Reign of Embers

Chapter 38- Competition day

Aelin

In the end it's another two weeks before the competition can take place. Attacks have been coming almost every other day, with more and more citizens fleeing the city, but almost double this number seeking refuge from the outer villages. Dorian sent word that Ardalan has finally been attacked, and Manon senses more unrest among the witches. Eventually we decided that the attacks will happen anyway, so the least we can do is pretend everything is normal for a day. Extra guards are on duty while the competition is happening, but the shadow of war looms over us all.

I stand on the raised platform on the 'battle ground', aka our training courtyard, and watch as the children file in wearing their battle uniforms full of apprehension as to what the competition will entail. Despite having been trained for the past ten weeks, none of them know exactly what awaits them. In total we have four age groups, each containing approximately 20 people; 80 children file out of the barracks. The three to five year olds lead, followed by the under 10s, under 15s, and finally the under 18s. Each child is marked with a coloured fabric band on their arm depicting their age group and embroidered with symbols to represent any magic.

I step forward as they all come to a halt. "Welcome to our competition, each of you will be tested on your physical and mental strength, combat skills, teamwork, and leadership. Those of you with magic will be required to demonstrate your magical abilities, while those without complete alternate tasks. You will earn points in each section which will then determine your ranking in your age group. The tasks get more difficult as they progress, yet you can tap out at any time. You will have regular breaks but make sure you tell us if you feel unwell or see anything strange. The younger participants are mainly here to have fun, whereas the older two age groups will be experiencing real life scenarios in a controlled environment. If anyone wishes to complete tasks in a higher category please visit the green tent over there," I point to that general direction, "Lady Elide and Lord Ren will review your requests. Any questions?"

Everyone is silent so Rowan steps forward to direct them to their stations.

The training courtyard, some of the castle, and surrounding grounds are filled with puzzles to test their skills, including corridors filled with magic, and areas of woodland filled with hidden traps. The courtyard has multiple different sparring rings to showcase weaponry and combat skills.

As the day progresses the names on the leader-board shift and change places, constantly surprising us with who is winning at each moment. It came as no surprise that Josie and Gavriel chose to move up a category, now competing against the 11 to 15 year olds. They both appear to be holding their own, even appearing at the top of the board every so often.

Watching the older students fight always mesmerises me. The control they have over their power even after growing up with no magic outstands me, and reminds me of myself. I imagine how differently things would have gone if I had been taught to control my magic before meeting Rowan. What life would be like if my parents hadn't died and had instead sent me to study at a school for magic, much like the ones in Terrasen. I blink away the tears that form, blaming it on my nausea and exhaustion from standing for too long.

However, these emotions don't last long, I spot Elide moving through the crowd towards me. She catches my eye and returns the smile I send her way, waving a role of parchment around excitedly.

"Aelin!" She cries as she comes up the few steps onto the platform, "You'll never guess what. I just got the updated leader board, and....well look."

Beaming, she nearly throws the parchment at me, bouncing around as I unroll it.

"Orion is in the lead for his age group!" I say, referencing her four year old son.

"I know! He was at the bottom earlier due to nerves but Lorcan gave him a pep talk, and now look at him. Hopefully he gets in the ranking, I'm so proud of him!" Her voice blurs into the background as she talks all about the competition. The world starts to sway around me, heat rising through my body, vision going cloudy as if with smoke.

All of a sudden arms are reaching out to me as the ground comes closer and the air gets hotter. I peer down at the flames licking my body. I try to push them down but they only burn brighter. It feels like something is kicking my magic core; trying to force it out. It takes a moment for me to realise there actually is something prodding at my magic, and through the delirium I find the source. One of the babies.

"Come on little baby don't do that, it's not very nice of you. I need to put the magic away now so you need to move." I tell them, and thankfully, after some prodding, they move away. I can feel the heat subsiding, and the arms I can only just feel around me seem to relax slightly.

"Aelin? Aelin can you hear me?" A voice asks distantly.

"Where's Rowan?" I manage to croak out.

"He's coming Aelin. He's coming." The voice says shakily.

I can feel my body shaking, but it's unclear if it is me or the person holding me. Nothing makes sense. I need my mate.

"Rowan" I moan, tears running down my face.

"He's coming...he's coming. I'm here though Aelin, it's me Elide" She seems to be crying through the answer.

"Elide? Where's Rowan?" I ask as her face comes in to focus.

"He's nearly here okay, just hold on." She looks helpless, as if she doesn't know where he is either.

"I need, I need," I croak out, trying to stand, "I need to find Rowan."

"Just stay here Aelin." Elide says desperately, trying to pull me back down. "Aelin I need you to lie back down for me."

"Rowan!" I scream as I take a few stumbling steps forward. Elide's pleas drifting into the background.

I make it down the steps and into the crowd that is huddled around the platform.

"Rowan!" I scream as I push past the guards who try to stop me.

In the distance I see a familiar face, so I head towards him.

"Fenrys have you seen Rowan?" I sob.

He tries to steer me towards a chair, "No, but he has been sent for so will be here soon."

I push away, trying to remember where he is meant to be.

"I need to find him."

I stumble away and keep searching, my mind drifting around as if a ghost. Hands keep trying to stop me but they fall away like cobwebs in my fight to find my mate.

Shouting breaks out behind me, but I only spare it a moment's notice.

My face and clothes feel wet, my lips tasting salty. I have to stop to try and relieve the nausea, but find my feet giving up the moment I sit down against a large oak tree.

"Rowan." I moan, and vomit.

After I've finished, and opened my eyes, a blurry figure appears in front of me, the scent overwhelming the stench of vomit.

"Rowan." I sob as he sits beside me and pulls me into his lap.

"Shhhh, I'm here my Fireheart."