“Will you be teaching us ballroom dancing?” another of the Kingston triplets chirped, causing a smattering of giggles to erupt around them.
“No. For everyone’s benefit, we’ll leave that to Madame Cuorvo.” Rising from his seat, he stepped around the room. One by one, his hard stare humbled them until the only one who dared meet his eyes was Lily, that strange hate burning brighter than ever. “I would like everyone to pair up please, we are to begin training in physical combat. Any and all augeres need to be placed on the far shelf in a quick and orderly fashion.”
A wave of hesitation rippled through the room. They eyed him and then each other until Roxanne was brave enough to speak up. “But, Sir, Calami only teaches magical offense and defense, physical combat has never been part of a witch’s curriculum.”
Icarus gave a reluctant smile, but sighed, crossing his arms and shifting so that the backs of his legs rested against the cushioned wall of his own magic. “Though you are often correct, Miss Laurier, you’ll find yourself mistaken in this. While it has been years since physical combat was taught here, if you pick up a copy ofA Historian’s Guide to Magical Education in Lynoriaby Warvold Tamlin, chapter twenty-nine has a detailed description of how the original founders of Calami required every witch who graced this tower to be sufficient in both magical and physical combat. I’ve spoken with the headmistress and we’ve determined that it is necessary to reinstate the old practice.”
“Why?” Arabella’s tone rang harder and hollower than Icarus had ever heard it. He watched the edge of suspicion creep over her soft features.
Icarus hid the stunned jolt he felt well, the clench of his jaw the only tell giving away his impatience as he appraised the oldest Marudas sister. In the time he’d known her at Calami, he recognized her as soft-spoken, kind, and intelligent, all the things from his reading that had made up both the first and second vessels. But they’d also had great power and tenacity. The world was not easily commanded, in such a position long-lasting discord would need to be bent to her will. Would she be ready to conquer such a thing?
“The better question iswhy not, Miss Marudas. Why wouldn’t you want to know how to defend yourself should your magic fail you?”
“Are we anticipating such a thing,professor? Our magic failing us, I mean,” Lily chimed in, more impertinent than ever.
“Pair up, now.” The bite in his tone made several students jump. Many branched off in twos, but Icarus halted Arabella before she could join a partner. “Not you. I believe a demonstration is in order.”
Confusion twisted the graceful arch of her brow and she opened her mouth but Icarus cut off her words.
“The rumor mill at Calami is a constantly turning beast. From it, I’ve heard that recently a few students here were involved in a magical skirmish of sorts, with you at the center of it.”
From the back of the room, Icarus noted the Kingston triplets shifting uneasily, having sense enough to realize what he was referring to.
With another flick of his wrist a glowing circle formed in the center of the stone floor, wide enough that ten students would fit comfortably inside. Many gasped and moved quickly back from it, though Arabella held her ground and, to his surprise, stepped further toward the center of the circle.
“So I’ll be fighting Ariminta then?” To her benefit, her voice only betrayed the smallest of quivers.
“I-I’m not fighting her,” Ariminta stammered.
“Not alone.” Sharply, Arabella’s gaze snapped to him, followed by Roxanne's whose mouth hung open at the prospect. “The fight was with all three young women, is that not correct?” He asked in such a way that dared her to contradict him.
“I only touched one of them,” Arabella replied.
“Yes, but through your magic all three fell. The lesson we start with today is balance. We witches and wizards have an unbecoming tendency to hide behind our magic. To put ourselves in situations that would be unconquerable should our power fail us. Imagine, for a moment, your magic had failed or worse, been burned away. Imagine you cast a spell but the witching would not come and you were forced to face them without such a crutch.” He paused, drawing out a long silence. “Now let that imagination become a reality. Show us how you would defend yourself in such a scenario.”
At her expression, Icarus had to wonder if he was taking things too far, if this lesson was about more than testing her limits as the potential vessel, but also an attempt at sabotage. Surely, once Seren caught wind of this she would be furious and not want anything more to do with him. And it was on that note he held fast, curious to see if Arabella would back down and refuse.
Instead, the young woman steeled herself and slowly turned towards the three silhouettes that gathered in the far corner. Reveling in their advantage, the three moved forward in eerie synchrony, stepping into the circle as one. A malicious smile came over the center's face and spread to those on either side of her. “What do you say, Marudas? What are you made of without those fancy powers?” the middle one purred, her teeth flashing as lethal as a panther.
Arabella’s only reply was the balling of her fists. She rooted herself in place and threw a quick glance at Icarus, as if waiting for the go ahead to attack, but Icarus held up his hand.
“Swords were tradition in the days of old. It was said there was nothing quite as dangerous as a Calami witch with a blade in one hand and her augure in the other. However, today we will be using fists. As stated, no magic is allowed. Should you cast a spell or step outside the circle's barrier, the fight will be over for you immediately. Is that understood?”
Roxie let out a bitter laugh full of disbelief. “That’s it? You are just going to let them go at it? Not show them anything before they start? No tips, no further rules?”
“As I have explained, Miss Laurier, this is a demonstration. A lesson in itself of how combat looks without magic or experience. How the tables can turn. And a lesson on not dishing out what you, yourself, are not prepared to eat.”
“This is ridiculous! Ara didn’t pick that fight.”
“No, but she finished it. Let us see if she can finish this.”
“Professor!” Roxanne exclaimed, her cheeks going red with fury and her foot stomping against the stone floor. He watched Lily reach forward and clasp her arm, as if holding her back.
“It’s fine, Roxie,” Arabella snapped before Icarus could respond, though her eyes stayed narrowed on the three witches in front of her, filled with anticipation. “I can do this.”
Icarus had to admire her grit, and for the first time, he glimpsed something more than the docile creature that had first arrived at Calami. He saw potential. A hidden truth. “Begin.”
Like a pack of wolves, the Kingston triplets spread out and slowly began an attempt to get behind Arabella, yet their target was too clever. Arabella followed the curve of the circle, staying in motion with her heels at the very edge of the light barrier. A dangerous gamble, to be sure, albeit a smart one should she manage to hold her ground.
