Nose-diving on the dusty ground, I push myself to my feet. Where have I landed now? A grunt from above startles me. I inch my head up, unwilling to let my eyes follow, feet scuff the ground, and air billows from its nose. A troll.
A large, grotesque, stinking troll, how? How have they managed to keep a troll here without anyone mentioning it?
Surely that’s something to tell the newcomers, ‘Hey, welcome to beautiful, peaceful, safe Nu’cov. Oh, be careful of our pet troll.’
Dragging a huge club behind it, wrapped in barbed wire, my stomach sinks and my mouth runs dry. I take a few deliberate steps back, my eyes remaining on the troll as it progresses towards me. A glint from a table in the middle of the sandy pit catches my attention. A golden chalice, covered with vibrant jewels along the rim, with pointed handles at either side.The prize.
The troll follows my gaze and grunts again, scraping its foot along the ground, barrelling towards me. I dive to the side as it swings its club up in the air, crashing it to the ground. Rolling out of the way,the force reverberates throughout the ground, shaking underneath me. Dirt flies into the air, stinging my eyes.
Coughing and choking, I don’t see the troll breaking through the fog until its knocking me to the ground. I roll onto my stomach, trying to get onto my feet before the club swings again, smashing into the ground. I jump up just in time and run for the centre where the golden chalice shimmers in the sunlight.
I reach for it, but the troll grabs me by my waist, lifting me in the air and screeching in my face. Spit flies from its mouth, soaking me. I retch at the stinking drool, another trial, another day covered in disgusting shit. Taking my only chance, I kick my feet at its face, my heel going straight in its eye. With a guttural scream, it drops me, and I skid off the ground, rushing towards the chalice.
Grabbing hold of one handle and thrusting it high in the air, the field disappears, and the troll vanishes in a second. I lower the cup, confused as I now stand at the edge of the cheering crowd. Caelan claps, walking towards me.
“Well done, you passed the test of courage.” I half chuckle at him, unable to produce words. I turn to Iza and Lilah, watching them grin from ear to ear. Caelan says, “Lilah is an illusionist.”
“Illusionist? You mean all of that was fake? Are you kidding me?” Checking my arm, the slice from the axe is gone, leaving only the ripped tourniquet. I point the chalice at Iza, as she smirks, turning away. Lilah looks apologetic about the whole thing, but then, Lilah by herself seems decent, although it’s not often she is alone. Her sidekick is always hanging around nearby with a sneer permanently etched on her face.
I shout at Iza as she walks away, “How? How did you know about the Zopdil and the spiders?” Iza glances over her shoulder, looking smug.
Arel pats me on the back, Kaleb grabs the chalice from my hands, and Ronan walks over with the hint of a smile on his face. I don’t say anything because he still scares me shitless.
Caelan wraps an arm over my shoulders, walking me away from the others. “You did well kid, had the crowd holding their breath. You gave them a good show.”
“Well, I’m glad they had fun.” I scoff, shaking my head. “Please tell me the next trial isn’t going to kill me.”
Caelan smirks at me, raising an eyebrow. “Well, that one is up to Arel.”
Letting me go, he walks to his hut. I turn and face Arel, who avoids my glaring stare. I stomp over to him. “What do you have planned?”
Arel flashes a playful smile, patting me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, it’s only a little hike up the Cap,” he says, pointing up to the highest peak of the mountains.
My stomach drops.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Andi
I try pushing up on my weary legs, but they have no strength in them. “Who are you?”
“Take it easy,” a soft voice says from beside the ajar door, half hidden in the shadow.
“Please. Where am I?”
My memory is fuzzy. I remember the festival, the disgusting drink, dancing and laughing with Megan and Eliza, then nothing. My mind goes blank.
The door squeaks open, and a familiar face rushes towards me, wrapping her arms tight around my neck.
“Can’t… breathe… Kali.” My shoulders relax seeing my friend's smiling face. Kali gestures for the unknown person standing at the door to come in, but they stay where they are, peeking past the door frame.
Kali gently touches my head and arms. “It’s about time you woke up.” Wrapping her arms around me with less force than before. “You’re alright, right?” Her brows crease with worry.
“I’m okay.” My voice comes out croaky. I force a smile, even my facial muscles are too tired to move.
Kali passes me a glass of water. “Good. Don’t scare me like that again. We thought you were a goner. Lura healed you, but it took a lot out of her; that poison almost killed you.”
Her sister. Could that be the voice hiding at the door? I smile towards the shadows, holding my hand up in a wave, but the figure shrinks further back. She seems much shyer than her sister, whereas Kali has no problems being in the spotlight.
