The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 29 The Wanderings of the Mind

I crashed into bed several hours later, after my watch of the King, staring up at the dark ceiling and making a mental note to avoid any and all parties that I could from that moment forward. Particularly any ones that the Hayes family was attending. I only hoped Jasper wasn't too angry with me for ditching him with his psycho family.

I replayed my conversation with Jasmine, wondering what on earth this Claire person had been talking about. Her name rang no bells in my mind, how could it? She was some capital pansy who I'd surely never met in my life. Why was she so intent on spreading rumors about me? Then again, she wasn't the only one. It seemed gossip and backstabbing ran rampant among the nobles. I rubbed my eyes and rolled over, pulling the sheets up over my head and drifting off into the dream world.

I was training. But not in the Magna Complex or the Servinius Tournament Facility with Kyle. The room I was in had a high ceiling with ugly fluorescent light fixtures that cast strange shadows across the cinder block walls. My feet were on a wooden platform in the center of the room and I was facing off with a boy my age with shaggy brown hair and dirty clothing. Jase Hirsch.

Brandishing duel swords he leapt at me but his attack was sloppy and I easily dodged him. I had no weapon and was keeping my hands crossed behind my back. This was a test, could he get a hit on me when I had no way to protect myself.

Anger burned in his eyes as he thrust his blades rapidly and repeatedly in my direction, always giving away his next move with a tilt of his head or a shift of the eyes. This was more than just a training exercise, this was personal.

A small crowd had gathered to watch the unfolding drama and a figure with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes was amongst them. I nodded briefly to him, my boyfriend David, and then turned my mind back to the fight. Well, if you could really call it that. It was more of a cat and mouse game without any end in sight.

"You got him killed!"
My opponent growled.

"He took the mission willingly Jase, knowing the dangers."
I replied calmly, despite the guilt I felt.

"Do you really think your mother would have let him off so easily if he declined?"
He hissed, lunging at me sloppily.

"My mother certainly had her role to play in all this. And for my part, I'm sorry I let him go alone."

"Sorry doesn't bring my brother back!"

"No, Jase. It does not."

I sidestepped both of his blades easily once more. My mother had made quite the mess of the whole situation, and per usual, the cleanup work fell to me. I was too young for this drama. I should be hanging out with Aylee and Idris, goofing off and enjoying our short-lived time as teenagers, not pacifying a grieving brother. I wasn't exactly a grief therapist.

Jase took another swing at me and grazed my shoulder. His sword tore my shirt and lightly scratched the flesh underneath, drawing blood. It was nothing really, but David lunged forward, concern in his eyes.

"Astrid, call it off."

"I'm fine. Stay out of this David."
I waved him off, knowing I had to let Jase get his anger out.

My emotional opponent swung wildly at me, accidentally embedding his sword in the wooden post that marked the edge of our fighting ring. Momentarily distracted, his grip slackened on the other blade. In an instant I had stolen it from him and had it raised, ready to fight.

"Well come on then. Fight me."

He wrenched the blade free and narrowed his eyes at me, appraising the situation. He struck at me but it was easy to block, our swords clanged together, echoing in the large room.