The Elementalists: Dawn of Shady Schemes

Chapter 31

That evening, I had the layout of all the traps, and was looking it over so I could position myself as to where I would go. Fage was finishing her salad as I looked over the map. Atlas was gnawing on a bone that someone tossed at her after dinner, and listening intently as I hummed on and off as I looked at it.

You seem very anxious, Atlas commented.

I sighed out of annoyance, and replied, Yes Atlas, I am very anxious.

You know, Trent's got the army down and Kate is basically the main director of the traps... Atlas said. You're just one of the big bosses the Shades are gonna deal with.

Good, I replied gruffly. At least they know I'm a challenge.

There was silence for a few moments, until Atlas continued, The Trinity have a gift for you this evening for the upcoming battle.

I paused, and looked over at her. They have a gift? Why? What're they gonna give me, a pat on the back and a 'Good luck Scarlet, hope you don't get killed.'?

No no, Atlas laughed. Something to your benefit, so you WON'T get killed.

Goodie, I stated with sarcastic enthusiasm. I sighed remorsefully afterwards, and then said, I'm sorry Atlas, it's just I have a lot of stress on me right now. I just wanna focus on the battle. I know, you're trying to help me feel better about it, but...

You just need to focus on what's ahead of you. Atlas finished. I know I know.. just trying to make it a little better, which obviously isn't doing anything.

I stared at the papers and then realized... where am I gonna put Fage during the battle? She can't fight, she's too young for that. Plus, the disturbing images of blood, gore, and violence would just simply ruin her childhood. I can't let her go through something like that.

"Fage," I said as I rolled up the papers. "Would you be comfortable enough for me to show you the basement this evening?"

Fage had finished her last bite of salad, and was putting it in the dish washer, and replied from across the kitchen, "Yea... why?"

"You're going to stay down there tomorrow until the battle is over." I said. I added with worry, "Plus, I don't need you to get kidnapped and then use you to bribe the camp's surrender."

"That wouldn't be very pleasant," she agreed.

She followed me down into the basement, which would have a lot of things for her to be occupied with. There was a ping pong table, a TV with a gaming system on it (and many, many games for her as well), a stereo for music, a small table and chair with a desktop on it, a couch, a closet filled with sporting equipment, a fridge, a small table and chair, and a whole lot more.

When you walked down into the basement, your bare feet was greeted by a stone cold concrete floor. There was plenty of shelves, neatly organized and labeled, filled with many different things. When you walked along the stairs, you saw a pantry, filled with pre-bought food. There was a small wall, blocking two little rooms. One was a small one that had an open entrance, and had a ping pong table in it. The open entrance led to the rest of the stuff, all neatly positioned. When you exited out of the big room, right leaning up against the wall was the fridge, filled also with pre-bought food, too. The table and chair was in the middle of the space.

"This basement seems more welcoming than creepy," Fage stated as soon as her toes touched the floor. "Minus the fact that we need slippers down here..."

I chuckled in agreement. If I came down here, I was always in comfy, warm clothing. I went down here whenever Kate and I had a sleepover. The couch was big enough for two people to sleep on it, and it was angled, too... and HUGE. We normally talked, played ping pong, or battled on a video game for a while.

I told her where everything was and how it all worked, so that way she wouldn't wreck anything.

After that, I tucked her in, and Atlas automatically told me about fifteen minutes later as I finished a novel I had my nose buried into for quite a while, to meet her outside to summon the Trinity.

I did so after finishing the last page, and then I did summon the Trinity, and I relived the moment in which they called me Master, as they bowed and greeted in reply, "Greetings, Master Scarlet."

I wanted to ask them in the most polite possible to stop calling me that, but I thought it would offend them, so I sucked it up and replied with the nod of a head.

As Atlas has informed you, Stallion said excitedly. We have an absolutely SPECIAL gift to bring to you!

Are you a hundred and ten percent sure that she's ready to receive this? Tiger asked, concerned. This is a highly valued item, and I'd hate for it to break or get wrecked in the hands of a rookie.

Wolf chuckled. No need to worry, my fine-striped feline friend, all will end well.

May I ask what this item is? I said very politely.

You'll receive it, Wolf answered, and revealed the item.

Boy, was it eye candy... a beautiful bow, that I swore was carved out of gold. It had many beautiful designs, and when I pulled it back, there was the perfect tension on the draw, and the length was just right. The arrows inside looked like as if it was made from griffin feathers, and the arrows were a dark oak with a touch of golden design on it. On the bow, it did have little spots where dark, dark oak had been revealed. There was also four elemental stones in the bow as well- two above where I shot the arrow and two below. The quiver also had a familiar design.

What... what bow is this? I asked, still shocked beyond belief. It looks as if it was made for a queen!

It is actually a very special kind of bow... Wolf replied. It's called the Bow of the Baroness. The Baroness saw what troubles you've been going through lately, and thought that she had no use of her bow anymore, and requested us to give it to you the evening before the battle.

I bowed down to the Trinity, and said, Oh, well tell her I give her many thanks.. it is perfect!

I saw Wolf smile at this, and said, I was hoping so... anyway, may the best of luck be with you for the battle tomorrow, Master Scarlet.

I gave a wide smile, as much as I wanted to scowl, and bowed in reply and thanked them.

That evening, as I stared into the sky, I wondered what surprise the Shade magician had in store for us.. and I hope at least it would be something easily manageable...

But I was afraid that would be a lie.