“I’m fine, just stood up too fast.”
“You look pale,” Henry said from across the tent, concern evident. He’d been watching.
Sebastian didn’t say anything else, but his grip on her hand remained firm. His palm was rough, calloused from years of wielding a blade. Kara shook her head, brushing the dizziness away and raised her free hand, sending a shimmering emerald light around her. A mix of heat, lack of sleep and no food. Nothing serious.
“Honestly, I’m fine. Thanks. Both of you.”
Sebastian’s fingers tightened slightly around hers. His crimson reached for her emerald – a hint of the strength she’d felt on the river flowed through her. She looked up at him.
Not now.
Kara blinked and the crimson was gone. Henry cast a pointed look at their joined hands. The tension clearly hadn’t gone unnoticed. Sienna was watching with a knowing expression. Jax looked like he was holding back a comment. Kara flashed him a warning look.
She pulled away from Sebastian and stepped backwards.
“Drink some water,” he ordered her, pointing to their canteens.
“Yes, mother,” Kara replied, too quickly.
He smiled slightly, then dropped his gaze, his jaw tightening. Tension emanated from him like heat. Anger? Restraint? She wasn’t sure. She crossed her arms and forced herself to focus – the trial would begin soon.
Henry’s team were summoned minutes later. They departed through the tent flap without a word. Team Three followed not long after. None of them returned. Jax paced. Sienna hummed tunelessly. Gregor and Morra fidgeted. Oryen recited a prayer under his breath. Sebastian stood still as stone, staring at the tent flap.
The tension broke at last when the Arcalon assistant appeared, calling abruptly, “Team Four.”
Kara stretched out her hands and felt the reassuring hum of her magic underneath, waiting for her command. They were led in silence to the arena’s edge, where black plumes had begun to billow over the walls, the thunder of the crowd dominating the space. The air was thick with heat, the scent of burning wood unmistakable.
What in the name of the Four is this?
The assistant stopped abruptly and turned to face them.
“You have fifteen minutes. Save as many as you can.”
“Excuse me?” Kara asked, horrified. “Save who?”
But the assistant didn’t respond. “May the Four bear witness. Your time starts now. You may go.”
They looked at each other for only a second – then ran.
In front of them, the entire arena floor had been converted into a replica of a Vallennan village – narrow streets, thatched roofs – but all of it was burning, flames licking up the walls. The heat already unbearable.
Through the haze and chaos, Kara glimpsed flashes of ruby – Fatàn shield bubbles shimmering – holding firm within the blaze. And inside them were... people. Villagers huddled together. Real volunteers, shielded for now from the fire that ravaged their surroundings, waiting to be pulled from the flames.
Waiting for them.
Fifteen minutes.
“Cover your mouths,” Kara said as she pulled bandages from her satchel and tossed them out. They wet them quickly with water from their canteens and tied them around their mouths and noses.
“Stay low – the air will be clearer,” Sebastian ordered.
Once they were all wearing their makeshift masks, Oryen yelled, “Let’s split up!”
They surged forwards. The crowd cheered, screaming their names. Morra slammed her hands to the ground. The soil flew upwards in writhing tentacles, the ground rippling beneath her palms. The tentacles latched together to form thick walls of earth which towered over them. With a strike of her arm, Morra sent the earth collapsing over the flames of the nearest house, smothering the fire, a cloud of steam and ash billowing in response. The ruby shields stood untouched. Morra smiled in triumph – then her face fell. The flames recovered quickly – already licking their way back up the chimney.
“Jax!” Morra shouted.
“I’ve got it!” he yelled as his hands glowed a brilliant blue. With a sharp pulse of his magic he drew water from the river beyond the arena walls. A wave rushed in, pouring through the east gate, dousing a path ahead. Jax raised his hands again, the sapphire light crackling between his fingertips. The torrent soared up and crashed over the nearest building with an angry hiss of steam.
