Page 7 of Phixmery

A tired laugh titters out of me. “I’m sure there will be a next time.”

It takes a few hours but after wandering through the forest, we finally reach the other side. Although I could feel eyes on me the entire time we were in there, nothing touched or came near me after that incident with Bracken. It was eerie, and I’m not sure how to feel about it. I’m just relieved that I’ve made it through that portion of this trial.

“Nero, do you think you could fly up and see where we’re going?”

He croaks before taking off and I watch him until he becomes a black dot in the grey-covered sky. I huff and start in the direction we were heading, considering it’s the only way. Two massive peaks sit on either side of the valley, with nothing but boulders and snow as far as the eye can see. My gaze traces the ground; if anyone has come this way, it hasn’t been for awhile, or the wind has covered up the tracks. I can only hope that I’m going in the right direction and I didn’t get turned around.

After about twenty minutes of trudging through snow, some of it reaching up to my knees, Nero swoops down, taking his place on my shoulder. “We are still on the right path. We’ll probably reach the academy in a couple hours.” He pauses like he wants to say more.

I tuck my hands inside my cloak, wrapping it further around me to keep warm. “Well, spit it out,” I mumble, my breath visible as it leaves my mouth.

“There’s a cliff. It looks like you’re going to have to climb down it,” he trails off.

My pace doesn’t stutter—much—as he gives me that minuscule amount of information. Commander Ashbluff didn’t say anything about scaling a cliff. Well, there’s nothing I can do about this now.

The only thing I can do is move forward and then make a plan when I see the situation with my own eyes. While I put off the impending thought of a cliff, my thoughts drag to other places, other plans I need to make. I have to keep my identity hidden, which means finding a way to escape this place and get as far away as possible. I could try to find a way to Vathia, but that is the heart of enemy territory and I’m no safer there than I am here but wouldn’t right under the enemy's nose be the safest? A list of pros and cons begin to form in my head. From the small amount of information Gretchen gave me over the years, I’ve been able to piece together that I’m surrounded by the enemy; in every province. Shalo isn’t an option for me for obvious reasons, but there has to be somewhere secluded I can live out my life… Maybe somewhere near the ocean but high enough in the mountains that finding me wouldn’t be easy.

I pace myself as I tread through the banks of snow until I reach the precipice. The view is gorgeous. The sun peeks out from the clouds and sits between the peaks of the mountains on the other side of the massive valley, like four lovers cradling it tenderly. Dragons soar in the distance; their roaring and deadly breath are a testament to their fierceness, their scales glinting in the setting sun while gryphons fly with them. I could stand here and watch them all day, but I’m sure there will be time for that later. The white sparkling blanket that covers the earth reminds me of home and comforts me like a warm hug. At least the landscape is familiar—this I can survive in. Always survive.

The thing that catches my eye amongst all the snow and brush is the massive towering castle in the distance. Dark spires reach towards the stars, and a massive curtain wall notched with parapets and guard towers surrounds the whole thing. It’s stunning, causing an ache to form in my chest as a whisper of a memory tries to surface. Maybe it’s my former childhood home trying to surface. But I barely remember that.

Peeking over the edge, I nearly lose balance. I drop to my knees to stay more steady and not tumble to my death. It’s a long way down. Black specks cover the ground below, and it’s hard to tell if it’s rock formation or bodies. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat and search for a place to begin my descent into my new hell.

Thank the fates for all the climbing I did back in Shalo. Hunting was always better up high, and I always needed to be prepared. I couldn’t workout regularly because of the meager scraps of food I had to ration, but I did my best.

Nero flies behind me, helping to guide my feet and hand placements as I climb down the escarpment. A strong gust of wind blows past me and I press myself into the rock face, shivering.

“You can do it Rav, you’re almost halfway there.” Nero cheers. “Alright, now put your left foot down about a foot and a couple inches to the left. Perfect,” he praises.

My hands are cut and bleeding from the firm grip I’m keeping, and more than one nail is busted and stinging, but pain is something I can push through. Pain is as familiar to me as the feel of my own flesh. I go to step down again and the moment my foot connects with the foothold it crumbles beneath me, my grip loosens and I slip. The breath in my throat catches as the wind rushes past my face.

“Ravina!” Nero bellows, his voice echoing inside my head.

I take a second, ready to summon my magick, consequences be damned, when something catches me in its grasp mere moments before I splatter on the snow-laden ground, then proceeds to drop me unceremoniously into a deep snowdrift.

My breath catches as I roll onto my back, and I see a glimpse of dark purple or maybe black scales before it disappears back into the mountains. Before my mind can comprehend what just happened Nero lands on my chest and nips my nose.

“I swear to the fates Ravina, you’re going to make my plumage fade into a dull black. Are you okay? Did that dragon hurt you?” he rapidly questions.

Laying there for a moment, I take stock of my body. “I think I’m okay. Just a bit winded. Wait, did you say dragon?” I say out loud, not bothering to mind-speak with him.

He flaps his wings and hops further up on my chest. “Yes, dragon. It came out of nowhere—I thought it was going to have you for a snack!”

Pushing to my feet, I dust the wet flurries off myself before turning towards the massive castle in the distance, nothing but scattered evergreen trees and foliage standing in the way of the end of this exhausting day. “Well, I wasn’t a snack and I didn’t die. Come on, let’s get moving. I want to get there before that stupid dinner bell, I’m starving.” I pick up my leather bag and place the strap on my shoulder. Unable to stop my curiosity, I look back towards the sky, hoping to catch another glimpse of the beast, but it’s already long gone, so I turn my attention back in front of me.

But my appetite quickly fades as I notice the numerous bodies scattered around me, their blood and innards coating the snow, bones sticking out of chunks of lacerated flesh where they’ve broken when they hit the ground, standing out starkly against the pale drifts. Definitely bodies and not rocks, then.

Why was I saved while these fae were left to fall to their deaths?

MY LEGS ARE dragging as I finally approach the black hewn stone gatehouse to Phixmery, with the portcullis left open for us recruits. The sun faded almost an hour ago and nothing but torch sconces light the way as I cross the drawbridge, fear of the unknown skittering along my skin.

A guard steps out of the shadows into the flickering, warm light. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a recruit come in so late. Name and magick type?” he snaps.

My voice comes out as a whisper and Nero nuzzles against my temple. “Ravina Solace and I’m not sure,” I lie. “I thought I was a null until commander Ashbluff said I wasn’t, so here I am.”

“Don’t talk back, Cadet. This is your only warning,” he snarls as he jots something down on a scroll. “Dinner is just about over. Head into the training yard and wait to be addressed about your rooming and schedule.” He strides away, dismissing me.

Training yard?I glance at Nero who ruffles his feathers in what I think is the bird equivalent of a shrug. So helpful. I can only hope that this place is easy to find. I mean he would have given me directions otherwise, right? We carry on through the tunnel, leaving the crotchety guardsmen behind, and it opens up into a wide-open space of walls lined with targets and straw dummies. Torches line the pathway all the way to what I assume is the front entrance to the castle with its large stone arch and towering wooden doors.

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