Chapter Forty-Seven – The Healing Tent

  Gray stood with his squad mates—everyone except for Ames—on the top of the dais. Blythe’s team stood one level down and Pinch’s squad were at the bottom. Eighteen squads had survived the culling, with the fae squad and Blythe’s squad placing two runners in the top twenty.

  Crewel congratulated Squad 23 for being the golden victor.

  Gray was surprised that the squads were numbered, and he didn’t like his squad’s number, but he was pretty sure that Crewel would only laugh if he asked to change it.

  The reason why Gray could stand there without falling over was because of the healing needle he’d stuck into his arm. The worst of the gashes from Blythe had scabbed over, but he still ached.

  After the awards ceremony, they were off until noon.

  Gray and Squad 23 hurried to the medical tent where Ames lay.

  Tomi immediately went over to the unconscious dark elf. The cat girl’s dirty blond hair fell over her eyes as she knelt beside the stretcher, clutching the unconscious dark elf’s hand. “I didn’t mind getting hit. Believe me, you get used to it after a while. But seeing Ames…they beat on her while she was healing me and they didn’t stop even after she went…went still.”

  “Who?”

  Tomi half-laughed. “Who do you think? Our fae friends. I’m pretty sure they want to be best friends with us.”

  Rynn’s hands were shaking, and she was so pale. “Not Pinch, right? I mean, it couldn’t have been her. You took her out of the race. She didn’t even run, did she?”

  Tomi’s smile was heartbreaking. “No, she didn’t. That’s the only good to come out of this. Me and Ames didn’t have to run. We did have to listen to Pinch scream at her squad. She was not happy.”

  “Good,” Midj whispered. “But Tomi, we won. We came in first place. What you and Ames did mattered.”

  The cat girl blinked. “What? No. it couldn’t be.”

  Gray slid another needle out of the fabric of his uniform. “It’s true. Turns out Blythe is a dragon. I don’t think the captain knew.”

  “Speaking of which, where is she?” Midj asked.

  They were all silent.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Gray went to the unconscious dark elf. He found her core, which still had mana there, glowing softly. Her face, though, was a mask of bruises and drying blood stiffened her uniform. “Help me get her coat off.”

  They stripped her to her short-sleeves. Then, he slowly inserted the needle. The result was immediate. Ames gasped, coming awake. Gray watched as the healing magic addressed her wounds, and even her bruises looked better.

  She looked at them and smiled wearily. “It’s hard to heal anyone when you need healing. What happened? Tomi, are you all right?”

  “I’m just perfect,” the cat girl said with a relieved sigh. “Spent the morning getting beaten up. Now I get to play a game which seems pointless, followed by another pointless game, but I’m focusing on the bright side. I’ll probably get hit again, so I can’t complain.”

  “I’m sorry for that.” Gray removed the needle for Ames’s arm.

  “It’s not pointless,” Rynn said quietly.

  Tomi glanced over at her. “Come again?”

  Rynn stepped forward. “It’s not pointless. It’s hard, without a doubt, but we’re here for a reason. If we’re successful here, our prospects for the future will be better. I’ve told you how my father is interested in expanding his business in Envy City. But you’re right, the game aspect isn’t what I expected. I thought we’d be fighting each other in more of a tournament style competition, but in the end, this is all a test. I’m sure that hunting demons isn’t going to be nice and orderly. So, I guess, all that I’m saying is…uh, just…that…”

  Every one in the tent was looking at her as the words poured out of her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Sorry. I rambled. But I hope you understand that this isn’t pointless.”

  Tomi coughed. “Yeah. It was sarcasm, angelhead. I know it’s not pointless.”

  Rynn furrowed her brow. “I don’t really like you calling me that, but it doesn’t matter. Let’s be careful with our sarcasm. We need to stay positive.”

  Gray stepped in. “And we need to stay focused. Now more than ever, we’re going to be a target. Pinch isn’t going to forgive us and neither will the other squads. We’re now in the lead, and that will make it harder for us to make any sort of alliances. That’s only going to get worse as we become more successful, but I’d rather be at the top. Rynn is right. We are here for a reason. Even you, Tomi. You can’t go home, and neither can I.”

  That made the cat girl nod, her smirk gone. “You’re right. Sorry, Rynn. I like the color of your hair. I mean, I think it’s really pretty.”

  “Thank you,” Rynn said. “If the angels hadn’t been so horrible, I wouldn’t mind it, but I got teased. A lot.”

  “So did I,” the cat girl said. “But we’re not talking about any of that, probably ever, so let’s just get on with the healing. I’m assuming Ames will do her thing, heal us up, Midj will get a snack, I’ll get a nap, and you’ll tell us where to be for the next event.”

  Gray was about to answer when Settie entered the tent. She immediately swept off her hat and mask. “There you all are. I am very pleased with your performance. Very pleased.”

  Settie paused, taking in the scene. “Oh, I see. I heard that Amaranthis was unconscious, and I came here to heal her. It seems I arrived too late.”

  “I used one of the healing needles that we had made over the summer,” Gray explained. “Ames was about to heal the others.”

  “No need,” the captain snapped. “I’m here. Who is hurt the worst?” Her eyes went over the various cuts and bruises.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  She then came forward to Tomi and put her hands on the girl’s shaggy hair. “One moment.”

  Gray saw the flash of yellow light and felt the mana in the air. Tomi’s eyes were wide, and it was clear she wasn’t enjoying the captain’s touch. She looked like she might bolt at any minute.

  The day was heating up, and the tent was getting hotter by the minute.

  Midj fanned her face with a thin hand. She was half her size after the sprint, and her mana core was nearly depleted. She had a troubled look on her face as she shot Gray a strange look. Then her eyes found the floor. “I like the idea of a snack. We should get butterbang, Gray, and a cherry coya. Have you ever drank coya?”

  “I haven’t,” he said.

  Midj nodded, clearly distracted. “That’s a shame. We should, uh, fix that.” She gave the captain a long look.

  Settie turned from Tomi to stare at the goblin girl. “I didn’t know that Blythe was a dragon, and I wasn’t here when you finished because as your sponsor, I have duties to perform to keep things running smoothly. I’m sure you understand by now that First Field is a lesson in controlled chaos. I help control it.”

  “Because you’ve been here so long,” Rynn said suddenly. She colored. “Not to say you’re old, but—"

  Settie cut her off. “I am old. Ancient in fact.” She turned from Tomi and took the elf girl roughly in her hands. “Now, let’s see about your wounds.”

  More mana filled the air, and slowly, the cuts on Rynn’s face healed over.

  “How could you not know about Blythe?” Gray asked.

  Midj gasped. “Well, now, let’s not beat around the bush. It’s probably none of our business. I had no idea. It’s not like there was any sign that I could see.”

  Settie’s eyes turned cold. “Gray is right. I should’ve known. From what I understand, she hid it from everyone.”

  “But I met her parents,” Rynn said. “They seemed like normal humans.”

  “Blythe was adopted.” The captain sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not concerned about her. Our real problem are those fucking fairies.”

  “Fae,” Rynn said. “They like to be called Fae, I think.”

  “I truly don’t care,” the captain sniffed. “I’ve been trying to find who might be paying them, but so far, all of my efforts have been futile. I don’t think they care about the Testing. I believe they are simply here to cause chaos.”

  Gray rubbed at his eyes. “Maybe First Field is paying them to create that chaos. Maybe they’re just an obstacle. Or maybe you’re wrong. Pinch might be here to compete like everyone else, but she just doesn’t play well with others. But this tent isn’t getting cooler, and Midj promised me butterbang, so…”

  The captain let go of Rynn and came over to him. “Wait there, young man. Yes, I am glad you won, but at what cost? Remember, if we don’t score points in Sixblood or Final Hold, your victory won’t mean a thing. You’ll be culled and all of you will yourselves back at Pubis Port and then on a ships.”

  No one said anything. If Gray returned to Cradleport, he’d end up in prison. He thought of the letter he’d sent to Master Kreef. He figured he’d be getting a response any time now. At least he hoped that was the case. He needed to know what had happened to Blind John. And knowing Kreef, if he’d heard any gossip about the princess, he’d let Gray know.

  Settie noticed the silence. “Yes, I agree with you all. I don’t want you to leave empty handed either.” She closed her eyes. “Grayson Fade, you used too much mana. And we know you have a problem with replenishing yourself. This is a problem. The Crush Rush was the most individualistic event of the Testing. With the coming team sports, you’ll be outnumbered.”

  Rynn opened her mouth to say something, probably to offer to kiss him, but she kept that thought to herself. It wasn’t like he had a lust resonance, it was more that his connection with her allowed him to leach some energy off her core. But after the running and the fighting, Rynn didn’t have the mana to spare.

  Gray held out a hand. “Midj, let’s go get butterbang. I’m very curious. We have hours before the next event. All will be well, Captain. We have a plan. We’ll have enough mana. I assure you.”

  Settie stepped away from him. “Let us also remember that this is only the first day of a longer journey here at First Field. If you die, Grayon Fade, then all of this will have been for nothing.”

  Gray flashed her his most confident smile. “I’m not dying until I taste butterbang. Come on, Midj.”

  The goblin hurried forward, but Rynn joined her, as well as Ames, who hadn’t said a word during the entire encounter. Tomi shrugged. “Guess I can nap while they eat.” When she passed Settie, she nodded. “Don’t worry, Captain. There’s no way I’m going to let us lose. This is all I have.”

  The captain nodded.

  Gray left her standing there. Getting out of the tent, with his newly healed squad, felt so good. When they came into view, people immediately started cheering.

  Other squads were milling around the field, or sitting in the shade cast by the canopies above.

  Midj led them straight to a vendor in the stands, where she bought a paper bag of something greasy. The smell was intoxicating. With it, she bought five big red paper cups filled with a brown, fizzy liquid.

  They found a bench on the field to sit.

  Tomi, of course, laid down and immediately went to sleep.

  Gray dipped his hand into the butterbang, and yes, it was buttery, but where the bangs? They were white bits of puffed something, and they’d been white, but now they were stained yellow from the butter. Both greasy and salty , the puffs melted in his mouth, at first, but their center had a crunch. He’d never eaten anything like them. The cherry coya must’ve been magic because it was cold and fizzy, and so sweet! He drank half the cup before he noticed something was rattling around at the bottom.

  Midj explained the food. “The bangs come from a tiny little grain. When you cook the grain, it bursts open. As for the cherry coya, you have the cherry juice mixed with pressed coya nuts. It’s cold and fizzy because of the soda stones inside. Thanks to mana, we have a delicious cold drink to cut the salt of the bangs. It’s lovely. Simply, lovely.”

  She ate and laughed and talked, all the while pulling in her mana.

  “It’s so wonderful!” Rynn agreed. “It’s a miracle! I’m so glad we did so well, and yes, the captain was right, we have to make sure to score some points in the coming events. But we will. We just need to get the ball through one of the hoops.”

  Ames sighed. She was eating the bangs, one at a time, very primly. “Yes, the points will be covered in blood. But it’s called Sixblood. Tomi will not be alone. We’ll be with her. We are very fast, and I am very happy. Thank you for stabbing me with a needle, Gray. The pain was a kindness…but most of the time it’s not, not for most. I understand that now. I need to understand that. It’s not all pain. It’s not all pain.”

  Tomi opened one eye. “Good one, Ames. That woke me up.”

  “Good one of what?” Midj asked, chomping down butterbangs. “I don’t understand much of what comes out of her mouth, but she’s nice, and she’s our healer, and I figure if you all understand her, it’s okay.”

  Ames smiled. “I don’t understand what the words mean any more than you do. They are mystery sounds, but those sounds add to the soup of our friendship. Maybe the words are strange noodles, and time is a broth, and feelings are vegetables, cooked too long. Cooked too long.”

  Midj laughed. “Food analogies I understand. I’d say your words are more like dumplings, Ames. They come in all shapes and sizes.”

  That made the dark elf smile even more.

  Rynn took hold of Gray’s hand and leaned against him. He felt their cores align, and he closed his eyes. The food and the coya were good treats, but there was nothing better than feeling the closeness of his best friend. Only she was more, he knew that.

  He thought of the night before, and his chest felt warm, and he had to close his eyes. Was he getting mana? He hoped so.

  Midj saw Rynn leaning against him, their fingers entwined. “Oh,” she said simply.

  Ames didn’t say a word, but blushed.

  “It’s not what you think,” Gray said, meaning that he didn’t have a lust resonance.

  “It better be,” Tomi said, eyes closed. “Because you’re going to need the mana. Our best friend Pamalee Thornpinch is going to come after me, and I’ll need you there to protect me.”

  Gray touched her arm. “I’ll do that. You’re not sacrificing yourself for this Testing business. No one is.”

  He said the words, felt the hope, but he knew the truth. The bloodletting had only just begun.