They’d done it.
Just have to survive the next three now.
CHAPTER 5
WHERE THE CURRENT TAKES US
Where two rivers meet, the current that flows on is stronger than either alone.
–Water-worshipper proverb
Kara climbed down from the podium to find Alys already waiting outside the maze entrance.
“Your team came first?” Kara asked.
Alys beamed. “We’ve only been back five minutes. You’re second.”
Her team would score three out of four points then.
Not bad.
“Henry was surprisingly useful.” Alys grinned. “We had two riddles. Wouldn’t have got past them without him.”
Henry overheard and gave Kara a self-conscious smile. She returned it without thinking.
“Did you have to heal anyone?” Kara asked.
Alys frowned. “No, why?”
“We had collapsing floors, walls that almost crushed us, and a stone monster try and kill us. Jax ended up with a fractured skull.”
Alys’s eyes widened. “Gods above. We didn’t have anything like that. Just puzzles and those riddles. Is Jax alright?”
Kara nodded. “He’s fine.”
Jax was sulking openly now he’d realised they’d come second. Oryen launched into analysis, retracing their steps aloud and Sebastian stared at the scoreboard, disappointment written across his face. Gregor didn’t speak at all.
Morra was more positive. “Still three more to go, we can make up one point easily.”
Kara smiled at that.
The third team emerged much later, looking shaken. Their Thorne delegate’s hands were bloodied and raw. The last team came out at a run, two of them carrying a third between them – their Durent delegate judging from the amber cloak that dangled down from his limp form. Thomel was running by his side, hands glowing emerald, but the man’s head was still bleeding profusely. Thomel’s magic was stuttering, not catching. Head wounds were notoriously difficult, every healer knew that. Even harder under pressure. She made to move forward, but Arcalon healers were already there, strong emerald wrapping around the Durent man’s body. Thomel looked mortified.
Uneasy glances and concerned murmurs passed through the crowd as the Durent man was taken to the healing tents. The High Council said nothing. Just watched from their box. The Durent lord, Merrick, at least had the grace to look concerned.
An Arcalon official stepped forward. “The Water Trial will take place at the river at the fourth bell. You are dismissed.”
Kara’s team headed straight to the river that surrounded Vallenna City in silence, finding a spot under a large beech tree by the starting line. Four wooden longboats were bobbing in the water behind them. Crowds lined both banks already, the air buzzing with anticipation and the smell of grilled meat and something sweet Kara couldn’t place.
Jax smiled broadly. “Now, this is more my speed.”
Morra passed around thick slices of oat-honey bread, still warm. Kara shared her nut cakes from home with Sienna. Gregor didn’t eat at all – grunted something about waiting until the trial was over. Jax had brought a jar of spiced fish paste from Navyr, which Sebastian loudly refused, instead eating a rather insane amount of meat and bread.
“Crimson makes you hungry,” he said in response to her raised eyebrow at his third portion.
“I didn’t say anything,” Kara said.
“Your face did.”
