First Apprentice

Chapter 9 Part 1

Five minutes into the test, I realized Terry hated Joel, the Seven, the Border Guard High Council, our mutual clan, the universe, and me in that order. Ten minutes later, I spat out a mouthful of blood and reluctantly moved my name to the top of Terry's most hated list.

My arms ached from Terry's blows. I still held my sword, but only just. Another hit like the last and I'd be finished for this round. I clenched my jaw and raised my sword, guarding my right side while I channeled magic into my throbbing ribs. Cracks radiated out from where Terry's fist struck my side during form twenty-five, which required the defender take a glancing blow before throwing their opponent.

It glanced. Then Terry's magic lashed out like a third fist, broke two ribs and cracked another. I healed them as best I could, but bones were harder to heal than cuts. I needed another two or three days before my ribs were whole. Until then, they were a major weak spot.

Step. Parry. Side step. Never lock blades. Against another woman I might win, but not against Terry. Even with magic strengthening my muscles and bones, he would over power me. His sword swept mine aside. A fist drove into my stomach. I stumbled.

My blade slipped from my fingers and clattered when it hit the ground.

"Quit," Terry said as he stalked towards me. He swung his longsword with one hand and flexed the claws on the other.

I dodged the first strike, blocked the next. Terry's sword glowed blue as he pumped magic into it, sharpening the edge. My magic burned as it surged forward, coating each scale in a fine layer. The sword skittered down my arm, but failed to cut. Muddy orange flames soared higher in Terry's aura – frustration. Then the pattern settled back to blues and purples dominated by red flames. Blackened around the edges, they looked like drying blood. Almost sentient strands spun off and floated around him, waving in an unfelt breeze. A few reached towards me. I flicked them aside before they connected.

Hate. Pure, unadulterated hatred focused solely on me. I snarled at him. I knew this feeling intimately, lived with it until I was ten-years-old. I had to accept it then. Never again.

"No."

Terry batted my hand away and slammed his fist into my injured ribs. Black crept into the edges of my vision then ash filled my mouth. I closed my eyes and turned my head, breathing lightly through my nose.

Terry pressed my cheek into the ground. His claws dug into my neck, bruising. Then he twisted his thumb behind my ear, raising the edge of a scale, and stabbed his claw into my flesh. I bit back a frustrated scream.

Lost, again.

Apprentice exams are unique. Each member has their own test, their own list of qualities they look for. But all exams share one key feature. They are all or nothing. Fail one phase and you fail the exam. Terry's had four. Forms then weapons drills then free spar then a summon of his choice. I passed the first two. Barely and only because Endellion beat self-healing into my brain.

I was in serious danger of failing the third – six free spars to first blood. Four times, we sparred and I bled. Actually, I never stopped bleeding. Terry viewed self-healing as a personal insult. I learned during forms that if I fully healed an injury, he'd return it with interest. The trick was healing myself enough to function while leaving a few minor scratches and bruises. It didn't matter. I was in serious danger of failing the free spar and we all knew it. 

"Hold," Joel yelled.

"Four down." Terry yanked his claw out of my neck. "You'll never pass. You're eight centuries too young to make me bleed. Candidates have died during my exam. Quit before you join them."

My eyes narrowed, but I stayed down while Terry sauntered away. He leaned against a boulder as if it were a tree. I barely suppressed a smirk. The arrogant ass was still caught in Uncle Manfred's illusion.

Joel's claws clicked against stone as he walked over to me. "Need a breather?"

Without taking my eyes off Terry, I picked my sword up and climbed to my feet. "No." I hesitated. Nibbling on my bottom lip, I eyed Terry's boulder.

I wondered if he realized how many seals were hidden under its surface. Seals to lighten, float, roll, and even explode. All were my work. A little magic and this nightmare would be over. I licked my lips and gave Terry my sweetest smile while I imagined his expression if his leaning post exploded underneath him. I doubted it would kill him. Dracon scales are stronger than armor.

"Define lethal," I said.