Page 57 of Pawns of Salistya

Green fire balls could only be created by a Sol who specialises in fire and air. Regular fire balls will simply land on a beast and burn for a few seconds. But green ones? The dash of air made sure that once the hit lands the fire sinks into the skin, courtesy of the air component’s ability to sink into the beast pores and expand inside the body. This meant the creatures had about thirty seconds before their whole body would be burned from the inside out.

I watched the light of the beasts’ eyes die as they crumbled to ash then relinquished my hold on the water. The beach returned to normal, calm waves lapping on the shore giving no indication of the fight that had just unfolded.

I stepped behind a tree as the graduates’ heads flicked around to try and discern the mage who’d finished their job in mere minutes. Before they could sense me, I teleported out. Even if they’d worked out it was me that was there, none of them would be game to say it. Not if it showed they’d failed at their task. No, they’ll take the credit for the kills, and that was fine by me. Hell, if I was in their positions, reporting the mission back to Bastra I don’t think I’d be game enough to tell him there was outside help.

I landed in the middle of Varqel’s kitchen, not bothering to be polite and walk through the front door. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. Not after the bombs Qynthia and Orlandia had dropped.

‘Where’s Lyz?’ I asked Varqel, surprised to see him eating by himself.

He shrugged, picking at the chicken meat left on the bone in his hand. ‘She mentioned something about staying late for a new potion she was tampering with. You know how she can be. When she feels she’s onto something there’s no pulling her away from it.’

I nodded in understanding. It didn’t surprise me at all. Once while she was obsessing over a new way to heal poison bites, I hadn’t seen Lyzia for a whole month. I may not understand the pull or her interest, but her devotion to the craft was admirable. Considering she gives me my contraceptive remedy and has healed me countless times when my Sol and I had one too many bruises from training, I couldn’t say I was complaining either.

‘So,’ I started conversationally, taking the seat across from him. ‘How long’s Bastra been stationed here?’

He dropped the chicken bone, using his nails to scrape out the meat stuck between his teeth. ‘Let me guess, Slaviya?’

‘The one and only.’

He rolled his eyes. There was no explanation required, and no point bitching about it. Our thoughts of Slaviya were aligned. ‘About two months or so.’

‘And you didn’t tell me, because …’ I trailed off.

‘Because there’s nothing you can do about it. Plus, you’ve got enough going on. I can handle an inadequate man who thinks he’s all that.’

I laughed at his condescending tone, but we both knew Bastra could be lethal when he wanted to be. And volatile.

‘Well, you’re not wrong. I just saw ten graduates try to take down two tidal beasts. Remember the orange ones with spiked tails we took down after training that time?’ He nodded in confirmation. ‘I watched the show for about half an hour before I handled it myself. The creatures were a few metres off the shore. Rookie error. What are you teaching the kids these days?’ I raised a palm to my forehead in mock disbelief.

‘Where was it? Who was leading the attack?’ he demanded.

‘A couple of kilometres out from the Temple. I felt bodies scrambling around like headless chooks, so I went to check it out. From what I could see, there was no leader. Just ten graduates trying to figure it out.’ I tutted.

V shook his head. ‘That’s not good,’ he said sharply. ‘You’re not the first person to tell me of an instance like this. I don’t know what Bastra is playing at. There’s no excuse for him to not be there. Especially with those juniors. Makes me wonder …’ he started, before stopping mid-thought.

We tended to think on the same lines, which gave me confidence to finish his sentence. ‘Whether Bastra’s presence on the Isles is not to only take care of the army? Because if it is, he’s doing an awful job. He must be occupied with something else.’

We sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, both of us theorising the possibilities for his presence. Slaviya was up to something.

‘The Solistans can take care of the Isles themselves. We have been for the last however many years. We have the experience to dispose of the tidal beasts efficiently with minimal to no casualties. Yes, there’s been an influx of graduates staying back on the island, but I can still handle the army and the training. I haven’t seen Bastra much since he’s been here.’ V was leaning the side of his head on his hand, tapping his middle finger on his forehead, deep in thought. ‘I’ll keep an eye on the situation and let you know of any findings.’

‘Please do. Feel free to pull a couple of Maz’s spies, if need be,’ I offered.

He shot me a thankful look. ‘I think at this stage it’s best to keep it to myself. If I need to, I’ll reach out.’

Staring at him, I suddenly noticed the bags under his eyes. And were those wrinkles I could see? V never had wrinkles. He must be tired. I refused to acknowledge they could be due to age. In mystubborn mind, Varqel was immortal. He would never leave me. I would not entertain the thought.

He caught my appraisal and pasted on a fake smile that I saw right through. ‘Was the Bastra discussion all you came for? Not that I’m upset with your company, of course. You know I love seeing you.’

Also, classic V with the redirecting of conversation. In truth, I can’t be annoyed. I learnt it from him and utilise it often.

‘Partly,’ I shifted apprehensively, nerves coming back in a heavy wave.

‘You’re giving me ‘I want to know this information, but I’m scared to say it or ask for help’ energy. You know I’ll always help where I can. What is it, Little One?’ His gentle voice soothed me like I was a baby bear who’d been reunited with their mother after being separated for too long.

‘Do you know what a True Infinite is?’

Varqel dropped the cutlery he was holding loudly on the ground. I didn’t miss the scared shock on his face but he quickly covered it up, pasting on an expression of indifference. ‘Where are you going with this?’

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