House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) (8 page)

It's remarkable how different King Varian and Ragathon are. Not just in looks, though that too. The King is broad-shouldered, muscular, rugged, with brown hair, a handsome face and those purple eyes. Ragathon is hawk-nosed with black hair and dark eyes. He must be using EZ-Eyes to change their color. His natural eye color must be purple. He also lost his accent. He obviously hates his family and wants no association with them. I wonder what happened.

More trumpets blare and King Varian stands to congratulate everyone and announce the final two Knights to do battle. Jax and Thane.

There's no doubt who everyone is rooting for this round. Well, maybe everyone but Ragathon. I never can tell about his loyalties.

It's a tough match. Turns out Thane isn't all talk. He actually knows what he's doing. I get a sick feeling in my stomach as the match goes longer than any of the others. I can tell Jax is getting tired, and I hope he has enough stamina to beat Thane.

King Varian is watching intently. "Was Jax ever punished for his crimes?"

My heart stops. Not this again.

Ragathon is fast to answer. "No, against my better judgment, the Council chose to release him."

I can't keep my mouth shut at this. "Your better judgment? You would have killed an honorable Knight for doing the right thing and defending me against your corrupt and cruel Inquisition Officers. You have no judgment, only bitterness."

The other Grandmasters are shocked into silence. Even my grandfather raises an appraising eyebrow. But King Varian surprises me with a bemused chuckle. "Miss Night is right. It was a fool's decision to make a public spectacle of his execution, and it cost you quite a bit, didn't it?"

I slump back into my chair, relieved. But Ragathon continues to glare at me as King Varian watches Jax.

It's a tough battle, but in the end, Jax wins. The crowd erupts in cheers, and I clap the loudest.

The wait staff bring in more refreshments and desserts as Jax is paraded around to the calls of his fans.

King Varian eats a strawberry and leans back in his chair. "I'll be taking over Combat Class and Tactics," he announces. "I'm not impressed with what I've seen today." He leans forward, watching Jax. "Except for him. He impressed me. I'll take him as my Second." He looks at Grandmaster Gabriella. "Those are your classes, correct? You don't mind, do you?"

Grandmaster Gabriella looks like she just swallowed a rat, but she shakes her head. "Of course not, Your Majesty."

"Chancellor Forrester, I assume you have no objections."

My grandfather is watching me with a curious expression as he raises his hands open palmed. "We are at your disposal, Your Majesty."

The King smiles. "Please, call me Master Varian. Here, I'm not King, just a teacher and a Knight."

The Chancellor nods. "Very well, Master Varian. We are pleased to have you part of the Initiate training. They will learn a great deal from you." My grandfather rubs his beard. "However, I understand your primary reason for being here is to apprehend Nightfall. Might I ask what you have planned?"

Master Varian looks back out into the Arena, but his gaze is distant, lost in thought. "It's her move. Let's see what she's made of."

***

It's my move. Fantastic.

"Scarlett," Evie says, as I walk with Corinne and Wytt to dinner, "it would be unwise to underestimate King Varian. He does not appear to be as impetuous as his brother."

"Yeah, I know. I know."

Wytt looks up. "You know what?"

I tap my eGlass off. "Nothing, just talking to my eGlass."

He looks at me oddly, then shrugs. "Cool."

As we head to dinner, I notice a lot more people than before. "It got crowded when I wasn't looking."

Corinne nods. "With classes starting tomorrow, a lot of last-minute students are showing up. Tonight's the Welcome Ceremony, so everyone's required to attend."

I'd almost forgotten classes start tomorrow. A nervous butterfly flutters in my gut. Mostly at the thought of getting up before dawn.

Once everyone is settled with their dinner, Chancellor Forrester walks to the podium. "Welcome to Castle Vianney for a new year of training and learning. To our returning students who have been chosen by their Orders, you are about to embark on a new path with even greater trials. To our new Initiates, prepare yourself for the greatest challenge of your lives."

That doesn't sound ominous at all. I look around and notice most everyone has stopped eating to listen, which is good. It means I don't have to fake eat anymore.

"You will learn more from your individual classes, but for now, allow me to introduce you to our curriculum. You are about to begin your Fall Quarter training here at Castle Vianney. You will have two classes from each Order; however, each quarter does have a different focus, which dictates the nature of the Trial. The Fall focus is the Teutonic Order and the Trial at the end of the quarter will test your Teutonic skills."

Wytt leans forward from across the table to whisper at us. "One of the Initiates died last year in the Teutonic Trial."

I look at him in surprise. "What? Seriously?"

He nods. "Seriously."

"That's crazy. How can they allow it?"

Wytt shrugs. "To become a Knight in the old days, you had to fight in battle. Many died. In lieu of battles, they must provide dangerous challenges to weed out the weak."

The Chancellor is still talking. "As some of you know, these Trials are not for the faint of heart. They are graded as pass or fail. You pass if you succeed at the mission in the time allotted. You fail if you take too long, or surrender. Or die."

Wytt raises an eyebrow. "See?"

The Chancellor continues. "Many of you might have heard that these Trials are dangerous. If you are not willing to take those risks, then the Knighthood is not for you."

He looks sternly at everyone before continuing. "You must pass all four Trials to be considered for Knighthood. You must also work hard at your classes. You will be graded on a scale of one to ten for each class, and your Masters will determine who amongst you is exceptional. For those they deem worthy, they will give you Boons to take with you in your Trial. These Boons could mean the difference between success and failure. Do not underestimate the importance of attending all of your classes and doing well."

There goes my plan for ditching PT and sleeping in.

"Furthermore, your Masters will be evaluating you throughout the year. They will be the ones to determine who amongst you is chosen for their Order. A word of warning: You could pass all the Trials—but if you do not impress a Knight of standing, you will not be chosen for an Order."

I didn't know that. And by the reaction around the tables, many others didn't either.

The Chancellor moves to the side as Master Varian joins him. "I'd like to now introduce you to a new Master at our school. King Varian of the House of Ravens, First Knight of the Templars, is honoring us with his experience and training as he takes over several classes and acts as my Second for the Templar seat on the Council."

Master Varian nods and takes his place behind the podium as my grandfather sits down. "Thank you, Chancellor Forrester. I look forward to sharpening the future blades of our Orders and making them battle-hardened. There grows a greater threat in our world than just Nephilim or unchecked Zeniths. Now, we have powerful rebel groups forming, flexing their muscles, trying to rip control of our world out of the hands of the Church and the Orders. You are the next generation of Knights who will be tasked with keeping order. With stopping these rebels and bringing peace to these lands. Are you ready?"

As cheers fill the hall, I stare straight ahead, my heart pounding as I consider the cost of my double identity.

The sky is still dark. Which is my second clue that it's entirely too early and I should still be in bed. My first clue was sleeping through the alarm clock. Good thing my roommate is better at mornings than I am.

I barely made it to Physical Training on time, but here I am, running an obstacle course at 5:45 in the morning, sweating through the morning chill. I can't use my Nephilim abilities to regulate my body temperature, because that requires the use of my wings. Instead, I strip off my black Castle V sweatshirt and tie it around my waist as I keep pace with Corinne and Wytt. We're all dressed the same, in our workout pants and black shirts, all embossed with the Castle V logo. And everyone looks equally miserable.

"I really don't think we should have to wake up before the sun. It should be a law," I complain as I duck under branches, jump over logs put as obstacles in the woods, and try not to trip in the dark.

Corinne looks over at me sympathetically, her hair blue this morning, rather than pink. "It gets easier."

I don't believe her, but I keep my mouth shut. I don't want to sound like the whiner I clearly am right now. Zorin will probably be thrilled to know I'll be working out so much. At least one of us will be happy.

Wytt's quieter than usual, and I nudge him as we turn a corner in the trail. "No witty banter to keep us distracted?"

Corinne laughs. "You and my brother share the love of mornings," she says.

"A kindred spirit," I say, giving Wytt a small smile.

He grins back at me. "The deep darkness of the night is where my soul thrives."

"Understood." I nearly trip over a rock in the path, but my reflexes are faster now, and I catch myself before I fall. That's a nice perk to all the changes I'm going through.

That feeling is short-lived. Three guys from our class pass us, and the big one in front, who looks like a linebacker with a thick meaty body and short dark hair, sticks his leg out to trip me. This time I do fall, scraping my knee on the rocky dirt. Wytt and Corinne stop and help me up as the guy turns around and smiles. "Sorry about that. Hope you don't tell your Grandpa on me."

He turns and runs away before I can think of a good comeback. I stand, dust myself off, and we start running again after multiple assurances that I'm fine.

"What was that about?" I ask.

Wytt and Corinne exchange a look that I can tell means they know something I don't. "Come on, guys. Spill it."

Corinne shrugs her shoulders. "She'll find out eventually," she says to Wytt.

I look to her and then to Wytt. "Find out what?"

Wytt sighs. "That's Garin. He doesn't like you much."

"I can see that. But why? I've never even met him."

Corinne answers. "He and his sister were scholarship students. They were on a waiting list, and they both got in… until you showed up."

I can tell this isn't going in a good direction. "What did my showing up have to do with it?"

"The Orders only accept a certain number of Initiates each year," Wytt says. "There's a huge waiting list. Even though there are other schools that train Knights, this school is the most elite. The best of the best train here. People from all over the world want in."

And now I understand. "So when I showed up and they accepted me, someone else had to go."

Corinne nods. "It was his sister. She had the weakest entrance scores."

"There was an entrance test?" I ask, surprised.

"For most people," Wytt says. "Some don't have to take it."

I look to each of them and see the truth. "None of us had to take it, did we? Because of our family connections?"

They both nod.

"So, Garin and his friends and others who have to rely on tests and luck, they hate us for our privilege."

"It's not your fault," Corinne says. "You didn't set up the system."

"First day of class and I already have enemies. Fantastic."

Wytt pats my back. "But you already have friends, too."

We're just getting back to the Castle when hidden speakers come to life and a British voice I recognize as my grandfather’s fills the air. "Attention Vianney students and faculty. Tomorrow night there will be a public whipping in the Castle Courtyard. All are required to attend. Thank you and enjoy your day."

I stop and lean over to catch my breath. "They do whippings here?"

Corinne looks down at her black sneakers. "Sometimes. If one of our own is being punished."

I don't enjoy seeing people suffer, and I can tell Corinne feels that doubly. "Any idea who?"

Wytt shakes his head. "Haven't heard a thing about it. Weird. Usually these things are being talked about days in advance."

I start walking to my room when Corinne calls me. "Where are you going?"

I look down at my sweaty body. "To shower."

Wytt laughs and throws an arm over my shoulder. "Oh darling, you have much to learn. We have fifteen minutes to grab breakfast before our Combat class begins. Where you will just get sweaty all over again."

I slump under the weight of his arm. "Really?"

All my muscles are sore from running, pushups, sit-ups, the obstacle course and not sleeping enough. Now I have two more hours of training? At least I'm going to be in excellent physical condition by the end of the quarter. If it doesn't kill me first.

We make quick work of breakfast, with me begging off food in favor of Life Force and coffee. Turns out coffee still tastes like coffee, even with my new Nephilim taste buds.

I'm still guzzling too-hot coffee as Corinne and Wytt push me out of the dining hall.

We enter the Arena where our Combat class is taught. It looks different today, more like the empty ruins it was modeled after rather than the bustling stadium it was last night. A few scraps of red cloth from discarded tokens are all that remain as a reminder of the celebrations.

There's about twenty of us waiting for class to start, and it's the first time I've seen all the Initiates in one place without the other Knights. Corinne, Wytt and I stand to the side, leaning against the Arena wall. I take the time to study the other students.

Garin and his two buddies are standing in the middle, clowning around and mock-fighting with a few of the swords that hang from a weapons' rack near them. He has a fighter's face, his bent nose looking like he might have broken it a time or two. When he sees me looking at him he sneers, but I don't turn away my gaze. I feel bad that his sister lost her spot at this school, and I hate that I'm the reason for it, but I'm not about to let my empathy excuse his bullying. So I hold his stare until he turns away and punches one of his friends in the shoulder, who yelps and punches him back.

"Do you two know everyone here?" I ask.

Wytt nods. "Mostly, yes." He points to a girl alone off to the side. She's pretty, slim, with golden brown hair in an A-line cut that shines under the sun—which finally woke up—and golden eyes. "She's a bit of a mystery. Comes from royal blood, or so I've heard. An old family, but I'm not clear on which old family." He points to the oldest member of our class. An Asian man probably in his forties, with shoulder length black hair. He's doing a graceful kata that looks meditative, like something he's done his whole life. "His name is Akio. He's been trying to get into this school for a few years and finally made it. He's not of noble blood, but his family is well-respected in Japan and very wealthy."

I'm impressed. "How do you know all this?"

Corinne snorts. "He's a busybody."

"I resemble that remark," Wytt quips with a grin. "I just know how to ask the right questions."

I point to a guy and girl who are flirting with each other. "And them?" She's got dark hair and eyes, with a curvy body. He's tall, blond and attractive, the kind of face that could sell movie tickets.

"The girl is Lana. She's from a noble, and very rich, Spanish family. And he's Prince Jaden of Sweden. Not the Crown Prince, so he gets to have more fun."

I look around and notice someone missing. "Where's your brother?"

Corinne frowns. "He'll be here soon. Punctuality isn't his strong suit."

As if on cue, Kai comes striding in, that cocky gait to his walk, just moments before King—Master—Varian comes in with Jax by his side. The King is dressed like all the Masters, in a long black robe with the Castle crest on one side of his chest and his own Order on the other. But you can't watch him walk and not see the royal blood in him. The leader. The King. Even without the fancy outfit and crown. Even with just a leather strap holding back his hair, and his swords at his hips.

Jax looks around and stops when his gaze lands on mine. He smiles, his eyes crinkling in that way I know so well, and I smile back. For that moment, we're still just those kids who liked to build forts together in my backyard. Who played with sticks and pretended they were swords. It's all so strange, seeing him in this world. With a real sword strapped to his hip. He outranks me in every way imaginable, and yet he's still the boy I grew up with.

Everyone starts to line up as Master Varian walks to the front of the class. "You know who I am, and I'll learn about you as I see you fight. So we're going to skip formalities and get straight to it. In this class, you will learn combat. With weapons, with your hands and feet. With your mind," he says, pointing to his own head. "But first, I want to see what you're made of. So, I'm going to pair you with one of your classmates, and each team will take center stage and spar until one of you wins."

My hands start to sweat as he calls out names. Corinne is paired with Lana, Wytt with Akio… and I get stuck with a smirking Prince Kai.

Kai walks over to me and grins. "Guess my dad likes you even less than he likes me."

I cross my arms over my chest. "Really? How do you figure?"

"Because he may not like me, but he knows I can fight." He lays his hand on the sword at his hip, a sword that looks way more dangerous than any of the chipped and fading steel on that weapons rack. "If he put you with me, he wants to see you fail. I wonder what you did to anger him."

I shrug, unsure how to respond to that. We've already formed a circle around the first two students set to spar. They each pick a sword from the rack and begin on Master Varian's command. I expect to see fumbling and false starts, but they've both clearly had training. I'm getting a bit nervous. My sword fighting skills are still rudimentary at best. I can do the Way of Nyx like a champ, but since Zorin won't teach me more until he's satisfied, I'm stuck.

And I don't know if Kai's as good as he says, but I'm not keen on losing a duel my first day.

When our names are called I walk over to the rack and look at my options. None look like they will be much of a match against the gleaming, sharpened masterpiece that Kai has. I pull one out and test the weight. Satisfied, I take my place and face Kai. He winks at me, his purple eyes offset by black hair that falls over his forehead each time he moves.

"Ready?" Master Varian asks.

We both nod.

"Begin."

We circle each other, swords held at ready. I grip the hilt, trying to keep the right amount of pressure. Not too tight, not too loose. I keep my body relaxed and focus on Kai's core. I lunge, and he parries. We're not fighting so much as testing. The clang of metal is loud.

Everything in me wants to unleash my Nephilim abilities as I fight, but I know I can't. Not here. It would be suicide.

I rein in my pulsating heart and the heat building in me as our swords continue to clash and we continue to lunge. He's playing with me, like a cat toying with a mouse before dinner. I do my best to keep a handle on my temper. Battles can only be won with cool heads.

When Kai picks up his attack, getting more aggressive with each move, I have to keep up. I twist, move, my feet kicking up dirt as I block and thrust. But he's faster, better, his skill honed since childhood.

He's getting too close. I'm losing balance, losing focus. I'm on the defensive. I can't lunge or attack, I can only keep him from cutting me. First one to draw blood wins.

I will not lose.

I use a move from the Way of Nyx, a move meant to regain the offensive when your opponent has you backed into a corner.

With it I push him forward and knock his sword from his hand. He looks surprised, shocked even, and Master Varian comes over. "Well done, Miss Night."

He looks at Kai. "I'm disappointed, Kai. I expected more from you."

When he looks back at me I can feel Kai's rage as well. "Miss Night, where did you learn that move?"

Oh, no. I think fast and decide the truth is best. "Videos of Nephilim fighting."

There's a gasp in the crowd of students and Kai raises an eyebrow.

I expect rebuke from Master Varian, but he smiles at me. "Good job. Continue."

He turns his back to us, addressing the class. "Miss Night has taught everyone here an important lesson. Learning from the enemy is the most important thing you can do if you want to defeat them."