, not noticing any difference. He scraped a hand through his hair. This little treasure hunt would be harder than he’d first thought.

  “The last item is the feather of a Bonnie Bird.”

  A man approached with a cage holding a very small, very nervous brown bird. It opened its beak with a soft chirp.

  “Its call is the best method of finding where it nests. It prefers to build in low bushes. So once you find it, you should have no problem obtaining a loose feather.”

  General Trividar stepped forward. “Now that you have a description of all the items on your list, your first test will be to go into the Forest of Vidar and find them all.”

  “How are we supposed to do that?” a boy in the green group said.

  “To b
ring forth a Shay, one must focus intense emotions into the center where the Shay lies dormant. However, bringing a Shay forward is a much more complicated task than just searching blindly in the forest for leaves or feathers. We must find an incentive—such as fear—to bring forth the power.”

  General Trividar crossed his hands over his chest, one side of his mouth curved up. “To aid you in discovering your power, if you so have one, your incentive will be to search this list of ingredients for the antidote to the poison you just consumed.”

  Silence followed. After the initial shock, a wave of angry voices rose.

  “The first sensation will be an illness in your stomach,” General Trividar said. “More than likely, many of you are feeling it now. The second symptom will be fever and dry mouth. No amount of water will aid you. Then your stomach will sour, like it’s been turned inside out. Vomiting, weakness, and dizziness are all the later symptoms. By then, you will wish you were dead.

  “But before you dig your graves,” General Trividar continued, “the poison is not fatal. The quicker you find the antidote, the fewer symptoms you will suffer. So urgency is a priority in your quest.”

  A girl jumped up, as if to run to the forest. A few others did the same.

  General Trividar held out his hand to stop them. “I need to tell you two other items of information. The first: All the objects we used in this demonstration are unavailable to you. They will be placed under lock and key and under careful guard. The second: Once you find your ingredients, you will need to bring them here. Captain Rossen will combine them properly. Oh, and one last thing. It is possible to find the items without Perception, but it would be difficult to do so before the poison takes effect.

  “Good luck to you all. May the king’s grace shine upon you, if you are so fortunate.”

  Chaos erupted. Panic-stricken participants jumped from their seats and dove into the forest, yelling and squabbling as they went.

  A wide-eyed girl next to Taryn jolted from her seat and grabbed Taryn’s arm. “Come on!”

  Taryn rose and staggered a few steps before stopping. “Are you coming, Alec?”

  “No,” he replied. Alec couldn’t say anything else. His blood boiled so hot he could melt the knife in his hand if he sliced open a vein.

  Taryn gave Alec a nervous smile, but allowed the girl to drag her away.

  The whole gathering area cleared in moments. Only Alec, the Rol’dan soldiers, and Nolan remained.

  Alec locked eyes on General Trividar. The Rol’dan were devious and manipulative, but to be as deceptive in such a thing as a meal—something sustaining life and strength. No. He wouldn’t be a puppet, especially not to him. He refused to dash around the woods like some hunted deer. General Trividar would have to find his sport another way.

  Instead of heading off to the edge of the woods, Alec stomped straight toward camp, passing directly between the Rol’dan.

  General Trividar stepped into his path. “I didn’t think you were stupid enough not to know the location of the forest. Over there, Mr. Deverell.”

  “I know where the forest grows.” He took a step around the general, but the general blocked him again.

  “One of my Strength Rol’dan would be more than happy to throw you in,” the general suggested. “However, the landing would probably be more painful than walking yourself.”

  “Get out of my way.”

  General Trividar snarled, striding toward Alec.

  Nolan stepped between them “I’m sorry, Alec, but all competitors are required to participate.”

  Alec gawked at Nolan. What was he doing? How could he take their side?

  “It’s the law.” Nolan gave Alec a look that said, I’m sorry. “You must enter the forest to complete the trial.”

  “I must enter the forest?”

  Nolan nodded. “Otherwise, you’ll be considered a traitor.”

  Alec clenched his teeth. He couldn’t let them win. But there was no way around this. If he didn’t do this, they’d arrest him. It would serve no purpose at all, except to hurt Father more. If Alec let the general arrest him, he would win. Alec tried to calm his rage. Then an idea came to him. Maybe there was one more option …

  “How long must I remain in the forest?” Alec asked.

  Though it was subtle, Nolan smiled. “The laws note nothing of time.”

  Alec turned toward the woods, stepped into the edge of the trees, and trailed it toward camp. General Trividar matched his pace, stalking him with each step. When Alec reached the outcropping of tents where the blue camp stood, he stepped from the woods.

  General Trividar glared. As Alec passed him, he purposely bumped the general’s shoulder with his own. “Shame,” Alec said. “Looks like I’ve failed.”

  He continued on, ignoring the vein protruding from the general’s neck and the golden-yellow light of his Speed Shay blazing from his eyes. Alec even ignored him when the general gripped the hilt of his sword. Alec had succeeded in making him furious, and that fact alone made him smile. And his smile remained the next several hours, at least until the poison took hold.

  ***

  When Alec woke the next morning—or closer to afternoon—he wasn’t alone in the grass under the blue flag. Sprawled all throughout the camp were what looked like dead bodies after a gruesome battle. But the groaning and retching reminded Alec that they were all alive.

  He closed his eyes and tried to ignore another wave of nausea. He couldn’t even imagine how he would’ve felt if he had gorged himself like he’d wanted.

  A steady tapping jarred his head. He opened his eyes, stood, and staggered around several people on the ground. The camp waved and lurched before his eyes, the stench of vomit everywhere. He grabbed a tent pole, focused, and kept going until he reached a familiar figure nailing a document to a post.

  Nolan grimaced as he pounded the curling paper. Messy brown hair hung in his eyes. Behind the purple bruises mottling his face, Nolan was as pale as if he’d eaten the poison too. He finished hammering and gripped an arm across his chest. He was strange. For some reason, he kept protecting Alec. It wasn’t like Nolan knew him at all. Alec wanted nothing more than to enrage that general. But his wiser half knew he was being stupid. And Nolan kept risking himself so Alec would stay in one piece.

  “You okay?” Alec asked.

  Nolan released a stuttering breath. “Strange you should ask. You look dreadful.”

  “I feel dreadful,” Alec said. “But at least not as bad as them.”

  Nolan’s blue eyes passed over the others. “Hm, yes. It’s not much better anywhere else. I’m glad to see you’re up and about.”

  “Thanks to you.”

  Nolan smiled faintly. “I didn’t do much.”

  He grabbed another nail and pounded the paper in place. After he’d finished, he buckled over, resting his hands on his knees.

  “I think my rib is broken.” Nolan straightened, though it took him a lot of effort. “It’s a good thing I only have to lift quill and parchment.” He glanced at the hammer in his hand. “Well, at least for the most part.”

  Alec pointed at the document Nolan had just posted. “What’s this?”

  “The schedule for the rest of the week: Tomorrow, the blue group will do the Challenge of Accuracy; the following day will be Strength; then the next day Speed; and the last day will be Empathy. The other colored groups alternate days. Everyone will get a turn at each trial.”

  “Only four more days?”

  Nolan nodded.

  Alec did a quick calculation. “What about Healing?”

  “You’ll get lots of chances to test that power.”

  “Doesn’t sound very promising.”

  “No, I’m afraid not.”

  “And the Perception trial yesterday?” Alec asked. “Did anything come from it?”

  “One came into their power. A girl.”

  Panic washed over Alec. He scanned the pathetic people across the grass, draped over rocks, propped against trees, and
those who just fell where they were on their faces. She wasn’t here. Matter of fact, Alec hadn’t seen her at all.

  “A girl from yellow group,” Nolan said. “I believe her name is Sussan. Taryn is waiting this off inside her tent. I checked on her a few minutes ago.” He slipped the hammer into a leather pouch on his side. “Well, only three more signs to go.”

  “Want some help?” Alec asked, and then a wave of dizziness clouded his vision. When it cleared, Nolan had a hand on Alec’s shoulder.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think you’re in any shape to do anything.” Nolan studied his face. “And, Alec, quit making my brother angry. He’ll make you regret it.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “I hope so.” Nolan released Alec’s shoulder and gave him a sympathetic smile as he turned and walked away.

  Whatever pity Alec had for him was replaced with annoyance. What did Nolan expect him to do? Ignore the general when he taunted him? Alec wouldn’t let General Trividar, or his arrogant friends, get away with it. All he needed was a sword, and he’d show them a thing or two.

  A shiver went through his body, and his stomach flipped with such force he couldn’t hold it. He retched while leaning a quivering hand on the post. Alec pulled back up and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

  Yes, he’d show them … just not today.

  Chapter Seven

  ALEC WATCHED as Captain Faal’s eyes glowed a deep sapphire blue. With a simple motion of the captain’s hand, he cued a group of blue-caped Accuracy archers forward. They positioned themselves next to quivers embedded in the ground and nocked blue-feathered arrows in their bows.

  “The Shay of Accuracy complements the art of archery perfectly,” Captain Faal began. “With our special ability, we can hit anything within our range of vision.”

  The bows creaked as the Rol’dan pulled back and aimed at numerous colorful targets at the far end of the field.

  “Ready?” Captain Faal said. “FIRE!”

  A volley of arrows sang through the air and thudded into the targets, each finding their mark in the center blue circle.